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Information about Cuba
Official name: Republica de Cuba Capital: Havana Form of Government: Socialist Republic Land Area: 110,861 km2 Time Zone: Summer (DST) Population and ethnic groups: 11,394,043, 65.05% of the population is European (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese), 10.08% is West African, 23.84% is interracial/hispanic, and 1.03% is Chinese. Languages: Spanish Religion: 60% of the population is Catholic, 5% is some form of Protestant, and an unspecified number follows Santeria, one of the syncretic religions. Political System: Single-party Communist state President: Raul Castro Currency: Peso Cubano and Peso Convertible Peak times for travelers are Christmas, Easter, July and August. Overbooking and price hikes are the disadvantages at these times, especially during July and August, when it’s also unpleasantly hot throughout much of the country. The ideal time to visit is January to May, when it’s warm but uncrowded and there’s no threat of hurricanes (which can be a problem on the coasts from June to November). Festivals happen all year round. Two currencies circulate throughout Cuba – Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) and Cuban pesos (CUP), also called moneda nacional (MN). Convertible pesos can only be bought and sold in Cuba with euros, British pounds, Canadian dollars and Swiss francs; these currencies are exchanged at the global exchange rate for the dollar, plus an 8% tax tacked on by the Cuban government. US dollars are also convertible, but with a huge 18% tax. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card. Due to embargo laws, no credit card issued by a US bank or subsidiary is accepted in Cuba. While they add security, traveler’s checks are a hassle in Cuba. In addition to commissions, cashing them takes time, and smaller hotels don’t accept them. They’re virtually useless in the provinces. If you insist on carrying them, get Thomas Cook checks. Cubans famously enjoy far better free health care than their far-wealthier US neighbors and continue to set high standards for developing nations with excellent hospitals and doctors throughout the country. Most medication is available in Cuba, although you should bring anything you know you’ll need. You should also have insurance covering you during your stay. In large cities and places where many tourists visit there are usually clinics designed for foreigners with English-speaking doctors and better supplies than elsewhere. Charges are made for treatment, but are tiny compared to treatment in Western private hospitals. The free health care in normal Cuban hospitals should only be used when there are no private clinics available. Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish and Caribbean cuisines. Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor. Now food rationing, which has been the norm in Cuba for the last four decades, restricts the common availability of these dishes. Traditional Cuban meal would not be served in courses; rather all food items would be served at the same time. The typical meal could consist of plantains, black beans and rice, ropa vieja (shredded beef), Cuban bread, pork with onions, and tropical fruits. Black beans and rice, referred to as Platillo Moros y Cristianos (or moros for short), and plantains are staples of the Cuban diet. Many of the meat dishes are cooked slowly with light sauces. Garlic, cumin, oregano and bay leaves are the dominant spices.
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