Havana, One of the last true Communist countries

• Patoddcincy's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Havana

Trip Start Feb 24, 2009 Previous
Entry Trip End Ongoing Next
Entry

  Havana, Cuba
Monday, February 15, 2010

Americans are defying the State Department and visiting one of the last true Communist countries. It is easier for Americans to go then you might think. There are several points of departure for travel to Cuba. One of the best places is from Cancun, Mexico. Cancun offers daily non stop flights to Havana. With an abundance of Mexican tour operators willing to book airfare, hotel and arrange the special visa needed for Americans, it could not be easier. Prices range between $400 and $600 for three or four night packages. Cuban emigration will not stamp a United States passport, so there is no fear when returning to the states.


If you go, there are several things to be aware of. Cuba is a country that has been crumbling since the United States embargo began. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba has turned to tourism to keep its economy functioning. Tourist from Europe and the Americas flock to Havana and the beautiful Caribbean beaches in droves. Even with the lively tourist trade, basic accommodations is all one can expect. Shampoo, soap, aspirin and many other necessities are in short supply and may be hard to find, if not impossible. Consider yourself lucky if the shower has warm water with enough pressure to rinse. If the bed does not have springs popping, you have hit the jackpot. Complaints about the accommodations usually go unresolved as there is nothing that can be done.


The tourist paths in Cuba are thriving with constant renovation. The architecture rivals Buenos Aires or many European cities, altho not nearly as well maintained. Old Havana has one of the largest historical districts in the Americas. The true pleasures of Cuba are the cigars, rum, music and art work. That’s correct, the art in Cuba is not to be missed. The exceptional Cuban artist has little chance of showing their work outside the country. The savvy tourist can pick up some true gems for as little as $30.00. For larger original works of art, you will need to obtain a special permit to take it out of the country.


The non tourist areas are where life in Cuba shows its true grit. With generations of the same family living in crumbling buildings, live can be difficult at best for the average Cuban. Fifty years of no paint or any repairs of significance have taken it’s toll. These areas are easily accessible for the tourist. Any taxi driver will be happy to give you a guided tour. If you are lucky they may even take you inside for a glimpse of daily life, of course a small tip will be expected.


With all the downside of Cuba, the tourist is considered king. The Cuban public has marching orders to do what they can to accommodate their visitors. With indifferent, friendliness the Cubans do what they can to comply. If you do not expect much and treat your host with dignity, you will be rewarded with a once in a lifetime experience.

Slideshow Share

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures & Videos

Tourist restaurant	Plaza Viejo	Crumbling building	Salsa Band
Hotel International	50's American car	Hotel International	Vedada district
Havana	Havana waterfront	Havana waterfront	Statue along havana waterfront
Havana waterfront	Havana, centro district	Havana	Havana art
Havana art	Havana waterfront	Havana	Old Havana
Old Havana	Old Havana	Old Havana	Old Havana, national theatre
Old Havana	Old Havana, national theatre	national Theatre and Capitol Building	Pre Revolution Capitol Building
Old Havana, national Theatre	Old Havana, National Theatre	Havana	Havana
Old Havana, Capitol Building	Havana	Havana	50's American car
Old Havana	Old Havana	Havana	Old Havana, Capitol Building ceiling
Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Some guy on the street	Old Havana, central park
Old Havana	Old Havana	Old Havana	Old Havana
Havana	Old Havana, Train junkyard	Havana	Havana
Old Havana, tourist street	Old Russian car	Old Havana building	Bar in Old Havana
Havana	Old Havana, a catholic church	Old Havana building	Old Havana Catholic Church
Havana	Old Havana, tall ship at dock	Havana harbor	Havana
50's American car	Square where Castro gives his speeches	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
Little Forest, Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
50's American car	Casa veijo	Havana, embassy	Havana
Havana	Havana bar	Havana bar	Old Havana, Central Park
Havana school kids	Havana school kids	Old Havana, Central Park	Havana
Old car	Old Havana	Centro Havana, lady in front door	Old Havana
Centro Havana	Havana waterfront	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana, Vedada district	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana Waterfront	Havana
Havana	Havana harbor	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana harbor from the fort on the other side	Havana fort across harbor	Havana lighthouse across harbor
Havana	Havana	Havana waterfront	Havana waterfront
Havana waterfront	Havana harbor	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana military	Havana, Chicken with rice and beans	Havana, cooking the food
Havana produce market	Havana meat market	Havana meat market	Havana, typical food store
Havana	Havana synagogue	Havana Convent, being restored	Havana
Havana	Havana	Old Havana, Pharmacy	Havana
Havana	Old Havana	Old Havana, Plaza Viejo	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana	Havana
Havana	Havana	Old Havana, Capitol building at night	Havana
Havana	Havana	Havana

Previous Entry Next Entry