Cuba: The Americans’ ‘forbidden paradise’
Cuba: The Americans’ ‘forbidden paradise’
May 20, 2015
By Agency
Tourists from the United States pose in front of the Capitol in Havana. Photo: AFP
Cuba is far from seeing a McDonald’s or Starbucks opening any time soon, but the diplomatic thaw with the United States is bringing more American visitors to the sweltering island. While the US embargo against Havana still forbids regular tourism to Americans, a growing number have flocked to the Caribbean destination under easier-to-get special permits.
Excitement about visiting Cuba has grown since US President Barack Obama and Cuban counterpart Raul Castro made the shock announcement in December that they would restore diplomatic relations.
While the two countries have yet to reopen their mutual embassies, Obama and Castro took a new step in the warming relations at the historic meeting at the Summit of the Americans in Panama in May.
Cuba has fascinated tourists from around the world because it appears frozen in time, with its ageing buildings and old Buicks from the 1950s that are still around as the embargo prohibits imports of US cars.
More:
http://www.star2.com/travel/americas/2015/05/20/cuba-the-americans-forbidden-paradise/