The only reason there is a ban on travel to Cuba is because of extremely vocal anti-Castro groups here in the US. Americans travel every day to countries with harsher treatment of dissidents. Does that make the government's treatment of dissidents okay, no - but it has not affected our conscience when it comes to travel in China, Russia, Rowanda, etc. etc.

Posted By Sherry on April 19, 2010, 9:24 AM

Amen to that. I'm packing now.

Posted By Sharisse Smith on April 19, 2010, 9:58 AM

YES I would go to Cuba. Being an avid fly fisherman I would love to fish the fertile waters there.

Posted By Capt Rob Ottlein on April 19, 2010, 9:59 AM

As we seen in China & Russia, a wave of Americans would completely change the government & the country. Foreigners having a good time pouring in with money gets the locals upset with their government for not providing them the opportunity to enjoy life too. Next thing you know, the government is trying to do everything it can to stop a revolution. Modernize the country, more opportunity & more rights.

Posted By Russell Barton on April 19, 2010, 10:07 AM

Yes, I would go as soon as it was legal.

Posted By Maureen on April 19, 2010, 10:31 AM

Yes! I would love to go to Cuba! As a educator, I know I would qualify to travel to Cuba now, but how nice it would be to be able to go without having to jump through hoops!

Posted By Suzanne Scatliffe on April 19, 2010, 10:51 AM

My bags have been packed for years in anticipation on going to Cuba...it is so close, but so far away.

Posted By cmelton on April 19, 2010, 11:01 AM

Would love to go if the price were right. Much younger versions of my wife and I visited Cuba for a week in 1979 when there was a brief window during the Carter administration. Any American could go but US flights as I recall were only out of Miami and Detroit, of all places. We left out of Montreal. It was an interesting, enjoyable experience.
As an American, I've always resented my government telling me where I can go and can't go.

Posted By Wayne on April 19, 2010, 11:01 AM

I received a great disappointment earlier today. When I called this morning to make a reservation on a LEGAL medical mission to Cuba, the trip was already full with a waiting list. So, yes, if I can't find a LEGAL way to go beforehand, I will be on that first flight as soon as it's LEGAL. And no, I would not consider going from Mexico or Canada now.

Posted By Jane on April 19, 2010, 11:08 AM

I like the music of Cuba and would like to go see base ball played in Cuba. This ban should be lifted.

Posted By tony McMills on April 19, 2010, 11:17 AM

I personally would never travel to any Dictatorship, and Cuba is nothing more than that. Ultimately, every penny you spend there will be going to prop up the dictatorship. Hundreds of thousands of Europeans, Canadians, and others have been traveling to Cuba for the last 50 years, with not one bit of change in the Cuban government's positions on human rights, and to think that suddenly Americans traveling there will change things is just bunk. I will only travel to countries that are Democracies, where people have at minimum the ability to freely elect their leader, as for me it is the most basic of human rights, and I won't spend my money to support authoritarian regimes. Its possible to find lists of Democracies online, and the Economist magazine and Freedom House both publish excellent lists to help one determine which countries qualify as a Democracy.

Posted By Matt From Chicago on April 19, 2010, 11:20 AM

Yes, I would like to visit Cuba.

Posted By Charles Westrup on April 19, 2010, 11:26 AM

I would go to Cuba tomorrow if I could get there legallly I want to photograph the country befor it get ruined and over run by tourists . As soon as the ban is lifted I will be on my way or if there is another way I can get there legally I will be on a plane tomorrow

Posted By Bill Doran on April 19, 2010, 11:30 AM

I just returned from a week's trip to Cuba. We flew directly from Miami on American Eagle ( a humanitarian trip USA approved). I have been to over 60 countries around the world. This had to qualify as one of the very best! The people were great, as were the accomodations and food...we saw evidence of poor people related to many issues, but they all managed to smile...very little begging. It was just a great trip and I would recommend it to everyone.I will be glad to share our blog with anyone interested.

Posted By Steve Drosman on April 19, 2010, 11:43 AM

I would love to go to Cuba. I have sailed by it on several cruises and always wondered what the island would be like. I agree with other posters that the more open a society is to visitors the more open it becomes, thus a visit would be a gentle nudge to the dictators to let their people go.

Posted By Diane Wolfe on April 19, 2010, 11:49 AM

The minute it opens up we will be offering cruises there at SmallShipCruises.com
And I will hope to be on the first ship.

Shirley Linde, Editor
www.smallshipcruises.com

Posted By Shirley Linde on April 19, 2010, 11:58 AM

I and my wife are anxious to visit. I was born in Cuba, and the last time I visited was 1957. My grandparents and several uncles and aunts are buried in Havana. I could have gone with a religious group, but it was rather expensive. Hopefully we will be free to travel to Cuba, just as we travel to other places, like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, etc.

Posted By Abe Zuskin on April 19, 2010, 12:01 PM

my brother and i have already visited and will visit again soon--you are right, neither canadians nor cubans will take official note that you have been to cuba. just remember to take cash and get there before the other americans. other points of entry are mexico city (may be us monitored) and the domican republic. what a wonderful place and what wonderful people. Toronto is a wonderful gateway for these flights. Happy travel!!

Posted By john wet on April 19, 2010, 12:06 PM

I have several bottles of pre-Castro Bacardi Cuban rum that I've been saving for the day when the embargo finally is ended. My wife & I have visited most of the Carribean over the years for diving, sailing & fishing vacations and a trip to Cuba would be at the top of our list when the day comes.
Ending the embargo, however, might just collapse the classic car market in the USA when all of those vintage Detroit vehicles become available!

Posted By Doug McDowall on April 19, 2010, 12:07 PM

i would love to take a cruise that stopped at Cuba

Posted By linda larkin on April 19, 2010, 12:15 PM

Absolutely, tourism and the infrastructure needed to promote it has made a huge difference (positive) in many, many countries economies and the lives of the people. All of our family are ready to go...and we have no hispanic roots at all!

Posted By pat read-schilling on April 19, 2010, 12:36 PM

Been there twice, could go again now but would absolutely prefer to go when it's legal. The countries that are unfortunate enough to have a dictator still have wonderful people. I loved Iran, planning on Turkmenestan and Burma this year, and look forward to returning to Cuba. Let's not punish ourselves and the people in these countries by being politically correct and missing out on these countries.

Posted By Faye Girsh on April 19, 2010, 1:25 PM

I'm so glad that Matt from Chicago is the only person with a conscience on this board. I would not go to Cuba as long as it is governed by a Communist regime because one, as an American, I do not take money to government leaders that publicly hate for the US and its democracy, or governments that represent what Americans have died to protect against - so ditto for China and Venezuela. Let's not forget that Cuba had nukes pointed at this country 90 miles away. Second, this government took everything from my parents and grandparents and I'm not about to reward it. Just imagine as an American that the government basically suspend the Bill of Rights - freedom of speech, press, religion, freedom from search and seizure, right to bear arms, simple due process - all gone. Tourism doesn't equal democracy. China is a perfect example. Cuba is even worse because there is much less economic freedom than China. For example (and this is mentioned in the Andrew Zimmern special), only tourists are allowed to fish. Cuba has enjoyed tourism from other countries for years with nary a change. All this being said, I don't necessarily agree with our government prohibiting its citizens from traveling freely, no matter how distasteful the destination. I hope that people, especially Americans, avoid traveling there for leisure simply because it is the right thing to do.

Posted By Carmen Fanego on April 19, 2010, 1:45 PM

We just went to Cuba in Dec/Jan and found it fascinating! The people, the music, the architecture and even the government (& what the people think of it). I've written about it on our blog, lots of photos also. Sadly when it opens to Americans KFC and McD's will flood the country and it will both gain money and lose some of it's identity.

Posted By Wendy on April 19, 2010, 1:48 PM

I've wanted to go to Cuba for years. Let me know when I can start packing!

Posted By Dawn Janis on April 19, 2010, 1:51 PM

I would go to Cuba when they give their people freedom and the same advantages they extend to the tourists. Those people are hurting. I would never support a dictatorship, money that enters the country, goes right to the dictators'pockets, they give none to their people. A friend of mine studied there and says that part of Havana smells to rotten food, the other part , good for tourist is in great shape.My friend lost 10 something pounds, she had nausea from the bad smell most of her stay there.

Posted By patricemarie70 on April 19, 2010, 2:00 PM

Yes, I would have visited Cuba before this if I hadn't retired from teaching, making me ineligible to go as an active educator. Having seen Brazil in the 60's, having relatives from Columbia, Honduras, and Guatemala, I would love to see a Spanish-speaking country where the lower classes have been educated and provided with adequate health care as their right. I believe the restrictions that Cubans suffer under would have disappeared long ago if sanctions had been lifted long ago, much like what happened in the other Soviet satellites when the Iron Curtain fell.

Posted By Jeanne Davis on April 19, 2010, 2:06 PM

Would I go? ABSOLUTELY!

The people of Cuba deserve to get to know who Americans are, after decades of negative propaganda. And we deserve to get to know who Cubans are, after the same.

The fact that the island is beautiful doesn't hurt, either.

Posted By Mickisue on April 19, 2010, 2:09 PM

of course I would love to visit once it is allowed for us to go. Going beforehand,-- well, there is always a minor risk--and if anything happens locally, you are pretty much on your own-- so not a great idea---
Think about it, we can already travel to Viet Nam - so why is the Cuban embargo still in place? I will have to agree with the first posting on this blog by Sherry---

Other countries are taking advantage of visiting Cuba already-- the Americans are missing out

Certainly the gov't is still on 51 years later-- so things are not likely to change too radically anytime soon.

Posted By Nelson on April 19, 2010, 2:11 PM

I went on a bike trip about 10 years ago and would love to go back but a trip there is not for those who expect luxury accomodations or the electricity to stay on. The people are the real joy, so eager to talk and hear about the outside world.

Posted By Lynn on April 19, 2010, 2:12 PM

I would visit Cuba tomorrow if it was possible. Why on earth would someone consult a list of "Democracies" as a basis for travel ? For me the whole reason for travel is for new experiences and views of life. I have found travels in North Africa and the middle East to be very exciting due to the differences in the culture there and here.

Posted By Don on April 19, 2010, 2:12 PM

Like Cuba or not, they are our neighbors and we have lots of history with them without resolution to problems. I would be interested in visiting Cuba, but only if it was legal to do so. I would especially be interested in a cruise with guides provided by the cruiseline. What other countries are we not legally allowed to visit? I would hope that by opening it up to US travelers, things would change for the better for its citizens and their relatives here who are legal US citizens. And, in case you are interested, I am not Hispanic.

Posted By cager38 on April 19, 2010, 2:21 PM

Returned from a trip to Varadero and Havana recently. Had a great time visiting with the very kindly/friendly Cuban people. The article says 9 new resorts and 50,000 additional rooms. Are these numbers accurate? We stayed at the Sarenis La Salina, in Varadero. It has 1,000 rooms and is one of the largest in all Cuba. 9 resorts and 50,000 rooms = more than 5,000 rooms per hotel. Don't believe that expansion of existing hotels could make up the difference.

Posted By Ken Tontsch on April 19, 2010, 2:24 PM

I'd love to visit, but I want to stay in a B&B or a room in a house, not a hotel. What would be REALLY great is if the government of Cuba allowed Cubans to host people. Currently, this is not allowed, unless, of course, you do it "under the table" by asking around. In traveling in Romania and Bulgaria (and many other countries)this was/is our favored way to spend the night. That or rent an apartment.

Posted By Jeff C. Klein on April 19, 2010, 2:24 PM

I visited Cuba in January and found it a great place to visit. It was about the 74th country that I have visited and it stacks up well aganst most other tourist destinations. Good accomodations, good food, friendly people and so much to see. I was with an approved (Global Exchange) group and we were treated very well. I am anxious to return. Look at my web site www.donstravelpage.com for views from my trip.

Posted By Don Whiteley on April 19, 2010, 2:28 PM

I visited Cuba legally at the end of 2003, as part of the last Bush Administration-allowed "people-to-people cultural exchanges." I loved every minute of the four days we spent in Havana, and wish I could have stayed longer. The people couldn't have been friendlier to us (all Americans) or more welcoming.

And contrary to the impression many in the States have of Cuba, they are NOT stuck in the pre-embargo days. Kids on the streets had on the same NBA jerseys American ones wear. And we saw a Communist-approved block party rally where the sounds coming through the loudspeaker were from rapper 50 Cent. Young Cubans are probably as plugged into what's happening in the world -- and more so -- than young folks in the States.

My guess is that Cubans will be MORE than ready to open their countries' doors once they get the OK. I just hope we don't flood the place with Starbucks or McDonald's.

UrbanTravelGirl

Posted By UrbanTravelGirl on April 19, 2010, 2:36 PM

I have been to Cuba and am waiting to go back when it is easier, and hopefully, cheaper. It is a beautiful country to photograph. It needs a lot of paint and toilet seats.

Posted By Patricia Gilman on April 19, 2010, 2:46 PM

The best way for people to influence each other is to meet face to face. A country whose citizens do not travel abroad, and which does not welcome foreigners, will continue to lose out on many opportunities, and its people will remain unenlightened. The US needs to ease its restrictions and allow its citizens to participate in and influence the world around them.

Posted By Michael Dickinson on April 19, 2010, 2:48 PM

I'm all in favor of ending the travel ban, and would really like to be able to visit my friends in Cuba. Economic and travel restriction benefits the tyrants and penalizes ordinary citizens. We've had fifty years to prove it doesn't work.

Posted By 4536rail on April 19, 2010, 2:54 PM

I can't wait I have wanted to travel there for so long!

Posted By norma garza on April 19, 2010, 3:18 PM

I would definitely visit Cuba. My grandparents visited there many years ago and my being able to visit would make me feel that we had come full circle.

Posted By DXR Traveler on April 19, 2010, 3:26 PM

If Cuba makes some public commitments toward progressing human rights in exchange for U.S. tourism, I'd consider going. As long as they arbitrarily close private businesses, imprison those that speak out against oppression and treat women as 2nd class citizens, they won't get a dime of my money. Like Big Leo, I too have a moral objection to giving any money to the current Cuban government.

Posted By AdventureGirl on April 19, 2010, 3:30 PM

As for Matt from Chicago and Carmen and PatriceMarie, Americans could travel to the Soviet Union and all the Eastern bloc countries when they were Communist distatorships and currently, we can travel to China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. All Communist countries. American Vietnam War veterans go to Vietnam to vacation.

As for dictatorships... look no further than Saudi Arabia where we get an awful lot of our oil.

Boycott and embargo Cuba... duh? We're the only nation that does it. When I was there, I met a lot of Americans, Canadians and Europeans.

Posted By Herb on April 19, 2010, 3:42 PM

I have been waiting for years at the chance to see Cuba. It is about time. My thoughts are it will benefit both countries in more ways than one!

Posted By Jeff Davis on April 19, 2010, 3:44 PM

No one seems willing to admit it, but I'm sure that many people are so determined to travel to Cuba simply because someone is telling them they can't. Europeans have been going there in droves for decades, and paying inflated prices apparently just to make a statement. Many of these folks blame the US embargo for the state of the Cuban economy. They never seem to mention that Cuba's greatest source foreign exchange is from Americans sending money to relatives on the island. Maybe some Europeans should try to match these contributions.

There are so many other islands in the Caribbean where the people and land are at least as wonderful, the tourist's dollar buys more and is just as needed in the local economies, and the governments actually like Americans. Maybe if I live long enough to have visited all our friends, I will think seriously about a trip to Cuba.

Posted By tom on April 19, 2010, 3:50 PM

I have been to Cuba 5x's. Spending a total of two months there one year in the late 90's. Visiting an All-Inclusive Beach Hotel twice within a month; then visiting Ciego de Avila an agri-commerce small city in the center of the island.
I have lost contact with the people I knew there. I wrote three letters in Feb. that have yet to engender a response; not surprizing considering the bleak conditions when I was last there and to imagine the ferocity of them by now?
I would return there this coming winter were it at all possible and miss all the snow; frigidity; crud and potholes here.
The policies have been ridiculous far too, too long. I will close-off now but could go on and on.

'Ramon'
19 Apr. '10

Posted By Ramon on April 19, 2010, 3:51 PM

My husband and I would love to visit Cuba, as soon as the embargo is lifted!! We've heard that the beaches are beautiful and the people are very warm and friendly, just like the people of Mexico.

Posted By Shirley Cordero on April 19, 2010, 3:54 PM

I was pleased to see so many open minded people have moved beyond the narrow minded attitude that has existed in the US. I never will forget, after Hurricane Katrina, how President Bush refused humanitarian aid from trained Cuban doctors, because of their country's political position. I guess my comment is mainly addressed to "Matt from Chicago", and others who are reluctant to lift the ban. Is it right for a democratic country to tell citizens where they may or may not go? Having traveled to over 30 countries - some democracies, some not - people around the globe are shocked to find out that Americans do not have the legal right to travel to Cuba. I have to agree.

Posted By Robert on April 19, 2010, 4:03 PM

I've been there as a child before the revolution and several times since as a representative of our church. It is a miserable dictatorship that has impoverished the people and destroyed the economy. The Cuban people are great, but the government keeps you pretty much insulated from them in the tourist system, just as the old Soviet Union did. I went as a guest of the Cuban church and donated directly to them for my expenses, no money to the government. I was able to move outside the tourist bubble and my view of Cuba is quite different from the Canadian tourists who have argued with me about this. I would love to go back, but I have a moral objection to giving any money to the Cuban government.

Posted By Big Leo on April 19, 2010, 4:05 PM

Absolutely! I want so much to photograph Cuba. Saw an exhibit of photos years ago and have yearned to be there with my cameras ever since. When it is legal to go, I will!

Posted By Paula Wittlin on April 19, 2010, 4:06 PM

I am shocked by the number of people who think that just because Americans can't travel to cuba, that no one else in the world can! Cuba has a thriving tourism industry that welcomes hundreds of thousands of people from Canada, Russia, UK, and Europe.

As a Canadian Citizen, who is a permanent citizen of the US, I traveled to Cuba in 2008 while still residing in Canada. It is a beautiful, friendly, and safe country for tourisits that has a very interesting and rich culture. They even have resort areas (not so rich in culture) that are no different from Mexico and Dominican Republic with miles upon miles of all-inclusive resorts on white sand beaches. I can't wait for the travel ban to be lifted so I can visit this beautiful country again!

Posted By LadyObiwan on April 19, 2010, 4:06 PM

Always wondered what an island SO CLOSE "yet" SO FAR AWAY would be like! Never thought in my life i would be able to ever go to Cuba "unless hijacked"! YES i would like to travel to Cuba one day soon!

Posted By gregnbham on April 19, 2010, 4:08 PM

I have heard so many good things about Cuba from people who have travelled there. I was jealous listening to stories about the beauty of Cuba from young Eurpopean students whom I met in the Bahamas. As an American, it hasn't been a possibility with the travel ban. It's awesome that the new administration has made progress dealing with the Cuban government. Both sides will be sure to gain. My hope is that direct flights will be available from the Northeast US., and that Cuba will provide necessary travel services to make for a great experience.

Posted By bob on April 19, 2010, 4:10 PM

can't wait!

Posted By Carole on April 19, 2010, 4:17 PM

Will I go? In a heartbeat!! Would love to be the recipient of their fabulous health care, learn all about their inclusive educational system and best of all, listen to their gorgeous music......The very fact that things are opening up to allow visits, means things are changing on all fronts. It's a good sign of progress.

Posted By VICTORY KADISH on April 19, 2010, 4:19 PM

YES!!! I can't wait to finally be able to go to Cuba-with the rich history and culture, beautiful art deco buildings and pristine antique cars and the amazing reefs for diving, it is a photographer's paradise that I can't wait to delve into!!!

Posted By Karen on April 19, 2010, 4:21 PM

As much as I would love to visit Cuba, I could not bring myself to put money into the Castro regime's pockets, in a country where individual freedoms are violated daily. Cubans are regularly beaten and/or imprisoned for speaking out against the political system and lack basic necessities --milk and soap, among them -- because of the megalomania of Fidel Castro.

Cuba's leaders, such as they are, take every opportunity to heap disdain on the United States and its way of life, but are happy to take American dollars generated from tourism. As a side note, Cuba has a dual-currency system that is usually invisible to foreign tourists. It's highly discriminatory to the average Cuban, who earns approximately $20 per month. Some items: certain kinds of food such as meat, many medicines, and small electrical appliances, for example, can be bought only with the dollar-like special currency. Since Cubans are paid primarily in the "national peso," these "luxuries" are unavailable to the great majority of the population. Many of those who are able to purchase such goods are Cubans who work in the tourist-only hotels and resorts and who receive tips in foreign currency.

As a result, those jobs are in high demand, and are conferred on Cubans with political connections: friends of the government and those who are willing to exchange services (such as informing the government about the activities of dissidents or of neighbors who are indiscreet enough to complain about their situations)for the job.

It's a much more complicated situation than it may seem at first glance.

Posted By Clara on April 19, 2010, 4:22 PM

Yes! Yes! Yes! Havana here I come. I have always been envious of my British and Canadian friends photos. Can't wait. I love going to countries that we have disputes with. I loved Myanamar and I know I will love Syria which is my next trip. Governments fortunately don't speak for all of their citizens.

Posted By Louise Bleakly on April 19, 2010, 4:25 PM

Absolutely. My country does not have a right to tell me where in the world I can and cannot travel.

Posted By Jen on April 19, 2010, 4:30 PM

The rest of the world is hoping Americans won't go. Not that we're anti-American, in fact quiet the opposite. It's just that where ever you people go you have this need to Americanise the place ( eg; Puerto Vallarta / most of the Carribbean ), you cruise in your large cruise boats with your large bodies and your large appetites and completely ruin the experience for those of us who like a place to remain culturally and environmentally the way it is. Why do you need another American State? You have 50 of your own plus about another 50 you don't own but may as well. Leave Cuba alone! Please! The rest of the world begs of you.

Posted By robdub on April 19, 2010, 4:37 PM

My wife and I travelled to Cuba a few years ago (legally, "to study the architectural heritage of Cuba") and it was the most fascinating trip ever. We have only ourselves to blame for the continuance of the Castro dictatorship, as Fidel has blamed our embargo for all of his own government's misssteps. Tourism is their biggest industry, as the rest of the world has visited there while we have been forced by our own government to remain at home. At any rate, go visit Cuba if you possible can (but do it legally).

Posted By Chuck in Chicago on April 19, 2010, 4:37 PM

Geeee... I would love to go to Cuba. And yes, Castro has to go!

Posted By Sebas on April 19, 2010, 4:40 PM

Yes. I agree with Russell Barton.

Posted By Marcia on April 19, 2010, 4:50 PM

In a heartbeat!! Just so I could see how well our policy toward Cuba has worked over the last 50 plus years. Wow, we really showed 'em! If our policy works for Cuba as well as it has for Red China, then Cuba will be in for the economic boom of the century!

Posted By Jaxown on April 19, 2010, 5:18 PM

hallelujah! It's been ages that I wanted to go to Cuba, but since I live in the U.S. I had to forget about that, but now I can plan my vacation as soon as they lift the ban for good!

Posted By Ilaria on April 19, 2010, 5:33 PM

One of the most impressive places I visited was Cuba. To hear of the travel ban being relaxed was ok news to this Canadian. Why travel to Cuba? Kind of like to see yourself in a different light.
Americans are welcome although the politics present a big hill to climb. The land is beautiful the people are marvellous and unspoiled. The welcome is generous. Respect the good the revolution has accomplished; health care and education etc. Look to the future to find a different neighbour to the south of Florida. A neighbour who want to have some respect and a little more freindship from Washington DC. The new Cuban generation might be willing to do more for democracy without the threats.

Posted By Steve MacLeod on April 19, 2010, 5:53 PM

Yes, yes, yes! Cuba has some fabulous wildlife and protected natural areas. And the snorkeling is supposedly awesome because it has been protected from all of us tourists!

Posted By Sue on April 19, 2010, 6:06 PM

The former Minister of Nutrition of Cuba has defected. He points out that there is a major problem of malnutrition among Cuban children, especially because of a lack of milk. As a tourist, you shouldn't let this worry you. These children will be kept far away from any areas you are likely to be in as a tourist. The Cuban government wants you to enjoy your visit.

A joke current for most of the last fifty years has a teacher asking, "Now, children-- what animal do we get milk from." Little Pepito says, "A horse!" The teacher says, "No, a cow." Pepito replies, "No, a horse. A dead horse." Teacher says, "Why do you think that?" Pepito says, "Whenever I ask for milk, Mama says wait till the Horse dies." (Castro is referred to as The Horse in Cuban slang.)

Posted By Big Leo on April 19, 2010, 6:36 PM

I come from Cuban heritage and I cant wait for the day to be able to see where I come from in person and not by pictures and stories from relatives.

Posted By Christine on April 19, 2010, 6:55 PM

We talked to Canadian friends who went to Cuba on a mission trip to help a local parish get some consumer things like bicycles. The officials were very repressive and they were watched often. They don't like Christian outsiders in Cuba. But the people were so joyful and grateful for the help, that it made the difficulties worth it. The sanctions have not served to soften or topple the government. Maybe an open policy can lead to an implosion like Eastern Europe in the 80's. Be prepared for hassles and big brother watching you if you go. If you are allowed to get outside the sanctioned tourist zones, you will see the real impact of repression. I won't go, but it's time Americans did.

Posted By Bob on April 19, 2010, 7:02 PM

Yes

Posted By steve on April 19, 2010, 7:07 PM

I would go to Cuba. Human rights abuse continue to this day in China, but travelers still go there. There is no way to improve Cuba without interaction with the whole world. By lifting the embargo, trade will also help the Cuban people. There are a number of so-called democracies the U.S. supports that have similar or worse records than Cuba.

Posted By Nick on April 19, 2010, 7:11 PM

I visited Cuba from England a few years ago and it was truly one of my favourite vacations. While there was evidence of poverty (as there is in most countries) there was also great richness in how the people lived their lives. It made me feel grateful for the people and simple pleasure in my life. I appreciated the lack of Coca cola, McDonalds and all other typical chains that you see on every corner in the USA. If I go again I will be sure to take soap, candy and clothing that I can leave for the people who live in the beautiful, unspoilt country.

Posted By Becky on April 19, 2010, 7:42 PM

You bet I would visit Cuba--in a heartbeat. I have talked to many Canadians who visit regularly and they all rave about the beautiful resorts , beaches and friendly people. My brother , who is more adventurous than I , took a flight there while staying in Jamaica. He said that Havana was incredible and the woman were the most gorgeous he had ever seen. Enough said !!!!

Posted By Poppy6 on April 19, 2010, 7:50 PM

I would most definitely visit Cuba. The culture of the country hasn't been Americanized like many countries have been in the past few years. I really look forward to seeing the country firsthand and not what is shown or said in the news. I can't wait!

Posted By Yazmin on April 19, 2010, 7:56 PM

I would not go to Cuba even if they gave me everythign for free. I will not contribute one penny of my hard earned money to a communist dictatorship that has the people opressed. Maybe one day if the Castro dictatorship ceases to exist, then we may be able to travel freely to a free Cuba.

Posted By rosa on April 19, 2010, 7:56 PM

I have mixed feelings on this:

Yes for the culture, countryside
BUT NOT to support the tyrant regime supressing dissidents.
That has to be fixed or scrapped.
& the Police State image would Hurt Cuba vs Help.

Otherwise YES once the tyrant govt is put in its place.

NO tourisim=No pesos.

& if done & Govt changes, then Id like to see these in Cuba:

W Hotels
Club Med
Superclub
Couples resort
Breezes
Ritz Carlton Hotel.
Au Natural beaches & jungle zones & hotels.
Culinary school
Cigar tours
Rum Tour.
Cuban Missile Crisis Museum.
US Cuban Trade Mission.
Old Havana Tour.
Art center & music center.
Rent exotic cars or Muscle cars.
CPK
KFC
Taco Bell
Hardees.
etc dining in Cuba.
& training hospitals etc to tap Cubas medical system for the US

Posted By Stephen Russell on April 19, 2010, 7:57 PM

Having been there 50 years ago I would love to go back. It was great.

Posted By richard on April 19, 2010, 9:14 PM

Wow...it's about time. This should have happened 20+ years ago. I disagree that efforts to encourage countries to work on human rights issues are best served by blockading them and banning travel. It does, of course, depend on how you travel, but tourism dollars often help the locals as much as anyone, especially if you travel on the cheap and avoid government sponsored events and resorts.

I've also found that foreign tourists have had a major (positive) influence to encourage countries to follow the "rule of law", and that includes not abusing their own citizens. I've seen it happen in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, as examples.

I WILL however, wait until it is entirely legal and no longer an issue. I don't trust the US Government either, and I have no doubt that stories of Americans being photographed (for later harassment) getting onto flights in Canada or Mexico are true. Sad....but true!

Posted By Pete on April 19, 2010, 9:16 PM

I am a serious flyfisherman and have dreamed for years about having an opportunity to fish the beautiful waters of Cuba. I would love to go.

Personally, I believe that the government has way overstepped it authority in 'punishing' american citizens for visiting a country that the government feels is wrong. I think that it is high time that the average 'Harvey Lunchbucket' american speak up and rid our government of the selfe serving republicans and the democrats and elect decent, intelligent people to run our country.

Posted By Clay on April 19, 2010, 9:43 PM

Yes, I am itching to get to Cuba. I had a plan to go via San Pedro Sula, Honduras, but after receiving negative advice, chickened out. Know people who have been, and said it was no problem. I want to visit the Hemingway House. It is way too expensive to join a mercy group, so I will wait unill it is legally open-but then prices will go up and there will be crowds!!! Linda

Posted By linda on April 19, 2010, 10:03 PM

Oh Yes, we would go if it was affordable. We would have gone a couple of years ago on one of the educational programs with my brother and his wife, but it was exorbitantly expensive for people of our means, although we had been able to afford a dozen other Caribbean trips in those years. As for the problem re. visiting dicatatorships, I can say that I understand some of that sentiment, but there are democratic countries down there that don't allow the children to go to school unless the parents have the means to pay for it, and that's preety bad too. There are, of course, some wealthy people and also some anti-government types from every stratum in the US who think nothing should be publicly funded other than defense, if that, but I think most folks believe that public education is a good thing for a society. But I digress...

Posted By ginger gower on April 19, 2010, 10:05 PM

Yes, very much so, as long as they don't turn it into Cancun.

Posted By leigh on April 19, 2010, 11:09 PM

I just came back from Cuba and I can tell you that it is a wonderful country. Latin culture with great music, amazing food, fascinating place...
the architecture is a mixture between Spanish, French and Maure. This people have in their homes Louis XV furniture which values hundreds of thousands of dollars... They are so clean. Not just the streets but the people have impeccably clean cloths and wear jeans and t-shirts like any of us. They work hard and even if the times are... the way they are, they are so inventive and create all this amazing things for tourists (the number of tourists there is enormous, especially Europeans) like jewelry made of seeds... even watermelon seeds. They paint, they sew, they craft, they sing (something that we forgot how is done...) and they are soooooo welcoming!!!
They are not poor!!!!
The visas are given by the American Government not by the Cuban one!!!!!!! That's why they don't stamp your passport...
So, if you have a chance to see this country full of color and people smiling on the streets (I have never see one single sad person on the streets of the cities and towns I've been to!!!), do it and do it now. Because if you are waiting until the embargo is lifted you might see Wal-Marts and KFS's everywhere...
There are way more things to say about Cuba but no matter how much I would tell you or somebody else about it has no value comparing with your own experience. :)

Posted By Wishing2wish on April 20, 2010, 12:10 AM

I am Canadian, just returned from Varadero. Flight from Toronto, Ontario. Yes, it bothered me to leave Peso's behind for Castro, but I brought lots of goods for the poor, clothes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hats, foods, etc. and if it made a difference to 1 person, then the trip was a great success. Beautiful land, good kind warm people, great history in Havana. Safest place to travel, and yes, I would return just to give to the people again.

Posted By Luigia on April 20, 2010, 2:17 AM

Yes, I'd look forward to travel in Cuba for the people, music and climate.

Posted By mbradley on April 20, 2010, 7:52 AM

I have been wanting to go to cuba for the past 40 years, can't wait to enjoy that afro-cuban music which I grew up listening to. I don't care about their politics, just want to enjoy the culture.

Posted By MILDRED on April 20, 2010, 11:55 AM

I WOULD LIKE TO TRAVEL TO CUBA. IT HAS BEEN
A DESTINATION THAT I ASPIRE TO SEEING BEFORE
I LEAVE THIS WORLD........
I AM A REGISTERED NURSE WHO IS RETIRED.
MAYBE I WOULD STAY FOR SOME TIME AND GET
TO KNOW THE CULTURE AND BEAUTY OF ITS PEOPLE.

Posted By Paul A Johnson` on April 20, 2010, 1:30 PM

Very dissapointed that the comment I submitted yesterday has not been posted, was it to negative for this website? Shame on you, I thought I left Cuba and the lack of freedom of speech 48 years ago.

Posted By Lourdes on April 20, 2010, 1:46 PM

I'd love to visit Cuba. I.m an avid traveler an am not interested in politics.
I understand that fishing is good there.

Posted By Jerry S. on April 20, 2010, 1:54 PM

If for nothing else than the music, cigars, and booze- I'm there!

Posted By B on April 20, 2010, 2:08 PM

Thanks for all your comments so far.

Lourdes, we did publish a comment that you submitted yesterday -- it was submitted (perhaps inadvertently) to a prior blog post titled "Cuba: Change travelers can believe in?"
You can see your comment here:

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/01/cuba_change_travelers_can_beli.html

We welcome varied, passionate opinions in the blog comments and only ask that readers keep the discussion respectful, especially when directing comments at other readers by name.

Posted By Kate Appleton on April 20, 2010, 2:17 PM

Nothing to do there while there is a regime and dictatorship that is the worst thing that could happen to the Cubans!

Posted By elisa on April 20, 2010, 3:30 PM

No! No! No!
I have friends that have lost everything including family to the Cuban political Dictatorship...
No! No! I won't go...
Brent

Posted By brent on April 20, 2010, 5:57 PM

Tourism promotes communication, economic and political change. I plan to visit in the next few years--legal or not. I don't appreciate being told where I can and can't travel.

Posted By Sandra Klein on April 20, 2010, 10:53 PM

We'd love to go to Cuba for the unspoiled nature. Ironic that the reason it is unspoiled is due to the lack of development. Even though there is oppression, Fidel will be gone soon and the revolution of rising expectations may loosen the grip of oppressive leadership. We recently visited Vietnam and have visited China and they have relaxed communism's economic dogmas to make life better for the people. I think the same thing can happen in Cuba if Americans can travel and trade.

Posted By Joan on April 21, 2010, 1:12 AM

Ever since high school--many years ago--I've wanted to see Hemingway's Cuban home. If the price is right, count me in!

Posted By Lvs2travl on April 21, 2010, 7:05 AM

I was there about 15 years ago invited by the government. My wife judged the first Dauschand Speciality show since the revolution.

There are many more intresting places to visit in the world so I am in no hurry to return should it become leagal for US citizens to go. Aside from the colonial bulidings there is little of interest in la Habana. It is a shambles.

Posted By Richard Hayes on April 22, 2010, 8:55 AM

It's the best thing Obama has/is going to do. If they ever open up Cuba for good, it will be the best vacation spot, short plan ride, tropical island, salsa and good food.

Please hurry, open Cuba now and all this Dictorship stuff goes away!

Posted By Barry on April 22, 2010, 11:30 AM

Canadians and Europeans have been going to Cuba for years. The Americans are being ridiculous letting Cuba's ex-pats dictate the policy, which obviously hasn't worked. China is Communist, yet we do billions of dollars worth of business with them without batting an eyelid about their internal affairs.

Posted By Jasmine on April 22, 2010, 2:19 PM

Yep. Been to Cuba (legally). Would DEFINITELY do it again. Frankly, I am so unimpressed with all the anti-Castro verbage I get from folks-- especially in Florida. As was mentioned in earlier posts, Americans travel to other nations like Russia, Rwanda and China. America has its own sordid history and don't really need to absorb [additional] baggage fueld by immigrants that claim to want to come to the US to 'escape it all' only to attempt starting their own revolution once they settle here. I've travelled alot and can quite easily rattle of dozens of nations that have had life-- no that CURRENTLY have matters much worse than Cuba.

Posted By Wroksie on April 22, 2010, 2:27 PM

Thx for this article. Very good.

Posted By odżywki opis on February 17, 2011, 3:21 PM

As the son of a Cuban exile who left the island in 1959 as a boy, I completely disagree with the exile community in Miami that wishes to continue to have the embargo in existence. I recently returned on a trip from Cuba 2 months ago and was floored to see what damage the embargo has wreaked on the Cuban people, not the government. What the old exiles in Miami do not see or understand is that the embargo has strengthened the dictatorship, not weakened it. The half century old embargo had done nothing to change the government. Perhaps open exchange, open borders and open travel for US citizens to Cuba will be a first step in the right direction.

Posted By JJ on May 13, 2011, 2:34 AM