Cuba

Cuba does not have much of a culinary tradition, and considering the present economic situation, things probably won’t change much in the near future.

Breakfast (Spanish = desayuno): You are likely be served a solid breakfast including bread with eggs (huevos) prepared to your taste, possibly accompanied by bacon and sausages. If this is too much for you, opt for toast and jam. Coffee is usually included, as well as fruit juices, although most of the time they are not freshly squeezed.

Lunch (comida), dinner (cena) and snacks: The main menu item in the relatively few restaurants is black beans, rice and chicken. In the right season, however, many different exotic fruits are available. If you are don’t want to eat at your hotel, look for a paladar, a private restaurant with a maximum of 12 seats and rates between 7-12CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos). There is not a great number of places to sit down and eat, especially outside Havana and Varadero. A cheaper option is food from street stalls.

The island of Cuba is located in the Caribbean, with Jamaica to the south, Mexico to the west and Florida some 180 kilometres to the north across the Straits of Florida. Coral reefs rise close to the surface all around the entire island, making it a paradise for divers and snorkellers. The island itself consists of an elongated mountain chain with its base in the depths of the Caribbean. One of the world’s deepest sea troughs, with a depth of 7243 meters, is located 60 km off the coast of Santiago de Cuba. The coastline is almost 5800 km consisting mainly of cliffs. The most stunning and longest beaches are situated in the north, with Varadero beach being the best of them all. Inland, Cuba consists mainly of savannahs, extended tropical plains, scattered citrus tree plantations and a great deal of sugarcane. In the Sierra de los Organos, the mountainous area in the western part of the island, you will find the magnificent green valley of Viñales with its mogotes: funny shaped hills against a background of higher summits. The porous sandy soil between these hills forms the perfect breeding ground for the fine tobacco that has made Cuba famous - the Havanas and other cigars.

Cuba counts some 12 million inhabitants, of which 2 million live in Havana. Cuba’s original inhabitants are descendants of the Arawak Indians. At the time of Columbus' arrival in 1492, Cuba had just a couple of hundred thousand inhabitants. Around a century after the arrival of the Spaniards, only a few hundred of Cuba's original inhabitants remained. The rest either had either been killed or had succumbed to the foreign illnesses imported by the conquistadores. From the beginning of the 16th century until the 19th century more than half a million slaves were imported from Africa due to the Spaniards’ belief that strong black people could better withstand the heavy work than the soft and docile Caribbean Indians.
According to the latest census, 66 percent of the population is white (of Spanish descent), 12 percent black, 21.9 percent mulatto (of black and white ancestry) or mestizo (of white and Indian ancestry) and 0.1 percent Asian. Travelling around Cuba, however, and according to other estimates, you will notice that the mulatto and mestizo population seems to constitute at least 50 percent.

Climate: The location of Cuba, just south of the tropic of Cancer, guarantees a warm tropical climate. In the low coastal regions, the average year round temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, without much fluctuation. Seawater temperature is almost the same. In the winter, cold days may occur every now and then due to a northeastern wind bringing cold air from the US towards the Carribean. The temperature can then temporarily drop to below 10 degrees Celsius, but it never lasts long. In the Sierra Maestra, temperatures are generally lower than elsewhere by several degrees.

Best time to travel: You can travel to Cuba throughout the year. However, Autumn is the wet period when there is a small chance of hurricanes. Inevitably, on every trip both sun and tropical showers (which often seem very refreshing) tend to make an appearance. The best time to travel is January to April, when it is dry and not too hot.

According to archeologists, Cuba's first inhabitants canoed their way to the island across the ocean. When Columbus stepped ashore in 1492, he was convinced he had discovered the eastern Point of Asia (Las Indias). This miscalculation explains how the Caribbean became known as the 'West Indies' and how its inhabitants came to be known as 'Los Indios' or Indians. It was only in 1509, three years after Columbus’ death, that it was discovered that Cuba is in fact an island! With the arrival of Columbus, a long period of Spanish rule began that lasted until 1898. After a long battle for independence, the United States intervened in April of the same year and finally beat the Spanish troops after a three month battle.

An American military administration took over the position vacated by the Spanish monarchy, which was not exactly what the Cubans had in mind when they had asked for help. In 1901, an amendment was passed that stipulated that the US hold a monopoly on the sugar cane and cigar industries and that Cuba cede land to the US for military purposes. The last president of this pseudo-republic, as the Cubans refer to the period of 1902-1959, was Fulgencio Batista. He came into power in 1934 by a military coup and ruled as a true tyrant. American business had almost complete control over the economy. The only Cubans to have benefited were Batista and his family. While the people suffered from unemployment and malnutrition, Havana grew into the 'brothel of America', attracting gangsters and casinos.

It was at this point that a young lawyer named Fidel Castro emerged to breathe new life into the battle for full independence. After a failed armed robbery on the Moncada barracks near Santiago de Cuba, he and his supporters were tried and convicted. Released by amnesty in 1955, they travelled to Mexico to organize and train for the revolution. Together with his brother Raul and the young Argentinian doctor Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, who he met in Mexico, they assembled a group of 80 men who arrived in Cuba on December 2nd 1956 in a small boat named the Granma.

After two years of fierce battle in the Sierra Maestra, Che Guevara’s group captured the town of Santa Clara on Christmas day 1958. Batista fled on New Year's Eve to Santo Domingo and on January 8 1959, the triumphant guerrillos under Castro’s command arrived in Havana. Relations with the US deteriorated fast. The US stopped buying Cuban sugar and called for an embargo. Soon, the Soviet Union was absorbing all Cuban exports instead. In 1961, Castro, driven ever further into Russian arms after cutting off all diplomatic relations with the US, declared his revolution a socialist one. After the Bay of Pigs invasion, bonds with the Soviet Union were strengthened again and Russian missiles were installed in the province of Pinar del Rio, aimed at the US. A nuclear war was only avoided at the very last moment. It was not until 1975 that the icy relations between Cuba and the US defrosted a little. From 1977 and 1979 respectively, Americans and American Cubans were allowed back into Cuba. In 1980, a flood of Cubans emigrated to the United States. It was then agreed that 20,000 Cubans would be admitted into the US each year. In 1990 the economy began to collapse. Political changes in Eastern Europe hit Cuba hard and a period of extreme shortages began. Recently, the policy has been more liberal. Private companies are now permitted and Cubans are allowed to possess dollars and even go shopping in the so-called dollarshops.

On your first day in Cuba, take it easy. Take time to acclimatise. Adapting to the climate and culture can be quite difficult. Get used to the country at your leisure. Just relax and soak up your new surroundings.

Some additional recommendations for an enjoyable stay
Allow your body and mind some time to adapt to the new time zone and location. Avoid stress, do not plan to do too much at once. Take it easy on the first day at least. Getting up early is a good habit to get into because the morning temperature is often the most agreeable in hot climates. Besides, the people in the countries you visit are also used to rising early so this is when there is the most to see and do. You will make the most of your trip if you succeed in adapting to their rhythm. If you are well rested, you will be better equipped to deal with all the new sights and experiences and you will have more energy to take part in the activities on offer.

European passport holders require a tourist visa for Cuba which Shoestring do not arrange, but you will find all the details you need on this website. Visa information can be found under the ‘Consular Services’ section: http://www.cubaldn.com. You can also contact the Cuban embassy in your home country.

Electricity is available all over the island but power cuts do occur, although infrequently. Hotels have plug sockets of both 110 and 220 volts.

Travellers to Cuba who take the usual level of care of their hygiene and skin care are unlikely to encounter any health problems. However, below are a couple of issues that should be considered:

Food and drink: Tap water is not fit for consumption but mineral water is fine and is on sale everywhere (please note that it is cheaper to buy water from kiosks or shops than from hotel bars). When ordering a drink, make sure that the ice cubes are made of 'agua purificada', since common tapwater may contain bacteria. When eating in small restaurants, do not order pre-prepared fruit or salads. If you can, go to busy restaurants. They are busy for good reason and guarantee a fast turnover of the food, meaning that it is more likely to be fresh. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and keep your fingernails short.

Skin care: Sunbathing is often a significant cause of health problems. The tropical sun is fierce and it is easier to get sunburn and sunstroke than you might think. Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day. Wear a hat or an umbrella when walking and always use a good suntan lotion. The latter is best brought from home, where there is a much greater choice of products and prices are lower. Drink a lot because people dehydrate much faster in the heat. A final word of advice on skincare: make it a habit to treat any wound, however small, with something like iodine. In the tropics, infections are easily caught and can be difficult to get rid of.

Diarrhoea: Next to sunburn, the most common health problem is diarrhoea. It often strikes travellers in the tropics after they have been there for just a few days. In most cases, it is an utterly innocuous phenomenon caused by the change of diet, the heat or harmless bacteria, against which the body will soon develop defences. The main risk is dehydration. This occurs when the body loses more fluid, salt and glucose than it receives. The result is a feeling of listlessness and weakness which can be prevented by drinking a solution of water and ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). The latter is sold in bags in pharmacies at home and contains all the minerals and sugars that are evacuated with diarrhoea. Instead of this solution, you can also take noncarbonated soft drinks or heavily salted broth. If the diarrhoea is accompanied by high fever, bloody defecation or a strong urge to vomit, it is sensible to consult a physician. If the diarrhoea lasts for more than a few days without the afore-mentioned symptoms or if you have to travel, you can take Imodium. This is a strong and effective medicine that stops all bowel movements completely for a number of hours.

Insect bites: Mosquitoes cannot be entirely avoided in this part of the world, but there are some measures that will considerably reduce the inconvenience of mosquito bites. The “mosquito coil”, similar to an incense stick, will keep the mosquitoes at a distance for about eight hours. Wearing long trousers and a close-fitting long-sleeved roll-neck T-shirt in the evenings will help too. Citronella and other repellents do have some effect, but do not expect miracles.

Prickly heat: Prickly heat is an inflammation of the pores caused by excessive perspiration. It is common and harmless, but very annoying. The skin grows red and irritated in places. Places where skin chafes, such as armpits and thighs, are particularly susceptible. The symptoms will decrease if you take a cold shower – without using soap – a few times a day and dry yourself off thoroughly. Talcum powder on the affected spots may also help. During hot and damp nights, do not sleep under a sheet but wear a cotton T-shirt instead. If the irritation is really troubling you, the best thing to do is to take an air-conditioned room for a couple of nights.

Traveller’s health kit: A health kit for the tropics should contain plasters, cotton wool, scissors, thermometer, iodine, painkillers, malaria tablets, ORS-packages (Oral Rehydration Solution), loperamide (against diarrhoea), suncream, a pair of tweezers, insect-repellents such as DEET and a bite soothing stick or ointment against itching. If you are on medication, make sure you have a precise description available in English (no brand name, but composition and dosage are important). Bring along twice your normal quantity for the duration of travel and keep the two lots in separate places.

Medication: If you are on essential medicine, bring an extra supply to keep separately so that you will always have a spare stock. Ask your pharmacy to draw up a medical passport for you. This includes names of the substances and the exact composition of the medication that you use. Keep this document and your medication in your hand luggage. If you have a chronic illness, ask your GP for a written explanation of your disease and its treatment (in English). Likewise, make sure you carry a doctor’s statement if you are travelling with needles.

Vaccinations
The information below was given by the healthcare authorities at the time of writing. This information may change. Moreover, your needs depend on whether you have had previous vaccinations, whether you are allergic to certain medicine, if you are pregnant, your age, and so on. ALWAYS contact your GP or some other healthcare authority for advice. The complete vaccination package includes DTP, hepatitis A and malaria. There are no compulsory vaccinations, except for those who have been to regions with yellow fever or cholera within two weeks before arrival in Cuba.

Make sure that those at home know which country you are going to and how long you are planning to stay away. Fix a date when you will contact them again. Provide those picking you up from the airport with your flight times and numbers. Shoestring will not provide flight and/or travel information, hotel and campsite names and telephone numbers to third parties. Any information on delays can only be retrieved, therefore, via the information number at the airport or Teletext, not via Shoestring.

Contact persons
In case of an emergency, it is important for us to have details of someone at home that we can reach on your behalf. You will have entered a contact name on the booking form, but please enter a second contact name just in case the first contact is not available.

This tour leads us through tropical lowlands as well as through mountainous areas with a moderate climate which may include cold nights. We therefore recommend that you bring thin clothing plus a closed neck, long-sleeved T-shirt or cotton shirt for the cooler evenings and to protect against mosquitoes. We also recommend that you bring a jersey or sweater and a waterproof mac. Do not forget an umbrella for protection against rain and too much sun. With regards to footwear, you will need a pair of good quality, worn-in walking shoes and flip-flops or sandals. You should also bring sunglasses, suncream, toiletries, a traveller’s health kit, hat/headscarf, camera, spare batteries, pocket knife, lighter, a small stock of non-perishable snacks and sweets, an alarm clock, writing materials (there is a shortage of paper in Cuba), books, passport with valid visa, sufficient money, photocopies of your passport, visa and travel insurance, your flight ticket(s), travel insurance details including alarm number, important addresses and a good travel guide. In addition: toilet paper, a towel and a reading lamp. If you bring along electrical equipment, you will need an adaptor. Ideally, you should pack all this into a weekend bag or backpack rather than a solid suitcase. Suitcases are far more awkward to carry and take up too much space. A small backpack or shoulder bag is best for carrying hand luggage. Valuable papers are best kept in a money belt, to be worn under your clothes. Take care to have a spare set of clean clothes in your hand luggage, just in case your luggage arrives later than you do. Be sure that your luggage is not too heavy because it may have to travel on top of the bus, and your tour guides will not appreciate having to haul up a heavy suitcase every time you travel.

The amount of pocket money we advise is the minimum you will need to spend on meals, drinks, optional excursions, entrance fees, local airport tax and tips. The final amount of money you will spend, however, will obviously depend on your personal spending patterns. Souvenirs are therefore not included. For this tour we recommend € 225-275 per week. Please note that the prices in Havana and Varadero are generally higher than elsewhere.

Important: Contrary to other Central American countries, at the time of writing it is not yet possible to cash money from ATMs. Pricier shops and restaurants sometimes accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard). You may use your credit card to obtain cash in banks or exchange offices (cadecas).Travellers are advised to bring GBP or Euros and exchange it locally at the airport in Havana or at one of the banks or exchanges offices. To avoid being ripped off, we strongly advise that you do not change money on the street. Travellers cheques issued by Thomas Cook, Barclays,Visa or other credit institutions in GBP or Euros can be changed at any bank for a small fee.Travellers cheques or credit cards issued by US banks or their sub-companies like American Express, Diners or Citibank are not accepted in Cuba.

Not all types of camera batteries are on sale. Make sure, therefore, that you have sufficient battery power to last the entire holiday. People do not always like being photographed. When in doubt you should ask first.

Cuba is a safe country, where relatively few crimes occur. It is not wise to walk on your own in the alleys of old-town Havana in the middle of the night. Pickpockets do operate on the island and some cases have been reported of camera thieves riding mopeds. Pickpocking is relatively easy to avoid if you carry your money and valuables under your clothes or leave them in the hotel safe. If you choose to carry your valuables with you, put your backpack on your front, over your stomach, where you can keep an eye on it. Keep your camera attached to your body with a strap. Do not show off jewellery and expensive watches. If you use your common sense and stay alert, you really shouldn’t have any problems.

The time difference between western Europe and Cuba, depending the time of the year is -6 or -7 hours (-7 hours during summer time). The time difference between the UK and Cuba, depending the time of the year is -5 or -6 hours (-6 hours during summer time).

Restaurant and hotel employees are not well paid. You may not have a ready solution for the country’s poverty, but the least you can do is tip those who have helped you. The guideline is (provided you are satisfied with the service) about 0.50CUC per traveller per day for the chambermaids. The same amount goes for the bus drivers hired by Shoestring. A tip box is useful in this case, which can be passed around between the passengers after consulting the local guide. Also, while the group is on the road, this money can be used to purchase snacks. In small restaurants, a tip of 5 % of the total bill is customary. You do not need to tip taxi drivers. Tourists are generally charged more than locals. The guide will also expect a tip by the end of the tour, provided he/she has done a good job. Our guideline is at least 10CUC (7/8 euros) per traveller for the entire 2-weeks tour.