Believe it or not, it's the best time to visit Cuba

A little over a year ago, things seemed promising for Cuban businessmen in the thriving tourist centers of Havana Cienfuegos and ] Trinidad .

Those with culinary training opened ambitious paladar restaurants and employed a large number of locals to cut, blow, wash and clean the tables.

The owners of clbadic cars polished their Chevrolet in 1954 and took advantage of it to launch tourism companies. And artists, fashion designers, jewelers, painters, sculptors were getting commissions from art lovers eager to explore a virgin market.

The year 2017 was a record for visits abroad to Cuba . According to government figures, the small Caribbean island has welcomed 4.7 million pbadengers in those 12 months, generating $ 3 million in tourism revenue, an 18% increase over the previous year. 39, previous year. Of these, 619 thousand came from the United States.

But in June of last year, President Trump announced new travel rules for Americans, so that the crowds who served rum with Coca-Cola at The Havana have been considerably reduced. Then came Irma and then a series of mysterious "acoustic attacks". At the time the US administration announced that its travel policies were updated in November, US tourism to Cuba has collapsed.

"The market froze for a few months, and it is amazing to see the confusion caused by these headlines," said Chad Olin, founder and CEO of Cuba Candela, a luxury tour operator in Cuba

. Travelers do not need to reorganize their itineraries completely, not so they can receive a little extra guide from an agency like Olin. In fact, in the midst of information on fewer crowds, improved infrastructure and a wider variety of experiences to exploit, this may be the best time to visit Cuba, no matter where he comes from.

Travelers of all nationalities can earn some rewards by traveling to Cuba this year: "If you return to December 2016 [cuando el turismo estaba en su punto máximo] there were too many people in Havana, the infrastructure was pushed to their maximum" .

It took time to better pave the streets, improve service in restaurants, renovate old hotels, install Wi-Fi connections, and the list goes on. Now, Cubans can meet higher levels of demand, but without the crowds. As a result, Olin said: "getting restaurant reservations is easier, the best five-star hotels can be booked with less notice, we do not have overbooking like before, when you've arrived at a restaurant or room.

For tour operators like Abercrombie & Kent, this translates into more intimate and authentic experiences. "If you go now, you will not have tourist bus lines for the same experience, you can spend more time interacting with locals when there is less turnover," says Stefanie Schmudde, vice-president of President of Product Development. Unexpected factor that travelers could face?

The limits are strict on where you can stay. Nearly 100 hotels have been added to a list of restricted entities, including the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, a standard configuration property in Havana.

Tourist spas are categorically prohibited, since traditional tourism is not allowed. Also, do not try to pay under the table: your luggage can be searched in cash at the arrival and departure of your flight, and agents warn you that you risk entering large sums d & # 39; money. Instead, Olin uses "boutique hotels that are more private or luxury cottages that offer a more authentic experience."