Cuba Island Travel
Cuba Overview
Cuba is the largest Caribbean island, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It lies 145 km south of Key West, Florida, between the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, to the west of Haiti, and northwest of Jamaica. The climate of Cuba is mild subtropical, thanks to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, its narrow configuration, east to west oriented receives action of trade winds and marine breezes. To have the best time in the island, avoid visiting during the rainy seasons that's from May to November.
Cuba Main Attractions
Tourism in Cuba attracts over 2 million people a year, and is one of the main sources of revenue for the island. With its favorable climate, beaches, colonial architecture and distinct cultural history, Cuba has long been an attractive destination for tourists. Having been Spain's last, oldest, and closest colony until 1901, in the first part of the 20th century Cuba continued to benefit from big investments, creation of industries, and immigration.
Cuba is developing its eco-tourism potential, and one of the prime spots for getting back to nature is at the Montemar Natural Park on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas. The peninsula is one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean, and its vast area includes forests, marshes, crystal clear lagoons and canals. Its exuberant flora, including more than 900 species of plants and 115 of them endemic to Cuba is complemented by its rich fauna, consisting of 160 bird species and 12 types of animal, including crocodiles.
Cuba Activities
Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit to Cuba would not be complete without trying the island's most famous export, cigars. Investigating the island's old and traditional art of cigar making is the most famed activity. There are three main factories in Havana that offers tours to see cigars still rolled by hand. Cigars can be purchased in shops attached to the old factories.
Cuba Accommodation & Dining
Having the real life of Cubans can be experienced by booking in the casas particulares. These are private houses licensed to offer lodging services to foreigners. They are cheaper than hotels and food is almost better than the food offered in hotels. Casa particular offers any other services other then accommodation. Finding the fiery pepperpot spiciness found on some of the other Caribbean islands in Cuba can give a hard time. Most of the restaurants in Cuba are run by the government and it expected to be notoriously bland. The best cooking you can find in Cuba is the restaurants in casa particular or in paladares, locally owned restaurants in private homes.
Cuba Shopping & Nightlife
Nightlife in Cuba simply means cocktail. Cuban national cocktails include Cuba Libre (a mixed of rum and cola) and the Mojito (mixes of rum, lime, sugar, mint leaves, club soda and ice). There are also rum and cocktails already available in bottle. As in any developing country, most of the merchandise available is designed for tourists to take back home. The biggest Cuban exports for tourists are rum, cigars, and coffee, all of which are available at government-owned stores or on the streets.
Getting To & Around Cuba
Jose Marti International Airport outside Havana is the main gateway and is served by major airlines from points in Canada, Mexico, and Europe to Cuba. There are also regional flights from other Caribbean islands.
