Jorge Estevez explores the tourist spots in Cuba

CUBA — Channel 9 anchor Jorge Estevez watched as families reunited in Cuba for the first time in decades. He mingled with locals and visited popular tourist spots to find out if the island nation will soon be ready for a possible influx of American tourists.

On Friday, Estevez’s travels took him to Varadero, the most popular beach and tourist spot in Cuba.

Varadero is prepared for an influx in tourism now that American relations with the country have a reached a level of diplomacy.

There are 70 hotels and resorts, 10,000 rooms and an 18-hole golf course with plenty of cafes and Caribbean markets at Varadero.

Slideshow: Jorge Estevez travels to Cuba

Video: Jorge explores the heart of Havana

Video: Jorge visits the famous Varadero

Video: Jorge shows how tourists get around the island

Stay with WFTV.com all week for updates on Jorge's travels.

Mark and Debbie Fremmerlib, both from Canada, said it’s one of their favorite travel destinations.

“Most tourist traps are all about money, and people are very relaxed in Cuba,” said Mark Fremmerlib.

The couple said they hope that if American businesses move in, it won’t change too much.

“I just don't want to see a McDonald's or a Starbucks,” said Debbie Femmerlib.

While Cubans are allowed to enjoy the resorts, it’s impossible—the average person makes the equivalent of 10, 20 or 40 U.S. dollars a month.

Estevez has also been spending lots of time in Havana, where he visited a statue of José Marti, a national poet and a symbol of hope.

Tourists gathered in the central park as tour buses sat parked.

Amid the music, dancing and mystique of Havana sat partially constructed hotels.

"There's been as many highs as lows. It's a challenging place to visit," said tourist Vicky Singleton.

Singletons and her husband have experienced Cuba on their honeymoon and feel they should have been able to accomplish twice as much.

"Every time you ask for advice or something as simple as a map, nobody can tell you anything," said tourist Adrian Singleton.

Havana has 12 major hotels with 3,000 rooms. There are five large historic buildings, including a once-famous shopping plaza, that are slowly being converted into hotels.

The infrastructure, like the buildings, is in disrepair.

The restaurants have plenty of room, but supplies can run low. Power is sometimes sporadic, and the heat can be unbearable due to the lack of central air conditioning.

"I would advise people to come, just be prepared," said Adrian Singleton.

People in Cuba told Estevez that the island will one day be ready for tourism like in Orlando, just not in the near future.

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