Castro Retires - Any effect on holidaying in Cuba?

atothej

I've just read the news that Fidel Castro has officially retired as the head of Cuba. Me and the missus were hoping to go there this summer on holiday/honeymoon...

Do you think that his retirement will have any effect on the stability of the country? I've always been told that as soon as he died, the country would lose it's individuality and be sucked into the USA.

Should I wait before I book my tickets (probably next week) so see how things pan out?

They say his bro Raphael will probably take over, so hopefully the boat won't be rocked too much!

Call_Centre_Guru

I don't think he's been running things for quite a while now and to be honest it's been moving towards higher commercialisation for some time. The dollar is already wildly wanted and accepted in Cuba. I wouldnt worry at all just see what you can before Micky D's turns up on every corner!! If you're still at all worried just make sure you're insurance is taken out at the same time as booking the holiday.

kaya

His Brother Raphael has been running the country for the last two years for him due to his illness, im booking later this week, i dont think there will be any immediate changes

lackingwedge

I think his brother has been probably running the country unofficially since even before 2006.
I was there in 2001 when he collapsed onstage and there was talk that he did not do much day to day running of the country even then.
Castro's cronies have a very tight grip on the coutnry socially and politically so i cannot see anything changing quickly for the forseeable future.

As for stuff like Mc'D's i doubt that very much as US companies are banned from doing direct deals with Cuba and foreign companines that do business in Cuba get a hard time in the US.

Even in 2001 foreigners were encouraged to spend using Dollars, but stuff like foreign alcohol was available (although i only drank Cuban rum drinks) and Coca Cola is available everywhere (imported VA mexico) The advertising billboards are full of pics of the revolution and Che Guavera.

Great place and i am always meaning to go back.

Steve_xx

Later in the year there will be a new president in the USA. Now that Castro is effectively retired I think it will probably pave the way for a thawing of US - Cuban relations and the new president will see that as an easy goal. It's time it happened anyway, as Cuba is not especially in the payroll of the soviets anymore. Also, in actual fact it seems to me that the Cubans have caused no real harm to the USA. The only real hampering fly in the ointment to peace between the two might be cuban alliance to the Venezuelan president.

shudd1967

Go ahead and get out there before all of America wants to go!

I have been three times and love it and saving hard to go again!

lackingwedge

Steve, there is a very powerful Anti-Castro lobby in the US, especially in Florida who will not rest until they have booted out Castro and his cronies and turn Cuba back into what it was pre-castro.
There are also alot of US multinationals who lost alot of money dues to the revolution who fund the Anti-Castro lobby but i guess they would be easier to talk round.

I cannot see rampant capitalism coming Cuba's way in the short to medium term and when it comes, it will be very slow and strictly monitored (i hope)

Steve_xx

lackingwedge wrote: »

Steve, there is a very powerful Anti-Castro lobby in the US, especially in Florida who will not rest until they have booted out Castro and his cronies and turn Cuba back into what it was pre-castro.
There are also alot of US multinationals who lost alot of money dues to the revolution who fund the Anti-Castro lobby but i guess they would be easier to talk round.

I cannot see rampant capitalism coming Cuba's way in the short to medium term and when it comes, it will be very slow and strictly monitored (i hope)

Yes, I think your assessment is a fair one.

I do feel that a change of US president at this juncture will bring about the possibility of improved dialogue between the two countries. The anti Castro lobby in Florida will be formed from exiled cubans in the main, no doubt. It's understandable that these people would like to return to their homeland and to enjoy democracy.

While Castro's brother reigns there probably wont be significant change there. However, should a younger president emerge then there might be a change of direction. This happened in the Soviet Union when Gorbachev came to office.

pavlovs_dog

Call_Centre_Guru wrote: »

I don't think he's been running things for quite a while now and to be honest it's been moving towards higher commercialisation for some time. The dollar is already wildly wanted and accepted in Cuba.

do not take dollars to cuba, you will be stung dearly on the exchange rate *if* you can find places that are prepared to accpet them. sterling or candaian dollars, not US dollars, are the way to go. Exchange rate is more favourable on the sterling).

kaya wrote:

His Brother Raphael has been running the country for the last two years for him due to his illness

this brother is called Raul, not raphael


is your holiday in any danger from castro's stepdown? i very much doubt it OP. you probably have more chance of being hit by a hurricane than getting caught up in a revolution. if it will put your mind at ease, take out a very comprehensive travel insurance policy, but please dont be put off from visitng this wondeful country before it changes forever

tiamaria

Returned from Cuba a couple of days ago.

As previously mentioned, now IS the time to go, things will change but not immediately.

You want to see Cuba as it is now, in 10 years time or maybe less it will probably be totally different so go while you have the chance.

btw they don't have coca cola there, they have their own version - Tucola.

bafty_crastard

We were there last summer. Our driver in Havana told us the USA have already earmarked locations for Macdonalds etc. As soon as they are allowed in he reckoned things would change pretty quick in Havana at least. In the rural areas it will take longer.
Go now while it's unchanged - we loved it. Make sure you go into the countryside as well as Havana.
BTW you can get imported coke and tukola there