Before planning a trip to Cuba, you should do some research on this unique country and do some planning so that your trip runs smoothly.
understand the country
There are many misunderstandings about Cuba, and you should know a few details about how the country operates before planning a trip to Cuba.
First of all, Cuba is not an isolated country that has no contact with the rest of the world. Americans often think this is the case because they are (were) prohibited from traveling to the island. All the rest of the planet has been visiting Cuba for years, and there is a lot of communication, trade and contact with all the other nations.
Cuba is a communist nation, which means many private businesses are discouraged, and it’s not a good idea to talk about politics while in public. Even so, you will not have problems finding services, restaurants or accommodation.
Lastly, one unique thing about Cuba is that there are two currencies. Basically one for tourists and one for locals. It’s a bit too complicated to explain it in great detail here, but you should be aware of it. Residents use national pesos (CUP) and tourists use convertible pesos (CUC). CUCs have a much higher value and you have to be very aware of what you are paying for this so as not to use CUC when in reality you only need to pay in CUP.
Organize your transport
You have two options to get to Cuba, you can fly or travel by boat. Flights are fairly easy to manage, and there are regular routes from many major airports around the world (but not from the US). Or you can book a trip on a Caribbean cruise that calls in Cuba. It’s a very popular cruise destination, so you can expect plenty of options, especially if you want to see some of the other local islands as well.
decide what to see
Cuba may not have any major tourist attractions, but there is plenty to see on your trip. The main attractions of a trip to Cuba are the beaches. The entire coastline is lined with classic sandy beaches and warm blue waters. You can relax on the beach or rent a car to take you inland and see the traditional landscapes and culture of Cuba. There are some beautiful natural parks, historical forts, cultural museums and other similar sites around the island to see.
Find accommodation
Once you know what you want to see, then you can figure out where you want to stay. International resorts and hotels are common on the island and are great places to stay when you want easy access to the beach.
For cheaper and authentically Cuban accommodation, you can choose from all kinds of hotels and guest houses. Whether you stay in the capital Havana, or decide to stop in some of the smaller cities, there will always be somewhere you can rent a room. Known as “casas particulares”, they are small guest houses where people offer rooms for rent in their own homes. It’s a common feature in Cuba and a way to even out some money because the costs are usually pretty low.
These are basically all the details you need before planning your trip to Cuba. Once you’ve put together a travel plan, all that’s left is to book things up and head out.