Cuba is a country in the Caribbean that has been in the news recently for being one of our closest neighbors.
In 2015, then-President Obama announced plans to reopen embassies between the United States and Cuba, closed since 1961.
This is big news for Americans who can now legally travel to Cuba as of March 2016.
Here are the top things you must know about before traveling to Cuba.
1. CUBA COSTS & MONEY
Cuba is a budget traveler’s paradise, with most meals costing about 40 to 60 pesos, or $1-3USD.
Except for major hotels and resorts located in tourist areas, it’s hard to find anything over $50USD per night.
If you run low on money, several ATMs offer U.S.-based credit and debit cards that will work in Cuba as well as exchanged currencies from other countries.
Convertible Pesos CUCs is the official currency used by tourists, but most locals use national pesos Nacionales or Moneda Nacional CN$.
The Cuban government sets the official exchange rates between the two currencies.
Many people don’t even know they exist and will happily take your Moneda Nacional CN$.
However, CUCs are the only way to go for tourists.
Typically, you can get a better deal when converting back to your original currency by using a credit card or ATM rather than exchanging at the official rate.
In addition, keep in mind that not all merchants will accept US dollars, so it’s best to have some local currency on hand just in case.
There is also a 10% penalty for converting currencies back into convertible pesos upon departure from Cuba.
2. TRANSPORTATION
In Cuba, you will need to rent a car or hire a taxi to get from one place to another.
Unlike most other Caribbean islands, there is no public transportation available, and very few locals have their cars.
However, if you come into Havana without a car, don’t worry. There are many taxis all over the city that you can hire by the hour or for a day-long trip at an affordable rate.
Not every car is licensed, so it’s best to use official-looking cabs with a yellow triangle on top of a blue background contained within a red box on the side of the vehicle.
3. HOTEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Cuba offers a range of options for accommodations, from budget hostels to high-end resorts.
It would help if you researched where you are staying before making any reservations, since things can get pretty murky between legal and illegal hotels.
Most resorts or larger-scale accommodations are in Varadero Beach, Santa Clara, Santiago De Cuba, Trinidad, and Havana.
These are more expensive, with nightly rates starting at around $100USD per night during the low season.
Budget travelers will find many affordable hostels in Old Havana or near major tourist areas like beaches and natural regions.
Typically, these rooms start at around 30 CUC per night during the high season but can be as low as 10 CUC on the low season.
Many hotels will also offer meals and tours for an additional charge.
4. CUBAN FOOD
Cuban food is known throughout the Caribbean to be some of the best globally, so it would be a shame not to try everything while you are there.
Most Cuban dishes include rice, beans, plantains, pork, beef, fried potatoes, and other vegetables like spinach or squash.
Most restaurants offer more than just one type of cuisine, including Italian, Mexican, Chinese-Cuban fusion, Russian, and traditional Cuban fare.
Suppose you don’t know which restaurant to choose. In that case, you can always go by recommendations from other travelers or residents or opt for a more affordable option and stop by a local paladar or family-run establishment.
5. NIGHTLIFE IN CUBA
Cubans are some of the most fun-loving people in the world, and it’s easy to see that through their lively nightlife scene.
There is no better place to experience this than Havana, Cuba’s largest city, with over 2 million inhabitants. Almost every day, something is going on, whether it be live music, dancing, or just enjoying an ice-cold beer at one of the many open-air bars and cafeterias along the Malecon seawall next to the ocean.
Visitors looking for a quieter night out can find discotheques all over Cuba in cities large and small.
It’s also not uncommon to find residents in open-air bars listening to live music or dancing to Cuban tunes whenever there is a celebration going on.
6. NATURAL SIGHTS IN CUBA
You can find almost everything that makes Cuba unique within its many natural attractions.
Beaches, mountains, caves, rivers, tropical forests, national parks, and vast deserts are all waiting for travelers who want to get off the beaten path while still seeing some of the more popular sights Cuba offers.
Havana offers many museums dedicated to Cuban history, along with many monuments commemorating essential events in Cuban history.
Outside the city are countless other sites ranging from colonial towns and villages to Roman Catholic churches and lush jungle trails that will make for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
For the beaches, there is no better destination in Cuba than Playa Larga, in the province of Pinar del Rio. This authentic Caribbean beach offers miles of white sand along with clear warm waters, perfect for swimming or even taking your first SCUBA lessons.
7. NATURE IN CUBA
Cuba boasts some of the most diverse wildlife in all the Caribbean, and it’s easy to see why as soon as you step foot on Cuban soil.
The island is home to many species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians that can be found either in captivity at a zoo or out in their natural habitat.
This includes over 40 endemic bird species found only on the island, along with a variety of unusual animals like flamingos, crocodiles, iguanas, and snakes that visitors will probably not see anywhere else.
8. VISIT A CUBAN VILLAGE
Cubans are amiable people who love showing their cities, towns, and villages to tourists and visitors.
This makes it easy to interact with locals and learn about their culture without even trying, as they will probably invite you into their homes for a meal or offer to take you out on the town after traditional Cuban music and dancing in the streets.
The easiest way to see these villages is by local transportation, like horse-drawn carriages, rented bicycles, or public buses. However, you can only explore some smaller towns on foot, so wear comfortable shoes.
9. VISIT A VILLAGE MARKET
Cubans are known for their homemade goods. Most towns have several markets where people from the surrounding areas come together to sell their wares.
These can range from small fruit stands along the side of the road offering fresh produce from farms in your nearest Cuban village to major marketplaces, selling almost everything you could need and then some.
The best part about shopping at these local markets is that it’s also a cultural experience as you’re likely to run into both residents and tourists alike while bartering over prices and sampling delicious food products like tropical fruits, cakes, snacks, baked goods, natural juices, and more.
10. VISIT A CUBAN FARM
Cuba is known throughout the world for its tobacco industry, but did you know it’s also one of the best places to go if you love fruits and vegetables?
Cubans grow a wide variety of crops, including everything from bananas, pineapple, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, coffee beans, onions, corn on the cob or in the husk known as “elotes,” potatoes of all shapes and sizes that are used in either during every meal.
Many local farms will allow tourists to visit either before, during, or after market hours, depending on the country where they’re located. This makes it possible to see Cuban families working together to produce everything from sugar cane honey to pork products without paying a dime as long as you don’t take any products with you.
11. VISIT A CUBAN SUGAR PLANTATION
Similar to checking out a local farm, visiting a sugar plantation is another excellent way for tourists to learn about Cuban history and culture without having to spend much money at all.
The most extensive sugar plantations in Cuba were once significant producers of the world’s sugar trade, including massive production, processing, refining, and exporting.
These days, this industry has shrunk significantly because of competition from abroad.
However, some plantations like the ones in the cities of Santa Cruz del Norte or Remedios are still active today, producing smaller quantities for domestic consumption and sale worldwide.
12. VISIT A CUBAN INDUSTRY
Industry in Cuba comes in many forms, including everything from cigar factories and rum distilleries to automobile and hardware refurbishing plants.
The most common way for tourists to visit these places is through organized tours, which include guided visits and explanations on how each one operates depending on the industry.
Still, some tour companies also offer packages that include transportation, food, lodging, and other activities like trips or dances. Be sure to …