"Still a great country after all these years" Cuba by Hesus

Cuba Travel Guide: 5,242 reviews and 12,831 photos

Capitol building and National Theatre - Cuba

Havana, great capital city

Considering Cuba is not a big territory, I was amazed to find such a big and charming capital city. Havana host over some two million inhabitants, mostly descendents from Spaniards, and still show sings of a great city after so many years of hardship imposed by a dictatorship. Old architecture, from Spanish times when the city was founded in 1514 through 1898, shows magnificent colonial palaces, churches and parks. The modern city, built in the first half of the 1900’s, resembles the layout of what the city would look like if the building continued after the present government took over in 1959.

I was also amazed to learn how Cuban people suffer the hardships, including lack of freedom of speech, no enterprise, no free press, no political parties and no elections. Not even one Cuban dares to talk and criticize the rules imposed by the local government, while the United States is blamed by the lack of goods due to a US embargo on trade with the Island, and not the inability of the Cuban economical system to produce enough for their own people and trade with other countries.

The local authorities even watch the tourists. They do not trust anyone, since they feel foreigners might bring ideas of freedom to the locals.

Beaches and landscaping are superb. Anyway, all islands in the Caribbean Sea share a beautiful landscape, blue seawater and white sands, but considering Cuba is the largest one in the region, and it used to be the most developed one, they hold the largest pieces of beach and countryside. Green valleys and tropical forests surround the elevations. Music is good, either dancing or romantic. Food is First Class, typical local food or international, based on seafood, meat and grains.

Since enterprise is not free, and the Government is involved in every single transaction, including business and construction, deals are made with foreign investors to build new hotels or remodel those built before 1959.

Several airlines and tourist packages are available for travelers. However, avoid flying Cubana Airlines, their fares are cheap compared to others but the lack of good service and flight security will be an experience you don’t want to have.

I had such a sad experience learning about the suffering of the people and their lack of freedom, I don’t want to go back, unless they change. Let’s hope for the best, and soon.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great capital city, great people
Cons:Lack of freedom, even tourists are watched
In a nutshell:The whole island is a resort, and soon will wake up

Last visit to Cuba: Oct 2003
Intro Updated Jan 4, 2004
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Reviews (4)

Once you are in Cuba.... Transportation (1)

Unfortunately, Cuba suffers from a 45 years old economy depression and they have not had the ability to improve the... more travel advice

Cuban food?, hmmmmmm Restaurants (1)

Keep in mind Cuban food is mostly based on marinated meat, grains and other local ingredients, a mix of flavors brought... more travel advice

Old Havana, the colonial section Things to Do (1)

There are so many magnificent colonial buildings and parks in the Old Havana neighborhood; I will need more pages to... more travel advice

Be aware of the undercovered police!!!!! - Cuba

Be aware of the undercovered police!!!!! Tourist Traps (1)

Under covered police is everywhere. Even block by block, they call CDR. The government is afraid of foreigners bringing... more travel advice

Comments (6)

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matcrazy1 Oct 10, 2006 at 2:35 AM

Great, touching and very interesting reading. I do hope and wait to see Cubans and Cuba among free countries.
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Homanded Aug 28, 2006 at 5:17 AM

Thank you for your truths. I"m glad to see not all tourists are blinded by the fake propaganda! Un amigo Cubano!
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jadedmuse Jul 4, 2006 at 8:37 PM

Gracias por tu candor sobre este pais y su pueblo. M.
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sanwan Apr 5, 2004 at 8:14 PM

thank you for telling the truth i hope when people go to cuba they support the people not the old loco fidel.
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alza Nov 6, 2003 at 9:58 PM

The only Caribbean place I ever saw is Cuba. So I don't know about it all. But I felt the way you did, often. Glad I went and hope to go back... soon! :-)
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craic Nov 2, 2003 at 7:27 PM

Most interesting.