Cuba
Elegant as an orchid flower, Cuba is one of the largest islands in the world. It is washed by the Caribbean Sea in the south, the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast and the Gulf of Mexico in the northwest. The official language is Spanish, English is used in resort areas. The official currency is the Cuban convertible peso. It is better to take euros with you – exchanged without commission for local currency, when exchanging dollars, a 10% commission is charged.
Seasonality of rest:
The dry season in Cuba is from mid-November to mid-April. The coldest month is January, with an air temperature of about +23 degrees. The sea temperature is about 27-28 degrees all year round. The rainy season in Cuba begins in May and lasts until October. According to statistics, only 8 days in a month it rains heavily, and the daytime temperature is 30-32 degrees. However, in the period from September to November, we still do not recommend resting, because there is a possibility of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Visa requirements:
You must apply for a visa (tourist card) in advance at the Cuban embassy. The processing time is 7-8 days. The cost is 30 dollars. Required documents: international passport (must be valid for the duration of the trip); questionnaire filled in English; internal passport; insurance; airline tickets; voucher; 2 color photos 3.5 * 4.5.
Etiquette and peculiarities of the country:
Remember to keep valuables in the hotel safe. Never drink tap water, use bottled water even for brushing your teeth. It is strictly forbidden to sunbathe “topless” on the beaches. We do not recommend appearing in the area of “Old Havana” after 22.00.
National cuisine:
It is worth trying chicken with rice – “Arosa con pollo”, stuffed stewed meat “Bolich”, as well as pork with stewed vegetables “Ropa Vella”. The face of Cuban cuisine is considered to be ahiako criollo (a thick soup or vegetable stew with meat). The traditional festive dish here is “Lechon Asado” – roasted whole suckling pig. The national drink is Cuban rum. Enjoy the true taste of Mojito, Cuba Libre, Mulatto, and Daiquiri cocktails with the addition of Cuban rum.
Interesting places to visit:
You should definitely go on a tour of Havana. Walk along the Malecon promenade, where there are 5 km of casinos, hotels, restaurants and cafes dating back to 1902. Go to the open-air city-museum – Trinidad, where every house and street is listed by UNESCO. For lovers of flora and fauna, you can walk through the Los Indios Nature Reserve.
What to bring:
Cuban rum and cigars. The most famous brand of rum is Havana club. Coffee – “Arabica serano washed” and “Turquino cibito”. Exotic fruits are mango and guava. For men, buy a shirt to match the headdress – sombrero.
