Country's codes
International phone code for Cuba: +53
Standard ISO 3166-1:
3 letters CUB,
2 letters (internet domain) .CU,
digital country code 192
Olympic country code: CUBDiscovering Cuba: A Journey Through Culture, History, and Health
Travel Tips for Tourists
• Getting There:
Traveling to Cuba requires some planning, especially for U.S. citizens. While tourism per se is restricted under U.S. law, Americans can visit under one of 12 authorized categories such as educational activities or support for the Cuban people. All travelers need a Cuban Tourist Card (visa), which can be obtained online or through airlines. U.S. credit and debit cards generally do not work in Cuba, so bring sufficient cash in USD for exchange.
• Best Time to Visit:
The ideal time to visit Cuba is during the dry season, from November to April. This period offers sunny skies, mild temperatures, and a vibrant cultural calendar, including the Havana Jazz Festival and Habanos Festival. Avoid the hurricane-prone months of September and October, and the hot, humid peak of July and August unless you're drawn to summer festivals like Carnival in Santiago de Cuba.
• Top Attractions:
Cuba is rich in both natural beauty and cultural heritage. Must-see destinations include:
- Old Havana (Habana Vieja): A UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and lively plazas.
- Varadero: Known for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters.
- Viñales Valley: Ideal for hiking and exploring tobacco farms amid dramatic limestone hills.
- Trinidad: A beautifully preserved colonial town with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets.
- Cayo Coco and Playa Paraíso: Remote beach paradises perfect for relaxation and snorkeling.
• Healthy Travel Advice:
Before traveling, ensure you're up to date on routine vaccines and consider additional ones like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies depending on your activities. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and Zika are present, so pack insect repellent and wear protective clothing. Tap water is not safe to drink—stick to bottled or purified water. Also, bring a personal medical kit, as pharmacies may have limited supplies.
A Glimpse into Cuba’s History
Cuba’s story begins with its indigenous Taíno people, followed by Spanish colonization after Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. The island became a major sugar producer, relying heavily on enslaved African labor. After several failed uprisings, Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898, only to fall under U.S. influence until the mid-20th century.
In 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed Batista regime, establishing a socialist state. The Cold War era saw Cuba align with the Soviet Union, leading to events like the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The collapse of the USSR in the 1990s plunged Cuba into economic hardship, prompting limited market reforms and a gradual opening to tourism.
Current Political Landscape
Cuba remains a one-party communist state led by the Communist Party of Cuba. President Miguel Díaz-Canel continues to face mounting challenges, including economic crises, widespread blackouts, and shortages of food and medicine. The government has been criticized for suppressing dissent, with over 1,000 political prisoners reportedly detained.
Despite some reforms, freedom of expression and assembly remain tightly controlled. The U.S. embargo is still in place, and Cuba is designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the U.S. government. Emigration has surged, with many Cubans seeking better opportunities abroad. Yet, the island’s resilience and cultural vibrancy continue to inspire visitors and locals alike.
Useful country information
Total area: 42,803 sq mi (110,860 sq km)
Population (20222 est.): 11.32 million
Capital and largest city (20222 est.): Havana, 2,143,000
Havana: Capital City Profile
Other large cities: Santiago de Cuba, 554,400; Camagey, 354,400; Holguin, 319,300; Guantnamo, 274,300; Santa Clara, 251,800
Monetary unit: Cuban Peso
National name: Repblica de Cuba
Language: Spanish
National Holiday: Triumph of the Revolution, December 10
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish, Santeria
Background:
Located in the Caribbean Sea, the Cuban archipelago comprises of the Cuba Island, the Youth Island and around 4200 islets and keys.
The most interesting attractions in Cuba: Old Havana, Centro Habana, Morro-Cabaña Military-Historical Site, Villa Clara, and Playa Paraíso.
The island offers sunny skies and activities year-round.
The best time to visit Cuba falls between November and April with comfortable to warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine hours.
The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries.
An US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 overthrew finally Spanish rule.
Fidel Castro led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the country together since. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
Castro died on 25 November 2016. His brother, the then-President of the State Council and current First Secretary Raúl Castro, made an announcement about his death on state television.
