I know it will be an enormous economic boost to Cuba and benefit some close friends but I wish that, if the embargo is lifted after Fidel retires, Cuba were not over-run by American tourists. Cuba is unique in Latin America and the Caribbean and I’m convinced that most of the reason is that the visitors come from Canada and Europe. Cuba is a moral, law-abiding country with no strip clubs or street prostitution. The people are polite and the hustling is low-key and unaggressive. All that will change if Americans show up in droves. I’d sure hate to see Trinidad turn into Cancun or Santiago become like Acapulco.
Selfish on my part, I know. Maybe I should just be glad I’ve seen it before the change.

Yeah , when the Frat boys start going down for spring break ; it is all over

UUGGHH!!!

I know this is an old post but we just expanded the Havana Journal forums and added a post Castro post Embargo category and moved this thread into it. We will probably get some more comments.

no street prostitution? law abiding?  don’t get me wrong… the crime may not be all that high, but the black market in Cuba is huge and street prostitution is definately a problem there, because they have plenty of it.

When I went to varadero in Jan I had a gal with me, but when I went in March alone, what a difference.  Each night, I usually walked about 30 blocks from my hotel to a night spot on Cale 62 - on an average I’d get a “hey, you want a chico” about 4 x a night.  Very low key though, and no repeat attempt or pressure if you said no.  So prostitution is definitely a whole lot less than in most places I’ve been to, incl here, but it is there.
Also this spring some of the spring break crowd moved from Cancun to Varadero (some Canadians don’t like going to Mexico just now because of several mysterious deaths of Canadians there).  I don’t have any first hand knowledge but in another forum this got some coverage - one group got a free trip to the airport and out on the next plane; another group got relocated to a lesser hotel.  Assume if it continues, some hotels will become gathering points and people wanting quiet will learn to avoid those hotels and spring break time.  Also time will tell how tolerant Cuban police will be.
As for the changes expected when masses of Americans come, it definitely is cause for concern - and let’s be fair - we’re not talking just Americans - resort towns in Spain and otehr European countries have their little Germanys and little Britains ...
Don’t think most Americans will like the unique atmosphere that Cuba is and what many of us like it for - expect McDonald’s, Burger Kings, KFCs etc in no time.  Don’t expect a return of the wild life Americans came for under Batista though.