Which language in the cube is the official language? Vacation with children

Liberty Island Cuba is loved by tourists for its luxurious nature, excellent beaches and a lot of colonial and revolutionary attractions. The white-stone beauty of Havana, the resorts of Varadero and Holguin, rum, cigars and Fidel - all about Cuba: tours, holidays, prices and maps.

• Last minute tours to Cuba
• Tours for May Worldwide

Perhaps some still remember how they deciphered the name of this country 15 years ago: “Communism off the coast of America.” Jokes aside, Cuba really remains one of the few strongholds of a bright socialist ideology with such familiar attributes: the legendary Comandante Che and his lively follower, an external ideological enemy in the person of the States and the unprecedented patriotism of local residents. There are, however, radical differences from the USSR - a steady influx of tourists all year round, hotels with a high level of service and rich entertainment opportunities: diving, snorkeling, yachting and the list goes on. Plus, of course, let's not forget about the famous rum and cigars. The latter, by the way, secretly smoked (and smokes) the same ideologically enemy leadership, despite the embargo on Liberty Island.

Time difference from Moscow

− 7 hours in winter −8 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• from Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

Climate

Visa and customs

For tourist trip For a period of up to 30 days, citizens of Russia and Belarus do not require a visa to Cuba. For your own peace of mind, you should take out travel medical insurance in advance for the entire duration of your trip.

To enter Cuba at the border, you need to fill out a migration card (in two copies - the second one is presented upon departure), a return ticket and proof of financial solvency at the rate of 50 USD per day per person (a simple credit card statement will do). Hotel reservations are not required, but be prepared to answer the question of where you plan to stay.

Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco is allowed; 3 bottles alcoholic drinks; perfumes, medicines and household items - within the limits of personal needs. One photo and video camera (plus 5 cassettes for each) are also imported duty-free. It is prohibited to import drugs, pornography and firearms(with the exception of shotguns for sport hunting belonging to tourists who come to the country for this purpose and have the appropriate permit issued in Cuba upon arrival).

Fans of Cuban cigars should not forget about the following point: although you can export as many of them as you like from the island with a receipt, according to our customs rules, you can import no more than 50 pieces into Russia.

You can take out up to 1000 CUP and up to 5000 USD without declaration, no more than 23 cigars per person (if the cigars are sealed in packaging with a hologram, purchased in special store, which issues receipts and export permits, you can export as much as you like), goods worth no more than 1000 CUP (jewelry is exported only with a license issued in the store).

Systems Tax free not in socialist Cuba.

The export of animals is prohibited cultural values, sea shells, antiques, precious metals. When purchasing jewelry or goods made of crocodile skin, you must request an export license from the seller, otherwise the goods will be seized during customs control. These licenses are usually issued only in stores. In markets where crocodile leather products cost 3-5 times less, but export licenses are not issued, such goods should not be purchased.

How to get to Cuba

The simplest and quick way to get to Cuba - direct non-stop regular Aeroflot flights Moscow - Havana (about 12 hours of flight, departure from Sheremetyevo). Other options: transit through Paris on an Air France flight to Havana, via Amsterdam on a KLM flight, via Madrid with Iberia, via Frankfurt with Condor to Havana and Varadero and other European carriers. The journey will take from 16 to 20 hours.

Flights from CIS countries are carried out either through Moscow or with connections in European cities.

If tourists fly with KLM, due to inconvenient flight connections, they will have to spend the night in Amsterdam. To do this, you need to apply for a transit visa and also book a hotel in advance. It is more convenient to stay in the center of Amsterdam: time railway crossing from the airport to the train station in the city center - only 20 minutes.

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Transport

Public transport in the country is underdeveloped; the most convenient way is to rent a car. Cubans themselves often use hitchhiking to get around within cities or around the country.

Public transport

Buses are considered the main urban transport, but they can only be recommended for extreme sports enthusiasts: the stops are not marked in any way, it is almost impossible to find them, the buses are jam-packed, and they do not have a clear schedule or routes. Buses - in Havana they are called camallos (due to external resemblance with camels) - stops every 4 blocks. The fare costs 3-5 CUC, it is not recommended to check with the driver - he will suspect you of being a tourist and will charge much more. Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

There are special “tourist” taxis for tourists - these are always modern and serviceable cars. They can be ordered from any hotel or simply by phone; Travel is paid only in dollars. The cost of the trip is from 0.5 to 1 USD for each km of the route. Regular taxis that accept pesos are quite old cars and there are not many of them. Finally, there are also private bombers in Cuba. Their prices are slightly lower than those of state taxi drivers, but there are no guarantees of quality.

Intercity communication

Local residents often hitchhike around the country. There is even a law in Cuba that government vehicles are required to take hitchhikers on board if they are in the car. free seats. The implementation of this rule is closely monitored by special people, like our traffic cops.

All major cities in Cuba have bus stations from which intercity buses depart. Unlike city transport, they run more or less on schedule. Most a budget option- this is Astro Bus. The bus fleet leaves much to be desired, but a trip from Havana to Varadero will cost only 8-10 CUC. Viazul Bus is a more modern fleet and the buses even have air conditioning. Travel prices are higher: from Havana to Varadero a ticket will cost 8-15 USD. The company has its own website (translated into English) where you can buy tickets online. In other cases, travel cards are purchased at the ticket office at the station, and this must be done in advance.

Rent a Car

Cuba Hotels

Consulate General in Havana: 5-a Avenida esq. a 66, no. 318, Miramar, La Habana,; tel.: 204-10-74, 204-10-85.

Police: 116 and 820-116, ambulance: 242-811, fire brigade: 811-115, airport information: 45-31-33.

• Is Cuba suitable for a girl for an individual trip?
• How to call from a Russian number to a local landline in Havana

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Beaches of Cuba

The beaches in Cuba are some of the best on the planet: sandy, with convenient access to the sea, many are marked with the Blue Flag, in addition, they are all municipal and free.

Most hotels on the coast are assigned separate protected areas of the beach, where you practically won’t meet the local population. Sun beds and umbrellas are free.

You can safely go to any resort and be satisfied. But if you choose the ideal from the best, then you should pay attention to the following beaches:

The longest beach in Cuba is Varadero: almost 22 km of snow-white sand with sun loungers, umbrellas, beach cafes and other tourist infrastructure. Almost all the beaches here are at hotels, so they are always clean and there are no suspicious strangers. Varadero is perhaps the most fun and noisy resort in Cuba; there are many discos here, so young and not so party-goers should go here. Varadero is also suitable for tourists who prefer an all-inclusive holiday - most of these hotels are concentrated here.

For a family holiday with children, Santa Lucia Beach (about 110 km northeast of the city of Camagüey) is suitable. There is a comfortable flat sandy bottom, there are no waves, and since this beach cannot be reached by regular buses, there are not many people even in the evening. high season. It's very calm and Beautiful places, but for extreme sports fans there is also entertainment: diving with sharks.

Cuisine and restaurants of Cuba

Creole cuisine is widespread on the island, the main ingredients of which are pork and chicken, prepared in various ways. One of the most popular national dishes is “Creole ajiaco” - pork with vegetables and big amount spices It’s also worth trying lobsters with lemon, crocodile or turtle meat dishes, and turtle eggs. In Cuba, they cook a lot from fruits and serve them with almost every dish. The coffee they brew here is very strong and sweet.

National drinks are Cuban rum and numerous cocktails based on it: mojito, Cuba Libre, daiquiri and many others.

There are few restaurants in the classical sense of the word in Cuba, and they are all located in tourist areas and resorts. They usually accept credit cards, but glitches are common, so it's best to go with cash (convertible pesos). The average bill in a good restaurant is approximately 30-40 CUP per person without drinks; in a more budget restaurant you can spend 10-15 CUP. There are also many pizzerias and hamburger joints in Cuba. You can have a meal there cheaply (2-5 CUP) and often around the clock, but only for cash. A separate story- Cuban bars. Most of them are very colorful and have a history; they don’t serve food (maximum nuts and chips), but you should definitely try all the daiquiris.

Guides in Cuba

Entertainment and attractions

There are not as many cultural attractions in Cuba as in other countries; many were destroyed by Spanish colonialists back in the 16th century. The main wealth of the island is its natural beauty. Picturesque landscapes, national parks and amazing undersea world- this is what attracts thousands of tourists to Cuba every year.

Historical attractions are concentrated in cities, most of them, of course, in the capital - Havana. The most interesting area from a tourism point of view is Old Havana, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You should definitely see the Cathedral of St. Christopher, the Havana Capitol - larger in size than Washington. Also interesting are the city squares: the Armory (Plaza de Armas), the Cathedral (Plaza de la Catedral) and the Old (Plaza Vieja), around which ancient buildings and structures are located, as well as the Jose Marti Revolution Square with a memorial and an obelisk . At the top of the latter is the highest observation deck in the city.

The province of Havana will be especially interesting for fans of environmental and adventure tourism; there are many quiet, secluded beaches. The Escaleras de Jaruco area has many caves and steep cliffs: it is good for speleologists. In San Antonio de los Baños you can visit the Museum of Humor, while the coastal village of Santa Cruz del Norte is famous for producing the famous Havana Club rum.

In the city of Santa Clara (province of Villa Clara) there is a Memorial named after. Che Guevara and his remains are kept. In the small town of Remedios, noteworthy are the city's Carnival Museum, the Alejandro García Caturla Music Museum and the main parish church of St. John the Baptist, which is considered one of the most interesting in Cuba.

The city of Pinar del Rio in the province of the same name is interesting for its Museum of Natural Sciences, the Guasch Palace, the Milanes Theater and the Francisco Donatien cigar factory.

Juventud Island is the second largest island in the Cuban archipelago. Here is the famous nature reserve“Los Indios San Felipe” with unique flora and fauna, the Presidio Modelo prison, a copy of the American Joliet prison in Illinois (Fidel Castro served his prison sentence there), the Punta Frances National Marine Park and the international Dive center "El Colony".

In the province of Matanzas, in addition to caves with rock paintings, it is worth visiting the provincial capital of the same name. Must-sees: Vigia Square (the founding site of the city), Liberty Square, Montserrat Chapel (built in the image of a temple in Catalonia), San Severino Castle (due to its size, considered one of the main Spanish fortresses in America) and the ruins of the Triumvirato. - there, in the 19th century, the largest uprising of African slaves in the history of Cuba took place. The main attractions of the Zapata Peninsula: the Taino Indian village in Guama, the crocodile nursery in La Boca, the Santo Tomas and La Salina fauna reserves, as well as the Historical Museum in Playa Giron.

New Year (January 1), on the contrary, is celebrated noisily and cheerfully. On this night, beach discos are open, concerts and parties are held, and they approach things on a special scale in big cities.

January 2 marks the most important day in the country - the Day of Liberation and Victory of the Cuban Revolution. This is an official day off throughout the country, solemn processions take place in cities, the president gives a pathetic speech, Cubans congratulate everyone on the street, and it all ends with folk festivities until dawn.

The country is very fond of holidays, a legacy of the communist era. Here, May Day is still celebrated the way it was customary in the Soviet Union - with demonstrations, flowers, cheerful patriotic songs and festivities around the city. On July 26, the National Uprising Day is celebrated, also with parades and demonstrations, and October 10 is Independence Day: the main venue is the monument to Carlos Manuel Cespedes (“Father of the Motherland”, one of the leaders of Cuba’s Ten Years’ War against the Spanish colonialists) in the square in Havana, to to whom flowers are laid. No one works on this day either.

In July and August in Cuba you can visit two carnivals at once - in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.

On weekends from July 15 to August 15, Cuba hosts perhaps the most colorful and fun event of the year: the Havana Carnival. These days, freaks from all over the country gather in the capital, dress up in costumes, dance, drink daiquiris and have fun literally around the clock. Many perform in teams and prepare for the carnival in advance in order to be sure to outshine all other participants in the dance. Another carnival takes place at the end of July in the city of Santiago de Cuba. The scenario is the same: dress up, drink and dance. It is very convenient that both holidays fall at approximately the same time: you can visit both carnivals on one trip.

In the first week of December, one of the most important cultural events for the entire Spanish-speaking population of the planet takes place in Cuba - the Festival of New Latin American Cinema. In terms of prestige, this film award is equal to the Oscar - for directors, actors and other film workers it is a great honor to be awarded this award.

And at the end of February, smokers from all over the world come to Havana, as the International Cuban Cigar Festival takes place here. It lasts 5 days, during which time excursions to factories and tobacco plantations, auctions and competitions are held, as well as concerts, presentations and festive receptions, where you can try a variety of cigars over a glass of wine or rum.

The name of the country comes from “Akoba”, which means “land, dry land” in the language of the local Indians.

Cuba area. 110860 km2.

Population of Cuba. 11.39 million people (

Cuba GDP. $77.15 billion (

Location of Cuba. Cuba is a country located on the largest island of West and several nearby islands. In the north it is washed by the Strait of Florida, in the southwest - by the Yucatan Strait, in the east - by the Windward Strait, in the south -.

Administrative division cubes. The state is divided into 14 provinces and the special municipality of Isla Juventud.

Cuban form of government. Republic.

Head of State of Cuba. Chairman of the State Council.

Supreme legislative body of Cuba. National Assembly, which elects the Council of State.

Supreme executive body of Cuba. Council of Ministers.

Big cities cubes. Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Holguin, Guantanamo, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Matanzas.

Official language of Cuba. Spanish.

Religion of Cuba. 55% are atheists, 40% are atheists, 3% are Protestants.

Ethnic composition of Cuba. 65% are descendants of Europeans, 20% are mulattoes, 12% are Africans, 1% are Chinese.

Fauna of Cuba. Of the mammalian representatives of the animal world, the hutia and the slittooth should be distinguished. Home to a huge number of bats, almost 300 species of birds, including vulture, quail, finch, macaw, hummingbird. IN coastal waters There are more than 700 species of fish and shellfish. There are numerous insects, including very dangerous ones - the sand flea and the malaria mosquito.

Rivers and lakes of Cuba. The largest is Kauto.

Sights of Cuba. In Havana - National Museum, Colonial Museum, Museum of Anthropology, Moro Castle, Santa Clara Monastery, La Fuerza Fortress, Cathedral Immaculate Conception, City Hall, America's largest zoo; in Santiago de Cuba - Museum of Natural History; In Cardenas - the Oscar M. de Rojas Museum; in Camagüey there are a large number of churches and mansions from the colonial period. On the shore of the bay is the world's largest aquarium.

Helpful information for tourists

As souvenirs from Cuba, you can bring black coral and jewelry made from it, items made from tortoise shell (especially bracelets and hairpins). Don't forget to buy one or two bottles of unique Cuban rum and real Cuban cigars. When purchasing products made from crocodile skin, ask the seller for an export license, otherwise this souvenir will be confiscated during customs control. A good gift from Cuba there will also be tumbadora or bongo - drums musical instruments. Another gift is the guayabera, a shirt worn by officials in the tropics. You will probably have to use currency shops, since pesos can only buy books and medicine.

In Cuba, it is customary to pay a tip of 5-15% of the cost of services. The porter and maid at the hotel are given 1 dollar.

Cuba is an island of beauty, health and fun, annually welcoming many foreign tourists, including Russians. Of course, everyone who is planning to visit Liberty Island is interested in what language is spoken in Cuba. It is especially important to know this for those who plan to visit the country for the purpose of treatment.

Official language of Cuba

Speaking about which language is the official language in Cuba, it should be noted that Spanish is considered such here. This was the result of the colonization of the island by Spanish conquerors in the 16th century.

The rooting of the Spanish language in Cuba occurred in several stages. Initially, the island was inhabited by Indian tribes of the Taíns, Guanahanabees and Siboneans, who spoke their own dialects. But in 1492, the ships of Christopher Columbus arrived here, and a painful search for mutual understanding began between the Spaniards who landed on the island and the indigenous population, as a result of which the Spanish language underwent significant changes. This explains why the Spanish language, or rather the Cuban dialect of Spanish, is widespread in Cuba.

After exterminating a significant part of the local population, the Spaniards began to bring slaves from Africa to the island to work on the plantations. This contributed to the inclusion of African dialects, which have their own characteristics, in the process of forming the Cuban version of Spanish. And after the liberation of Cuba from colonial dependence on the formation of Cuban Spanish significant influence rendered English language, which was brought by the Americans who replaced the Spaniards.

Thus, National language Cuba is Spanish, but there are significant differences from traditional Spanish. Moreover, sometimes they are so significant that, having heard local speech, it is impossible to immediately understand what language is widespread here. The Cuban variety of Spanish even received its own name, Espanol Cubano.

That is, to the question of which language is the official one in Cuba, the answer is unequivocal - Spanish. And if you speak this language, you will be able to communicate with the local population, despite some differences in pronunciation.

Popular languages ​​on Liberty Island

When answering the question about what language is spoken in Cuba, it should be noted that although the main language of the country of Cuba is Spanish, there are residents who speak other languages, such as French or English. But there are few of these on Liberty Island. Most often they can be found in popular resorts (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin, etc.), where they work in restaurants, hotels and large entertainment centers. Most local residents do not consider it necessary to know and understand even the most common phrases in English. Moreover, if any of them knows this language, they answer in it extremely reluctantly. This attitude towards English is explained by the not very warm relations that have historically developed between Cuba and the United States.

Despite this, on Liberty Island there is special category Cubans. They are called "friends". They speak English fluently and even specifically study the language in order to make money from foreign tourists. "Friends" offer assistance in finding housing, drinks, cigars and other things and are usually extremely friendly. They impose themselves on tourists and spend whole days with them, counting on some kind of support on their part, for example, treating them to food and drinks or monetary rewards.

Language courses in Cuba

When planning a trip to Cuba, you need to understand that without knowing Spanish, communicating with the locals will be very problematic, so before your trip it would be a good idea to learn basic phrases in Spanish. Or you can start learning Spanish right on the island - fortunately, language schools in Cuba they offer both individual and group lessons different levels intensity for visitors of any age. In addition, it is possible to combine Spanish lessons with music or dance classes.

The most popular language schools in Havana are Jakera, StudeTeam Cuba and Study & Live in your Teacher’s Home. The latter program provides a unique opportunity through language learning to become better acquainted with the culture and traditions of this country. Plus, you'll be the only student, allowing you to learn the language quickly.

It should be noted that studying Spanish on Liberty Island is in no way inferior to studying the same courses in Spain.

Do they speak Russian in Cuba?

Among the Caribbean countries, there is not a single state where the Russian language is as widespread as in Cuba. This is due to many years of friendship Soviet Union and Cuba. A large number of Cubans were educated in the USSR at one time; many Cubans live here who are married to Russian women. On Liberty Island, people still drive Soviet cars, use equipment produced during the Soviet era, and watch Soviet films and cartoons, only in Spanish.

Historically warm relations are still relevant today. The indigenous people of Cuba treat Russians well, considering them “Soviet” tourists. Therefore, finding a Cuban here who knows at least a few words of Russian is not so difficult.

Liberty Island Cuba is a legendary country about which, for all its color, we know not so much. Meanwhile, this island is rich in its history, culture and incredible life experiences. Time stopped in Cuba about three decades ago. And you still have the opportunity to see the world of the past.

What is it like, Cuba on the map

In the north Caribbean Sea The very interesting, original and uniquely memorable country of the Republic of Cuba is located. It covers not only the central island, but also several smaller ones. It is divided into 16 provinces and also includes the municipality of the Islas Juventud. No matter how large Cuba may seem, its population is about 11,300,000 people.

The state is a member of the United Nations and the World trade organization. The dominant one leads the policy Communist Party. The flag of Cuba is colored white, blue and red. The three blue stripes symbolize the Spanish parts of Cuba, the two white stripes symbolize independence, the red triangle symbolizes equality, and the star symbolizes freedom.

Cuba covers a total area of ​​110,860 square kilometers and a length of 1,250 kilometers. The state borders the USA, Mexico, Jamaica and the island of Haiti. The climate here is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Where the name Freedom Island came from is not entirely known. It is assumed that the word “Cuba” came from the Taino Indians, who called the island “a beautiful place.” And some historians say that Columbus named the island Cuba in honor of the village of the same name in Portugal.

History of Cuba

Cuba passed difficult path during its formation. These lands have seen many revolutionary actions. The first civil uprising took place back in 1823, when local residents decided to fight for an independent Spain. From 1868 to 1878, fighting took place here during the Ten Years' War for the independence of the Cuban people. This was followed by a number of revolutionary leaders who introduced their own rules and principles of government to Cuba.

The well-known Fidel Castro came here in 1953. It was with his activities that the Cuban Revolution began, which opposed the ruling dictator Batista. When he fled the island, the “leftist” revolutionaries took the leading position. But the optimistic trend did not last long, as repression soon began in Cuba. Castro was afraid of the dangerous influence of the United States, and actively began to cooperate with the Soviet Union.

It was this, the largest state at that time, that supported Cuba materially and financially. But when Perestroika began in the Union, the relationship changed. And Cuba itself has lost its former power. There was little money, not enough jobs. Stability was achieved only in 1994.

The Church in Cuba operates according to its own rules, because everyone here has the right to their own religion. They mainly profess Catholicism. But sometimes there are examples of Protestantism and African cults, which are built on making sacrifices and worshiping various pagan gods.

They say the language here is predominantly Spanish, but you can also hear English and Italian. In some regions, Dutch, German and various local dialects are spoken.

Cuba and its cities

The capital of Cuba, the city of Havana, is a tourist center and one of the largest in the country. Its total area is almost 727 square kilometers, on which 15 municipalities are located. Havana received capital status in 1902, and this moment here is the cultural, economic and political center of the country.

There are a lot of museums built in the city, in particular the Colonial, the National, the Jose Marti House Museum and the Museum of the Revolution. You can also see many old restored houses from the 16th-18th centuries. The house-museum of the great writer Ernesto Hemingway, who was impossibly in love with Cuba, is also open.

The second largest city in Cuba by area and importance is Santiago de Cuba. It was built and inhabited at the beginning of the 16th century, and until 1556 it served as the capital of the state. Here, as in the capital, a lot of museums have been opened: ethnographic, municipal, natural history and others.

Tourists come to the south of Cuba to try their hand at recreational diving and see the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca del Morro. By the way, it is in this city that the grave of dictator Fidel Castro is located.

The city of Camagüey was built in the center of Cuba in 1514. Local residents suffered from pirate attacks for several decades, but over time the area has changed. Surrounded by picturesque nature, the city is famous for its numerous attractions - the Ignacio Argamonte Museum, Trabajadores and Soledad squares, and, of course, the Casino Campestre park.

How to organize an unforgettable vacation in Cuba

Despite the fact that Cuba is not the most rich country, a tourist will definitely have something to see here.

The bell Cathedral of St. Christophe dominates the capital and the building is listed World Heritage humanity UNESCO. It was built from 1767 to the end of the 19th century; the crown of the architectural creation was the frescoes of Giuseppe Perovani. The bells are made of bronze mixed with silver and gold.

Be sure to take a walk along the Prado Boulevard in the capital, this promenade separates the two regions of Havana. Noisy and colorful Cuban weddings take place here, since the Wedding Palace is located on the boulevard. A large Seville hotel was built for tourists, and the old Capitol rises nearby. Walking along the boulevard in the evening, you will certainly see Grand Theatre and Central Park. Walk a little more and you will be on the Malecon embankment.

Scenic and one of the largest parks, the Sierra del Rosario can be seen if you reach the Rosario Ridge. Big park represents protected area length of 250 kilometers. Grows on this land a tropical forest with more than 800 plant species. At the moment, the park is of particular natural value for UNESCO

And, of course, you can’t come to Cuba without stopping by Hemingway’s house. It was here that the writer lived almost until the end of his life. He was inspired by the unique seascape and fresh salty air. Hemingway arrived in Cuba in 1940, but the house in which he settled was built back in late XIX century. Gorgeous views, rum and national flavor inspired the author to write the legendary novel “The Old Man and the Sea.”

In 1961, the writer passed away, and a year later, in tribute to his work, the Cuban authorities made a museum in his house. Everything here is preserved in the form Ernest is used to seeing. Even in the bedroom, on the desktop, they installed exact copy a typewriter on which brilliant works were created.

Cuba is something unique

Such another country definitely cannot be found anywhere in the world. And there are plenty of quirks on Liberty Island. Accustomed to prohibitions, repressions and restrictions, Cubans have some other permissions. Surprisingly, the activities of Masonic lodges are still legal here. To this day, there is an organization of Freemasons, including just under 300,000 local residents.

But there are much more prohibitions. For example, one of the strangest rules is the ban on catching and eating lobsters by locals. This product is considered exclusively touristic and is grown or caught by state monopolists. Local residents do not have the right to this product. We are talking not only about lobsters, but also about lobsters. To tell the truth, this rule is, of course, violated. But it still remains within the law and implies imprisonment for several years.

Photography in Cuba is a separate art form. But before you take that coveted photo, make sure it's legal. It is strictly prohibited to photograph administrative and military buildings, cars and any other places. There are quite a lot of KGB officers in all cities, but it’s better not to risk taking photos or videos with them. If you photograph locals or take selfies with them, then first of all, ask permission. You are unlikely to hear a refusal, but if this happens, it is better to immediately erase the photo.

And the most popular entertainment in Havana is the Tropicana show. It features a traditional cabaret with colorful Cuban costumes. The ticket price is 95 Cuban pesos, which includes a pass to the event, a glass of champagne, a can of Coca-Cola and a bottle of rum. Cabaret talks about rich history Cuba from the times of the Indians to the Castro dictators.

Cuba and tourism

What does a tourist do when he gets tired of the sights or when there are a little less than a couple of hours left before the plane? Of course he goes shopping!

The Caribbean coast is rich in its ocean attractions and beauty. In local souvenir shops you can buy bracelets and figurines made from turtle shells. It will be interesting for musicians to bring bongos, for fashionistas - a guayabera shirt. Well, where would we be without traditional portraits of Che Guevara, which look at tourists from T-shirts, cups, key rings and other things.

You are unlikely to have to buy groceries, but you won’t be able to do it particularly well either. In Cuba, everything is issued using coupons, and there are supermarkets for tourists. To tell the truth, big shopping centers There are only two in Cuba, and only in the capital.

What to try in Cuba?

Of course, drink a glass of rum and, if your tastes permit, light a fragrant cigar and feel like Al Capone. Buying Rum in any city in Cuba is easier than finding a store without a queue. Rum prices are minimal, but the quality matches the price. If you want to try a good cigar, then check out the Cigar Museum. This way you will learn more about this iconic item and buy a quality product at a relatively low price.

As for restaurants, things are not going too well. There are no big five-star restaurants with arches and waiters in bow-ties in Cuba. And even small cafes with three tables with a thatched roof are called a restaurant here. But the food in all establishments is quite tasty. Seafood cuisine is widespread. The same lobsters and spiny lobsters, which are relatively inexpensive here.

Everything about Cuba for tourists

To visit Cuba you will need. The Embassy of Liberty Island welcomes Ukrainian tourists quite warmly, so the documents will be processed quickly. With such a visa you can stay in the country for up to 30 days, and if the atmosphere of the island drags on for some more time, then the Ukrainian embassy will easily extend the documents.

They will cost you about 500-700 dollars. to Cuba ranges from 25 to 50 thousand hryvnia. A hotel in a tourist city will cost approximately 1500 - 2600 hryvnia per day. In smaller cities, hotels cost approximately
1000 - 1500 hryvnia per day. You can give yourself truly heavenly pleasure and rent a house, villa or cottage on the coast. This luxury will cost 800 - 2200 hryvnia per day.

There is one fact worth knowing about currency. There are two types of pesos in Cuba. The first is designated as CUP, this currency is less colorfully printed and is intended for local residents. For tourists, the peso is designated as CUC. This is the so-called convertible peso, which is related to the regular peso as 1:25, respectively. Interestingly, in any city in Cuba they accept both currencies. But the quirk still exists.

Video - 13 interesting facts about Cuba

Regarding money, it is also important to know that there are no terminals in the local stores. So you should always have cash with you. It’s better to withdraw from ATMs immediately a large amount, because the commissions there are literally extortionate. Part of the amount should be kept close to you, and part should be left in the hotel or villa safe. And in general, all valuables should be kept with you. Cuba has a fairly high rate of theft.

When taking photos, do not forget that posting pictures on Instagram will not be very easy. There is no Internet on a large scale in Cuba. It can only be used with a card in certain places. Either in central regions city ​​at the main post office. Or in a hotel, of course.

In Cuba it is a separate world that cannot be compared with anything. Temperamental, emotional and to this day not despondent Cubans will happily share their experience with you for old times sake. Ukrainians are common guests in Cuba. Once upon a time, an annual tour to Cuba was organized for the children of Chernobyl. Now everything is getting better, and Cuba is still waiting for our fellow countrymen. All that’s left to do is find out where Cuba is, order a visa, book a hotel and fly to your sunny vacation.

Language of Cuba, How official language countries - Spanish. The writing of the Spanish language is based on the Latin alphabet.

Spanish uses the Latin alphabet, with an additional letter "ñ" (eñe). In addition, Spanish orthography uses the following letters with an acute accent: Áá Éé Íí Óó Úú, as well as ü with a dieresis to indicate the readability of this letter after the letters g and q.

In Spanish dialects you can find letters with grave accent: Àà Èè Ìì Òò Ùù and Çç - se-cedilla.

When reading, basically everything is read as it is written. The Spanish language is characterized by clear pronunciation of all vowels, while consonants can be swallowed or assimilated.

Basic rules for reading:

• ch - reads like a soft Russian "ch";
• h - never read;
• z - reads like "c";
• с - before a, o, u is read as "k", and before e, i - as "c";
• g - before i is read as Russian “x”, before other vowels - as “g”;
• s - reads like Russian “c”, but with the tongue slightly moved towards the alveoli;
• j - reads like the Russian “x”, but more intense;
• x - read depending on the word: like Russian “s” or “x”;
• the combination gu - before e, i is read as “g”, “u” is not pronounced, except when writing gü;
• the combination qu - before e, i is read as “k”, “u” is not pronounced, except for the combination qü.
• b and v - “fricative b”: at the beginning of a word and after nasal and labial consonants, these letters indicate the stop sound “b”, which in pronunciation corresponds to the Russian “b”. In other cases, these letters indicate a semi-closed sound between “b” and “v”.

In Spanish words, the stress falls on the last syllable if the word ends with a consonant other than n or s. If a word ends with a vowel or the consonants n or s, then the stress falls on the penultimate syllable. If there is no diacritic in the font, accents are conveyed by an apostrophe - a", e", i", o", u".

Almost all Cubans speak extremely fluent Spanish. The dialect encountered is similar to other Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands, although the rhythmic speech and use of expressive gestures are distinctly Cuban. French occurred for a short time with the appearance of slave-holding European refugees after the 1791 revolution in Haiti, but they have since died out.

The languages ​​of the country's indigenous population have become extinct. The island's pre-Columbian population was approximately 112,000, consisting primarily of Arawaks (Taino and sub-Taino) in the central and eastern region, as well as Guanahacabibes who fled the Arawaks and moved west to Pinar del Rio. Indigenous lands were quickly occupied Spanish conquistadors, and the indigenous people were enslaved and used by Europeans in mining and agriculture. Indigenous peoples resisting the new masters were killed. The rest of the population died out from malnutrition, overwork, suicide and cruelty. Indigenous people Cuba practically disappeared during fifty years of conquest.

In the resort areas of Cuba, English, German and Italian are widely used.