After Irma, Cubans Are Back in Business!

Major tourism sites in Havana, Varadero and elsewhere are back to normal after Hurricane Irma. Visitors would help the rest of the country recover.

Hurricane Irma was expected to largely skirt Cuba, sweeping over the eastern tip of the island before barreling toward Florida. Instead, the monstrous storm practically ran the length of the nation, leaving a path of destruction along the northern coast. This was the first time the eye of a category five storm reached the island since 1932, and the immediate consequences were dire.
The misconception that the island was left completely destroyed comes at a tough moment for Cubans. Confusion about Trump’s travel policy has led to the false belief that Americans can’t visit the island, resulting in a decline in visitors. This has hit Cuban entrepreneurs and folks working in the tourism sector particularly hard, and many small businesses won’t survive a Trump-Irma combo that results in a tourism slump.
“This has been a hard year ever since Trump’s statement affecting US travellers in June; the hurricane has made it worse,” said Lea Díaz Ramírez owner of Suite Havana, a property on Airbnb. “We have lowered our prices on Airbnb, and are negotiating prices directly with clients, too.”
Hotels long-popular with Americans, like the historic Hotel Nacional, Parque Central and Saratoga in the city’s historic core are running at 100 percent capacity. Famed Cuban paladars (private restaurants) like La Guarida, made popular by the Oscar-nominated film Fresa y Chocolate, San Cristóbal, where Malia Obama served as translator for her father, then-President Barack Obama, and the internationally acclaimed Atelier are still serving meals. The airports, bus stations and, of course, the 1950s Chevys and Fords, are up and running. Electricity was restored to the city days before South Florida residents.
The same is true for the cities of, Cienfuegos, Santiago, Trinidad and the beautiful tobacco region of Pinar del Rio, all of which fell outside of Irma’s path.

Meanwhile, Cuba’s government has headed a clear up of its Irma-wrecked beaches. Cayo Santa María’s 9,485 rooms will all be open for business by November 15, though some will reopen this week; the nearby Santa Clara Airport has already reopened. Cayos Coco and Guillermo – hosting 8,820 hotel rooms – will gradually reopen from this week until November 15. The international airport on Cayo Coco will reopen on November 1, also an incredibly diverse lodging options from new hotels and bed and breakfasts make it easier than ever. The Cuba that everyone says they “want to visit before it changes” is still safe, beautiful and unchanged, despite Irma.
It’s an incredibly exciting and interesting time to visit the island. The opening with the United States and reforms changes in Cuba has led to a dynamic and robust private sector. Cuban art, dance and music are richer than ever. The culinary scene and nightlife leads to memorable experiences. The same smiles and open arms await you from the Cuban people, not only will it be culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and incredibly enjoyable, but you’ll also be standing strong with your Cuban neighbours and helping them move forward.
Irma did not, however, take the resilience, resolve and spirit of the Cuban people. It did not leave Cuba uninhabitable and it didn’t destroy the beauty the country has to offer. If you’ve thought about visiting Cuba, now is the time. Cubans are back in business – and their doors are open to visitors!!