Cuba is associated with fragrant cigars, dark rum, Macho in Sombrero and Salsa. And all this really is on the island. Unexpected it turns out except that the poverty of Cubans rushing into the eyes. The capital of Havana in places looks like a week ago, a natural disaster suffered: no one repairs old buildings, then here there are plated facades and dilapidated houses. In grocery stores, the Soviet past is easily remembered: on empty counters - the only and unapless piece of meat, and in tourist places Fanswist digestly on duty. The average salary is $ 15 per month, and if Cuban receives 20 - hence, he was lucky, and he most likely works in the sphere of tourism.

However, the cheerful temper and good-natured Cubans do not give them to be discouraged. Despite the wrong standard of living, they adore Castro Brothers - Fidel and Raul. The Russians love here, since the USSR largely helped the friendly republic, including to create military bases. The last circumstance does not allow to forget local guides, then the case pointing to the dome of reactors, "built together with the Russians". The collective farm for the cultivation of oranges here proudly is the name of Lenin, and the seller of ice cream in the Havana port on free Russian talks about how he defended his dissertation on scientific communism in Kazan University.

Surprisingly, the poverty of Cubans does not at all make this country cheap - prices are close to European. Two types of pesos are drawn on the island: the usual used only by local residents, and the so-called convertible (CUC), which tourists pay. One CUC is equivalent to one euro. Currency can be bought directly at the airport, because the course is the same everywhere. At the same time, it is preferable to take the euro with you, the dollars are unprofitable here - apparently, dislike for Americans. Entertainment and shopping in Cuba is not cheaper than in Paris. For example, "Bolivian diary" Che Guevara on english language Less than 12 CUC will not meet. Prices for souvenirs - Maracas, Sombrero, decorations - start from 5 CUC. But do not be lazy to bargain. And be sure to bring home rum. The easiest Havana Club costs from 3 CUC, and a bottle of Dark Santiago de Cuba, which the Cubans themselves consider the best, at the airport you can buy for 8 CUC.

Havana: Neither step without tips
Capital Cuba is small but densely populated city. Cozy little areas in it alternate with narrow streets, for which the guide of the seed of strings of older old women. Historical Center - Old Havana - consists of blackened cathedrals and colonial houses painted in bright shades of pink and yellow. On the city ride the same bright cars - American Bijiki, Russian "pennies" and "Victory". Cuban Capitol is an exact copy of the American. Here is a small museum exposition and possess advanced souvenir shops. Souvenirs are full and on the main pedestrian street Obispo, where, after a walk, it is pleasant to relax in the Floridita bar or Bodegita del Medio, where I often came to drink my favorite Daikiri Ernest Hemingway.

In restaurants and cafes you need to be prepared for the fact that payment for food and drinks does not limit. Almost everywhere you have to give Tips Musicians Mariachi - an extremely intrusive musical service in Cuba. In each restaurant, it is worth just to sit down and make an order, a group in Sombrero arises nearby, which is invariably singing "Comanthand Che Guevara" and other Cuban hits. Having performed two or three songs, the soloist will certainly suit your table and insistently ask the tips. A pair of pesos, generally speaking, ask everyone: and the kind cubage, who offered to take a picture of you on a picturesque background, and passerby, who indicated the right direction, and children on the street. It is worthwhile on some ledged square - and a pimp or a dealer attacks you, offering a box of cigars, cocaine or a girl for five dollars (in Cuba is a common business). The representatives of the fine sex either will not be saved from excessive attention - married them will call from morning to evening. In order not to attract attention to yourself, learn how to go to the tourist as small as possible: put on old jeans, remove the camera and the card. Going around the city, I am not in a hurry, after all, the main Cuban credo is Trabajo Manana ("work tomorrow").

Beaches Varadero.
At the main resort of Cuba, located 200 kilometers from Havana, the tourist life is boiling all year round. Along the coast of Varadero, a strip of hotels, alternating with souvenir shops, beach bars, cafes and nightclubs stretched. The main entertainment during the day - lying on the beach (the sun is uncompressed even in winter). If you rank not at your hotel, for the sun bed, most likely, you will have to pay 2-4 CUC. Swim here - True pleasure: Sand clean, no sea heronor stones, and water is so transparent, that, even going into her belt, you will see how nails are made on your feet.

You can have dinner at the hotel (most hotels operate on the system "all inclusive", including bars), and in some coastal restaurant. Cuban, more precisely, Creole, the kitchen is replete with meat (basically it is pork), chowers from beans and beans. It also has a lot of fruit - oranges, pineapples, mango, papaya and guava. Creole food is generally simple, but the cook is inventive to the name. For example, "Mauri and Christians" is a dish of black beans and rice. Lunch will permanently cost 10-12 CUC per person.

By evening, the beaches will be empty. When it is dark, it's time to go to a concert in Casa de La Musica, where the taxi driver is domicion from any corner of Varadero for 5-15 CUC. In the Casa de la Musica there are incendiary views with songs and dances, and ends with all discos. If you want to start right away from the disco, go to the biggest night club On the coast - La Rumba or to the one that is smaller, - El Mambo. By midnight, all youth Varadero is going to. For the entrance will have to give 5-10 CUC. On weekdays in clubs are not so fun and crowded, like Friday and Saturday.

Finish fun is pleasantly in the Continental Bar, where they prepare delicious cocktails. Drinks are everywhere in approximately the same - both in the hotel lobby, and in a nightclub - 2-3 CUC. The mint Mojito estimated by the Russians in Cuba is often cooked with the addition of red pepper, so if you are not an acute lover, look after the bartender. Above all praise Pina Colada, and, of course, each visitors are simply obliged to try Rom with Cola - Cuba Libre.

Other cities
There are many small ones in Cuba, but very cute towns, in which it is worth going to a curious traveler. To learn something new about Cuban Hero Che Guevara, you need to go to the town of Santa Clara. The remains of Che, shot in 1967 in the forests of Bolivia, brought to Cuba only 30 years after his death, when scientists managed to detect and identify them. Now his museum is located in a modest building, where you can read the letter of Ernistito boy from time to time to your aunt, to get acquainted with the medical books, which student Guevara studied, to see the bodies of the Commander, his military girlfriend Tanya and other comrades from the partisan detachment. Just Brod "" It is pleasant to the desert streets, away from the tourist crowd, pleasantly in the city of Matansas. The province is also called the same. Here is one of the largest caves in Cuba - Cuevas de Belmar - about 50 meters deep and a length of about three kilometers (only 300 meters are open for visiting). It is literally littered with stalactites and stalagmites, and the age of some of them is more than 40 thousand years. Belamar was discovered relatively recently, in the nineteenth century. I found her shepherd, looking for a missing sheep.

In the tiny trinidade, it seems, little has changed in five centuries - from the moment it was founded. Bridges are stacked from a cobblestone, on the windows of two-storey houses - wooden shutters and lace curtains, who have older cubes in colorful turbans. Often there are rooms in such houses. From the bell tower in the city center you can see the entire Trinidad: the tiled roofs in the haze, the cotton market, palm trees on the outskirts, the mountains away - and feel yourself in the colonial era.

Distant Cuba – Liberty Island Over the ocean. The incendiary dances of Cubans, the colonial architecture of the cities of the island, the turquoise waves of the ocean and white beaches and is called a trip to Cuba.

After a long flight, a friendly island meets us. Ahead of the excursion and walks through the city of Havana, a few days of life in another world, on another continent, rest on the beach.

Here they are azure waves and white beaches of Varadero, which are so attractive for tourists. Delightful place!

Beautiful clear sea, on the shore of sun beds, umbrellas from the sun, warm, in one word gorgeous.

In this photo, a view from the window, pass the Matanasas area along the way to the hotel. A few days of relaxation flew fun and romantic, sunbathe, bathed, relatively rested.

Were in the capital. The capital of Cuba is the city of Havana, perhaps the most interesting place to travel.

In Cuba, love, honor and remember their heroes. City streets and walls of buildings are decorated with images of Che Guevara, the wax figures of the National Hero of the revolutionary are exhibited in museums.

Time on the island flew quickly. Did we feel that Cuba island of freedom? It is difficult to say, for this you need to travel to Cuba to be long, then it would be possible to get acquainted with the life and ski of the life of the indigenous population, and in a short time of vacation and day excursions in this city do not understand this.

Havana city

On a minibus, we were brought on a tour to the city of Havana, and it seemed that life in it was defended especially, in Cuban, calmly and leisurely.

Residents of Havana Rada to foreign tourists. They love to be photographed with them, for some citizens it is their little business (asking for a personal photo several coins).

Hotel Plaza de Armasian colorful indigenous resident of Cuba Island

In Havana, the dilapidation of urban buildings is very noticeable. On the streets are crowded, in the old part of the city crowd of tourists inspect the sights. Cubans are accustomed to, pleased with everywhere.

Below are photos of Cuba Island, the plots of our rest during the trip.

On the roads, Havana flashes rare cars - the pride of Cubans, for them it.

On the move, the ancient Fords, Bentley, Ferari, who are very proud of the Cubans and carefully repaid them.

Here in the city, you can be wonderfully rest, sit in the restaurant, look at the incendiary Cuban dances.

Attractions, architectural structures, green parks give a special color to the city of Havana.

On the Revolution Square is the famous Stela of José Marty, dedicated to the poet and the revolutionary of Cuba. At the top of the stela is located viewpointInteresting views are opened with it (in charge).

The old area of \u200b\u200bHavana is a recreation center and a favorite place for citizens and tourists, holidays are held here.

On the Plaza Plaza Vieha is often crowded.

Havana has its own modern opera and ballet theater.

Fortresses, Cathedral, Monastery, Church and other structures of the Old Town of Havana are a heritage of UNESCO.

This is one of the streets of the city. On her we met pioneers in bright red ties, something enthusiastically telling each other.

In the Capitol of Havana, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Ecology is located, works first in Havana an Internet cafe.

This photo is made on San Francisco Square, it has a fountain with lions from Carre marble. Nearby, on the contrary, there is a monastery of St. Francis.

Beautiful vegetation and diverse animal world Cuba islands.

There are many rare birds on the island, twenty species of which are no longer found anywhere in the world. One of these unusual birds is hummingbird.

National Bird Cuba - Cuban Truncron, His distinctive feature Bright red-white and blue plumage similar to the Cuban flag. We have not seen this bird on the island, we met another.

There are many reptiles and lizards on Cuba, different colors and sizes, they say that there are about 150 species. In our photos, several lizards are captured, which "silent" and we were greatly posing.

And we also liked the bugs, sit on the stones, as if he was heated in the sun.

In the thickets of grass, in the aviary, the Cuban crocodile attached.

The cuisine islands with seafood. What is there just no!

Visitors of restaurants order dishes from fresh fish, it can be selected directly from the aquarium. Mustic lobsters are floating behind the glass, huge fish and different marine messengers. 30 minutes and dinner ready.

Below is the photos of the hotel at the hotel.

On these pictures of Flora and the fauna of the island of Cuba - cute birds, plants and flowers.

On this photo travel to the modern province of the island.

It is a pity that I quickly ran the time. We are remembered for a long time, I liked the island of Cuba, the special hospitality of the residents of the city of Havana.

Cuba or the island of freedom is a small state in which people who differ in their freedom and passion live. What is interesting to this country? What will bring each tourist journey to mysterious land Cigars, fragrant coffee and sugar cane? All the answers you will learn in this article.

Why are the considerable number of tourists from Russia choose Cuba despite the pretty cost of rest on the island of freedom? There are several reasons at once: no visa formalities, beautiful nature, luxury beaches And one hundred percent caribbean exotic in revolutionary entourage. The contingent of local holidaymakers is very diverse: youth and family couples, as well as many men booking "Single" are chosen to the island. Most travelers are people with income above average.

Perhaps some still remember how they decipher the name of this country is 15 years ago: "Communism off the coast of America." Jokes jokes, but Cuba really remains one of the few oplots of brightened socialist ideology with such familiar attributes: the legendary command of Che and his living, all-living followers, an external ideological enemy in the face of states and unprecedented patriotism local residents. There are, however, and radical differences from the USSR are a steady influx of tourists all year round, hotels with high level of service and rich entertainment opportunities: diving, snorkeling, yacht walks and then on the list. Plus, of course, do not forget about the famous rum and cigars. By the way, the most ideologically enemy leadership, despite the embargo of the Isle of Freedom, is secretly smoked, by the way.

When you are in America, especially among her Spanish citizens, the conversation is always sooner or later getting to Cuba (and whom she will leave indifferent?) "Of course," People's older people tell me, - you, Sovieticos, always stood for Castro, and you probably have a communist "- add one with reproxity, and others - with approval. I smile in response, because I think at this moment not at all about Fidel ...

Climate Cuba

Cuba climate Tropical trade machine, temperature regime is softened by the effect of the ocean. Throughout a year, high humidity is felt that in combination with high temperature requires certain acclimatization, but on the heat coast, the heat is mitigated by constant winds from the ocean. Conditionally, you can allocate two periods - dry (Sokla in May) and the wet season of rains (from June to September).

Cuba maps

How to get to cuba

The easiest and fastest way to get to Cuba is direct direct regular flights Aeroflot Moscow - Havana (about 12 hours). Other options: Flight transit through Paris flight Air. France in Havana and Flying through Frankfurt with Condor Airlines in Havana and Varadero. The road will take from 16 to 20 hours. Finally, in Havana and Varadero, you can get through Amsterdam with KLM.
The flight from the CIS countries is carried out either through Moscow or with a docking in the cities of Europe.

If tourists are flying with KLM airline, because of the uncomfortable docking of flights they will have to spend the night in Amsterdam. To do this, issue transit visaAnd also in advance to book a hotel. It is more convenient to stay in the center of Amsterdam: the railway crossing time from the airport to the station in the city center is just 20 minutes.

Transportation Cuba

Public transport in the country is not developed sufficient. Cubans themselves for moving inside cities or by country often use hitchhiking.
The main urban transport is buses, but they can only be recommended to fans of extreme: neither comfort, no clear schedule, they have no permanent routes. For tourists, special "tourist" taxis are intended - these are always modern and serviceable cars. They can be ordered from any hotel or just by phone, the passage is paid only in dollars. The usual taxis, in which they take a peso, are quite old cars, and their little. Finally, there is in Cuba and "bombing" inkone. They have a slightly lower prices than government taxi drivers, but there are no guarantees of quality.

By the resort of Varadero, "Shuttles", whose drivers are quite trusted, as well as tourist buses. On such a bus, buying a one-time ticket, you can ride all day, going out at any stop and sitting on any stop unlimited number.

How to avoid problems

On the island of freedom, tourists should adhere to standard precautions - valuable items, documents and money to store in a safe. It is not recommended to drink water from the tap, as well as feed in other restaurants, except for government. Cuba can not take pictures military technique, servicemen and industrial enterprises.

I can say that there are practically no homeless cats on the island, but many homeless dogs. Cats here do not sit at home locked up, and freely go out into the street and walk where they want, especially in the lumps, which there are many in the same Havana - but then come back home. But the homeless dogs here there are more and more: from religious considerations they do not sleep here, but they will simply be offended from home and leave somewhere.

Beaches Cuba

All beaches municipal, free. However, the hotels are enshrined separate areas of the beach, which diligently protected, and where they will almost not meet the local population. Sun beds and umbrellas - free.

Diving in Cuba

The main advantages of "Cuba Daversk" - the excellent safety of the ecosystem, favorable climatic conditions, high level of development of the diving industry, the presence of dive sites of all levels of complexity. Read more about dive sites, season, marine living creatures and others with them - on the diving page in Cuba.

Shopping

From Cuba, you can bring the black coral and products from it, the products from the turtle shell (bracelets and hairpins), tumbador or bongo (shock musical instruments used in African melodies), Guayauber (a shirt, which is worn in the tropics officials) and Brazilian shoes. Be sure to purchase Cuban rum, real Cuban cigars and Cuban coffee. Well, of course, everything that is connected with the Cuban revolution: albums of black and white photos, T-shirts and berets with portraits Che.

Almost all stores work from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, but some are open and until 20:00. On Saturdays - from 9:00 to 15:00. In the resort areas, shops and supermarkets are usually open longer. Also, you should not forget that in the middle of the day, almost all stores are closed on Siesta.

According to unverified data from trustworthy sources, Fidel Castro is the only leader of one of the countries of the socialist, who managed to avoid the famous three-year-old Brezhnevsky sake. Not approve of such manifestations of male friendship, he found a very simple and elegant way out of the situation: throughout the official ceremony, the meeting smirled to the cigar. Thus, the heterosexual nature of the Cuban leader remained in immunity, and the pride of Leonid Ilyich was also not injured. It turned only to the transfer of "good night, kids!", Which was removed from the ether, in which Phil explained why he had a human name. Apparently, censors were afraid that Fidel could see in this offensive analogies.

Kitchen and restaurants

Creole cuisine is spread on the island, the main ingredients of which are pork and chicken prepared in various ways. One of the most popular national dishes is "Creolesky Achiako" - pork with vegetables and a large number of spices. It is also worth trying a lobster with lemon, dishes from crocodile or turtle meat, turtle eggs. There are a lot of fruit on Cuba and serve them almost to each dish. Coffee here is boiled very strong and sweet.

National drinks - Cuban rum and numerous cocktails based on it: Mojito, Cuba Libre, Daikiri and many others.
Restaurants and cafes are usually only in resorts and in major cities - Havana and Santiago de Cuba. In the rest settlements Catering establishments are presented in the main snacks, where visitors have a challenging choice between sandwiches and hot dogs.

Entertainment, Excursions and Sights Cuba

Pinar del Rio Province is located in the west of the island and is famous, firstly, beautiful nature, and secondly, tobacco plantations. Landmarks of the region: Pinar del Rio City, national Park Vinyales Valley and Soroa. The provincial capital of the province is interesting to its provincial Museum of Natural Sciences, the Palace Guash, Milanes Theater and Francisco Financial Factory. Vinyales Valley, located in the mountains of Sierra de Los Organism, is notable for its "Mogota", sheer hills with flat vertices, the "cave Indian", the cave of Santo Thomas, healing sources of San Vicente and prehistoric fresco on the wall of one of the "Mogota " The main attractions of Soroa: one of the largest nurseries in the world Orquideario orcideario nurseries, a waterfall on the Marystales River and the natural observation deck of Castillo-da Las Nubes on the top of the Loma del Fuerte Mountain.

Havana Province will be particularly interesting for fans of environmental and adventure tourism, there are many quiet secluded beaches. In the area of \u200b\u200bEscalras de Haruko a lot of caves and sheer cliffs: it is good for lovers of speleology. In San Antonio de Los Banos, you can visit the humor museum, and the coastal village of Santa Cruz del Norte is known for the fact that it produces the famous Havana Club rum.

HuvanTud Island - Second Square in Cuban Archipelago. Self interesting places Islands: natural Reserve "Los Indios-San Felipe" with a unique flora and fauna, Prison "Presidio Model", a copy of the American prison "Joliety" in Illinois (I was serving the prison sentence Fidel Castro), the National Marine Park "Punta Frances", International Dive Center "El Colon", Cayo-Largo del Sur Islands, Kayo-Rosario, Kayo Canttens and Kayo-Iguana (excellent diving and fishing).

In the province of Matanasas, you should visit the province of the province of the same name: Vicia Square (city base), Freedom Square, Montserrat Chapel (built in the image of the temple in Catalonia), San Severino Castle (because of its sizes is considered one of the main Spanish fortresses in America) . In the vicinity of the city, the caves "Belyamar" (with the mascot drawings, fossils and traces of the habitat of people who lived here 1600 years ago) and the ruins of "triumvirato" - there in the 19th century there was the largest in the history of Cuba the uprising of African slaves. The main attractions of the Sapata Peninsula: the village of Indian Taino to Guam, the nursery of Crocodiles in La Boca, Reserves of the Fauna "Santo Thomas" and "La Salina" as well Historical Museum On Playa Chiron.

The main city of Villa Clara Province, Santa Clara, is called "Ernesto Che Guevara". It is there that there is a memorial of the famous revolutionary and its remains are stored. Square "Leonsio-Vall" - Central Santa Clara Square, arranged the Museum of Decorative Art around him, former palace Governments. In addition, the province is interesting to the town of Redeze. Its main attractions: Museum of the Carnaval of the city, the Museum of Music "Alejandro Garcia Fatchella" and the main parish church of St. John the Baptist, who is considered one of the most interesting on Cuba.

Certainly worth a trip in amazingly beautiful national Parks Cuba.
On the coast, many discs, most popular among tourists are located in Bellamar (Varadero), Tuxran and Riu Las Morlas, Mambo Club disco.

Cuba hotels

In Cuba, many hotels of famous world chains, for the most part of Spanish working on the system All inclusive.. Almost all coastal hotels are on the first line of the beach.
The network voltage is 110 V, the adapter is needed, since the forks and sockets in Cuba have a flat shape. True, in modern Cuban hotels, voltage 220 V and European sockets.
The level of the hotel base is slightly lower than the European. Hotels in 4 * prevail, along with this, Cuba resorts provide a large selection of hotels 2 * and 3 *. High level hotels 5 * and 5 * Deluxe a bit.

At Varadero, Kayo-Coco, Kayo-Largo and Olgin All hotels operate only on All Inclusive. BB Accommodation provides only hotels in Havana.
Expensive hotels are distinguished by a very good level - imported alcohol (several species) is included everywhere, but mostly drinks will be local production. The level of service is low, lower than in neighboring countries Caribbean.

There are no compulsory surpluses in hotels operating on All Inclusive. In the hotels of 5 * in Havana, some amount can be blocked on a credit card that when leaving the hotel is unlocked if there are no additional expenses tourists suffered.

Everything beach hotels Free guests loungers, towels, umbrellas are provided. Sometimes the towels need to make a deposit that returns when leaving the hotel.
Another small nuance is settling the hotel after 15:00, but the release of rooms, as well as around the world, until 12:00.