Cuba

Cuba
Flag	Coat of Arms
Motto: Spanish: Patria y Libertad (English: "Homeland and Freedom")
Anthem: La Bayamesa (The Bayamo Song)
Capital	Havana 23°8′N 82°23′W
Largest City	Havana
Official Language	Spanish
Government: President of the Council of State of Cuba:	Republic Fidel Castro
Independence - Declared from Spain - Cuban Republic declared - Date recognised in Cuba	Ten Years' War October 10, 1868 May 20, 1902 January 1, 1959
Area - Total - Water (%)	110,860 km² (104th) 42,803 sq mi negligible
Population - 2005 est. - 2002 census - Density	11,345,670 (70th) 11,177,743 102/km² (73rd) 264/sq mi
GDP - Total - Per Capita	2004 estimate $33.9 billion (89th) $3,000 (126th)
Human Development Index	0.817 (52nd) - high
Currency	Peso Convertible peso (see ~1~)
Time Zone - Summer (DST)	EST (Starts April 1, end date varies)
Internet TLD	.cu
Calling Code	+53
~1~ 1993–2004, the U.S. dollar was used in addition to the peso until the dollar was replaced by the convertible peso.

Cuba

Overview

Known as the "Pearl of the Antilles", Cuba offers picturesque colonial towns, an Afro-Cuban culture, almost 300 unblemished beaches, great countryside, potent rum and excellent beer. Cuba is great for scuba diving, yachting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and golf. Cuba has been described as a "fascinating smorgasbord [(eh?)] of nonstop discovery and experience".

Timing

November is the start of the dry season in cuba. Temperatures are normally around 27 Celsius. We will also miss the peak tourist season (mid Dec. to mid-March, & all of July & August).

About Cuba

Cuba is the largest Caribbean island [16th largest island in the world :-) ]. In fact, it is bigger than all 3700 other Caribbean islands put together! Of its 11m inhabitants, 60% are of Spanish descent; there are also substantial African and mixed-race minorities. Spain colonised Cuba in 1512 and decimated its indigenous population of Arawak Indians. In 1898 the US occupied the country, but relations soured in 1959 when the charismatic Fidel Castro came to power. The ban on US tourism has its advantages: apart from the coastal resort of Varadero the island remains non-commercial, and the people genuinely friendly. Well known for its musical culture, the rumba, mambo, cha cha cha, son and salsa all originated in Cuba. The Capital, Havana, founded on its present site in 1519, is one of the oldest cities in the Americas.

Things to do, when in Cuba

- smoke Cuban cigars

- take a ride in a Vintage american car

- stay in a 'casa particular' - a common phenomenon in Cuba - for locals to rent out a room or 2 of their houses for tourists, this is the best way to gain an insight into the country

- drink 'Mojitos' - 'just the ticket after a hard day on the beach, Cuba's quintessential cocktail, a refreshing concoction of rum, limes & mint'

Havana

The capital, Havana, with its colonial architecture and ostentatious 50s and 60s cars, is the biggest Caribbean city (pop. approx. 2.2 million) and the hub of Cuban nightlife.

We will spend a good 2 or 3 days in Havana.

Havana has four main areas: La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a World Heritage Site; and La Habana Moderna (Modern Havana), no less attractive and full of life and visitors, Miramar, and Vedado.

Old Havana

"Old Havana has so much charm that only by visiting it can one capture fully the contrasts, sounds and colors that coexist there."

The Castillo Del Morro

Old Havana has all the appearance of a Spanish colonial city. Havana is ideally situated for trade and communications, and many of the defences built to protect it from pirates and corsairs still exist, which is why it is impossible to walk in Old Havana without encountering impressive fortresses like the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta, La Cabaña, and the most unique of them all, El Morro (Morro Castle), located at the entrance to the Bay. From here each night the lighthouse guides ships passing by Havana, and by day visitors come to admire the stunning views the capital has to offer.

The Vieja Plaza

Old Havana also has spacious and beautiful cobbled plazas (squares) such as la Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, la Plaza de Armas, la Plaza Vieja and la Plaza de La Catedral (Cathedral Square), the latter a popular choice for photos and post cards of Cuba. Here you can try out some Cuban cocktails in an open air restaurant, while enjoying the view of the surrounding buildings and the sound of Cuban music in the air.

Havana has numerous museums: the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Palace of the Spanish Governors) which houses the Museum of the City of Havana, the Gabinete Arqueológico (Archaeological Bureau) and the Museo del Chocolate (hmm!!)

In nearby Morro Castle there is a permanent exhibition of the fort's construction process. Also located on that side of the Bay on a hillside is the giant statue of Christ of Casablanca, which is lit nightly.

Food

See this Guardian article for some chit chat about food in Cuba.

La Guarida restaurant - where the excellent food is matched by Baroque surroundings, in the location where the film Strawberry and Chocolate was filmed. Note- La Guarida is a Paledar. Paledars are privately run small restaurants in homes. The operators pay a fee to the government for the right to have up to eight tables. The food is often better than the boring, bland food offered at most official restaurants, and the prices are much better. Service, however, is frequently painfully slow, and menu items at many paledars are limited.

Guardian comments about 'La Guarida': Of the scores of paladares in Havana only one really stands out - La Guarida. On a blank-sided street in a residential area you're ushered into a gloomy old apartment building where washing hangs from clotheslines.

At the top of a staircase a door opens onto a jumbled three-room salon stuffed with bric-a-brac. There's a fully stocked bar with a good wine list, and the menu offers delights such as spicy gazpacho and tuna in coconut sauce. The service is first class, but the atmosphere is slightly subversive. You leave feeling that you've been given a glimpse into a secret Havana underworld - the controversial Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate was shot here in 1994 and La Guarida still attracts an arty clientele.

Modern Havana

Christopher Columbus Cemetary

There is the state-subsidised Coppelia ice-cream parlour (you have to pay in pesos) where a dollar gets you 22 scoops. Apparently not bad ice cream.

There are several night clubs that offer music programs, among them El Gato Tuerto (The One-Eyed Cat), the Jazz Café, the Cocodrilo (The Crocodile), the Habana Café and Dos Gardenias (Two Gardenias).

The Malecón

Necrópolis de Colón (Columbus Graveyard) - Besides its tranquility there are some amazing stories there. There is a tomb shaped like a domino piece, one surrounded by women who wanted to get pregnant, a pyramid tomb built for the professor of the school of architecture...lots of interesting things to see.

It's along the Malecón that Havana's architecture really shines. From what I can gather, the Maelcón is a promenade much cherished by the people of Havana.

Miramar and Vedado

Fabrica de Tobaco Partagas -

Edificio Bacardi

A famous Havana cigar factory, offers a fascinating insight into the skills behind cigar making and lays bare some idiosyncratic Cuban working practices. Pricy, but good, apparently "more interesting and less touristy than expected".

The Edificio Bacardi - A slice of dazzling art deco architecture, the former pre-revolution headquarters of Bacardí, the famous rum company, it is a fitting place for to enjoy a Cubre libre.

Maqueta de la Habana (Miniature Havana) - The realistic scale model of Havana takes up almost 88 sq. m (946 sq. ft.). You can walk around it on the ground level, or climb a narrow interior balcony that rings three walls. This is not to be confused with a similar (and much smaller) scale model of Old Havana, found in Old Havana, of course.

Varadero

There are lots of exiting tours and things to see in Varadero. Josone Park, in the center of Varadero, is a nature area with restaurants and cultural events which can be toured by horse and carriage from resort hotels.

It's more than 20 km of excellent beaches, a broad strip of fine, white sand along the shoreline, and a continental shelf that softly sinks into a warm, crystal-clear sea of the most varied of blues. These are the chief tourist attractions of Varadero, a tourist city that is presently well-positioned in the International circuits.

These natural wonders are enriched and complemented by the existence of numerous caves, cliffs, and lagoons. Varadero also has pristine, easy to reach keys and other interesting natural surroundings on the peninsula's easternmost tip, in addition to a set of cultural, historical, and environmental sites provided by the nearby cities of Matanzas and Cardenas and the Zapata Swamp Biosphere Reserve.

You won't find legal Casas Particular in the area of Varadero, it's not alowed by the government for a Cuban to start a Casa in this area. Although there are some "Red Triangle" casas, those casas are only for Cubans, tourists are not allowed to stay in these casas particulares...

Of course you can do stubborn and search out for yourself an illegal Casa Particular, and you will find them, remember that you risk getting thrown out on the streets at night by the police.

Tours in Varadero run from the three Information centres which run more or less the same excursions for similar prices, and I based the itinerary activities on these common excursions, and all-day tours include lunch, usually. One of these trips goes to the Cuevas de Bellamar.

Bellamar Cave, located at the exit of Matanzas city, is considered to be one of the wonders of Cuban geography. Famous for its karstic crystals, stalactites and stalagmites. Explored area of the cave is 3 km long, while its deepest part descends to 48 meters.

Trinidad

Trinidad is a relic of the early days of the Spanish colony. Trinidad Colonial past, unique architecture and magnificent location, between the mountains and Mexican Gulf, inspire tourist interest from around the world. Trinidad has five main squares and four churches date from the 18th and 19th centuries the whole city, cobbled streets and tiled roofs, is a national monument and since 1988 a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ayala: This famous discotheque is housed in a beautiful underground grotto of eccentrically shaped stones and profound depth. A play of light and shadow, silence and noise envelopes the unique experience of a night out drinking and dancing. A variety of music is played and an assortment of imported and domestic beer and liquor is served, including the Mojita (Mint Rum Julip) and Cuba Libre (Rum and coke). The 60-person capacity is comprised mostly of those from the Las Cuevas Hotel and a young crowd from Trinidad. (Opening Hours 10:30p-3a daily; Admission Charge USD10)

Getting there: Viazul ( +53 419 4448/ http://www.viazul.cu ) provides convenient daily bus service to Trinidad from Havana, Varadero, and Santiago de Cuba. Trinidad's bus terminal is located on Gustavo Izquierdo between Piro Guinart and Simon Bolivar.

From Veradero: Viazul ( +53 45 61 4886/ http://www.viazul.cu ) offers bus service throughout Cuba including daily service between Havana, Trinidad and Varadero. The Varadero bus station is located at Calle 36 and the Autopista del Sur.

Other potential places to visit

Maria La Gorda - approx. 5 hrs drive from Havana - this seems to be the best place in Cuba for scuba diving. And also, you don't have to know how to scuba dive already!

Caves that can be explored:

Cueva del Cable, Cueva del Simón, de Paredones, del Indio, de los Tomates, de Quintanal, Astón, de Cagagüanes, de Palmarito, de Bitirí, Revuelta de los Chinos, de la Patana, Solapos de Jaruco and Caleta del Rosario

Transport in Cuba

There are two types of buses that run throughout Cuba, the dirt-cheap ones that are falling apart and stop at every roof they pass; and the more direct, fast and comfortable coaches with air con that cost in dollars but still not that much (eg. $60 for the whole length of the island). The fast ones sometimes leave from a different bus station, so look out for that.

"if you do take a cab, try to take one of the government ones. I can't remember what the visual difference is, but it's worth finding out - the price is a tenth of a private hire cab."

It's apparently relatively easy to catch a ride with a friendly local car-owner willing to act as a 'taxi'.

- prandial

This site is EXCELLENT:

http://www.cuba-individual.com/e_horario.htm#Verkehrsmittel

Tourist Tips

Restaurants are reportedly relatively non-existent, because the economy won't support them. If you make sure to interact, it's seems that it's not hard to find a local who'll invite or direct you to a local house where they'll be willing to cook you a meal, for a small renumeration.

Eat from street vendors.

"A cheese sandwich is a cheese sandwich and the only time my friend and I got food poisoning was when we went to a dollar restaurant instead of a peso one." -prandial

Don't dismiss the slogans that adorn billboards, storefronts and walls in Cuba as revolutionary propaganda. Many of the quotes belong to Jose Marti, and read in proper context, they're beautiful evocations of freedom and morality. Marti is one of Cuba's national heroes (he helped the country achieve independence from Spain) and is also acknowledged as one of the Caribbean's first modern poets.

Do take in the view of Havana from the rooftop bar (and swimming pool) of the 17-story Capri Hotel. Little seems to have changed there since its days as a Mafia hangout, and the view is fantastic.

Don't be shocked to hear locals get the attention of restaurant waiters or friends on the street by pursing their lips and making an animated sucking or kissing sound.

Try to get a ride in a cadillac. But they'll probably throw you out as they aren't licensed cabs.

Eating in Paladares can be fun, if you find a good one it's excellent. But it's a risk and a tricky one without speaking any Spanish.

Tourist Traps

A lot of the Cuban cigars sold even in Cuba are fake or inferior.

You will be hassled a lot on the streets, low grade begging, nothing dangerous.

You'll find it near impossible not to be fleeced if you don't speak any Spanish (and pretty hard not to be even if you do) - most people who speak English are those who've learnt it to work with tourists.

If you hook up with some locals, they may suggest going with you to a place that's really touristy, saying they like it. In fact it's because you'll be paying their cover charge and they'll collect their cut later. If somebody tells you to go to "Cabaret Tropicana", bear in mind that this place is expensive and you'll see a typical cabaret full of people trying to get money from you.

In Old Habana, you'll have to dodge a lot of peddlers hawking "Cohibas" , cigars, and 'herbal aphrodysiacs' and whatnot, but they aren't that pushy if you politely don't show interest. Just remember to NEVER EVER buy from these people. If these people are caught by the police selling to you they could get in serious trouble and you possibly as well. If you buy cigars make sure they have the government seal on the side of the box.

La Guarida don't bribe the taxi drivers- so if any of them tell you the restaurant is closed or has been closed for a while- don't believe them. Persist, and they will take you there.

The official money of Cuba is now the Cuban Convertible Peso, or CUC. They're called "chavitos." It's best to use the official money exchange venues as counterfeiting and theft is not unknown. They're another type of money in circulation called "moneda nacional." If you do not have Cuban friends it's unlikely a tourist would have occasion to use the non-convertible peso, which is valued at about 20-1 to the CUC. A common scam is paying in chavitos and getting nacional in return.

Another common scam is to take a one CUC bank note and add a zero behind the one to make it look like a 10 CUC bank note. The scammer then looks for a tourist to help him (or her) to make change and the tourist gets stuck with the doctored note. ALWAYS make sure that any 10 CUC notes also say Diez on them and not UNO!!!

Old Habana is the bag-snatching capital of Cuba- so BE WARNED.

"Don't be shocked if you're approached by a prostitute (jinetera) in Havana—though this almost exclusively happens to male travelers."

Oh dear. For many years, Cuba was seen as a sexual playground for foreign men, and the expectation still lingers, especially in nightclubs.

Don't confuse 'hotel' with 'motel,' 'inn' or 'posada.' The latter three rent by the hour.

Suggested Itinerary

This is just Elín's suggested itinerary (edited/ added to by Matt), based on what I know of the best places to go and the most interesting things to do in Havana. It sounds good to ME, I hope you think it sounds interesting as well.

Cuba: 1st half - Havana

Accommodation Havana, Park View Colon and Morro streets, Havana Vieja (3* modern hotel near centre). Triple room (apparently) EUR 294 (~£22 pppn) total for 3 nights. Booked & paid.

This should have a good view from the 7th floor restaurant.

Day 12 - Wednesday 8th Nov 2006

Following on from Cancun, I'm not sure when we will arrive at Havana on this day. The official handover time, of the rubber chicken from Marc to Matt will be: 9.15pm. We'll probably land in Havana in the evening, and won't have time to do very much. We'll have to check into our hotel, and then can spend a nice evening chilling out - with a coffee, or a beer (whatever's your poison!).

Day 13 - Thursday 9th Nov

The start time of this day being unknown, I will assume it to be in between 2-4pm. This should give you time to get to Cuba, get to your hotel and settle in. However, should you find yourself with time on your hands in the morning, arriving early, you should check out the very good but naturally very secluded and isolated spot of the Necropolis de Colon, first and foremost. If you STILL have excess time, check out the Universidad de Habana and the student hero Julio Antonio Mella. If you get there REALLY early or my timing is really off and you end up with loads of spare time on your hands you can make a REALLY out of the way trip to Miniature Havana all the way over in Miramar, though I think it's unlikely.

2-4pm: We will start by going over the bridge to the Parque Historico Morro y Cabana, and explore the two forts and various museums at this complex. Have dinner at one of the restaurants here and be sure to catch the Canonaza ceremony (ceremony of the cannon) at the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro at 9pm, before heading back to your hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day 14 - Friday 10th Nov

Make sure to book ahead for a reservation at La Guarida! It's very popular.

8-8.30am: Though it's unlikely you'll be staying here, if it's breakfast you want, head to Le Veranda at the quite famous Hotel Nacional, who do an English breakfast, American, continental and cereal breakfast to meet all breakfasting needs. After that, within the Hotel Nacional, you can visit the Tagonana cave, for FREE! A couple of blocks away from the Hotel Nacional is the famous Coppelia Ice Cream shop, where one can get 22 scoops for about 50p.

You can eat your ice cream whilst wandering along The Malecon, the local 'place to be' for the Cubans, apparently. Also a good place, I believe, to change money and do that kind of thing if you need to.

Take a taxi or bus or whatever to Parque Central, where you should be able to get some lunch.

12.30 - Check out the very nearby Edificio Bacardi, take some snaps, it's pretty darn Art Deco. Then make your way back through Parque Centro to the Gran Teatro. Pass that and take your tour of the Fabrica de Tobaco Partagas. Don't forget it closes at 2pm!!! You can always go back and do the Edificio Bacardi if you find you're short of time. If you can, pick up some cigars for later smokage.

Capitolio Nacional

2pm- Go to the just-next-foor Capitolio Nacional. You can go inside, be impressed, and then take a horse and carriage (ooh) to Plaza de Catedral. Look at the Catedral and take some more snaps, and think 'hmm. Cathedral.' before checking out the apparently, best plaza, Plaza Catedral.

Now, detailed instructions follow. From the plaza, it's a two minute walk along San Ignacio, and Mercaderes on your way to Plaza de Armas. Along Mercederes you will pass a giant mural, portraying 67 figures from the history of arts and politics in Havana. Take a token snap, and then get your butts to the Plaza Armas, the oldest and most animated of Havana's plazas. Due North of the plaza just across O'Reilly (or 'Radar') street, is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza. There is also, near the plaza, El Templete, a rather incongruous scaled down version of the Parthenon. I think it sounds cute, (a small temple, a 'templette' aw!), so you should take some pics. Unless it's rubbish.

Now, from the plaza, making your way down the busy shopping street Obispo, go to Ambos Mundos and up to the roof garden for a mojito in the afternoon light. You might also want to whip out those cigars. Relax, safe in the knowledge that you have totally pwned Havana in just two days. However, your work is not yet done. No. Cigars and Mojitos are all well and good. But...

5pm: Just a short hike away is Museo de Fundacion Destilera Havana Club, apparently one of the most interesting things to do in Havana, it's also known as the Museo del Ron, that's right, RUM! (Drink up me 'earties, yo ho...Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me! ok enough of that.) Check out this museum just before heading to La Guarida for your 6.30 ? reservation. Then head out to Macumba Habana for dancing, or to a Zorra y el Cuervo for a jaaaazzz concert.

Cuba: 2nd half - Veradero

Accommodation Varadero, Villa Kawama Calle 0, Reparto Kawama,Varadero (4*; built 1930). Triple room (apparently) EUR 330 (~£25 pppn) total for 3 nights. Booked & paid.

Day 15 - Saturday 11th Nov

Ok initially I was going to say - Day 15, go to Maria La Gorda, via teh lovely countryside of Vinales. However, if you went to this side of the island you'd pretty much have to stay that side, and there's not much else to do. Otherwise, the drive to Varadero would be about 5-7 hours, and that's after the 3 or 4 hour drive to Maria La Gorda in the first place! Sadly it is just not do-able, so today we go to Varadero.

Todays priorities are: to book the Trinidad trip for day 16, and maybe have a look at the scuba diving situation (planned for day 17) - ask at reception if you can just turn up at the scuba diving place, or if it's necessary or better to book.

The first day you arrive in Varadero and to make up for the lack of dive-age in Maria La Gorda, I think it would be good to go diving at the Marina Varadero Gaviota. With free transfer from your hotel to the Marina, which is right at the end of Varadero, and free initiation courses for people who have never been diving before. $35 for a single dive, you can go diving at the Cuevo de Saturno (including transfers) which sounds fun.

On the scuba diving front, another option is: Barracuda diving club. This seems better equipped, and best organized for first time divers. There are beginners classes starting at around USD 70, for a theory class, a lesson in a swimming pool and then a sea dive.

If you go clubbing tonight, a great place to round off the day- is the disco in the cave! Cueva del Pirata- sounds groovy to me =D There's also a club on a boat moored on the Veradado canal- La Patuna, and the lively Palacio de la Rumba, one of the best designed venues. For Marc, there is 'Splash', with a "high cheeseometer rating for the watered down club and pop music is plays" xD Just kiddin. ;)

Day 16 - Sunday 12th Nov

Right, so you are in Varadero right? So the natural thing to do...is take a day trip to Trinidad. Well, Varadero is great for these little trips. There are daytrip flights going on all the time from Varadero to Trinidad (Matt - i think it says in the Cuba book something about these daytrips..) Anyways, I think you should do a day tour of Trinidad. So that's day 16. Again if you have time in the evening, check out Varadero.

Day 17 - Monday 13th Nov

You can either take a half-day trip to the Cuevas de Bellamar, and/or you can just chill out on the apparently gorgeous beaches of Varadero, assuming the weather's nice.

Day 18 - Tuesday 14th Nov

Today, we go back from Veradero to Havana, (but I'm not sure when yet).

Go home! - Flight leaves at 21.15 today.

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Thus endeth the itinerary. You can utterly disregard it, utterly follow it, mix and match bits or use some parts and not others - either way I won't be offended, just enjoy yourselves!! =)

FAQ

FAQ:

Feel free to add questions here!

Who are Fidel Castro and Che Guavera?

Fidel and Che were friends who fought guerilla style against a very corrupt dictator, Balistra Machado, who ran Cuba before Fidel managed to take over. They believe in Marxist ideals, which is why Cuba is now Communist, and America are now scared/angry/ sulking. Che was killed and is now seen as a sort of hero, though he actually was against the 'celebrity' idea, he's been turned into one.

Why is ice cream so cheap at The Coppelia?

Communist-> equal for everyone -> ice cream that everyone can afford. I think it's funded by the state or something. But I've heard it's not bad icecream.

Who's that student hero guy again?

Julio Antonio Mella enrolled at the Universidad de la Habana aged 16. He soon became one of the leading forces behind the University Student's Federation (FEU), his rousing speeches stirring a generation of students to protest university corruption. His campaign against the appointment of incompetent and unqualified professors through nepotism and political favours paid off, and in 1923 over a hundred hapless professors were dismissed. After graduation, he became famous for roaming Havana and giving lectures on Marxism to workers. In 1927 he fled to Mexico, fearful that his outspoken diatribes against Machado's goverment had earned him enemies. Sadly his fears proved corect, and in 1929 was shot in the street of Mexico City with ihs girlfriend. ='( Although never proved, it was widely assumed that Machado was responsible.

Red tape

Embassies and visas

UK: Cuban Embassy 167 High Holborn, London WC1 6PA; Consular section: 15 Grape Street, London WC1 (020 7240 2488).

Cuba: British Embassy Calle 34, Number 702/4, entre 7ma Avenida y 17, Miramar, Havana (53 7 241 771).

Visa requirements: Virtually all visitors need a Cuban visa or tourist card, which allows a stay of 30 days. In the UK, visas for all nationalities cost £15 and can be obtained over the counter at the embassy, or direct from your travel agent. Postal visa applications take 1-2 weeks to process. Visitors need a return ticket, and proof that they have booked a hotel room for at least three nights. The US prohibits its citizens from travelling to Cuba unless they obtain a licence, usually reserved for journalists or government officials.

Useful Links:

Visa - Embassy of Cuba

For practicalities - health, climate etc. The Guardian

For geography, history & culture: Encarta

Wikipedia