Paella – the Cuban way! Photo by Meg Maguire

Havana: The first cruise ship in decades docked May 2 – with on shore dancers, bands and crowds waving flags. The city’s restaurant scene is flourishing, even with shortages of things like coffee! Green News Update’s series on Cuba gives you a birds-eye view from travelers who have gone to Cuba for people-to-people visits in the past two years.

Experience a wider view of the island nation –use our portal to articles and photo galleries with the insights of travelers to Cuba in the past two years

Costa de Playa Giron (Photo by Ivan2010)

Bienvenidos: The Essential Cuba (March 3 2016) What is the essential Cuba?  Can you find it? Authentic is the word that is offered most often by “people to people” visitors who see Cubans through the lens of local artistic, cultural, social, and everyday experiences throughout the country.  Check out their suggestions

Basket weavers in Trinidad

Cuba’s Waiting for You (Nov 2 2015) There’s no single way to look at contemporary Cuban life, culture and the arts without the backstory. Read about the contradictions, push-pull of Spanish culture, the traditions Africans brought with them,  and the allure of American casinos, pleasure palaces,  and celebrities in the 1940s and ‘50s.

Trio performs at dinner (Photo by Meg Maguire)

Cuban Photo Galleries

The “big chair” on the Pilar (a 38-foot marlin-hunting boat) owned by Ernest Hemingway. Fidel joined Hemingway for an outing and caught a huge marlin. Photo courtesy of Meg Maguire

Before you go, check out two photo galleries from travelers who shared their experiences  with the street scenes, rural areas and people 

The Essential Cuba Photo Gallery

A Photographic Preview of Life in Cuba

Coming later this year: We’ll check out Cuba’s  pristine coastal areas, natural history and rare plants and animals that scientists and conservationists want to protect.