What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's Cuba

What's New in Cuba

Read about what recent changes to the United States' Cuban travel policies mean to visitors.

Parts of Cuba suffered severe damage after three hurricanes ripped through the country during autumn 2008. Although much of the tourist industry is back on its feet, services and homes are still being repaired and certain towns such as Viñales, Baracoa and Gibara took massive hits. Travelers staying in these places, particularly in casas particulares should ring ahead to check situations. The good news for Cuba, which heavily relies on tourism receipts, is that its two millionth visitor of 2008 landed at Jose Martí airport in mid November, the earliest date on record for this arrivals figure. Cuba commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Castro Revolution in 2009. Fidel Castro and his band of men declared victory over then president Fulgencio Batista in Santiago de Cuba on January 1, 1959, and events marking this anniversary will take place throughout the country throughout the year.

Havana

The Packard Hotel, whose enormous devastated shell has dominated central Havana, will be rebuilt by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo in association with Spanish hotel firm Iberostar, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Work on the 300-room luxury hotel will begin in spring 2009. In its heyday, Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and actor Marlon Brando stayed at the hotel. The 10th Havana bienale art exhibition , which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, will take place between March 27th and April 30th. The principal theme of the exhibition is entitled "Integration and resistance in the Globalization Era." The Casa de las Américas (www.casa.cult.cu), situated in a remarkable art deco building close to the Malecón, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009. The festivities will include an exhibition of 100 Latin-American works of art. Haydee Santamaría, who founded the Casa de las Américas, will be remembered in April 2009 when a book of her correspondence is published and a concert is held recognizing her contribution. Cuba will celebrate Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín by holding an exhibition of his paintings at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

Vinales & Western Cuba

The Viñales valley was severely damaged by the autumn hurricanes, and repair and clearance work is still underway, according to the Patrimonio Cultural de Cuba. The Jardín Botánico Orquideario Soroa (tel. 48/52-3871), with over 6,000 species of tropical plants and flowers from around the world, including 700 species of orchids, was hit hard. It has just reopened.

Guanahacabibes, a wild coastal peninsula at Cuba's most western point, is set to build a visitors' centre and exhibition space to inform visitors about its special environmental status. Most tourists know the area for its diving off María La Gorda.

Despite the devastation in Viñales, one new casa particular has opened on the corner of calles Rosario and Polvorin, (tel. 48/75-4247; travellers_restjc@hotmail.com). The two-story house, with a porch and sun terrace offers two rooms with a/c and fan, and hot and cold water shower. Meals are available, as are mojitos.. It is run by Juan Carlos, well known as "The Teacher." English, French, Italian and some German is spoken. Spanish lessons are offered free for guests.

Varadero & Matanzas Province

The Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport (tel. 45/24-7015) in Varadero, is about to double its carrying capacity. Work began in January 2009 with more than CUC$30 million in investment. Authorities say that 25 % of visitors to Cuba arrive at Varadero airport.

Esencia Hotels and Resorts (www.esenciahotelsandresorts.com) plans to build the Carbonera Club, a resort, golf club and spa resort on the coast near Varadero. The sale of apartments and villas will permit foreigners to own property in Cuba, a status that is not currently available.

The Meliá Varadero Hotel (tel. 45/66-7013; www.melia-varadero.com) has undergone some remodelling to improve its services. The lobby, a handful of rooms and the swimming pool area have been renovated. 2009 will see the gardens redesigned and an internet cafe created.

The Cuevas de Bellamar(tel. 45/25-3538), a cave complex of nearly 3km near Matanzas, is set to upgrade its attraction status by providing visitors with a view of areas previouslywitnessed only by speleologists, using 3D technology.

Trinidad & Central Cuba

Cienfuegos is capitalizing on its green hinterland. The Ecotur agency has launched the Yaguanabo Arriba trail near the coast that will include horse riding, spotting catey, tocororo and parrots, and swimming in natural ponds.

In Trinidad, a casa particular owner reports that jineteros,or hustlers, have become more crafty. He writes: "One jinetero waits at the entrance to the city and stops tourist cars saying that they are inspectors and the current road is closed for repairs. They then ask the tourist for the address they are heading to so they can give them new directions. When they have obtained the casa address they send their friend by bicycle quickly to the casa to wait outside for the car to arrive. When the car arrives the waiting jinetero tells them that the casa owner doesn't have any rooms but they can, of course, take them to the house of their brother, mother, cousin etc who does have free romos."

El Oriente

Guardalavaca was particularly hit by 2008's hurricane season and a large number of hotels were badly affected. All are now operational. One of the country's top beach resorts, the Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa Hotel (tel. 24/43-0090; www.solmeliacuba.com), at Playa Esmeralda, near Guardalavaca has reopened after remodeling work and hurricane repairs work. The site has a new Italian restaurant and enlarged pool area.The Parque Nacional "Desembarco del Granma" (no phone) was seriously damaged by the hurricanes and repair work is still underway.

Santiago

The government-run Infotur tourist information service (www.infotur.cu) has opened offfices in Santiago. One office has opened in the Antonio Maceo international airport and one on the corner of Parque Cespedes. The Meliá Santiago Hotel (tel. 22/68-7070; www.solmeliacuba.com) is undergoing an extensive remodeling program that will significantly improve rooms, the pool area and lobby.

Revolutionary Vilma Espín, the wife of President Raúl Castro who died in 2007, has been commemorated in bronze. Sculptor Alberto Lescay, erected a statue on Avenida Las Americas in Santiago.

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