Cuba holidays

Things to do

• Discover the city of Havana, where monuments of the revolution stand side by side in the bustling old town. Explore the cities of Holguin and Trinidad, known for their Spanish history and colonial architecture. Cruise Caribbean waters by catamaran or James Bond-style speedboat. Climb aboard the Sugar Express, a 1920s steam train, and take in the sights and scents of cigars, rum and sugar being made. Feel the soft brush of a dolphin's nose against your cheek and marvel at their graceful movements as you swim with them.
  
  Excursions:
  From Varadero:
• Havana overnight - Approx. £85
• Trinidad - Approx. £100
  From Guardalavaca:
• Swim with dolphins - Approx. £40
• Havana overnight - Approx. £110
  
  From Cayo Coco/Guillermo:
• Havana overnight - Approx. £110
• Catamaran - Approx. £40
  
  Please note: if you leave the Cayos to visit the mainland, you will always be required to show your passport.

Explore your destination

Havana Overnight
Cuba's capital is bursting at the seams with culture and rhythm. Discover Havana's old city with its beautiful colonial buildings and cobbled streets, be inspired in Revolution Square and see Hemingway's hangouts, vintage cars and the world-famous cabaret at Tropicana.

Available from Varadero, Guardalavaca and the Cayos. Prices (based on staying in Varadero) from approx. £94pp (adult); £51pp (child)

Dolphin Swim
Get up close and personal with these incredible creatures. In a beautiful lagoon, you'll be introduced with a kiss before holding onto their fins and being pulled through the water. In totally natural surroundings, this is one swim you'll never forget.

Available from Varadero, Guardalavaca and the Cayos. Prices (based on staying in Varadero) from approx. £47pp (adult); £47pp (child)

Rambo Tour
You'll discover the best of Trinidad's stunning scenery on this two-day tour. After a day's sightseeing, you'll stay the night in a rainforest hotel and wake up for a day of adventure, trekking through fascinating landscapes to reach dramatic waterfalls in real Rambo style.

Available from Varadero and the Cayos. Prices (based on staying in Varadero) from approx. £71pp (adult); £53pp (child)

Fantastica
An experience of a lifetime, you'll spend the day seeing a traditional side of Cuba as well as swimming with dolphins. You'll drive by a traditional farmer's house, see a replica Indian village and visit a local school before jumping in and meeting the world's friendliest mammals.

Available from Guardalavaca. Prices (based on staying in Guardalavaca) from approx. £74pp (adult); £51pp (child)


Please note: for further details, please speak to your Representative in resort. This is an example guide only and excursions and prices will be subject to change according to season, availability and demand.

Food and drink

Seafood is Cuba's speciality and many dishes have a Spanish or Creole flavour. Other favourites include; Arroz con pollo, rice and chicken; and Picadillo, minced beef and rice. For a real taste of Cuba, search out one of Havana's Paladares, small restaurants run out of Cubans' homes, and try rum-fused cocktails like a minty Mojito, Cuba's national drink, or Havana's famous Daiquiri. For a special treat buy a cafe con leche, a blend of fresh coffee and frothy hot milk, or one of Havana's heavenly Coppelia ice creams.

Evening Flavour

The city of Havana comes alive at night, with an astounding selection of bars, restaurants and clubs. Sample a Daiquiri in bars once frequented by Ernest Hemingway or move to Latin beats in a salsa bar. Havana is also home to the world-famous Tropicana, a spectacular cabaret show with flamboyant costumes and dazzling light effects. In the smaller resorts, nightlife is centred around hotels, although in Varadero you will find a small selection of restaurants and bars and the Mambo Club, with its 15-piece salsa band.

Shopping

The world-renowned Havana cigars, aromatic Cuban coffee and explosive rum are available at excellent prices. Cuba's icon, Che Guevara, is on everything and makes for a great quirky souvenir. For something a little more authentic, look out for earthenware pottery, leather goods and unusual antiques in the artisans' markets. A licence is needed to export some works of art from Cuba.

Local weather

Information

Language: Spanish.
Currency: Convertible Peso (CUC). As you cannot obtain or exchange CUCs outside Cuba, it is recommended you take GB£s in cash or travellers cheques and exchange them for CUCs on arrival. This can be done at all hotels, banks and international airports. Exchange any unused CUCs back into GB£s before leaving Cuba. Please note: the US$ is no longer accepted in Cuba to purchase goods or services. Credit cards continue to be accepted as payment in major establishments and also for cash advances at banks, hotels and exchange houses, provided an American bank does not issue them. For example, American Express cards and travellers cheques are not acceptable, regardless of country of issue. Before travelling, please check with your bank for the most up to date currency information. Standard GMT: - 5 hrs.
Cuba Tourist Board: 1st Floor, 154 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JT. Tel: 0207 240 6655. www.cubatravel.cu

For essential information on visas, departure taxes, vaccinations, barred credit cards and other issues please {read page xxx} click on 'info' at the top of the page.

Travel money

Convertible Cuban Peso

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.