CubaPLUS Magazine

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.

Cirilo Villaverde, born in San Diego de Núñez, Pinar del Río, was one of those intellectuals—a journalist, writer, founder of periodicals, and an independence patriot—who immersed themselves in the quest for the elements that constitute national identity. His work spanned from the descriptions of the mountains and caves of his native Pinar del Río to portraits of the streets and society of Havana in the first half of the 19th century.

Known as "The Beautiful City by the Sea" and "The Pearl of the South," Cienfuegos is a colorful, clean, and maritime city, perfect for tourism. It stands as a benchmark in the south-central portion of the island of Cuba, recognized for its scenic beauty and rich cultural traditions.

Law is becoming an increasingly important branch within tourism for countries, according to Alicia Gómez Alapont, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards at UN Tourism. She noted that sector administrations have traditionally focused more on destination promotion, but since the pandemic, a shift has occurred. Governments are now becoming more involved in developing tourism legislation.

The Third UN Tourism International Seminar on Tourism Law was inaugurated this Wednesday by the Cuban Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda. He emphasized the importance of the gathering and invited participants to use it "not only for academic reflection but also as a forum for action with a noble mission: to contribute to the development of global tourism activity within an integrated, reliable, and updated legal and regulatory framework."

The primary challenges confronting Tourism Law in the era of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, emerging platforms, accessibility, sustainability, and foreign investment within the travel industry will form the core of discussions at the III International Tourism Law Seminar.

The 34th edition of the Havana International Book Fair is set to return to the Cuban capital next February, operating under the Martí maxim "To Read Is to Grow." This year, the Russian Federation will be featured as its Guest of Honor country. This information was announced on Tuesday at a press conference by the organizers, who also explained that the fair will be dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025) is the ideal place to initiate these kinds of relationships, and, of course, we believe we will achieve success on this occasion," stated Pavol Kozik, the principal shareholder of the Cuban-Slovak joint venture Proxcor. In an exclusive interview with this magazine, Kozik spoke in detail about the significance of FIHAV for him, the creation of the joint venture six years ago, and his experiences doing business in Cuba.

Participation in the 41st Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025) is of paramount importance for Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos S.A. (CSMC S.A.), as this event serves as a crucial convergence point for the fundamental interests of all companies negotiating in the country, whether foreign or Cuban. This was stated by Agnerys Cruz Rodríguez, the entity's Vice President of Business. In an exclusive interview with this publication, the official discussed the necessity of "positioning Medical Services as an exporter of services that generates income and foreign currency for the National Health System.

The Slovak-Cuban joint venture Proxcor presented its export portfolio this Wednesday within the "Made in Cuba" thematic area at the central pavilion of ExpoCuba, as part of the activities for the 41st Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025. Speaking at the event, Engineer Velislav Ivailov Bakardjiev, General Manager of the company, emphasized that Proxcor is the result of the collaborative efforts of a team of Cuban, Slovak, and Latin American professionals who have dedicated themselves to creating a solid, sustainable, and competitive brand featuring high-quality products manufactured on the island.

The new economic measures announced by Cuba during FIHAV 2025 are having a significant impact on markets and analysts who have their eyes set on the country. Specialized websites and economists are following the 41st Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025, where these new measures were presented.