A trip to this country will fill you with bright emotions - with its
beautiful scenery, the monuments of its revolution, with its fascinating cities
and with the coast of sparkling turquoise sea! Of course there is the real
local rum the handmade, high class cigars and your head will spin with fiery
dances and Cuban guitars! Welcome to Cuba!
This island state is separated from North America by just the narrow
Straits of Florida and Yukant. The "Liberty Island" (the informal
name of Cuba) lies in the northern part of the Caribbean (it is part of the
Greater Antilles and the largest island in the West Indies) and comprises the
Isle of Youth (La Isla de la Juventud) to the south and many smaller islands
(around 1600). The island resembles the shape of a lizard, and is bordered on
the south by the Caribbean Sea, in the north-west by the Gulf of Mexico and in
the north-east by the Atlantic Ocean.
A large part of Cuba is plain land, however in the south-east
is the highest mountain range of Sierra Maestra (with Turquino Peak at 1972m)
and also smaller mountains in the west. There are many caves and
"mogotes" - isolated karst hills with flat tops and vertical slopes.
The climate of Cuba is tropical with the average temperature
in the coldest month (January) at about +23C and in the hottest month (August)
about +28C. With the high humidity during the hot months living conditions are
slightly uncomfortable. The rainy season stretches from May to September, with
October to April being dry. There can be periods of typhoons, which originate
in summer and autumn. Woods are small and grow only in the mountains and in
wetter areas of the island and animal wildlife is poor. Rivers are small and
mostly dry, although the country boasts a great variety of fish and seafood.
Cuba is divided into 16 provinces and one municipality (the
Isle of Youth). The population totals 11 million, with 2 million living in the
capital city of Havana.
The population is 64% white, 27% mulatto and 9% black. The
official language is Spanish. The most prevalent religious group are Christians
(60%; mostly Catholics); one quarter of the population declares itself as not affiliated
with a religion.
Within Cuba you can travel between cities by domestic flights as there are three airlines are operating between the main Cuban cities. To really get to enjoy the country, the best transport connection are by road. The best form of tourist transport are the special buses (one ticket is 1 euro or 4 pesos, and you can ride all day with changes). You can always use the local taxi for tourists (with yellow numbers and payment in dollars) but they are more expensive, although they are comfortable and safe or you can use special shuttle buses. Conventional buses are more suited for the adventurous person :-) It is no problem to rent a car, but remember that traffic travels on the right-hand side of the road and streets are often without road markings. The local people very much like hitchhiking and if you pick up a hitchhiker (choose wisely and carefully!), you will be sure get to know a lot about the locals' exuberant temperament, mentality and their living conditions.
Many resort hotels are part of the networks of global chains
and are mostly Spanish, with almost all of them situated on the islands'
splendid beaches and offer "all inclusive" food and drinks. The
beaches are free, but each hotel has its own protected beach area where- sunbeds
and umbrellas are for free. Water from the tap is not safe to drink and eating
in public institutions is delicate. It is forbidden to photograph military
personnel and buildings, or industrial plants.
In Cuba, two types of currency are in use: for the tourist is
the Cuban convertible peso (1 CUC = 1.14 euro) while the locals use the Cuban
peso (CUP). Due to the hard political situation with regard to relations with
America, it is better not to bring dollars or credit cards issued by US banks,
although things are slowly changing! It is better to take euros with you which
can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices or at the hotel (dollars can be
exchanged, but the commission is up to 20%).
Security can be an issue so it is better to keep valuables in the hotel
safe and watch your valuables at all times.
Cuban cuisine is influenced by Spanish, Chinese, African and
Latin American traditions. Try "Creollo ajiaco" or "Cuban
Ajiaco" which is a dish of pork and vegetables (with spices). La Caldosa -
braised chicken, ham, sweet potatoes and vegetables and, of course - spices.
Yum! Cuban cuisine is considered to be more of the "investigative"
kind, like French cuisine. Sauce is popular on dishes. Seafood restaurants are
more plentiful and accessible and you should try the simple classic lobsters
with lemon. The island offers a lot of Creole cuisine, mostly with chicken and
pork. Possible meat dishes may include turtle and crocodile! What is really
special is that lots of fruit are served with all dishes. There are restaurants
only in the major cities although it is possible to take a snack with hot dogs
and sandwiches to many smaller places.
Something to drink? Cuban rum, of course, and cocktails
derived from it! If you have been served well, leave a 10% tip from the check.
Souvenirs? A cool one brought back from Cuba for men is
undoubtedly the national shirt - the "guayabera". Stylish souvenirs
for the ladies would be articles of tortoise shell and black corals. Other
classics include bongos or tumbadora (musical rhythm instruments), T-shirts
with images of Che Guevara (the revolutionary icon!) berets, shoes and of
course - rum, coffee and cigars !! You can buy everything you need from the
stores, but dont forget about the traditional siesta during the day, which makes
shopping in the afternoon difficult ;-)
The island of Cuba will enchant you with many bright and
unforgettable impressions. Hot and amazing, it does not leave anyone
unimpressed. As well as the incendiary dances and intoxicating rum there is so
much to see!
You have a full choice: Some will prefer the splendid white sand beaches
with the cleanest water imaginable, some will remain in the taverns and
mansions of Havana, and some will want to enjoy the beautiful parks, the
monuments and the historic places of the revolution.
La Havana, the capital of the island state is undoubtedly
worth the trip alone. Its colonial and architectural charm has survived,
allowing you to drive into the neighborhoods of Old Havana, check out
Revolution square (Placa de la Revolucion) and the immense monument to Jose
Marti (the legendary Cuban writer), or go and visit the beautiful Havana
cathedral.. You are best to take a city bus tour or rent a car and cruise
around town and take the spectacular Malecon (the Avenida de Maceo), the broad
city road alongside the sea.
There are many museums located in Havana - from the Museum of
the Revolution to the Chocolate museum. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the
fortress, is one of the oldest buildings in the Americas (the oldest one being
the Tower of Honors in Santo Domingo in the Fortress Ozama). This building was
erected in the harbor of Havana (next to the Plaza de Armas) and was built in
the sixteenth century to protect the capital from pirate raids. Although many
years passed, more then four centuries, the castle of the royal power is still
standing strong and happily invites visitors to the Naval Museum, where on the
big screen you can experience the life of the sailors of the eighteenth
century, and you can look at the four-meter model of the ancient ship Santisima
Trinidad. In the maritime museum are presented silver and gold objects, and
navigational instruments.
In the south-east of Havana is the house-museum of the famous
writer Ernest Hemingway (Museo Casa Ernest Hemingway, San Francisco de Paula).
In the 1930s, arriving in Cuba, he would first stop at the capital's hotel
"Ambos Mundos", and in 1939 he decided to move to Cuba permanently.
Even though he did not want to live away from his favorite bars
"Floridita" and "Bodeguita del Medio", he eventually moved
to the Finca Vigía estate in San Francisco de Paula because of Martha, his
third wife. The atmosphere here is peaceful, being situated on a hill, with a
view of the sea. The house is completely dedicated to his hobby - Ernest loved
fishing on the high seas and hunting big animals. His wife gave the house to
the authorities of Cuba, after the writer's suicide. Discover the Hemingway
spirit - everywhere there are books and newspapers, hanging trophies and
posters and his fishing boat is still available to view. The farmstead is open
from 09.00 to 16.00, and on Sunday until 13:00. Tickets are $3.
The Marina Hemingway (30 minutes drive from the center of the capital)
holds competitions in catching swordfish each May. There is also the hotel
Marina Hemingway.
Going south to the historic town of Trinidad is the Museo
National de la Lucha Contra Bandidos. You should definitely not miss this most
famous place in Trinidad - the National Museum of the "Struggle against
the counter-revolutionaries". For everyone interested in history a visit
to the monastery will be very exciting. Once it held the imprisoned anti-Castro
rebels now there are photos and historical materials documenting these times..
Another must-see here is the yellow bell tower of the former Cathedral of St.
Francis of Assisi. Iif you climb the top of the tower you can enjoy panoramic
views of this beautiful city..
The Church of the Holy Trinity - the actual building was
constructed in the 19th century on the same site where a church had been
entirely destroyed by a cyclone (which also took half of Trinidad). The
cathedral hosts a wooden statue of Jesus Christ which is the main attraction
for believers. It is said that at first the statue should have been carried on
a ship from Trinidad to the church of Veracruz in Mexico, but that the ship had
to return to the shore because of bad weather three times and that only after
leaving the statue and part of the cargo ashore it could continue its voyage
safely. Locals referred to this special event as divine intervention and took
the statue as the greatest relic to the city's main church.
Cantero Palace, the Municipal History Museum is a mansion
that was built in 1828 by the owner of a sugar empire, the immensely rich Jose
Mariano Borrell, who died three years later under strange circumstances and,
until today no one knows the real reason. What is known though is that in 1841
it passed in possession of the Cantero-family of businessman and trader Justo
Cantero. Here you will find the exposition of the Historical Museum and from
the tower of the Palace you can also enjoy a magnificent view of the whole town
of Trinidad.
More to the south is Parque Nacional de Baconao which is a
National Park - a nature reserve and theme park rolled into one. It's very
impressive and under the palm trees on the territory you will discover a
Dinosaur Valley with life size replica's of prehistoric animals (200
animals!!). You will also find the well-known "Tree of Peace" (under
which was signed an act of surrender of the Spanish in the American-Spanish war
in the 19th century), the reconstruction of native Taino village, and a very
beautiful little museum commemorating the revolution. Be sure to visit this
place in Santiago de Cuba.
The province of Pinar del Rio in the west of the island will
open the world of the tobacco plantations and beautiful nature! In the city of
the same name you can visit the the Provincial Museum of Natural Sciences, the
theater "Milanes", the Guasch Palace, get a behind the scenes insight
of the Cigar industry by visiting the factory "Francisco Donatien"
and enjoy nature in the park "Valley of Viñales" and the Soroa Falls.
There is so much to Cuba,
too much to mention it all. An example is the Province of Havana which attracts
visitors to the unfrequented beaches and adventure, with many cliffs and caves.
In Santa Cruz del Norte they produce the famous rum Havana Club. On the Isla de
la Juventud you can visit the jail "Presidio Modelo" - a copy of the
American "Joliet Prison". Today this highly visited museum
commemorates the time when Fidel Castro and his colleagues were imprisoned
there. Matanzas province - Plaza de la Vigía, Freedom Square, Montserrat
Chapel, the Castle of San Severino, cave "Bellamar" and much more ...
Santa Clara (province of Villa Clara) is called the city of Ernesto Che
Guevara, with mausoleum, monument and a museum dedicated to the Argentine
leader of the Cuban Revolution. The Park Vidal is the heart of the city. Don't
miss the Church of St. John the Baptist which is considered one of the most
interesting churches on the "Island of Freedom". All around Cuba
there are national parks and beautiful islands.
Cuba is one of the best diving spots in the Caribbean because of a the large
number of coral reefs and small islands around the main island. This is a
unique unspoiled underwater world where the flora and fauna of Cuba will
surprise even experienced divers. Diving here is an all year round pleasure as
the water temperature does not fall below 24C! Because there are many protected
areas - to preserve the purity of water and a variety of species of its
inhabitants - a special diving adventure is guaranteed. You can see the coral
gardens, the colorful underwater landscapes, the unique species of fish and a
beautiful underwater world and both the beginner and the experienced diver will
discover this fairy tale! The best areas are Havana and Santiago de Cuba
Provinces, among the largest - is the city of Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Bay of
Pigs. There are so many species of fish, underwater caves, turtles ... that the
eyes will bulge. The "Island of Youth" Juventud showcases turtles,
rays, parrot fish and barracudas, which are the main inhabitants of the local
waters. It's well worth a try!
Cuba? Cuba! This will be one of the travel highlights of your life!