Zack

For those of you that have been to Cuba, isn't it a little scary with the communism and all? I would love to go there, but as an American,it is off limits to me (except illegally, which I wouldn't do) what do you guys think. Is it really a good place to travel?

kathy

<BR> <BR>Cuba is soooo scary that my husband and I have visited there 16 times since 1990. <BR> <BR>We love Cuba and the people are incredible. I don't think that the fact that the government is communist has any effect on tourists. We have always felt free to wander around and have never felt restricted in any way. <BR> <BR>As far as Americans travelling to Cuba you must know that many of them are doing it, whether legally or not, I don't know, but they are there in the thousands. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Lar

I have been there 8 times. It is one of the safest islands you can visit with only small petty thiefts. If a Cuban is caught stealing from you, they would automatically get 14 years in jail. Very hard time indead, so there is very little crime. The people are great and I have met lots of Americans that come down every year. Why should the US goverment tell you where you can not travel. The communist goverment has no effect on you and is probably better at controlling crime (see Miami). By all means go and enjoy. I you want a hotel recommendation in Varadero, then post again.

jen

Could those of you who have been to cuba please share more info with the rest of us? I have always wanted to go but wasn't sure how to go about it. <BR> <BR>When is the best time to go and what do you definitely want to see, do they have rainforests? beaches? cities with culture etc? How hard is it to get there and how long would one want to stay? I am very curious and would appreciate any info... <BR>Thanks!

Apple Pie

Lar, you wrote: If a Cuban is caught stealing from you, they would automatically get 14 years in jail. Very hard time indead, so there is very little crime. The people are great and I have met lots of Americans that come down every year. Why should the US goverment tell you where you can not travel. The communist goverment has no effect on you and is probably better at controlling crime (see Miami). DUH! <BR> <BR>We would have much more control if we put people in jail for 14 years for petty theft. Believe me I am not a liberal but if you live and work under a dictatorship, you are property of the government, in this case Mr. Castro himself. While I agree that beaches, etc. in Cuba are lovely and the resorts are nice (per many relatives that go there from Canada) you get a wrist band which you wear in your resort and it has to be visable. If you do not have one, you are escorted off the property in quick fashion. I wonder how much "hard time" you get for this. Nope, cannot see giving my hard earned dollars to this guy who governs by fear and intimidation. Ask a native where Gitmo is. As far as any Cuban knows, it does not exist. Now this will blow your mind, but I agree with Janet Reno (not the tactics) that the little guy belongs with his father. <BR> <BR>

Susan Park

CUBA IS FABULOUS! I've been there twice in the past 5 months legally and next month I am going illegally. That is how safe I feel in Cuba. You are safer in Cuba than any city in the U.S. The people are incredibly warm, kind, sweet and gentle. What happens when they get to Miami is beyond me. I love it there and it's my favorite place to travel. Last year 60,000 Americans entered it illegally because they love it. The embargo is just plain stupid. The only ones who suffer are the people and children--not Castro. Why punish them? I am glad to spend my money there because they need it and want it.

kathy

Susan tells it like it is exactly. What she describes are some of the reasons that many, many people return to Cuba again and again.

Susan Park

Lar, you can get to Cuba either through Cancun or Jamaica, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, etc. Go for at least 5 days, 7 if you can. The beaches are great. I've been to Santa Maria but friends say Varadero is wonderful--I will see it next month. You can get there by flying Mexicana but Cubana I am told is not a good airline. You will fall in love with Cuba as the rest of us have. If you need nightclubs, hotels, restaurants, etc. email me. I can't wait to return next month. PBS has run several different shows on Cuba recently with the narrators traveling through the country. By the way, the countryside is beautiful!

Susan Park

Zack, here is a P.S. regarding communism in Cuba. My girlfriend stayed at the Copacabana (I was at the Melia Cohiba)and the guys who worked in the bar there were laughing that they aren't sure what a communist is and they were making jokes about it. Everyone is not a communist but they are every day people like all of us. Some never come in contact with communists apparently. They were most good humored about it, though.

Nancy

Hi...I am interested in hotels in the Varadero area. I will be travelling with my hubby, 9 year old son and 16 year old daughter and perhaps a friend for her in march of 2001. We prefer all-inclusive hotels. It just works better with kids who eat non stop. Any recommendations? BTW..we are travlling from Canada. Any info greatly appreciated.