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Republic of Cuba
Travel Guide |
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Welcome to the
Republic of Cuba on the Paradise
Islands website. The
island of Cuba is part
of the Greater Antilles
group and its the
largest single land mass
in the Caribbean. The
Republic of Cuba
lies just 90 miles south
of the tip of Florida
and its neighbours
include
Jamaica and the
Cayman Islands to the
south and the
Republic of Haiti to the
east. To the north east
lie the
Bahamas. |
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The main island of Cuba
is 780 miles in length
and 119 miles across at
its widest point. The
terrain is predominately
flat or rolling plains.
The Sierra Maestra
mountain range is
located in the
southeast (which then
dips under the sea and
pops up again 200 miles
to the south to form the
Cayman Islands). The highest
mountain is Pico Turquino at just under
6,500 feet. As well as
the main island, the
Republic of Cuba
consists of more than
4,000 smaller islands
and cays. |
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Valle de
Vinales |
La Habana |
Before the revolution in
1959, Cuba was a popular
tourist destination for
US citizens. The
American mafia had
considerable interests
in both tourism and
casinos in Cuba and
together with large US
companies, the United
States had a great deal
of influence, supported
by Batista the ruling
military dictator. Since
the revolution, there
has been a US trade and
economic embargo. This
has resulted in much of
Cuba seemingly being
left in a time warp.
Investment in tourism
only re-started in the
1990's after the
Republic of Cuba lost
financial support from
the disbanded Soviet Union. US
citizens (with relatives
in Cuba) have only been
allowed to visit the
island since 2009.
Today, many of the
tourists come from
Canada and Europe and
Cuba has found a new
economic partner in
China.
Part of
Havana is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site along with
Willemstad
(in
Curacao);
historic
Bridgetown (in
Barbados) and
Old
San Juan (in
Puerto Rico). |
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The Jose Marti
International Airport
(Havana) is the main
entry point for tourists
with regular flights
from Europe, Canada and
Mexico. All tourists
require an entry Visa
which can be purchased
in advance and is
usually valid for 30
days. Furthermore, there
is a departure tax of
CUC 25 which bizarrely
has to be paid in cash
at the airport (there is
no departure tax if
leaving by sea).
The local currency is
the "Convertible Pesos"
(CUC). US dollars are
not accepted anywhere in
Cuba and if you exchange
USD for the local
currency there is a
further 10% exchange
penalty (fine!) on top
of the exchange rate
which other currencies
are not subject to.
Canadian Dollars,
Sterling and Euros are
widely accepted for
currency exchange.
Essentially, Cuba
welcomes tourists from
most nations except the
United States! |
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Travel, holiday, vacation and cruise
guide to Cuba and the Caribbean. All text and images are
Copyright
Paradise Islands
org. All photographs on this travel guide website are obtained with
the permission of the owners and come from various sources
including the island's tourist boards. Republic of Cuba
travel guide. |
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Quick Facts
Capital
Havana
Main Airport
Jose Marti
International
Main Port
Havana
Language
Spanish
Currency
Cuban Peso
(CUC)
Government
Socialist Republic
Island Size
42,000
Square Miles
Population
11 Million
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Cruise Port Guide |
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