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. 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. They can sell their home and use the gains to upgrade, or buy 2 homes - which is the max. 

EDUCATION

• Cuba has very low illiteracy. 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 students from around the world also come to study. 

POVERTY

• There is no poverty in Cuba. Yes, there is an extreme lack of products and materials in Cuba because of the 65 year 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."

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. After hurricane Katrina, Cuba immediately put 40 doctors and nurses on a plane and sent them toward New Orleans, but George Bush did not allow them to land and sent them back to Cuba.

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. You will feel very welcomed in Cuba. 

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 government, which 99% of Cubans support. 

FREE ENTERPRISE

• There is free enterprise and religious freedom in Cuba. There are lots of mom-and-pop businesses in Cuba like restaurants, hotels, taxis, shuttles, ice cream parlors, hair salons, nail shops, book stores, contractors, lawyers, music bands, etc. These 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. 

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. 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. 

Cuba has amazing food, especially seafood. Cuba has the best coffee in the world. 

Cuba even has the 2nd best rated beach in the whole world. 

Its people are the friendliest, kindest, most hospitable and generous I've ever met.