Texas Visits to ‘Forbidden Island’ Now Easier to Make

A recent social media survey of Texas travelers from Wichita Falls, Amarillo, Abilene, Lufkin, Tyler, Midland and Odessa concluded that the two main reasons people from Texas love to travel are as follows. First, they want to get away from their "day-to-day" and do "nothing" for a while. Second, they want to get away from their "day-to-day" and go do stuff.

You don't have to be a graduate of Harris County Public Schools to figure out those two viewpoints are diametrically opposed. If you attended Public Schools in Denton County, you might not know what "diametrically" means, but that's a story for another day, we're here to tell you about an exotic locale that tens of thousands of us want to visit but haven't been able to.

When it comes to travel the two main concerns that most of us have to face are "How much does it cost" and "Will I be safe there". The safety issue has been on the minds of many Texas travelers as of late. If you weren't aware, some of our state's favorite international destinations have been "put on notice" by the Department of State over safety concerns. 

The factor of cost is the reason given by most people for not planning excursions into Europe or Asia. As someone who has been blessed to visit six continents and three of the world's named oceans, I can tell you there are ways to make your journey cost-effective. But the destination in question today isn't far at all. In fact, if you could drive to this place you'd be on the road for fewer hours than if you drove from Greater Houston to Disney World in Florida.

The problem is you can't drive there because it's an island. And second, you haven't been able to go there because you're an American. Have you figured out that the destination we're discussing is Cuba?

To be clear, Americans can visit the island nation of Cuba but you have to have a very specific purpose for your visit. You can't just go visit because you want to see the place. In order to gain entry to Cuba your travel plans must include family visits, journalistic purposes, cultural and religious performances, and official business of the U.S. government.

There are 12 categories your visit must fall into in order to qualify for a visa to enter Cuba. The Cuban government also requires a traveler's form that includes details about your identity and specific reasons for wanting to visit the island nation.  Until just a few years ago all of the "paperwork" was actual paper. Now, technology is making the process easier.

The Cuban Embassy has announced that international travelers may now submit an electric visa request. This may be submitted up to seven days before your visit. Until the recent changes were announced travelers could only access an e-visa 48 hours before their arrival in Cuba.

Over the next few months, Cuba will begin to phase out the printed cards they once used but if you still have yours or have applied for yours you will still want to have it. The paper cards will be valid through the middle of 2025 but eventually, all travelers to the island nation will be transitioned to the newer technology.

Cuba was once a playground for America's rich and famous and could be that again if the Cuban government and the United States government can come to terms. The prospect of having a "tropical island" just a hop skip and a jump from the United States would certainly be appealing to those who want to travel on a budget.

Plus U.S. developers could turn Cuba into a major beach playground with resorts, hotels, casinos, and maybe even a Buc-ee's if we play our cards right. I would love to visit Cuba. I am interested in seeing the island and hearing the stories of the people who live there.

Who knows, maybe after they what some good old-fashioned capitalism can bring to the table, they'll lose up the border for tourism and develop a new way of thinking about democracy.