1. “Cuba is a strict Communist Country with soldiers everywhere.”
Communist… yes, Strict… no. In fact, if you didn’t know that Cuba is a communist country and visited, you would probably come back none the wiser. As for soldiers, I have been to Cuba three times and yes I do remember soldiers, they were at the airport… the same way you see soldiers at many airports throughout the Caribbean and the rest of the world for that matter. The fact is, you could spend your vacation looking for signs of Communism and not find one, or you could just enjoy the Island.
2. “The food in Cuba is horrible!”
I’m not going to say that you are about to discover a culinary Utopia, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying the food is horrible. Simply stated, there are not a lot of available spices so the food tends to be quite bland. Remember, edible but boring is a long way from inedible. If it concerns you that much, pack some salt and a bottle of Frank’s red hot sauce.
3. “Besides the beaches, there’s nothing to do.”
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Cuba is a destination that truly has something for everyone. Eco-tourism including hiking, birding, caving, bike tours and many other activities are thriving and Cuba is an incredible location for diving and snorkeling as well. Granted the nightlife is far from the caliber of other islands but that isn’t to say it’s non-existent. With so many influences through the ages, almost every city has a different flair and makes for a new experience with every visit.
4. “A lot of the hotels in Cuba are cheap and run-down.”
There is no denying that when tourism first started taking off that getting a first class accommodation was next to impossible however, we are talking about 30 years ago and a lot has changed. Infrastructure has been constantly upgraded and large chains such as Melia, Riu and even Sandals have invested some of their best all-inclusive resorts in the best locations on the island. Getting an amazing hotel right on some of the best beaches in the world in Cuba isn’t any different from other top resort destinations.
5. “Cuba is poor with a lot of homeless and beggars.”
Have you walked down the streets of any major North American city lately? The fact is, unfortunately, there are panhandlers and homeless people everywhere. I wouldn’t say it’s worse in Cuba, the only difference is that what you call pocket change, they call a month’s salary. This also has nothing to do with Cuba being “poor” as it isn’t a coincidence that you only really find this at the major tourist areas. They know just like anywhere in the world that there is a sucker born every minute and in Cuba, the allure of buying cigars at a quarter of the price is their specialty. Would you really buy your new big screen T.V. from a guy in a van that you have never met and will never see again? If so, then go ahead and buy those “genuine” $350 Cuban cigars for $75, it’ll be the most you ever paid for banana leaves. Just ignore or a polite “no” is all it takes.
