The free market is still limited in Cuba, but already it is altering lives and reshaping attitudes. It might not yet be Wall Street or the Square Mile, but as more and more Cubans go into business for themselves under President Raul Castro’s economic reforms, the ethos of capitalism is increasingly seeping into the island’s […]

The 17 th International Craftwork Fair, FIART 2013, was inaugurated on Friday at the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress in this city, in the presence of exhibitors of 16 nations. During the inaugural speech, Jorge Alfonso, director of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets, pointed out that starting from Sunday and until December 22 […]

A bronze likeness of the Beatle, who was assassinated 33 years ago Sunday, was inaugurated in a leafy Havana park 13 years ago. But souvenir-seekers kept stealing the iconic circular spectacles that adorned it. Officials tried gluing them on. But they should have known better: Vandals simply broke them off. Enter Juan Gonzalez, a 95-year-old […]

The British cruise ship Thomson Dreams will call at Havana harbor on Friday with 1 200 passengers on board, as the U.K. is becoming the second major source of tourists to the island. According to the Cuban Tourism Ministry, the arrival of the Thomson Dreams is part of the commercial campaign being deployed by local […]

Driving It sure felt that way in the tiny garage where Fernando Varera kickstarted a vintage Harley-Davidson. The BLAT BLAT BLAT of a 50-year-old hog is unmistakable and can probably send big enough soundwaves to start an earthquake. After his small audience flinched, surprised by how loud that hog could snort, Varera, who restores old […]

Two people are dead from torrential rains that lashed Cuba for more than 24 hours, island authorities said Saturday. The deluge caused multiple collapses in dwellings in Havana, Granma reported. A man and a woman were killed in one structure that caved in. Yunior Amesa, nephew of the deceased man, told The Associated Press he […]

Workshops, lectures, and panels are scheduled for the 2nd Annual Gourmet Festival, “Flavors of Cuba and the World,” that, dedicated to drinks complementing fine cuisine, begins here today with an examination of audiovisual works centered around food. Based at Casa de Mexico in the historic old quarter of Habana Vieja, the event will begins its […]

Louis Cristal will have new satellite systems when she sails in Cuba. Cuba Cruise is to complete safety inspections and upgrade several areas onboard Louis Cristal before she crosses the Atlantic to start her inaugural season circumnavigating Cuba. The operator, which works in partnership with Louis Cruises, is currently carrying out necessary crew training exercises […]

The buying and selling of houses in Cuba increased by 2 percent in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2012, an official with the Justice Ministry cited in local media said Tuesday. The expert with the Property, Business and Estate Register, Aniuska Puente, said that the trend has been […]

As an added value to the already increasing spiral of Cuban tourism, the holding in Havana of an unusual festival that aims to combine movies, drinks and meals late this month, was announced today. The 2nd Gourmet Festival, Flavours of Cuba and the world will be held in the historic district of Old Havana on […]

Responding to the needs of mushrooming private gastronomy businesses, the government allowed the creation of wholesale food markets in Havana and surrounding provinces, “in an experimental manner.” The pilot project will allow to “study other ways on a regional level,” and then expand them to the rest of the country, Communist Party daily Granma said.Decree […]

Cuban state tour operator Havanatur is launching flights from Havana to Villahermosa, Mexico, on Nov. 20, Cuban and Mexican media reported. The flights will be operated by regional state carrier Aerocaribbean. The twice-weekly flights on 72-seat ATR aircraft, tourism developers in the capital of Tabasco hope, will attract . European tourists vacationing in Cuba. Tickets […]

Temporary Change of Airport for European Airlines in Cuba Havana, Cuba, Oct 10.- With the purpose of successfully facing up to the upcoming high tourism season in Cuba, Terminal Two of the capital’s Jose Marti International Airport (AIJM) will temporarily receive four European airlines as of October 14. The companies to be relocated are Air […]

More than 110 institutions from all Cuban economic sectors will mount stands at the Thirty First Havana International Fair, which will open its doors on November 3rd. An overview of Cuba’s medical advances –both in terms of techniques and medical products– will be advanced at the Fair, providing information and trade possibilities with Cuba, being […]

The Council of State of Cuba, met on Thursday in the capital and passed a Decree/Law for the Mariel Special Development Zone, destined to become the main import/export gateway for Cuba’s foreign trade, said Granma newspaper. In addition to the law, the Official Gazette will publish in the coming days the port’s regulations with seven […]