A country of true Caribbean romance, Cuba fascinates at first sight: coconut palms, picturesque bays, rum, cigars and a unique revolutionary spirit.

Cuba is attracted primarily by its paradise beaches - Liberty Island is washed Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Not surprisingly, the conditions here are ideal for leisurely sunbathing or active sea holidays.

The northern resort of Varadero is suitable for diving, surfing and deep-sea fishing.

Excellent tourist infrastructure, many hotels (4 and 5 stars), warm waters of the Atlantic - this is where most tourists come.

The island of eternal summer gives 330 sunny days a year, the rainy season is from May to October, which means it is best to come in the European winter. Cubans offer impeccable service, prices for accommodation and excursions are above average, but in addition to hotels, rooms and houses can be rented from local residents.


Holidays in the country are not limited to spending time on the beach; for lovers of educational trips, there are excursions to national reserve Baconao, the Viñales karst valley, the eco-trails of the Zapata Peninsula and the orchid gardens of Soroa.

After the silence of parks and reserves, you should definitely go to the capital of the country - the city of Havana.

Local architecture will appeal to lovers of contrasts: ancient colonial buildings side by side with modern ones glass skyscrapers. Feel the spirit of the past in Old Havana, for more active rest- Prado Boulevard with its colorful carnivals.

The large cities of Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Camagüey will tell you about the history and culture of the country from all sides. For comfortable travel around Cuba, it is better to rent a car.

Public transport is practically undeveloped; to travel within the city, you can use inexpensive and safe “tourist taxis”.

The national cuisine combines traditional Spanish, Caribbean and African dishes. Meat lovers will be pleased with all kinds of “grills”, especially pork and chicken. Tourists can expect an abundance of fruits and vegetables, rice and legume dishes, and a rich assortment of seafood with spicy sauces. The famous Cuban rum and cigars will be the main highlight of the trip and an ideal souvenir from Liberty Island.

Cultural characteristics

Cubans are very friendly and cheerful people.

The first thing that catches your eye is the smiles, because everyone smiles in Cuba, regardless of age and wealth. Considering that their lives are quite difficult for a number of reasons, this seems simply amazing. Another feature is that all Cubans simply love to sing and dance, they can suddenly throw a carnival or start dancing fiery salsa.

In addition, Cubans are very talkative and temperamental, but not aggressive. They always try to help others, including foreigners, and they treat Russians very friendly and with great sympathy. Cuba is a country where there is always an atmosphere of fun and celebration.

Local bans

Although Cuba is called the Island of Freedom, there are still some restrictions for tourists in the country:

  • It is prohibited to photograph military facilities and military personnel;
  • you cannot swim in the sea if a red flag is displayed;
  • nudism is prohibited;
  • You can go to jail for drugs;
  • smoking is prohibited in in public places;
  • There is a ban on the use of cards from American banks in the country, that is, Visa cards will not be accepted.

National holidays

  • January 1-2 - Liberation Day (victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959);
  • May 1—Labor Day;
  • July 26 is National Uprising Day (July 25 and 27 are also days off);
  • October 10 - Anniversary of the beginning of the wars for independence from Spanish rule, Cuban Culture Day;
  • December 25—Christmas.

Kitchen

Cuban cuisine has developed under the influence of Spanish, African and Creole traditions. It is difficult to call Cuban cuisine specific - in general, it is quite simple, and variety is provided by numerous sauces made from tomatoes, peppers, mangoes, papaya and other products.

Among the meat dishes, chicken, pork, beef and, of course, seafood are very popular.

Cubans, like most Latinos, prefer rice and beans as a side dish. Particularly popular dishes: ajiaco soup (a mixture of meat and vegetables), la caldosa (chicken), potaje soup (bean soup), picadillo a la abanera (rice with minced meat) and many others. The main rule of Cuban cuisine: food should be simple and satisfying.

Among desserts, Cubans prefer ice cream, as well as the traditional delicacy cucurucho. Among drinks, coffee is especially popular among Cubans, and tea is almost impossible to find in the country.

But if you do manage to get tea, it will be of very poor quality and, most likely, in bags. In terms of alcohol, the most common drink is, of course, rum.

Shopping

From a trip to Cuba you can bring a large number of exotic gifts that will remind you of a wonderful trip.

A must-have are excellent Cuban cigars, which are worth buying in stores when large hotels, having previously studied the varieties and types of cigars. Cohiba, Monte Cristo, Romeo y Julieta are popular in Cuba. Please note that you should not buy the product secondhand - most likely, you will run into a cheap fake, which will definitely not contain high-quality tobacco.

Rum and local coffee can be purchased at duty free, and for particularly rare varieties of the aromatic drink, you should go to specialized stores.

Representatives of the fair sex will certainly appreciate the original jewelry made of black coral. Note to travelers: to check the authenticity of the coral, you can heat it with fire - real coral will not melt. The interior will be decorated with mahogany figurines, paintings by local artists, flags of Cuba and various trinkets, on which revolutionary symbols are applied.

Fans of Comandante Che Guevara will be pleased with T-shirts and baseball caps with his image (it is also better to buy them at hotels or at the airport, where the quality is better). Finally, those with a sweet tooth should pay attention to the delicious coconut jam, which can be spread on toast and used to make various desserts.

Visa How to get there

They say that you need to go to Cuba while Fidel is still alive. You can put this into practice by purchasing a ticket for Aeroflot and Cubana De Aviacion flights, flying from Moscow to Havana five times a week. With transfers, you can get to Cuba using flights from Iberia (via Madrid), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris). Mexicana, Interjet and Cubana (from Mexico), Aeropostal (from Venezuela), and Bahamas- Bahamasair, from El Salvador - TACA International Airlines. In addition, from large Russian cities, for example, from Yekaterinburg, here ... Read more

Border nuances

All foreigners entering Cuba must fill out a migration card, which will then be stamped by an immigration officer. On the road... Read more

Customs

Unlimited import of foreign currency is allowed, but amounts over 5,000 USD must be declared. You can import up to 1 liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, and goods for personal use in reasonable quantities duty free. It is prohibited to import any parts and spare parts for cars and motorcycles, narcotic substances (face a long prison sentence), unlabeled medicines and medicines containing narcotic substances (except with a doctor’s prescription). The import of weapons, ammunition, explosives and toxic substances, extremist or...

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.

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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.

Regions and resorts of Cuba

Almost all of Cuba is one continuous coastline with beach resorts. Closer to the center of the island are more authentic Cuban towns and villages with local flavor and historical attractions. Cuba is a fairly compact country, and you can easily travel around it all in a couple of weeks.

Cities

Time difference from Moscow

− 8 hours in summer −7 hours

  • with Kaliningrad
  • with Samara
  • with Yekaterinburg
  • with Omsk
  • with Krasnoyarsk
  • with Irkutsk
  • with Yakutsk
  • with Vladivostok
  • from Severo-Kurilsk
  • with Kamchatka

Climate

Maps of Cuba

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 of 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 sport hunting rifles belonging to tourists who come to the country for this purpose and have the appropriate permit issued by 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 export up to 1000 CUP and up to 5000 USD without a declaration, no more than 23 cigars per person (if the cigars are sealed in packaging with a hologram, purchased in a special store that issues receipts and export permits, you can export as much as you like), goods worth not more than 1000 CUP (jewelry is exported only with a license issued by the store).

There is no Tax free system in socialist Cuba.

The export of animals, 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 confiscated upon passage 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 get to Cuba - direct non-stop regular flights Aeroflot 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 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 register transit visa, and also book a hotel in advance. It is more convenient to stay in the center of Amsterdam: the train journey from the airport to the station in the city center is 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 their resemblance to camels) - stop 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 for December 2019.

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. In Cuba, there is even a law that government vehicles are required to take hitchhikers on board if there are empty seats in the car. The implementation of this rule is closely monitored by special people, like our traffic cops.

In all major cities Cuba has bus stations from which departures intercity buses. Unlike city transport, they run more or less on schedule. The most budget option 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 desk: 45-31-33.

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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 Blue flag, in addition, they are all municipal and free.

Most hotels on the coast have separate protected areas of the beach where you will hardly find 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, etc. tourism 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 family vacation Santa Lucia Beach (about 110 km northeast of the city of Camagüey) is suitable for children. There is a comfortable flat sandy bottom, there are no waves, and since regular buses You can’t get to this beach; there aren’t many people even in 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 a lot of 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). Average score in good restaurant- approximately 30-40 CUP per person without drinks, in a more budget-friendly one 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. Cuban bars are a different story. 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 the amazing underwater 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, included in the UNESCO List world heritage humanity. 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, and coastal village 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 Historical Museum in Playa Giron.

You should also definitely take a trip to the amazingly beautiful national parks of Cuba.

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.

State in the West Indies.
Territory - 110.86 thousand square meters. km. The capital is Havana.
Population - 11.16 million people. (1999).
The official language is Spanish.
Religion - Catholicism.
The island of Cuba was discovered by Columbus in 1492 and already in 1511 it was colonized by the Spaniards. The indigenous Indian population was completely exterminated. After two wars of liberation (1868-1878 and 1895-1898), Cuba achieved independence from Spain. In 1956, a guerrilla war began on the island led by F. Castro against the dictatorial regime of Batista, which ended with the fall of the latter on January 1, 1959. In April 1961, F. Castro announced the socialist nature of the Cuban revolution.

State structure

Cuba is a unitary state. Administrative division: 14 provinces, which are divided into 169 municipalities.
The Constitution is in force, approved by a popular referendum on February 15, 1976 and entered into force on February 24, 1976. According to the form of government, Cuba is a socialist republic with a one-party system. In July 1992, the National Assembly amended the Constitution, updating about 2/3 of its articles. The new edition of the Basic Law, confirming the goal of building a socialist society, highlights national liberation ideals, principles of independence, sovereignty and identity as the ideological and political basis of the state and society. At the same time, the ruling Communist Party of Cuba maintains complete control over society. Political and ideological pluralism is not allowed, and some restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assembly, and civil rights remain.
The highest body of state power is the National Assembly of People's Power (elected by universal direct secret vote for 5 years), endowed with legislative powers. From among its deputies, it elects the State Council, which represents the Assembly during breaks between sessions, and also appoints members of the Council of Ministers of the highest executive and administrative body.
The State Council consists of a chairman, first deputy, 5 vice-chairmen, a secretary and 23 members. The State Council is a permanent body of the National Assembly of People's Power, representing it between sessions and implementing its decisions. The Council of State is accountable to the National Assembly of People's Power. The term of office of the Council of State expires upon completion of the elections of the new Assembly. The Chairman of the State Council is the head of state and government and heads the National Defense Council.
The Council of State has the right to convene extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly of People's Power; adopt decrees-laws between sessions of the National Assembly; provide a general and binding interpretation of existing laws; carry out legislative initiatives; replace, at the proposal of the chairman, members of the Council of Ministers between sessions of the National Assembly; give general instructions to the courts through the Presidium of the Supreme People's Court; appoint and remove, at the proposal of the Chairman, diplomatic representatives of Cuba in other states; award and confer honorary titles; exercise the right of pardon; ratify and denounce international treaties; suspend orders of the Council of Ministers, decisions and orders of local assemblies of people's power that do not comply with the Constitution or laws.
The powers of the Chairman of the State Council and the Head of Government are as follows: to represent the state and government and direct their general policies; organize and manage activities, convene and chair meetings of the State Council and the Council of Ministers; control and direct the activities of ministries and other central government bodies; assume the leadership of any ministry or other central government body; propose members of the Council of Ministers for approval by the National Assembly; accept the resignation, propose to the National Assembly or the Council of State a replacement of any member of the Council of Ministers; exercise supreme command of the Revolutionary Armed Forces; sign decrees-laws and other acts of the State Council and give orders for their official publication.
The highest executive body is the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba (government), whose members are submitted to the National Assembly for approval by the Chairman of the Council of State. The Council of Ministers is responsible and periodically reports on its activities to the National Assembly; he has the right to adopt decrees and orders on the basis and in pursuance of existing laws and control their implementation.

Legal system

general characteristics

Cuba's legal system is part of the socialist legal family, preserving strong traditions of the Spanish heritage and certain features of Anglo-American law.
Before gaining independence, Cuba was a colony of Spain for almost four centuries and had predominantly Spanish law. During this period, a fairly complete legal system developed in Cuba, which remained with minor changes until the revolution of 1959. Spanish codes were put into effect (with minor changes) in Cuba by royal decrees. The Spanish Civil Code of 1888 was approved in this colony in 1889, the Spanish Civil Procedure Code of 1881 - in 1885. Cuba was a country with a dualistic system of private law. Along with the Civil Code, the Spanish Commercial, or Trade, Code of 1886 was in force there. The Code of Criminal Procedure of Spain of 1882 began to operate on the island in 1889.
The right of an independent Cuba began to take shape during the liberation war. Thus, on July 28, 1896, the National Liberation Army introduced the Military Procedural Law of the Cuban Republic, as well as a number of military criminal laws. After the declaration of independence, Spanish laws were not repealed and remained in force until they were replaced by new acts.
In the pre-socialist period, Cuba was one of the largest centers of legal thought in Latin America. The country had a relatively large class of well-trained and highly professional lawyers. One of them, Sánchez de Bustamante y Sirven (1865-1951), became famous as the author of the largest regional codification of private international law, known as the Bustamante Code (1925). The Social Security Code (CC) of Cuba, adopted in 1935, featured many innovative ideas.
A new period in the development of the Cuban legal system began after the victory of the 1959 revolution and the proclamation of a course for socialist reforms in the country (1961). The new government headed by F. Castro began to create the first socialist state in the Western Hemisphere. The revolutionary authorities did not seek the immediate and complete abolition of the previous legal system. The law in force after the revolution was a complex interweaving of old and new regulations. Thus, the Social Security Code of 1935, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1882, the Military Procedure Code of 1896, etc. were used (with numerous amendments).
In the 1970s. After a long preparatory period, the codification of the branches of the new socialist law was carried out. In 1973, the General Part of the Criminal Code was adopted (Law of June 25, 1973), then a new edition of the remaining parts of the Social Security Code of 1935, and in 1979 - a new Criminal Code in its entirety. In 1974, laws on civil, administrative and labor procedure were adopted, and in 1977, a new Code of Criminal Procedure and the Law on the Organization of the Judicial System were adopted. Finally, in 1975, a revised Civil Code and the first Family Code in the country's history were adopted.
The result of the process of creating new legislation was the first Cuban Constitution, approved in a referendum in 1976. Reflecting the general tendency for socialist constitutions to expand the limits of constitutional regulation, the Basic Law covers with its provisions all the main aspects of the life of Cuban society. Its political basis was proclaimed by the Constitution as the power of the working people, based on a strong alliance of the working class with the peasantry and other strata of the working people of the city and countryside under the leadership of the working class and its vanguard - the Communist Party of Cuba.
In the 1980s The Labor Code (1984), the new Civil Code (1987), and the new edition of the Criminal Code (1987) were adopted. In 1982, the General Law on Housing came into force, establishing the procedure for its distribution, management of the housing stock, and ensuring its safety.
The socialist period of development of Cuban law is characterized by a combination of socialist legal principles, ideas and institutions borrowed from the USSR and other countries of the socialist camp, with a strong commitment to national legal traditions. The latter are based not only on the rich legal culture of the former metropolis - Spain, but also on their own, very interesting experience of the legal development of the pre-revolutionary period.
Among the main elements of the socialist legal system that remains in Cuba are the concept of “socialist legality”, the one-party political system of the Soviet type, the priority of state and public interests over private ones, the privileged position of public property and the leading role of the state in the economy, party leadership of the courts and the law enforcement system in in general.
The main sources of Cuban law are legislative and other normative acts, the hierarchy of which includes the Constitution, laws of the National Assembly, decrees-laws of the State Council, decrees and resolutions of the Council of Ministers, rules and instructions of the Supreme People's Court, and by-laws of central government bodies.

Civil and related
branches of law

Cuban private law has long developed as a colonial version of Spanish private law. In 1889, the Spanish Civil Code of 1888 was introduced in Cuba, which in turn was built on the system of the French Code of 1804 and reproduces a significant number of its provisions.
The 1889 Code consisted of an Introductory Chapter and four books containing 1976 articles, 13 transitional and 3 additional regulations. Book I (“Persons”) is devoted to individuals and family law (the position of legal entities was regulated not by the Civil Code, but by the Commercial Code of Cuba of 1886), book II (“Property and Possession”) - various types property, ownership and other property rights, i.e. possession, use and common property, usufruct and easements, registration of property. Book III deals with questions about the acquisition of property, collateral, donation, inheritance, etc. Book IV covers the law of obligations.
Like all bourgeois civil codes of the first generation, the Code of 1889 was based on the principles of formal equality of citizens before the law, the “unlimited and sacred” rights of private property, the principle of “freedom” of contracts, the limited legal capacity of a married woman, and the powerless status of illegitimate children.
The introduction of the Spanish Civil and Commercial Codes in Cuba was accompanied by a number of additions and changes, primarily related to the activities of trading companies and partnerships. After the adoption of the democratic Constitution of 1940 in Cuba, changes were made to the Civil Code expanding the legal capacity of a married woman, granting some rights to illegitimate children and a number of others.
After the 1959 revolution, the Civil Code of 1889 remained in force, but its effect was limited by a number of new legislative acts. First of all, the principles of inviolability of private property and freedom of contract were limited.
Already in 1959, the state established control over all capitalist enterprises in the country, limiting (in the public interest) the action of private enterprise, as well as control over prices, currency circulation, and foreign trade. In 1959-1961 nationalization is carried out first of enterprises and property of American citizens, then of sugar factories, factories, railways and other industrial and commercial enterprises.
During the agrarian reform, part of the land was nationalized, part was transferred to peasants within a certain maximum. The plot received by the peasant was not the object of purchase and sale agreements, donation, lease, use, or mortgage. This land could only be transferred by inheritance, sold to the state or exchanged for another (with special permission from the competent authorities). State estates were created on the basis of nationalized latifundia.
In 1975, a revised Civil Code was adopted. He reproduced those parts of the old Code that were not changed by the laws on agrarian and urban reforms and on nationalization. Marriage and family relations were separated from the Civil Code into the Family Code, adopted in the same 1975. The latter is generally based on principles common to socialist countries; at the same time, it has some features related to the political, economic and social conditions of Cuba. In accordance with the Constitution, marriage is based on the absolute equality of rights and duties of spouses, who must take care of the preservation of the family and the harmonious upbringing of children through common efforts and so that these efforts do not interfere with either spouse in their social activities. A marriage is considered legal if it is registered. Judicial recognition of marriage is carried out in cases where the union between a woman and a man meets the requirements of unity and stability. Divorce is carried out by the court by mutual consent of the spouses or if the court determines that the marriage has lost its significance for the spouses, children, and in connection with this, for society.
In 1987, the National Assembly adopted a new Civil Code of Cuba, which, as it were, summed up the socialist transformations in the country's civil law. The main forms of ownership were socialist (state and cooperative) property, the ownership of small farmers in their land and other means and instruments of production, and the personal property of citizens.
The Constitution of 1976 declared that the economic system of socialism, based on popular socialist ownership of the means of production and the elimination of the exploitation of man by man, prevails in Cuba (Article 14); the state organizes, directs and controls economic life in the country in accordance with the Unified Social and Economic Development Plan (Article 16).
Until the end of the 1980s. in Cuba there was a centralized economy governed by command-administrative methods, in which any private economic initiative was excluded. Since the early 1990s. the government is carrying out reforms aimed at introducing market elements with the dominant positions of the public sector (legalization of dollar circulation in the domestic market, the creation of joint ventures, cooperation in the public sector of agriculture and the opening of agricultural markets, permission of many types of individual labor activity, reorganization of the economic management mechanism, attraction of foreign investment ). The legal basis for these reforms was laid with the revision of many provisions of the 1976 Constitution in 1992. Since June 1995, the list of permitted types of small private entrepreneurial activity has been significantly expanded, now including more than 140 items. In accordance with the Law on Foreign Investment (1995), foreign investment is now allowed in almost all areas, “except education and health care,” and the creation of enterprises with 100% foreign participation is permitted.
Business regulation is based on the Spanish Commercial Code of 1885. Many provisions of this Code have been repealed or amended by laws issued since 1958. Intellectual property rights in Cuba are regulated by the Law of Inventors and Innovators of 1982 and Decree-Law 68/83. There is still no bankruptcy legislation on the island.
Labor and social legislation in Cuba arose at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1910, an 8-hour working day was introduced for government officials, hotel workers, restaurants and cafes. A minimum wage was also introduced for officials. Some attempts were also made to limit the exploitation of children (it was prohibited to hire teenagers under 14 years of age). In 1916, compensation for accidents at work was established, and at the same time pension funds were introduced for elderly teachers, personnel police and army, court workers and other government agencies, port workers, railway and urban transport workers.
The development of labor and social legislation began at a faster pace after the revolution of 1933. The Presidential Decree of September 19, 1933 established an 8-hour working day for all workers, and in October 1933 - a 48-hour working week. However, this did not apply to agricultural workers, domestic servants, taxi drivers, etc. The Decree of November 7, 1933 confirmed the right to unionize workers and employees of all professions, with the exception of government officials, the army and the police. It also regulated the right to strikes, which could not be carried out without first applying to arbitration (later other restrictions were introduced).
After the 1959 revolution and until the early 1990s. Cuba's labor law developed on purely socialist principles. In accordance with the Constitution, labor was proclaimed the right, duty and matter of honor of citizens. Cuban trade unions are nationalized and are under the complete control of the Communist Party. They are entrusted with the task of actively participating in educational activities. Strikes are prohibited by law and are not permitted in practice. The Ministry of Labor plays an important role in regulating labor relations. In 1984, the Cuban Labor Code was adopted, reflecting a typical approach to regulating labor relations in socialist countries. It provides employees with numerous rights, benefits and social guarantees. A 44-hour work week is fixed.
Since the early 1990s. Some adjustments are being made to labor law related to the introduction of elements of market relations in the country. In September 1993, individual labor activity was legalized.
The public health care system developed greatly during the socialist period, becoming the best in all of Latin America (Health Law of 1983).

Criminal law and procedure

Until 1938, the Spanish Criminal Code of 1870 was in force in Cuba. It was based on the division of all crimes into serious, or actual crimes, and less serious, or offenses. This division remains in Cuban criminal law to this day.
The first Penal Code of independent Cuba was adopted in 1935 and finally put into effect in 1938, along with sentencing regulations prepared by the Ministry of Justice. This Code, called the “Code of Social Protection,” reflected the ideas of the sociological school of law, which declared the task of criminal policy not to punish the criminal, but to protect society from criminal acts. The term “punishment” itself is replaced by the term “sanction”. A “dangerous condition,” identified by specific symptoms, was the criterion for the application of legal liability, or “sanction.” A distinction was made between criminal liability and security measures applied for harmful acts.
The 1935 Code consisted of four books and 594 articles, as well as a number of additional and transitional provisions. Books one and two were, respectively, the General and Special parts of the Criminal Code. The third book dealt with violations of public order and other violations that are not crimes, but entail sanctions; methods of prevention, ensuring the safety of the “individual and society”: forced detention in hospitals, agricultural colonies, correctional institutions, etc.
After the victory of the 1959 revolution, criminal legislation was subject to constant changes, although the 1935 Code remained in force for a long time. The general trend was a constant tightening of criminal repression, especially in relation to “counter-revolutionary” actions. The first acts allowed the application of laws adopted after the crime to defenders of the overthrown regime. Adopted in July 1959, the Law on Increasing Liability for Political Crimes set out in a new edition Chapters I, III, IV of the Social Security Code relating to crimes “against the integrity and security of the state and crimes against state power.” Punishments included the death penalty and imprisonment for up to 30 years. In 1960, a number of serious official crimes provided for in Chapters V and VI of Part VIII of Book II of the Social Security Code (appropriation of property, forgery for the purpose of theft) were classified as counter-revolutionary. In 1961, liability for terrorist activities was strengthened.
In 1973, the General Part of the Criminal Code was adopted (Law of June 25, 1973), and in 1979 the entire new Criminal Code was adopted. The 1979 Criminal Code provided for the death penalty as an alternative punishment for a wide range of crimes. In the 1980s. There was a tendency towards some softening of Cuban criminal policy. When the Criminal Code was revised in December 1987, the death penalty was abolished for “crimes against collective security”, certain types of “crimes against peace and international law”, as well as for robbery using violence or the threat of violence. In addition, a number of political crimes were completely decriminalized, sanctions for many ordinary crimes were reduced, and the range of alternative punishments to imprisonment was increased. However, the death penalty was retained as an alternative punishment in 23 articles, 19 of which included crimes against state security. For another 19 crimes it was provided for by the 1979 Military Crimes Law.
The Cuban Criminal Code enshrines the class nature of criminal legislation, the priority of protecting state interests over personal interests, and the corresponding interpretation of the concept of crime. At the same time, unlike other socialist criminal codes, it reflects the concept of a “dangerous state” (pre-delict danger), and along with punishments, security measures are provided.
The Special Part of the Cuban Criminal Code still retains many elements of crimes typical of socialist criminal law (use of a position in a state-owned enterprise for personal gain, profiteering, illegal departure from the country). In 1993, possession of foreign currency was decriminalized.
The main sources of criminal procedural law are the Constitution and the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1977 (replaced by the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1882). The Basic Law (Article 58) enshrines a number of important procedural guarantees, in particular, it is established that every accused has the right to defense; it is prohibited to use force or coercion of any kind against persons in order to force them to give evidence; Any testimony obtained in violation of this rule is considered invalid, and those guilty of this are subject to punishment as provided by law.
The Cuban criminal process is built on the principles of socialist legality, publicity, openness, and equality of citizens before the law and the court. However, while the principles of the Cuban Code of Criminal Procedure are common, it has a number of important differences from the legislation of other socialist countries, which is due to the preservation of a number of previous legal traditions on the island.
Among the features of the Cuban Code of Criminal Procedure is the presence of rules defining the procedural procedure for assigning security measures. According to Article 404 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the competence of municipal people's courts includes consideration of signs of pre-delict danger and the appointment of security measures in all cases where this is established by substantive criminal law. In accordance with Article 405 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, proceedings to consider the sign of pre-delict danger begin at the written request of the prosecutor, which sets out the facts and data necessary to identify the person against whom the security measure is directed, and also proposes a specific measure. In the case of mental illness, drug addiction and dipsomania (binge drinking), such a petition can be submitted by the guardian or legal representative of the person to whom the security measure should be applied, and in their absence, the relative under whose guardianship the said person is. The final question of security measures is decided by the court (Article 417).
The Code of Criminal Procedure (but not the Constitution) of Cuba provides for such an institution as an appeal through habeas corpus (an appeal to a court against the legality of detention). This institution was borrowed from the Anglo-Saxon legal system and had no application in the criminal procedural legislation of the USSR and other socialist states, since in them supervision over the legality of detention and arrest was carried out exclusively by the prosecutor's office. According to the Cuban Code of Criminal Procedure, a person can be held in custody for no more than 7 days before a court decision.
If the Soviet criminal procedural legislation knew only cassation, then the Cuban law provides for both cassation and appeal.
In municipal courts, criminal cases are tried by panels of one professional judge and two lay judges. More serious criminal cases in provincial courts are heard by panels of 3 professional judges and 2 lay judges.
A special, complicated procedure has been established for imposing death sentences. Cases of crimes punishable by death that fall under the jurisdiction of civil courts are first heard in the provincial people's court. Cases in which death sentences are imposed are automatically sent to the Supreme People's Court for review. If this court approves the verdict, the Minister of Justice examines the case and makes recommendations to the Council of State. The Council of State has the right to decide whether to execute or pardon a convicted person; pardon has the form of replacing the death penalty with imprisonment for a term of not more than 30 years.
According to international observers, legal procedural guarantees and principles of justice are often not respected in practice, especially in relation to political prisoners.

Judicial system. Control authorities

The foundations of the judicial system are enshrined in Chapter X of the Cuban Constitution, “Courts and the Prosecutor's Office.” The function of administering justice belongs to the people and is carried out on their behalf by the Supreme People's Court and other courts established by law (Article 121). The courts constitute a system of state bodies, functionally independent from any other bodies and subordinate only to the National Assembly of People's Power and the State Council (Article 122). Judges, when performing their functions, are independent and subject only to the law.
In accordance with Article 124 of the Constitution, the Supreme People's Court is the highest court, and its decisions are final. Through its presidium, it exercises legislative initiative and powers in accordance with regulations, makes decisions and issues rules binding on all people's courts, and, based on their experience, issues mandatory instructions to establish a unified judicial practice when interpreting and applying the law.
The provisions of Article 124 of the Constitution are reproduced in paragraph “b” of Article 21 of the Law “On the Organization of the Judicial System”. The Plenum of the Supreme People's Court of the Republic may send judges of this court to provincial and municipal people's courts to check the sentences passed, obtain data on the state of crime, as well as various aspects of the activities of the said courts, collect information on the correct and uniform application of the law and in connection with the publication relevant instructions. The Plenum exercises control and supervision over the judicial activities of all courts through the Governing Council.
The second link of the Cuban legal system consists of provincial courts, which consider at first instance certain categories of criminal, civil and other cases, as well as complaints against decisions of municipal courts that make up the lower link. Municipal courts hear the bulk of all criminal, civil and other cases at first instance. A separate vertical is formed by military tribunals, for which the highest authority is the military chamber of the Supreme People's Court.
The Supreme People's Court and provincial courts have chambers (salas) for criminal, civil, administrative, labor and state security matters (the Supreme People's Court is also a military chamber).
All courts make decisions collectively. Professional judges and lay judges have equal rights and responsibilities.
The courts report on their activities to the Assembly, which elected them, at least once a year. The right to recall judges belongs to the body that elected them. Article 66 of the Cuban Constitution establishes that all courts are elected and periodically renewed. The Law on the Organization of the Judicial System of 1977 regulates in detail the procedure for selecting judges and assessors, and also indicates the requirements that persons elected to the position of judges and assessors must meet. According to Article 66 of this Law, a judge must be fit to practice law; have a diploma issued or certified by a university or an authorized official institution; be a Cuban citizen by birth or naturalization; actively participate in revolutionary activities; have high moral qualities and enjoy a worthy reputation.
Cuba still has comrades' courts that hear cases of minor offenses and some types of civil disputes.
Prosecution of criminal cases (felonies only, not misdemeanors) and general supervision are carried out by the prosecutor's office. In accordance with the Constitution (Article 130), the main task of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic is to monitor compliance with socialist legality by state bodies, economic and social institutions and citizens. The prosecutor's office also initiates requests for the application of security measures, approves search orders, verifies the legality of detention, monitors the execution of punishments, and represents the public interest in non-criminal types of proceedings.
The Attorney General's Office is a single body subordinate exclusively to the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State. The Attorney General receives instructions directly from the Council of State and reports on his activities to the National Assembly of People's Power at least once a year. He directs the activities of the prosecutor's office throughout the national territory. Prosecutor's offices are organized vertically, report only to the Prosecutor General's Office and are independent from local authorities authorities.
The Attorney General and his deputies are elected and may be recalled by the National Assembly of People's Power. The Prosecutor General is an ex-officio member of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Court.

Literature

Krasheninnikova N.A. History of the state and law of Cuba. M., 1966.
Azieri M. Introduction to Cuban Socialist Law // Review of Socialist Law. Vol. 6. 1980. P.153-163.
Berman H.J. Impressions of Cuban Law // American Journal of Comparative Law. Vol. 28. 1980. P. 475-486.
Lisborne J. Cuba // International Encyclopedia of Comparative Law. Vol. 1. 1977. P.C95-102.

Free economic zones were created. In 1997, there were already three SEZs operating in the country (Mariel, Vahay and the city of Havana).

Cuba exports, bringing income to its country's budget, tobacco, seafood, sugar, nickel, medical goods, coffee, and citrus fruits.

Cuba's export partners are China, Canada, Spain, and the Netherlands. China invested $500 million in the Cuban nickel industry, Brazil - the same amount in the development of Cuban hydrocarbon deposits and in the construction of a plant for the production of technical oils. A large nickel ore mining plant has been built in the province of Holguin.

The country today imports food, petroleum products, industrial equipment, and chemical products. Its import business partners are Venezuela, China, and Spain. Particularly close and productive ties in terms of the PetroCaribe oil program with Venezuela. Trade turnover between states annually reaches about $10 billion.

Since 1962, the country has introduced a card system for food distribution. The “black market” is thriving, since food cards are issued here irregularly.

Cuba has a developed system of free public services: medical care, higher and secondary education.

Since October 2010, the list of types of business activities permitted by the government has increased in the country. In 2016, private small and medium-sized businesses were legalized.

Cuban branches of government

Cuba is a socialist republic of parliamentary type. Most of the deputies in parliament today represent the Communist Party of Cuba.

The head of state is the Chairman of the State Council (who is also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba), who exercises executive power in the country. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, who is also the Second Secretary of the Central Committee, helps him.

The government of the Cuban state consists of two branches: the Council of Ministers and the Council of State. The ministry employs 31 ministers.

The highest authority on Liberty Island is the National Assembly of People's Power, i.e. parliament of the republic. It includes 609 deputies who are elected for 5 years. She is entrusted with forming a government and appointing the head of the State Council. The responsibilities of the Assembly also include electing the People's Supreme Court. Provincial courts are elected by the provincial assemblies of people's power, municipal courts by the municipal assemblies.

The Republic of Cuba is divided administratively into 16 provinces, which are respectively divided into 169 municipalities. Only one municipality, Juventud, is accountable to the central government; the rest are subordinate to local administrative structures.

Cuba's participation in international organizations

IN last years Having changed course in the political sphere, being squeezed by economic sanctions, Cuba became more active in influential international organizations.

The Republic is a member of the World Trade Organization and takes an active part in international agreements: the Paris Convention, the New York Convention on International Arbitration, and the Madrid Protocol. Cuba consists of international organization ACP states. For decades, Cuba has been participating in social programs at the international level.

There are 57 Cuban specialists working in 101 countries, of whom 70% are health workers. One of Cuba's programs, Operation Miracle, provides affordable medical care in 16 countries to poor, seriously ill people. In 28 states Latin America The “Yes, I can” program is running, aimed at combating illiteracy.

No matter what direction Cuba goes, its beauty will remain unchanged. natural landscape, the originality of culture and the attractiveness of the Cuban mentality.

Cuba is a unique country. No matter how sophisticated a tourist is, this island will always remain a dream. Amazing story this country, its location, fauna, culture - everything here is captivating, everything is exciting.

People come here with children; adventure lovers are looking for extreme sports here; people stop here in couples and one at a time with the goal of seclusion, living away from civilization, in harmony with nature.

But, of course, today’s youth are most attracted to Cuba. Free, noisy, cheerful, it is simply created for those who cannot imagine their life without wild parties, dancing, and all kinds of entertainment.

Moreover, the myth that living costs in Cuba are higher than in other countries is slowly dissipating Caribbean. By having dinner at an inexpensive restaurant and renting a not-so-expensive room, you can easily get by 50 $ per day. But you will have enough impressions to last a lifetime.

Capital
Havana

Population

11.5 million people

110,860 thousand m²

Population density

102 inhabitants per 1 km²

Spanish

Religion

Catholicism

Form of government

parliamentary socialist republic

Cuban Peso (CUP)

Timezone

International dialing code

Internet domain zone

Electricity

110/220V/60Hz, socket type: A, B, C

Climate and weather

The tropical, trade wind climate of the island of Cuba provides fairly high temperatures throughout the year. Average annual temperature here is approximately +25.5 °C. The coldest month is January (+22.5 °C), the hottest - August (27.8 °C). The water off the coast remains warm almost all year round: from +22 °C – in winter and from +28 °C - in summer. The average annual precipitation is also quite high - about 1500 mm. Mostly it's rain. However, very dry years are not so rare in Cuba.

In general, the climatic seasons on the island are quite clearly defined: May-September is the rainy season, October-April is dry. The autumn-summer period is characterized by heavy rainfall, often with strong winds.

Humidity is very high all year round.

Nature

Cuba is rich in man-made attractions, which millions of people dream of touching. different countries peace. However, natural ensembles that amaze with their beauty are no less valuable: paradise beaches tens of kilometers, fabulous uninhabited islands with palm groves and mangroves, karst caves and low picturesque mountains.

The relief of Cuba is flat, but the bizarre shapes of the highest mountain range Sierra Maestra, stretching along the southeastern coast for hundreds of kilometers, impresses even seasoned travelers.

Cuba has a rich fauna and flora. Some plant species you will not find anywhere else in the world. And the variety of exotic species of butterflies and birds is simply amazing!

Attractions

Some of the cities and regions that you need to visit when traveling around Cuba include:

  • Havana;
  • Santiago de Cuba;
  • Holguin.

In the capital alone there are about 1000 buildings of architectural value! Among the most famous are the cathedral square and Cathedral of St. Christopher(XVII century), building of the former governor's palace Cubes, fortresses La Cabaña and La Fuerza(XVI century). Is extremely popular among tourists Cathedral immaculate conception , and Ernest Hemingway House Museum. Undoubtedly, night life Cuba is also concentrated here in the capital.

Getting into Santiago de Cuba- the second largest city in Cuba - tourists usually head to the picturesque city Cespedes Park. This is perhaps one of the main attractions of the city. Besides, Santiago de Cuba, formerly the capital, can be considered the center cultural life islands: numerous museums, theaters, cathedrals attract those who want not only to enjoy the beauty of Cuba, but also to learn more about its history.

The most popular resort on the island is Varadero(province of Matanzas). The local beaches are among the top three in the world, and their surroundings are an ideal place for tourists with a wide variety of tastes and hobbies. There is also a dolphinarium here - an integral attribute of any resort - where anyone can not only admire the local inhabitants, but also swim with them.

Second in importance resort region —Holguin. This is where the most beautiful in Cuba is located Playa Esmeralda beach. The riches of the region also include six waterfalls and a rich fauna. In addition, Holguin is often called the city of public gardens. Walking here is not only pleasant, but also interesting: the city is very diverse in terms of architecture.

Nutrition

The gastronomic preferences of Cubans are quite diverse. The cuisine of this country mixes the traditions of Spain, Africa, Caribbean Islands. Here they treat meat with respect and cannot do without vegetables and fruits. A separate culinary topic - bananas. Cubans have dozens of options for preparing it and hundreds of options for dishes that include banana. They are fried, baked, used as an ingredient in sauce, and served as dessert.

By the way, desserts in Cuba are distinguished by their sweetness. Popular here mousses, puddings, ice cream. Many amazing dishes are made from tropical fruits and sugar cane. syrups.

Coffee is held in special esteem by local residents. It is drunk very strong and sweet throughout the day. Among the alcoholic drinks, the favorite among Cubans is rum. It is customary to serve table wine with lunch and dinner.

The best food in Cuba is in restaurants located in private homes. They're called paladares. Lunch at such a restaurant will cost you approximately 7 $ , which is two times less than in a state restaurant. You can also get a bite to eat in the city by buying pizza or a sandwich from street vendors.

In Cuban restaurants, it is customary to tip based on 10% from the order cost. It is better to give the money personally to the waiter.

Accommodation

Most hotels located in Cuban resorts have five-star status. The beaches adjacent to such hotels are, as a rule, very well equipped with everything necessary for relaxation. Meals are most often organized according to the buffet principle, less often - according to the menu. The cost of an all-inclusive room in such a hotel will be close to 100 $ . For comparison: the same room in state hotel middle class will cost approximately 35 $ , and in private - in 15-25 $ .

Almost all hotels in Cuba have a car rental department.

Entertainment and relaxation

Of course, when it comes to entertainment in Cuba, the first thing you want to talk about is the island’s nightlife. In terms of the number of clubs, bars, and discos, Liberty Island ranks first in Caribbean . Music and dance lovers come here simply to immerse themselves in this environment. Particularly rich nightlife in the capital. Havana is ready to satisfy any request. Cabarets, jazz clubs, Latin American shows - the nightlife of the Cuban capital is varied in rhythm. By the way, anyone can learn Afro-Cuban dances: dance lessons are organized right at the hotels.

Clubs and restaurants are not the only way of leisure for Cubans and guests of the island. Diving, fishing and hunting are extremely popular here. There is also something for speleology lovers to do here: the huge karst caves captivate both professionals and simply curious tourists.

Throughout the year, Cuba hosts many holiday events and festivals. The Fire Festival and Carnival in Santiago de Cuba (take place in the summer) are particularly spectacular. In August, the island hosts a Cuban music festival.

Purchases

It is better to buy food in Cuba in supermarkets or stores. In shops INTUR tiendas you can buy clothes, food, medicines, souvenirs for foreign currency. By the way, about souvenirs. You'll probably want to buy a bottle or two Cuban rum and cigars. You can also choose rum in the store (a bottle costs from 5 $ ), but to buy good cigars, it’s better to contact Real Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas. On the ground floor of the factory there is a store that sells all types of cigars.

Surely in the first days of your stay in Cuba you will want to buy a T-shirt with the image of the symbol of all revolutions - Che Guevara. Although it would be better if you follow the example of the locals and buy Guyabera shirt, in which you can easily endure any heat.

Not only rum and cigars, but also other exclusively “ Cuban» accessories: straw hats, wicker shoes, hammock. Audio CDs purchased in Havana with recordings of spirited local music will help prolong the festive mood (there is no other way in Cuba!).

When going shopping, do not forget that Cubans sacredly honor traditions: a four-hour rest in the afternoon is a must. However, it’s not just a matter of tradition: the scorching sun simply does not allow full-fledged work.

And one more important note. Icon $ on the price tag means nothing more than the word “ price" But the real cost of the goods is most often indicated in pesos.

When buying products made from crocodile skin, ask the seller for an export license, otherwise the souvenir may be seized at customs.

Transport

The main airport in Cuba is international Airport name Jose Marti, located 18 km from Havana. As for municipal transport, then, alas, its condition is deplorable. There are very few city buses, and they often break down. There is no schedule as such at all. If you plan to move around the city, rent a bicycle: this type of transport is common here.

Communication between cities is also poorly established. Buses and minibuses are almost always crowded and run poorly. Tickets for these must be purchased in advance.

In general, a tourist in Cuba cannot do without a car. And, fortunately, there are no particular problems with this. All that is required to rent a car is a driver’s license and at least a year of driving experience. True, this service is quite expensive - 60 $ per day. But believe me, there is simply no better way to see Cuba.

As for the quality of roads, then, as you may have guessed, there are problems. The traffic rules are standard, but there are practically no signs and markings. Service stations are also, in general, rare. Therefore, when renting a car, do not be lazy to check if everything is in order with the car. Including check whether the tank is full.

The only plus is that “tourist” cars (they have special colored license plates) enjoy benefits, and the police simply do not pay attention to minor violations.

Connection

Today Cuba is served by a single telecom operator - the company ETECSA. The current standard is GSM 900, in some areas - GSM 850. You can buy a phone card at any hotel or store.

Calling from a pay phone abroad is cheaper than calling from a hotel room (approximately 5 $ per minute of conversation with Moscow). And not every hotel has a telephone with international access.

Today there are 2 Internet providers on the island.

Safety

As for the safety of your stay on the island, various types of threats can await you everywhere, despite the fact that Cuba is a fairly safe country. First tip: don't walk around Old Havana after 10 pm. If only because at this time the city lights are turned off. It is better to store documents in your room, in a special safe (if there is one, of course).

Smoking in public places is strictly prohibited. It is not recommended to give alms to the poor: this is punishable by law.

Beware of the Cuban sun: you can get burned even in cloudy weather. Use protective equipment and be sure to cover your head. Be careful when swimming: you can easily get injured in the sea sea ​​urchin or sharp coral. Jellyfish can be extremely dangerous.

Business climate

The country's two main sources of income are sugar production and tourism. The tourism industry is developing rapidly, attracting more and more foreign investors. In addition, Cuba is a global leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

IN this moment Cuba is in the spotlight of the world business community. Liberty Island amazes with its prospects, but at the same time, it is one of the most closed countries in the world. A huge plus is the absence of taxes for foreign entrepreneurs. Among the disadvantages are poor infrastructure and the possibility of opening a business exclusively in partnership with a state-owned enterprise. It is not yet possible to register your company in Cuba.

Real estate

One of the most pressing problems in Cuba is housing. Most of the housing stock has long been in need of reconstruction and overhaul. As for buying a home on the island, such an operation is generally impossible for an ordinary foreigner. Even if you have millions of dollars in your pocket, you will not be able to buy housing here. Of course, there is an unofficial real estate market, but, of course, such a purchase has no guarantees. Although the prices are quite reasonable: an apartment in an old panel house can cost from 15 000 $ . And in the provinces it is several times less.

  • Cubans are generally very cheerful, talkative, sociable and hospitable. But they are very proud. They will, of course, try to speak to you in English, but if you say at least a few phrases in bad Spanish, the Cuban will definitely love you.
  • You should also know some of the Cuban traditions if you are planning to visit Liberty Island. In order not to offend a good-natured Cuban, you should never refuse an offer for a drink or dinner. It is advisable to accompany requests with special appeals: "mi amor", "mi corazon"- when talking to a woman, "amigo", "viejo"- when talking to a man.
  • Photograph industrial buildings and military equipment prohibited in Cuba, but Cubans themselves, as a rule, willingly pose for the camera. Of course, before you capture the colorful appearance of an island resident, you need to ask permission.

Visa information

Tourists from Russia do not require a visa to Cuba if the period of visiting the country does not exceed 30 days. In order to cross the state border, you need to present a passport valid for the duration of your stay in Cuba, 2 copies of a migration card (one of which must be kept until departure from the country), as well as return tickets. Must have cash at the rate of $50 per day for 1 person. This does not apply to tourists who used the services of travel agencies.

However, you can take care of a visa in advance by contacting the consular department of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Moscow. Among the documents submitted to the visa department must be a foreign passport (its validity must not expire earlier than 6 months from the date of arrival in the country), copies of round-trip tickets, confirmation of a hotel room reservation (a travel agency voucher or an invitation from a specific person), as well as a photo in size 3x4 cm. The consular fee will be $30, and the visa will be valid for one month.

For more specific information on obtaining a visa to the Republic of Cuba, please contact: 119017, Moscow, st. Bolshaya Ordynka, 66.