Cuba Holidays

Yes, there are lots of classic American cars on the streets. You can take a tour in one and even have one drive you around the country (with a driver/guide, but not as a self-drive).

Now there are more wines than ever available, but you’ll find they are mainly new-world and from Latin America. If you are partial to a good bottle, or if you will be celebrating while you are visiting Cuba, it is a good idea to take a bottle with you. Cuban wine is not particularly palatable.

Prices are similar to Europe or the USA. Cuba is not a ‘developing country’ in terms of prices.

Yes, there is basic street food, such as pork rolls, rice and beans, however, we wouldn’t recommend it. There are some incredible paladares for local culinary experiences.

Cuba has a dual currency system: the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) – which is roughly equivalent in value to the US dollar – and the national peso (CUP). Transactions involving foreigners almost always take place in CUC as it is worth substantially more than the CUP. Visitors should, however, familiarise themselves with both currencies as it is a common scam for merchants to give change in CUP instead of CUC.

Yes – however there are restrictions in place for US citizens visiting the country. Check with your embassy for full details.

The average cost of a Cuba Libre or Mojito cocktail is 2-3 CUCs (around £2), and it is very cheap to buy a decent bottle of rum (older Havana Club or Santiago rum is around £4 a bottle).

Salsa is hugely popular in Cuba and there is a Cuban variation of the dance – the Casino Rueda. Dance classes are available in Havana, and there are plenty of options to watch locals dancing too.

Accommodation in Cuba ranges from beautiful and atmospheric old Spanish colonial buildings to ‘Casa Particulares’ (Cuban home stays). Some of these are very simple arrangements where you are sharing a house with a family, but also include top-end, fully-serviced penthouse apartments.

IMPORTANT: Cuba is currently extremely busy. As we approach a time when the USA will finally end its long-standing embargo on its citizens visiting Cuba, Canadians and Europeans, in particular, are travelling here in large numbers. Over the peak season (Dec-Apr), hotels in Cuba are nearing capacity. Even the casas are struggling to cope with the demand. Consequently, you must be flexible regarding your choice of accommodation and be prepared to stay in casas where demand outstrips hotel beds. This is actually a much more interesting lodging option. While these rooms are often quite basic, they are usually air-conditioned and en-suite. Alternatively, we have a much better chance of securing your preferred accommodation choices over the lower season (May-Nov).

Camilo Cienfuegos was part of Fidel’s gang, a leading member of the Granma Expedition and famous for defeating Batista’s troops at the battle of Yaguajay in December 1958, following which they took Santa Clara. Considered one of the heroes of the revolution, Cienfuegos was appointed head of the Cuban armed forces in 1959 after the success of the revolution. He was suspected to have died in a plane crash later the same year, although the wreckage has never been found. Che Guevara was so close to Camilo that he named his son after him.