What Trump’s Changes to Mean to Americans

In December 2014, former U.S. President Barrack Obama signed an executive order that historically lifted a fifty-year ban on travel to Cuba in an attempt to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba and the United States. Restrictions applied, but it was a start in the right direction. 

In June 2017, however, President Donald Trump signed his own an executive order, overturning portions of Obama's order. He was fulfilling his promise to undo President Obama's free trade and tourist initiatives. Trump sought to enforce the original ban on Cuban travel. Interestingly, President Obama never really lifted that ban.

What Can Americans Do Under the Changes?

Under President Obama’s rules, there were twelve types of legal travel that wasn’t officially “tourism". Visits were limited to “people-to-people travel” exchanges that promoted significant interactions with the Cuban people and fulfilled traditional and educational requirements.

Under Trump, ten of the twelve categories remained. The “people-to-people” and educational options, however,were eliminated and American travellers could no longer participate in activities that involved extreme free time or recreation.

Americans can now only travel to Cuba along with an officially licensed tour operator or cuban private travel agency, as part of a group trip.The only other kinds of travel Americans can now make to Cuba are those that have a certain purpose, as follows:

o visit family members in Cuba.

o conduct professional research and/or hold meetings

o arrange religious activities, humanitarian projects and public performances (i.e. artists, athletes and performers can visit Cuba to perform, exhibit or participate in their craft).

Americans can continue booking flights, Cruises to Havana Cuba and cruises to Cuba, but only through official tour operators or a Cuban private travel agency. And, only a tour operator or Cuban private travel agency can arrange tours, excursions, stays at island casa particulars or homestays, activities, and so on.

Many Americans travel to Cuba via Canada and Mexico, where it’s more easily permitted. Plus, Cuba accepts U.S. passports. Their passports may then be checked upon reentry to the United States and any time thereafter. Such travelers should always be honest if they are ever asked about their Cuban visit. It’s always best. Attempting to hide such an excursion, or any other kind of excursion, violates federal laws.

Que Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency is a Cuban private travel agency specializing in Cuba travel. Its agents are trained and skilled and have extensive travel experience. Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency wants to show Cuba’s exceptional beauty and fun in a totally different way.

Under the updated travel rules, Americans could contact a Cuban private travel agency such as Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency and book a group excursion, two days Habana,or top tours excursions, plus a stay atan island casa particularor homestay. Should an American be on a cruise that ports in Cuba or a Cruise to Havana Cuba, they or their cruise director could also contact Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency to book a group excursionor top tours excursions homestays. And, should an American be travelling to Cuba for a purpose, they could contact Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency and arrange a stay an island casa particularor homestay.

Yes, the new rules are frustrating, but Americans can still find ways to meet the friendliest people in the world and enjoy the richest, brightest culture in the Caribbean.

See www.quebolaacuba.com for more detail.

The Beautiful Cuban People

In 2014, when former U.S. President Barrack Obama lifted a fifty-year ban on travel to Cuba, many Americans took advantage and saw Cuba for the very first time. The differences amazed them.

At first, the stunning architecture overwhelms them. Cuba, especially Havana, grew quickly in the early 1900s and the intricate, vibrant buildings with Spanish, Italian, Greek, and Roman design still line the streets. And, the streets are literally a living car museum, filled with old, colorful cars, including Oldsmobiles, Chevrolets, Fords, and even a few Russian brands. It’s quite extraordinary.

The food also amazes Americans. It’s a unique, wonderful blend of Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines, with connections to Dominican Republican and Puerto Rican food. Many claim it’s the best they ever tasted. And, the music. Cuban music is considered the world’s most significant influential music.

Most of all, Americans notice the people. The Cuban people are warm, friendly, and captivating. Every single person offers to share their homes and food, even when they barely have anything. Americans readily admit they can be materialistic, but after they meet the Cubans, who value kindness, togetherness, and sharing over tangible items, they feel changed.

Americans also notice how the people recycle, respect the environment, and try to use natural remedies, rather than chemical (i.e. beer and rabbit pellets to control insects). Television and Internet aren’t as easily accessible, so the people gather and sit with one another and talk. They’re don’t ignore those around them and text others. They’re paying attention to family members and communicating.

Socially, the Cubans are more advanced. Gay rights are readily accepted and gender reassignment surgery is free. Cuban law dictates that women must earn the same salary as men and women make up nearly half of the Cuban National Assembly. And, the government finances education and healthcare. Most notably, black and white Cubans interact freely and freely socialize. In America, this does not happen as freely and different races tend to separate themselves. It’s slowly changing, but, again, slowly. Things may not be perfect in Cuba, but Cuba could teach America a few things.

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency

 

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travelis a Cuban private travel agency specializing in Cuba travel. It’s trained and experienced agents share the following goals:

o Show others Cuba’s exceptional beauty

o Share Cuba’s fun in a unique way

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel offers numerous Cuba roundtrips & tours and top tours excursions homestays, several of which include excursion two days habana. The excursions take you through several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Havana, Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios, Cienfuegos, and Valle de Vinales. You’ll certainly see the great tourist sites, but you’ll also see the wonderful, exciting sites only the travel agents know.

Accommodations are arranged at homestays or Island Casa Particulars, which are private lodgings the local people rent out. It’s similar to, and actually like, Bed and Breakfasts. Homestays or Island Casa Particulars are the best ways to experience Cuban life and taste homemade Cuban food. They are also very reasonably priced. Best of all, they allow you to interact with the warm, wonderful Cuban people.

“Que Bolaa” is the friendly Cuban way of asking “how are you going to have fun?” Well, how are you going to have fun? Contact Que Bolaa Cuba Travel today and let them show you.

See www.quebolaacuba.com for more detail.

Cruising to Cuba

Ever since former U.S. President Barrack Obama lifted the fifty-year travel embargo to Cuba, many of the major cruise lines leaving American ports began adding the Caribbean island to its itinerary. Response was very positive and the lines continue to add voyages to Cuba through 2018 and some even through 2019. 

Americans on cruise lines departing from American ports still could not visit for recreational purposes. Their visits were limited to exchanges that promoted meaningful connections with the Cuban people and fulfilled social and educational needs. Though current President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order limiting Cuban travel to educational and religious activities, family visits and humanitarian projects, cruises to Cuba and Cruises to Havana Cuba have essentially remained unchanged. Bruce Nierenberg, president and CEO of Victory Cruise Lines, LTD in Miami, remarked that the updated policy “…actually helped the cruise industry.” Trump’s new policy restricts individuals from traveling alone to Cuba. Individuals will have to go through a tour operator or Cuban private travel agency and organize a group tour. Cruises essentially do just that.

Cruise lines leaving South America, Canada, Europe and ports from other countries, nonetheless, continue to freely port in Cuba and Cuba freely accepts an American passport.

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency is a Cuban private agency that offers unique travel experiences. In addition to booking top tours excursions, Cuba round trips and cuba roundtrips & tours, it also arranges private and group tours for cruise ship and Cruises to Havana Cubatravellers.

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency can also arrange group tours for American cruise ship travellers and American Cruises to Havana Cuba travellers that comply with the President Trump’s new rules. These excursions encourage meaningful relationships the Cuban people and satisfy social and educational needs. Such is hardly difficult. There is so much to learn in Cuba and the people are so warm and friendly.

Here are some of the excursion and group tours Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel offers Cruise ship travellers and Cruises to Havana Cuba travellers:

o Tour old and modern Havana, an historical, World Heritage site. Appreciate the stunning architecture of the cathedrals, memorials, and palaces. Observe the people going about their day.

o Visit a Cigar and Rum Factory. Cuba is well-known for producing the finest Cigars and Rum. See how both are made and understand why they’re the best.

o Enjoy a Vintage Car Ride Through Havana. Cuba is one of the most colorful places on earth. The ocean is colorful. The buildings are colorful. The people are colorful. So, why not enjoy all the hues inside a colorful car?

o Ride a horse through Viñales Valley. Along the way, visit a tobacco farmer, have a swim at “Palmarito” cave, and then enjoy a delicious Cuban lunch.

o Tour Viñales Valley and take in the gorgeous scenery. Climb and hike limestone rock and visit and tobacco plantation.

o Take in a Buena Vista Social Club or Tropicana Concert. The Buena Vista Social Club began in the early 20th century as a members' only club. It inspired the group that now carries its name and which helped forge the Afro-Cuban sound. 

The Tropicana opened in 1939 and was known globally as a cabaret and club. Situated on a lavish tropical garden, the club influenced Cuban culture and music. It even inspired Cuban native DesiArnaz. Fans may recall that his I Love Lucy character, Ricky Ricardo, was the leader of a band at the Tropicana Club.

Specials include: o Pick-up at and return to your cruise site.

o Specialized guide service in your preferred language, according to availability.

o Private Transportation in the type of car you choose (Antique, modern, or luxurious), according to availability. o Rest Room Facilities

(Certain activities depend on your cruise’s schedule. Some locations may be too far and some tours may take to long to fit in with certain cruise line schedules).

All a cruise ship or Cruise to Havana Cuba traveller needs to do is contact Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency. Its agents will handle the rest. See www.quebolaacuba.com for more detail.

The Differences

Vacationing in a different country is great because you get to experience things you’ve never seen or done before. You see buildings that are designed in ways you’ve never seen before. You taste food you’ve never eaten. You hear a totally different language. You hear certain music for the first time. You meet new friends. It’s a fantastic adventure. 

You also get to see where and how others live. That is the most awesome part of the experience. Most of us spend our lives in one general area and grow accustomed to our surroundings and what takes place on a daily basis. We then naturally assume that it’s all normal and standard for everyone else. But, we live in a great big world and that’s not the case.

The Beauty of Cuba

Cuba has so much to offer. It’s the largest island in the Caribbean and is full of stunning beaches. Its unique jazz, Latin, and Afro-Cuban melodies constantly fill the air. Brilliant cars from days past travel the roads – where else do you actually see them in use?And, the food, with its distinct flavors and spices – you can’t get it anywhere else.

You’ll notice something especially interesting as you stroll along, admiring the uniquely designed buildings and various colors – there’s ardly any advertisements, posters, or signs marring the windows, walls or buildings. All you see are the beautiful colors and the splendid, pristine architecture. It’s fantastic.

“Que Bolaa”

“Que Bolaa” is how Cuban friends ask one another “what are you doing?” and “how are you going to have fun?” That’s how former United States President Barack Obama greeted the citizens when he came to Cuba. It had been nearly a century since an American president last visited.

His kind gesture of friendship inspired a group of tourist professionals to name their then, recently formed, cuban private travel agency,Que Bolaa Travel.

Que Bolaa Cuba Travel

QuéBolaa Cuba Travel, as the name suggests, specializes in Cuba travel. Its agents are trained, skilled professionals with a wide range of travel experience. Their aim to bring people to Cuba and show them its exceptional beauty and fun in a totally different way. Yes, visitors will see all the great tourist sites, but they’ll also see the wonderful, exciting sites only natives know and love. Especially, the untouched beauty. So, come visit Cuba and experience a different way of life and meet the friendliest people on Earth.

So, please, be friendly, contact Que Bolaa Cuba Travel, but don’t ask “how are you going to have fun?” Instead, ask “how am I going to have fun?” Que Bolaa Cuba Travel will plan it all and take you there.

Travel Packages

Que Bolaa Cuba Travel offers cuba roundtrips & tours and top tours excursions homestays, both of which visit Habana’s Historical Center. Or, you can book your own private tour.

Contact Que Bolaa Cuba Travel today and experience Cuba.

Cuba’s Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a location designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having special cultural or physical significance.

There are currently nineteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean. Nine, almost half, are in Cuba. 

Cuba’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites are:

1. Trinidad and nearby Valle de los Ingenios: these areas prospered during the 18th and 19th centuries from the sugar trade. Features the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos, sugar mills, and plantations.

2. Old Havana: packed with stunning baroque architecture and neoclassical monuments, plazas, fortresses, and ancient structures that have withstood centuries.

3. San Pedro de la Roca Castle: constructed atop a two hundred foot high peninsula in Santiago de Cuba Bay four centuries ago in order to guard Santiago from piracy due to struggles between England and England. Two hundred years later, it was transformed into a prison.

4. Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma: featuring unspoiled coastal cliffs, stunning verandas, and glorious waterfalls. Named after the yacht that transported Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, along with the rest of his supporters, from Mexico to the Cuban shoreline in 1956.

5. The First Coffee Plantation in Southeast Cuba: in the late Eighteenth Century, after the Haitian Slave Revolt, French Immigrants started defecting to Santiago de Cuba. They then set-up coffee plantations and constructed exquisite stone mansions on the land.

6. The Urban Historic Center of Cienfuegos: showcasing the finest examples of Nineteenth Century, Spanish city planning. The streets were designed to be symmetric and straight, with monumental structures on each side, including the former City Hall.

7. Valle de Vinales: full of spectacular scenery and gorgeous limestone rock, which can be climbed and hiked. Also has some of the world’s best tobacco plantations.

8. Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt : UNESCO regards the park as one of the most biologically varied tropical areas on the planet. It is home to indigenous Cuban plants and animals and is one of the world’s best preserved parks.

9. The Historic Center of Camaguey: featuring all kinds of art and architecture built throughout the centuries, ranging form art deco to art nouveau to neoclassical and neocolonial. Also known for its many churches. 

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel Agency

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel, as the name suggests, is a Cuban private travel agency specializing in Cuba travel. Its agents are trained, skilled professionals with a wide range of travel experience. They want to bring people to Cuba and show them its exceptional beauty and fun in a totally different way.

Many of its Cuba roundtrips & tours and top tours excursions homestays, including excursion two days habana, take you through several; UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Havana, Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios, Cienfuegos, and Valle de Vinales. And, many of these packages include a visit to Habana’s Historical Center. You’ll certainly see the great tourist sites, but you’ll also see the wonderful, exciting sites only the native travel agents know.

“Que Bolaa” is the friendly Cuban way of asking “how are you going to have fun?” Well, how are you going to have fun? Contact Que Bolaa Cuba Travel today and let them show you.

Cuban Island Casa Particular

In Cuba, an island casa particular is a private home that rents out rooms to travellers. It’s like a hostel or Airbnb in other countries.The host family provides you with a room and takes care of you.

Many independent travellers arrange their own accommodations and various Cuban private travel agencies use island casa particulars for their tours and excursions. It makes sense. It saves their guests a lot of money and is extremely convenient. 

The rooms are attractive, clean and neat, and there is often an en suite, though you may have to share the bathroom with other tourists. You should bring your own toiletries as such are expensive and considered luxuries in Cuba.

The ability to interact with your hosts and other Cubans are the best parts of staying in an island casa particular. Such rarely happens in resorts or hotels. Your hosts will offer inside advice on what’s fun and interesting, help you find solutions to any possible issues you may encounter, and may share a meal or cigar with you. The Cuban people are truly one of the most friendliest you’ll ever meet.

Casas particulares are also extremely safe. Standards are the same as hostels and B&Bs. Most have locks on the door, some have separate entrances, and many offer security boxes for valuables. Hosts are required to ask for passport identification and signatures in a guest book, which they must present to the Immigration Office. So, safety and security for both sides is important. Trust your host families and feel secure in their homes. Offering rooms for rents is oftentimes a main source of income for them. Stealing from you would ruin their reputations and cost them precious business.

QuéBolaa Cuba Travel Agency

 

QuéBolaa Cuba Travel, a Cuban private travel agencyutilizes island casa particulars for their guests when booking Cuba roundtrips & tours and top tours excursions. It saves their guests money and makes their stays unique and fun. And, such is the goal of QuéBolaa Cuba Travel. To show travellers Cuba’s splendor and fun in a totally different way.

QuéBolaa Cuba Travel, as its name suggests, specializes in Cuba travel. Its agents are trained, skilled professionals with a wide range of travel experience. As a visitor, you’ll see all the great tourist sites, but you’ll also see the wonderful, exciting sites only the native travel agents know and love.

“Que Bolaa” is the friendly Cuban way of asking “how are you going to have fun?” Well, how are you going to have fun? Contact Que Bolaa Cuba Travel today and let them show you.

Things to Do When You’re in a Cuban Port

Cruises to Cuba

Cuba is becoming more and more popular as a cruise destination. It’s obvious why. It’s is more than 775 miles long, more than ten times larger than some of the other Caribbean vacation destinations, and is located along every potential route along the eastern, western and northern Caribbean shores. It literally demands to be seen.

People-to People Travel

With President Obama lifting the United States fifty-year travel embargo, American cruises are now adding Cuba as a destination. Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said, “Cuba is an island jewel unique from anywhere else in the Caribbean and we are thrilled to have this rare opportunity to take our guests to this fascinating destination.”

Americans, however, cannot visit Cuba for recreational purposes. Their visits are limited to “people-to-people travel”exchanges that fostermeaningful interactions with the Cuban people and satisfy cultural and educational requirements.

American travellers are responsible for arranging the “people-to-people” exchanges and completing a form certifying that they will be participating in cultural exchanges before setting sail, which they must keep for five years. The cruise ship should provide these forms.

About that People-to People Limitation

How could anything that requires travellers to learn about a historical, colorful, inspiring, World Heritage city and build relationships with the warmest, friendliest, and most generous people on the planet ever be considered “limiting?”

There is so much to seeand do in Cuba, no matter where you’re from or where you port.

Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel

In addition to booking roundtrips and extended tours, it also books private and group activities for the cruise ship traveller, including the American cruise ship traveller.

Cubans often ask “Que Bolaa?” It means, “what are you going to do today?” and “how are you going to have fun?” Everyday, too, Que Bolaa Cuba Travel asks, “Que Bolaa?” But, you don’t have to answer. Let Que Bolaa Cuba Travel answer for you with one of their Specials for Cruises.

Specials for Cruises

Here are some of the Specials for Cruises Que Bolaa Cuba Travel offers for Cruise travellers:

o Visit to a Cigar and Rum Factory: Cuba is known for producing the best Cigars and Rum. Visit a Rum and Cigar factory and see how both are made. See why they’ve always been the best.

o Tour old and modern Havana, a World Heritage and historical Center. Admire the beautiful and unique architecture of the monuments, churches, and palaces. See the people going about their day. No other place compares.

o Vintage Cars Ride around Havana. Cuba is colorful. That’s actually understating things a bit. Everything in and around it adds color – the ocean, the buildings, the people, and the cars. The vintage cars are full of hues. And, they’re vintage and classy. How cool. So, why not tour Havana while riding one of them? (trips are hourly).

o A Buena Vista Social Club concert or show at the Tropicana.

Between the 1940s and 1960s, the Buena Vista Social Club in Havana was an exclusive place for musicians and performers. The traditional Afro-Cuban musical and “son,” salsa’s root, developed there. When it closed in the 1990s, it led to a recording with various Cuban musicians. After some of the members passed away, Cuban singer and dancer OmaraPortuondo; guitarist and vocalist Eliades Ochoa; Barbarito Torres, trumpeter Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal; and trombonist Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos formed the The Buena Vista Social Club and began spreading the Cuban sound. They are now an international success.

The Tropicana, which was established in 1939, was known throughout the world as a cabaret and club. It is located on a six-acre suburban estate with luxurious tropical gardens. The club is known for inspiring Cuban culture and influencing its music. The club also inspired Cuban native DesiArnaz. On the I Love Lucy Show, his character, Ricky Ricardo, is a bandleader at the Tropicana. Today, it still captures its old spirit with an open-air nightclub show and spectacular song-and-dance show.

Travellers may choose whichever activity(ies) they prefer and Que Bolaa Cuba Travel will do all the arrangements.

Specials include:

o Pick-up at and return to your cruise site.

o Specialized guide service in your preferred language, according to availability.

o Private Transportation in the type of car you choose (Antique, modern, or luxurious), according to availability.

o Rest Room Facilities

See www.quebolaacuba.com for more detail.