Cuba is one of those places everyone has heard about and nobody knows. After a brief visit, I cannot claim I really know the place, but I would sure like to spend some more time trying. It is a remarkable country with global recognition that far outpaces its geographical size and population. A six-decade spat with its neighbour the United States of America, and its status as one of the world?s few remaining truly communist countries might suggest a certain level of difficulty for the international traveller. Nothing could be further from the truth: Cuba is welcoming, exotic, beautiful and fascinating. And it boasts some of the best rum and cigars anywhere.
My long-held interest in visiting Cuba was piqued again after sampling the Martell Cohiba cognac. There are two reasons that Cuba is the world-renowned heart and soul of cigars. First, there is the tobacco itself, grown in the fertile land and Caribbean climate best for its production. Second, there are the torcedores who produce the cigars by rolling the world-class tobacco. While many of the best Cuban producers left after the 1959 revolution for places like the Domincan Republic and Honduras, the country still produces excellent cigars and the fragrant atmosphere of the tobacco plantations and shops make Cuba a wonderful place to visit for anyone interested in cigars. Cuba?s Cohiba (produced by the government owned Habanos SA, not the one available in the US, which is grown in the Domican Republic), is joined by the many fine labels in Cuba such as Romeo & Julieta and Sancho Panza.
If tobacco is one great Cuban crop, sugar cane is the other. While Cuba used to supply a huge proportion of the world?s sugar, mismanagement has led to its relative decline. However, rum (?ron?) is a passion in Cuba and one of its great gifts to the world. Ernest Hemingway was one of Cuban rum?s most important promoters (intentionally or otherwise), and word has it that the man knew his drinks.
Bacardi was a Cuban brand before opening production in Puerto Rico to better access the US market. After the revolution, it moved there completely. However, many producers large and small remain in Cuba and, I suspect, once Cuba really opens up, some of them could become global brands if they have the right international partnerships. Ron Lengendario is one of the quality Cuban rums that has government certification as an authentic Cuban rum. Ron Caney is gaining international traction and is made from sugar cane and molasses from the southern part of the island and distilled in the former Bacardi factory in Santiago de Cuba, along with several other rum brands. If you tire of mojitos (I didn?t), you should have a rum and coke. Actually, in Cuba you should have a Ron y Tu Cola (the country?s answer to Coca Cola). Add a lime and make it a Cuba libre.
Despite my doctor?s advice following a minor surgery, I did fit in a half round of golf at the only place to do so in Cuba, Varadero Golf Club, which is blessed with amazing sea views. Varadero, a few hours from Havana, is Cuba?s answer to Cancun and a key source of foreign exchange. Even if the large resorts do not do them justice, one cannot fault the beautiful beaches and clear blue water.
The Varadero course is likely to have some company soon as Raul Castro, Fidel?s brother and current ruler, allows more foreign investment. Canadian and European companies are planning multi-billion dollar golf-led resorts in various parts of the country. Indeed, Cuba?s long isolation seems destined to end soon as both Castros are quite old and regulatory reform has recently allowed more freedoms such as private restaurants and guesthouses, widespread cell phone use, and domestic tourism (Cubans are now allowed to vacation at Varadero). When Americans are once again allowed to visit this incredible nation, it will surely become a huge tourist destination. Visit before they do.
Deepak Ohri is CEO of lebua Hotels & Resorts. He can be reached at deepak@lebua.com