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 :-) ]. 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."

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.

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.

Modern Havana

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).

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.

Trinidad

Trinidad - a world heritage site, the country's most perfectly preserved colonial city, and also close to the beach & mountains. tbc

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!

Varadero - Fantastic beaches, and also good for scuba diving

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

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

Tourist Traps

A lot of the Cubans 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.

Advice from Travellers

Advice from prandial (someone on a forum) who's been to Cuba:

- V touristy but a great thing to do: go drink mojitos at night in the garden bar at hotel nacional. And then leave the tourists and hang out with the kids dancing to Cuban and American hip hop at the big outdoor parties just down the hill to one side (not in the hotel grounds, natch)

- 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.

Oh and Havana is amazing but really crappy and grey in the rain. Sad but true. But you'll have a great time.

Useful Links:

For practicalities - health, visas, climate etc. The Guardian

For geography, history & culture: Encarta

Wikipedia