| Ask anyone the first three things they can think | | | | reefs from Cayo Coco, and many more. |
| of when mentioning Cuba and you will most | | | | As with most Caribbean destinations the best |
| probably hear Cuban cigars, music and Castro. | | | | time to enjoy a holiday in Cuba is any period from |
| The first two not only are the reasons a lot of | | | | December to April which is actually considered the |
| tourists visit Cuba every year. Even though a | | | | tourist season. There are many things that make |
| socialist country and in tensed relationship with the | | | | Cuba a destination to avoid, however once you |
| United States, Cuba seems to be one of the | | | | get to find out details about the country, its |
| preferred Caribbean holiday destinations. With lots | | | | regions and the ways that you can spend your |
| of places to visit and lots of things to do, most of | | | | holiday, you are most likely to return or extend |
| them with very good prices, a holiday in Cuba can | | | | your staying. If you are traveling for the first |
| prove to be a great alternative to other | | | | time to Cuba, make sure you find out if you need |
| Caribbean destinations and definitely a cheaper | | | | a visa and how you can obtain it. Most countries |
| one. Access to the biggest Caribbean island is | | | | need visas which are not difficult to get but the |
| mainly done by air and very rarely by boat. The | | | | period of time varies. Also take cash with you |
| island is divided into three regions: Western Cuba, | | | | and choose one of the main currencies like the |
| Central Cuba and Eastern Cuba and getting from | | | | Euro, the Canadian Dollar, and the GBP. There are |
| one region to the other can be done by car, bus, | | | | two kinds of money in Cuba, the Cuban Pesos |
| plane or boat. In the cities you can get around by | | | | (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC). |
| bus, bike or taxi. Renting a car is not always | | | | The currency you want to use while there is the |
| recommended and if you are alone or with a | | | | CUP. If you are not a smoker and you do not |
| friend you can hitchhike. | | | | want to try the famous Cuban cigars, you can |
| The top tourist destinations in Cuba are Havana, | | | | try the rum or the coffee or any of their popular |
| the capital, Santa Clara which hosts the statue of | | | | rum based cocktails, the Cuba Libre or the Mojito. |
| Che Guevara, Pinar del Rio which is considered the | | | | The thing that unites all of these is the music, |
| capital of the cigar industry, Varadero, Santiago | | | | salsa, son and Afro-Cubano. |
| de Cuba and Baracoa for the beaches. Tourists | | | | In terms of accommodation if you really want to |
| who visit Cuba take day trips to Trinidad a Cuban | | | | experience the Cuban way of life and culture, you |
| city with colonial-era architecture, to Isla de la | | | | should try the private rooms called casa particular. |
| Juventud, a big island that is part of Cuba, or to | | | | Since casa particulares are available in most of the |
| Maria la Gorda, a small village at the sea where | | | | towns, there is a network of casa particulares |
| one can go diving or snorkeling. For nature lovers | | | | around the island and the owners will send you |
| Cuba is the place that is not only surrounded by | | | | from one casa to another if you want them too. |
| waters, but also has several national parks that | | | | One thing to remember is that while prices are |
| can be visited and where different activities can | | | | low compared to other tourist places, you are |
| be done during your holiday. In Pinar del Rio you | | | | charged for everything and if you are not paying |
| can visit, Vinales National Park or La Guira National | | | | attention you can be overcharged. Most of the |
| park which have a lot of caves and mountains. | | | | people have low wages, thus tipping is expected |
| For scuba diving, beaches and bird watching as | | | | and encouraged everywhere. When you leave |
| well as for visiting a historical site you can visit the | | | | Cuba be careful about the things you want to |
| Cienaga de Zapata National park situated in the | | | | take out of Cuba as there are restrictions to the |
| Mantanzas region. A few of the places that you | | | | amount of cigars, rum, coffee and other |
| should visit and enjoy while in Cuba are the | | | | souvenirs. |
| tobacco factories, the sea wall Malecon, the coral | | | | |