Cuba - the "mojito" of the Caribbean
Home to the world’s best cigars and coffee, famous for its fantastic white sand beaches, is one of the favorite places for tourists to visit. The main pillar of the Cuban economy is tourism. There is absolutely everything here for youth annealing and for family holidays.
However, some features of Cuban life can amaze even a person with a broad worldview. In Cuba, for example, the activities of Masonic lodges have never been prohibited or persecuted. About 28,000 Cubans are members of the Grand Lodge of Cuba.
There is no high-speed internet line in Cuba. But fortunately, this does not apply to tourists, because hotels use expensive satellite communications. To connect the Internet, you need a special permit, without which a Cuban will be jailed for a period of 5 years! At the same time, only 12% of the population of Cuba have access to the network and use modem Internet connections whose speed does not differ from a telephone connection. Citizens can only access Cuban websites, but all of this and even e-mails are monitored. Cubans are also not free to use hotels as tourists, for example, to become the best employee of the month.
But there are many positive things in this country. Cuba has a very low crime rate and Cubans are not only a non-aggressive people, but also one of the most sociable people.
Although drinking is quite common here, you will not meet a single drunk. The culture of drinking alcohol is different from many countries because no one gets drunk in the trash.
A joy for the eyes of mankind: Cuban channels broadcast without advertising. You can watch a movie, TV series, TV show and not worry that any advertising will interrupt in the most interesting place.
What a joy for the feet of humanity: all Cuban government cars must deliver hitchhikers. You can hitchhike not in the car of a stranger, and perhaps some Minister.
Perhaps that’s not enough to attract a sophisticated traveler, so here are a few more reasons with pictures revealing the Caribbean’s largest island in more detail.
Getting to know the country starts from the capital and Havana is one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean. Magnificent nature, museums, cathedrals, ancient fortresses and this is only the tip of the iceberg.
First of all, I would like to note the visiting card of the Havana Capitol, built in 1929. The Capitol can be viewed from the inside on any weekday, although the entrance is paid, but there is a stunning cafe on the balcony.
The next pride of the capital is Havana Christ height of 20 meters. It is amazing that the Havana Christ was the first sculpture built by a woman. Hilma Madera built it in 1956 and even repaired it every time it was struck by lightning.
The city center of Old Havana was inscribed by UNESCO in the list of the world heritage of mankind in its entirety. The total number of attractions exceeds 1000. Among them, the Grand Theatre of Havana strikes with its grandeur. And among the numerous fortresses of Havana are La Cabaña, La Fuersa, as well as the fortress of San Salvador de la Punta guarding the entrance to the Bay of Havana. Fine connoisseurs of literature can visit the Ernest Hemingway House Museum.
Not a single tourist passes the place of the traditional February festival Naberezhnaya Malecon. Stretching for 7 km embankment allows you to cover the whole history of the city.
Cuba is famous not only for some of the cleanest beaches in the world, but also for its great revolution. Those who want to be closer to one of the most famous historical events can visit the Revolution Square, the Museum of the struggle against counter-revolutionaries and Santa Clara (the burial place of Che Guevara).
Trinidad, a city in the heart of Cuba, received the status of a city-museum and was listed by UNESCO as a heritage of mankind. This city has palaces and Catholic churches. Among them, the Cathedral Square, the Museum of Colonial Architecture, the Church and Monastery of St. Francis, the Church of the Holy Trinity, etc. deserve special attention.
Still, the magnet for tourists is the Cuban islands and beaches. The island of Cayo Largo is rich in hotels, restaurants and local coffees and cigars are among the best in Cuba.
One of the largest islands in the Caribbean, Juventud, or as Columbus nicknamed it, Pinos Island, was a favorite hiding place for pirates in the Middle Ages. There are legends that pirate treasures are hidden on the island. Juventud himself was rumored to be the prototype of the island in the novel Treasure Island. However, it is not empty rumors that attract tourists, but fantastic beaches and stunning landscapes.
On the northeastern corner of Cuba is the ancient city of Baracoa, founded in 1511. The local Miel Bay is the first place Columbus entered upon his arrival in Cuba. Lovers of ancient architecture are recommended.
Hardines del Rey (meaning "Royal Garden") is an archipelago of several hundred islands stretching for 200 kilometers along the northern provinces. One of the largest islands of the Cayo Guillermo archipelago is very popular among tourists. It is 90% covered with virgin nature. There are only 5 beaches on this island, but they are considered the cleanest and most beautiful places to relax in the archipelago.
The tourist center of Soroa in the province of Pinar del Rio, a paradise for lovers of amazing landscapes. Waterfalls, lakes, mountains, more than 25,000 species of plants allowed UNESCO to list Soroa as a biosphere reserve.
Playa Esmeralda in the city of Holguin, also known as the Emerald Coast, rightfully bears the title of one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba. Even Christopher Columbus called it heaven on earth.
Since we are talking about beaches, it is a sin not to mention Varadero beach, which is one of the three cleanest beaches in the world. Varadero, the famous resort of Liberty Island, has in its attractive arsenal 20 km long beaches, coral reefs, Ambrosio cave with rock paintings and even a church with a sonorous name Iglesia de Santa Elvira.
In the Viñales Valley, you will be amazed by the mogote hills, up to 400 meters high and at least 160 million years old. However, most people come here to see the “Prehistoric fresco” by the artist Leovichildo Gonzalez, painted directly on the rock.
Finally, a few tips for tourists. Upon arrival, you will have to pay an airport fee of approximately $30. A certificate is required for the export of cigars, rum, paintings, stuffed animals, as well as processed black coral (it is forbidden to export coral in its pure form).
Given the hospitality of Cubans, the rich natural and architectural world, rest in Cuba and new experiences are guaranteed.
Text by Faxri Veiklov