CUBA: Travel Guide to la Isla Bonita

In this Cuba Travel Guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to navigate the joyful island of Cuba and its paradoxes.

As only recently Cuba re-opened the doors of its beauty to the world, travel information about this gorgeous country is still scarce and scattered all over the internet, so I decided to write this comprehensive guide to help you make the most out of your upcoming trip.

Between Colours, Rhythm, and an Aged-Rum Flavour.

A Walkthrough Cuban History and Social Fights.

Named the “The Key to the New World” by explorers and conquerors due to its strategic position in the middle of the Carribean, Cuba was initially discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and described on the Captain’s log as “the most beautiful island human eyes have ever seen”.

After four centuries under Spanish domination and a 100-years struggling fight for genuine geopolitical and economical independence, Cuba became an incredible and unique cultural melting pot with a social fabric like no other in the world.

Is Cuba for you?

Immerse yourself in the good and the bad of a communist political system like no other in the world. Take breaks smoking cigar on crystal clear beaches and savouring traditional aged-rum!

Cuba is an ace destination either way if you’re looking for a cultural holiday or a relaxing-at-sea vacation out of the radars.

Service level is generally way inferior to most countries, but friendliness, solidarity and chances for social interactions are much greater and generally make up for it!

If you love music, dancing and getting to know local people, you can’t go wrong with Cuba!

QUICK FACTS ABOUT CUBA

Capital City: Havana (in Spanish “La Habana”)

Population: 11.2 Millions

Currency: Cuba is the only country in the world employing two official currencies: the CUC (Convertible Cuban Peso) & the CUP (National Cuban Peso).

Language Spoken: Spanish is the official language of Cuba. Few locals speak also English, but for sure, learning basic Spanish before going will make everything much easier (and cheaper!).

Plugs: In Cuba, the power plugs and sockets are of type A, B, C, and L. The standard voltage is 110 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

Safety: Cuba is one of the safest countries in Central and Latino America. Despite conditions of economical poverty, the social system provides everyone with housing and services to satisfy basic needs.

Credit Cards & ATMs: You can easily find ATMs in most towns. You’ll be withdrawing in CUC, the currency for tourists and the only one you’ll likely need. Cash is still king in Cuba, so never run out of it as cards are only rarely accepted.

Internet: Despite great improvement in the last 5 years, Internet in Cuba is still unreliable, expensive and available only in specific areas. Make sure to read my guide on Hot to Connect to Internet in Cuba for more information.