DISCOVER CUBA
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba is a unitary sovereign state comprising the island of Cuba as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Havana is the largest city and capital; other major cities include Santiago de Cuba and Camagüey. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, with an area of 109,884 square kilometres (42,426 sq mi), and the second-most populous after Hispaniola, with over 11 million inhabitants.
Culturally, Cuba is considered part of Latin America. It is a multi-ethnic country whose people, culture and customs derive from diverse origins, including the aboriginal Taíno and Ciboney peoples; Spanish colonialism in the late 15th century introduced both Spaniards as well as African slaves.
Cuba is a developing country with a planned economy that is dominated by the exports of sugar, tobacco, coffee and skilled labor. It ranks highly in some metrics of national performance, including health care, education and tourism.
The Cuban state claims to adhere to socialist principles in organizing its largely state-controlled planned economy. Most means of production are owned and run by the government and most of the labor force is employed by the state. Recently there has been a trend toward more private sector employment. By 2006, public sector employment was 78% and private sector 22%, compared to 91.8% to 8.2% in 1981. Businesses wishing to hire a Cuban must pay the Cuban government, which in turn will pay the employee in Cuban pesos. The average monthly wage as of July 2013 is 466 Cuban pesos, which are worth about US$19.
Cuban Cuisine
You will be delighted with the options when it comes to Cuban cuisine; every meal from the 5 star restaurants to the quaint local restaurants and street vendors is both fresh and delicious.
Cuban cuisine is a blend of Native American Taino food, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines. Some Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish and African cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor. This results in a unique, interesting and flavorful blend of the several different cultural influences, with strong similarities with the cuisine of the neighboring Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
You will find a small Chinese influence exists as well, mainly in the Havana area.
During colonial times Cuba was an important port for trade and many Spaniards who lived there brought their culinary traditions along with them.
Regardless of the type of cuisine that interests you; you will be delighted with the freshest ingredients, the friendly service and some of the most unique dining establishments in the world.
Explore Cuba
There is so much to see and do in Cuba.
Cuba is well known for it's wonderful people, food, art, scenery, cigars, weather, as well as:
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Ecotourism
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Sailing
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Touring
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Diving & Snorkeling
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Health travel
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Conferences & Events
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Fishing and Hunting
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Festivals
Make sure to include travel to some or all of these wonderful locations in Cuba:
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Havana
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Santiago de Cuba
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Varadero
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Baracoa
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Holguin
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Trinidad de Cuba
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Pinar del Rio
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Guantanamo
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Santa Lucia
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Cayo Largo del Sur
CURRENT NEWS
CURRENT WEATHER
Cuban Art
Cuba is an Art lover's paradise.
Explore the various Art exhibits, from the colorful Architecture, Galleries, Street Art, Theaters, Churches, Stone Sculptures and numerous other forms of Art.
Click on the image below to access Cuban Art News
Transportation
There are so many different options when it comes to Public Transportation in Cuba. Your options include classic 1950's American automobiles, Coaches, Buses, horse drawn carts and everything in-between.
Sit back, take in the sights & enjoy your ride.
Shopping
Shopping in Cuba has come a long way in recent years; although it is likely not what you are used to at home you will find many new options in the larger cities. Brand name stores have been popping up close to larger hotels, but don't neglect the local Souvenir Shops, the bargains there are tremendous and the local economy is supported.
Cuba is well known for its superior Cigars, Rum and Coffee; many tourists look forward to purchasing and bringing home these items. Always check your country's Import laws to ensure these types of purchases are legal to import; it is also important to know your limits.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Cuba by travelers aged 18 years and over without incurring customs duty:
• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• 2.5L alcoholic beverages.
• Gifts up to a value of CUC$50.99.
• Medicines required for personal use.
Banned imports:
Prohibited items include animal products, explosives, certain household appliances, and all pornographic material and drugs.
Restricted items requiring authorization include firearms and ammunition, live animals and plants and their parts, certain foodstuffs, and works of art.
Note that electrical items with heavy power consumption may be confiscated and returned upon departure.
Banned exports:
Drugs, explosives, pornography, items of cultural value, manuscripts dating from between 1440 and 1500, library books, books edited by Libros Cubanos under the 'R' imprint, foreign editions published between the 16th and 18th centuries, Cuban editions published in the 18th century, and lobster in any form or quantity.
Note that if taking cigars out of Cuba, you may take up to 50 cigars. These must be unopened and sealed in their original packaging and you must be able to show a receipt proving you bought them in an authorised shop, otherwise they will be seized.