Learn More About Travel To Cuba

Tourism to Cuba, the largest of the Caribbean Islands, is becoming more popular as the country is actively encouraging it. Americans too are beginning to travel to Cuba as the United States embargo has relaxed slightly. Financial help from the old Soviet Union has ceased and this has impacted on the economy. Power blackouts are quite common but it is possible to get a good standard of accommodation with modern amenities, including up to 5 star hotels. Inoculations are advised, particularly for Hepatitis B and Tetanus.

A Tourist Visa Card is usually required for entry and different terms apply to different countries. The major airport is situated near the capital city of Havana at the Jose Marti International Airport. Many visitors like to move around on the bus network that includes luxury, air-conditioned buses with toilets and refreshments for sale. Spanish speakers who travel to Cuba should note that it is the official language but Cubans speak it in their own distinct dialect. The unit of currency is the Cuban Peso and there are few ATMs, even in Havana. Travelers Checks drawn on American banks are not acceptable strictly speaking, because of the embargo, but some tourist hotels will cash them.

Favorite souvenirs for tourists are cigars, coffee or rum. Rum and rum based cocktails are popular in the bars and beer is readily available too. People who travel to Cuba may be disappointed in the cuisine. It's not as inventive as in other parts of the Caribbean and the national dish is rice and beans. Restaurants are owned by the government with the exception of restaurants operating in private homes, called Paladares, where the standard of food is better. The staple meat dishes are chicken and pork and vendors sell pizzas. Bottled water is recommended for the visitor.

Havana is a very exciting city with lots of nightlife and attractions, including the Museum of Revolution and Capital Building. There are tours available round a cigar factory or a rum factory. Varadero is a popular beach resort and is the site of the only golf course in the country. Divers and snorkelers go to the small village of Maria la Gorda where there is a beach and a diving center. For mountainous scenery, there is the valley of Vinales. More and more people will travel to Cuba for something different from the usual tourist trail and it's a good time to go before it gets too popular.