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PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
CUBA
1/ MONEY
There are 2 currencies in Cuba:
Peso and convertible Peso
Peso is the currency of the Cubans, it is worth approximately 28 times less than one Peso Convertible (CUC).
The CUC is the currency of the tourists, it is worth approximately 1 €, according to the fluctuations in exchange!
For Europeans, take along Euros, especially not of the dollars, they are surtaxed.
2/ SECURITY
CUBA remains a very sure country for the tourist in spite of the appearance of flights, in particular with torn off.
Thus it is necessary to pay attention to the money, the cameras and cameras as in all the countries of the world!!
It is not dangerous to walk to Cuba, especially that the Police force, very present, does all so that the tourist is not annoyed.
3/ HEALTH
CUBA is a country without risk on the level of health.
The department of health is excellent even if it is difficult to get certain drugs.
It is thus necessary to take along its own medical case and especially not to forget to protect itself from the sun!!
The mosquitos can also be painful at certain periods.
4/ TOURS OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENCIES
Personally, we often travelled with Jet Tours (but which does not propose any more Cuba with the chart) or Havanatour, who proposes a great choice of stays and circuits to the chart.
5/ COOK.
Cuba is not a country considered for its gastronomy but one can eat very well there!
Dish impossible to circumvent, the famous moros there cristianos, also called congri, it acts of rices and black beans cooked in a sauce containing tomatos. Excellent at the restaurant hanoi in Havana! The fried bananas plantains often accompany the dishes. .
On the level meat, you will find especially pig and chicken, the chicken is almost always fried. Of course, in the restaurants and hotels very included/understood, you will find also ox.
Another dish impossible to circumvent, the lobster of Cuba! One finds some has all the prices! of 5 CUC at the restaurant
Seeman of 20 CUC aat Café Taberna and on the beach in Cayo Guillermo.
6/ DRINKS
Cocktails
CUBA is the paradise of the cocktails, here are some not to miss!
Mojito, containing mint, lemon, rum, sugar, aerated water… a fresh treat which is drunk like small milk… but attention! it is treacherous!!
Daiquiri, freezes crushed and rum.
Water
Water is drinkable but it is advised to drink bottled water, on sale of everywhere at reasonable prices.
Soda or refesco
The Coke Cola exists in Cuba, and yes!! But there exist local versions as Tukola which is very good.
Coffee
Excel coffee, been useful tight in general in the bars. Excellent for the Italian coffee amateurs, because for the watery coffee amateurs (style the USA), you will not like!!
beer
There exist several very good local beers in particular the Crystal and Bucanero.
7/ CIGARS
Everyone sells cigars in Cuba!! The proposals do not miss but they are not all of good quality, far from there! It is to better buy them in official stores. Moreover to the customs, you cannot pass who 23 cigars without invoices.
8/ CLIMATE
To have an outline of the climatology of Cuba : click here
The period of the cyclones extends in general from June to October. But according to the years, it is rather variable! In the event of cyclone, the tourists are put at the shelter and it is very rare that there are victims parmis them.
9/ MUSIC
Present of everywhere in the country, each bar or restaurant with its group which plays, it is not rare while walking out of the tourist zones to meet musicians who repeat, or play for the pleasure of some people. An artist to be known: Raul Paz
10/ RESTAURANTS ET PALADARS
The restaurants all are belong to the State, therefore the service can be sometimes enough nonchalant… They are in general a little expensive than Paladars but it is not always the case.. For example,, the Hanoi, is less expensive than the paladars. Our preferred are with Havana, Seeman, hanoi and El Bosquetofor their quality ratio/price
The paladars are private restaurants, they normally have right only to 4 tables… but if Julia has 4 tables well, Guarida (paladar of luxury) in has much more! Environment is in general, very sympathetic, family. The best for me is Julia in the old woman Havana, el sabor latino in Santa Clara. But one is far from all the connaitres! if you have addresses, give us on the forum.
11/ HOTELS
HAVANA
There exists a very significant number of very good hotels with Havana. For our part, we always preferred the small hotels of charm in the old city. We advise Tejadillo, for his excellent ratio quality/price. Palacio O' Farrill for its very good service and of very large triple rooms. Attention, it should be known that these two hotels are located in narrow and alive streets… thus noisy! Raquel is very well too.
Update 2007
I will add with the list San Miguel in extreme cases of the old city and Riveira, excel hotel in Vedado, on Malecon but more far from the old city.
If not, there exist very beautiful hotels like the NH or Saratoga, with swimming pool on the roof and well placed also but the budget is very different!
Considering with Havana, one does not spend much time to the room… one prefers being in contact with the population.
HOTELS OF BEACH
The hotels formulates some very included/understood do not miss!! The principal tourist areas are Varadero, Holguin, Guadalavaca (Playa Pesquero), Cayos (Coconut, Santa Maria, Guillermo and largo) and Jibacoa.
For my part, I always advise to make a compound, a few days with Havana and then Cayo, that allows to reconcile the culture, the meetings with people and idleness! Or better still, to visit all the island!!
Update 2007
If you like the beautiful deserted beaches, two addresses impossible to circumvent:
Cayo Levisa, a small paradise of peace, about thirty rooms on an island of 3-4 kms length.
Tired Cayo Brujas, Splendid place, a score of rooms on the mangrove.
Attention, not of formulas very included/understood but of half-boards with meals cuban and not standardized as in the great complexes.
12 / ZONES DE PLONGEE
13 / REGLEMENTATION DOUANIERE
