Cuba Holiday Deals

Exploring Isla de la Juventud

2011-02-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

If you are considering having a break in Cuba, you should be aware that there is plenty more than just the mainland to consider. There is an island that is tucked just underneath the mainland stretch of Cuba itself that is included in the Cuban part of the world. This is Isla de la Juventud – the so called Isle of Youth. Whether it is or not is up to you to decide, but it is definitely worth paying it a visit, if only for a short stay away from the mainland.

As you arrive on the island you probably wouldn’t see much to convince you that Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired by it enough to write the famous book ‘Treasure Island’. But this is indeed the case and you can now explore this island for yourself.

Once you disembark from the plane or boat that brought you to Isla de la Juventud, you should take your time to explore the island. Nueva Gerona is the capital of the island, and it is a pleasant enough place to look round. The locals are generally very welcoming, even though not all tourists take the time to make the journey from mainland Cuba to come here. Perhaps the locals like it that way, but you will certainly enjoy soaking up the atmosphere and finding out what the island is all about.

As you might imagine on an island of this kind, diving is a hugely popular way to spend the time. With countless different spots in which to explore the depths, you will appreciate the other side of Isla de la Juventud – namely the one you wouldn’t normally see. Of course there are beaches here as well, and you’ll no doubt appreciate spending some time relaxing on the dark sands.

Isla de la Juventud isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But there is enough here to warrant a closer look and you can even see the prison where Fidel Castro himself was incarcerated many years ago. It may not be a prison any more, but it is still quite foreboding to see.

Check Out Playas del Este – or Havana Beach

2011-01-11T01:26:00.001-08:00

You may see one of these two names when you are in Cuba, but don’t let it confuse you. There is plenty to appreciate when you get there, as you will see when you discover this beach based area of Cuba.

While it is known as Havana Beach, it could more accurately be called Havana Beaches. This is due to the fact that there are several beaches here to look at. It’s good news for those who love nothing better than to recline on a beach during the day. You could move from one to the other on successive days if you want, taking in a different view each time.

Bacuranao is one of the beaches, followed by Santa Maria Beach and Playa Guanabo. Any of them will provide everything you could want and need from a nice beach, so it is not hard to see why lots of people head to Playas del Este every year.

This part of Cuba was also among the first areas to really get a taste of the tourist business. This means you will find plenty of tourist facilities worth using – it’s certainly good to know you won’t be left with little to do when you get there. It is good for families as well, for that same reason.

Havana is obviously a good place for newbies to Cuba to stay as well. Havana itself has much to share with you, including museums and much of its local history too. So it can be a good bet to stay near one of these beaches for more than one reason, as you can see.

The main thing is to consider which beach you would like to be closest to, and to check out the wide range of accommodation that is available. Some areas have more choice than others, and if you are visiting with the whole family a beach house could be a good bet. This will give you the best of all worlds and a nice place to return to that’s close by every evening. What could be better than that?

Is Remedios Worth A Visit?

2010-12-10T04:49:00.000-08:00

For many people, Cuba is one of the best places to go on holiday. But there is often a tendency to head straight for the most popular places in Cuba. It can be easy to automatically go for the most obvious destinations instead of considering whether anywhere else could be a better option.

Remedios could be one of those places you haven’t heard of before. But if you set aside some time to see it for yourself you might be glad you read about it here first!

This is a town that has been established in Cuba for some five centuries, so you can see it has bedded down and put down considerable roots in that time. There are signs of Remedios’ past everywhere you turn, with architecture and buildings that stand out for various different reasons. Some of the buildings are colonial in nature, including the colonial Grand Church. You will certainly find yourself whipping out your camera to take pictures of every building you see, as they are quite stunning and very attractive indeed.

Remedios has made a name for itself as one of the most attractive towns in the whole of Cuba. The colonial buildings certainly add to the charm and there are lots of other features of the town that you will enjoy like this as well. Cobblestone streets give the town a rustic feel and it is virtually impossible to pass through it without taking the time to stop and see everything it has to show you. It may not be one of the biggest and best beaches in Cuba, but this town has an altogether different charm to appreciate.

If you want to walk into Remedios and take a long look at it before you actually explore it in more depth, make sure you go to the central plaza first. Take a moment to sit down and check out your surroundings. Not only is this a wonderful place to sit and appreciate where you are, it acts as a nice introduction to the wonderful town of Remedios. You’ll be glad you paid it a visit.

Have You Ever Heard Of Baracoa?

2010-11-11T01:03:00.001-08:00

It is somewhat ironic that the place that was settled first in Cuba is only just starting to become known among its many visitors every year. Cuba is not exactly a mysterious place, but Baracoa will usually elicit frowns and shrugs from most of the people who want to go to the country on holiday.

So what exactly is Baracoa all about? Why is it worth seeing and why has it remained something of a secret up until now?

For starters Baracoa is not in the most accessible part of Cuba. It is hidden in the north eastern corner of the country and this means that many people simply don’t venture anywhere near it. There are rewards for those that do however, since the area is incredibly beautiful and has lots to amaze and delight those who do decide to make the journey. Indeed some people do choose to make the effort to see Baracoa, and they spend their entire holiday here.

Such a fact must make you realise that there is a lot here to please you for a whole holiday. Indeed there is – just look at pictures of the superb beaches to see that you are spoiled in many ways. The surroundings are stunning too, with sections of rainforest and wonderfully attractive buildings dotted around the village.

Yes, this is a village – not a town and not a city, and this is one reason why it attracts people every year. It’s smaller than many of the places on Cuba and it has so much to entice you that you won’t want to leave. Imagine streets lined with cobbles. Think about cocoa trees everywhere you turn. White chocolate is one of the things that this part of Cuba is renowned for, so make sure you get a taste of it.

El Yunque is another must see venue in Baracoa – the flat topped mountain that most visitors to the village head for at some point. Make the most of this village and let it reveal some of Cuba’s best kept secrets to you as well.

Have You Ever Travelled In A Coco Taxi?

2010-10-12T07:23:00.001-07:00

If the answer is no then it’s a pretty safe bet you have never been to Cuba. More to the point you have never been to Havana, since this is where you will find them.

Now you are probably asking what on earth a coco taxi is. The clue is in the word taxi of course, and to be honest we’re not entirely sure where the word coco comes from. But you won’t mind at all when you actually see one, because not only are they easy to spot and hail down, they are fun to ride in as well.

When you first see a coco taxi in Havana, you may be reminded of a hollowed out lemon. These amusing but highly appealing looking vehicles are like tricycles, with two wheels at the back and one at the front. They also have handlebars like a motorbike and the rider sits in the front and rides it just like a bike.

There is room for two people in the seat behind the rider, and you will largely be sheltered too, as the body is designed to come out and over the passengers and even the rider as well. The coco taxi is also bright yellow so it’s not hard to see at all.

Some people don’t like riding in them but to others there is nothing better. It is certainly an experience worth having at least once, and if you have been out and about exploring Havana all day, your feet will want a rest from walking anyway. If you are happy with the ride you will find yourself hailing one down throughout your time in Havana.

Much like the yellow cabs in New York and the black cabs of London, the coco taxis are a familiar sight on the streets of Havana in Cuba. They provide a cheap and easy way to get from A to B when your feet just can’t take any more, and so you can look forward to trying them out when you get there. A holiday in Havana doesn’t get much better than this!

What Has Baracoa Got To Offer You?

2010-09-13T05:44:00.001-07:00

Cuba is a long thin strip of a country. If you’ve never been to it before you might be surprised at how many different and diverse places there are along its length from east to west.

One prime spot to consider staying in if you take a holiday there is Baracoa. You will find it located almost as far to the east of the country as you can go. It is in the province of Guantanamo and although tourism isn’t raging in this part of Cuba there is plenty here to enjoy.

In fact you could say that Baracoa is something of a well kept secret. If you look up information on the destination you will read some very encouraging reviews. Yet it isn’t included as one of the top spots to visit in Cuba where tourism is at its height. In short, you might want to keep this little discovery to yourself.

Getting to Baracoa is a bit of a challenge though. You will find it nestling on the coast of this end of Cuba, and although there is a dedicated road leading right to it, it is still a challenge to reach. Before the Sixties there was no road at all. Had you wanted to reach the area before then you would have had to come at it from the other direction – i.e. the sea.

But now you can look forward to seeing Baracoa for the first time as you drive towards the coastline. Some of the area’s main sights started life as important buildings and have since been converted into hotels or bars. For example El Castillo de Seboruco was created originally as a fort. However its days as a fort are long since over and you can now stay in it if you wish – it has been transformed into a hotel. What better way could there be to get closer to what Baracoa is all about?

As you can see Cuba is about much more than just the best known spots. If you steer away from the common and the normal and go towards some more unusual places, you will be well rewarded.

Cayo Largo – A True Island Paradise

2010-08-12T04:05:00.000-07:00

Cuba has drawn lots of visitors to its shores throughout recent years, as more and more people discover the sheer variety of activities and sights it has to offer. Cuban islands in particular can provide you with that true getaway you’re after, and one of the best of these is surely Cayo Largo.

This is a pretty small island off to the south of the main part of Cuba itself. Indeed you should try Googling it – you need to zoom in quite a way before it even becomes visible as more than just a marker. Even then all you can see is the name of the island itself.

The words ‘natural paradise’ have popped up more than once when people talk about Cayo Largo. It’s well worth bearing in mind that this island is not geared up to give you lots of places to go and explore while you are there. It is an island of luxury, tranquillity and peacefulness. You can expect wonderful beaches and relaxation virtually on tap the whole time you are there though, so if you’re looking for something other than a standard package holiday this could be it.

Just imagine nearly seventeen miles of pure white gorgeous sand to lie back and relax on. This is what you’ll get from the beaches at Cayo Largo. And if you want an all over tan you can have that as well, since the beaches are known to be welcoming to nudists.

Don’t be put off if you don’t like stripping down to your birthday suit though. This isn’t a nudist only island – in fact the huge section in the middle of the beach is designed to cater for everyone else. So whether you like tan lines or not, you’ll find Cayo Largo has a space on the beach just for you.

You’ll enjoy swimming in the sea too, drifting among the calm green waves as you start to unwind and enjoy the surroundings. Are you starting to see why Cayo Largo is so well loved among those who visit Cuba to see its islands?

The Benefits Of Shopping In Tiendos In Cuba

2010-07-14T08:14:00.001-07:00

It doesn’t really matter where you go on holiday you’re bound to find yourself in the shops sooner or later. Even if a beach holiday is what you have firmly in mind, you’ll find it hard to resist the idea of shopping in another country entirely.

Cuba is no different in this respect, but there is one thing you should bear in mind when it comes to shopping there. If you are staying in a hotel or a resort you should find it has a number of small shops that are worth a visit. These are referred to as Tiendos.

But why should you want to shop there when you have the rest of Cuba to explore?

Well that’s a fair question and there is no doubt we wouldn’t want to deter you from shopping in other places. But Tiendos are a safe place to start in, purely because everything is very clearly priced. Sometimes it can be easy to get caught out and find the item you want to buy – say at a market stall for example – is more than you thought it was.

With Tiendos you don’t have this worry. You shouldn’t expect to find a bargain but at least you can get an accurate idea of the price without worrying whether it will be too much for you.

They are also handy for buying those last minute souvenirs from your stay in Cuba. You will probably want to focus on shopping around at all the locations you visit during your time on holiday first. But it’s good to know that if you haven’t bought everything you need by the time you are due to head home, you can visit a nearby Tiendos to finish off that last minute shopping.

Cuba is certainly quite well known for offering a lot in the way of shopping opportunities. From malls to markets and everything in between – Tiendos included – you can look forward to spending a bit of money on various things to remind you of your trip to Cuba.

Cuban cigars, anyone?

What Can You Expect From Varadero In Cuba?

2010-06-14T06:21:00.001-07:00

If you are European you should think yourself lucky you have the opportunity to visit Varadero in Cuba. Many US citizens are not allowed to visit because of a myriad of legalities which prevent them from doing so. Varadero is not perhaps the best known area in Cuba, but it certainly has a lot to offer, as we are about to see. And since half a million people head there every year, you can see that it is certainly a pretty popular place.

One thing to note here is that Varadero is not a huge place by any means. There is really no need for a roadmap because there are just a few main streets which make up the bulk of the city. This means you can happily wander around without forgetting where you are in relation to what is around you.

This is definitely a touristy place so don’t expect to have it all to yourself. The good news is that there are lots of beaches here – in fact this is the main reason why so many visitors to Cuba choose Varadero as their destination. It might seem hard to believe but you can look forward to exploring well over twelve long miles of beaches in this area. Even though it can get crowded you should be able to find a nice spot to lay your towel down on with that much sand to check out!

This is a great destination to choose if a beach holiday in Cuba is what you are after. But don’t assume this is all it has to share with you. If you enjoy your water sports for example, you can look forward to trying a number of them out while you are staying in Varadero. Snorkelling is the most accessible for everyone who visits, but you can also enrol to do some scuba diving if you wish.

As you can see Varadero is a key place that has already been discovered by lots of other tourists each year. Will you be joining their number as the next summer season gets underway?

Make The Most Of The Water In Cuba

2010-05-14T06:14:00.001-07:00

Do we mean drinking water? Well no actually we don’t – we mean the kind of water that laps up towards you while you are relaxing on one of Cuba’s many delightful beaches.

If you would rather go beneath the waves instead of just snorkelling around on top of them, why not think about the possibility of going scuba diving in Cuba? There are plenty of great locations you can try this at, so you should be able to find somewhere suitable and nice to visit, no matter where you are staying.

As you might expect there are a few shipwrecks around Cuba that you can try and see if you are lucky. But this isn’t a well renowned area as far as shipwrecks are concerned. Instead the main draw is the undersea world itself. Complete with plenty of fish and seascapes that will draw you in and captivate you, this kind of trip is one you won’t forget in a hurry.

Many people agree that Cuba is a good venue for scuba diving because there are dive sites that are good for beginners as well as for those who know the ropes already. For starters the waters are warm around these parts, and that means you will have a nice comfortable experience. In addition to this there are lots of different types of fish you can swim among, making the experience a good one for total beginners who have never tried scuba diving before. Could this turn out to be your first time?

You will find various scuba diving centres all over Cuba. No matter whether you are staying on the north or the south coast, you are sure to find somewhere fairly close by you can arrange a trip with. The Cuban archipelago has as much to show you beneath the waves as it does on top, meaning that you will have lots to look forward to once you strap on your scuba gear.

Scuba diving probably isn’t the first thing you would think of doing in Cuba. But as you can see, it isn’t all about the cigars!

Base Your Holiday In Camaguey

2010-04-14T04:08:00.001-07:00

This may not be one of the better known spots in Cuba, but you can certainly pack plenty of sights into any visit you pay to the area.

Camaguey is a city that is a delight to explore, mainly because of its history. Nearly five hundred years ago the area was plagued with pirates, and because of this a solution was sought to make life harder for those who sought to plunder the area. These events have largely led to the fact that the city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

So when you are wandering around the streets and trying to make your way from one area to another with some difficulty, you can thank those who created the new city. There are alleyways and streets that seem to have no logic to them, thanks to the design of the city. And you should also be aware that once you enter Camaguey you will only be able to exit it again the same way. It is akin to a room with only one door – you have to use it both to enter and exit. There is no other way out of Camaguey.

This confusing mix of streets could be annoying but it just adds to the charm of the city. Another aspect of this charm can be seen in the many small clay pots which are dotted around the city. You may even decide to purchase one to take home as a symbol of your visit here.

One hero of the city who is well known to local inhabitants is Ignacio Agramonte. You will easily be able to find out more about him when you visit, because you can visit the park that is named after him. He also has a museum in his name, so you can see he is clearly a figure to be remembered.

Whatever you think of the maze of streets here, there is no doubt you will feel like you are somewhere special. Any stay here will be an eye opening one – and for lots of different reasons too.

Exploring Santiago De Cuba

2010-03-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

Every country has cities to explore as well as more remote or seaside locations. Cuba has Santiago de Cuba to offer the eager tourist, and it is only second to Havana in terms of being the largest city in Cuba.

One thing is for certain – you can expect to develop some leg muscles if you take the best route to exploring Santiago de Cuba. Walking will take you to many of the best sights in the city, and since there are plenty of hills you might want to stop frequently to watch the world go by as well.

The streets here are often narrow and they positively invite you to explore to see what you can find. The Castillo de San Pedro del Morro is a popular choice to visit for tourists, since it is perched on a cliff top and overlooks Santiago Bay itself. You will find plenty to learn and explore here, not least the Museum of Piracy. If you have any interest in this topic at all you will be surprised to see the number of artefacts and items on display for you to see.

Elsewhere in Santiago you will find the Moncada Barracks. Cuba is forever connected with Fidel Castro and he led an attack on these barracks back in the early Fifties. Not only is this building fascinating to see and visit today, it is also a slice of history – and you can still see many of the bullet marks made on that fateful day.

The other good thing about Santiago is the amount and variety of accommodation there is to stay in. No matter what kind of budget you have for your holiday you will find somewhere ideal for your needs. There are five star hotels rising high into the sky, giving a great view over the city from the upper floors and rooms. And there are also many smaller rooms and houses you can stay in too, if you would prefer a more individual touch of hospitality.

Wherever you head to in Santiago de Cuba, you’ll love every minute of it.

Visiting Vinales

2010-02-11T00:05:00.000-08:00

Cuba is a long and skinny country, and if you travel to the western end of it you will find a town called Vinales.

But while the town itself is worth visiting you will find much more to take your breath away when you visit the Vinales Valley. The fact that this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site should give you some idea of how important the area is – as well as how delightful it is to visit.

If you want an active holiday in Cuba you will love staying near this valley. This is because hordes of rock climbers, walkers and hikers descend on it every year to take in the surroundings and explore what the valley has to offer. It might just be time to buy your first pair of hiking boots, because when you start exploring Vinales Valley you won’t want to stop.

The valley itself is bordered by many different caves that are worth taking a look at. You should definitely make a point of finding Cueva del Indio, chiefly because this is the cave through which a river runs. The river, the San Vicente River, makes this particular cave rather unusual.

As you explore the valley you would be forgiven for thinking you had gone back in time on occasion. The bottom of the valley is prime land for growing tobacco, and the people who grow and harvest it still use many of the same techniques that were used many years ago as well. It is good to know that some things don’t change, and indeed this is one of the reasons why the area made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage list to begin with. There is a lot to celebrate and appreciate here.

One writer compared the area to visiting a museum, and it certainly has a touch of that about it. The combination of ages old scenery and methods for farming dating back many years too makes this a true treasure of Cuba that is hard to resist.

How long will you spend there before you can finally tear yourself away?

See Parque Vidal In Santa Clara

2010-01-13T01:45:00.001-08:00

Every city has its fair share of parks and open spaces to counteract the mass of buildings and other locations. And Santa Clara in Cuba is no exception to this rule, with Parque Vidal being a strong attraction for the tourists and the locals alike. As such it is well worth seeing when you are in town.

What can you expect from it though? Well to begin with the park is situated on one complete block rather than simply taking up a small amount of space. This gives you plenty to explore once you are inside. This design was part of the original design for the city as a whole. The park formed a perfect square centre and it still does so today.

The park is not just a location to wander through and watch the rest of the world go by though. You will find street vendors here as well, so if you are looking for some local souvenirs to take back home with you, have a look at the stalls you will find there. There are paintings and other works of art that have been made by some of the locals and they add a nice touch to any exploration of the park.

Another thing you will no doubt notice is the statues. One of the most famous ones of all is of a child holding up a boot. He is a young boy and has one hand in his pocket while the other holds the boot aloft for all to see. If you look down at his legs you will see only one of them is actually wearing a boot! He is the mascot for the city in a sense, and most people are aware of his position in the park.

There are other statues there too, including a bigger one of a woman called Marta Abreu. She died in 1909 but was commemorated with the statue as she had spent her life working to make conditions for people in the city better, and donated a lot of money as a result. Make sure you don’t miss her when you arrive in Parque Vidal.

Old Havana – A Classic Part Of Cuba

2009-11-10T02:14:00.001-08:00

You would be forgiven for thinking of a cigar the moment someone mentions Havana to you. Cuban cigars are world famous, and yet Old Havana has a lot more to offer than that. The very fact that it has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site should tell you reams about what kind of city it is.

So what can you expect to see when you finally arrive in Old Havana?

Well firstly you can expect a city that is in constant flux. This is an old part of Havana as you would expect, and it has been around since the early 1500s. As such many parts of it are in need of repair, and this task is gradually being undertaken.

El Malecon should definitely be on your list of places to see while you are in town. You’ll get a great view of the coast on one side and a view of some of the buildings in Old Havana on the other. In fact you can reach some of the best landmarks by strolling down this road. Perhaps one of the most notable is the Castle of the Royal Force.

Known by its Cuban name of Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the castle was actually very little use to the city. Its size and position meant that it could not adequately be used to achieve the aims of those who wanted it built in the first place. It is still worth seeing though because it is still an impressive sight.

Elsewhere in the city there is El Capitolio, a tall and impressive building that has the feel of the US Capitol building. There is plenty to see in this building, including a huge statue called La Estatua de la Republica, a fake diamond and a stunning interior that has plenty to amaze you.

Old Havana also has plenty of street cafes where you can take a seat, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat and take a closer look at your surroundings. So why not put it on your Cuban itinerary and enjoy the many sights it has to offer?

Cuban Tourism Wins Awards in Argentina

2007-12-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Buenos Aires, Dec 14 (PL) Cuba's tourism industry ratified its outstanding and solid presence in Argentina on Friday, when it won three Bitacora 2007 awards granted by the prestigious newspaper El Mensajero.

The representative office of Havanatur S.A. in Argentina won the Gold Bitacora Award as Cuba's Best Tour Operator, and Cubana de Aviacion's tour agency, Sol y Son, won the Silver Bitacora Award.

Cuba also received the Bronze Bitacora Award to the Best Promoted Foreign Tourist Destination, a category where Mexico won the gold prize and Brazil the silver award.

"In 2006 we also won the gold award, so for the second year in a row they have acknowledged our results and the challenge for excellence that we have set for ourselves," Maribel Fernandez, president of Havanatur S.A. in Argentina, told Prensa Latina.

She added that the company's plan for 2007 was to take 4,000 tourists to Cuba, but 4,500 vacationers had traveled to the Caribbean Island until November, accounting for a 50-percent increase compared to last year.

According to Mario Ramos Alvarez, director of Cuba's Tourist Information and Promotion Office for the South Cone, "getting a third place is an achievement among so many circuits that are sold here and we expect to climb one step up next year."

He added that as a tourist destination, Cuba's sales increased 23 percent in 2007 compared to last year, as a result of many more flights, more travel agents and operators to sell the Cuba product.

Ramos noted, "37,000 tourists will travel to Cuba this year and next year's plan is more than 40,000 vacationers, as five flights a week will operate to and from Cuba, in contrast to three flights at present."

The tourist publication El Mensajero grants the Bitacora Awards in 28 categories, including best airline, hotel chain, tour operator, tourist destination and car-rental company, among others.

For more information click here

Two Million Tourists Visit Cuba in 2007

2007-12-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

Cuba reached the two-million-tourist mark on Saturday, when the achievement was celebrated in the tourist resort in Jardines del Rey, in the central-north region of the country.

In order to take part in the celebrations, a group of tour operators, travel agents and tourism executives travelled to Jardines del Rey, which is considered Cuba's fastest-growing tourist destination.

Cuba has received more than two million vacationers for four years in a row, officials from the Ministry of Tourism recalled.

Jardines del Rey, which has 16 excellent beaches, 11 of which are being used with ten hotels, is located in the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago, made up of 2,515 keys and 3,088 square miles of marine platform.

It is regarded as an ideal place to practice scuba diving and other nautical sports.

The main destination in Jardines del Rey is Cayo Coco, which is in high demand by foreign tourists. Cayo Guillermo is another major attraction in the region.

Jardines del Rey (King's Gardens) was named by Conquistador Diego Velazquez in 1522 in honor of Spanish King Ferdinand the Catholic.

For more information click here

Havana Carnival

2007-07-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

01 Jul 2007 - 31 Aug 2007

The famous Havana Carnival is a riot of noise and colour that takes place each weekend during July and August as the Cuban holiday season gets into full swing.

Cubans and tourists alike take to the streets to enjoy music, dancing, processions and parades while consuming copious quantities of the national drink, Cuban rum. The colourful parade of costumed dancers and decorated floats makes its way along the Malecon – Havana’s famous seafront street.

The fun begins on the Friday evening of the first weekend in July with a gun salute fired from the San Pedro de la Cabana fortress and ends with a spectacular fireworks display. The event was temporarily suspended after the collapse of the USSR which bought terrible economic hardships on the country. But with Cuba now back on its feet and embracing tourism, Carnival has returned to its former glory and is one of the main events in the Cuban calendar.

Times
Events take place throughout the day and night.

Getting There

The main celebrations take place on the Malecon, which is easily accessible either on foot or on public transport from the city centre.

For more information visit http://www.worldeventsguide.com or http://www.cubatravel.cu/

Cuba Overview

2007-07-10T07:14:00.001-07:00

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba or República de Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba (the largest of the Greater Antilles), the Isle of Youth and several adjacent small islands.

Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Cuba is south of the eastern United States and the Bahamas, west of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Haiti and east of Mexico. The Cayman Islands and Jamaica are to the south.

Cuba is the most populous country in the Caribbean. Its people, culture and customs draw from several sources including the aboriginal Taíno and Ciboney peoples, the period of Spanish colonialism, the introduction of African slaves, and its proximity to the United States.

The island has a tropical climate that is moderated by the surrounding waters; however, the warm temperatures of the Caribbean Sea and the fact that Cuba itself almost completely blocks access to the Gulf of Mexico, make Cuba prone to frequent hurricanes.

Cuba Tourism Industry Sagging

2007-05-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

21 May 2007

Tourism, for 15 years the locomotive of the otherwise weak communist economy, faces erosion from within Cuba and without, the magazine Bohemia has reported.
In 2006 tourist arrivals fell 3.6%, "falling short of plans to grow by almost 8% and reach 2.5m foreign tourists on our streets and beaches."

Only 2.2m showed up, the weekly Cuban magazine said in an article dated May 8.

The number of European visitors slid during the 2007 December-April peak season. Canadians, most numerous visitors to the Caribbean island, grew 1.6% compared with 2006.

The magazine blamed the slowdown in part on US restrictions on travel to Cuba, including Washington's tightening of visits by Cuban-Americans to their families.

Bohemia said this cut visits to Cuba by "tens of thousands," reducing overall visits from North America by 7.5% last year.

"Topping it all, last year US investment companies took over a cruise ship line and a Spanish tour operator ... which were automatically prevented from travelling to the island," it said.

Other factors dampening visitor levels include the high cost of oil, European tourists' preference for short trips, and the appreciation of Cuban peso in 2004, which cut hotel investment.

"Foreign tour operators and Cuban hoteliers noted a drop in the quality of services in the sector."

Argentines Break Cuba Tourism Goal

2007-01-15T04:51:00.000-08:00

Cuban tourism received 30,000 Argentinean visitors in 2006, surpassing the objective planned for that year, it was officially released here.

Mario Ramos, Cuba Tourism Office for the Southern Cone, with headquarters in this capital, told Prensa Latina that they reached the important quantity on December 28.

The Cuba Tourism Ministry said that the objective was 27, 400 Argentinean visitors and the cuban authorities took on the challenge to surpass it.