Cuba - The Facts

Size: 42,803 square miles (110,859sq km)
Capital: Havana
Language: Spanish
Currency: Cuban peso, but US dollars are the accepted currency for travellers. Most Cubans expect to be paid in dollars and won't accept pesos. Take low denomination notes and coins, change isn't always available.
Weather: Tropical. The dry season is from November to April, the rainy season from May to October. The humidity is around 80% all year.

Tourism has only recently revived in Cuba after years of isolation and that's part of its charm. The down side of are the jiniteros, which roughly translated means conmen and girls looking for rich foreigners.

Cuba - Attractions

Havana Huge finned American cars from another era dominate the streets and faded, peeling colonial architecture gives the city a unique atmosphere that some fear may disappear once it's renovated. Museums to visit in Havana include the Museo de la Revolucion and Museo Nacional Palacio de Belles Artes. Hemingway fans can see where and how he lived. His home, La Vigia has been preserved since his death in 1961.

Santiago de Cuba

The country's second city has a Caribbean feel and is home to Cuba's oldest palaces and museums including the Casa de Diego Velázquez and the Museo Municipal Bacardí. It's also the 'cradle of the revolution', the Cementerio Santa Ifigenia has the graves of many famous revolutionaries.

Trinidad

This was once a haven for smugglers who, until the start of the 19th century, brought in slaves and gold from British-controlled Jamaica. Now its attractions include some of Cuba's most beautiful buildings, best beaches and the impressive Museo Histórico Municipal.

The Isla de la Juventud

The island, 80 miles south of Havana, was a hideout for pirates and the inspiration for Treasure Island. It's not easy to get to but worth the effort if you enjoy the unspoilt. There's good scuba diving, grapefruit plantations, turtles, iguanas and pelicans.

Baracoa

Founded by Diego Velázquez in 1512 this is Cuba's oldest European settlement and a place of palm trees and old forts which have now been converted into museums, restaurants and a hotel.

Pinar del Río

This province at the western end of the island is a hikers, cavers, scuba divers and cigar smokers dream. It's famous for its limestone mountains, tobacco plantations, cigar factories and caves. María la Gorda has some of the best diving in the Caribbean and there are underground rivers in the area's many caves.

Guama

The town built on a series of islands linked by wooden bridges is a reconstructed Indian village. These original inhabitants were wiped out by the early colonials.
Cuba - Activities

Beaches and water sports

Cuba has nearly 300 white sand beaches. The ones in the south are warmer and more commercialised than those in the north. Snorkelling and windsurfing are available but finding equipment for hire can be a problem. Diving is popular with many reefs and wrecks to explore. The best areas are The Isla de la Juventud in the south and the 250 mile reef along the north coast of Camaguey province. Swimming with dolphins is available at Varadero and Holguin.

Hiking

There is good walking country to be found, but few marked paths or maps. The exception is the Sierra Maestra National Park which has trails and guided walks. It includes Pico Turquino, Cuba's highest mountain at 6,390 feet, which is reached by a trail that passes through cedar, mahogany and tropical vegetation.

Horse riding

Tourist ranches offering riding holidays have been established at Baconao and Trinidad. Riding is also available in The Sierra Maestra and around Vinales.

Climbing

The Viñales Valley has over 30 climbing routes on 1,000-foot limestone faces. The freestanding crags called mogotes provide some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

Cuba - Entertainment

Cubans know how to have a good time and are passionate about music and dance. Bolero, rumba and salsa are everywhere. Havana's a great place for live music in clubs, bars and on the streets. Cuba's best salsa bands can be found at El Palacio de la Salsa in the Riviera Hotel.

The National Symphony Orchestra, regularly performs at the Teatro Nacional in Havana and The National Ballet of Cuba is also based in the city.
Most towns have a Casa de la Trova where you can see a range of informal live music performances.

The Havana Carnival in late February can last three weeks and is a huge street party. There's also an International Jazz Festival every second year. In October there is the ten day Festival of Contemporary Music.

Santiago de Cuba's Carnival takes place in July. One of the most famous in Cuba is influenced by the city's African heritage. It's an extravaganza of parades, all night dancing and a steady supply of Carnival rum - bring your own cup!