Cuba official language. Cuba from A to Z: holidays in Cuba, maps, visas, tours, resorts, hotels and reviews. Food in Cuba

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 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 about 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.

In all major cities Cuba has bus stations from which departures 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.

Is Cuba suitable for a girl for an individual trip?
How to call from a Russian number to a local landline in Havana

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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 are assigned separate protected areas of the beach, where you practically won’t meet the 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.

The city of Pinar del Rio in the province of the same name is interesting for its Museum of Natural Sciences, the Guasch 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 capital of the same name provinces. 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 public festivities until dawn.

The country is very fond of holidays, a legacy of the communist era. Here, May Day is still celebrated the way 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.

Having found out what the language is in Cuba, they sit down with Spanish textbooks and try to learn at least the basic phrases and expressions. And indeed, almost the entire population of Cuba does not speak any other language other than Cuban-Spanish.

It is possible that during your trip you will come across a Cuban who knows Russian, but this will be a person who studied in the Soviet Union, and there are very few such people.

There is another category of Cubans who speak English - the so-called friends. These are young Cubans who are trying to make money from foreigners and harass them on the streets. They always begin their address to tourists with the phrase: “My Friend.” This is where the name of these “friends” of the white man comes from. Friends themselves understand that without knowing in English, they will not be able to earn anything in Cuba, so they study it intensively. They make money from tourists by offering to find housing, a girlfriend, cheap cigars, a restaurant and coke. They will walk with you all day and you will have to support them, i.e. buy them food and drinks if you go to a bar with them.

When asking Cubans what language they learned in school in Cuba, the most common answer is English. Although in practice it turns out that they do not even understand basic words such as “Hello”, “Yes” and “No”. It is impossible to explain this phenomenon.

So what language is spoken in Cuba, and what should tourists who don’t know Spanish do?! The answer is simple, you need to learn Spanish and learn it seriously, since you cannot agree with the local population on your fingers. They don't understand sign language, unlike Asians.

If you fly on vacation through a travel agency, then most likely you will arrive in Varadero, where you probably won’t need Spanish if you don’t leave the hotel for the city. If you go on excursions with Russian speaking guide, then you won't need Spanish either. But if you solo traveler, then take a Spanish course before your trip. And remember that Cuban pronunciation of words is different from Spanish.

Cuba - Island state on the border of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Initially, Indian tribes lived here and spoke their own dialect. When the Spaniards arrived on the island, the latter practically exterminated the indigenous population and imposed their own language on the remaining people. What language is spoken in Cuba nowadays? Let's try to answer this question.

Official languages of Cuba

Cuba is one of the many countries whose official language is Spanish. In colloquial speech it differs somewhat from pure, canonical Spanish. At one time, many French, American, Italian and German colonists ended up on the island. All of them contributed to the formation of a special dialect of the Spanish language, which today is known as Espanol Cubano.

If we talk about the differences between the Cuban manner of speech and the mother Spanish language, there are significant distinctive features. This is especially noticeable in the pronunciation of individual words. In Cuban speech there is no plural when addressing a person. In other words, local residents never say “You,” even to an older or unfamiliar interlocutor.

What is the language in Cuba? What language is spoken in Cuba? In addition to Spanish, English and French can also be heard on the streets of local cities. Surprisingly, some older Cubans can even speak Russian. But I would like to talk about this further.

Do Cubans speak English?

As you know, Cuba and the United States have historically not had the warmest relations. Therefore, the majority of the island's population does not consider it necessary to know or even understand common phrases in the English language. However, there is a special category of Cubans known as “friends.” The latter speak English fluently and are studying this language in order to make money from foreign tourists. Such people always begin addressing their interlocutor with the phrase: My Friend.

The so-called “friends” make money from travelers from other countries, offering them assistance in finding housing, cheap drinks and cigars, escort girls, and other things. Such people usually follow tourists for the whole day and behave extremely friendly, hoping for some kind of support on their part, that is, buying food and drinks in local bars, receiving money as a gift.

What language do other people speak in Cuba? Addressing passing islanders in English, you can understand that most of them do not understand even the most common phrases in this language or simply do not want to do so.

How are things going with the Russian language in Cuba?

Let's continue to look at what language is spoken in Cuba. It is worth noting that in Caribbean There is no other state where the Russian language is so widely spoken. The thing is that at one time numerous Cubans received education in Soviet states. Many Cubans are married to Russian women.

Cubans have a good attitude towards Russians. Local population He still remembers the times when domestic products were imported here at affordable prices. Many Cubans still drive Soviet cars to this day. Therefore, finding a person who knows Russian on the street of a Cuban city is not so difficult.

Finally

What language is spoken in Cuba? As you can see, you can come here knowing only Russian or English. However, when planning a trip, it's a good idea to learn a few common phrases in Spanish. Particular attention should be paid to Spanish numbers. This will avoid misunderstandings when paying a bill in a restaurant, communicating with taxi drivers and sellers at local markets.

Temperamental like the rhythm of salsa, elegant like an orchid flower, Cuba has always attracted tourists with the warmth and hospitality of the local people. Tourists who have visited Cuba at least once assure that after two days of staying in this beautiful country, you get the feeling that you are in a paradise... 0
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Cuba

Cuba is the most big Island in the West Indies and one of the largest islands in the world. Resembling the shape of a crocodile, the long, narrow island is located in the western Caribbean Sea on the border of the Gulf of Mexico. The Cuban archipelago lies in the western Caribbean Sea. According to its history, culture, language and customs, Cuba is part of the countries Latin America and the Caribbean.

Geography of Cuba
Area – 110992 sq. km.
The most high point– Peak Turkino 1974 m.
The most long river– Kauto 370 km.

The length of the island is 1200 km, the width at its widest point is 210 km. The Cuban archipelago covers an area of 110,992 km2 and has more than 300 natural beaches covered with white sand and surrounded by crystal clear waters. The most famous beach in Cuba is Varadero. The landscapes of Cuba are very diverse. There are valleys, mountains, and hills. Basic mountain ranges countries - the Cordillera de Guaniguanico in the west, Escambray in the center and the Sierra Maestra in the east. In the Sierra Maestra mountains there is also the most high mountain country, Turkino Peak (1974 m above sea level). The rest of the island is fertile plain.

On the island you can admire many caves. Most of the rivers in Cuba are small, but have a very fast flow. Rivers flow down from the mountains, forming beautiful waterfalls. Particularly interesting are the Agabama and Salto del Carbuni waterfalls. The longest river in Cuba is the Cauto (approximately 370 km), flowing in the eastern part of the island. There are many reservoirs and lakes in Cuba. Amateur ornithologists come here, since Cuba is a migration site for resettled birds.

National symbols of Cuba
Mariposa "snow-white butterfly", a variety of white ginger with a very delicate aroma. The national bird is the Tocororo, a Cuban trogan, a native bird whose plumage combines the colors of the Cuban flag. The national tree is the Royal Palm. These palms grow everywhere on the island.

Economy of Cuba
It is a centralized system, relying primarily on sugar production and tourism. The tourism industry is developing at a rapid pace. Canadian, Spanish, and European corporations are investing huge amounts of money in Cuba. In addition to sugar, Cuba produces tobacco, coffee, rum, honey, cocoa, and also grows citrus fruits. Cuba is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Important sectors of the Cuban economy are the production of building materials, fishing, nickel mining (the country has the largest open reserves of nickel in the world), copper, magnesium and chromium. Another important source of income for the country is money sent by Cuban emigrants, most of them living in Florida, to relatives remaining in Cuba.

Flora and fauna of Cuba
It is distinguished by its richness and variety. There are more than 300 nature reserves, which occupy approximately 22% of the country's territory. UNESCO declared six regions of Cuba biosphere reserves: Guanacabibes Peninsula, Sierra del Rosario, national parks Ciénaga de Zapata in the west, El Caguanes in the central part and Baconao and Cuchillas del Toa parks in the east of the island. Four percent of the entire flora of our planet grows in Cuba. The most interesting types of Cuban vegetation are orchids, cacti and palm trees. Among the fauna there are endemic species, especially among reptiles and amphibians. The most typical species for Cuba are crocodiles, which are bred on special farms. More than 400 species of birds are found in Cuba, including extremely rare ones, such as the smallest bird in the world, the sunsuncito, or fly bird. The world’s smallest toad, a tiny “butterfly” bat and a scorpion, whose length does not exceed 14 mm, also live here.

History of Cuba
The written history of Cuba begins on October 28, 1492, when Christopher Columbus's caravels approached the island. Before this, Cuba was inhabited by three Indian tribes. The Guanatabeans were cave-dwelling gatherers, while the Siboneans were hunters and fishermen. The Indians of the tribe secretly engaged in agriculture. They moved to Cuba from the territory of modern Venezuela and were the most developed and largest group on the island.

Population of Cuba
It is more than 11.1 million people. The population density is 101 inhabitants per km 2. 75% of the island's population lives in cities, 25% in rural areas. Cuban cities are a mixture of architectural styles. The most populated provinces are Havana, where 2.2 million people live, Santiago de Cuba and Holguin, with a population of half a million people each. An amazing community of people has emerged in Cuba. White Europeans (mostly Spaniards), black descendants of African slaves and Asians from the Chinese community have long lived here. Today, half of Cubans are mulatto. Cubans are very sociable, talkative and cheerful.

Cuban lifestyle
This is one of the pleasures awaiting tourists. Cubans love nightlife. At night you can dance and listen to dream music. Music plays a very important role in the life of Cubans. You'll encounter a huge variety of musical styles, from traditional salsa to charanga and African rumba rhythms.

Religion of Cuba
The official widespread religion on the island is Catholicism. However, Afro-Cuban beliefs, called Santeria, in which the foundations of Catholicism and the cults of the Yoruba people living in Nigeria and Benin are intricately mixed, have a greater influence on Cuban culture. Religious rituals are performed directly in homes. Cubans set up altars at home and decorate them with the attributes of the god they prefer to worship.

Official language of Cuba
The official language is Spanish. IN resort areas English, German, Italian are widely used. Cubans are a proud people. They really want to make a good impression on foreigners and try to speak English: but if you say even a few words in broken Spanish, they will really love you. Cubans speak Spanish relatively quickly compared to other Latin Americans.

Time
It lags behind Kyiv by 7 hours, and by 8 hours from Moscow.

Currency unit
The currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), equal to 100 centavos. There are banknotes of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos, as well as coins of 1 and 3 pesos. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 20 cents.

Tourists should only pay in currencies, mainly Euros or US dollars, so it is advisable to carry more small bills with you.

When you change, you may be given the so-called Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). This type of peso is equal to the dollar: 1:1. This is a new Cuban banknote that has nothing in common with the “wooden” Cuban peso. These banknotes are accepted everywhere and are exchanged on the same basis as US dollars. Most ATMs only dispense convertible pesos, while the bank will give you both dollars and convertible pesos. To avoid getting into trouble, the convertible peso must have “convertible” written on it. As a rule, they are given in small bills of 1, 5, 10 pesos. The exchange rate of the old Cuban peso to the dollar is approximately 1:25. The convertible Cuban metal coin circulates on par with American cents. They often give change to both. Convertible pesos are not exchangeable outside of Cuba, so try to spend or exchange them before departure. Currency can be exchanged both at the hotel and in exchange offices who work around the clock.

Avoid travelers checks and American Express cards. The main international cards accepted in Cuba are VISA, MASTER, DINNER`s CLUB. Credit cards issued by any US bank are not accepted.

Tourist taxes
When leaving the country, an airport tax of 25 USD is paid. e

Car rental
It is very difficult for a foreigner to live without a car while in Cuba. In order to rent a car in Cuba, you will need a driver's license from your country or an international driver's license. You must be over 21 years old, and the rental company will require your passport.

There are several companies in Cuba that provide car rentals. The main rental companies in Cuba are “Transautos” and “Havanautos”. When you rent a car, make sure the tank is full so you don't have to rush around looking for gas on the first day. In general, renting a car is quite expensive (from $60). There are no particular problems with gasoline, although gas stations are much less common than we are used to. Outside of Havana, you can easily find gasoline for $0.50 per liter, but here you have to be careful not to spill donkey urine. In addition, before picking up the car, you need to carefully inspect it for defects, which should be noted in the contract. If the trip route involves traveling on roads with poor surfaces (trips along the coast, going to the beach), then you only need to take a jeep.

License plates on cars in Cuba have different colors, indicating their ownership: yellow - private, black - diplomatic, brown - rent-a-car. There are also red, blue... There are a lot of police in Havana, but they don’t touch cars with black and brown (tourist) license plates. If you clearly break the rules in the presence of a policeman, he has to turn away or lower his eyes - “I didn’t see anything, that’s why I didn’t whistle.” In addition, cars with such license plates enjoy certain benefits, such as travel through tunnels that connect parts of Havana that are closed for repairs, parking in unauthorized places, etc.

Bike
Many people travel around the city by bicycle. You can rent a bike at the Capri and Riviera hotels ($1 per hour) or from local resident for $1 per day. You cannot leave your bike on the street. It’s better to do this at the bike rack for 1-2 pesos. For all problems with your bike (flat tire, puncture, unadjusted seat, etc.), contact the small Pocheria workshops.

Phones
Cuban telephone company - ETESCA. Telephone cards can be purchased at hotels, shops and ETESCA call centres.

If you are calling Cuba, dial the international dialing code (i.e. 10), then the country code (for Cuba 53), and then the local code and telephone number. The number of digits in local telephone numbers may vary depending on the size of the city.

Personal telephone calls in Cuba must be made through an operator and with prepayment.

Calls from abroad to Cuba: 10 – 53 - local code - local phone.

Calls from Cuba: 119 – country code – telephone number. For direct dialing: 0 – area code – telephone number

Gastronomy
The staples of Cuban cuisine are pork and chicken, cooked in various ways, rice and black beans. You can enjoy good seafood such as shrimp, lobsters, caguama (turtle meat), octopus in garlic sauce (we recommend private restaurants that cook to a high standard and at reasonable prices). And, of course, exotic tropical fruits.

The shops
Some souvenirs from Cuba include black coral and jewelry made from it, products made from tortoise shell (especially bracelets and hairpins), coffee and handicrafts. Jewelry made from black coral in gold or silver frames, as well as items made from tortoiseshell. 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 used in African melodies. Another gift is the guayabera, a shirt worn by officials in the tropics.

And, of course, you cannot ignore cigars and rum (a bottle of rum costs from 5 USD). To buy good cigars or get acquainted with their production, you can contact Real Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas (c.Industria, 524). The shop on the ground floor of the factory sells all types of Cuban cigars. The most expensive are Cohiba Lanceros ($230 for 5 pieces).

It is better to purchase food in stores or supermarkets. In INTUR tiendas stores you can buy food, clothing, medicine, electronics and souvenirs for foreign currency. You will probably have to use currency shops, since pesos can only buy books and medicine.

Cuban cigars
It is difficult to give a definite answer to the question of what motivates cigar fans when choosing a particular cigar. But many experts are of the opinion that Cuban-made cigars are superior to all other cigars in quality and taste. There is something elusive about Cuban cigars that gives them that famous range of qualities so valued by connoisseurs. The bright Cuban sun, special air humidity, rich fertile soil, experienced hands of craftsmen? Probably, all this and much more made Cuban cigars the most famous, a symbol of quality and style.

It is prohibited to import: fresh products, plants, drugs and pornographic materials, medicines without indicating the manufacturer's brand, cars, motorcycles and spare parts for them. The export of: song and exotic birds, bark and wood of valuable species, leather and feathers of exotic animals and birds, cultural property is prohibited. To export works of art from Cuba, you will need an official stamp authorizing the export. Such a document will be issued to you in most specialized stores. When leaving the country, a customs fee is charged.

Mode of stay and movement
There are no restrictions on movement around the country for Ukrainian and Russian citizens.

Lost things

To report the loss or theft of personal documents or items, contact the nearest police station or police officer. You may have to wait a long time for your application to be accepted. Remember to photocopy the main pages of your passport in case the original is lost.

Holidays and non-working days
Holidays Throughout the year, Cuba hosts many festivals, celebrations and fiestas.

January- 1st of January ( National holiday) – Liberation Day, 1959
February– International Book Exhibition
March- International Festival of Puppet Theaters
April– Celebration of Spanish-Cuban culture
May- May 1st International Workers' Day; May parades and celebrations; National Festival folk dances
June– Outdoor concerts; Havana Carnival; Festival of Cuban Rural Culture - (national holidays)
July- July 26 - Day of the National Uprising, 1953), Celebration of the Culture of the Caribbean Peoples; Carnival in Santiago de Cuba.
August- International Festival of Cuban Music.
September– Pilgrimage to the image of Our Lady of Cobre; Theater festival
October- October 10 (national holiday) Day of the beginning of the war for the independence of Cuba from Spain, 1868); Festival of Contemporary Music; Festival of Spanish Culture; International Ballet Festival.
November- Salon of contemporary Cuban art; Celebration of the founding of Havana; International festival of choral singing.
December- December 25 - (national holiday) Christmas; International Latin American Film Festival; Folk art festival.