What to take with you to Cuba. Cuba - everything a tourist needs to know about Liberty Island What to take to Cuba
When getting ready for the trip, I read a lot of reviews on the Internet, which really helped me organize my stay in Cuba. As a token of gratitude, I decided to make my contribution to the preparation of a “savage” holiday on the island of freedom. So the information below is not an ironic amateur description of your adventures, but a series of practical information that may be useful for lovers of independent recreation. Those who prefer organized “all-inclusive” tourism in Varadero with multi-colored bracelets on their hands are unlikely to find this reading entertaining.
1. Season, off-season
In Cuba, the most favorable season for vacation is the end of November - beginning of April. This is mild and warm (in our opinion so hot) weather with quite tolerable humidity. May-October is the rainy season and summer stuffiness. There are also hurricanes in October and November. However, having visited Cuba in October and previously made sure on Gismeteo.ru that water will ooze from the sky for the entire two weeks, I responsibly report: tropical rain almost always begins unexpectedly, ends in 10 minutes, and after another 5 minutes the sun is already actively shining. During the entire two weeks of our stay, we had to take out the umbrella once, and the raincoats purchased in advance remained untouched at the bottom of the suitcase. So there is no need to be afraid of rain, but it won’t hurt to prepare for it. But during the high season (especially December-January), you may have to wade through multilingual crowds of tourists who are fleeing to the south from the domestic cold, and also overpay for food, housing and entertainment (the price tag grows significantly). All prices below are correct as of October 2007.
2. Entry into Cuba
For citizens of Russia and Belarus (unlike, for example, Ukraine) a visa-free regime has been established for a stay in Cuba of up to 30 days. To enter Liberty Island you are officially required to have a valid passport, return air ticket and confirmation of your hotel reservation (or travel voucher). In fact, the nice woman in green uniform at the José San Marti airport did not ask for a ticket or confirmation of the online reservation, which had been carefully printed out in triplicate in advance. Judging by the reviews of other “savages,” this is not an oversight by an individual official, but normal practice. In addition to your passport, to enter you need to fill out an immigration card, which is usually handed out on the plane or can be asked from the women in uniform before passport control. It indicates the hotel in which the tourist has booked a room. Nobody bothers you to write down any hotel you know in Havana on this card, for example Nacional, Parque Central, Inglatera, Sevillia or any other. This will be quite enough. The entry stamp is not placed in the passport (so that later there will be no problems with obtaining an American visa), but on this very immigration card, half of which must be kept for departure.
The only way to get from the airport to the capital is by taxi. The upper limit, which is announced immediately upon leaving the terminal, is 25 convertible pesos. Quite quickly they drop it to 20. But we firmly stood at 15. As a result, the taxi driver mafia gave in, and after a three-minute wait for the suffering dates with Havana, the tourists were put in a taxi with some thrifty Swede, who, apparently, refused to pay more than a chervonets. By the way, to immediately close the topic of the cost of a taxi from/to the airport, Pantaxi (local economical taxi on domestic Zhiguli) usually asks 15 convertible pesos from the city, but according to the meter from the center of Havana it will be exactly 10 (from the Vedado area, of course, more). Tested from my own experience. So if, with the help of hypnosis or strong suggestion, you can force a poor Cuban to travel such a distance on the meter, then you can save five.
3. Money
There are two currency units in circulation in Cuba: the regular peso (often called “peso cubana” by locals), which is used by mere mortals, and the convertible peso (CUC, “convertible” or sometimes “peso fuerte”), invented specifically for foreign tourists. Something like the Soviet foreign currency ruble. On price tags, both regular and convertible pesos are indicated with a dollar sign $.
One convertible peso can be exchanged for 24 regular pesos at Cadeca banks. These Cuban pesos are used to pay wages to workers in socialist industry (12-16 dollars per month) and with them they use cards in special government shops at ridiculous subsidized prices to purchase cereals, sugar, soap and other basic necessities. These stores, with their empty shelves, are painfully reminiscent of a general store during the collapse of the union. Judging by the guidebooks (Lonely Planet), there are supposedly good restaurants in Cuba where you can pay with these pesos. I admit, I have never seen anything like this, except for the scary-looking snack bars and cafeterias that offered cheese and ham sandwiches (5 Cuban pesos) and no less scary pizza (10 - 15 pesos). Cubans consume this fast food with pleasure, and if suddenly you had to stay on the island of freedom with absolutely no money or are craving something exotic (if you have a plentiful supply of immodium, chloramphenicol, or at least smecta), then you can try it. In addition, on streets away from tourist trails, these rogue pesos can be used to purchase freshly squeezed juices (1-2 pesos per glass), ice cream (1-3 pesos) or coffee (30 centavos! for a small cup). Real benefits from local pesos can also be obtained at agricultural markets, where the party and government have allowed rural workers to sell their surplus produce. There's a place to go for a walk! They sell pineapples, papaya (called “fruita bomba” in Cuba), guava, bananas, etc. practically free of charge. Prices range from 3 to 5 pesos per pound. One really huge papaya will cost about 15 Cuban pesos (that is, a little more than half of one convertible peso). Bring a folding pocketknife in your luggage to peel and cut fruit.
Convertible pesos (bills with the inscription pesos convertibles) are exchanged (October 2007) at the airport and in banks at the rate of 1.25 - 1.26 pesos per 1 euro. Those. for 100 euros they will give you from 125 to 126 “convertibles”. It’s better not to take dollars with you to Cuba, as they are exchanged with a 10% commission and for 100 bucks you can only get 89 “cookies”. The owner of the treasured foreign currency rubles in Cuba has access to taxis, good restaurants, hotels and normal shops with a limited selection of goods, although it is still incomparable to distribution shops.
Money can also be withdrawn from a card (but not issued by American banks), but apparently for a fairly significant commission. So the cash is everything, and save the card in case of an unforeseen financial disaster.
4. Prices
Taxi
Pantaxi (Yellow or white checkered Lada - the most economical option) from Havana to José San Martí Airport - 15 CUC, from the Vedado area to Old Havana - up to 5 CUC, from Old Havana through the tunnel under the harbor to the fortress with the lighthouse - 2- 3 cookies, from the center of Havana to the beach of Santa Maria Del Mar (15 km from the city) - no more than 15 cookies, from the center of Havana (Capitol) to the Viazul bus station - 5 cookies. Pantaxi has meters and you can offer to drive along it, which is usually cheaper. Tourist taxi OK with good new cars with air conditioning costs significantly more, both with and without a meter. Pedicabs do not formally have the right to carry foreign tourists, but they will very strongly offer their services for 1-3 CUC depending on the duration of the trip. This does not threaten the tourist, but the rickshaw may have problems with the law enforcement officers. There are also motor scooters in Cuba with yellow booths for two people - Coco taxi, which can sometimes be bargained for at a reasonable price, but more likely for a fan. I’m silent about pleasure carriages. It all depends on the season and your persistence.
Food in restaurants and cafes
Beer Cristal (light) in an aluminum can 0.35 ml - 1 cook, in a glass can - 1.5, Bukanero (stronger) - 1.5 cook. We managed to find draft beer (by the way, very good) in one place - in a tavern on Plaza Vieja in Old Havana - 2 CUC per glass. Austrian brewing equipment - Salm Brau. Anyone who has been to Vienna will understand what we are talking about.
Cocktails almost everywhere cost 2.5 cookies, but there are places where the price starts from 1.5 cookies for a glass of “cuba libre” (rum and cola), 2 cookies for a “mojito” (rum with lemon, soda, mint and sugar) and up to 2.25 for “ piña colada (rum with pineapple juice and coconut milk).
Coffee - 1 - 1.5 CUC per cup.
The price of a hot dish in normal restaurants starts from 4-5 cookies (chicken or pork), 5-7 cookies (fish, beef), 6-8 cookies (shrimp or lobster tail). Side dish (rice, rice and beans or fried potatoes) - about 1 cookie. Soups 1.5 - 3 cookies. Although there are establishments (for example, I ended up in such a very decent place in Varadero), where at lunch the price tag for a hot dish starts from 2.5 cookies, and in some advanced restaurant in Old Havana in the evening it can start from a chervonets and reach more than twenty for a lobster . Ask for bread, because... it is usually not brought without an order and is “valued” at 1 cookie. On average, for a normal dinner you need to shell out 8-12 cookies. Portions in Cuba are huge, so don't overdo it. For those who will be in Havana, I highly recommend the worthy restaurant El Coquito at Malecon 107 (second floor of the Asturian Sociedad, on the first there is some kind of bar and billiard tables). Very tasty cuisine at affordable prices, high-level service and a balcony overlooking the ocean and the Havana promenade. Unfortunately, there is no sign, but the number on the house has not fallen off yet.
When visiting Cuban restaurants, pay attention to the fact that, firstly, they like to shortchange tourists, and secondly, in a number of places a service fee of 10 to 20% is added to the bill (this will definitely be written on the menu). Tips are very welcome. At a minimum, you can round up the bill and leave “change” or, if you really liked it, give one or two cookies on top. Tea is always collected by musicians who perform music in cafes and restaurants. It will be enough to leave them 0.5 -1 cookies. You can immediately buy a disc of the band you like for 10 cookies (a little expensive; in a tourist store, good discs start at 6 cookies).
Sandwiches and pizzas for convertible pesos - from 1 to 3 cookies. For example, in the fairly widespread fast food chain El Rapido.
Rum? Rum... Rum! Havana Club Anejo Blanco (the cheapest, it is added to cocktails) in the store - 3.50 CUC per 0.7 liter bottle. and 5.2 cookies per liter. Three-year aged rum is somewhat more expensive, although you probably won’t feel much difference in taste. Excellent aged rum Havana Club Reserva or Santiago costs around 7.5-8 cookies per 0.7 liter. They are drunk separately, without mixing with cola and without ice. In taste and softness - like good cognac. The top bar is Havana Club aged seven years. Options for cheap and “tasty” drinking: buy a package of a mixture of pineapple juice and coconut milk (called piña colada and costs 4.20 CUC), rum and make cocktails yourself (believe me, cocktails are made from the same package in restaurants). It's the same with cola. Carbonated drinks in aluminum cans in cafes and restaurants, in discos - 1 CUC per can. Cola (local, of course) in one and a half liter bottles in the store - 1.5 kuka. Packaged juices - 2.1 CUC per liter.
Entrance to museums from 3 cookies (Capitol, the climb to the upper observation deck of the tower of the José San Marti memorial in Revolution Square, the house of the Spanish Governor General in Old Havana - I highly recommend), 5 cookies (Museum of the Revolution - a terrible boring place, the yacht Granma, exhibited in glass pavilion, visible from the street), up to 10 convertible pesos (tour of the Partagas tobacco factory - don’t spare the money, it’s worth it).
Entrance to the disco is 3-5 cookies, usually one drink is included. You should definitely go to the local discos. How Cubans dance salsa... Even 70-year-old old people rock the dance floor, let alone young people.
A sun lounger or umbrella on the beach costs 1-2 cooks (unless you live in a hotel that is adjacent to the beach and charges this fee), entrance to the beach is free almost everywhere.
Gasoline - 0.75-0.85 CUC per liter.
Water in the store for a one and a half liter bottle costs 0.7 -1 kuk, in a cafe it usually costs 2 kuk, and for a half liter bottle it costs kuk.
Airport tax when leaving Cuba is 25 cookies.
5. Housing
Hotels can be booked online (unless, of course, you buy a package with flights and accommodation from a travel agency). www.venere.com sometimes offers quite interesting rates. Costs start from 30-35 euros per night with breakfast in a dirty three-star hotel out of season. The upper ceiling is lost in the clouds. For cheap options in Havana, I recommend Hotel Deuville on the Malecon embankment (intersection with Avenue Italia). Don't expect a palace and shuffling staff for pennies. The home is quite shabby both outside and inside. But on the plus side: location (5 minutes walk to the Prado, 10-15 minutes to the Capitol, half an hour to Old Havana), hearty breakfast, clean linen and towels, decent pool on the 6th floor overlooking central Havana and the ocean, bar 24 hours a day, as well as a daily disco (except Tuesdays), where hotel residents are allowed in completely free of charge. The guests are mostly middle-income, unpretentious foreigners from various countries of the world (from Australia to Poland). In Varadero, a good option that lives up to its three stars is Hotel Aquasul. Quite neat both outside and inside, it is located 200-300 meters from the municipal beach.
"Casa particular", i.e. private rooms that the good Fidel allowed Cubans to rent out to foreigners in their homes so as not to starve. This is a real opportunity to communicate with Cubans (even if you don’t speak Spanish), look at their life from the inside, get a lot of useful information and help in planning trips around the country. Casas can vary greatly in location, level of furnishings and friendliness of the owners, but do not differ much in price. 25-35 CUC per night for a room (two people can share it) in Havana and 20-25 CUC in the provinces. In the capital, rooms in the area of Old Havana or the Center of Havana (closer to the waterfront - Malecon) are preferable if you want to be in the thick of things and close to attractions and nightlife. However, at first glance, central Havana does not make a very rosy impression - beautiful but crumbling houses, sometimes dark and dirty streets, dubious characters around. This option is good for night adventure seekers who are ready for hardships, although there are also very decent kasas. The Vedado area is a quieter green area with villas, where it is good to stay with a family. However, it is a long way from Old Havana, so budget at least 10 cookies a day for a taxi unless you are a marathon runner or race walker. I can recommend the house at Prado 20 (José San Marti Avenue), which has already appeared on the internet more than once. Rooms are available for rent on almost every floor, excellent view and location, terraces are brilliant (I apologize for Ellochka the Ogre's vocabulary), but the place is popular, so there may not be room. By the way, a person with a suitcase on the street is immediately grabbed by the hand with an offer to show him a “casa particular” or “habitacien” (room). If there are no other options, then you can follow Susanin. You may have to look through several apartments until one catches your eye and the price will be at least 5 cookies more expensive for you, since the owners will pay a commission to the conductor. Another option, if you were unable to stock up on addresses from forums or specialized sites in advance (type casa particular Habana in Google), is to rely on white A5 size labels with a blue or green triangle and the inscription rentator divisia pasted at the doors of houses. This means that the room(s) are available for rent. In an apartment building, the elevator operator will happily respond to the magic word “casa” or “habitsien”, who will show what is available and where.
The owners of the kasa often cook for their guests. Breakfast of sandwiches, scrambled eggs, fruit, coffee and fresh juice will cost 3 cookies (up to 5 in Havana). Dinner per person - from 7-8 for chicken or meat to 8-10 for seafood. A very good option - tasty and very filling. The main dish is usually accompanied by salad (cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, etc.) and fruit. They can also pamper you with Cuban wine (in the store it costs 2.5 CUC for a bottle of red or white “cracker”).
A digression on the topic of sex.
Living in a casa, in addition to the advantages listed above, in some (but not all) cases makes it possible to bring guests, including overnight guests. In such, I repeat, few cases, the owners either do not live in the apartment and leave for the night, or give the guests a key to the entrance locks, and themselves sleep behind a locked bedroom door. Officially, of course, the bringing of any Cuban guests by tourists to the cash registers is strictly prohibited, and envious neighbors, watchmen and security guards at night parking shamelessly knock on the police. So, if the owners do not give the entrance key (they will open the door to a knock themselves at any hour of the night) or frantically wave their hands, saying “BUT MUCHACHA,” then there will be no need to arrange a brothelero. However, there are those rooms that the owners provide (unofficially, of course, and at great risk for themselves, but not for the tourist) for short meetings of foreign citizens and women thirsting for affection with local Juanitas or Pedro (don’t be surprised, for Spanish women in Cuba, both for faithful and reliable Russian women Turkey). Such a room usually costs 20 cookies, regardless of the duration of the meeting. The address of the nearest hangout will probably be known to the Cuban woman you like. Take care of your pockets - they are VERY likely to be carefully cleaned. By the way, to close the topic of sex tourism, I’ll add that in a few mid-range hotels, security guards sometimes work as pimps (the same twenty on top for services), priestesses of love (30 cookies) are very persistent in their desire to get a client and concentrate in Havana in the area of the Malecon embankment . Meeting even an ordinary girl still means either free drinks at a bar, or a gift (Gobsecki, don’t think that savages live on the island of freedom who have never seen a ballpoint pen or a mirror), or money for a taxi. Free love is very rare in Cuba and the reason for this is the widespread poverty of the population. It is imperative to take protective and personal hygiene products with you and in large quantities. It’s difficult to find them in Cuba, so if you don’t use them, give them to the locals as a contribution to the health of the Cuban nation.
6. Transport around the country
Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about car rental, except that it is not only possible, but also wonderful. The downside is that signs on the roads are rare; you will have to pay a lot for a car.
There are two types of intercity buses: Astro and Viasul. Both are new, air-conditioned cars with uniformed, sedate drivers and conductors (Viazul is still more comfortable, but do not forget about something warm from clothes: the air conditioners work at full capacity). The difference is that Astros are designed for ordinary Cubans and take them around the country for ridiculous money. Therefore, the buses are full; without knowing Spanish, buying tickets for them can be a little difficult (but quite possible). On each flight, a certain number of seats are reserved and sold for convertible pesos to tourists. Viazuls are buses specially designed for foreigners, tickets for which are sold only for convertible pesos and cost on average 5 cookies more than the “tourist” seats in Astro. They go strictly on schedule. Reliable and basically inexpensive. Havana - Cienfuegos - 20 cookies, Havana-Trinidad - 25 cookies, Havana-Santiago de Cuba - 55 cookies. Places must be booked in advance (arrive at the station and sign up), especially during the tourist season from December to March. Probably, there is a reservation by phone (oh, I wish I knew Spanish - maybe the owners of the ticket office will help) and supposedly on the Internet (I definitely DO NOT BELIEVE this). During the off-season, buses run half empty and tickets are easily sold half an hour before departure. The stations at Astro and Viazul are most often common (the waiting rooms and ticket purchases are different), only in Havana Viazul has its own small station, located quite far from the center. Just tell the taxi driver “omnibus Viazul” and he will take you there. Pantaxi will cost no more than 5-6 cookies from almost any area of the city. Be careful with your luggage. It is accepted for transportation (just like on an airplane), given tags, carefully placed in the belly of the bus, but... still occasionally gutted. A locked combination lock will be enough to protect your property and mood. When issuing and loading luggage, they sometimes ask for a tip of 25-50 centavos (convertible, of course).
7. Security
Cuba is probably one of the safest countries in Latin America. This is where the notorious “order” is, which the fans of Joseph Vissarionovich so lack. The police are at every turn, both in uniform and in civilian clothes. A tourist is a “sacred cow,” so you can have a conversation with law enforcement officers only if they begin to advise you not to carelessly carry a camera or a woman’s handbag, joyfully waving it in the air while walking. But the locals have a hard time. Contacts between Cubans and especially Cuban women with foreigners are not very welcome, so if they see a local foreign tourist in the company, the police can check his documents and, if they are missing, take the Cuban citizen to the police station. At the same time, they will not say a word to you and will not explain anything. And despite this, Cuba has a big problem with molesters on the streets. You need to be mentally prepared for this and endure it stoically. Every 5 minutes in Havana (especially Old Havana) and a little less often, but still often in the provinces, a person will approach you and joyfully shout in broken Russian: “hello, comrade” or “Russo!” or simply “how are you, where are you from, do you remember me?” They immediately begin to insistently introduce themselves, report some important news (“Don’t miss it, today is the first day of the salsa festival, let’s go show you,” they told us every day during our two-week stay), name your hotel (sometimes even the name found out at the reception) and so on. In 99 cases out of 100, the goals of the acquaintance are transparent:
A guide (with varying degrees of professionalism, he will take you around various nooks and crannies of the city, and then demand money for living and work);
- sell fake cigars (at the same time he will present a pass card to the cigar factory and tell a sob story about how they have to be stolen in order to feed the family. See below about cigars);
- just ask for money for living (uncle, give me ten kopecks) or for milk for children (in Cuba, children have enough milk, the Cubans themselves talked about this);
- propose a girl (“chica caliente”, “faki faki”, “muchach”);
- sell cocaine (I strongly do not recommend);
- to scam a foreigner out of money (after such a nice conversation, a Spanish friend had no watch, glasses, phone or money left, although no one hit him on the head or threatened him with a knife; he doesn’t understand how this happened);
- exchange currency at a favorable rate (the result is a “doll” with fewer bills, or regular Cuban pesos, instead of convertible ones).
So the best answer to the pesters: “but comprendo” (I don’t understand) a calm continuation of the walk, without stopping or turning around when called out or persistent “excuse me”, etc. Once you give up, stop and engage in conversation, it will be much more difficult to get rid of it.
Pickpocketing (especially by passionate Cuban women) and a banal gop-stop are still possible and do happen, especially with those who have drunk in dark alleys far from the tourist trails. So don't carry all your money, documents or tickets with you. It is better to rent a safe at the hotel and store them there or, if you are staying at a cash desk, hide them at the bottom of a suitcase that is locked with a combination or padlock. If there is no lock, then there is a high probability (especially in a hotel) that someone’s caring hand will go through your suitcase. Some kind of internal pocket on clothing, with a small slit and fastened with a safety pin and button, would be good. Unattended items are stolen on beaches, so be on the lookout.
By the way, there is also a category of barkers who offer to go to their restaurant (bar, cafe) and enjoy music and food. If it is located right at the entrance to the establishment, then there is no need to be afraid and you can quite easily look in and check what is on the menu and what the price tag is. You can find a good place to suit your taste and budget. But if you need to go somewhere, “there’s literally 100 meters around the corner,” etc., then decide for yourself (see above).
Medicines (aspirin, iodine or streptocide, immodium and levomecycin, activated carbon, etc.) must be taken with you. Having passed by local “pharmacies” several times, I still didn’t understand what they were selling. Some rare jars and boxes on half-empty shelves. Be sure to take a sunscreen with good protection. You won’t find it in Cuba, but you’ll burn your skin to blisters. Supposedly the first visit to the doctor is free. I don’t know, thank God I didn’t check.
8. Cigars
Like Mayakovsky: We say Cuba, we mean cigars, we say cigars, we mean Cuba. It’s amazing that even non-smokers want to buy real Havana cigars at a cheap price in Cuba. There are many types of Cuban cigars from the most elite Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo and Juliet at prices ranging from 3 to 10 or more cookies per piece, to machine-rolled Guantaramera at 1-1.5 cookies. Each type has different sizes (most often 4 main ones) and different thicknesses. The price depends on this. Cigars are sold individually and in cardboard boxes (3.5 pieces) and boxes (10.25 pieces). There are official stores everywhere, you can walk around and ask the price. If you are planning to buy cigars as a gift to someone who understands them at least a little, and you yourself are far from the world of tobacco, then it is better not to risk it, but to buy a smaller box, but in an official store. And there will be no problems with customs. As for the cigars offered on the streets, they can sell a frank awl, which is right there on Malaya Arnautskaya Street and is rolled from an unknown material.
If you have decided to take such a step and know so much about cigars that you can tell by eye or by smoking what they are slipping you, I’ll tell you. A smart merchant finally dragged us into some apartment in Trinidad under the pretext of showing us a cigar store (he caught loitering foreign tourists near a closed outlet). We go into the back rooms, the front door is padlocked behind our backs. Well, that's it, we're stuck. Nothing of the kind, the police are afraid of smugglers. They dump boxes on the table: you can open, look, smell and even smoke everything (if you like it, pay for the whole box, including the smoked cigar; if not, then theoretically you can pay nothing, but it’s unlikely that they’ll let you leave so easily - at least a couple you will have to pay cookies for a cigar or argue for a long time, threatening the police). The price tag for cigars that are actually stolen from the factory is from 25 to 40% of the store price. The boxes have holographic stickers, a numbered green tag with a coat of arms and the inscription “Made in Cube”, etc. Still, for testing, we bought one box of 10 cigars for 17 cookies (they asked for 20, its real price is about 50). At home they smoked it with a large group, including “experts”. The conclusion is this: the cigars were unanimously recognized as genuine, they did not disappoint in taste, smell and “smokiness”, they were only very dry (apparently they were carried around in a bag for a long time before they found the client). According to various sources, customs in Cuba allows the export of from 23 to 50 cigars (even the official store confirmed to us that the new rules increased the number to 50). So lottery fans can try to save money or lose a couple of dozen convertibles.
9. Beaches
It is not true that the best beaches in Cuba are in Varadero. Cuba has many great beaches. A very good place - Playa Del Este is 15 km away. east of Havana. White sand, palm trees, ocean. There are no beaches in Havana itself (there is some kind in the west of the city, but clearly not Bounty). Playa del Este is a fairly long series of beaches, the most famous and beautiful of them is Santa Maria Del Mar. You can get there by taxi for 15 convertibles. There is some kind of city bus that goes there, but we didn’t dare look for it, especially since one of the reviews found on the Internet talked about a three-hour wait (!) to board this ill-fated bus. It is easier to find travel companions and share a taxi between four people. There are hotels in Santa Maria Del Mar, sun loungers, umbrellas, police, beer and coconut milk sold right on the beach and all the other small pleasures of those who like to bask on the sand. Riding on a banana. I saw a jet ski in the distance. Very beautiful beaches on the Caribbean Sea in the Trinidad area (5-6 CUC by taxi from the city). Spreading large trees grow right in the sand, in the shade of which you can sit comfortably without fear of sunburn. That's what the locals do. You can take a catamaran ride for an hour to the diving site with a mask and fins for 10 kuk per nose. There are also excellent beaches on the islands, and everywhere on the island. Developed resorts organize deep-sea fishing and boat/catamaran rides, etc. entertainment. So an excellent sea holiday in Cuba is guaranteed.
HAVE A GOOD VACATION, CUBA O MUERTE!
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levomecytin not levomecycin!
I consider the advice regarding levomecytin, which is an antibiotic and is not prescribed by oneself, but only by a doctor, to be bad. Only Russians can take advantage of your advice; in civilized countries, all antibiotics are strictly prescribed. Do you swallow it from all misfortunes? Beware of allergies in this case.
LevometsiTin
to bon a savoir: Sorry, I got it wrong in a hurry, and there are many other similar errors in the text: hotels DeAuville, AquaZul, Nacional de Cuba, InglaterRa, etc. Regarding levomecithin: this is a strong antibiotic that is known for its side effects; in no case should it be taken at every opportunity. Of course, ideally - only as prescribed by a doctor. But every time I take it with me as a medical emergency - if ATSki catches it, and there is no doctor, then you have to self-medicate at your own peril and risk, anything is better than dying in the tropics
What should a tourist know before going on vacation to Cuba? Cuba is not just a place for a beach holiday or a banal trip to the sea, Cuba is a special culture and history and a real time machine. Cuba is a dream! But we still recommend thoroughly preparing for the trip. Here are some useful things to help you that are better to know before traveling to Cuba.
1. Bring cash
This is a really good idea at least for the first time. Not everywhere there are ATMs, not everywhere you can pay by card. And after 8 pm it’s so difficult to find a working ATM even in Havana. Some banks may even withdraw dollars from your ruble card, taking into account a commission of up to 25%.
2. Give preference to the Euro or Canadian dollar
The dollar is not held in high esteem in Cuba and that is why the exchange rate for it is unfavorable. In addition to the inadequate exchange rate, for each dollar exchange you will also be charged a commission. With the euro and the Canadian dollar (which exchanges at a more favorable rate than the euro) in Cuba it is much easier. Although, since Cuba’s relations with the United States have recently become warmer, the attitude towards the dollar is also changing in the same direction.
3. Nuances of the Cuban exchange
Don't change money at the airport. As in many countries of the world, the exchange rate there is extremely unfavorable. Also, money should not be trusted to street money changers - this is an easy way to meet scammers. In tourist areas, as a rule, there are no problems with exchange. In Havana, for example, you can change money at the reception of some hotels.
4. Cuba has two currencies
The national currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso. There are two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso and the convertible Cuban peso (CUC). The first currency is used in general stores and in other areas of Cuban life, but the convertible peso is used in tourist areas. Cook is essentially money for tourists.
5. Save receipts from purchases
Try not to buy anything worthwhile without a receipt - proof of purchase may be required anywhere. Without a check, things may even end up in confiscation.
6. Be prepared to barter
In Cuba, you can easily exchange your worn sneakers for something, for example, something tasty;) This is not a joke at all. Some tourists specifically take with them something that is valued in Cuba and can be exchanged for some interesting thing. In reviews of tourists, for example, canned tuna or nylon tights are often found as a means of barter.
7. Don't forget about insurance
Insurance must be arranged through your country's travel agency. It is better to have it with you, because if you do not have it, you will be asked to take out insurance at the airport, and this will cost more.
8. Weak Internet
The Internet in Cuba is poorly developed. Some hotels have an Internet cafe, but Wi-Fi is not available everywhere.
9. Print all travel documents
Just in case, have your airline tickets printed out. Internet and printers are not available everywhere in Cuba. It is also better to have photocopies of all documents with you.
10. Visa-free country for Belarusians
A visa to Cuba is not required for Belarusians, subject to a stay of no more than 30 days
11. Large suitcases can cause problems
There is a small nuance that, of course, will not affect everyone, but it cannot be ignored. Some Cuban buildings have rather narrow doorways and staircases. With huge heavy suitcases this can be very inconvenient.
12. Best time of year to visit Cuba
Like all islands in the Caribbean, in Cuba you need to remember about the hurricane and rainy season. The rains begin at the end of May, in June and last until August inclusive. All summer and until October there is a danger of typhoons with showers and winds. The best time to visit Cuba is the dry season from November to April. The swimming season lasts all year round in Cuba.
13. A few words in Spanish
Even the simplest Spanish words from a phrasebook can add variety to your holiday. Locals love to talk to tourists, and if you answer them in a familiar language, they will definitely be friendlier.
14. Take care of cookies!
It is good to give one cookie as a tip at a hotel. They will be grateful to you, because the average salary in Cuba is about 20 cookies.
15. Dance salsa!
Cuban salsa is known all over the world. You can take a couple of salsa lessons from the locals. You may not become an outstanding dancer in a couple of hours, but you will experience the local flavor to the fullest, and also have fun. If you are invited to dance somewhere, dress appropriately. Cubans do not like the fact that an official invitee can come in a T-shirt and beach shorts.
16. Bring ballpoint pens with you
Local children love to accept small gifts from tourists. Ballpoint pens are held in special esteem.
17. Rum and cigars
The most popular souvenirs are rum and cigars. When buying rum, be aware of excess baggage and customs regulations in the destination country. The most popular cigar brands in Cuba: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, Hoyode Monterrey, Partagas.
18. Take a flashlight when traveling
If you are going to walk along the city streets in the evening, don’t forget a flashlight. In the evening the streets are not lit. In Old Havana, tourists are not recommended to appear after 22.00.
Fresh review
I don’t even know whether Byala is a city or a village. It is not much smaller in size than Obzor, but in Obzor there is a sign in the center that it has been awarded the title of city, but I have not seen one in Byala. And the locals call it a village.
In this part about this resort town we will talk about the surrounding area, general plans of the city and a little about the greenery.
I’ll start from the shore, from where you can clearly see the city of Obzor.
Random entries
Our journey through the Borjomi Gorge continued; ahead we should get acquainted with the city famous for its mineral waters - Borjomi. But the weather turned bad again, it started to rain and the guide decided to leave Borjomi for a “snack”. And we went straight to the final destination of our excursion - Akhaltsikhe. People have settled on the site of the town since time immemorial; there was a settlement of the Kuro-Araks culture here, dating back to 4000-2200 BC. The name of the city was given by a fortress built in the first half of the 12th century (ახალციხე, literally means New Fortress). From the 14th to the 16th centuries, Akhaltsikhe was the center of the Meskheti region. In 1579 it came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. He was returned to the fold of Georgia during the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-29, when it had already become part of the Russian Empire.
Sharjah at night is certainly not the same as Dubai, but it is also very nice. Besides, Ramadan and life begins only at sunset. The diversity of the photographs is not very encouraging, because the night walks were almost in one place - in the area about which I already wrote.
And I’ll start not exactly with night photography - the Moon is sometimes visible during the day. And the country is Islamic, and the holy month of Ramadan. In general, let's start with the crescent.
I can’t say that since childhood I dreamed of visiting Hollywood, but since we’re nearby, we simply have to watch it, if only to say later: “There’s nothing special there.” So we went there straight in the morning. We decided to start the excursion from the observation deck near the well-known “HOLLYWOOD” sign. But we were unlucky, there was some kind of marathon being held that day and the road there was closed, and besides, cars were not allowed to drive there at all. Speaking of roads, how do they figure out directions in these fancy overpasses? I don’t drive a car and am more used to seeing all sorts of junctions on the plan, maybe because of this, when I see multi-level road structures in nature, I lose spatial thinking.
After standing on the bridge, waving to the passing ships and surveying the near and far surroundings, we decided to return home, fry chicken and prepare a farewell dinner. But Alex drew our attention to a road bridge located upstream of the Elbe. It was crowded with trucks that practically did not move. Apparently, something happened on the autobahn and a traffic jam formed. It was problematic to return to Magdeburg, we decided to take another walk, in case it “dissolved”... And we went to inspect the village, which was first mentioned in the records of Magdeburg Archbishop Albrecht in 1225. Apparently, little has survived from those times, but the brickwork of this house reminded me of the monastery in. According to 2012 data, 1,459 people live here and live quite well.
Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County. The area where the town now stands was named by the Spaniards in 1769 Vallejo de Santa Ana - Valley of St. Anna. The settlement of Santa Ana received city status in 1886. To be honest, we didn’t bother to see the city itself, but we enjoyed seeing the zoo. The zoo is small, occupying only 8 hectares, but there are also enclosures and cages for animals, children’s playgrounds and cafes have not been forgotten, and the composition of the animals is very unusual. The zoo opened in 1952 on the territory of Prentice Park. Philanthropist Joseph Prentice donated part of his lands to the zoo with the condition that management would provide for the maintenance of at least 50 monkeys at any time, and this condition is still met.
The last day of our trip to Germany in 2016 had arrived; there was no point in going far, especially since we had planned a family dinner for the evening on the occasion of my birthday. But I didn’t want to sit at home on this sunny day, so we went to look at the water bridge in the summer. I already wrote about it in an article from 2012, but then it was winter and cloudy weather, windy and quite nasty. Now we decided to get impressions with a new, positive attitude. Everything is bright and green, grass grows even on paved areas.
The last part was mainly about. Now it will be about the stones themselves and science. I learned more about the rocks, of course, not when visiting this national park, but from the museum in the city of Byala, where part of the exhibition is dedicated to this particular place.
I’ll start, however, with photographs of the rocks themselves, but the text will mainly be from the museum. Although it is quite general. So:
The White Cliffs in Byala are the fourth site in the world that testifies to a gigantic cosmic cataclysm that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and also allowed mammals to evolve. The White Cliffs represent a continuous geological rock profile with a Cretaceous-Tertiary geochronological boundary and an accompanying iridium anomaly. The rocks are a relatively new geotope, protected as part of the development of the Register and Cadastre of Geological Phenomena in Bulgaria on the initiative of the Varna Regional Council. This site has high scientific and ecological value.
I will continue to publish photographs taken by a German tourist in Almaty in December 2013. There will be everything about the upper areas of the city (well, or almost everything - something will be included in the next review). And without any special details: all the beautiful multi-storey buildings, everything is clean and beautiful. In general, this is what our authorities want to show tourists. And of course the Independence Monument will be detailed.
The first photo is the Television Center on Mira-Timiryazeva. The building is really very beautiful.
Of course, if you look at the map, in the center of Sharjah there is not a lake, but a bay, connected to the sea by a long and not very wide arm. But for some reason local guides call it “lake”. There’s not much to write about, just a lot of photographs and panoramas. I came out to him by chance. The heat was 45 degrees, so it was deserted - normal people don’t walk in such weather.
The surprising thing is that with such heat, which lasts here not just one or two days, but almost all year round, everything around is quite green. Here is the first photo on this very topic.
It's nice in Cuba all year round! But the best time to relax is from November to April. At this time, the island has comfortable warm weather and virtually no rain or wind. Then it gets quite hot and sometimes there are tropical showers, but life is in full swing! After all, summer in Cuba is also the season of carnivals and all kinds of street festivals with music, salsa and fireworks. Well, surfers find it easier to find a good wave at this time.
About 30 airlines operate flights to Cuba, but most of them have connecting flights. Good news: Azur Air has recently launched direct flights from St. Petersburg. You can book a tour with a direct charter flight at Anex Tour, or just tickets at partner agencies (www.anextour.com).
What to take with you
Electricity in Cuba is different. The mains voltage is usually 110 volts, although recently in most hotels it is double - 110 and 220 volts. It's the same story with plugs and sockets, which can meet both European and American standards. To protect yourself from problems with equipment and its recharging, we advise you to take an adapter, a universal adapter and a tee to charge several gadgets at the same time.
The tropical sun is very active, so sunscreen is needed at any time of the year, and it is better to bring it with you - just like the shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and toothpaste that you are used to using. Leave the ones they give you at the hotel to the maids along with a tip.
How to pay
There are two types of currency in use in Cuba: pesos and CUC. Peso is local money for Cubans: salaries are paid in pesos, food is sold in markets, and payments are made in unassuming cafes. CUC is a convertible peso. Its exchange rate is pegged to the dollar, and foreigners use it to pay. Almost all tickets for transport and visits to cultural attractions cost differently for locals and tourists: for example, for them - a ticket for 5 pesos, for you - for 5 KUC. Exchange part of the KUK for pesos if you are going to travel around Cuba, live in the private sector, or go to the market to buy fruit. Plastic cards are also accepted in tourist places, but not all and not everywhere. So it is best to have cash with you. Traditionally, there are fewer problems with euros and Canadian dollars.
CUCs can be easily withdrawn from an ATM, but you can also bring cash with you. All exchange offices in Cuba are state-owned, so it is useless to look for the best exchange rates. Foreign currency can be exchanged at hotels, airports, banks and money changers (CADECA). If someone persuades you to change currency at a “local bank”, promising a better rate, do not be fooled: this is the simplest trick. If after the trip there are unspent CUCs left, you can pay with them at duty-free or there, at the airport, and exchange them back for another currency.
What is where
The first thing that shocks our compatriots in Cuba is the abundance of fruits, always fresh and different: they ripen here all year round. Pineapples, papaya, mango, guava, mamoncillo, guanabana, passion fruit, sapodilla... And, of course, bananas: here they are used to prepare a variety of dishes, from desserts to sauces for meat and side dishes.
Cuban cuisine is a fiery blend of Spanish, Chinese, African and Latin American traditions, with large, generous portions, unusual textures and spice combinations. The restaurants serve excellent seafood. If you're feeling adventurous, you can buy freshly caught shrimp, lobsters and lobsters from fishermen literally "under the counter", they will tell you where to cook your catch inexpensively, or they will do it themselves.
What drink
The main drink in Cuba is, of course, rum. In addition to the popular Havana Club, don’t be afraid to try lesser-known brands like Santiago de Cuba, Legendario and Caney, or very small local brands. For inspiration, it's worth visiting the Rum Museum in Old Havana, which details its history and production.
Rum is drunk neat or with ice, as well as in cocktails. Almost every Cuban bar offers its own signature cocktail - ask and try! And literally everywhere you will meet Hemingway: every bar says that the famous writer loved to be there. Check out El Floridita and don't miss La Bodeguita del Medio. This Havana establishment with a bohemian and very typical Cuban atmosphere serves what many consider to be the best mojito.
In addition to rum, “Kubay” liqueurs, “Crystal” and “Bukanero” beer, and table wine are worthy of attention. Cuban coffee will help you cheer up between trips to the bar: it is brewed very strong and drunk often and in small portions. Well, bottled water is sold in all stores.
How to get around the country
It makes sense to rent a car at the airport only if you intend to immediately rush into the interior of the country. In Havana, it is unprofitable: even if you have to use taxi services (regular or double motorcycle taxis) many times, it will still be cheaper. Of course, the best way to travel around the capital is on foot, admiring the colorful atmosphere of this amazing place. But you can also board the Hop on - Hop off panoramic tourist bus, which will take you to the main attractions.
You can also rent a scooter to get around Havana, but you should not travel outside of it: some roads on the island leave much to be desired. The best way to travel long distances is to rent a car (there is no shortage of Rent a car rental offices in Cuba) or buses that run along the main internal routes. The main transport companies are Viazul and Transtur. Buying tickets in advance through the website is often problematic, but this can be easily done at the station itself. On the day of travel, you must arrive at least 20 minutes before the bus departs to exchange your receipt for your boarding pass.
How to call and write
Wi-Fi is available in hotels, special Internet rooms and at the post office. Experienced travelers are advised to study the offers of Russian mobile operators on the Internet while roaming before their trip: this may turn out to be more profitable than Cuban Wi-Fi, and certainly more convenient for those who need to be constantly in touch or, for example, want to use a navigator in their phone. You will also have to use roaming for calls: local SIM cards are not sold to tourists, unless you can rent a phone along with a SIM card.
Where to live
Cuba has excellent hotels for every taste and budget. They have everything for a good rest: gyms, entertainment, spa. If you want adventure, you can rent housing in the private sector. In Cuba, this is an absolutely legal business: the government issues a special license to exemplary landlords, and they value it very much. Hospitable hosts, as a rule, feed you breakfast, offer a dish for dinner, and give travel tips. And in general, there is no better opportunity to get to know Cuban life from the inside and get to know the locals.
What you need to know about local customs
In tourist areas, most residents speak English, but if you are going to travel around the country, you cannot do without speaking at least basic Spanish. Russian can also come in handy sometimes, especially if you communicate with older Cubans.
Cuba is a very safe country, especially compared to some of its Latin American neighbors. The only advice is not to respond to beggars and the intrusive service of local “businessmen” who offer to take you to the place, promise some especially tasty cigars and other lures.
Time in Cuba is a relative concept: if someone says that the journey will take 5 minutes, feel free to multiply by two; the small store is unlikely to open exactly at nine, and the tour most likely will not begin strictly at the announced time. This is neither good nor bad - Cubans are simply too relaxed about life to be punctual.
Women should not be sensitive to men's whistling and compliments: Cubans only encourage such actions, so it is difficult for local machos to understand that their increased attention may be unpleasant for someone.
As for tips, it all depends on the situation. It is not customary for taxi drivers to leave them, but if you do, no one will mind. Maids and porters are given 1–2 KUC. In small cafes, tips are minimal, up to 5% of the order amount. In restaurants, the bill includes a 10–15% surcharge for service, which is then divided among all employees of the establishment. If you want to thank someone personally, it is better to clarify this point in advance. Tips can be left in any currency, both local, euros and even dollars.
As for rum, it is optimal to buy three bottles - that many can be taken out of Cuba and brought into Russia without any problems. You shouldn’t put off this purchase until the last minute, although rum is, of course, sold in duty-free stores. It’s better to go to a company store - believe me, it’s a special experience.
To choose your coffee, try, taste, and try again. If you have to buy “blindly”, here is a small cheat sheet on popular varieties that are unlikely to disappoint. Serrano - soft, with a slight sourness, Altura - tart, with a high caffeine content, Maragogype - thick, strong and spicy, Granma - with notes of tobacco in the aroma.
Dealing with small souvenirs will not be difficult: the most universal and unpretentious gift is a T-shirt with Che. For men - a guyabera shirt, a traditional sombrero, an original musical instrument - maracas or bongo drums. For women - jewelry made from tortoise shell, crocodile skin and, most importantly, black coral. Be sure to ask the seller for permission to export and do not forget to check whether the coral glows red in the light, otherwise it is a fake.
