For many, traveling to Cuba is a dream; for many others, making this trip in conditions of accessibility and personal autonomy was also a dream.

It has been four years since Enjoy Travel Group, the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba and ECOTUR set the goal of making Cuba a tourist destination open to all, including all those tourists with some kind of disability or reduced mobility. This commitment was endorsed with the celebration in December 2021 in Havana of the IV Ibero-American Summit on Accessible Tourism and the promulgation and signing of the Declaration of Havana “For an Accessible Tourism in Ibero-America”, so far endorsed by 12 Ibero-American countries. No less important on this path has been the support of the tourism sector, especially the San Cristóbal agency. Cuban medical services, associations of people with disabilities, universities and all the administrations with competences in the field of accessibility in the country.

And from words to deeds, last January 31, the first group of people with physical disabilities landed at Havana’s Jose Marti Airport, organized by Enjoy Travel Group, within the segment of Accessible Tourism – Tourism for All, all with illusion and much joy, also with some uncertainty since all the information that had reached them about the level of accessibility of the largest of the Antilles were not very encouraging. Soon they could begin to prove that those fears were unfounded, when they were received by specialized personnel and their transfer to the Grand Hotel Astond in Havana was made in an adapted vehicle with all the conditions to transport any tourist, including wheelchair users. Once at the Hotel and once they were assigned their rooms, all of them adapted, they could begin to savor the rich gastronomy of the country.

The program of the trip had been designed so that in addition to enjoying the attractions of Havana and the world-renowned Varadero beach, they also had the opportunity to go into the west of the island, visiting the Terrazas and Viñales. Everyone was surprised and even amazed by the landscapes of the Terrazas, where they were welcomed by a local guide who accompanied them during the tour, in which they were also able to share with the local community, beginning to discover what makes Cuba unique, its people. Following the tour and once in the Viñales Valley, everyone was again impressed by its Mogotes, which makes this corner of the planet unique. What better place to eat than at the foot of the Mural of Prehistory, with its 120 meters long and 80 meters wide, made directly on the rock of the Pita mogote. And they could not return without getting close to the essence of this place, where the largest tobacco plantations in Cuba are located. At the Casa del Veguero they could see and feel how a master cigar twister makes one of Cuba’s trademarks, the cigar, out of tobacco leaves. Back in Havana, everyone agreed on how surprising the day had been, they had discovered a part of Cuba they did not know existed, let alone that it was accessible.

During the visit to the historic center of Old Havana, the group was welcomed by Luisa Perez, President of the Cuban Network of Accessible Tourism, the Commercial Director of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Gihana Galindo, the President of the San Cristobal Travel Agency, Antonio Guerrero, and by Jorge Luis Fando, General Director of the Enjoy Travel Group’s Cuba Office, with whom they had a brief meeting.

For the visit, Enjoy Travel Group provided the group with scooters and portable ramps to make the visit more comfortable, accessible and safe.

The visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World took in three of the historic squares. Throughout the tour, the participants, accompanied by a guide, were able to discover the most emblematic places, as well as interact with the local population, dancing to the rhythm of the Cuban son. The group visited the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, where they were welcomed by its deputy director, Perla Rosales, who recalled all the efforts made by her office in favor of universal accessibility, marked from the very beginning by Eusebio Leal.

After an excellent meal, the engines of the classic cars began to roar and the participants exchanged their wheelchairs for these museum pieces for a panoramic tour of the city, making a stop at the Plaza de la Revolución.

In the evening, the group moved to the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, one of the most accessible hotels in Latin America, as recognized by the Ibero-American Network of Accessible Tourism. After touring some of the most emblematic places of the Hotel, such as the Hall of Fame or its spectacular Gardens, the group went to another of the corners that houses this imposing building, the Cabaret Parisien, where they had dinner and enjoyed the show, one of the most recognized of the Capital.

The next day and before heading to Varadero, as it could not be otherwise, time for shopping at the Almacenes San Jose, a building dating from the mid-nineteenth century, which thanks to its restoration opens as a shopping center with a rich variety of handicrafts and art objects. Although you can not climb to the second floor, the first floor is fully accessible and delights all those who wish to buy a souvenir or gift.

On the way to Varadero, stop at the Mirador del Puente de Bacunayagua Cuba. From here the group could see the Yumurí valley and feel as if they were in the air. Everyone enjoyed the famous piña colada offered by its restaurant, with excellent accessibility conditions.

Once in Varadero, the group was received at the Hotel Meliá Internacional Varadero, where the group spent four days, fully enjoying its facilities and the excellent attention of its staff. We must highlight the accessibility conditions of this establishment and its continuous predisposition to continue improving in this aspect.

It is well known that when you arrive at an idyllic beach like Varadero, what you want is to dive into it, feel its white sand and why not, photograph it in your memory. In Varadero it is possible for everyone, including those with physical disabilities. During the group’s stay, four amphibious chairs, the hotel staff and the nautical point made it possible.

And to top it all off, some of the group members made their dream come true, swimming with dolphins. Yes, in the Varadero dolphinarium, its facilities and staff made it, make it and will continue to make it possible. For many people with disabilities, swimming with dolphins becomes an activity that goes beyond recreation, for me it is to see happiness, it is to feel dragged with affection by a living being that seems to tell you, it moves forward.

Summarizing seven days in a few words is difficult, but if it had to be done in even fewer, it would be: Thanks to Enjoy Travel Group and to all those who have walked this path to MAKE IT POSSIBLE.