Cuba Fast Facts

Cuba is a country that has been attracting increasing numbers of visitors since the US eased its decades-long trade embargo. Chic vintage cars, beautiful landscapes, fantastic beaches and somehow a break from stress, time pressure and the rest of the world – that’s Cuba. See ANDYEDUCATION for education in Cuba.

Fast facts to know

• There are two currencies in Cuba: the Convertible Peso (CUC) and the Cuban Peso.
• It is recommended for travelers to take euros with them.
• Cuba is famous for its music, hot dances, good rum and vintage cars.
• Bottled water is very expensive.
• The Caribbean beaches are great for diving.
• For overnight stays, casa particulares are recommended rather than hotels.
• The Bay of Pigs invasion is unforgettable.
• Cuba is a socialist country.
• Supermarkets are not necessarily well stocked. Imported is very expensive.
• Restaurants are often under state management – there are only a few dishes.
• Cubans like to flirt – also with whistles, air kisses and compliments.
• The condition of the Cuban roads leaves a lot to be desired.
• Tipping is expected for almost everything, 1 CUC is often enough.
• Small gifts are always welcome.
• Photography prohibited: military objects, soldiers, bridges, airfields, public buildings.
• Cuba is considered a fairly safe country.

Exciting cities in Cuba

• Havanna
• Trinidad
• Santiago de Cuba
• Saint Clare
• Matanzas
• Hundred fires

History of Cuba

• 16th century Beginning of Spanish colonial rule.
• As a result, indigenous peoples were virtually wiped out by violence and disease.
• Tens of thousands of slaves deported from Africa to plant sugar cane.
• 1868 Beginning of the struggle for independence.
• 1898 Declaration of Independence after American intervention (Spanish-American War).
• 1902 formal independence.
• 1959 Revolution led by Fidel and Raúl Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos and Argentinian Ernesto Guevara, known as Che.
• 1961 establishment of a socialist state.
• 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis between the USA and the USSR, beginning of the comprehensive economic, trade and financial blockade by the USA.
• 1990s severe economic crisis.
• 2015 Cuba is removed from the list of states supporting terrorism, USA and Cuba resume official diplomatic relations.

Climate & travel weather in Cuba

• Tropical savanna climate.
• A dry season from Nov-April.
• In the south-east of Cuba, there is a hot steppe climate.
• No big temperature differences in the course of the year.
• Hurricane season from June to November.
• Recommended travel time:
  • November to April

Ideas for trips in Cuba

• Steam train ride through lush green sugar cane fields.
• Beautiful orchid garden in Soroa.
• Visit to the “Rainbow Waterfall”.
• Dancing & enjoying Cuban music.
• Swim with dolphins and turtles.
• Cave tour in the Cuevas de Santo Tomas.
• Hemingway Museum.
• Explore the exciting cities of the island.

Top sights in Cuba

Eating & drinking in Cuba

• Cuban food is often very heavy as it is cooked with a lot of oil.
• Limited number of foods, so dishes are often simple.
• Black beans, root vegetables, yuca and malanga are popular.
• Other side dishes: fresh vegetables, white rice, plantains.
• Strong coffee with lots of warm milk is often served for breakfast.
• A warm meal both at lunchtime and in the evening.
• Soups are part of traditional Cuban cuisine.
• It is usually seasoned extremely sparingly.
• Hardly any vegetarian dishes, meat popular and present in almost every dish.
• Almost total absence of beef (cows used for milk production).
• Often also fish or seafood served.
• International cuisine is not very common in Cuba.
• Breakfast and food in casa particulares mostly very good.
• Popular drinks: heavily sweetened, very strong coffee, guarapo (sugar cane juice), batida de fruta, rum, fresh juices.
• Typical dishes:
  • National dish: Congrí (rice with black beans).
  • Ajiaco bayamés (Bayamo stew with pork, cornballs, cumin, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chili, green bananas).
  • Arroz congrí (rice with beans, garlic and bacon).
  • Arroz con pescado al ron (rice with fish soaked in rum).
  • Bacalao con plátano (cod with cooked green banana).
  • Coquito blanco (sweet dessert made from coconut meat).
  • Fufu (mashed plantain mixed with roasted pork rind).
  • Guava with cheese (Guavenmarmelade mit Käse).
  • Natilla (Süßer Vanillepudding).
  • Parrillada de pescado/carne (grilled platter of different types of fish or meat).
  • Picadillo habanero (ground beef with tomatoes and olives, topped with fried eggs, white rice).
  • Potaje de frijoles negros (black bean stew with bacon, chorizo ​​and potato pieces, garlic, tomato paste, onions).
  • Stewed duck (Ente geschmorte).
  • Tamales (corn dough mixed with meat or vegetables and then steamed in banana leaf).

Particularly scenic

• Coral reefs off the islands of Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.
• Such “Viñales Valley”.
• National Park “Alejandro de Humboldt”.
• Great Sierra Maestra National Park.
• Dream beach Cayo Levisa.
• Collantes tops.