Cuba is an island on which you can make a journey into the past. The cities retained the charm of colonial Spanish and French architecture, American retro cars of the 1950s ride through the streets, and the walls of houses are painted graffiti and murals glorifying Cuban revolutionaries. Features of the historical and social development of Cuba are noticeable in many industries. For example, the Internet here is available with significant restrictions, hotels cannot offer European comfort, and the range of goods in stores surprises with its scarcity. But for tourists, many inconvenience compensate for the warm sea, sensual dances to a cheerful Latin, natural and architectural beauties. No wonder the writer Ernest Hemingway found inspiration in these parts.
How to get
A plane from Moscow to Varadero Airport, and from there by taxi or transfer to the selected hotel. The cost of tickets for a direct flight on OneTwotrip starts at 33,600 rubles*.
Citizens of the Russian Federation can be on the territory of Cuba without a visa up to 90 days. The standard document package includes a passport, a hotel voucher, insurance, a set of tickets in both directions, a migration card.
Features of the region
Gathering suitcases
For historical reasons, a special economic situation has developed on Cuba, and the country is still experiencing a rigid shortage of many goods. Therefore, all means hygiene, tan creams, clothes, medicines and other essential things are better to take with you.
Money
The main currency of Cuba is Kubinsky Peso. It is better to bring currency to the euro, since dollars are not even accepted in all banks (and in the country they are not in use at all). Payment with plastic cards is also not widespread, the world cards do not work. It is better to change the currency in official points, since the course in the hotel may be lower.
Present
Due to the deficit, employees of Cuban hotels will be happy not only with tips, but also in imported goods. Capronal tights, high -quality male and female cosmetics, chocolate in tiles and solid co -tan are in demand.
Internet
Access to the Internet in Cuba is significantly limited. In many Wi-Fi hotels, there are only in the lobby for guests. A more stable connection can be obtained in an Internet cafe, but the speed will be lower than the usual one. Some sites may be blocked. Mobile Internet is not developed.
Where to stop
- The four -star Brisas Trinidad del Mar in Trinidad – from 9,900 rubles* per room per guest.
- Four -star hotel BE Live Experience Turquesa On Varadero – from 10,100 rubles* per room per guest.
- Victoria four -star hotel (8.7 rating) in Havana – from 12,1800 rubles* per room per guest.
What to see
Havana
The capital of Cuba is similar to the old Signora. In the past, luxurious buildings today have somewhat lost fresh splendor, but retained the languid charm of colonial times. The Spanish, French and American heritage, under the influence of a post -revolutionary life, received a new unique identity. And now fragments of different eras are connected by even lines of the streets along which oldsmobiles scurry.
To see the capital of the island of Freedom for the first time from the opposite bank of the Strait connecting the Gavan and Mexican bays. Panorama of a city with low bright mansions and gloomy gray high -rise opens from the walls of well -preserved Spanish fortress Castillo El-Morro (Morro Casl). Fort of the 16th century defended merchant ships from pirate attacks. His lighthouse became one of the recognizable symbols of Havana. The fortress has a museum and a store with rum and cigars.
Entering Havana from the side of the Morro fortress enters the port street (Avenida del Puerto), which is known all over the world as Malecron – The longest and most romantic embankment of the city. This is a cult place of Havana, where people walk, dance and watch other vacationers. In the afternoon, you can take a walk along a variety of houses and numerous monuments, and in the evening admire the sunset along with in love pairs.
The old Havana begins from the maleck – a historical district that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In one of the directions, the embankment leads to the oldest fortress of Havana La Real Fuers, known as royal relics. It is in front of her Place de-armas, or weapon areawhere the very first chapel of the city was built El Templet. The shadow of the sacred tree of the saves will help to hide from the sun here.
Looking like a shell Cathedral It is the brightest example of colonial baroque. Interesting detail: the towers of the main temple of Havana asymmetric. The narrower gives a place to drain water with Cathedral Square After rains.
Not far from the cathedral you can have lunch in the traditional Cuban restaurant Bodeguita del medio. For half a century, many world stars have visited here, and their autographs have been preserved on the walls of the institution.
Obispo Street (Obispo) – One of the most lively and colorful in Havana. It is designed in an unusual way: high houses discard a blank shadow on a narrow promenade and protect passers -by from the sun. Walking along Old, you should look into the cocktail bar El Floriditagaining wide fame thanks to Ernest Hemingway. The famous writer preferred to drink Daikiri in this institution.
Hemingue House-Museum, Where he lived for 20 years, is in the suburbs of San Francisco de Paul. In the office of a light mansion with beautiful views of the sea and jungle Hemingway wrote “For whom the bell calls”, “Old man and the sea” and other iconic works. The house has preserved more than 20,000 exhibits related to the life and work of the author.
A pair of quarters from the bar at Avenida de Bélgica no 261 rises Bakardi building In the style of art deco.
Further, the roads are withdrawn to Capitol. A heavy white structure with a high dome and numerous columns resembles a similar building in Washington. Behind the Capitol is the famous tobacco Partagas factory (Partagas), Where, together with the tour, you can see how one of the main Cuban goods – cigars are made.
Gavana Bolshoi Theater, Built at the beginning of the 20th century, is located next to the Capitol. His elegant towers and a richly decorated baroque facade resemble a musical instrument. In the theater, excursions are conducted in spacious interiors decorated with marble and sculptures. On The parking lot of the oldsmobile In the park, on the contrary, you can take atmospheric photos or rent one of them for a further trip around the city. For example, rush in a convertible along Paseo del Prado (Alley Marty) – The most popular boulevard of the old Havana, where the facades of wealthy houses come out.
It is more convenient to get to transport and to the area of the revolution. The development ensemble here is dominated by large -scale images of the national heroes of Che Guevara and Camilo Senfuegos. And on the hill on the opposite side rises memorialdedicated to the Cuban writer and leader of the liberation movement Jose Marty. The airport is also named after this national hero. Learn more about the partisan war and its key figures can Museum of the Revolutionlocated in the old part of Havana.
Vanya Vignacles
About 180 km to the west of Havana, the Karst Vanyales Valley spread. Tourists overcame a short path to see with their own eyes Rocks-grades – Emerald hills with flat peaks. This unique natural landscape of 160 million years is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. On horse riding from the center of riding, you can get to a giant rock frescoapplied in the second half of the 20th century on the slope of one of the hills.
And on the way to the valley, it is worth making a stop on the ruins of the old Coffee plantations of the Buenavist In the reserve Las Terras. On a small tour, they will talk about the hardships of collecting coffee in the past centuries and show the remains of household buildings and technical structures.
National Park Montemar
The biosphere reserve, located in the marshy territories of the Sapata Peninsula, is protected by UNESCO. Park routes are introduced to typical birds and plants typical for the Cuban climate, for example, hummingbirds and paper wood. In the tourist center of the park – Ethnodervna Guam – You can see the feeding of crocodiles on the farm. Nearby is picturesque Gulf of pigs (Kochinos Bay). This is not only a beautiful, but also important place for the history of Cuba. In 1961, the landing of opponents of the government Fidel Castro landed here. In a fierce battle with the use of tanks, fleet and aviation, revolutionaries won. Today, from rocky shores, beautiful views of sparkling sea waves are opening.
SENFUEGOS
The port city and the industrial center, founded by the French at the beginning of the 19th century, is on the way to the popular tourist Trinidad. Unlike the familiar Spanish colonial heritage for Cuba, the elegant and pompous buildings of this city are made according to French architectural traditions. Special charm and grace possesses House of Culture. Benjamin Duarte -A bizarre mansion with strost columns and fantasy bars on the windows. And the design Palace de Valier demonstrates abundant Moroccan luxury. You can also get to SENFEGOS on regular buses and aircraft from Havana.
Trinidad
One of the oldest cities in Cuba was founded by conquistadors at the beginning of the 16th century. In Trinidad, a special atmosphere has been preserved: there are practically no intra -alections of the socialist era. Trinidad is called a museum city: back in the 1980s, he was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It seems that on the pavement of the old paving stones, time froze in the 18th century. The modest city does not bring down the community of elaborate palaces and concrete giants on tourists. But photographs among one -story blue and pink houses turn out to be from the set. One of the highest buildings of the city – The bell tower of the monastery of St. Francis of Assisian. It has an observation deck with which views of historical development, trees and the sea are opened. On a neat square Place Major The Cuba is significant for the spiritual life The Church of the Holy Trinity. This place can be called the heart of the city. Lovers of elegant things of the 19th century may interest Romantic Museumlocated in a laconic mansion with a cozy courtyard. 12 km from Trinidad is located Valley de Losinhenoswhere you can walk on horseback or on foot along the plantations of sugarcane. It is convenient to get to Trinidad by car or by train from Havana.
Santa Clara
The small city of Santa Clara was in the list of points of tourist attraction, thanks to Mausoleum Che Guevara. This is the last refuge of the legendary commandant and his associates. Inside the complex is a museum telling about the difficult life path of the rebellious fighter and his contribution to the revolution. Outside, a monument and a thematic bas -relief are erected. Thanks to a large university, Santa Clara is considered a city with a youth atmosphere.
Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba received the nickname “The cradle of the Cuban Revolution.” In the 1950s, this city was a large industrial center. It was here, far from the capital, that the partisan movement was formed under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Camilo Senfuegos. Here, in 1959, the victory of the liberation troops was proclaimed.
The areas in the city have their own character. In the historical center, you can see a characteristic colonial architecture. For example, Cathedral dates back to 1522, and the fortress San Pedro de la Rock (or Castillo del Morro), in which the piracy museum operates, dates back to the middle of the 17th century. But the Afrookubsky district of the 19th century El Tivoli stores the traditions of African culture. The houses here are decorated with mosaics and frescoes, and meals in restaurants are accompanied by music and dancing.
Today Santiago de Cuba is the cultural capital of the island. This is a small homeland of musicians from the popular association Buena Vista Social Club. In the city, nightlife is in full swing and large festivals and carnivals are regularly held. Free time can be devoted to visiting fashionable youth establishments, art galleries and art space. In the vicinity of the city Bakanao Biosphere Reservethat may interest lovers of bird observation. It is convenient to get to Santiago de Cuba by train from Havana or by bus from other settlements of the island.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
