Cuba travel guide
Meet Cuba Cuba weather reportGetting into CubaFrom the Cuban kitchenFrom the Cuban bar Currency in CubaMajor airports in CubaDid you know?
Meet Cuba
Cuba is a lot of things: colourful, noisy, smoky, communist, graffiti-covered, beautiful, dynamic, primitive, dramatic, buzzing and hot. But there is one thing it is not: boring.
Cuba’s spectacular scenery often obscures its rocky politics, but in terms of tourism, there is nothing like it. For a real Cuban experience, Havana is the place to beat. Although the crime is high and you should be wary of scams, there are wonderful museums and old forts just waiting to be explored. Simply walking around the city, meeting locals, sipping beer, buying cigars, is the best way to get to know the real Cuba.
And once you’re done with the exciting and tumultuous city, head for something different. Dive in Punta Francés until you find the wrecks, reefs and caves that litter the sea-bed before lapping up the luxury of the beachfront resorts of Varadero. If you want to hike and discover the breathtaking natural beauty of the country, Viñales is the perfect spot where you can explore massive limestone cliffs and cave networks, nestled among vast, green tobacco fields.
Cuba has something of an old-school air about it, evident by the dated cars and patchwork buildings that dot the towns. But this only adds to the character of what is one of the most unique, exciting and warm countries in the world.
Cuba weather report
Cuba’s tropical climate means that the summers are hot – sometimes unpleasantly so – and the winters are warm. Holidaying in this country will never be restricted by cold temperatures, although watching out for hurricane season is advisable. This runs from June to November and affects the coastal areas. July and August, Christmas and Easter are the peak tourist seasons, so take note if you wish to avoid the crush.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Cuba
A tourist card is issued to all recreational travellers by their travel agent or airline for free. This allows a stay of four weeks in the country. If you wish to extend your stay, this will require a visit to an immigration office and payment of CUC$25, providing an extension of four weeks.
Members of the press and those travelling for business will need to obtain a visa prior to travel, which can take as long as three weeks to process.
From the Cuban kitchen
Cuban cuisine is a fusion of African, Spanish and Caribbean flavours. Most Cuban meals are based on a meat as the main course, with arroz moro – beans and rice – as a side dish. Often tuberous vegetables, such as plantains, potatoes, yucca, unripe bananas and sometimes corn, accompany the meal. All the dishes are served at once, except the dessert and tropical fruits
Western Cuban cuisine is based on criollo, or creole, cooking, which reflects a strong European influence. Beans and rice are often cooked with a sofrito, a variety of spices including cumin, oregano, sweet peppers and bay leaves to make dishes such as Arroz Congri Oriental. Meat and vegetables are usually cooked in a thin sauce, the most popular being the Mojo, or Mojito, sauce, consisting of oil, garlic, onion, oregano and bitter lime or orange juice
In Havana, a Chinese influence is evident in the cuisine, as is a much greater consumption of eggs. Sopa China is a common onion and egg soup, and rice is often fried, rather than boiled. Flour is also used more than in rural regions. Olives, capers and raisins are often combined to create the popular Alcaparrado, a sweet and sour flavour that is used as a marinade for meat and pork, or as a stuffing for Cuban pastries.
Eastern Cuba is more heavily influenced by Caribbean and African cuisine than European. This can be seen in the more frequent use of red beans than black beans, and their adaptations of Puerto Rican or Dominican dishes, such as fufú de plátano, a Cuban take on mofongo, plantains mashed and stuffed with pork or chicken.
From the Cuban bar
Cubans drink a lot of water and local versions of classic soda drinks, such as Cachito (Sprite) and Tu Cola (Coke). It is not as easy as you think to find fresh fruit juice, but if you do, drinks are often based on orange juice, mango, coconut, or the sweet, milky fruit, guanabana. Sugar cane syrup and molasses are often used to sweeten the drinks. Guanabana pulp is often used in drinks. Champola de Guanabana is one such favourite in which the pulp is mixed with milk and sugar cane and sprinkled with nutmeg. The result is refreshing and scented.
Cubans enjoy their alcohol, most famously rum, although beer is a close second. There are several local lagers available, including Bucanero, Mayabe and Cristal. Cocktails are a popular form of drink, often based on rum, such as the daiquiri, which consists of white and dry rum, sugar, lemon juice and crushed ice, and the mojito, a rum, lime, brown sugar cane, soda and mint concoction.
Currency in Cuba
There are two currencies in circulation in Cuba, Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) and the more locally-used Cuban pesos (CUP). Using convertible pesos will be adequate for tourists.
It is very expensive to exchange money in Cuba as an 8% margin is added by the government to all exchange transactions. Only the Euro, Pound sterling, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar and US dollar can be used to purchase convertible pesos, although use of the US dollar will incur an added 10% charge, so it is really not advisable to use US dollars. For the latest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.
Major airports in Cuba
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José Martí International Airport (HAV) is the main airport in Havana, and the transport hub of Cuba.
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Ignacio Agramonte International Airport (CMW) serves Santa Lucia and Carnaguey, in central Cuba. It handles flights mainly to and from Miami and Canada
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Antonio Maceo Airport (SCU) is mainly a domestic airport, located in Santiago. But it does have several international flights per week
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Jardines Del Rey Airport (CCC) is located on the island Cayo Coco, a destination for many British and European holidaymakers
Did you know?
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Cuba is the 105th largest country in the world
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The national flower of Cuba is the butterfly jasmine
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The Manjuarí is a pre-historic fish that is now only found in Cuba
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Cuba has one of the highest diabetes rates in the world
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Proportionally, Cuba has the largest secret police organisation in the world