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