Cuba

When to Go
Climate Description
Cuba's climate is moderately subtropical and predominantly warm. The island's average temperature is 25.5°C and average relative humidity is 78%. It also sees an average of 330 days of sunshine a year. Cuba's two clearly defined seasons are the rainy season (May to October) and the dry season (November to April).

Temperature & Rainfall Chart

Average Temperature (°C)

january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december

+25
+25
+28
+29
+29
+30
+31
+31
+30
+29
+28
+26

Average Precipitation (mm)

january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december

45 38 47 72 177 216 139 158 144
181
79 41
Top Attractions
Top Attractions & Touring Routes
Pinal del Rio
If you've ever wondered where the world's finest cigars start out, it's in the lovingly cultivated tobacco plantations of Cuba's Pinar del Rio province. But those plantations are only part of the area's magic.
La Habana
The exotic capital of Cuba and largest city in the Carribean is must-see for any visitor. For centuries, it has served as the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
Cienfuegos
On Cuba's Carribean side, Cienfuegos perches on the shores of Jagua Bay like a pearl sitting on an oyster shell. First settled by the French, who dubbed Cienfuegos "The Southern Pearl", the city is the capital of Cienfuegos province.
Trinidad
Almost half a millenium of history has left its indelible stamp on Central Cuba's two major centres, founded in 1514 by the Spanish conquistadors. Today, Sancti Spiritus is a flourishing town busting with trade in sugar, tobacco and cattle. Trinidad is a city frozen in time - whose ancient palaces and colonial architecture remain unchanged.
Santiago de Cuba
Cuba's second largest city, Santiago de Cuba, is the most "Caribbean" of the island's cities, greatly influenced by immigration and trade from other Carribean islands. It is proud of its revolutionary heroes, beautiful squares and vibrant musical tradition. And it is known particularly for its carnival.
Varadero
Varadero beach - some call it the world's greatest beach - has long been the pride of Cuba, and a magnet for the rich and famous. Today, a broad range of hotels and resorts on this wide, sandy beach offer affordable vacations to please any pocketbook.
Cayo Largo del Sur
On the Carribean side of Cuba lie two idyllic islands - the Isle of Youth and Cayo Largo de Sur - with sugar-white beaches and unparalleled dive sites.
Cayo Coco
An island in central Cuba, well known for its luxury all inclusive resorts. It lies within the Ciego de Avila Province and is part of a chain of islands called Jardines del Rey ("King's Gardens"). The cay is administered by the Moron municipality. It is named for the white ibis, locally called Coco (cocnut) birds.
Zapata Peninsula
On the south side of the territory, the Great Natural Park of Montemar, located in the Cienaga de Zapata Reserve of the Biosphere, is particularly attractive for those who prefer to enjoy the multiple specialities of nature tourism; though there are here many spaces of interest for those who rather go open sea diving or speleodiving in sunken caves.
Santa Clara
The city of Santa Clara is best known as the place where the dictator Batista surrendered to Che Guevara in 1958. The province of Villa Clara is also noted for its production of sugar, coffee and tobacco. A recently built causeway linking the mainland to the offshore islets has helped open the beach areas to tourism.
Jardines del Rey
Jardines del Rey (King's Gardens) is the historic name (it dates back from the 16th century) given to the islet-beached located to the north of the Province and Cuba.
Cayo Coco Paradise, one of those islets mostly covered by a natural forest has a 22-km wonderful sandy strip by the seashore. A tourist village along the beach has already entered into operation.
Holguin
This rugged mountainous region was pronounced "the most beautiful land eyes have ever seen" by Christopher Columbus when he first sighted it in 1492. But Holguin's beauty extends beyound the hills and exquisite beaches. Under water are amazing dive sites, and below ground are the world's second-largest deposits of nickel and cobalt.
Baracoa
Abundant tropical forests in the northern part of Cuba's "far east" are surrounded by imposing mountains where coffee and cocoa grow. The southern strip of Guantanamo province along the Carribean is semi-arid desert.
Activities
General Activities

Going to Cuba is like taking a trip around the world in perfect weather. You can:

* clamber over the ruins of French coffee plantations
* tour Spanish colonial dating back to the 16th century
* luxuriate in European-style spas
* swing to Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms
* hike through spectacular mountains and forests
* dive on one of the world's great reefs
* fish where Hemingway fished

Major Events Calendar
Cubadanza
Held twice each year, this fun festival of Cuban dance gets the feet moving and the blood pumping. The winter festival is usually held for 10 days inJanuary and a similar summer festival takes place in August. This is a great place to get in rhythm with the Cuba's great passion for dancing and music.
Folkcuba
Held biannually in January and July in the capital, the Folkcuba festival is a celebration of folk culture ans involves singing, dancing, music and feasting. the most outstanding figures of the National Folklore Group of Cuba impart the secrets of Cuban folk dances, with their African and Hispanic roots, and the magic sounds produced by Cuba's percussion instruments.
International Hemingway Fishing Tournament
Ernest Hemingway's love of big game fishing is the stuff of legend. The legacy of the many years he spent in Cuba has been left in this popular fishing tournament, which the great man himself helped to set up in 1950. Many decades on, still today hyndreds of anglers take part in the event setting off from Havana's Marina Hemingway. Typical catches in the warm Caribbean waters include marlin, tuna and wahoo.
International Golden Boleros festival
Held in June each year, this festival trumpets the bolero - a traditional Cuban song that's half love, half lament. Its popularity stretches far beyond Cuba and singers from all over Latin America come to the festival to perform their pieces.
Havana International Guitar Festival
Held in various venues throughout the city, the biennial Havana International Guitar Festival invites players from all over the world to perform for passionate crowds at this fun event.
Trinidad Way of the Cross Procession
Symbolising the different stages of Jesus Christ's walk toward crucifixion, the Roman Catholic festival of the Trinidad Way of the Cross Procession takes place in the town of Trinidad on Cuba's south coast. During this incredible procession, pilgrims follow a route through the streets of the colonial town that oozes character and charm from every street and building.
General
Official Name & Formation date
The Republic of Cuba (Republica de Cuba)
Independence from Spain - October 10, 1868
Independence from USA - January 01, 1959

General Map

Flag

Capital and major cities
Havana - capital
Cuba has more than 11 200 000 people, with 75% of them living in urban areas.
The average density is 100.3 residents per square kilometre, with the most heavily populated spots being the cities of Havana (2 198 000), Santiago de Cuba (1 023 000) and Holguin (1 021 000).

Geographical location
Nortwest Carribean.
The country sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, 140 kilometres from the Bahamas, 146 kilometres from Jamaica, 180 kilometres from Florida and 210 kilometres from Cancun.
The Republic of Cuba is devided into 14 provinces, 169 municipalities and the special municipality of the Isle of Youth.
Cuba is a long and narrow island (1 200 kilometres from Cabo de San Antonio, the westernmost tip, to Punta de Maisi, the eastern trip. At its widest point it measures 210 kilometres and at its narrowest 32 kilometres. It is dominated by plains and has four major mountain ranges: the Guaniguanico mountains, in the west; Guamuhaya mountains in the central portion; the Sagua-Baracoa range; and the Sierra Maestra the east. The latter contains the country's highest peak: Turquino, 1 974 metres high. The landscape is diverse, ranging from semi-deserts to tropical rain forests. The country has a large biodiversity and well-preserved ecosystems.

Languages
The country's official language is Spanish.
Although most Cubans working in the tourism industry can communicate in English.

Currency

Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC; symbol CUC$) = 100 centavos.
Notes are in denominations of CUC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins are in denominations of CUC$1, and 20, 5, 2 and 1 centavos.
In some tourists areas, the Euro is also accepted.
Currency exchange
Money should be exchanged at state-run CADECAs (cheaper than banks) or international air- and seaports.
American Dollars attract a 10% surcharge on top of the normal commission.
All local surrency must be exchanged again before leaving the country.
Card transactions attract a surcharge (3 to 5%).
Credit/Debit Cards
MasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided they are not issued by a US bank, or a bank with links to the USA.

Communication
Cuba's country code: +53.
Cuba's telephone network provides direct communications inside the country and out - with any part of the world. Some hotels and resorts also provide Internet connections.
Phonecards for both international and external calls are available from shops and kiosks.
Some calls must be made through the international operator, and may be subject to delays.

Time zone
-7 hours
-6 hours from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October.

Public holidays
01 January - Liberation Day. Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution
02 January - Victory of Armed Forces
01 May - International Worker's Day (Labour Day)
20 May - Independence Day
25, 26 and 27 July - Festivities for the Day of National Rebellion
10 October - Anniversary of the beginning of the Independence Wars
25 December - Christmas Day
Useful Information
Food & Drink

National cuisine
Cuban cuisine is influenced by Spanish, African, indigenous and other cultures. The national dish is ajiaco, a stew of assorted root vegetables cooked with pork, poultry or beef. Other typical dishes are lechon (roast pork), fried green plantains (tachinos, chatinos or tostones), black beans, congri (rice with red beans), moros y cristianos (rice with black beans), picadillo a la habanera (ground beef in tomato sauce), roast chicken and tamales among others. The Cuban sweet tooth ensures that each meal includes dessert.

National drinks
The quality of Cuban rum is recognized internationally and comes in four distillations: refined, white, gold and aged. Gold and aged rums are better for drinking straight, while white rum (carta blanca or carta plata) is best for coctails. Several of the world's most famous rum coctails atr Cuban, and are served in most bars around the globe. Drinks include the Cuba libre, the mojito, the daiquiri, the Cubanito and the saoco.

Nightlife
Havana is renowned for its after-dark entertainment scene, and only the tip of the iceberg is visible to tourists on short stay. Even medium-sized bars usually have a house band playing Cuban classics. The Casa de la Musica in Havana attracts tourists and locals alike, the latter distinguished by their accomplished salsa dance moves and ability to consume whole bottles of Varadero rum.
The famous Tropicana nightclub stages nightly open-air cabarets that are a throwback to the decadent days before the Revolution.

Health Issues
We recommend carying insurance on your trip from your local insurance company.
All hotels have doctors on staff or on call who guarantee primary care. Every major resort area also has an international medical clinic that handles more complex medical conditions.
Cuba is considered very healthy except for the water. The best solution is bottled water.
Bottled water (aqua embotellada) is easy found and costs between 0.65 and 2 CUC for a 1.5L bottle, depending on the shop.

Emergency phones
The emergency number in Cuba is : 116.

Driver's License
In Cuba cars drive on the rights side of the road and except the bigger cities, there is only little traffic. In the whole country you have to pay attention to cyclist.
At night you should drive more carefully.

At the car rental agency a rental security has to be deposited in peso Convertible )in cash or with credit card). An European driving licence (at least one year old) is sufficient, while the minimum permitted driving age is 21.

Electricity & Mains
110V/60Hz or 220V/60Hz.
American-style flat two-pins plugs are generally used, except in certain large hotels where the European round two-pin plugs is standard.

Banking & Shopping Hours
Banking Hours:
Monday - Friday 08:30-12:00 and 13:30-15:00, Satturday 08:30-10:30.
Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.
Shopping Hours:
Monday-Satturday 09:00-17:00, Sunday 09:00-12:00.

There are a few luxury shops in Old Havana and in large hotels. Some offer tax-free purchases, but stock is generally uninspring.

Cigars:
Cuba makes the world's finest cigars. Buy the real thing at factories such as Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas in Havana, which also sells fabulously ornate cigar boxes. Cigars from street vemdors will probably be fakes or factory rejects, and may be confiscated at the airport.
Rum:
Santiago de Cuba was once home to the Bacardi family distillery, but Havana Club is now the most famous Cuban rum. Good though it is, connoisseurs prefer Varadero. the rich seven-year old variety is sipped like fine malt, while younger and lighter blends are used for coctails.

Tipping
University graduates take jobs as waiters, and engineers as barmen, such is the desperation here for hard currency tips.
A 10% gratuity is appreciated.

Country Info

Cuba

When to Go

Top Attractions

Activities

General

Useful Information

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