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Apr

30

A Deep Dive into a Dual-Currency Economy

I remember on a windy evening in Havana I waved down one of Havana’s many informal, unlabeled taxis and was surprised to find a man sitting in the shotgun seat. I asked the driver, Carlos, about his extra passenger. Pablo turned to introduce himself. As we drove, Carlos and Pablo explained to me that they were friends and business partners. By day, Carlos was a family physician and Pablo was a vet. But Carlos had a car, so they spent their evenings taking turns driving it as taxi to make some extra cash in CUC.  


Apr

21

8 Must Visit Beaches in Cuba

Sometimes you need to recover from all the “go here, go there, go everywhere” stress of vacation—and where better to take a breather than on a beach? Each of Cuba’s distinct regions boasts impressive stretches of magnificent sand where you can kick back with a beverage and find some simple peace of mind after enjoying the complexity of the country’s interior. We rounded up the most pristine, picturesque beaches so you can plan some fun in the sun for your time in Cuba.

Apr

16

Getting Current On Dual Currency

On a small cocoa farm outside of the isolated village of Baracoa, on Cuba’s easternmost tip, I bought a lightly tanned leather wallet. It was designed with a bougainvillea, the tropical flower that abounds on the island. The wallet looked to be quite average to a foreigner, with a pouch for change, a space for an ID card, and even several slots for credit cards, not something that is typically used in the largely cash-based economy. However, there was one detail that might have kept an unknowing tourist puzzled.


Apr

07

Yanks Tanks: Here Today but Gone Tomorrow?

My wife and I recently had the good fortune to travel to Cuba. This country and its people are spectacular, but what truly struck me is how many American cars from the 40’s and 50’s (and even the 30’s) are still on the road. We all know that these old American cars exist in Cuba, and of course I expected to see them, but I was startled by the fact that they are everywhere! Cuba is a vintage car lover's paradise.

Apr

01

Public Transportation Vocabulary

Instructions: Prior to your visit to Cuba, define the words in bold listed below. Each term describes a form of public transport in Havana. Check your answers and no reading ahead.