A QUESTION about Cuba

Why not?
Nice old cities, wonderful nature, very nece people, and visiting another "system" (a museum tour?) - now that we cannot really visit that anymore, nearly anywhere else.- oh and cheap!
Finally very many Europeans have a lot of positive feelings towards the "Underdog"-countries - and a system that fought some terrible dictatorship, (but then replaced it with another type of the same.....).

Have you ever been there?

Strictly speaking regarding Spain, Cuba is a very popular destination for Spaniards for several reasons. For most people it's just a good beach destination, especially during our Winter months, easy to reach (many direct flights), many touristy resorts, cheap and speaking the same language.

For many others (myself belonging to this group, I prefer other places if just for beaching) it's one of my dream destinations for cultural and family reasons: my grand-grandpa went there during the 'golden age' of commercial relationship during Spain and Cuba (colony at this time) and after his return he built the family house (where I grew up) in colonial style. My hometown (Vilanova i la Geltrú) was known as "the little Havana" at the end of XIX century as many people returned from Cuba with small fortunes. Being born at a street called Havana, next to strets called Cuba, Matanzas... in a town with a main square so similar to some Cuban squares that a couple of films were filmed there... is no wonder I always wanted to see "the real thing".

All this, plus the many good reasons already said at by #1

Serbs go because it's one of the few countries that they can visit without a visa :-)

People go to Cuba from wherever for two simple reasons, i'ts cheap and it has sun.

To suggest any other reasons as being applicable to more than 2 or 3% of tourists is dumb. They go for the same reasons tourists go to any beach destination.

And if you think a lot of Europeans go to Cuba HoosierDeb you ought to look a little closer to home. Canadians are probably number 1 for tourist visits by nationality in Cuba and you guessed it they go for the culture. Duh, NO, they go because it's cheap and has sun.

Totally agree with #5 .. cheap sun but the decided lack of Americans may also be factor too ... .. well for some ...

I went to Cuba to visit a friend so I've been there.

I've seen lots of Central America and South America, and compared to that I wouldn't go to Cuba.
- But you have to see before you know... :-)
There is lots of unjustice in Cuba.

I think people go because it is kind of "in" at the moment.
They have to see the "real" Cuba before the change.
For me that sounds silly, but we all have different reasons when choosing our distination.

Lise

Thank you Ibbeline. I appreciate your response. I posted this on three branches, and boy, did the people speak out. I had many replies, many different views.

If I had my choice I would pick Central or South America over Cuba...just from what people have said about Central and South America....And the photographs I have seen.

We all travel to the places we go for many different reasons. I went to Slovakia back in 1989...before the Russians left. I LOVED IT!

Would I like it as well now? I do not know.

Thank you to everyone else who gave an opinion on this topic.

DEBBIE

When I lived in Italy, I several of my Italian co-workers went to Cuba. The majority did not leave their all-inclusives while they were there.

Totally agree, #9: maybe 95% of people I know who has been to the Caribbean never left the all-inclusive while there. For them, it does not make any difference if is Cuba, Dominican Rep or Mexico or any other. They just choose the best deal. Or, if they leave the resort is with a organized tour, so they really don't see the real life there. I guess the 'other' reasons given there will only apply to the remaining 5%