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Baby Boomers some 76 million strong will begin to retire in the next decade. The search for new retirement havens may soon turn south of the border. In the growing "Global Age" the United States will eventually work out its differences with Fidel castro or his successors.  Cuba will join Costa Rica, Mexico and Belize as Latin America's prime retirement havens.  Aging Baby Boomers, savvy entrepreneurs, snowbirds and expats  of all ages will see Cuba as an affordable place to maximize their lifestyles, be lured by the warm climate, abundance of new business opportunities and one the hottest travel destinations ion the world  due to its proximity to the United States and mystic. Retirement destinations just don't spring up out of nowhere. They evolve from vacation destinations. Since U.S. citizens haven't been able to vacation in Cuba legally for years, they will not move in droves once the travel embargo is lifted. But political change will eventually create scores of possibilities for retirees and entrepreneurs. Gradually Cuba has been opening up to the world after three decades of isolation - and it's about time. Businessmen will be happy to know that with nearly 12 million people Cuba has the largest potential consumer market in the Caribbean. Cubans have been aware of most American brand names for years. They know all of the products from Nike to Coke. The country now has cell phones and there is even a new U.S.-style shopping mall.  This will create a huge demand for anything American. Business opportunities will abound as soon as the embargo is dropped. Tourism, super markets, fast food restaurants, gringo-stlye bars, sporting good stores, computer stores and much more are just some of the hundreds of potential business opportunities available for creative individuals. Because of the country's proximity to the U.S. businessmen will be able to commute between the two countries. You will be able to have breakfast in Miami, lunch in Havana and return to Miami for dinner. To further facilitate doing business, the dollar already has become legal currency and is preferred for doing business.  If you become a resident of Cuba you will be able to take advange to the favorable tax breakes afforded U.S. residents who live abroad.

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Realizing Cuba's huge market, it is only a matter of time before the collective pressure of U.S. companies exerts enough pressure on Washington to drop the embargo. After all U.S. corporations had enough clout to get the U.S. to normalize relations with China and North Vietnam.

Moreover, located only 90 miles form the U.S., Cuba - sometimes called the "Pearl of the Caribbean" for its beauty - boasts over 70,000 square miles of breathtaking terrain, 2,000 miles of costline, towring mountains, spectacular landscapes, quaint  colonial towns and a couple of cosmopolitan cities.  The 300-odd unspoiled beaches, bays and inlets surrounded by the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean have always been the island's main attraction and a place where you can enjoy your favorite outdoor activity. In Cuba there is plenty to do - fishing, swimming, dancing, hiking, diving etc. There is something for everyone andeverything for someone.

Cuba is also a healthy place to reside. The 300 days of sunshine and salubrious climate agree with most people. The country's health care system is first rate with doctors providing many innovative treatments for a variety of ills. It comes as no suprise Cuban's logevity rate is as high as most developed countries making it  one of the healthiest countries in the world.

Another compelling reason for living in Cuba is its friendly people. Cubans are generally fun-loving, warm,  hospitable, famous for their sense of humor, knowing how to enjoy life  and getting together for song and dance.  Music always seems to fill the air in Cuba. Most of the
popular Latin music you here today was born in Cuba.

Nobody for sure can predict with certainty what will happen in Cuba but given the tenor of the times and the changes which have occurred over  the last few years the U.S. embargo will be lifted soon and Cuba will once again flourish.

As Columbus said upon setting foot on the island of Cuba,  "This is the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen."