Cuba Reopened, Now What?

This is the moment we all have been waiting for. Cuba has officially reopened its doors for international tourism, and it's welcoming guests from the United States as well. This past Monday, November 15, 2021, many took to the skies to fly to the Caribbean nation of Cuba. Not sure what to spect when arriving there, but here are a few things to keep in mind.

Cuban Musicians Performing on the streets of Havana. Photo courtesy of TMM.

The people of Cuba have been suffering very hard from the pandemic's effects, which has brought despair and hunger to the people. It's essential that you go with an open mind and with a giving spirit. The people need food, money, and, more importantly, medicine.

• Make sure to work with local business owners to help you around the island. 
• Hire a private car (Carro Classico) to drive you around to contribute to their household.
• Go eat at private restaurants (Paladares) to support the "cuentapropista" and its employees.
• Stay at an Airbnb (Casa Particular); you'll be glad you did. The people are warm and will provide you with a delicious Cuban breakfast or a home-cooked meal, shall you ask.
• Tip, please! Be generous and give them that extra tip after their services. A few dollars more goes a long way in Cuba.
• Bring anything you'd like to donate. Especially, medicine, people don't even have aspirin for a headache.
• And finally but not least, bring a huge bag of patience. Things will be very rough the first few months of the reopening, and you might not be able to find a decent plate of food to eat. Remember, there is scarcity on the island of everything. 

I am not planning to bring a group to Cuba until the second week of April 2022. Should you like me to hold a spot for you for my first trip back to the island with a group, CLICK HERE to make your down payment. I will be taking only ten guests.

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About Sheyla Paz
Sheyla was born and raised in Cuba. Moved to the United States 20 years ago after meeting her husband at her beloved island when she was performing with a band at the Riviera Hotel in Havana. She is a Journalist, Actress, Producer, and  Photographer with a passion for travel. Sheyla launched the tour agency to Cuba out of her desire to share her culture, music, dance, and the architecture of her homeland with others. Her agency provides travel arrangements to all Latin countries and Caribbean islands. She has several award wining short films and was recognized as a leading media personality in the Latino community in Tennessee with the award “Beacon of Light” in 2019. Sheyla was one of the few Cuban-American journalists selected to travel to Cuba with President Barack Obama in 2016 as part of the White House Press Corp. Sheyla is an ASTA Verified travel advisor, Signature Travel Network Luxury Certified Travel advisor and several destination specialist in the Caribbean and Latin America. She is also certified in Luxury River and Ocean cruises.

Follow us on Social Media @YourTourGuidetoCuba & @SheylaAdentureTravel 

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