What's interesting about Cuba? Cuba from A to Z: holidays in Cuba, maps, visas, tours, resorts, hotels and reviews. Cienfuegos - amazing sights

Thanks to its fabulous nature and warm tropical climate, Cuba attracts thousands of tourists every year. Numerous national parks introduce travelers not only to unique views of forests and mountain slopes, but also to the deep beauty of the underwater world. Supporters of active recreation are attracted to Liberty Island by the opportunity to climb a rock, dive to the bottom of the sea with scuba gear, or simply ride a mountain bike. Nightlife lovers will appreciate the famous Cuban cigars, rum and fiery Latin American dances in numerous clubs and cabarets.

Brief description of Cuba

In the northern part of the Caribbean Sea is Cuba, a country on one of the Greater Antilles. In addition to the main one, Cuba owns the island of Juventud and more than one and a half thousand small islands. The country is separated from the North American continent by two straits - the Yucatan and Florida. The official name of the country is the Republic of Cuba, but since 1959 the second name is often used - Liberty Island.

Geographical location and climatic features

Cuba has a length of 1,250 km and a total area of ​​just over 100,000 km 2 . The northwestern coast of the island is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the northeastern coast by the Atlantic Ocean, and the southern coast by the Caribbean Sea. Most of Cuba's territory is plains with poorly defined relief, so mountain systems serve as a decoration for the island. The picturesque Sierra Miestra mountains stretch along the southeastern part of the island. Here is the highest point of the country - Turkino Peak (1972 m above sea level). The central part of the island is enlivened by the Escambray mountain range, and the western part by the Cordillera de Guaniguanico. Forests occupy a relatively small area - only 10% - and are located in swampy or mountainous areas.

Thanks to karst processes, caves are often found in Cuba. Some of them are long and branch out with huge underground galleries. One of these - the Santa Tomas Cave - occupies 25 km.

The climate of Cuba is tropical and very humid; at high temperatures it becomes a real test for people. Such loads are most easily transferred to the coast, where the sea wind softens the heat, and saving coolness comes at night. From October to April is the dry season, and from May to September is the rainy season. This is the hottest time, in August the average temperature is 28 o C. The coldest month is January, in which the temperature drops to 22 o C. Constant winds are another feature of the island’s climate. Therefore, you can often find trees with bent trunks here. From June to November, during the summer-autumn period, tropical cyclones with heavy downpours and hurricanes are common, sometimes causing significant damage to the economy.

Capital of the island

Cuba consists of 15 provinces and the municipality of Juventud on the island of the same name. The capital of Cuba, Havana, is the largest and most beautiful city, the center of the main spheres of life in the country: economy, politics and culture.

Havana was founded by Spanish settlers at the beginning of the 16th century. Before the conquest of Cuba by the Spaniards, the country was inhabited by Indians, but the brutal attitude of the colonialists, famine and epidemics exterminated the local inhabitants. The Spaniards brought African slaves to the island as labor, who by the next century made up the main population of Havana.

Official language, currency, time

The official language of the Republic of Cuba is Spanish. The currency of Liberty Island is the peso (CUP), the rate is 1 USD = 25.50 CUP. The time difference with Moscow is 8 hours, and if in Moscow it is 6 o’clock in the evening, then in Cuba it is 10 o’clock in the morning.

Religion

The historical events of the development of Cuba also played an important role in the religious preferences of the islanders. The majority of religious Cubans, approximately 40%, consider themselves Catholics. The largest operating churches - the Havana Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Angel - are unique in their architecture and represent the historical and artistic value of the country.

Most of the island's population are atheists. Moreover, the number of non-believers increased sharply after the revolution, and today they are about 55% versus 95% in the early 50s of the last century.

In addition to Catholicism, the Christian faith in Cuba is represented by the Orthodox and Protestant churches. Numerous African-Cuban sects are based on spiritualist beliefs. There are also small groups of followers of Judaism and Eastern religions.

Popular tourist spots

The most visited city is, of course, Havana. The abundance of luxury hotels and skyscrapers next to ramshackle huts, ancient mansions and temples makes traveling around the city an amazing journey through time. The coastal part of the capital is occupied by cozy beaches. Here you can find both new tourist complexes and old resort villages, which were once ordinary fishing villages. The Havana Capitol, the Cathedral of St. Christopher and almost a thousand other objects of Old Havana are included in the UNESCO list. The Prado Boulevard, the museum of the world famous writer Ernest Hemingway, the Colon Cemetery and the La Fuerza Fortress attract tourists from all over the world.

Varadero, a city of heavenly beaches, a favorite tourist destination, is located 135 km east of Havana. The Atlantic Ocean, velvet sand, and numerous cozy hotels make a holiday on the Hicacos Peninsula, where Varadero is located, magical and unforgettable.

To feel the atmosphere of the province, it is worth visiting Cienfuegos. The city, which at one time became rich thanks to French migrants, was once noisy with a bustling life, today it amazes with its peace and tranquility. The historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Cienfuegos is located 250 km southeast of Havana, on the Caribbean coast.

Santiago de Cuba attracts the attention of active tourists. The sea coast, mountains, amazing nature create an atmosphere of infinity of life. The Sierra Maestra Park contains the island's highest mountains, and the Baconao Natural Park is recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve of world importance.

In the resort area there is the small town of Santa Cruz Del Norte - the birthplace of the famous Havana Club rum. When visiting the factory, tourists will be offered a tasting of the dark varieties of rum that are produced here.

The town of Jaruco is located 27 km south of Havana. A striking attraction in these places is the Escaleras de Jaruco Natural Park with interesting karst caves, rocks and amazing plants.

In the province of Artemis there is a 17th-century church - a historical and architectural monument, the richest mansions of planters, and on the outskirts of the city a monument to the 19th-century agricultural industry - the destroyed Ancheron coffee plantation. The city of San Antonio de los Baños in the province amazes tourists with incredible natural beauty. Here you can visit the only Museum of Humor in the country. Its main exhibitions are caricatures, cartoons, and funny drawings. San Antonio de los Baños is located 30 km southwest of Havana, in the Ariguanabo River valley.

Juventud Island is very popular among lovers of scuba diving and eco-tourism. This largest island of the Los Canarreos archipelago is located 50 km from the southern coast of the Caribbean Sea. Paradise beaches, the opportunity to visit a crocodile farm and citrus plantations, the Punta Frances Marine Park, the Punta del Este caves and a children's amusement park attract tourists all year round.

The healing mineral springs of the Elgea resort and the huge man-made Lake Anabanilla are favorite places for tourists in the province of Villa Clara. Numerous islands with pristine nature, picturesque beaches and cozy Indian houses on stilts leave a pleasant impression on travelers. The province is located in the center of the country, on the Atlantic coast.

Architectural, historical and natural attractions

Despite the fact that in the history of Cuba Although there are many political disasters, the island is still of interest to lovers of historical and cultural values. Each city or province has its own architectural and urban planning monuments, and many natural parks are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as unique corners of the planet.

Trinidad attracts tourists as a museum city. This is one of the first settlements of the Spaniards, which for a long time remained a backwater, located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, in the province of Sancti Spiritus. Only in the 19th century, thanks to the development of sugar plantations, this city began to flourish.

Today, tourists from all over the world come here to wander through the center of old Trinidad and see the main attractions:

• Cantero Palace is a luxurious 19th-century mansion. Now it houses the Historical Museum. The tower of the building has an observation deck offering views of the entire city;
  The Church of the Holy Trinity in Trinidad is the largest on the entire island
• The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the largest church in Cuba and has stunning acoustics;
  Cantero Palace - a majestic 19th century building
• Palacio Brunet was formerly the property of the wealthy Count Brunet. And currently there is a Romantic Museum here.
  Brunet Palace - a monument of Romanticism architecture

Pinar del Rio is a destination for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. Here, in the western part of the island, there are two unique biosphere reserves - the Guanaacabibes Peninsula and the Sierra del Rosario. The diversity of flora and fauna is amazing: crocodiles and manatees, microscopic bats and frogs. The diving center offers more than 50 dive sites to the fabulous bottom, where wrecks and unique coral reefs are still found. Here is also the Viñales Valley, which is recognized by UNESCO as a cultural landscape of humanity. Tourists will be able to visit the botanical garden, admire the magnificent hilly landscapes and explore the largest karst caves in Latin America.

Flower lovers can visit the Salto de Soro orchid experimental station. This is the second complex in the world in terms of the number of items - more than 4 thousand species.

In 1943, Spanish lawyer Felippe Camacho and his wife, having experienced the loss of their beloved daughter, decided to plant a garden in the village of Soroa. Over time, the territory of 3.5 hectares turned into a whole complex, where a variety of orchids were brought from all over the world - flowers that the lawyer’s wife and late daughter loved so much. Today the garden has thousands of varieties and species of these beautiful flowers and many other rare plants and trees that are not found anywhere else in Cuba. Felippe Camacho bequeathed his garden to the country and now there are daily excursions, lectures and shows there.

In the province of Matanzas, located 80 km east of Havana, you can visit the castle-fortress of San Severino. It now houses the Slavery Museum. In the Del Morrillo Castle, the doors of several museums are open to tourists - history, pharmaceuticals, puppets and costumes, as well as the Antonio Guiteras Holmes Museum - a Cuban revolutionary and politician.

In the mid-80s. last century, many Soviet specialists were sent to work in friendly countries in Africa and Latin America. These were quite long business trips, from two years or more. This is how close friends of our family ended up in Cuba. The young Liberty Island needed experienced workers in various specialties - surveyors and cartographers, among others. Today, such long distances are covered by plane - some 13 hours, and you are in another part of the world. In Soviet times, of course, there were also airplanes, but our workers traveled to Cuba by ship. For these lucky ones, the road to work turned into a long sea cruise and an additional vacation. When they returned 4 years later, the friends talked a lot about life in Cuba. Amazingly beautiful nature, eternal summer, strange fruits - for us, residents of a country where it is winter for half a year, and the coolest fruit is, if not an apple, then a pear, everything was amazing. The black and white photographs that we spent hours looking at, trying to imagine the atmosphere of the island, did not do a good job. Eyewitness stories about life and work on the island and communication with cheerful Cubans helped. One of these stories was particularly memorable. It’s a working day, the receiver is chatting quietly, everyone is sitting at their tables, some are drawing, some are counting - everyone is busy with their own business. Then music comes on the radio and immediately - the volume is full, everyone gets up and starts dancing, while also singing. We danced around the office, went out into the corridor in a round dance, gave a circle there, and returned. The music ended - everyone sat down and continued working. We, of course, have heard before about the southern temperament, openness and sociability, but the moments described by friends seem very funny. Probably, the climate and Cuban rhythms have such an effect on a person - a small carnival every day and no amount of work can interfere with this.

What you can see in Cuba depending on the time of year

The tourist season lasts all year in Cuba. Despite the conditional division of the year into the rainy season and the tropical period, there is no deterioration in the weather that could interfere with your vacation. Therefore, tourists can visit beaches, national and marine parks and nature reserves, as well as historical and architectural monuments at any time of the year.

What to see if your stay is limited

If visiting Cuba is limited to one day, tourists can recommend Havana. Depending on their interests, everyone will choose a suitable pastime for themselves: go to the Tropicana cabaret to drink rum and watch fiery dances of Cuban beauties, take a sightseeing tour with a visit to a rum distillery and a cigar factory, walk through the historical places of Havana or Hemingway's bars.

For a 3-5 day trip, you can go to the provincial resorts of Matanzas. This is a completely independent tourist area. In a short stay here you can relax on the magnificent beaches of Varadero and the island of Juventud, get acquainted with numerous attractions, and visit the Zapata Peninsula Natural Park, where you will be offered excellent fishing and unforgettable diving.

Video: diving in Cuba, Varadero Peninsula

You most likely won’t be able to see everything in a week, but you can have a great rest and get a lot of vivid impressions:

1. It’s definitely worth starting with Havana - a walk around the capital will help you quickly get used to the new reality.
2. Matanzas is located in close proximity to Havana and there is no need to waste time on long journeys, so you can go there after exploring the capital.
3. Varadero is a city in the province of Matanzas. Local beaches and cozy comfortable hotels will leave a lot of impressions, despite the fact that there are practically no other attractions here.
4. Pinar del Rio - for lovers of active recreation. It has everything - unique flora and fauna, unforgettable diving, coral reefs and greenhouses with many rare species of orchids. Being close to Havana will save valuable time.
5. Those who like intensive travel can also visit Trinidad during this time; it is also located relatively close, in the central part of the island. Cathedrals and ancient mansions have preserved the atmosphere of the old city.

Where to go with children

In Cuba, all conditions for recreation with children have been created everywhere. In addition, the locals love children very much, which is probably why many hotels do not charge a child fee.

For holidays with young children, you need to choose sandy beaches with a gently sloping shore. The best in this regard are the coast of Varadero and the island of Cayo Largo. Here children will be able to visit Turtle Island and Iguana Island, as well as meet dolphins at the local dolphinarium.

Isla Juventud is worth visiting with children of any age. A reserve with unique plants and animals, a marine park, caves, a crocodile farm, a children's entertainment center - there will be enough impressions for a long time.

If your goal is to visit as many exotic countries with a warm climate as possible, where you can have a wonderful holiday at any time of the year, we strongly recommend taking note of Cuba - a colorful state with its own culture, always smiling indigenous people, incredible nature and a crazy atmosphere.

Holidays in Cuba

Cuba- the “heart” of the Caribbean Sea - is located on two large islands: the island of the same name, Cuba and Juventud, and on numerous small islands (there are more than one and a half thousand in total), framed by coral reefs.
Cuba is an ideal place for relaxation and solitude. The coasts are literally strewn with small bays and picturesque bays.
The country is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea from the south, the Gulf of Mexico from the north, and the Atlantic Ocean from the northeast.
Analyzing the location of Cuba, we can confidently say: this is an ideal starting point for diversifying your trip. I wanted to and went to the USA (the distance from Cuba to America through the Strait of Florida is only 180 km) or Mexico (210 km straight along the Yucatan Strait).
Not far from Cuba are the famous island of Jamaica (140 km along the Strait of Colon), the island of Haiti (only 77 km along the Windward Strait).
The cost of a holiday in Cuba can hardly be called low, but this factor does not stop Russian tourists from traveling to a country with luxurious beaches, no visa formalities, majestic nature and the characteristic exoticism of the Caribbean islands. The birthplace of revolutions, communism, the legendary Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, about whom the whole world knows.
Most vacationers have above average income. It is difficult to create a tourist portrait of a vacationer - these include elderly couples, young people, families with children, and single men and women.
We associate Cuba with the incredible, simply off-scale patriotism of the local population, the constant, long-term struggle with the United States, and the socialist ideology of the people that has survived to this day. Fifteen years ago, Cuba was literally associated with the then existing USSR, but unlike the latter, today's Cuba has millions of tourists throughout the year, a highly developed hotel business with a decent level of service, a variety of entertainment for visitors, from diving to exotic walks on yachts with visits to picturesque bays.

Moscow-Cuba: how to get to Liberty Island from the Russian capital?

The best option without transfers and paperwork is a direct Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Havana, which takes about 12-13 hours.
Additional options:
- Moscow-Paris-Havana (transit), Air France.
- Moscow-Frankfurt-Havana (Varadero), Condor airline.
- Moscow-Amsterdam-Havana, KLM airline.
Travel time will vary along with transfers and waiting time at transit airports from 16 to 21 hours.
For example, if you go to Havana via Amsterdam, tourists will have to spend the night in Amsterdam due to poor connections of flights arriving from Moscow and departing to Cuba. Therefore, you will have to take care of booking a hotel room in advance.

Transport connections in Cuba

Very poorly developed. There is practically none. The local population prefers to hitchhike around the country. The most common type of public transport is buses, but! This is only for extreme sports enthusiasts! Firstly, there is no driving route (today the driver drives in one direction, tomorrow in another), secondly, there is an absolute non-compliance with the speed limit, which is fraught with high accident rates on the roads, thirdly, there is no comfort to speak of during the trip there is no need at all; fourthly, it will be difficult for a tourist to find even an approximate bus schedule both within the city and over long distances.
If you want to experience happiness and fate at the same time, you can take a risk, of course, but it is best to use the so-called taxis for tourists: good, well-maintained cars, always in working order and, most importantly, modern. You can order a tourist taxi from any hotel or from anywhere, wherever you are. Taxi fares will have to be paid in dollars.
City taxis also operate in cities, where payments are made in the national currency - pesos, but there are few such cab drivers, and their cars leave much to be desired.You can use the services of private taxi drivers - the price tag for travel is affordable, but the driver will not give any guarantees.
While vacationing in the Varadero resort, you can use the services of so-called shuttles: the price is normal, and the level of service is also good. At least you can move around the resort area calmly. In Varadero, travel is organized by tourist buses, which have an unlimited travel ticket - buy a ticket in the morning and ride for the whole day, getting off at one stop and getting on at another.

Car rental in Cuba

There are no difficulties in renting a car. All you need to do is pay the rent and a security deposit. You can find an office of a car rental company in any more or less large city in Cuba, as well as in tourist centers.
When renting a vehicle, you will be required to have a foreign passport, as well as an international driving license. The tenant must be at least 21 years old. The security deposit fee is paid in cash. Its amount will depend entirely on the brand of the vehicle, as well as the rental period, and will be about 200-300 pesos. The make of the car, as well as the year of its manufacture, the quality is different for each agency. It’s difficult to predict here - you may or may not be very lucky. In general, there is no point in booking a rental car in advance - Cubans do not always provide for temporary use exactly the transport that the tourist has reserved in advance.
What can also be a little disappointing is the cost of fuel - you will have to pay about 1.40 pesos for a liter of gasoline.
The variety of colors of license plates on cars is surprising: red - tourist, yellow - private, and blue - state. The police treat motorists driving cars with red license plates condescendingly and do not pay attention to minor offenses at all. However, in Havana, the traffic rules will be the same for everyone: both local residents and tourists.
Traffic in Cuba is on the right, and you will be pleased with the good quality of the road surface literally everywhere. What will definitely surprise you is the lack of road markings and traffic direction signs, populated areas - they are nowhere to be found. Therefore, when traveling around the country on your own, you need to stock up on either maps of the area or simply look for the desired destination yourself.
You should be extremely careful on the roads: there are few cars, but there are a lot of people traveling on bicycles.

Weather in Cuba

Climatic features of Cuba depending on the time of year

Cuba is really hot 365 days a year, with a minimum temperature of +22 degrees Celsius in January. But even it does not feel cool due to the constantly high humidity. Be afraid to fly to Cuba on vacation in the winter It’s not worth it for months - today the air temperature is + 20, and tomorrow it will be + 30 degrees. The average annual temperature ranges from 25 to 27 degrees Celsius with 80% humidity. The hottest month is August, when the temperature does not drop below + 28 degrees. Upon arrival in Cuba, prepare for acclimatization - without this, unfortunately, you can’t get anywhere. The only place where heat in tandem with humidity is easily perceived is the sea coast, blown by oceanic winds. By the way, the wind is an integral component of Liberty Island. Sometimes you get the feeling that wind currents are blowing constantly, without stopping, and certainly in one direction, as indicated even by tree trunks tilted in one direction.
Many people are concerned about the rainy season in Cuba. Precipitation usually begins in June and ends in September. From October until the end of May there is no rain.
We can talk endlessly about a beach holiday in Cuba! Absolutely all beaches are in perfect condition, well-groomed and clean and... free, as they are completely owned by the state. The only exception is areas of the beach area that belong to hotels and are carefully guarded by the hotel's security service, so in these areas you will not meet the local population at all, which increases the level of safety for vacationers many times over. Beach paraphernalia in the form of umbrellas and sun loungers are provided to vacationers free of charge.
One can sing odes to the crystal purity of water, its color and transparency. Visibility up to sixty meters! The water is very warm and comfortable for swimming at any time of the year. At a minimum it can drop to + 23 degrees. The maximum temperature in August reaches + 30 degrees.
Cuba can easily be considered the best place for recreation and entertainment for divers. The beauty of the sea depths is simply amazing. The waters of the Caribbean Sea are home to more than a thousand species of fish and other mammals. The coral reefs alone are worth it - their beauty is difficult to compare with anything else. Schools of dolphins, sea turtles, lobsters, crabs, octopuses - this is just a small part of what lives in the waters of the Caribbean Sea.

About living in Cuba

There is no need to worry about living in Cuba - in all resort areas and major cities there are hotels from well-known European chains; you can mainly find Spanish hotel chains. Hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. If we are talking about resort areas, then all hotels are located on the first coastline, which certainly pleases vacationers. Before arriving on vacation, you should check the voltage in the sockets - in Cuba it is 110 V, so you may have to bring an adapter. However, some hotels have European sockets with the usual voltage of 220 V.

What interesting things can you see in Cuba?

When in Cuba, you should definitely organize an excursion program for yourself. The country is literally “stuffed” with mysterious caves with their own history, national parks, valleys and fabulously beautiful natural landscapes.
If you want to know how tobacco is grown and cigars are made, you should definitely visit the tobacco plantation in the Pinar del Rio region and the tobacco factory in the city of Pinar del Rio.
Nature lovers are advised to go see the waterfall cascading down the Manantiales River, as well as Mount Loma del Fuerte.
You can organize a quiet and secluded holiday, without dozens of prying eyes, in the province of Havana with its many wild beaches and bays.
Since Cuba is made up of hundreds of small and not so small islands, some of them will have to be reached by air. The island of Cayo Largo, where an excursion to the so-called natural national park with hundreds of species of birds, mammals, and wild animals is held, is located at a distance from the mainland of Cuba, so it is impossible to do without a flight. Travel time will take about 30 minutes. And, if you have the opportunity to choose a mini-plane or a helicopter, it is better to choose the second option. Planes like maize planes are, well, very scary, as evidenced by the many reviews from tourists who have chosen this method of air travel. Even those who are absolutely not afraid of flying experienced a real shock from flying on Cuban planes. Therefore, if you are afraid of air travel, then it is better to abandon the idea of ​​flying in Cuba.
In Cuba, you can have a staged wedding or organize a wedding photo shoot or video filming. Some hotels happily agree to host a dream wedding for vacationing tourists, since the beauty of nature allows you to have a chic celebration without pomp and decoration. Both local cameramen and photographers work in Cuba, as well as Russian ones who come specifically to earn money and to collaborate with Russian tourists. Based on the reviews of the same vacationing tourists, we can conclude that hiring Cubans for video and photography is more profitable not so much in terms of money as in the quality of the final work - they do everything at the highest level, while Russian professionals can “cheat.”

Cuban cuisine

For lovers of meat dishes, Cuba will be a real “paradise”! Cuban specialties include chicken and pork. which can be prepared in a wide variety of ways, technologies and methods. You should definitely try "Ahiako" - tender pork with a vegetable side dish and herbs. In general, Creole cuisine has become widespread throughout Cuba. For lovers of exotic dishes, dishes such as turtle eggs, turtle and crocodile meat dishes, as well as spicy lobsters with lemon sauce have been created.
Fruit dishes are an integral part of Cuban cafes and restaurants. The fruits here are varied, always fresh and tasty. Fruit dishes are served with literally every dish ordered. And also coffee... Aromatic, strong, rich and very sweet.
As for alcohol, a tourist should definitely taste Cuban rum, as well as dozens of cocktails based on this alcoholic drink. You can find a good restaurant or a decent cafe in several large cities (in the capital and in Santiago de Cuba), as well as in the resort area. In small towns, the choice of catering establishments comes down to only snack bars and so-called eateries, where they will not offer anything other than fast food.

Shopping in Cuba

Shopping facilities in Cuba
The opening hours of retail chains in Cuba are from nine in the morning to six in the evening, on Saturdays the opening hours are reduced to three in the afternoon. There are retail chains open until eight in the evening. But this is the exception rather than the rule for large cities and smaller towns. As for resort areas, shops there are open much longer, until nine or ten in the evening. At lunchtime, almost all shopping centers close together for a break, which can last several hours.
What currency will you have to pay in Cuba?
When planning a vacation in Cuba, you should take euros with you, not dollars. There are two good reasons for this. The latter were banned for circulation in Cuba at least five years ago (the USA is Cuba’s fierce enemy). But, if you still have dollars at your disposal, we recommend that you immediately exchange them into convertible Cuban pesos upon arrival in Cuba. But! The commission for exchanging dollars for pesos in all banks reaches 20%, and when exchanging euros for pesos, no commission is charged at all. This, in principle, is the second reason why it is advisable to take euros with you on vacation.
The convertible Cuban peso is the same as the regular peso, valid among local residents, but only "tourist". The only difference will be the word "convertible". That's all, basically. Both the first and second options are legally allowed for circulation in Cuba, only native Cubans use regular pesos, and tourists use convertible pesos. Convertible pesos can be used in the tourist area. During the entire vacation period, the tourist may not even see an ordinary peso.
Bank opening hours in Cuba
Banks are open all days of the week except Sunday. Typically the working day starts at half past eight in the morning and ends at three in the afternoon. A lunch break is required from twelve to one in the afternoon. On Saturdays, banks operate on reduced hours - from half past eight to eleven (although they may close earlier).
Payment by plastic cards is common, but they should not be issued by an American bank! The same applies to checks. Any, except those issued by American banking institutions. This is the kind of love they have for the USA.
About tipping
You can and even need to leave a tip, but in moderation. At the hotel, it will be enough for the maid to leave 50-60 euro cents.

What to bring from Cuba

Let's make a list of top-rated purchases, without which a vacation in Cuba would not be a vacation:
- Cuban cigars (yes, yes! Even if none of the family members smoke, it won’t hurt to buy a couple of things as a souvenir);
- Cuban rum (the most delicious traditional drink of the locals, for which Cuba became so famous a hundred years ago);
- paraphernalia of the Cuban revolution: berets, scarves, T-shirts of the legendary Chegevara, souvenir albums with photographs, etc.;
- Guayaberu shirt (worn by country officials when visiting the tropics);
- jewelry made of black coral (spectacular, unusual, beautiful);
- jewelry made from tortoiseshell (original and tasteful);
- Cuban coffee (a very aromatic and incomparable drink).

What does a Russian tourist need to know when going on vacation to Cuba?

The usual precautions and maximum care will not be superfluous in any Latin American country:
- valuables, including money, should be stored only in safes;
- tap water may be contaminated, so it is not recommended to drink it, even when boiled;
- it is best to dine in restaurants that are under the “tutelage” of the state - the likelihood of getting poisoned is minimal;
- in Cuba it is prohibited to photograph industrial facilities, military personnel, and military equipment;
- It is advisable to travel around Cuba only during daylight hours. If you go to another region in a rented car and don’t have time to get back before dark, it’s best to spend the night in the locality where you were. At night, both individual criminals and those acting in groups with the aim of robbery become more active.

While in Cuba you can organize a complete and unforgettable vacation. The flat-mountainous terrain, many bays and bays offer almost limitless possibilities. Today you bask on a snow-white sandy beach, tomorrow you explore the beauty of Liberty Island from a bird's eye view, the day after tomorrow you engage in diving or other extreme sports.

The capital of Cuba and at the same time the resort Havana is especially rich in historical sights. The historical center of the city - Old Havana, dates back to 1515. Ancient fortresses, forts and a lighthouse have been preserved here, and the complete list of historical monuments of Old Havana includes over 900 items.

Unique historical sights of Cuba have been preserved in other ancient cities of the island: Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara, Matanzas, which is called the “Cuban Venice”, thanks to the numerous bridges over the San Juan and Yumuri rivers, Cienfuegos, called the Cuban architectural landmark for its beauty treasure of the 19th century, Trinidad - an open-air museum city.

The real legend of the country is the island of Juventud, the second largest after the island of Cuba itself, known in early times as the island of Parrots and which served as a haven for world-famous filibusters: Francis Drake, John Hawkins, Thomas Baskerville and Henry Morgan. It was this island that became the prototype in the novel “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Numerous resorts in Cuba have been able to preserve their natural attractions, attracting tourists from all over the world. The coastline of the island is rich in beautiful and natural beaches, turquoise sea waters and many quiet and comfortable bays create ideal conditions for a beach holiday in Cuba. The tropical nature of the island decorates it all with exotic vegetation, creating a real paradise for vacationers.

Sights of cities in Cuba

Cuba is an island located in the Caribbean known for its colorful culture, idyllic beaches and lush forests. A significant part of the country’s territory, or rather 67,592 square kilometers, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its beauty and historical significance. Fine THERE We have compiled a list that includes the most beautiful places in Cuba.

1 Old Havana

Old Havana, or Havana Vieja, boasts UNESCO World Heritage status because the city is home to the best preserved historical sites in Cuba. So much so that it seems that time has stopped here. Stroll the cobblestone streets and you're sure to find great examples of baroque and neoclassical architecture, such as the Cuban Baroque Cathedral of San Cristobal, as well as historical sites such as Bodeguita del Medio- This is an old bar where Hemingway used to spend his time. Don't miss the military fortress Castillo de Real Fuerza or Plaza Vieja- a beautiful city square, which is a great place to enjoy a delicious mojito.

Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba

2 Trinidad

In terms of the number of well-preserved historical sites, Trinidad is second only to Havana. Since 1988, the city's impressive number of colorful Spanish colonial buildings have been included in the UNESCO list. Be sure to visit nearby Playa Ancon Beach on the south coast and dine at the rooftop restaurant any time of day for stunning views. Old city Trinidad is open to foot and horse traffic only, so tourists are free to wander through the street markets and admire the colorful houses from the narrow cobbled roads.

Trinidad, Cuba

3 Baracoa

Baracoa-a little-known piece of paradise in Cuba. It is the oldest city in the country, founded in 1511. Unlike popular tourist resorts, this town has a quiet black sand beach, clear streams, beautiful waterfalls for swimming and exploring, and lush forests for walking. Many travelers come here to hike Mount Yunke, famous for its flat top, which sits at an altitude of 589 meters and offers incredible views of the sea. The path to the top of the mountain is not easy, but for the breathtaking views, it is worth going through. When you return to the city, we recommend trying the freshest mangoes and papaya that grow in the area.

Baracoa, Cuba

4 Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos- a city with a clear European style, full of grandiose architecture. This city, often called the Paris of Cuba, has French influences in both customs and style. Stroll through the city to the beautiful Jagua Bay and visit the art gallery in Plaza de Armas. Interesting objects scattered throughout the city are the complex, colorful mansions that you will surely come across more than once.

Cienfuegos, Cuba

5 Playa Paraiso

Playa Paraiso, or Paradise Beach, is an idyllic Cuban beach that looks like it was cut out of a magazine cover. Located on the island of Largo del Sur, the beach has soft white sand, stunning blue water and a great climate perfect for a beach holiday. If you want something more than relaxation and relaxation, then Paradise Beach is not for you, but if enjoying crystal clear water, clear skies and bright sunshine is enough for you, then welcome!

Playa Paraiso beach, Largo del Sur, Cuba

6 Zapata Peninsula

Wildlife enthusiasts should visit this remote area of ​​Cuba to see some of the peninsula's most spectacular natural beauty. Most of the peninsula is the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, which is one of the largest wetland areas in the Caribbean. The park is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve, home to about 150 species of birds, including rare bandicoots, peanuts, parrots and others. Crocodiles roam the swamps throughout the peninsula, but animal lovers can safely spot them nearby at the crocodile farm Criadero de Cocodrilos.

Zapata Peninsula, Cuba

7 Vinales Valley

The valley is located in the Sierra de Los Organos mountain range. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features tiny towns, towering limestone cliffs, straight pine trees and traditional tobacco farms. There are several ways to explore the valley and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, including cycling, hiking or horse riding. The largest cigar factories in the country source tobacco grown in the Viñales Valley, an area that epitomizes Cuban life.

Vinales Valley, Cuba

8 Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco is a stunning beach famous for being featured in two of Hemingway's novels, Islands in the Ocean and The Old Man and the Sea. The beach is connected to mainland Cuba by a bridge, but you can also reach the Jardines del Rey archipelago by air. Snow-white sand surrounded by a cloudless sky, plenty of sunshine and warm turquoise water are truly inspiring. Visit El Baga National Park to see crocodiles, turtles and flamingos.

Cayo Coco, Cuba

9 Malecon

This famous promenade is one of Havana's most popular areas and an important destination for anyone traveling in Cuba. The idea was conceived in 1901, and the Malecon was partially built in 1902. The 7 kilometer promenade is the place to stroll along the sea and view the well-preserved mixture of different styles of 20th century buildings in beautiful pastel colors. There's always something to do on the Malecon. Chat with the musicians and dancers at night or just watch the people relaxing by the sea during the day.

Malecon, Havana, Cuba

10 Alexander Humboldt National Park

Alexander Humboldt National Park is one of the most biologically diverse tropical island destinations on earth, located on the northern coast of eastern Cuba. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to an incredible amount of diverse plant and animal life. The forested mountainous area offers guided hikes and hikes on dirt roads, and as you stroll, you'll see an abundance of colorful birds, majestic waterfalls, and abundant greenery.

Alexander Humboldt National Park, Cuba

It is advisable to visit Cuba in November-April, but the cost of tours during these months increases by 30-40%. You can save money by flying to Cuba in May-October, when it is humid and hot. It is better to swim in winter (the water warms up to +24-25˚C), windsurfing in the rainy season, and diving all year round.

Liberty Island deserves attention during the Fiesta del Fuego (July), the Havana Cigar Tobacco Festival (February), the Caribbean Culture Festival (June/July), and the International Havana Ballet Festival (October).

Inside the 6-story Capitol there is a sculptural female image of Cuba (the role of the model was played by one of the residents of the Cuban capital, Lili Valti), conferences are held in its halls, and the bronze doors are decorated with reliefs depicting scenes from Cuban history. The Capitol is also equipped with a library, the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, a historical museum, a 92-meter dome, which is topped with a replica sculpture of the statue of Mercury (decorating the Florentine Bargello Palace), the zero kilometer mark (previously it was decorated with a diamond, and today it is kept in the Central Bank Cubes, and in its place is now a piece of glass). There are landscaped gardens around the building where you can come and relax.

Havana Cathedral

The location of the Cathedral (colonial baroque) is Plaza de la Ciénaga. Its walls are decorated with copies of paintings by Murillo and Rubens, as well as original works by the artist Baptiste Veremey. In addition, one wall of the cathedral is decorated with a sculpture of the crucified Christ.

Anyone can freely visit the cathedral on weekdays before 11 a.m. or after 2:30 p.m.

The 18th century fortified buildings of La Cabaña are located in the harbor of Havana, and from here it is convenient to take panoramic photographs of the old city (to become the owner of the most beautiful pictures, it is better to take them at sunset). The complex's equipment includes restaurants, cafe-bars, souvenir shops, a museum of old weapons, and a museum-commandant's office with Che Guevara's household items stored there. And next to the fortress walls, everyone will be able to see the 18-meter statue of the Havana Christ.

You should definitely attend the cannon evening ceremony: guardsmen, dressed in ceremonial uniforms of the 18th century, march to the cannon, which fires at 21:00.

Villa Dupont

Villa Dupont is located on the coastal cliffs at the tip of the Hicacos Peninsula. Once upon a time, this four-story villa with 11 bedrooms, 7 balconies, 3 terraces, a private dock, a garage for 7 cars, gardens with avocados, papayas and coconut palms, belonged to multimillionaire Irene Dupont de Nemours, where, on his orders, even an elevator was installed. But after the nationalization of the mansion (1959), first a school was opened within its walls, and then a restaurant, which is still operating today (it serves international cuisine) along with a mini-hotel with 6 rooms, wine cellars and a panoramic bar.

The villa also attracts golf lovers, since every year it becomes the venue for international competitions (there is an 18-hole golf course on the territory).

Vinales Valley

The fame of the valley, located 30 km from, was brought by mogote (these are steep cliffs with flat tops, 160 million years old; their maximum height is 400 m), the Casa de Caridad botanical garden, the Museo Municipal museum, caves (Santo Tomas, Jose- Miguel, Cave of the Indian).

In the valley (you can travel through it on a tour bus that runs 9 times a day), you can meet the small Cuban finch, the bee hummingbird, the Cuban tody, and also enjoy rock climbing and hiking.

The Hemingway House Museum is a landmark in the Havana suburb of San Francisco de Paula. By resorting to the services of travel agencies, you can go on an excursion “to the places of Hemingway”, which involves not only visiting the writer’s house (guests will see shelves with books, photographs, badges, gear, guns and other personal belongings of the writer, and in the garden - the boat “Pilar”, where Hemingway went fishing, lived and wrote great works), but also the fishing villages of Cojimar. In addition, everyone will have a walk to the Ambos Mundos Hotel (Hemingway lived there before he bought his house) and the Bodeguita del Medio bar-restaurant (one of the writer’s favorite places).

Colon Cemetery

At the Colon Cemetery in Havana, you can see more than 500 sculpted tombstones and monuments (in addition to white marble sculptures, there are Egyptian pyramids and spherical structures in the Art Nouveau style), in particular, a memorial in honor of firefighters, 23 m high (they died while putting out a fire in May 1890). More than 800,000 people are buried here, in particular, musician Ibrahim Ferrer, composer Hubert de Blanc, poet Juan Chabas, Cuban President Jose Miguel Gomez, pianist Ruben Gonzalez, photographer Alberto Korda, ethnographer Fernando Ortiz. The grave of the girl Milagros (she died during childbirth and is considered the patroness of mothers) deserves special attention. During the excursion they will tell you what ritual needs to be performed in order for the requests made at her grave to be fulfilled.

Memorial to José Martí

Jose Marti is a national hero of Cuba, and a monument in his honor is erected in the capital of this country. The memorial complex includes a 109-meter tower (shaped like a five-pointed star), an 18-meter statue of Marti surrounded by 6 columns, the Marti Museum (the exhibition of several rooms is presented with photographs, documents, letters and personal belongings of Marti, and there you can also see Venetian ceramics, which reflects 89 of his sayings from letters covered with gilding) and gardens. Tourists are allowed to climb up to the memorial to admire panoramic views of Havana, particularly the Vedado area, from the glassed-in viewing platform.

Malecon promenade

The Malecon is both Havana's waterfront, a 7-kilometer promenade running through 14 city blocks, and a fishing ground for the poorest Havanese, as well as the February Carnival and Sunday performances of Cuban bands. You can visit the Miramar Hotel, colonial buildings, an 18th century watchtower, a house with caryatids, the Gomez monument, the Maceo monument... It is best to come to the Malecon at sunset.

In Baconao National Park you can visit and explore:

• bohio (peasant huts with thatched roofs);
• a prehistoric dinosaur park on an area of ​​more than 11 hectares (visitors will see over 200 life-size prehistoric animals created from concrete and plaster, as well as Cro-Magnon figures);
• ruins of ancient coffee plantations (the guide will tell you about the cultivation and drying of coffee in ancient times);
• an aquarium (where guests are shown a show of seals and dolphins, and are invited to pay attention to a 30-meter underwater tunnel, walking along which they will be able to better see the marine life);
• Museum of Land Transport (2,500 miniature cars and retro cars are exhibited here).

Salto del Guayabo waterfall

The Salto del Guayabo waterfall is located at a height of 546 meters in the Sierra de Nipe mountains. its water flow is divided into 2 cascades, which flow down the slopes from a height of 85 m and 127 m. Those who go down to the dam will be able to stand under the waterfall jets or swim in the crystal clear water. At the waterfall you can see ferns (36 species), orchids (33 varieties), various trees, the height of which is 15-20 m, as well as meet the tokororo bird and spend time in an area with a pleasant microclimate.

The La Fuerza fortress is located in the west of Havana harbor. Until 2010, the Museum of Cuban Ceramics was opened here, and now the Maritime Museum, where everyone can see numerous ships, as well as a 4-meter copy of the Santisima-Trinidad ship (it is equipped with interactive touchscreens). Those who wish will go down into the hold of this ship in order to examine navigational instruments and finds that were raised from the seabed.

A visit to La Fuerza will cost 2 Cuban pesos (opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 5 pm).

Belyamar Cave

The Bellamar Cave is 3 km away from Motanzas. Its fame was brought to it by the crystalline formations of stalagmites and stalactites, several tens of thousands of years old. It was opened for paid visits in 1862, when a descent into the cave was installed (a staircase with 159 steps leads down) and several grottoes were equipped with a lighting system. The underground galleries stretch for 23 km, but not all of them are open to tourists. Here you will be able to see the Gothic Hall (the width of the grotto is 25 m and the length is 80 m), a stream with clear and cool water, and the “Columbus Cloak” stalactite, 12 m high.

Fortress of San Pedro de la Roca

The fortress of San Pedro de la Roca “protected” the city from pirate attacks (it was equipped with a large warehouse for supplies, 4 levels of terraces, 3 covering ramparts for artillery). In 1775, prisons were opened in the fortress (the most famous are “La Estrella” and “La Roca”). Today there is a museum of the history of piracy, and next to it is a restaurant serving Cuban cuisine. And in the evenings, tourists are entertained with cannon shooting (carried out by guards).

The fortress is open to the public every day from 10 am to 9 pm (tickets cost 4 Cuban pesos).

The Bacunayagua Bridge was built to shorten the route from Havana to Matanzas. The bridge, 314 m long and 103 m high, is supported by 41 columns. Nearby, travelers will find an observation deck where they head for the opportunity to admire the mangrove swamps (they are a refuge for 74 species of birds, 8 species of amphibians and 16 species of reptiles), green hills, the Yumur Valley, as well as satisfy their hunger at the Mirador cafe and enjoy Cuban music, performed by a traditional ensemble.

It is best to rent a car to drive across the bridge and appreciate its delights (from Matanzas you need to take the Via Blanca highway).