Rumors, Rumors, Rumors

SAFETY

• Cuba is the safest country in the world. There is virtually no crime in Cuba, especially for tourists. There are no cartels in Cuba. No gangs. No mafia. No drugs. No human trafficking. Child prostitution is strictly prohibited and stigmatized. No one has guns in Cuba. Even the police don't carry guns. Cuba is very safe, even late at night. All you'll get are delicious cigars and rum to enjoy while listening to salsa.

HOMELESS

• Cuba has no homeless. Every Cuban has a right to a home they own. Cubans can sell their home and use the gains to upgrade, or buy 2 homes - which is the max. 

EDUCATION

• Cuba has nearly 100% literacy. In fact, most Cubans are highly educated and many even speak several languages. Cubans have free education from kindergarten up to graduate school. Havana University is a world renowned college where even students from around the world come to become doctors, nurses, engineers, artists, etc.

POVERTY

• There is no poverty in Cuba as we know it in the West. Yes, there is an extreme lack of products and materials in Cuba because of the 65 year long US embargo, but no poverty as we define it. Every Cuban gets a food card, a home, a job, full healthcare, public transportation and free education. For Cuba, think "product not poverty." But as a tourist, you will not experience the same shortages of products as the general population, mainly because Cuba takes very good care of their visitors.

HEALTHCARE

• Cuba has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, which is free for all Cubans. Even Cubans living abroad receive free healthcare in Cuba as long as they return to Cuba every 2 years for 2+ weeks. For the last 50 years, Cuba has flown its world class doctors and nurses into natural disaster areas and war zones around the world to help victims at no cost. As a tourist, if you happen to catch a bug, Cuban medical clinics will provide you with 1st class care at no charge. I ate too many bananas one time in Cuba and got really sick. Even in the small town I was in, the medical clinic did a battery of tests on me, gave me anti-biotics, and even a shot of vitamins in my behind. All for free.

TOURISM

• Cubans treat their tourists as beloved guests, especially Americans. Cubans know their history well, and they really appreciate how America rescued them from the cruel Spanish conquistadors. They learn about the Spanish-American War in school, and appreciate that we freed them from slavery. More importantly, the Cuban government teaches its people that tourists are not responsible for their lack of products from the embargo. You will feel very welcomed in Cuba, especially as an American.

Cuba also has amazing food, especially seafood, for tourists. Cuba has the best coffee, sugar and rum in the world as well. 

Cuba even has the 2nd highest rated beach in the whole world about a 3 hour drive from Havana. 

But most impressively, the Cuban people are the friendliest, kindest, most hospitable and generous you'll ever meet. Unlike most countries, you will make several good friends with every trip to Cuba. You'll chat with your Cuban friends often after you get back home, and will be excited to inform them of your next trip to Cuba so you can meet and enjoy new adventures together.

FREEDOM

• There is much freedom in Cuba. The only real political restriction on Cubans is against organizing a counter revolution. Other than that, Cubans have tremendous freedom. Conversations in Cuba are open and vibrant, as long as you don't try to organize a revolt. Cuba also has fully democratic local elections, and a national election system similar to European parliamentary systems. Again, the only candidates they don't allow are counter revolutionaries who want to undo their socialist system of universal housing, healthcare, education, etc. - which 99% of Cubans support. 

FREE ENTERPRISE

• There is free enterprise all across Cuba. There are thousands of mom-and-pop private businesses in Cuba like restaurants, hotels, taxis, shuttles, ice cream parlors, hair & nail salons, book stores, contractors, lawyers, music bands, artists, etc. These micro-businesses are privately owned and simply pay taxes. What's wonderfully unique about Cuba is how there are no chain stores or restaurants anywhere. No giant corporate ads on the streets or on TV. No malls or superstores. Just lots of cute little businesses. 

RELIGION

• As for religion, there are churches, synagogues, mosques, Buddhist temples, etc. freely practicing in Cuba. Of course, the indigenous Cuban religion of Santeria is also freely practiced throughout the island. In fact, my wife and I renewed our wedding vows at a beautiful Catholic church in Havana, and attended a wonderful Christmas eve ceremony at a UNESCO world heritage cathedral in Old Havana. And I'm Jewish. One of the most surprising things I noticed on my first trip to Cuba is how a Catholic cathedral, Muslim mosque and a Jewish synagogue thrive at three corners of a beautiful plaza in Old Havana. 

DISCRIMINATION

• There has also not been any systemic racism, sexism or homophobia in Cuba. Fidel forbade such discrimination soon after the revolution, although it did take him a little longer to ban homophobia. But today, Cuba has little to no systemic discrimination, including class distinctions. Cuba is even one of just a few Latin American countries where same sex marriage is legal. In fact, there is a large LGBTQ hotel in Havana with rainbow flags on the outside. As you get acclimated with Cuba, you will realize how even the cleaning person at your hotel is on the same social footing as the hotel manager. It's incredibly eye opening.

GOVERNMENT INTERACTION

In Cuba, the only interaction you will have with government officials will be during your standard dealings at the airport. After you're in Cuba, all you'll see are unarmed police on the streets with the mandate to make sure tourists are safe and comfortable. There is a rumor that on your first visit to Cuba, you are assigned a secret agent to make sure you are not there to start a counter-revolution (LOL), or bring in drugs or weapons. If this is true, I think it just adds to the intrigue and charm of Cuba. But again, the government's job is to protect tourists, so all you'll feel is a great sense of safety and hospitality in Cuba. 

RIP-OFFS AND PRICE GOUGING

This is an absolutely false rumor about Cuba. No matter where you go in Cuba, you will get fair pricing. This rumor is spread by people who are trying to discourage tourism in Cuba. But once you go there yourself, you will see that Cubans are the most honest, generous and accommodating people you will ever meet. You will soon learn that in Cuba, there is no need to negotiate prices or to bargain with anyone. In fact, you will feel compelled to pay more than some people are asking for a product or service, and to tip really well. One time a local bar owner was nice enough to let me use the restroom in his tiny neighborhood bar. After I was done, I went to the bar and offered to join the owner and the 3 local Cubans sitting at the bar in a shot of their best rum. The owner poured us 5 generous shots of Santiago 15 which we cheered and drank. I asked him how much, and he said $10. I thought he meant $10/shot, but all he wanted was $10, total. I was so happy that I gave him a $50 bill. This is Cuba anywhere you go.

CUBA'S CURRENT SITUATION

It is very true that Cubans are suffering even more now under the new energy blockade. But the Cuban government has always tried to shield its tourists from the US embargo. With today's situation in Cuba, your visit there can be just as enjoyable as before the blockade, but it's even more important to do Cuba "correctly" now more than ever. CubaABC is dedicated to helping you make all the important arrangements and reservations to make Cuba one of the best vacations of you life. Just remember, never "wing" Cuba. Even before the energy blockade, Cuba was a very complicated trip to do correctly. 

As we say, "LET US TAKE YOU TO CUBA."

Hurry, travel to Cuba may become more restricted at any time.