Choosing to visit Cuba is a controversial decision. Some will never visit or return to the island because for them, it represents loss and tragedy. While others will want to learn more about the country and connect with the island’s people and culture.
Every descendant has a story.
Living in South Florida provides a unique opportunity to meet many people from Cuba, due to the large number of exiles that settled in Miami-Dade county after the Cuban revolution in 1959. The stories from South Florida’s Cuban community sometimes echo their love for Cuba as well as their disdain for the Castro regime. Time passes, but the pain of exile does not.
Some Cuban descendants will never return because they cannot bear the thought of visiting a place that they feel disparaged them and their families, or because if they were born in Cuba or are the children of Cuban parents, their American citizenship is not recognized on Cuban soil.
What did Castro do?
The short version?
Fidel Castro transformed Cuba into a communist country. He along with many others including his brother overthrew, Batista, the country leader, with guerrilla warfare. Castro passed away in 2016. He served as Cuba’s political leader for almost fifty years. His regime improved Cuban literacy, health care, and housing while suppressing freedom of expression.
Why visit Cuba? Why engage with a government that continues to empower human rights violations?
I decided to visit Cuba for the people and separated politics from humanity. My true reason for travel is culture. Cuban culture is rich and genuine. It is not different from many other countries with a debated past and a clouded present.
As an American, I inherit a country that has differing histories depending on the narrator. I don’t believe a story is complete if you only hear one side. Deciding to visit Cuba stemmed from a desire to learn more from its current residents.
What do Thanksgiving, Christopher Columbus, the confederate flag, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and President Roosevelt all have in common with Cuba? Each person or holiday named represents empowerment for some, and human rights violations for others.
How can Americans travel to Cuba?
Americans can travel to Cuba, but due to embargoes visitation is restricted. Required health insurance is normally a part of your airline ticket. To receive a visa your reason to travel must fall under one of the authorized reasons to travel to Cuba. My visa was purchased through the airline and available immediately. The reasons Americans can travel to Cuba include:
- Family Visits
- Journalistic Activity
- Professional Research and Meetings
- Religious Activities
- Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, Exhibitions, Athletic and Other Competitions
- Support for the Cuban People
- Humanitarian Projects
- Activities of Private Foundations, or Research or Educational Institutes
- Official Business of the U.S. Government, Foreign Governments, and Certain Intergovernmental Organizations
- Exportation, Importation, or Transmission of Information
- Authorized Export Transactions
My friends and I traveled under the support of the Cuban people option. Per the US treasury website travel must “enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities and that result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba.” For your records, keep a scheduled itinerary showing your regular engagement with Cuban people.
Where can American’s stay in Cuba?
American visitors can’t stay in government-owned hotels. They must stay at a privately-owned residence. We rented a priceless homestay in Miramar. We ate breakfast with our hosts., practiced Spanish and walked a lot. Walking kept us in constant contact with Cubans producing memorable engagements and cultural exchanges. Driving is easy but walking is the only way to truly see your surroundings.
What money is used in Cuba?
American money and credit cards are not accepted in Cuba.
Please listen: YOU CAN NOT USE ANY AMERICAN MONEY. YOU CAN NOT USE AN AMERICAN CREDIT CARD.
Whatever money you exchange at the airport is what you will have to spend the entire trip.
Hear me clearly, THE ENTIRE TRIP.
Money exchange charges include a standard 3% conversion charge and an additional 10% embargo tax on American money. Euros and Canadian dollars have greater value and are accepted everywhere. The CUP (Cuban peso) the CUC (Cuban convertible peso) are Cuba’s two currencies. Most foreigners use the CUC, Cuban Convertible Peso.
Spend your money wisely. After setting aside return cab money, we pooled our funds together. The Cuban money went much faster than expected.
Our final day, we ran out of money. We ate guava and cheese with rum for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
At the airport, we could only afford Cafecito with the change we scraped together. Take more money than you think you need. If possible, exchange it with your bank before arriving.
Things to do in Cuba
Through our fabulous tour guides, we experienced many treasures. Old Habana, the statue of Jesus, Central Park, Revolution Square, Fraternity Park, La Cabana Fortalista, Hemingway Hotel, and Cathedral Square are some of the places that allowed us to be entrenched in people and history.
To experience Cuba’s nightlife, we visited the multi-concept space Fabrica del Arte. I have never been anywhere with so many things under one roof. At Fabrica del Arte, we witnessed multiple art exhibits as well as live music. In one of the many open spaces, we watched a movie, danced, drank and ate dinner.
Fusterlandia is an artist’s dream with tiles lining the walls and art for sale.
Cuban people are diverse in race, lifestyle, and opinions. As a tourist, I know my view of the country is limited, but I went for the people. We had amazing conversations about Cuba b.c. and a.c. BC is for before Castro and AC is for after Castro.
Vinales
Outside of the city, we explored Vinales and learned the native people’s history. We saw picturesque caves, tobacco farms via horseback, fossils and Los Jazmines. I haphazardly smoked my first cigar.
Varadero Beach
Driving to the beautiful Varadero beach took several hours. Our driver did not speak much English. He didn’t have a radio. We utilized broken Spanish and hand signs to play car games. The unforgettable drive felt pure and nostalgic. Our lack of technological distractions created moments of perfection, and freedom from the modern technologies that hamper our ability to connect as humans.
Is Cuba safe?
At no time did I feel unsafe. I felt very safe everywhere I went. Cuba is a militarized state. The more touristy the area meant more cops. In some areas, we saw a police officer on every corner. Precautions must be taken like any other destination but it is safe to travel to Cuba.
What did I take away?
I didn’t understand the true meaning of support the people until I arrived in Cuba. It felt like I burst a large human-sized bubble and walked into a new world. Like taking a step back in time.
Support the people means financially enabling them to have more money but it is also an exchange in cultural currency.
We saw them and they saw us. A simple nod in the dark that we are not alone.
Cuba is a restricted travel destination, therefore tourists can’t see everything. It’s obvious some Cubans are poor and live plainly, but pain and suffering aren’t walking past you on every corner. Don’t be a disruptive American idiot. Refrain from starting intense political conversations. Speak with people and through these conversations acquire a meaningful idea of the state of the country.
Castro was revolutionary. Revolution sometimes works in theory but people can, unfortunately, ruin the revolution.
Ideas don’t always play out as envisioned. Cuba still has great inequalities and many people lost what they worked hard for. History demands respect but that should not inhibit change.
What are the effects of showing up and supporting the people?
Engagement is a simple concept. Communication works miracles. and shows that you care. Human contact instills hope and creates ambassadors. These are the seeds of change. Not supporting the Cuban people living in Cuba only further isolates them.
If your reason for a Cuban travel ban is to not visit anywhere with inequality and human rights violations; don’t step further than your bedroom. Continuing to ignore Cuba is a punishment for the people and has not resulted in change. Hopelessness supports the Cuban government and only further impoverishes its citizens. Visit people to exchange culture, hope, and humanity.
