Enjoying a daiquiri at Hemingway's favorite bar, smoking the world's best cigar on one of the world's best beaches, hand-feeding a giant iguana on a desert island, and taking a photo in front of a giant portrait of Che Guevara - Cuba combines many things that are artfully combined into one unique palette . A unique world has formed in Cuba, in which everything is unique: from lifestyle, sense of humor, musical styles, female beauty to vehicles and cocktails.
Holidays in Cuba are luxurious sandy beaches with white sand and crystal clear water, coral reefs and shallows for fishing. Tours to Cuba open to the guests of the island all the beauty of the local nature: multi-colored plains, hills and mountain ranges, smoothly outlined by savannahs and tropical forests with exotic plants. Holidays in Cuba are chosen by both young people and couples with children. The revolutionary entourage of Havana with portraits of Che at every turn, relaxing on the incredibly beautiful beaches of Varadero, Cayo Largo and Santa Lucia, or light flirting with temperamental Cubans - you will not be bored in Cuba.
To have a rest in Cuba means to be on a bright celebration of life. Tours to Cuba are very diverse - whether it's a beach holiday in Varadero , a combined tour with a visit to Havana, or a stay on small islands.
Cuban identity is known throughout the world. This is the appearance of the Cubans, which is determined for the most part by their two main racial roots - Spanish and African; and the character of this people that has developed over the centuries, pulsating with fun, a constantly ready smile, hospitality, courtesy and often uncontrollable talkativeness, fast Spanish speech, full of its own turns, sometimes unexpected and daring.
Varadero is the main resort of Cuba, located 135 km from Havana. The twenty-kilometer beach line with the finest white sand and the purest water has already become a kind of "chip" of Cuba. Holidays in Varadero are always popular due to the developed hotel base, all-inclusive meals, modern diving centers, many restaurants and discos.
Capital : Havana.
Language : Spanish. English, German and Italian are widely spoken in tourist areas.
Currency: Cuban peso. One Cuban peso is equal to 100 centavos. At the moment, there are two types of Cuban pesos - non-convertible Cuban peso, intended for internal circulation, and convertible Cuban peso (CUC), intended for settlements with tourists. The Cuban peso in its convertible version has a ratio to the US dollar of 1:1.08. The non-convertible Cuban peso is the main currency of Cuba, it is used to pay salaries to employees and workers. The convertible Cuban peso is printed in color and has the inevitable "convertible" written on it, and is the primary means of payment. Cuba accepts Visa, Master, Diners Club credit cards. The only restriction is that they must not be issued by American banks. Visa Electron and Maestro cards are not accepted. Cuban currency is exchanged in Cuban banks, as well as in most hotels. Cuban banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 15.00, on Saturday from 8.30 to 10.30. When carrying out exchange transactions with US dollars, a commission fee of 10% of the exchanged amount is charged (no fee is charged when exchanging other currencies). No credit cards issued by a US bank are accepted for payment. In Cuba, the free circulation of any currency is prohibited, the only exception is the currency of Cuba. In the "tourist" turnover, American dollars are widely used, it is advisable to have more small bills with you. No credit cards issued by a US bank are accepted for payment. In Cuba, the free circulation of any currency is prohibited, the only exception is the currency of Cuba. In the "tourist" turnover, American dollars are widely used, it is advisable to have more small bills with you. No credit cards issued by a US bank are accepted for payment. In Cuba, the free circulation of any currency is prohibited, the only exception is the currency of Cuba. In the "tourist" turnover, American dollars are widely used, it is advisable to have more small bills with you.
Climate : tropical trade winds, the temperature regime is softened by the influence of the ocean. The average annual temperature is 25.5°C. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 21°C, and the warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 30°C. The average water temperature on the coast is 25°C in winter and 28°C in summer. Average humidity 78%.
Customs: duty-free import of 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco, perfumes, medicines and household items is allowed - within the limits of personal needs. Also, one photo and video camera is imported duty-free (plus 5 cassettes for each). It is forbidden to import drugs, pornography and firearms (with the exception of sport hunting rifles belonging to tourists who come to the country for this purpose and have the appropriate permit issued in Cuba upon arrival). The export of animals, cultural values, sea shells, antiques, precious metals is prohibited. When buying jewelry or goods made of crocodile skin, you must require an export license from the seller, otherwise the goods will be confiscated during customs control. These licenses are issued, as a rule, only in stores,
Transport : public transport is practically not developed in the country. To move around the city or country, Cubans use hitchhiking. For tourists, there are special "tourist" taxis - these are always modern and serviceable cars. Ordinary taxis, which pay in pesos, use quite old cars and there are not many of them. In addition, there are illegal taxis in Cuba. Although their prices are lower than those of state taxi drivers, there are no guarantees of quality.
Shops, shopping: opening hours of shops - from 9.00 to 18.00 (some until 20.00) on weekdays, on Saturdays - from 9.00 to 15.00 (some until 18.00). Supermarkets and shops in tourist areas are open from 10.00 to 20.00. Most small shops have their own opening hours. Almost all outlets close for siesta around noon. From Cuba, we recommend bringing black coral and coral products, tortoise shell products, tumbadora or bongos (percussion musical instruments used in African melodies), guayabera (a shirt worn by officials in the tropics) and Brazilian shoes. Be sure to buy Cuban rum, real Cuban cigars and Cuban coffee. And, of course, everything related to the Cuban revolution: albums of black and white photographs, T-shirts and berets with portraits of Che.
Cuisine, restaurants : The basis of Cuban cuisine is pork, chicken, rice and a variety of seasonings from local plants. Seafood is also very popular: fish, lobsters and shrimp. Of the drinks, wine, rum, “mojito”, “mulatto”, “daiquiri” and “Cuba Libre” cocktails are popular. Restaurants and cafes are only in resorts and in large cities - Havana and Santiago de Cuba. In other settlements catering establishments are represented mainly by eateries, where visitors have a difficult choice between sandwiches and hot dogs.
Security: keep money, valuables, documents in the hotel safe. It is not recommended to drink tap water, as well as eat in restaurants other than state-owned ones. Photographing military equipment, military personnel and industrial enterprises in Cuba is prohibited.