Escape from Winter !
Hola Sun Vacation Intro
GENERAL INFORMATION ON CUBA
Location
Located in the Caribbean Sea it is the largest island in the West Indies with 110 922 square kilometres. It is just 146 km from Jamaica, 140 km from the Bahamas, 180 km from Florida, and 210 km from Cancun.
Currency
The Cuban peso is the official currency. Preferred currency for foreigners would be the US dollar. Credit cards and travellers cheques drawn on US banks are not accepted. American Express and Citibank credit card and travellers cheques are not accepted. Accepted credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Access, Banamex, Bancomer, Garnet, and Diners Club. Most hotels have a money exchange desk to convert your money and your travellers cheques into US dollars. Banks are generally opened from 8:30 to 15:00 hours.
National holidays
Jan 1 - Liberation Day - Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution
May I - International Workers' Day
Jul 25, 26, 27 - Celebration of the Day of National Rebelliousness
Oct10 - Celebration of the Beginning of the Wars for Independence
Cuban cuisine
Cuban food is the result of Spanish and African culinary traditions with Chinese elements added. Ajiaco is the national dish - a thick soup made with vegetable roots and stems with meat (usually pork). Other Cuban dishes are Lechon asado en pua (broiled pork cooked on a broiling stick over an open fire), Tachinos, chatinos or tostones (fried unripe sliced bananas), and frijoles negros dormidos (very thickly cooked black beans).
Language
Official language is Spanish however
English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Climate
Tropical with easterly breezes.
Averages 330 sunny days a year
with average temperature of
25.5 Celsius.
Time
Cuba is in the Eastern Standard Time
Zone (-5 GITT). It also will change to
Eastern Daylight Saving Time from May
to October.
Electricity
110 vol~60 cycles, however
many of the newer hotels have
220 voltage - adaptors and/or
converters may be required.
Water
Water in Cuba is purified in the main tourist areas, however bottled water is readily available.
Getting around
Car and moped rentals, taxis, and buses are available.
Tipping
Tipping in Cuba is discretionary, however when tipping 10% is recommended.
Shopping
Cuban Cigars, Rum, handicrafts & souvenirs.
Health requirements
No special requirements for Canadians.
Travellers arriving from other countries
should check with the Cuba Tourist
Board or Cuban Consulate.
Public health care
Cuba has one of the highest health index in the world. Medical care, hospital treatment and dental care are free for the Cuban population. Cuba's health care facilities also provides medical care for tourists (cost will apply).
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Vacation with Executive Travel (London) Limited
