Cuba is a top destination for many world travelers, but not Americans because of the trade embargo. That may really change when Fidel Castro passes on and an era in Anti-Cuba Policy comes to an end. In the mean time, a new US Administration and more liberal policies under Raul Castro may make it more easier to go. From what we can tell, Cuba has many things to offer.

Lawmakers and newspaper editorial writers see changes under way in Cuba and are concerned about reduced US influence due to existing travel barriers.

Because of expected “change in the 48-year-old dictatorship,” the Miami Herald said, “US policy should encourage, not reject, constructive people-to-people contacts with Cuba.”

Cuba is a top destination already
Right now, about 100,000 Americans visit Cuba annually using travel agencies and airlines outside the United States. Some US citizens are permitted to travel directly to Cuba from the United States if they are journalists or if they are visiting for scientific, educational and social matters.

Even as far back as 1963, there had been talk by the United States Congress to lift the travel ban on Cuba. Doing so would create a lot of jobs associated with trade and tourism to this island State. Now with Fidel Castro's age and health an issue, there's been renewed interest. Recently US Congressmen Charles Rangel and Jeff Flake introduced a bill that would lift the travel ban to Cuba. If passed, US citizens and residents would be allowed to visit Cuba and let US travel agencies make the arrangements.

Make no mistake, Cuba is a communist country that is very proud of its revolution and accomplishments. It's leader, 80-year old Fidel Castro is still kicking and has not lost much of his zeal or criticism of the United States or President Bush.

Cuba is popular with Europeans and Canadians
Cuba is among the world's fastest growing travel destinations. Europeans and Canadians love Cuba. In total about 1.8 million of them visit Cuba each year. There are direct flights to Havana from Europe and Canada.

Cuba's beaches are the best in the Caribbean. Of course, it's culture is unique in Latin America, and its history is fascinating with the revolution and the Cuban missile crisis. Many Cubans have relatives in the United States. As a result The Cuban people welcome tourists and especially Americans.

Cuba accepts the Euro and does not accept the US dollar. Forget about using your credit card or finding an ATM machine in Cuba. You'll need cash. American Express traveler's checks are accepted.

While Cuba is a beautiful place and has developed it's tourist industry, computerized reservations are not wide spread. Many Canadian Travel agencies recommend that reservations should be made at least 10 days before. Some English is spoken in Havana, but if you travel outside the city, make sure your Spanish is good.

Thanks to the US blockade of Cuba, very few cruise ships call into Cuban ports, and there are no scheduled passenger ships that service the country. Private yachts regularly call into Cuba's plentiful harbors and anchorages.

Getting There
Almost all visitors to Cuba arrive by air, with scheduled flights arriving from Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe. The main gateways for US travelers continue to be Cancún, Nassau and Toronto. There are direct flights available from the USA, but to take them US citizens will need the permission of the US Treasury Department, which restricts travel to Cuba to journalists, researchers and a handful of other groups. There's a $25 airport departure tax.

When is the best time to go?
The best time to go to Cuba is between December to April. There's very little rain and no hurricanes. Unfortunately room prices surge by 20 percent as Europeans and Canadians descend on the island. So much said for a place that doesn't believe in open markets and the law of supply and demand.

Easter and July are also busy since people are taking Spring Break and celebrating the Cuban Revolution. The summers are pretty brutal and typical of South Florida.

If you are planning to go
You'll need a passport and visa to enter Cuba. For specific requirements, consult the Cuban Interests Section, 2630 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (telephone 202-797-8518) for specific requirements and for stays longer than 90 days.

US tourists who wish to travel to Cuba do so at their own risk. The majority of Americans traveling to Cuba as visitors book their trip via Canadian Travel Agencies.

For those serious considering vacationing to Cuba, please see:

• The Lonely Planet Guide on Cuba,

• Wikipedia also has an article with good maps and more pictures of Cuba, and
• A National Geographic Video of Castro's Cuba.