Drones don’t really exist in Cuba. Apparently the government isn’t a fan. Tourists have reported having their drones confiscated upon arrival.
Journalists coming to cover Pope Frances’ visit to Cuba in September 2015 received a written warning from the government to leave their drones at home.
However, it appears that attitude toward drones is starting to change.
For the first time, the Cuban government allowed a drone to fly around and film hotels and attractions. The government granted that permission to a group of Cuban DIYers who built their own drone. The footage will be used to help promote Cuba’s growing tourism industry.
You can check out some of the footage captured in the video below.
“Everyone, Cuban or foreigner, as soon as they see the video, their first reaction is always the same: ‘Wow!’” said aerial photographer Fredy Landa Valdez.
Cuba’s drone pioneers say while they still face plenty of government red tape over where they can film, restrictions are slowly loosening as the island warms to new ways of doing things.