Cuba – A Great Holiday Destination?

Cuba has been in the news recently with the opening of relations with the United States for the first time since 1962, when that country imposed a trade embargo on Cuba.  Because of the news, many people are looking at Cuba again and considering it as a holiday destination.  The country has a rich history and a vibrant current-day life, and is well worth consideration as a location for your next holiday.

Cuba is a lovely place to visit

Cuba, located about 200 km south of Key West, Florida (United States), is an island country in the Caribbean.  While most people associate the country of Cuba with its largest island of the same name, there is also the much smaller Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) and several archipelagos.

Cuba enjoys a warm, tropical climate year-round.  November through April tends to be the warmer, drier time of year, and May through October tends to be cooler and wetter, though there are “rain shadows” cast by mountains and valleys that receive plenty of precipitation year-round.  When summer changes to fall, the chance of hurricanes increases, and if one hits the island, it’s generally in the September to October corridor.

Hurricane season hits Cuba each year

For almost 400 years, the island was a possession of Spain, and so you’ll hear Spanish spoken on the island, with a distinctive local accent.  After the Spanish-American war ended in 1898, Spain ceded Cuba to the United States.  A few years later, American President Theodore Roosevelt granted Cuba its independence in 1902. It underwent a series of governmental changes, usually instituted by force, until Fidel Castro’s takeover of the government in 1959.  The country has been a socialist stronghold ever since.

Tourism is a growing industry in the country, which will no doubt expand now that no limits are placed on visitors from the United States.  Prior to 1997, tourism was limited to “enclave” resorts, where visitors lived in a tourist world of their own, separate from the general population.  However, as the tourist trade continued to grow, the enclaves couldn’t hold everyone, and tourism has expanded beyond the enclave borders.

Tourists, even with those sort of t-shirts are now welcome

While the islands of Cuba are gorgeous, keep in mind that the mining of nickel is one of the primary industries of the country.  Not every inch of Cuba is unspoiled.  Also, eco-tourism is pretty much unheard of in the country.  As a tourist, if you can come with an open mind and just take in the surroundings, you’re almost guaranteed to have an enjoyable holiday.

The people of Cuba are, in general, warm and inviting.  Over two million people live in the capital of Havana, and if you want nightlife and action, this is the place to head.  It’s also the location of the largest airport, and you’ll find flights here much cheaper than to outlying locations.  Havana is a fascinating mix of ancient, retro, and modern, with crumbling 17th century buildings only a few blocks away from modern high-rises.  The centre of the city is dotted with office buildings from the 50s and 60s, when the United States had a strong presence here.

Generally people in Cuba are warm and friendly. Even this donkey

Trinidad is closer to the centre of the island and looks a bit like New Orleans, partly because it was settled by the French in the 19th century, and many of those buildings remain.  Actually, the town is one of the island’s seven original cities, founded in 1514.  There are still buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries around, and the cathedral and stunning natural beauty of this area are well worth a visit.

While there are hotels large and small dotting the island, some locals operate as a ‘casa particular’.  They must be licensed to do this, but if you can find one (generally in Havana, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba and Pinar del Rio), you’ll have an amazing experience.  It does help to speak at least pidgin Spanish, as the casa operators sometimes do not speak any other language.  But in one of these homes you’ll get to experience life in Cuba, rather than just looking at it from a distance.  The front doors of these homes will have a blue triangle on a white background painted on the front door.  They are usually cheaper than the state-run hotels, and many times the hostess cooks fabulous meals.  If you want a taste of true Cuba, this is definitely the way to go.  You may not have all the amenities of a five-star hotel, but you’ll have memories that will last a lifetime.

Casa Particulars are particularly cheap B&Bs

Cuba, of course, has its own culture, which has been built from several centuries of other cultures mixing on the island.  Cubans rarely wear shorts other than at the beach, and women are expected to cover their legs and shoulders when visiting churches and cathedrals.  Travelling with a light shawl or scarf is a good idea for those spur-of-the-moment side trips to see a fascinating building.  The Roman Catholic Church is a strong influence here, even though the Socialist government technically is atheist.  The Pope even visited Cuba in 1998, which resulted in huge crowds and celebrations throughout the islands.

One thing to keep in mind:  Both the American two-pin plugs and the European round two-pin plug can be found, so it’s wise to bring converters with you.  Also remember that all information, including newspapers, radio and television, are state-controlled, and that there are severe penalties for insulting public officials.  It’s best to remain in tourist mode there, observing and learning about the country.  With the opening of the borders we’re likely to see some changes in the future, but for the moment it’s not a free society, and those of us from other areas need to keep that in mind.

Play nice, or this may be your new home. Forever

A passport as well as a visa is required to visit Cuba, so these items should be arranged for well in advance.  The passport must be good for at least six months after the planned departure date.

Cuba is a fascinating mix of old and new, socialist and capitalist, natural and industrial.  There is no other island quite like it anywhere, and it’s experiencing rapid changes right now.  In ten years Cuba is almost guaranteed to be a different island than it is today, and for those looking for a unique holiday destination where you can either relax or celebrate, Cuba promises to be a great holiday destination.

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