Cuba Careo Tours

14/04/2026

🇨🇦 ✈️ 🇨🇺
Flair Airlines has received approval from the Canadian Transportation Agency to operate scheduled international flights to Cuba.

🖋️ The agency confirmed that the carrier meets all applicable regulatory requirements under Canada’s Air Transportation Regulations.

📆 No launch dates or route details have been announced at this time.

This development represents a potential step forward in restoring air connectivity between Canada and Cuba.

The Canadian Transportation Agency has given the green light for the license application

06/04/2026

Thank you to all participants for their contribution and engagement. We look forward to continuing to facilitate impactful and well-organized trips in the future.

30/03/2026

President Donald Trump said he has “no problem” with a Russian tanker delivering oil to Cuba despite the U.S. blockade, stating that “people need to survive.”

The shipment from Russia comes as Cuba faces a severe energy crisis, with widespread blackouts and fuel shortages affecting daily life.

Trump said allowing this humanitarian relief “won’t make a political difference,” but could help the Cuban people.

President Donald Trump says he has “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a U.S. oil blockade.

22/03/2026

⏰ Don’t miss out! Only three weeks remain to visit “Wifredo Lam: When I Don’t Sleep, I Dream,” the first comprehensive retrospective in the United States.

“I’ve been considered a painter of the School of Paris, a Surrealist painter, or whatever other movement, but never as a representative of the painting I truly do, in which I believe I largely reflect the poetry of the Africans who arrived in Cuba, a poetry that still holds much pain hidden in its songs.” — Wifredo Lam

⏰ Don’t miss out! Only three weeks remain to visit “Wifredo Lam: When I Don’t Sleep, I Dream,” the first comprehensive retrospective in the United States.

📖 Can’t make it to see the exhibition in person? Read an excerpt from the exhibition catalogue and learn more about Lam’s practice → mo.ma/lamexcerpt

—
Wifredo Lam. “La jungla (The Jungle).” 1942–43. The Museum of Modern Art, Inter-American Fund. © 2026 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris.

09/02/2026

🚨✈️ | Cuba suspends aviation fuel supply to foreign airlines

Cuban aviation authorities have confirmed that the country has run out of Jet A1 fuel and will temporarily suspend refueling services for international airlines for at least one month, starting tomorrow February 10th.

The suspension affects major airports across the island, including Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara, Holguín, Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cienfuegos, and Manzanillo, forcing airlines to carry extra fuel from origin or add technical stops.

The fuel shortage comes amid strong pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, prompting several suppliers to withdraw.

Despite political tensions, Cuba remains a major tourism destination, hosting a wide range of foreign airlines. According to Cirium scheduling data, WestJet is currently the largest foreign airline operating in Cuba, while its Canadian competitor Air Transat ranks third, underscoring the strong Canadian presence in Cuban air traffic.

The measure is expected to have a significant economic impact, particularly on tourism during the peak winter season.

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https://simpleflying.com/us-airlines-no-refuel-cuba/

Fuel availability is set to be suspended for a month tomorrow.

05/02/2026

📉 Cuba’s tourism collapses to historic lows in 2025

It was widely expected, but the numbers are still shocking. 2025 was a disastrous year for international tourism in Cuba, confirming one of the deepest crises the sector has faced in decades.

According to official figures released by Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), the island received only 1.8 million international visitors in 2025, representing a 17.8% decline compared to 2024 (2.2 million visitors).

This is the lowest level in more than 20 years, excluding the pandemic period of 2020–2022.

Even more alarming is the performance during what should be the strongest months of the year.

December 2025 recorded just 180,000 visitors, making it the worst December in at least four years, and likely the lowest December of the past decade. This confirms an extremely weak start to the winter high season that traditionally begins in November.

Market-by-market figures:

• Canada, Cuba’s main source of international tourists, declined by 13%.
• Arrivals from the Cuban diaspora and the United States fell by 23%.
• Tourism from Spain and Russia dropped by 29%.
• Germany saw a dramatic 50% decline.
• Only Argentina and Colombia showed growth, but together they accounted for just 85,000 visitors for the entire year, an insignificant number compared to overall losses.

Bloomberg describes the situation as a “perfect storm.” On one side, the island faces increased pressure from the United States, including measures that restrict fuel supplies, financing, and travel. Stricter U.S. travel policies have discouraged American visitors and made Cuban green card holders hesitant to return to the island.

European travelers who visit Cuba are also excluded from the U.S. ESTA system, further reducing demand.

On the other side, internal factors are severely undermining tourism: a deep economic recession, widespread power outages, shortages of basic goods, deteriorating services, and an overbuilt hotel sector controlled largely by the military, now suffering from low occupancy, lack of cash, poor maintenance, and declining food quality.

Despite massive investment in new hotels aimed at attracting hard currency, many properties are now nearly empty.

The Cuban government projected tourism revenues of USD 1.2 billion for 2025, but actual income reached only USD 917 million.

While Cuba struggles, the contrast with the rest of the region is stark. The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and many Caribbean islands are experiencing record tourism numbers, making Cuba an increasingly isolated case.

There have been no good economic news for Cuba in a long time. This is one of the worst in recent memory, and it raises serious questions about the sustainability of one Cuba last remaining sources of hard currency.

https://www.onei.gob.cu/sites/default/files/publicaciones/2026-01/arribo-de-viajeros-visitantes-internacionales-diciembre-2025.pdf

https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2026/02/03/el-turismo-en-cuba-se-hunde-a-minimos-historicos-bajo-una-mayor-presion-de-eeuu/

19/01/2026

🇨🇺 ✈️📈 ranks as the 3rd most popular destination in the in the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2026 — a global recognition of its rich culture, deep history, and breathtaking natural beauty.

While U.S. citizens still need to navigate a few extra steps to visit, travelers from around the world know that Cuba offers something truly special: authentic cultural exchange, vibrant traditions, and unforgettable experiences.

captivates with its blend of old-world architecture and contemporary energy, music, and art.

Beyond the capital, the charming town of , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases stunning Spanish colonial architecture and serves as a perfect base to explore the Valley of the Sugar Mills, once the heart of Cuba’s sugar industry.

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https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g147237

14/01/2026

✈️ 📉 Travel plans are changing, and politics is the reason.

This BBC recent article by Laura Hall highlights how aggressive U.S. political rhetoric isn't just creating global uncertainty; it's directly impacting where people feel safe to visit. Tourism to the U.S. and countries mentioned in its foreign policy is taking a hit.

The example from Cuba is telling: Jesus Noguera of Cuba Careo Tours says that after strong statements from the U.S. government, they immediately see travelers postpone trips to Cuba. Confidence drops as perceptions of risk rise.

Read the full article here 👇

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260109-how-us-politics-is-affecting-international-travel

23/12/2025

✈️ Toronto–Havana
Direct Flights Are Back! 🇨🇦🇨🇺

Great news for travelers, academics, and cultural explorers: WestJet has officially restored the direct air link between Toronto and Havana, operating twice weekly.

This renewed connection strengthens access to Cuba’s cultural and historical capital, making travel easier for leisure visitors, business travelers, students, researchers, and participants in cultural, academic, and sporting events.

Direct flights simplify itineraries, reduce travel time, and support sustained tourism and educational exchange between Canada and Cuba.

Flights are now available through WestJet Vacations, Hola Sun, The Special Travel, and WestJet’s official booking platform.



https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/toronto-to-havana-air-link-restored-as-westjet-launches-twice-weekly-service-to-cubas-cultural-capital/

WestJet launches twice-weekly Toronto to Havana flights, restoring direct access to Cuba’s capital for Canadian travellers.

13/12/2025

🇨🇺 A Deep Look at Cuba in 2025, Through the Eyes of Richard Bickel

In his latest USA Today Travel dispatch, American photojournalist Richard Bickel, on his 15th trip to Cuba, offers a vivid and unfiltered portrait of the island at a pivotal moment.

📸 Richard is just as skilled behind the lens as he is with the pen on paper, blending powerful visual storytelling with thoughtful narrative to go far beyond postcard images and capture the true spirit of Cuba’s people, places, and present realities.

Traveling shortly after a major natural disaster and amid widespread power outages, Bickel documents how daily life—and the visitor experience—has been deeply affected.

While Cuba remains visually stunning, with its iconic beaches, vintage cars, and vibrant streets, his reporting reveals a more complex reality: tourism, once a vital economic engine, is in sharp decline in 2025 as visitor numbers drop and investment slows. Infrastructure challenges, logistical hurdles, and recurring power failures are now part of the traveler’s journey, shaping how visitors engage with the island and its people.

Through both words and images, Bickel does not shy away from contrast—celebrating Cuba’s rich cultural life while acknowledging the economic strain beneath the surface.

His article is not just a travel story, but a meaningful reflection on responsible travel and on understanding Cuba beyond the clichés, at a time when the country is navigating profound change.

📌 About Richard Bickel: Richard is a recipient of a 2023 Emmy Award, the Golden Quill for photography and the New York Art Directors Club Award, and he has exhibited in galleries throughout the United States.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2025/01/12/cuba-tourism-experience/77552513007/

04/12/2025

🏨 Thinking about a trip to Havana? Here are some of the best places to stay in the Cuban capital, each with its own vibe and style — from boutique charm to rooftop cocktails. Thanks to Claire Boobbyer and The Times.

🎨 For creative spirits: Spend your nights at Elvira, Mi Amor (or its sister‑house) — restored colonial homes filled with art, elegant décor and unique personal touches.

🌿 Relaxed & artsy: Gardens Hotel Havana offers a laid‑back atmosphere, lovely patios and a cozy rooftop pool — perfect for soaking in Havana’s rhythm away from the tourist bustle.

🎶 For music & culture lovers: Tribe Caribe Hotel channels Havana’s soulful heritage — with art-filled rooms, live music, a vibrant café and even guided bike tours to discover the city’s musical roots.

🍸 Top‑notch service with flair: Voya Hotel delivers impeccable hospitality — from poolside drinks to rum & cigar tastings and even surprise serenades. A unique & pampering stay just outside the centre.

☀️ Calm urban hideaway: La Reserva Hotel blends neoclassical charm with leafy patios and art‑filled suites — a peaceful base from which to explore Havana’s cultural neighbourhoods.

🏛️ Historic elegance in the old city: Casa del Conde de Casa Lombillo Hotel offers classic 18th‑century architecture, beautiful rooms, an elegant staircase and a location right on a lovely historic plaza.

🎷 Music + nightlife = perfect match: Claxon Hotel Havana is a restored mansion with contemporary rooms, a rooftop bar, live music nights — a great fit if you want to enjoy Havana after dark.

🌆 Modern convenience in the heart of Old Havana: INNSiDE by Meliá Havana mixes modern comfort and design with a rooftop pool — just steps away from the city’s cathedral and main squares.

🍷 Boutique charm for food & drink lovers: Animas y Virtudes Hotel — small, elegant suites, a stylish bar and restaurant, cocktail‑making classes and a cellar full of drinks for those who love gourmet vibes.

🏖️ Luxury, history & indulgence: Kempinski Hotel Havana delivers rooftop views, spa treatments, a rooftop pool and upscale amenities.

💑 Romantic getaway: Loma del Ángel Hotel is a tiny, intimate hideaway with only seven rooms — jasmine‑scented, tranquil, and ideal for couples looking for a peaceful escape in the heart of Old Havana.

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📌 Big thanks to Claire and The Times for collecting these gems.

At Cuba Careo Tours, we make exploring Cuba effortless and unforgettable. We handle everything — from booking your hotels to designing personalized itineraries across the island.

We know the best spots, take care of all the details, and ensure your trip is seamless, exciting, and full of unique Cuban experiences.

Let us help you discover Cuba the way it’s meant to be experienced! 🌴



https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/caribbean-travel/cuba/havana/best-hotels-in-havana-2xglbxvnf?fbclid=

Havana has it all, from standout five-star service at huge luxury hotels to tiny urban oases in the bustling city. Here are our favourites.