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Cuba

Cuba
	Capital	Havana
	Population	11,451,652
	Area	110,860 sq km
	Language	Spanish
	Currency	Cuba, Peso (CUP)
		100.000000Cu$ (CUP) = 3.773585$ (USD)

It’s a Caribbean island, the largest. It has an abundance of exotic creatures both on land and in the water – it is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. It has a stunning landscape – tree covered hills and sparkling sandy beaches. It has a comfortable sub tropical climate, over 300 days of sunshine a year, and is only 90 miles from mainland USA.
 
So what’s the problem?
 
The problem is, it’s Cuba.
 
Say the word Cuba and people think, communist, Castro and cigars. In actual fact Cuba is slowly emerging from over 50 years in the global investment wilderness and is poised to be the next big retirement destination, so say the pundits.
 
It is commonly believed that US citizens are forbidden by law to travel to Cuba. This is not entirely true. The applicable legislation is the Trading with the Enemy Act (1963) under which the restriction is not on travel but on the spending of money in Cuba (unless you apply for and receive a special licence). Of course, it might as well be a ban, because if you are going on holiday you do actually need to pay for accommodation, food, postcards and even the odd alcoholic beverage!
 

On April 13th 2009, President Obama loosened some travel restrictions and Cuban-Americans can now travel freely to the country; this is seen by many as a very tiny step in the direction towards opening up the channels to Cuba.  

Cuba’s 12 million people are mostly of Spanish and African origin; there are some mixed Europeans and Africans and about 1% are Chinese. There is still a vibrant ‘Chinatown’ in Havana, the capital which is itself a colonial gem, with stunning 16th architecture. 70% of the population lives in towns and cities, and most Cubans are Catholics.

Cuba is considered to be a Latin American country and as such has many of the prevailing characteristics.   Family is all important and they are generally very close knit. There is a prevailing machismo – the male is dominant in all things, despite a move towards sexual equality in recent years. Bureaucracy is interminable, time consuming and confusing. The culture is laid back…arriving on time for a social or business meeting is not considered important. And they have an innate love of life.  However, what sets them apart from other Latins is their work ethic – they are extremely hard working, well educated and entrepreneurial.
 
However, as yet, you can’t retire here, and if you were to you would need to learn to speak Spanish. Cuba is essentially a holiday island for foreigners.
 
Pinar del Rio is at the western tip of the 42,000 sq mile island, and is considered the most beautiful province…the scenery is stunning and the area produces some of the best tobacco and cigars in the world. The Rosario Mountains offer rock climbing and you can visit botanic gardens that boast over 700 varieties of orchid.
 
Almost a quarter of Cuba’s nearly 12 million people live in the capital Havana, or La Ciudad de Havana, which is a separate municipality. Havana is the largest and oldest city in the Caribbean - it is also the biggest tourist resort on the island. The town itself has some stunning 16th century Spanish architecture and there is a vibrant nightlife.
 
Matanzas, meaning slaughter, is Cuba’s second largest province. The main city, of the same name, is a big port town and used to be the centre of the island’s huge sugar industry. Today it is an industrial centre.
 
The province also boasts the Cuba’s most famous beach resort, Varadero. The resort is on the Hicacos Pensinsula and has 12 miles of pristine, white sandy beaches and clear, shallow water. There are modern hotels and a stunning 18 hole golf course, along with a vibrant nightlife and every water sport imaginable.
 
On the south east coast of the island is Guantanamo Province, where Guantanamo town is situated. This province is famous more for the US base located here rather than its nice beaches.
 
What to do
Cuba has a wealth of pastimes to pursue….especially if you are the outdoor, sports type….superb fishing, wonderful beaches, superlative scuba diving, plus outdoor parks, cinemas, theatres, museums and art galleries. Dancing is part of the culture…salsa, mambo and cha cha and you will find many dance clubs in which to practise your moves. Music is played and listened to in venues from smart hotels to street corners, and carnival time is the highlight of the cultural year.
 
And of course Cuba cannot be talked of without mentioning the legendary Che Guevara, the Argentinian born revolutionary who helped Castro to power. He left the country in 1965 and was caught and executed by the CIA in Bolivia not long after.
 
Infrastructure
In Havana, large malls and shopping galleries are emerging, to serve the wealthy Cubans and foreign tourists, but outside of the capital, you have to rely on what is in the local shops and not expect to find what you are used to back home.
 
The telephone system is antiquated and frustrating…mobile phones are fast appearing but good coverage over the whole island is piecemeal.
 
Internet services are restricted for Cubans but foreigners can have internet access at the state run telecommunications offices. They are located all over the country.

Transportation
The fastest way to get around is by air, but there are also 8,000 miles or so of railway. Initially developed for the sugar industry, trains go all over the island. It is not luxury travel, and the timetables are subject to unannounced changes, but it is a good way to see the countryside.
 
The main highways, between the big provincial towns are excellent, but outside of these the roads are generally unlit and full of potholes, so it is best to only drive during the day.
 
The majority of Cubans travel by bus which is by far the cheapest and easiest way, although depending on the routes the buses can be crowded.
 
Healthcare
Cuba is famous for having the best healthcare system in Latin America and it is free to everyone (except foreigners who have to pay). It also has one of the lowest infant mortality rates, and one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world. Medical facilities and staff are superb. The country has one of the highest doctor/patient ratios in the world. As a foreigner you cannot buy medical insurance within Cuba so it is advisable to purchase travel insurance or expatriate insurance before going there.
 
Safety
The crime rate in Cuba is lower than any other Latin American or Caribbean country; but like anywhere, there are petty thefts and robberies, so take the same precautions you would elsewhere. Do not wear flash jewellery or carry expensive cameras and find out where the dubious areas are and stay away. If you are going out at night be safe and take a taxi….and women should never walk alone at night. There are many street hustlers and pickpockets so hide your money and generally dress down.
 
Real Estate…is a new and very complicated phenomenon. 80% of Cubans own their own homes but they cannot sell them; they can however trade them with other Cubans. But if a Cuban offers you a property to buy, walk away as this is illegal.
Non US foreigners can currently buy property but only through a joint Cuban government/foreign investor situation. At present US citizens cannot buy property in Cuba.
 
It is widely thought that restrictions on owning property in Cuba, will, in the near future, be relaxed and there are many investors poised to take advantage of this move if/when it comes.
 
Visas
There is no such thing as a retirement programme as in many other Latin American countries.
 
Currently, foreigners can only visit on a 30 day Tourist Visa. Those doing business here arrive on a tourist visa, and then extend these in country at the end of the month, when they will be issued a visa for up to 6 months. This is at the discretion of the Immigration Office. Once you need to leave the country you will have to apply for an exit permit.
 
Temporary Visas…can by applied for by businessmen who need to stay in the country to oversee work. This has to be applied for through the International Legal Council.

Permanent Residency can be applied for if you are married to a Cuban.
 
If you are in Cuba for more than 90 days you have to submit to an AIDS test; anyone testing positive will be denied a visa.
 
Tourism is one of Cuba’s main sources of income, attracting in excess of 2 million visitors every year. But, many say, it is poised to be the next big relocation destination for baby boomers. It may be worth keeping your eyes open, not just for a place to live but as an investment opportunity too.