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Welcome to the Cuban Department of A. Nash Travel Inc.
We know Cuba best … We’ve been selling it for over 50 years!
General Travel Information about Cuba
- GEOGRAPHY: Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean measuring 111,000 square kilometres. Cuba also lays claim to the 3000 sq km Isla de la Juventud and a further 4000 coral cays and islets, most of which are low lying and uninhabited. It is a land so vast that all of the rest of the islands of the Caribbean could fit into it.
- CAPITAL: Havana City, with a population of over 2 million.
- POPULATION: 11 million. The people are an ethnic and cultural mixture of the descendants of African slaves and the white population originating in Spain. There is no racial discrimination, and all Cubans are equal before the law.
- LANGUAGE: Spanish.
- GOVERNMENT: Socialist Republic.
- MAIN RESOURCES: Sugar, minerals, tobacco, agricultural, medicine & tourism.
- WEATHER: There are no great differences in seasonal temperatures in Cuba, its pleasant subtropical climate being augmented by the gentle north-easterly tradewinds. The wet summer season is between May and October, and the drier winter season runs from November through April. The average temperature reaches 27.2 degrees Celsius in summer, dropping to 21.0 degrees Celsius in winter. An average of 80% humidity exists all year round.
General Information
- ACCOMMODATION: All categories available, including 5-star properties.
- AIRPORTS: 10 international airports. Havana’s Jose Marti is the main entry point to the country, followed by Varadero. The air terminals at Camaguey, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Cayo Coco, Holguin, Manzanillo, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba also have international flights.
- CAR RENTAL: Cubacar, Havanautos, REX and VIA
- CLOTHING: Casual light clothing, preferably cotton.
- CONDITIONS FOR TRAVEL: A valid passport and tourist card or visa is required. The tourist card is included with your documents if travel is purchased from A. Nash Travel. A special visa is required for business travelers and journalists.
- CURRENCY: National currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), so prices in state-run businesses are now charged in CUP. In January 2021, Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) were taken out of circulation for good. You can exchange Canadian dollars (NOT USD dollars), British pounds or Euros for CUPs at all airports, banks, and hotels, at a rate of 24:1 to the US dollar. A. Nash Travel DOES NOT recommend exchanging money on the streets. On the other hand, although the 10% commission on US dollars was abolished in July 2020, US dollars are currently only accepted in transfers, not in cash. Traveler’s cheques are accepted, as well as Visa and MasterCard cards issued by non-U.S. banks. American Express is NOT accepted, no matter the country of issuance. Accepted Visa and MasterCard cards can be also used at newly created type of grocery stores, commonly referred to as “MLC stores” (hard currency stores).
- CUSTOMS: Travelers can bring in two bottles of liquor, a carton of cigarettes, personal effects, photographic equipment, typewriter, personal jewelry, etc., all duty free. They cannot bring in firearms, narcotics, pornography or Cuban currency. Valuables acquired in Cuba must be declared upon leaving the country, showing receipts.
- DRINK: Rum is the drink of Cuba. There are extra dry and aged rums of magnificent bouquet. The white rum mixes with practically everything and is ideal for cocktails. Traditional drinks of Cuba include the Cuba Libre, Mojito, Cubata and Daiquiri. There are various brands of beer as well as carbonated beverages. The water is safe for drinking, but bottled water is available and recommended.
- ELECTRICITY: 110 volts, 60 cycles. The outlets are for flat prongs. Some new hotels are 220 volts.
- FOOD: Cuban food is highly seasoned but does not use hot spices. Traditional dishes are generally based on rice and beans, pork, and fried or boiled root vegetables flavoured with onion and garlic. Meals are usually accompanied by beer. Seafood is of excellent quality and taste.
- HEALTH: Cuba’s quality public health system extends across the entire country and is free for Cubans.
- MOBILITY: Tourists can go anywhere in the country with complete freedom, at any hour of the day or night, by foot, by taxi, by plane, by train, by bus or by rent-a-car.
- OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS: Cuba’s public holidays include Liberation Day (1 January), Labor Day (1 May), Celebration of the National Rebellion (25, 26 and 27 July), and Beginning of the War of Independence (10 October). After 30 years of not doing so, beginning December 25, 1998, Cubans were once again permitted to celebrate Christmas.
- PHOTOS: Can be taken anywhere except military and prohibited zones.
- RELIGION: Cuba has no official religion The Constitution of the Republic of Cuba guarantees complete freedom of worship. The churches are open and can be attended by anyone who wishes to do so.
- SAFETY: Cuba is a hospitable country. It is easy to find help whenever you need it. The streets are safe, and attacks are rare. There are tourism police in hotel areas.
- SHOPPING: Duty free shops can be found in all hotels and airports. Cuban cigars, rum, liqueurs, arts and crafts, t-shirts and other souvenirs are good buys. All goods taken out of the country must be accompanied by official government receipts, as well as a stamp of approval for certain arts and crafts.
- TAXES: Nothing is taxed anywhere in Cuba.
- TIPPING: At client’s discretion, not included in bill. Normally tourists give to the waiter 10% (cash) of the bill.
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