According to Shoppingpicks, Columbus discovered Cuba in 1492. The symbol of Cuba is the mariposa flower.
Fidel Castro entered the Guinness Book of World Records for surviving 638 different assassination attempts, including poison in cigars and a bomb in a baseball.
To leave the country, a special permit is required – an exit visa. This causes dissatisfaction among the Cubans.
National holidays: Liberation Day (anniversary of the revolution) – January 1 (1959); International Workers’ Day – 1 May; National Uprising Day – July 26 (1953); The beginning of the struggle for the independence of Cuba from Spain – October 10 (1858); Christmas – 25 December.
Telephone code 53. Havana – 7, Varadero – 45, Cayo Coco – 33, Holguin – 24, Cayo Largo – 45. To call Russia, you can use pay phones. The cost of a conversation with Moscow is approximately $5/minute. Dialing order: 119 + 7 (Russian code) + area code + phone number.
Cuba has GSM 900/1800 mobile phones.
Using public transport is quite difficult, because the buses run very rarely and are often crowded. We also do not recommend using rail transport, because. trains run irregularly and are very old. Taxis are the most common mode of transport for tourists.
Electrical voltage 110V. American-style flat plug sockets are used. It is advisable to have adapters. In many new international hotels, the voltage is 220V and European-style sockets.
You can only rent a car for citizens who have reached the age of 21 and have a driving experience of at least 2 years. A credit card is required to conclude a rental agreement. Rental price – from $ 45 per day, depending on the class of the car, plus the cost of insurance. The cost of gasoline is 1 – 1.2 dollars per liter.
The basis of the Cuban diet is rice and black beans, fried pork, chicken, seafood, fruits of the season, vegetables, homemade desserts. Cuban coffee is very strong and sweet. From drinks – the famous Cuban rum and numerous cocktails – Mojito, Daiquiri, Pina Colada, Cuba Libre. Light beers are popular, as are juices and fruit cocktails.
As a souvenir, you can buy a variety of paintings, wooden figures, black coral jewelry, guayber shirts, Che Guevara T-shirts, Cuban rum, coffee and, of course, real Cuban cigars.
It is forbidden to import pornographic materials, medicines without indicating the brand of the manufacturer. Import and export of foreign currency is not limited, national – is prohibited. The export of singing and exotic birds, bark and wood of valuable species, skin and feathers of exotic animals and birds, cultural values is prohibited. Cigars without presenting a certificate of purchase can be exported up to 23 pieces. Coffee – no limits. Roma – no more than 3 bottles. Export of paintings larger than 30×30 cm is allowed only upon presentation of a certificate.
Useful phone numbers
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Cuba. Havana (5-ta Avenida, 6402, entre 62 y 66, Miramar, La Habana)
Tel: (+53-7) 33-1085, 33-1749, fax (+53-7) 33-1038.
There are two climatic seasons – rainy from May to September and dry from October to April. Cuba is a tropical country and on average 330 days a year are sunny. The climate is greatly softened by warm sea currents washing its shores, which allows you to relax on the island throughout the year.
The hottest and rainiest months are from July and August, during which time there are heavy but short showers in the afternoon, and you can always enjoy the sun in the mornings. The average annual temperature is 25.5*C. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 21*C, and the warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 30*C. The average water temperature on the coast in winter is 25*C, and in summer – 28*C. Average humidity 78%.
Cuba is located in the western Caribbean Sea, 180 km from Florida, 210 km from Mexico, 77 km from Haiti and 140 km from Jamaica. The archipelago consists of 1,600 islands and islets with a total area of 110,860 sq. km, two of them belong to the Greater Antilles – the island of Cuba itself and the island of Youth.
Cuba is not only magnificent nature, it is, first of all, friendly and hospitable Cubans and the deepest history. Many cities still keep the traces and spirit of the Spanish conquerors, the memory of the corsair raids. The world famous resort of Varadero is located 140 km from Havana on the Atlantic coast. The surroundings of Varadero are very picturesque, and many kilometers of white sandy beaches and azure ocean waters attract thousands of tourists here.
The Cuban Republic is a socialist state consisting of islands in North America. The Cuban island takes its place in the archipelago of the Greater Antilles. It is separated from the continent in the north by the Strait of the Florida Sea, in the west by the Strait of the Yucatan Sea. The largest city and at the same time the capital of the Cuban Republic is Havana. Welcome to Cuba!
Russian citizens do not need a visa. Airport tax 25CUC (paid upon departure at check-in). Flight duration 13 hours.
