The first thing a tourist is interested in is where Cuba is located on the world map, are the tours expensive and what are the prices for hotels. A little expensive, of course, but only due to the fact that Cuba is too far from us, and otherwise the prices on the island itself are not so high, but the beaches and rest compensate for everything
Cuba libre, or Liberty Island. White sand sunny beaches, endless ocean expanses, vibrant nature, unique architecture, rum and cigars - all this and a little more to tell Good THERE about Cuba.
General information about Cuba
Where is Cuba
The free Republic of Cuba is located not far from the shores of the northern and South American continents, separated from them by the waters of the Florida Strait. The state occupies the islands of Cuba, Juventud and about 1600 smaller islands with a total area of 110,860 km².
The southern coast of the country's main island faces the waters Caribbean and the northwestern and northeastern beaches are washed by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cuba on world map
Population
According to the Population Division under the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the population of the republic in 2017 is 11.4 million people.
Currency
National currency - Cuban peso CUP, CUC. At the rate of 1 peso = 1 US dollar.
Useful phone numbers
- Telephone country code: 53;
- Telephone code for Havana: 7;
- Call from Cuba: 119 - your country code - area code - phone number.
- Call to Cuba: 8 - international call code - Cuba code - area code - phone number.
- Embassy of the Russian Federation: (+53 7) 204-10-85;
- Consulate of the Russian Federation: (+53 2) 268 61 46.
Emergency services (Havana):
- Police: 116;
- Honey. help: 40-50-93;
- Firefighters: 78-85-41.
On the territory of the country:
- Nat. police: 82-01-16;
- Firefighters: 81-11-15;
- Honey. help: 24-28-11.
Payment and exchange in Cuba
In tourist areas, convertible pesos are in circulation. Because of the warm relationship between the island communist state and the Empire of Good, which is jealous from the other end of the Florida Strait, it is better not to fly with the evergreen presidents on vacation. When exchanging American dollars, you can be charged a commission of 10 to 20%. Therefore, experienced tourists recommend coming here with Euros. Interestingly, the non-convertible Cuban peso (CUP) is almost impossible for a tourist to find.
If it is more convenient for you to use Visa / MasterCard, please note that:
- Visa is accepted in more places than Mastercard;
- When visiting small shops or cafes, it is better to have cash with you, as there may not be a payment terminal;
- Card transactions are taxed at 11.24%.
Tourist memo
Your stay in Cuba should be as colorful as possible, you may need to add color to your daily wardrobe. You have every chance of becoming a Cuban cigar fan after visiting their homeland, but smoking in public is prohibited.
If you encounter a cow on your way to the beach or during your excursion, be extremely careful. This animal is sacred to Cubans, and the death of a cow in your presence can lead you to unpleasant conversations with representatives of the local police.
It is also important for a tourist to know what to photograph government agencies, military equipment, soldiers, policemen are prohibited. In addition, before taking a photo of a Cuban, you should definitely ask him for permission.
What are they like, the Cuban people
Cuba is a multinational and multicultural country, where the blood and traditions of the peoples of Africa, Spain, Italy, Britain, Germany, Cuban and American Indian tribes, immigrants from China, France, as well as Jews resettled during the First and Second World Wars have mixed.
Local, friendly people. Do not rush to refuse an offer to play dominoes or share a meal. Do not be surprised if someone asks for a drink at a cafe at your expense. And if the hotel or hostel staff ask you to leave personal hygiene products (razors, shaving foam, etc.), remember that this is due to high cost and the inaccessibility of the latter for poor citizens.
Security on Cuban soil
The people in the communist republic are benevolent but poor. Better not to show cash and expensive accessories. Watch your belongings so as not to become a victim of petty scammers and pickpockets. Walking in poor areas at night is not recommended due to the high probability of being attacked.
Climate in Cuba, when is the best time to go
The most favorable time for rest is from November to April.
Windsurfing enthusiasts will love the summer when the most big waves... The reign of hurricanes between October and November can darken the rest, but in fact, you can plan a vacation in Cuba at any time of the year.
Thanks to the small area, you can get around Cuba in a few weeks of rest. So that you don't miss anything important, our site has prepared for you a list of cities and resorts that you must visit.
Capital Havana Is a city of opposites. Here, modern skyscrapers stand side by side with colonial pre-revolutionary mansions in which ordinary people live. The city is full architectural monuments, and interesting places. Havana dazzles with white beaches, treats with exquisite cuisine and lures with the sounds of salsa. El Floridita bar, one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite places, is worth a special attention. If you're not curious about the bar, visit the writer's house and then head to the Roma Museum. For those who are not tired of daytime excursions, it is important to know that closer to night the city turns into one big disco filled with unbridled energy. It's time to visit the Tropicana cabaret show, which has been famous all over the world since 1939.
Santa clara
Santa clara a memorable place for the Cuban revolution, where the commander Che Guevara derailed the armored train of the dictator Batista. The wreckage of that very train remains at the crash site to this day, they are the pride and attraction for the inhabitants of the country. In addition, a mausoleum named after Ernesto Che Guevara has been erected here, and if you are an American citizen, then you may not be allowed into it.
Santiago de Cuba
Home of street culture - Santiago de Cuba... Music on the streets of the town sounds on every corner. This place is rightfully considered the cradle of Cuban melodies and rum, because Don Facundo Bacardi was born here.
Trinidad
If you are interested in seeing the island as it was in the 18th century, then the city Trinidad- the best place for this. The authentic setting of this place is amazing. Cobblestone roads, colonial-style houses, sugar plantations, and slave houses that are still echoes of bygone times.
Matanzas
Matanzas the capital of the province of the same name is known a large number bridges, for which it was nicknamed "Cuban Venice". Interesting to visit is the province of Pinar del Rio, where you can visit tobacco plantations and admire the views of the Viñales Valley, which received the title of "Cultural Landscape of Humanity" in 1999.
Cuban resorts
Varadero
Varadero- the oldest of the resorts, a popular and truly heavenly place with turquoise ocean waters and white beaches. The resort can be called a classic holiday in Russian, everything is always included here. 24-hour bars, buffet in a restaurant with cuisines from all over the world.
Holguin
Holguin- elite resort business VIP class. The hotels are mostly five-star. They visit this place for the sake of luxury, tranquility and sophistication.
Guardavalaka
Guardavalaka, one of best resorts for diving, famous for its coral reef. Esmeralda - place emerald beaches... For fans of original parties, it will be interesting to be at the cave disco of Cayo Coco Island.
Juventud
Juventud, known as the Island of Youth (located 100 km from the island of Cuba) is interesting for its nature reserves... It is said that RL Stevenson described the image of "Treasure Island" precisely from the landscapes of Juventud.
Cayo Largo
Speaking of pirates, it's hard not to mention La Yana - this is an ancient tree located on the island Cayo Largo... According to legend, it served as a reference point for the pirates of the Caribbean when they buried their stolen gold.
These are just a few of the places that you can visit during your stay in this country. Even if you come to Cuba several times a year for several years, this country will always find something to surprise and entice you.
Entertainment and recreation on Liberty Island
The very thing for which thousands of tourists come to rest every year is diving. Underwater world interesting not only for its beautiful coral reefs, but also for the many shipwrecks off the coast. Windsurfers can catch the waves at sandy shores, those who do not want (or do not know how to swim) dive in a submarine into the arms of the ocean.
The main monuments of Cuban architecture are concentrated in several of the most famous cities among tourists. In the capital of Cuba, Havana, you can see many cathedrals, including Cathedral St. Christopher. And you better not brag that you have been to Cuba without visiting the Armory, Cathedral and Old square the capital of the state.
Memorial to Che Guevara in Santa Clara, cigar factory " Francisco Donatien»In Pinar del Rio, Mantanas rock carvings caves. Juventud Island Prison Presidio Modelo", Which is a copy of the former place of detention of F. Castro, prison" Joliet"(State of Illinois). Natural landscapes and National parks more than make up for a small number of architectural landmarks, many natural areas Cuba is under the protection of UNESCO.
Coming to rest from July 15 to August 15, be sure to visit the carnivals that take place in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, as these are unforgettable colorful events full of dance music and colorful outfits. And those who like to smoke will be interested in knowing about the international Cuban cigar festival taking place at the end of February.
And where are we without shopping, because you need to buy something like that, truly Cuban - cigars, rum and coffee. Black corals and products from them are popular among tourists. V shopping centers Havana or Casa del Habano chain stores will not deceive you and will sell goods of the proper quality.
National Cuban cuisine
Creole cuisine prevails in Cuba. The main national dishes are made from pork and chicken. Meat is prepared by many different ways... Among the dishes nat. cuisine - "Creole ajiaco" - one of the main. It is prepared from pork and vegetables with the addition of a good portion of spices. Also you should try:
- lobster with lemon;
- crocodile meat;
- turtle meat and eggs.
Fresh fruit cuts are often served with each meal. Delicious and strong coffee is brewed. The main national drink is rum, which is included in almost all local cocktails.
Most restaurants are concentrated in resort and tourist areas; it is recommended to visit them with cash. The cost of a meal for one person in a good establishment ranges from 30 to 40 pesos, simpler establishments will cost no more than 15 pesos, and in the eatery you will leave a maximum of 5 Cuban coins. Tipping is 10% of the check amount and it is better to give it to the waiters. And if you decide to eat at a bar, you are unlikely to succeed. You have to drink in colorful Cuban bars, and from food you will get the most nuts, well, or chips.
Cuban hotels
The most common hotels in Cuba are 4-star hotels, although for those who do not really plan to stay within four walls, there is a sufficient number of 2 and 3-star hotels. But for lovers of luxury there is not much to choose from, there are literally only a few 5-star hotels. Most of the hotels on the island of freedom represent well-known world networks that work according to the system " all inclusive". Check-in at a hotel in Cuba takes place at 15:00, check-out is registered at 12:00. Sly Cubans leave themselves three hours to clean the room before the arrival of the next guests, so you can safely make a claim if you find unwanted traces of previous guests.
How to get to Cuba
For a convenient and comfortable flight to Cuba, Ok THERE recommends using the services of Aeroflot, which organizes regular, direct flights from Moscow to Havana. If the residents of Russia will fly non-stop, then the citizens of the CIS countries are advised to fly through Moscow, or through Europe by appropriate flights.
A direct flight from Moscow lasts about 12 hours, a flight with transfers through Europe from 16 to 20 hours. Ticket prices start at 55,000 rubles per adult. It can be cheaper through registration of a voucher. So with accommodation in a three-star hotel for 7 days and nights, the cost of the voucher is on average 60,000 rubles.
Pros and cons of vacationing on a Cuban island
No matter how heavenly Cuba seems to you, Okay THERE recommends paying attention to negative sides rest in this beautiful country:
- the sun is much more intense and brighter than the residents of the CIS countries and Russia are used to, in order to avoid sunburn stock up on sunscreen;
- evening beach vacation small insects can spoil; protective sprays and creams must be carried with you;
- do not drink raw water, and ask for alcoholic drinks chilled without ice, since there are many bacteria harmful to the unaccustomed tourist in Cuban water;
- beware of marine life: moray eels, sea snakes and hedgehogs and "Portuguese ships";
- remember about the poverty of the population, which can provoke in some individuals the desire to rob you, if you openly demonstrate your valuables and cash.
All these are just warnings, because it is better to prepare in advance so that your vacation is not overshadowed by anything, and you can enjoy positive sides trips:
- feel the atmosphere of freedom;
- enjoy the white beaches;
- soak up the cultural spirit of Cuba by attending festivals and carnivals;
- admire the beauty of Cuban nature;
- taste cigars and rum in their homeland;
- plunge into the depths of the ocean to explore its treasures;
- meet and chat with new people.
The video will complement our article
Video - Interesting Facts about Cuba
In Cuba, everyone will find something interesting for themselves. Expand your boundaries, the world is not in our apartments and telephones. Travel, feel, learn new things. Good THERE wishes you a pleasant stay on Liberty Island.
A tropical climate, warm weather all year round, and warm water even in winter - this is just a small list of what attracts tourists to Cuba. The flight from Moscow to Liberty Island takes about thirteen hours, and you do not need to apply for a visa if you are planning a tourist trip for up to thirty days.
But what should definitely be taken care of before traveling to Cuba is cellular communication. Firstly, communication on the island is quite an expensive pleasure, and secondly, foreigners cannot purchase local SIM cards, but only rent them.
Considering the tariff policy of the only local state-owned telecom operator, the ideal option is to use international roaming on your cell phone. Today we will tell you all about the tariffs for using Russian SIM cards in roaming in Cuba, and which SIM card is better to take on a long journey.
How much will it cost
Even “Zabugorishche” will not help to say “Roaming, goodbye” in Cuba, and to save money in this country, operators have separate options. Standard tariffs for using communication while traveling are high, the most expensive is for MegaFon, slightly cheaper for MTS and Beeline, and the most profitable for Tele2.
If you have the opportunity to use the Tele2 number in Cuba, then this will be the best option, because even without additional options, services at the most favorable price.
However, they can be made even more accessible by using additional options. So, for five rubles a day it will be possible to reduce the cost of an incoming minute to five rubles. To do this, it is enough to activate “Conversations without Borders”.
To use data transmission in Cuba, Tele2 has the option “Internet abroad” with a package of ten megabytes for three hundred rubles. After using the included volume, the tariff will be thirty rubles per megabyte.
But if you need to use the number of the “big three” operator in Cuba, and the option with Tele2 is not considered, then you will need to pay more. So, Beeline does not offer any optimizing options for the Island of Liberty.
Roaming from MTS and MegaFon in Cuba allows you to choose additional options for your trip for your tariff. You can reduce the cost both for calls (available only on a megaphone number), and for SMS and Internet (available only from MTS).
Voice communication in Cuba with MegaFon can be cheaper both for incoming calls and for receiving and making calls. For 99 rubles per day, you can get forty free minutes for incoming calls with the "Whole World" service, after which the standard tariff will be applied.
If it is necessary not only to receive, but also to make calls, then you will need to connect package minutes. You can choose one of the service options for roaming in Cuba - 25 or 50 minutes. Minutes will be available for thirty days, and you can order several at the same time. The cost of the packages is 829 and 1429 rubles. Thus, the cost per minute will drop to 28-33 rubles.
To save on sending SMS, the two largest operators offer almost identical options. The only difference is in cost, which is five rubles lower on MegaFon.
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Connected packages will be available for use for thirty days from connection.
Name especially favorable conditions It is difficult to use the MTS Internet options to save money in Cuba, but if they are offered by the operator, then this is in demand among users. There are two options for the "BIT Abroad" service. A package for five megabytes per day will cost 1300 rubles with the “BIT” option, and ten megabytes with the “Maxi BIT” option at 2400 rubles.
Alternatives
Despite the fact that operators' tariffs seem to be high, the only alternative is to use a local SIM card, which will not cost much less.
So, a local SIM card can be rented for three dollars a day, and a call to Russia will cost an average of 120-140 rubles per minute from Liberty Island, depending on the current exchange rate. You will not be able to use the Internet on it, since GPRS is available only on foreign SIM cards.
But there is an alternative to the Internet from your cell phone, and you can use the time-based payment at your hotel. On average, an hour will cost eight US dollars. You can not use it right away, but stretch it even for the whole vacation.
However, it must be remembered that not only mobile, but also wired Internet in Cuba is not high-speed. Therefore, be patient when using data transfer.
When you go on vacation to Liberty Island, also do not forget to purchase a charger adapter. Here, plugs of the American standard are used, and the mains voltage is half that of the Russian one.
Telephone booths in Cuba are used for local calls only. To make international calls, you can use the phone at the hotel or mobile phone... A call from a mobile will cost quite a lot, about $ 3 per minute, so it is more profitable to buy a local SIM card or choose a tourist SIM card in Russia.
Cellular coverage in Cuba is not continuous.
Prices are in rubles
Internet in Cuba quite common, but outside resort areas it is rare.
Cuba dialing code: 53
Havana area code: 7
Santiago de Cuba area code: 22
How to call from Cuba to Russia
- City, mobile: 119 - 7 (Russia code) - your city code - phone number
Example: 119-7-495-1234 567
How to call Cuba from Russia
- Urban: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 53 (Cuban code) - area code in Cuba (7) - phone number
- Mobile: + 53 - area code - phone number
Example: 8-10-53-7-1234 567 or + 53-7-1234 567
Useful numbers in Cuba
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Cuba
The address: Republic of Cuba, Havana, Miramar, 5 avenida, No. 6402, between 62 and 66 streets
Embajada de la Federacion de Rusia, 5-a Avenida, N 6402, entre 62 y 66, Miramar, La Habana
Telephone: (+53 7) 204-10-85
http://www.cuba.mid.ru/
Working hours:
Mon - Thu 08: 00-12: 30 and 15: 00-18: 00
Fri 08: 00-13: 00
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Cuba
The address:
Consulado General de la Federacion de Rusia, Calle 4, esq. 7, N 202, Vista Alegre, Santiago de Cuba
Telephone:(+53 2) 268 61 46
