CubaPLUS Magazine

For the second consecutive year, the city of Santa Clara will serve as one of the stages for the XLI International Jazz Plaza Festival, announced its organizers during a press conference. In addition to main venues in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, this edition will bring together renowned musicians and jazz enthusiasts from January 25th through February 1st in Santa Clara with concerts and other events.

The Cuban Tourism Office in Toronto has issued an advisory for Canadian holidaymakers, outlining the current status of the sector on the island. According to the release, all travel-related services—including hotel and non-hotel facilities—are operating normally. “The tourism industry is functioning as usual, with sufficient fuel supply to support winter travel and beyond,” the statement says.

The 44th International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2026) is scheduled to take place from May 6th to 10th in the resort city of Varadero, located in the western province of Matanzas. This year, the event is set to place Cuba’s world-renowned beaches at the very heart of its agenda.

For water sports enthusiasts, Cuba has emerged as a premier destination, with scuba diving standing out as one of the most highly sought-after activities for travelers visiting the island.

The outdoor space of Villa Manuela Gallery, at the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), is hosting a printmaking workshop, which will run until next Thursday.

José Luis Perelló, Cuban professor and researcher, highlighted on Monday the growth potential of the Caribbean in tourism for the upcoming year. In an article published by the Italian specialized publication Travel Trade Caribbean (TTC), he noted that at the end of 2025, Caribbean tourism continued to show signs of resilience and recovery with a three percent increase in international arrivals compared to 2024.

A delegation of eight Cuban swimmers—four male and four female—will represent the island this weekend at the Claude Sufrin In Memoriam 2026 tournament in Martinique.

The Cuban Tourism Office in Toronto confirmed on Tuesday that the country has seen a sustained decline in arbovirus cases, including dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche, following several months of intensified prevention and control measures. According to information published by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP), national surveillance statistics indicate a steady reduction in reported cases, with the most significant drop observed during the last week of December 2025. This trend is attributed to the implementation of a coordinated national strategy, with a particular focus on tourist regions where Canadians make up the largest segment of international visitors.

Canada continued its long-standing reign as the top source market for Cuba’s tourism industry this past year, a position it has held for over three decades. According to official statistics, this trend is not only holding steady but further consolidating its lead.

Recent reports from Cienfuegos confirm that the province is meeting key performance indicators for its tourism development programs.

The Fernando Alonso National Ballet School and the National Center for Art Schools are calling for the XXXI International Meeting of Academies for Ballet Education, which will take place from March 27 to April 5, 2026.

Cuban musician and composer Amaury Perez Vidal is the 2025 National Music Prize winner, the highest award granted by the Cuban Institute of Music (ICL).

The majestic and beautiful Hotel Inglaterra is celebrating its 150th anniversary this Tuesday, imbued with the same splendor and prestige it possessed upon its founding. Its neoclassical facade retains its magnificence, a feature that distinguishes it from many buildings of its era.

Havanatur S.A., the International Group of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies—and a leader in promoting and marketing Cuba's tourism offerings—marks its 47th anniversary this Friday. Over nearly five decades, Havanatur has solidified its position as one of the most iconic and emblematic entities within Cuban tourism.

WestJet's inaugural seasonal flight, carrying 173 passengers from Toronto, touched down in Havana this Thursday. This significant event opens new avenues for Canadian tourists to experience the 'Wonder City,' a globally recognized destination renowned for its unique charm and rich heritage.

Havanatur S.A., the International Group of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies, officially launched its 2026 portfolio this Wednesday, featuring a curated selection of 30 major events.

Varadero, Cuba's premier sun-and-beach destination, has recently welcomed the world-renowned "La Canchanchara" tavern. Previously exclusive to the charming town of Trinidad, the tavern is famous for offering its visitors the eponymous cocktail, a delightful blend of sugarcane spirit, honey, lemon, ice, and water. During our visit to the establishment, we interviewed its administrator, Yurisay Llerena Castellón, who graciously provided detailed insights. She explained that Varadero’s "blue beach" region now also boasts "La Canchanchara" Tavern, whose distinctive feature is this historic Cuban cocktail. It originated during the 19th-century Mambí Wars against Spanish colonialism.

A total of 276 events are slated to take place in Cuba throughout 2026, marking an increase of 50 events compared to the current year. These will primarily focus on tourism, culture, and health, as announced on Tuesday by Yanet de Armas, Director of this specialized department at the Ministry of Tourism.

Founded by the first governor of Cuba, Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, on August 15, 1511, Baracoa, also known as "La Villa Primada" (The Primordial Villa) for being the first established in Cuba, is a territory brimming with traditions and flavors.

Devotees of Cuban rum now have a new opportunity to savor this magnificent spirit, whether neat or in cocktails, at its new : the Casa Havana Club. Located just steps away from the Rum Museum in Havana's historic quarter, this new establishment promises an unparalleled experience.