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Contemporary Havana can essentially be described as three cities in one: Old Havana, Vedado, and the newer suburban districts. The city is the center of the Cuban Government, and home to various ministries, headquarters of businesses and over 90 diplomatic offices.
Many holidays commemorate events in Cuban history, such as the Revolution and the Wars of Independence. All offices, factories and stores are closed on these days. In the past, holidays were observed with mass meetings and parades where thousands of people would come together to celebrate.
Perhaps the most important Christian festival for Cubans is Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). Cubans dance, drink and enjoy themselves during this celebration. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is usually celebrated in March or April. Another period of celebration is Epiphany in early January, the celebration of the visit of the Three Wise Men to Jesus. Many Black Cubans celebrate this holiday because according to tradition, one of the Wise Men was African.
In the Santería religion, each saint has a festival day. Followers come together to dance, sing, listen to the beat of the drums, and make offerings to the saint or orisha.
Several cities and towns celebrate Carnaval. Originally, Carnaval was held in early spring, on the days before the beginning of Lent. Lent was a time of fasting and penitence and Carnaval was a time to release energy and enjoy life before this sombre period. The Havana Carnaval is held in February, but in Santiago de Cuba, Carnaval is held in July to commemorate the Revolution. Groups of dancers and musicians called comparsas party in the streets and there are parades with floats. People dance wearing flamboyant costumes and holding huge heads made of papier-mâché.
| Date | Event | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year"s Day and the Anniversary of the Revolution | ||||
| May 1 | International Worker"s Day (Labour Day) | July 26 | National Rebellion Day and the Anniversary of theMoncada Attack | October 10 | Beginning of the War of Independence |
All Cubans speak Spanish, which is the official language. Many Cubans are also familiar with English, particularly those who work in resorts and tourist areas.
In Spanish, women are usually addressed as señora and men as señor. However, in Cuba, women may be addressed as compañera and men as compañero, which means "comrade." It is common to shake hands when meeting someone and when saying goodbye. Men commonly exchange a hug (un abrazo) as a sign of affection. It is also common for men and women to greet friends and family with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
| English | Spanish | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Si | ||||||||||||||||||||
| No | No | Please | Por favor | Thank you very much | Muchas gracias | You"re welcome | De/Por nada | Hello | Hola | What is your name? | ¿Cuál es tu nobre? | My name is | Mi nombre es | How are you? | ¿Cómo está usted? | Very well | Muy bien | Goodbye | Adiós | See you later | Hasta luego |
According to Resolution No.80/Año 2004 of the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba, as of November 8th, all services and transactions conducted throughout the national territory in US dollars will be now made in convertible pesos (CUC), including hotels, restaurants, bars, stores, taxis, car rental, and other services.
One convertible peso (CUC) is equal to one US dollar.
After November 8th, persons who wish to purchase convertible pesos with US dollars will be levied a 10% tax.
Other hard currency accepted in Cuba: Euro, Swedish crons, Norwegian crons, Canadian dollars, Pounds sterling and Swiss francs, may be exchanged for convertible pesos without having to pay tax, always bearing in mind that one convertible peso is equal to one US dollar.
Travellers can exchange money at the airport, hotels, banks and exchange offices (CADECA).
Cuban Pesos or National Currency (CUP) can be used to purchase a limited number of products and services at certain local shopping centers, agricultural markets, cinemas and other facilities not liked to international tourism or located far from the main tourist resorts. The exchange rate of the Cuban peso (CUP) with respect to the convertible peso (CUC) is 26/1 (October/2004).
Visitors can also exchange convertible pesos back to US dollars or to any of the currencies accepted in Cuba (euros, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling or Swiss francs) before leaving the country directly at the international airports. Travellers are recommended to change their money while in Cuba since they will not be able to do so once they leave the country.
Euros will still be accepted at the six tourist destinations: Varadero, Jardines del Rey (Ciego de Avila province), Santa Lucia (Camaguey), Covarrubias in Las Tunas, Holguin and Cayo Largo del Sur.
Traditional Cuban cuisine is called criollo. The basic ingredients are rice, beans, eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, chicken, beef and pork. Yucca (also known as cassava) and malanga are root vegetables that can be boiled or baked. The most common seasonings are onion and ajo (garlic).
Ajiaco is a stew made with meat, garlic and vegetables. Pork may be served with a garlic sauce called mojo criollo. Congrí is rice cooked with red kidney beans. Rice with black beans is called moros y cristianos, which means “Moors and Christians.” Fufú is made from green bananas that have been boiled and mashed. It is sometimes served with crumbled pork rinds. Fritúra de maíz (corn fritters) are often served at street stalls. Plátanos maduros fritos (fried sweet bananas) may be served as a dessert.
Coffee is usually served strong and sweet. Another favourite drink is guarapo, a clear juice made from sugar cane. Cuba’s national drink is rum, and Cuba is famous for its rum cocktails. The mojito is made with white rum, ice, fresh lime juice, sugar, soda water and fresh mint leaves. The daiquiri consists of white rum, sugar, fresh lime juice and crushed ice.
Small, family-run restaurants called paladares were legalized in 1993, although they were a tradition before that time.
Mojito Recipe
Squeeze lime into a highball glass, then muddle (bruise) lime wedges, sugar and 2 sprigs of mint with a muddler, or wooden pestle or spoon. Stir well and add rum, preferably Havana Club or, failing that, Bacardi. Add ice, club soda and stir. Garnish with fresh mint.
Cuban music blends Spanish and African influences. The Spanish colonizers introduced instruments such as the guitar and the violin. Africans brought Yoruba songs and rhythms and drumming. These two traditions have come together over time to produce distinctive rhythms and dances, including the bolero, the guaracha, the mambo, the rumba, the cha cha and the salsa. Popular music in Cuba often draws on the tradition of Cuban son. This was originally a dance performed by sugar workers that has been adapted for jazz instruments.
Every December, Havana hosts the New Latin American Film Festival. This is a very important festival for the Spanish-speaking world. Ballet is very popular in Cuba. Prima ballerina Alicia Alonso founded the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1948. Later, her husband, Fernando Alonso, founded the Camagüey Ballet.
The Republic of Cuba consists of an archipelago that includes the largest island in the Caribbean Sea and the Western Hemisphere. It is located just south of the Tropic of Cancer. Seen from above, the main island resembles a crocodile, sunning itself in the Caribbean. The archipelago also includes more than 1,600 smaller islands.
Three bodies of water surround the island of Cuba: to the north is the Gulf of Mexico, to the east is the Atlantic Ocean and to the south and west is the Caribbean Sea. Key West, Florida, the southernmost tip of the United States, lies about 180 km to the north. Haiti lies to the southeast, separated from Cuba by the Windward Passage. Jamaica is just south of Cuba. Mexico lies to the west.
Much of Cuba’s territory is mountainous. There are three main mountain ranges: La Sierra de los Organos in the west, La Sierra del Escambray in the central region, and La Sierra Maestra in the southeast. Cuba’s highest mountain is located in the Sierra Maestra range. It is called Pico Real del Turquino and is almost 2,000 metres above sea level. From its summit, on clear days, the Blue Mountains of Jamaica are visible, about 140 km away.
The remaining Cuban territory consists of fertile plains used for growing sugar cane and tobacco. In central and western Cuba, the landscape is primarily savannah (grassy plains), used for tobacco farms and cattle ranches. In Guantánamo Province in the southeast, there is a desert. About 300 beaches surround the island.
Most rivers in Cuba are relatively short and the water currents are quite strong. They flow through the mountains, creating beautiful waterfalls such as Salto del Caburni and Agabama Falls. Cuba’s longest river is the Cauto River in the east. It is about 240 km long.
More than 300 birds are native to Cuba, including the ivory billed woodpecker and the bee hummingbird. These tiny birds like to hover around the white butterfly jasmine, Cuba’s national flower. There are about 8,000 varieties of plants, and many reptile species, including alligators, iguanas and small non-poisonous snakes.
July and August are the hottest months. During January, Cuba’s coolest month, temperatures average 21°C. The rainy season lasts from May to October. Cuba is subject to violent hurricanes, particularly in the autumn. Hurricanes develop to the south and east and move across the island toward the north. Tropical storms accompany the hurricanes, causing rivers to flood cities and towns.
