WDCC Cuba Night

Presented by Tony Smith

Cuba is often called the "Pearl of the Antilles"

It is the largest & least commercial of the Carribean countries & has a population of 11 Million People.

Made famous for its revolution and communist stance, it

tempts the tourist with :-

  • Picturesque colonial towns
  • Afro-Cuban culture
  • Rousing revolutionary monuments
  • Potent Rum & great beer.

Cuban people provide a sincerely warm & friendly welcome to visitors. Numerous hotels & rooms with private citizens

In the 1960's, Cuba undertook one of the western hemispheres greatest social experiments of the late 20th century to the disdain of the USA.

American companies lost over $700 million dollars during Cubas 'nationisation' of much of its sugar & utility industries.

Since the 1960's the CIA has had a budget of over $13 million to overthrow Fidel Castro. Fantastic schemes including exploading cigars have all failed.

Havana

The journey starts in Havana, North west Cuba.

This is the main gateway for international arrivals.

  • Home to 2.2 million people and the largest city in the Carribean
  • Attractions include wonderful churches, colonial palaces & museums
  • Old Havana Markets
  • Spanish castle

The city is surprisingly safe at all hours. However, be aware of pickpockets in busy areas & buses, also snatch thieves on bikes. The city needs at least 2 days to explore in any detail. Main areas include :-

  • Capitolio/Park Central Area (Capitol / Tobacco's Factory)
  • Vedada (High rise hotels area, famous Hotel Nacional - follow in the footsteps of the Mafia)
  • Old Habana Vieja (colonial Havana)
  • Necropolis Cristobel Colon (see the amazing Senora Amelia shrine, subject of a miraculous cult)

Matanzas / Veradero

Going east from Havana by hire car along Cuba's Autopista motorway, the first city you encounter is Matanzas.
 

A largely industrial city ringed by factories, it is mainly a pass through point on the way to the largest resort of Varadero. It does have a small colonial centre though (within a familiar latino grid street pattern), with an imposing theatre & cathedral.
 
  • Varadero has been a holiday centre since 1872
  • Al capone used to holiday in Veradero
  • There is a range of holiday activities on offer as would be expected & a range of (expensive) restaurants. Private paladares are banned in Veradero.
  • It has become the home of the 'all inclusive' holiday experience. Plastic coloured bands help the hotel security personnel more easily monitor your movements!

Remedios

One of the prettiest towns in Cuba

  • There is a 17th century air about the place
  • Central square surrounded by historic buildings
  • Famous for its church containing a statue of the sole ' pregnant immaculate conception' in Cuba.
  • 'Parrandas' carnival which takes place at Christmas. The two main neighbourhoods compete to have the best float. A museum of past years attempts can be found in town.
  • Only one main hotel in town. This was being renovated on my visit.
  • Current a very quiet, relaxed & interesting town. Unfortunately, a massive hotel building project is underway for a nearby resort at Cayo Santo Maria, so catch it soon.

Camaguay

Largest city in the centre of Cuba

  • Winding streets
  • Cheap & plentiful accomodation
  • Friendly people
  • As far east as I travelled.

Trinadad

Old colonial city on the central south coast.

Founded in 1514 by the 1st governor of Cuba, Diego Velazquez.

Wealth built on sugar plantations in the 19th century, then declined when sugar moved north towards Matanzas

  • Locked in a sleepy timewarp
  • Museum Town, declared a UNESCO world heritage site
  • Colonial atmosphere (better after 5pm when the tourist hoards leave on their coaches back to their beach hotels!)
  • Lots of private rooms for accomodation (touts meet your bus or hire car on arrival).

A few top tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn some Spanish language.

Few people outside the main centres speaks English & then not very well! If you are planning to travel independently, at least learn some numbers, food items & directions. A (basic) language tape from a library should do the trick.

Locals often enjoy to chat, make a bit more effort & it will pay dividends!

Take dollar traveller cheques & small dollar notes ($20 or less).

Most of your purchases will be in dollars, change a small amount into pesos (monada nacional) so you can buy snacks from street vendors etc. Keep all receipts to ensure on departure all gifts are exported tax free.

Check prices carefully in restaurants, in particular drinks.

Eat at 'Paladares' (private restaurants with 12 or less seats), if possible. Note that not all items available will be shown on the menu. Ask if you followed tip 1 above!

In resorts, most inclusive meals are served buffet style.

Best time to go?

Avoid the September/October storms, Dec-April is the best. Average tempurature (26C)

Cigars

All genuine ones are handrolled & sold in tightly sealed cedar boxes. There are 42 different types. Check sample prices at home before buying in Cuba.

Black market (street sold) cigars are often of dubious or inferior quality. Check each cigar, its smell, shape & uniformity.

Food

Cuban food is not very spicy or hot. Garlic & onions are the usual additions solely. Rice & Beans (Moors & Christians), roast pork & chicken are the usual staples. Fish is rare to see (unless its tinned), most boats (& fishermen) did a runner to Miami just before the revolution!

Expect any restaurant serving Peso meals (you most likely will pay in dollars of course!), to be slow. Often service is slowed down to avoid running out of food! Expect menus to be printed in Spanish away from the main tourist areas.

Pizza

Don't eat one for at least 3 weeks before departing to Cuba. You will be eating plenty as its generally the usual street snack, cooked in an old oil drum!

Beggers

Ignore them, generally they follow the tour buses, which encourages them. Few people in Cuba need to beg. The state provides. Don't forget, Cubans have the longest life expectancy in the Americas. Must be the combination of very good healthcare, excercise (all that cycling) & everything in moderation.

Some useful links

Cuban Culture http://www.cubanculture.com/

CubaWeb http://www.cubaweb.cu/

Cuba Music http://www.bembe.com/

Lonely Planet http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ (guides & info)

Rough Guides http://www.roughguides.com/

Foreign office http://www.fco.gov.uk/ (jabs & latest advice etc)

WHO health http://www.who.int/disease-outbreak-news/index.html

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(c) Tony Smith 2001 - This lecture delivered 23-April-2001 - contact details thewdcc@hotmail.com

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