Currency and Politics

The Cuban peso is the official currency of Cuba. It is subdivided into 100 centavos. Banks and currency exchange centres are opened from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 15.00 and on Saturday from 8.30 to 10.30. Hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards but credit cards issued by US banks are not accpeted. All goods and services are paid in pesos. During exchange of USD to pesos, a commission of 10% is charged. All transactions using credit cards are taxed at 11.24%.

Cuba is constitutionally defined as a “socialist state guided by the principles of José Martí, and the political ideas of Marx, the father of communist states, Engels and Lenin.” The present Constitution also ascribes the role of the Communist Party of Cuba to be the “leading force of society and of the state.” Executive power is exercised by the Cuban Government, which is represented by the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. Legislative power is exercised through the unicameral National Assembly of People’s Power, which is constituted as the maximum authority of the state. Currently Raúl Castro — brother of former President Fidel Castro is President of the Council of State, President of the Council of Ministers (sometimes referred to as the Prime Minister), First Secretary of the Communist Party, and Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Visa, Passport and Customs

Visa is not required for Russian citizen for entry of 30 days. Only a valid passport and a return ticket are required at the border. The visa can be issued in advance by the Consular Section of the Embassy of Cuba in Moscow. Below are the requirements for the visa: passport which validity not less than six months from the date of entry into the territory of Cuba, passport size photo, return ticket, invitation from host (a fax with stamp and signature of the person responsible) or hotel booking confirmation (fax), or travel agency voucher. Visa is issued within 5 days. Validity of an entry visa is six months. If the documents are submitted personally by the applicant, the consular fee is $ 30. If documents are submitted by third parties, the consular fee is $ 50. Fee is paid directly to the consular department when submitting documents .In case of refusal of a visa fee is not refundable.

Time

The clock in Cuba is 8 hours behind Moscow time in winter and 9 hours in summer.

Geography

Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Cuba has a total land area of 110,860 km2. It has 3,735 km of coastline and 29 km of land borders. Cuba lies west of the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Gulf of Mexico, south of the Straits of Florida, northwest of the Windward Passage, and northeast of the Yucatan Channel.The largest island outside the main island is the Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) in the southwest, with an area of 3,056 km2.

Tourist Attraction

Cuba is the largest Island in the entire Caribbean region. The largest of all tourist attractions in Cuba are the gorgeous beaches. There are countless fantastic beaches all the way around the island. Also in Cuba are Museums of which includes: Museum of the Revolution, the National Museum of Music, the National Museum of Fine Art, and the National Museum of Colonial Art. Other tourist’s destination is Che Guevara Memorial, forts, botanical gardens etc.

History

Cuba was inhabited by Native American people known as the Taíno, also called Arawak by the Spanish, and Ciboney people before the arrival of the Spanish. The ancestors of these Native Americans migrated from the mainland of North, Central and South America several centuries earlier. These natives inhabited Cuba when Christopher Columbus sighted the island during his first voyage of discovery on 1492, and claimed it for Spain. Cuba subsequently became a Spanish colony to be ruled by the Spanish governor in Havana, though in 1762 this city was briefly held by Britain before being returned in exchange for Florida. A series of rebellions during the 19th century failed to end Spanish rule. However, increased tensions between Spain and the United States, resulting in the Spanish-American War, finally led to Spanish withdrawal, and in 1902, Cuba gained formal independence.

Climate

Cuba has a tropical climate. The average temperature in January is 19-21 degree Celsius and July is 30-35 degree Celsius. Mean annual temperature is 26 degree Celsius. Between November and April the weather in Cuba is hot and dry, and this is the busiest tourist season. Between May and October there is a high rainfall, and in the latter part of these months Cuba is subject to the threat of the hurricanes, which annually visit the Caribbean.

Cuisine

Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, African and Caribbean cuisines. Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish and African cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor. This results in a unique, interesting and flavorful blend of the several different cultural influences. A small, but noteworthy, Chinese influence can also be accounted for, mainly in the Havana area. A typical meal would consist of rice and beans, cooked together or apart. When cooked together the recipe is called either, “Arroz congri“, “Congri”, or “Arroz moro”, if cooked separately it is called “Arroz con/y Frijoles”.

Meat, when available on ration book is usually served in light sauces. The most popular sauce is made with oil, garlic, onion, spices such as oregano and bitter orange or lime juice. Stews and soups are common. These are usually consumed along with white rice or gofio (a type of corn flour, also from the Canary Islands), or eaten alone.

Shops and Banks

Most shops are opened from 9:00 to 18:00 (some 20:00) and on weekdays and Saturdays – from 9:00 to 15:00 (some 18:00). Supermarkets and shops in the resort areas are generally opened from 10:00 to 20:00.

Population

The total population is about 11 million people. Most of the population is the descendants of immigrants from Spain.

Useful Information

Medical insurance for travel to Cuba is not mandatory, but for a more relaxing trip is better to have it. This because medical services in Cuba are expensive, so you’ll feel more comfortable if you are under the protection of an insurance company. We recommend that you take with you necessary drugs.

Cellular Network

Communication standard is GSM 900. Roaming is available to subscribers of major Russian operators. Payphones can be used for making local call at a cheaper rate. Calls to other provinces and cities are quiet difficult. International phone calls are made exclusively from payphone “Telekorreos “, which is virtually in all major hotels. Phone cards are normally sold at the reception of hotels.

For calls to Cuba, dial 8 – 10 – 53 – (area code) – phone number. Codes of some cities and provinces include Varadero – 5, Villa Clara – 42, Havana – 7, Granma – 23, Guantanamo Bay – 21 Camagüey – 32, Las Tunas – 31, Matanzas – 52, Holguin – 24, Pinar del Rio – 82, Playa Larga – 59, Sancti Spiritus – 41, Santiago de Cuba – 226, Ciego de Avila – 33, Cienfuegos – 432, Topes de Collantes – 2, Trinidad – 419, the Isle of Youth – 61.

Public Holidays and Festivals

January 1 and 2 – Liberation Day (victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959).
1 May – International Workers’ Day, Labor Day.
July 26 – Day before the Commemoration of theAssault of the Moncada garrison (the attack on the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba, 25 and 27 July are also public holidays).
October 10 – Independence Day December 25 – Christmas.

Cuba is noted for its famous February carnivals, almost canceled in 1990 due to the difficult economic situation. But it has been revived in Havana, Varadero San Juan de los Remedios and Santiago de Cuba (July 24-26). There is international guitar festival every two years. The capital city hosts an international festival of Cuban cigars, the International Havana Theatre Festival and the Havana Festival of Contemporary Music. There are wonderful dive sites in Cuba for the interest of tourists.

Religion

Most believers are Catholics (47%), Protestant (4%) and adherents of the so-called “Santeria” .

Transportation

Aeroflot have flights to Havana on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Spanish airlines Iberia fly from Moscow – Madrid – Havana, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Public transportation in Cuba is quite old, few buses and they often break down, and so ttourists are not recommended to use public transport. Tourists are advised to use the so-called “tourist taxis”, which is modern car with a radio telephone and air conditioning. Payment is made only in U.S. dollars (about 2 USD per 1, 5-2 km.).

Language

Spanish is the official language. English, Russian and French are also used.