Is a vacation in Cuba politically correct?

Question

Many people go to Cuba these days, I've been tempted myself. The only thing that concerns me though is whether the Cuban people have the same freedom to go on foreign holidays, from what I understand, many cubans don't have this freedom, and risk their lives trying to escape to the US.
On the other hand, the cubans may be greatful to have visitors supporting their country.

Answer 1

Back in the day, Cuba recieved $6 bln each year in aid from the Soviet Union, they got cheap Russian oil and cars and they got great prices in return for their own products. These days, they rely mostly on tourism (from Europe) to make up for that. You can tell, too. Everyone involved in tourism and with the tourist currency (convertibles), seems to be doing much better than the people who rely solely on Cuban pesos. So much so, that doctors and teachers are giving up their jobs to work as waiters. The average Cuban makes $15 per month, but a restaurant will charge US/European prices for a meal, so a casual $1 tip is a lot of money. It was the same before the introduction of the convertibles with the US dollar, but mass tourism has made a big difference to the country.
But it's not like the average Cuban is starving, they just have no luxury items. None. Zilch. They have to save up for three years to repair a fridge - never mind buying a new one. Why do you think that all those 50's cars are still driving around over there?
And then there's the politics. We met a guy who travelled to to Canada with a Cuban baseball team and defected. Later on, he travelled back to Cuba to visit his dying mother and he's been stuck in Cuba again ever since. And everyone is afraid to be seen talking with tourists. It's illegal for them to make tourist friends and you can get them into a lot of trouble if you're not careful. I mean, talk to them, just be careful about it.
Ha ha, one anecdote: we were cuising towards Havana in an illegal cab one day, and the driver - a new guy, I guess - shoved some Italian guys papers my hands. On the off chance that the cops stopped us, I was supposed to be that guy. The car was a rental car in that Italian guy's name. Crazy stuff, but it was all good. Hey, I look the part. And we were picking up a Florida radio station and the easy listening seemed to make everything okay.
There's a lot of great people there. A lot of sad stories, to be sure, but also a lot of joy.
Go there and see for yourself. It's an odd and fantastic place. Stay at the casa particulares (guest houses). The illegal ones if you like... eat at the illegal eateries. Try to spend your money with the people - the government taxes the crap out every official place you spend convertibles. And be quick about it. Chances are that as soon as Castro dies, this era will die with him.

Answer 2

Who cares if is politically correct or not?
Cuba is a country which dared to be independent of the USA when the USA was possessing it as a "colony" like Puerto Rico, without any prospect of Statehood. The former corrupt government overthrown by Castro made Cuba a playground for American gangsters (real ones like the Mafia) and Castro cleaned the place up. The main reason that Cubans don't travel is because they don't have the money to, thanks to US sanctions they are dirt poor.

Its not actually a Communist country, this is what Castro said the day he came into power , "Communism is dead in Cuba, it was the vehicle we used to achieve the revolution and is no longer required." or words to that effect. The US govt has problems distinguishing between communism and socialism because they both involve a lack of capitalist social order, so they are the enemy of the free market.

I recommend you watch the movie Buena Vista Social Club to give you a perspective on how free Cubans really are. Watch how they are able to travel if someone else is paying for it.

In short.... GO! Enjoy yourself. Europeans don't have any problems going. They already have a lot of visitors. Americans don't tend to go because of all the propaganda. For my money, I am more attracted to Cuba than the US, its a much safer country. The only gang in Cuba is the American Military stationed at Guantanamo Bay.

GO!!!

Answer 3

I know the American Goverment and the Cuban Government have not been on good terms for a long time. With the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba has had to rely heavily on tourism and rehab programs and facilities that are some of the best in the world. Castro's time is running out fast and who knows what will happen next because he is like an eternal myth in the minds of many Cubans. Cubans do live under a repressive dictatorship that will not allow them to freely travel abroad. Some member of their family has to remain behind to ensure the return of that person back to Cuba. As to it being politically correct, I would not know how your government would react to seeing the Cuban immigration stamp on your passport. Mexicans travel to Cuba all the time, it's like one more beach destination to them, just in a different country. I've never heard that it affected them when entering the USA. So it's hard to tell. America totes the freedom and liberty and independence speech all the time, so in my opinion you are free to travel wherever you wish.

Answer 4

I am Cuban, and been living in the U.S. for 27 years, almost all my life, I have not been there, for I am scared that Cuba has an unstable government, you never know what turn will the government take. Well I had a daughter 2 years ago. Hence, all my family are in Cuba still, and when I mean all my family I dont mean my parents or sibling. My grandmother is 85 yeras old, and I decided to go to Cuba in September, but I got intouched with the Department of Treasury and My child and I were issued a speacial lisence to travel to Cuba, I am so scared since they are saying that Fidel is Dead, and you never know what those people are upto. Going back to the point, No I would not recommend you going to Cuba unless You obtain a special license, which I doubt you will be issued since it is only family related and also if you are traveling for let say for reprters and charities, but have in mind going to Cuba illegally will have its consequenses, lets say a cival war breaks out in cuba, and you went in illegally, the US does not know you are in Cuba, and can not assist you. I would wait if I were you, Im going to see my grandmother that I have not seen since I was 3, I am not going for pleasure, I am going to help my family with food and clothing, I do not appreciate the comment that Cubans should be happy that tourist go there, first of all tourist money does not go to the Cuban people. It goes to the Communist party, cuban people get half of crums from tourist money , You need to stop going if it is for pleasure, you are only fattening the pocket of Fidel Castro,

Answer 5

Why not? It's sunny, warm and the country needs foreign currency reserves to improve the standard of living for it's citizens. So go and stop worrying you're on vacation for Chrissakes!

Answer 6

it is. but don't antagonize the cuban government by agitating the cubans through comparing their lot with the freedom you enjoy. don't forget to bring the authentic cuban cigars when you go back home. enjoy.

Answer 7

yes go, you will have a fantastic time with those warm cuban people! go and enjoy, check out their culture. if you didn't go you'd be mad

Answer 8

It's fine, just understand that your girlfriend won't be able to buy anything. It's a pain in the butt sometimes.

Answer 9

Maybe someday the will get free democracy

Answer 10

Sure, it is politically correct..Go and enjoy!!