As long as Cuba is ruled by the counter-revolutionary, Fidel Castro, I'm not going.

However, I definitely resent being told I don't have the FREEDOM to make up my own mind.

I'll probably get some heat from my conservatives friends, but I thought Bush should have acted in a more productive way to ease restrictions and work to improve relations with Cuba. Politically (votes), he dropped the ball here. The Obama administration decided to offer an olive branch to Cuba in an effort to repair U.S Cuba relations. I think about other countries we already do business with (terrorist countries). China, who last time I looked was still a communist country. This is a move that can benefit us and them. Obama scores a point here, IMO.

Totalitarian dictatorship. The ranking would be much higher if not for Castro.

Castro must go.

I'm sure it would be a great place to visit besides the poverty that comes with the communism ditatorship.

Let's see now, it has beaches. Is this the only place that has beaches? Hmm, probably not. So let's go someplace that deserves our patronage. Some day Castro will die and then we can grab all those 1957 Chevys.

This is a beautiful island and the best of caribbean. The beaches are gorgeous. The people are charming. Absolutely worth the visit.

For those saying it's a great vacation spot, this isn't 1954. Your US dollars go to prop up Castro.

Good people, bad leader

Cuban revolution a roaring success? Come on, you must be out of your mind. Try to explain that to millions of cubans living in the island, (one of them my father and half of my family) in total poverty and struggling to live like a human being. I hate when ignorant people talk about Cuba without knowing the true situation under Fidel Castro's dictatorial government.

Cuba is a pretty island near Haiti. Cuba was founded by Christopher Colombus as the Island of Dreams. Then Fidel Castro claimed the island in 1959. It's current government structure is a communist state. Cuban families are very close to eachother. They also treat tourists like family. Their main religion is Santeria. There are many tourist sites in Cuba such as the terracotta urns of Camaguay, Shrine Of The Black Virgin, the large copper mines in Santiago, Casa de Trova, Trinidad, Baroque Chapel, Gauchos, and mangrove trees. Sports popular in Cuba are baseball and boxing. Cubans get free education and healthcare. The music in Cuba is a mix of African beats with Spanish vocals. Street fiestas are also common. Cuba hosted many famous tourists from the United States such as Al Capone and Ernest Hemingway. A popular song down in Cuba is Guantantamera. As for the artistic movement, There are many bands, artists, painters, and dancers. Their musicals contain more sexual imagery than ours in America. Overall, Cuba is a fun place to visit!

I have to admit, tied for the #2 place I'd want to visit in the world (along with India and Russia, #1 Germany). To just talk about Cuba as a "vaction spot" is horrible, not that vacationing there is horrible, it is just they have so much more than pretty beaches and beautiful scenery... like culture, food, dance and drink! Amazingly so close to the USA, but somehow (unlike Canada unfortunately) has managed to keep its rich culture despite the extremely strong American influence on the world.

the best of cuba is in cuba, all the losers have moved to Miami or other parts of the united states of terrorism.

che lives

beautiful country! REcommended: varadero beach, cayo coco the purest, most beautiful beaches in the world!

Communist dictatorship, they people there are dirt poor. Good vacation spots though.

A Communist, terroristic little nation run by sociopath Fidel Castro. A beautiful island is wasted by the misery you will see if you travel there.

It's probably not the best place to go. Castro is a real dictator. Why do you think so many people attempt escape from Cuba?

Definitively it was a great trip! Very nice people, a completely different culture, a lot of fun (salsa), amazing contrasts, tasteful rum and food, lovely cities and fantastic landscape and beaches and the feeling you’re living something that will probably change completely in a years time.

I recently had the opportunty to spend 8 days traveling in Cuba on vacation, and it was absolutely amazing. If you believe the billboards that line almost every road and every square, the Cuban revolution has been a roaring success. Che Guevara's charismatic face stares at you from all sides, emblazoned with slogans like "The Revolution is Ours," "Cuba will never be defeated," and "Cuba doesn't need your imperialism." However, a quick walk around the decaying beauty of Havana Vieja will show you how completely the economics of Castro have failed. Crumbled mansions line pot-holed streets, and Cubans line up for bread, milk, and other staples. Despite the crippling effect of Castro's policies and the US blockade on the average Cuban, the people there are still wonderful to hang out with. They seem to love Americans (though not our politicians), are extremely generous (I told a guy I met at a bar that I liked his baseball jersey and he took it off on the spot to give it to me), and for the most part, are smiling and happy. While there is definitely a feeling there that it is time for Castro to step aside, I did not sense the revolutionary tension that I have felt in other Latin American countries. From a tourist's perspective, Cuba has a tremendous array of things to offer. The music is fantastic, and I was able to see live music wherever I went. There are some wonderful colonial towns that are worth checking out such as Cienfuegos and Vinales (though I recommend that you stay away from Pinar del Rio), the beaches are predictably good, and the countryside is beautfiful, with mountains, and jungle, and farms, and lovely coastlines. If you are an American, make sure to bring lots of cash, as it is absolutely impossible to take out any cash or to use a credit card anywhere in the country. In terms of safety, of the more than 10 Latin American countries that I traveled in, I have not felt safer than I did in Cuba. There is so much to see and do in this amazing little country, and the experience is made that much richer by the bizarre socio-political context in which Cuba finds itself. Castro's Cuba will soon be extinct - if you are the adventurous type, jump on the next plane to Cancun, or Tijuana, or Mexico City, and buy a ticket for Havana - you won't be disappointed.

It's only three things you can use to describe this country: Salsa, salsa & more salsa! And merengue of course! :o)

Why would I want to live in Cuba when living in Miami is like living there?

I recently visited Cuba and it was a great historical understanding of my background and culture. Cuba is not the same as it used to be when my mother was growing up. It has now deteriorated because of Castro, but it is still a beautiful country.