The official language of Cuba. Cuban language. Food in Cuba
Cuba, like all countries, is influenced by the past. The official languages are Spanish, Creole, English - everyone who once lived in Cuba. At the end of the 15th century, Spain discovered Cuba and colonized it. It was used as a port for the repair of Spanish ships on their way to New World. When the Spaniards arrived, they brought their language with them. Even today, on paper, Cubans use traditional Castilian Spanish. Unlike the Spaniards. They do, however, follow traditional Spanish in the abbreviation "have your own words." In other words, they don't say many syllables at the end of words.
| Common words and phrases: | ||
| Russian | Pronunciation | Spanish |
| Sorry | Excuse mi | perdon |
| Yes | Si | si |
| Thank you | Gracias | Gracias |
| Please | Por favor | For your sake, |
| Entrance | Entrada | entrada |
| How much time? | Ke ora es? | ¿Cuánto tiempo? |
| Fine | Bien | bueno |
| No | But | no |
| Toilet | Servisio | W.C. |
| Exit | Salida | salida |
| Sorry | Perdone | triste |
| I don't understand | But entiendo | no entiendo |
| Closed | Cerrado | cerrado |
| Open | Avierto | abierto |
| Greeting/Farewell: | ||
| How are you? | Ke tal? | What do you think? |
| Hello | Buenos dias | ¡Hola |
| Good morning! | Buenos dias | ¡Buenos días! |
| Good afternoon | Buenas Tardes | ¡Buen día! |
| Fine | Mui bien | bueno |
| Hello | Ola | ¡Hola |
| Goodbye | Adios | despedida |
| Good evening! | Buenos Noches | ¡Buenas nights! |
| Bye | Ola | mientras |
| Travel / Station / Airport: | ||
| Police | polisia | police |
| Hotel | calving | hotel |
| Pharmacy | Farmasia | farmacia |
| Bus stop | La Estacion de Autobuses | parade de autobus |
| Passport control | El control de pasaportes | control de pasaporte |
| Supermarket | El supermercado | supermercado |
| Customs | La Aduana | aduana |
| Railway station | La Estacion de Tranes | Estación de F / ferrocarril |
| Where is? | Dongde esta | What do you think? |
| Where can I buy tickets? | Donde se puede comprar entradas? | ¿Dónde puedo comprar las entradas? |
| Getting around the city / Transport: | ||
| I want to rent a car | Quiero alkilar un koche | Quiero alquilar un coche |
| Take me to the airport | Lleveme al aeropuerto | Llévame al aeropuerto |
| Stop here, please | Pare aki por favor | Deténgase aquí, por favor |
| Take me to the hotel | Lievem al otel | Llevame al hotel |
| Where can I get a taxi? | Donde puedo kocher un taxi | ¿Dónde puedo conseguir un taxi? |
| In a hotel: | ||
| Single room | Habitacion individual | Habitation individual |
| I have reserved a hotel room | Tengo una-habitacion rreservada | Yo reserve una habitación en el |
| Room for two | Habitacion con dos camas | Doble |
| Do you have rooms available? | Tenen unabitación libre | ¿Tiene habitaciones disponibles? |
| In the Restaurant: | ||
| Wine | Wine | vino |
| The check, please | La Cuenta, Port Favor | cuenta favor |
| Do you have a table for two (three, four) people? | Tenen unamesa para-dos (très, cuatro) personas? | ¿Tiene una mesa para dos (tres, cuatro) personas? |
| Coffee | Cafe | cafe |
| Beer | Servesa | cerveza |
| Waiter | Camarero | camarero |
| I want to book a table | Quiro rreservar una-mesa | Quiero reservar una mesa |
| Tea | Tae | té |
| Numerals: | ||
| Six | ses | seis |
| One | it | uno |
| Three | tres | tres |
| Four | zuatro | cuatro |
| Seven | sete | siete |
| Fourteen | tsatortse | catorce |
| Eleven | soon | once |
| Thousand | miles | mil |
| Two | dos | dos |
| Twelve | doce | doce |
| Eight | wow | ocho |
| Five | tsintso | cinco |
| Twenty | Vente | veinte |
| Thirteen | Tretse | trece |
| One hundred | cent | ciento |
| Ten | des | diez |
| Nine | Nueve | nueve |
Cuba is a unique country. No matter how sophisticated a tourist is, this island will always remain a dream. The amazing history of this country, its location, fauna, culture - everything here is fascinating, everything is exciting.
People come here with children; adventure lovers are looking for extreme sports here; people stop here in couples and one at a time with the goal of seclusion, living away from civilization, in harmony with nature.
But, of course, today’s youth are most attracted to Cuba. Free, noisy, cheerful, it is simply created for those who cannot imagine their life without wild parties, dancing, and all kinds of entertainment.
Moreover, the myth that living costs in Cuba are higher than in other countries is slowly dissipating Caribbean . Dining at inexpensive restaurant and by renting a room that isn’t the most expensive, you can easily get by 50 $ per day. But you will have enough impressions to last a lifetime.
Capital |
Havana |
|
Population |
11.5 million people |
|
110,860 thousand m² |
|
|
Population density |
102 inhabitants per 1 km² |
|
Spanish |
|
|
Religion |
Catholicism |
|
Form of government |
parliamentary socialist republic |
|
Cuban Peso (CUP) |
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|
Timezone |
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|
International dialing code |
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|
Internet domain zone |
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|
Electricity |
110/220V/60Hz, socket type: A, B, C |
Climate and weather
The tropical, trade wind climate of the island of Cuba provides sufficient high temperature during the whole year. The average annual temperature here is approximately +25.5 °C. The coldest month is January (+22.5 °C), the hottest - August (27.8 °C). The water off the coast remains almost warm all year round: from +22 °C – in winter and from +28 °C - in summer. The average annual precipitation is also quite high - about 1500 mm. Mostly it's rain. However, very dry years are not so rare in Cuba.
In general, the climatic seasons on the island are quite clearly defined: May-September is the rainy season, October-April is dry. The autumn-summer period is characterized by heavy rainfall, often with strong winds.
Humidity is very high all year round.
Nature
Cuba is rich in man-made attractions, which millions of people dream of touching. different countries peace. However, natural ensembles that amaze with their beauty are no less valuable: heavenly beaches tens of kilometers long, fabulous uninhabited islands with palm groves and mangroves, karst caves and low picturesque mountains.
The relief of Cuba is flat, but the bizarre shapes of the highest mountain range Sierra Maestra, stretching along the southeastern coast for hundreds of kilometers, impresses even seasoned travelers.
Cuba has a rich fauna and flora. Some plant species you will not find anywhere else in the world. And the variety of exotic species of butterflies and birds is simply amazing!
Attractions
Some of the cities and regions that you need to visit when traveling around Cuba include:
- Havana;
- Santiago de Cuba;
- Holguin.
In the capital alone there are about 1000 buildings of architectural value! Of the most famous - cathedral square And Cathedral of St. Christopher(XVII century), building of the former governor's palace Cubes, fortresses La Cabaña and La Fuerza(XVI century). Is extremely popular among tourists Cathedral immaculate conception, and Ernest Hemingway House Museum. Undoubtedly, night life Cuba is also concentrated here in the capital.
Getting into Santiago de Cuba- the second largest city in Cuba - tourists usually head to the picturesque city Cespedes Park. This is perhaps one of the main attractions of the city. Besides, Santiago de Cuba, formerly the capital, can be considered the center cultural life islands: numerous museums, theaters, cathedrals attract those who want not only to enjoy the beauty of Cuba, but also to learn more about its history.
The most popular resort on the island is Varadero(province of Matanzas). The beaches here are among the top three in the world, and their surroundings - perfect place for leisure of tourists with a wide variety of tastes and hobbies. There is also a dolphinarium here - an integral attribute of any resort - where anyone can not only admire the local inhabitants, but also swim with them.
Second in importance resort region —Holguin. This is where the most beautiful in Cuba is located Playa Esmeralda beach. The riches of the region also include six waterfalls and a rich fauna. In addition, Holguin is often called the city of public gardens. Walking here is not only pleasant, but also interesting: the city is very diverse in terms of architecture.
Nutrition
The gastronomic preferences of Cubans are quite diverse. The cuisine of this country mixes the traditions of Spain, Africa, Caribbean Islands. Here they treat meat with respect and cannot do without vegetables and fruits. A separate culinary topic - bananas. Cubans have dozens of options for preparing it and hundreds of options for dishes that include banana. They are fried, baked, used as an ingredient in sauce, and served as dessert.
By the way, desserts in Cuba are distinguished by their sweetness. Popular here mousses, puddings, ice cream. Many amazing dishes are made from tropical fruits and sugar cane. syrups.
With special honor local residents enjoys coffee. It is drunk very strong and sweet throughout the day. Among alcoholic drinks Cubans' favorite is rum. It is customary to serve table wine with lunch and dinner.
The best food in Cuba is in restaurants located in private homes. They're called paladares. Lunch at such a restaurant will cost you approximately 7 $ , which is two times less than in a state restaurant. You can also get a bite to eat in the city by buying pizza or a sandwich from street vendors.
In Cuban restaurants, it is customary to tip based on 10% from the order cost. It is better to give the money personally to the waiter.
Accommodation
Most hotels located in Cuban resorts have five-star status. The beaches adjacent to such hotels are, as a rule, very well equipped with everything necessary for relaxation. Meals are most often organized according to the principle buffet, less often - according to the menu. The cost of an all-inclusive room in such a hotel will be close to 100 $ . For comparison: the same room in a middle-class state hotel will cost approximately 35 $ , and in private - in 15-25 $ .
Almost all hotels in Cuba have a car rental department.
Entertainment and relaxation
Of course, when it comes to entertainment in Cuba, the first thing you want to talk about is the island’s nightlife. In terms of the number of clubs, bars, and discos, Liberty Island ranks first in Caribbean. Music and dance lovers come here simply to immerse themselves in this environment. Particularly rich nightlife in the capital. Havana is ready to satisfy any requests. Cabarets, jazz clubs, Latin American shows - the nightlife of the Cuban capital is varied in rhythm. By the way, anyone can learn Afro-Cuban dances: dance lessons are organized right at the hotels.
Clubs and restaurants are not the only way of leisure for Cubans and guests of the island. Diving, fishing and hunting are extremely popular here. There is also something for speleology lovers to do here: the huge karst caves captivate both professionals and simply curious tourists.
Throughout the year, Cuba hosts many holiday events and festivals. The Fire Festival and Carnival in Santiago de Cuba (take place in the summer) are particularly spectacular. In August, the island hosts a Cuban music festival.
Purchases
It is better to buy food in Cuba in supermarkets or stores. In shops INTUR tiendas you can buy clothes, food, medicines, souvenirs for foreign currency. By the way, about souvenirs. You'll probably want to buy a bottle or two Cuban rum and cigars. You can also choose rum in the store (a bottle costs from 5 $ ), but to buy good cigars, it’s better to contact Real Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas. On the ground floor of the factory there is a store that sells all types of cigars.
Surely in the first days of your stay in Cuba you will want to buy a T-shirt with the image of the symbol of all revolutions - Che Guevara. Although it would be better if you follow the example of the locals and buy Guyabera shirt, in which you can easily endure any heat.
Not only rum and cigars, but also other exclusively “ Cuban» accessories: straw hats, wicker shoes, hammock. Audio CDs purchased in Havana with recordings of spirited local music will help prolong the festive mood (there is no other way in Cuba!).
When going shopping, do not forget that Cubans sacredly honor traditions: a four-hour rest in the afternoon is a must. However, it’s not just a matter of tradition: the scorching sun simply does not allow full-fledged work.
And one more important note. Icon $ on the price tag means nothing more than the word “ price" But the real cost of the goods is most often indicated in pesos.
When buying products made from crocodile skin, ask the seller for an export license, otherwise the souvenir may be seized at customs.
Transport
The main airport in Cuba is international Airport name Jose Marti, located 18 km from Havana. As for municipal transport, then, alas, its condition is deplorable. There are very few city buses, and they often break down. There is no schedule as such at all. If you plan to move around the city, rent a bicycle: this type of transport is common here.
Communication between cities is also poorly established. Buses and minibuses almost always crowded and bad traffic. Tickets for these must be purchased in advance.
In general, a tourist in Cuba cannot do without a car. And, fortunately, there are no particular problems with this. All that is required to rent a car is a driver’s license and at least a year of driving experience. True, this service is quite expensive - 60 $ per day. But believe me, the best way to see Cuba simply does not exist.
As for the quality of roads, here too, as you may have guessed, there are problems. Rules traffic standard, but signs and markings are practically absent. Service stations are also, in general, rare. Therefore, when renting a car, do not be lazy to check if everything is in order with the car. Including check whether the tank is full.
The only plus is that “tourist” cars (they have special colored license plates) enjoy benefits, and the police simply do not pay attention to minor violations.
Connection
Today Cuba is served by a single telecom operator - the company ETECSA. The current standard is GSM 900, in some areas - GSM 850. You can buy a phone card at any hotel or store.
Calling from a pay phone abroad is cheaper than calling from a hotel room (approximately 5 $ per minute of conversation with Moscow). And not every hotel has a telephone with international access.
Today there are 2 Internet providers on the island.
Safety
As for the safety of your stay on the island, threats of various kinds can await you everywhere, despite the fact that Cuba is quite safe country. First tip: don't walk around Old Havana after 10 pm. If only because at this time the city lights are turned off. It is better to store documents in your room, in a special safe (if there is one, of course).
Smoking in in public places strictly prohibited. It is not recommended to give alms to the poor: this is punishable by law.
Beware of the Cuban sun: you can get burned even in cloudy weather. Use protective equipment and be sure to cover your head. Be careful when swimming: you can easily get injured in the sea sea urchin or sharp coral. Jellyfish can be extremely dangerous.
Business climate
The country's two main sources of income are sugar production and tourism. The tourism industry is developing rapidly, attracting more and more foreign investors. In addition, Cuba is a global leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
IN this moment Cuba is in the spotlight of the world business community. Liberty Island amazes with its prospects, but at the same time, it is one of the most closed countries in the world. A huge advantage is the absence of taxes for foreign entrepreneurs. Among the disadvantages are poor infrastructure and the possibility of opening a business exclusively in partnership with a state-owned enterprise. It is not yet possible to register your company in Cuba.
Real estate
One of the most pressing problems in Cuba is housing. Most of The housing stock has long been in need of reconstruction and overhaul. As for buying a home on the island, such an operation is generally impossible for an ordinary foreigner. Even if you have millions of dollars in your pocket, you will not be able to buy housing here. Of course, there is an unofficial real estate market, but, of course, such a purchase has no guarantees. Although the prices are quite reasonable: an apartment in an old panel house can cost from 15 000 $ . And in the provinces it is several times less.
- Cubans are generally very cheerful, talkative, sociable and hospitable. But they are very proud. They will, of course, try to speak to you in English, but if you say at least a few phrases in bad Spanish, the Cuban will definitely love you.
- You should also know some of the Cuban traditions if you are planning to visit Liberty Island. In order not to offend a good-natured Cuban, you should never refuse an offer for a drink or dinner. It is advisable to accompany requests with special appeals: "mi amor", "mi corazon"- when talking to a woman, "amigo", "viejo"- when talking to a man.
- Photograph industrial buildings and military equipment prohibited in Cuba, but Cubans themselves, as a rule, willingly pose for the camera. Of course, before you capture the colorful appearance of an island resident, you need to ask permission.
Visa information
Tourists from Russia do not require a visa to Cuba if the period of visiting the country does not exceed 30 days. In order to cross the state border, you need to present a passport valid for the duration of your stay in Cuba, 2 copies of a migration card (one of which must be kept until departure from the country), as well as return tickets. Must have cash at the rate of $50 per day for 1 person. This does not apply to tourists who used the services of travel agencies.
However, you can take care of a visa in advance by contacting the consular department of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Moscow. Among the documents submitted to the visa department must be a foreign passport (its validity must not expire earlier than 6 months from the date of arrival in the country), copies of round-trip tickets, confirmation of a hotel room reservation (a travel agency voucher or an invitation from a specific person), as well as a photo in size 3x4 cm. The consular fee will be $30, and the visa will be valid for one month.
For more specific information on obtaining a visa to the Republic of Cuba, please contact: 119017, Moscow, st. Bolshaya Ordynka, 66.
Liberty Island Cuba is loved by tourists for its luxurious nature, great beaches and a lot of colonial and revolutionary sights. The white-stone beauty of Havana, the resorts of Varadero and Holguin, rum, cigars and Fidel - all about Cuba: tours, holidays, prices and maps.
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Perhaps some still remember how they deciphered the name of this country 15 years ago: “Communism off the coast of America.” Jokes aside, Cuba really remains one of the few strongholds of a bright socialist ideology with such familiar attributes: the legendary Comandante Che and his lively follower, an external ideological enemy in the person of the States and the unprecedented patriotism of local residents. There are, however, radical differences from the USSR - a steady influx of tourists all year round, hotels with a high level of service and rich entertainment opportunities: diving, snorkeling, yachting and the list goes on. Plus, of course, let's not forget about the famous rum and cigars. The latter, by the way, secretly smoked (and smokes) the same ideologically enemy leadership, despite the embargo on Liberty Island.
Time difference from Moscow
− 7 hours in winter −8 hours
- with Kaliningrad
- with Samara
- with Yekaterinburg
- with Omsk
- with Krasnoyarsk
- with Irkutsk
- with Yakutsk
- with Vladivostok
- from Severo-Kurilsk
- with Kamchatka
Climate
Maps of Cuba
Visa and customs
For tourist trip for a period of up to 30 days, citizens of Russia and Belarus do not require a visa to Cuba. For your own peace of mind, you should take out travel medical insurance in advance for the entire duration of your trip.
To enter Cuba at the border, you need to fill out a migration card (in two copies - the second one is presented upon departure), a return ticket and proof of financial solvency at the rate of 50 USD per day per person (a simple credit card statement will do). Hotel reservations are not required, but be prepared to answer the question of where you plan to stay.
Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco is allowed; 3 bottles of alcoholic drinks; perfumes, medicines and household items - within the limits of personal needs. One photo and video camera (plus 5 cassettes for each) are also imported duty-free. It is prohibited to import drugs, pornography and firearms(with the exception of shotguns for sport hunting belonging to tourists who come to the country for this purpose and have the appropriate permit issued in Cuba upon arrival).
Fans of Cuban cigars should not forget the following point: although you can take as many cigars from the island as you want, to Russia, according to our customs regulations, you can import no more than 50 pieces.
You can export up to 1000 CUP and up to 5000 USD without a declaration, no more than 23 cigars per person (if the cigars are sealed in packaging with a hologram, purchased in a special store that issues receipts and export permits, you can export as much as you like), goods worth not more than 1000 CUP (jewelry is exported only with a license issued by the store).
Systems Tax free not in socialist Cuba.
The export of animals, cultural property, sea shells, antiques, and precious metals is prohibited. When purchasing jewelry or goods from crocodile skin It is necessary to require an export license from the seller, otherwise the goods will be seized during customs control. These licenses are usually issued only in stores. In markets where crocodile leather products cost 3-5 times less, but export licenses are not issued, such goods should not be purchased.
How to get to Cuba
The easiest and fastest way to get to Cuba is direct non-stop regular Aeroflot flights Moscow - Havana (about 12 hours of flight, departure from Sheremetyevo). Other options: transit flight through Paris on an Air flight France to Havana, via Amsterdam with KLM, via Madrid with Iberia, via Frankfurt with Condor to Havana and Varadero and other European carriers. The journey will take from 16 to 20 hours.
Flights from CIS countries are carried out either through Moscow or with connections in European cities.
If tourists fly with KLM, due to inconvenient flight connections, they will have to spend the night in Amsterdam. To do this, you need to apply for a transit visa and also book a hotel in advance. It is more convenient to stay in the center of Amsterdam: the train journey from the airport to the station in the city center is only 20 minutes.
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Transport
Public transport in the country is underdeveloped; the most convenient way is to rent a car. Cubans themselves often use hitchhiking to get around within cities or around the country.
Public transport
Buses are considered the main urban transport, but they can only be recommended for extreme sports enthusiasts: the stops are not marked in any way, it is almost impossible to find them, the buses are jam-packed, and they do not have a clear schedule or routes. Buses - in Havana they are called camallos (due to their resemblance to camels) - stop every 4 blocks. The fare costs 3-5 CUC, it is not recommended to check with the driver - he will suspect you of being a tourist and will charge much more. Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
There are special “tourist” taxis for tourists - these are always modern and serviceable cars. They can be ordered from any hotel or simply by phone; Travel is paid only in dollars. The cost of the trip is from 0.5 to 1 USD for each km of the route. Regular taxis The cars that accept pesos are quite old and there are not many of them. Finally, there are also private bombers in Cuba. Their prices are slightly lower than those of state taxi drivers, but there are no guarantees of quality.
Intercity communication
Local residents often hitchhike around the country. In Cuba, there is even a law that government vehicles are required to take hitchhikers on board if there are empty seats in the car. The implementation of this rule is closely monitored by special people, like our traffic cops.
All major cities in Cuba have bus stations from which departures are made. intercity buses. Unlike city transport, they run more or less on schedule. Most a budget option- this is Astro Bus. The bus fleet leaves much to be desired, but a trip from Havana to Varadero will cost only 8-10 CUC. Viazul Bus is a more modern fleet and the buses even have air conditioning. Travel prices are higher: from Havana to Varadero a ticket will cost 8-15 USD. The company has its own website (translated into English) where you can buy tickets online. In other cases, travel cards are purchased at the ticket office at the station, and this must be done in advance.
Rent a Car
Cuba Hotels
Consulate General in Havana: 5-a Avenida esq. a 66, no. 318, Miramar, La Habana,; tel.: 204-10-74, 204-10-85.
Police: 116 and 820-116, ambulance: 242-811, fire brigade: 811-115, airport information desk: 45-31-33.
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Beaches of Cuba
The beaches in Cuba are some of the best on the planet: sandy, with convenient access to the sea, many are marked Blue flag, in addition, they are all municipal and free.
Most hotels on the coast have separate protected areas of the beach where you will hardly find local population. Sun beds and umbrellas are free.
You can safely go to any resort and be satisfied. But if you choose the ideal from the best, then you should pay attention to the following beaches:
The longest beach in Cuba is Varadero: almost 22 km of snow-white sand with sun loungers, umbrellas, beach cafes and other tourist infrastructure. Almost all the beaches here are at hotels, so they are always clean and there are no suspicious strangers. Varadero is perhaps the most fun and noisy resort in Cuba; there are many discos here, so young and not so party-goers should go here. Varadero is also suitable for tourists who prefer an all-inclusive holiday - most of these hotels are concentrated here.
For family vacation Santa Lucia Beach (about 110 km northeast of the city of Camagüey) is suitable for children. There is a comfortable flat sandy bottom, there are no waves, and since regular buses you can’t get to this beach, there aren’t many people even in high season. It's very calm and Beautiful places, but for extreme sports fans there is also entertainment: diving with sharks.
Cuisine and restaurants of Cuba
Creole cuisine is widespread on the island, the main ingredients of which are pork and chicken, prepared in various ways. One of the most popular national dishes is “Creole ajiaco” - pork with vegetables and big amount spices It’s also worth trying lobsters with lemon, crocodile or turtle meat dishes, and turtle eggs. In Cuba, they cook a lot from fruits and serve them with almost every dish. The coffee they brew here is very strong and sweet.
National drinks are Cuban rum and numerous cocktails based on it: mojito, Cuba Libre, daiquiri and many others.
There are few restaurants in the classical sense of the word in Cuba, and they are all located in tourist areas and resorts. They usually accept credit cards, but glitches are common, so it's best to go with cash (convertible pesos). Average score in good restaurant- approximately 30-40 CUP per person without drinks, in a more budget-friendly one you can spend 10-15 CUP. There are also many pizzerias and hamburger joints in Cuba. You can have a meal there cheaply (2-5 CUP) and often around the clock, but only for cash. Cuban bars are a different story. Most of them are very colorful and have a history; they don’t serve food (maximum nuts and chips), but you should definitely try all the daiquiris.
Guides in Cuba
Entertainment and attractions
There are not as many cultural attractions in Cuba as in other countries; many were destroyed by Spanish colonialists back in the 16th century. The main wealth of the island is natural beauty. Picturesque landscapes, national parks and amazing undersea world- this is what attracts thousands of tourists to Cuba every year.
Historical attractions are concentrated in cities, most of them, of course, in the capital - Havana. The most interesting area from a tourism point of view is Old Havana, included in the UNESCO List world heritage humanity. You should definitely see the Cathedral of St. Christopher, the Havana Capitol - larger in size than Washington. Also interesting are the city squares: the Armory (Plaza de Armas), the Cathedral (Plaza de la Catedral) and the Old (Plaza Vieja), around which ancient buildings and structures are located, as well as the Jose Marti Revolution Square with a memorial and an obelisk . At the top of the latter is the highest Observation deck in the city.
The province of Havana will be especially interesting for fans of environmental and adventure tourism; there are many quiet, secluded beaches. The Escaleras de Jaruco area has many caves and steep cliffs: it is good for speleologists. In San Antonio de los Baños you can visit the Museum of Humor, while the coastal village of Santa Cruz del Norte is famous for producing the famous Havana Club rum.
In the city of Santa Clara (province of Villa Clara) there is a Memorial named after. Che Guevara and his remains are kept. In the small town of Remedios, noteworthy are the city's Carnival Museum, the Alejandro García Caturla Music Museum and the main parish church of St. John the Baptist, which is considered one of the most interesting in Cuba.
City of Pinar del Rio in province of the same name It is interesting for its Museum of Natural Sciences, the Gouache Palace, the Milanes Theater and the Francisco Donatien cigar factory.
Juventud Island is the second largest island in the Cuban archipelago. Here is the famous nature reserve“Los Indios San Felipe” with unique flora and fauna, the Presidio Modelo prison, a copy of the American Joliet prison in Illinois (Fidel Castro served his prison sentence there), national marine park"Punta Frances" and the international dive center "El Colony".
In the province of Matanzas, in addition to caves with rock paintings, it is worth visiting the provincial capital of the same name. Must-sees: Vigia Square (the founding site of the city), Liberty Square, Montserrat Chapel (built in the image of a temple in Catalonia), San Severino Castle (due to its size, considered one of the main Spanish fortresses in America) and the ruins of the Triumvirato. - there, in the 19th century, the largest uprising of African slaves in the history of Cuba took place. The main attractions of the Zapata Peninsula: the Taino Indian village in Guama, the crocodile nursery in La Boca, the Santo Tomas and La Salina fauna reserves, as well as Historical Museum in Playa Giron.
You should also definitely take a trip to the amazingly beautiful national parks of Cuba.
New Year(January 1), on the contrary, is celebrated noisily and cheerfully. On this night, beach discos are open, concerts and parties are held, and they approach things on a special scale in big cities.
January 2 marks the most important day in the country - the Day of Liberation and Victory of the Cuban Revolution. This is an official day off throughout the country, solemn processions take place in cities, the president gives a pathetic speech, Cubans congratulate everyone on the street, and it all ends with folk festivities until dawn.
The country is very fond of holidays, a legacy of the communist era. Here, May Day is still celebrated as it was customary in the Soviet Union - with demonstrations, flowers, cheerful patriotic songs and festivities around the city. On July 26, the National Uprising Day is celebrated, also with parades and demonstrations, and October 10 is Independence Day: the main venue is the monument to Carlos Manuel Cespedes (“Father of the Motherland”, one of the leaders of Cuba’s Ten Years’ War against the Spanish colonialists) in the square in Havana, to to whom flowers are laid. No one works on this day either.
In July and August in Cuba you can visit two carnivals at once - in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
On weekends from July 15 to August 15, Cuba hosts perhaps the most colorful and fun event of the year: the Havana Carnival. These days, freaks from all over the country gather in the capital, dress up in costumes, dance, drink daiquiris and have fun literally around the clock. Many perform in teams and prepare for the carnival in advance in order to be sure to outshine all other participants in the dance. Another carnival takes place at the end of July in the city of Santiago de Cuba. The scenario is the same: dress up, drink and dance. It is very convenient that both holidays fall at approximately the same time: you can visit both carnivals on one trip.
In the first week of December, one of the most important cultural events for the entire Spanish-speaking population of the planet takes place in Cuba - the Festival of New Latin American Cinema. In terms of prestige, this film award is equal to the Oscar - for directors, actors and other film workers it is a great honor to be awarded this award.
And at the end of February, smokers from all over the world come to Havana, as the International Cuban Cigar Festival takes place here. It lasts 5 days, during which time excursions to factories and tobacco plantations, auctions and competitions are held, as well as concerts, presentations and festive receptions, where you can try a variety of cigars over a glass of wine or rum.
The name of the country comes from “Akoba”, which means “land, dry land” in the language of the local Indians.
Cuba area. 110860 km2.
Population of Cuba. 11.39 million people (
Cuba GDP. $77.15 billion (
Location of Cuba. Cuba is a state located on the very large island West and several nearby islands. In the north it is washed by the Strait of Florida, in the southwest - by the Yucatan Strait, in the east - by the Windward Strait, in the south -.
Administrative division cubes. The state is divided into 14 provinces and the special municipality of Isla Juventud.
Cuban form of government. Republic.
Head of State of Cuba. Chairman of the State Council.
Supreme legislative body of Cuba. National Assembly, which elects the Council of State.
Supreme executive body of Cuba. Council of Ministers.
Big cities cubes. Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Holguin, Guantanamo, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Matanzas.
Official language of Cuba. Spanish.
Religion of Cuba. 55% are atheists, 40% are atheists, 3% are Protestants.
Ethnic composition of Cuba. 65% are descendants of Europeans, 20% are mulattoes, 12% are Africans, 1% are Chinese.
Fauna of Cuba. Of the mammalian representatives of the animal world, the hutia and the slittooth should be distinguished. lives great amount bats, almost 300 species of birds, including vulture, quail, finch, macaw, hummingbird. More than 700 species of fish and shellfish live in coastal waters. There are numerous insects, including very dangerous ones - the sand flea and the malaria mosquito.
Rivers and lakes of Cuba. The largest is Kauto.
Sights of Cuba. In Havana - National Museum, Colonial Museum, Museum of Anthropology, Moro Castle, Santa Clara Monastery, La Fuerza Fortress, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, City Hall, America's largest zoo; in Santiago de Cuba - Museum of Natural History; In Cardenas - the Oscar M. de Rojas Museum; in Camagüey - a large number of churches and mansions from the colonial period. On the shore of the bay is the world's largest aquarium.
Helpful information for tourists
As souvenirs from Cuba, you can bring black coral and jewelry made from it, items made from tortoise shell (especially bracelets and hairpins). Don't forget to buy one or two bottles of unique Cuban rum and real Cuban cigars. When purchasing products made from crocodile skin, ask the seller for an export license, otherwise this souvenir will be confiscated during customs control. A good gift from Cuba would also be a tumbadora or bongo - percussion musical instruments. Another gift is the guayabera, a shirt worn by officials in the tropics. You will probably have to use currency shops, since pesos can only buy books and medicine.
In Cuba, it is customary to pay a tip of 5-15% of the cost of services. The porter and maid at the hotel are given 1 dollar.
Language of Cuba, How official language countries - Spanish. The writing of the Spanish language is based on the Latin alphabet.
Spanish uses the Latin alphabet, with an additional letter "ñ" (eñe). In addition, Spanish orthography uses the following letters with an acute accent: Áá Éé Íí Óó Úú, as well as ü with a dieresis to indicate the readability of this letter after the letters g and q.
In Spanish dialects you can find letters with grave accent: Àà Èè Ìì Òò Ùù and Çç - se-cedilla.
When reading, basically everything is read as it is written. The Spanish language is characterized by clear pronunciation of all vowels, while consonants can be swallowed or assimilated.
Basic rules for reading:
- ch - reads like a soft Russian "ch";
- h - never read;
- z - reads like "c";
- с - before a, o, u is read as "k", and before e, i - as "c";
- g - before i is read as Russian “x”, before other vowels - as “g”;
- s - reads like Russian “c”, but with the tongue slightly moved towards the alveoli;
- j - reads like Russian “kh”, but more intense;
- x - read depending on the word: like Russian “s” or “x”;
- the combination gu - before e, i is read as “g”, “u” is not pronounced, except when writing gü;
- the combination qu - before e, i is read as “k”, “u” is not pronounced, except for the combination qü.
- b and v - “fricative b”: at the beginning of a word and after nasal and labial consonants, these letters indicate the stop sound “b”, which in pronunciation corresponds to the Russian “b”. In other cases, these letters indicate a semi-closed sound between “b” and “v”.
Almost all Cubans speak extremely fluent Spanish. The dialect encountered is similar to other Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands, although the rhythmic speech and use of expressive gestures are distinctly Cuban. French existed for a short time with the arrival of slave-owning European refugees after the 1791 revolution in Haiti, but they have since died out.
The languages of the country's indigenous population have become extinct. The island's pre-Columbian population was approximately 112,000, consisting primarily of Arawaks (Taino and sub-Taino) in the central and eastern region, as well as Guanahacabibes who fled the Arawaks and moved west to Pinar del Rio. Indigenous lands were quickly occupied by Spanish conquistadors, and indigenous people were enslaved and exploited by Europeans in mining and agriculture. Indigenous peoples resisting the new masters were killed. The rest of the population died out from malnutrition, overwork, suicide and cruelty. Cuba's indigenous population virtually disappeared during fifty years of conquest.
IN resort areas English, German and Italian are widely used in Cuba.