TRAVEL TO EXOTIC COUNTRIES

CUBA

GENERAL INFORMATION

Cuba has always been an island of the Earth, which catches the eye of a Russian tourist. In times of social reason for this was a common policy, which the rulers of the two friendly countries implement in their lives. Today the tour to Cuba - is the ability to combine consistently low prices with a comfortable stay in the country of magnificent beaches, waterfalls, islands.

Affordable holidays in Cuba, and the ability to choose an active and passive recreation in the end created a perfect environment for your stay in the country - to visit beautiful places, exploring the historic heritage. And so it is, believe me, great. Tours to Cuba - the monuments, galleries, churches and museums. But apart from them - an abundance of protected places, still kept their virginity. Therefore, on holiday in Cuba just a couple of days, travelers have the feeling that the world has no problems and no worries. There are only a tour to Cuba, luxury, paradise and pleasure.

Actively supports this idea tropical trade wind climate of Cuba. Inherent slack wind, which blows from the sea, tourists can easily withstand heat, which in July can reach the level of 30 degrees Celsius. Heat in Cuba and in the winter. The sea temperature throughout the year - 25 degrees Celsius. The air temperature at the height of the cold Russian - plus 20. Taking this into account, the increase in the flow of tourists, who for the past two years has jumped to 150%, is hardly someone to be surprising.

Another thing - the holidays in Cuba, festivals. The scope of their conduct can shake! As, however, the beauty of the sandy beaches and clear water, yacht clubs, and coral reefs, excursions to historical sites, leisurely diving and deep-sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and the stunning beauty of Cuban nature reserves. If we add to them a high level of service and an adequate level of the price of any holiday in Cuba, you can stay here to pick up the only true name - a paradise.

The price of paradise varies depending on the period, which is set aside for leisure tourists in Cuba. Between Christmas and New Year holidays, tours to Cuba rise in price. And along with them, respectively, trips to sunny Cuba. But even at this time of travel agencies can pick up for budget travelers prompts to stay in Cuba, to any Russian citizen was able to drink a cocktail of hot dancing, sun and sand, called Cuba.

PASSPORT APPLICATION

For entry to the Republic of Cuba citizens of the Russian Federation should be civil foreign passport, the validity of which must be at least 3 months after leaving the country, and also the direction of the return flights. For the citizens of the Russian Federation provides visa-free travel to Cuba under the condition of being in the country less than 30 days. Citizens of Belarus also can stay in Cuba for 30 days without a visa. Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan visa to travel to Cuba is necessary.

For crossing the state border of the Republic of Cuba, you need to fill in English block letters immigrant (tourist) card. It should specify the name, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, flight number, name of hotel and sign. Form shall be completed in the aircraft or directly upon arrival at the airport. When checking out also need to fill a similar card. In addition, prior to departure from the island of Cuba in the airport charges a $ 25 CUC (Cuban pesos).

To the territory of the Republic of Cuba categorically prohibited the importation of drugs and weapons. The country may be imported duty free personal belongings and valuables, cameras, camcorders, laptops, golf equipment and other sports equipment, two bottles of liquor, a carton of cigarettes.

Allowed to import items up to $ 1,000. 00 CUC (50.00 CUC of this amount is not taxed, and taxed 950.00 CUC in the prescribed amount) (1 U.S. dollar is approximately 0,75 CUC (Cuban pesos). Forbidden to transport explosives into the country, household appliances, wireless phones and microphones , firearms and pornography.

From the country you are entitled to take out 50 cigars without the accompanying document. If you intend to bring more famous Cuban cigars, you need to get them in the company Habanos SA and still take the original and a copy of the invoice. These documents will need to provide to the customs. For export from Cuba art and antiques you will need permission from the National Registry of Cultural Property

Flight to Cuba lasts about 12 hours. On arrival at the airport of the Republic of Cuba will take you into the zone of the passport and customs control. On special stands you need to fill Tourism (immigration) card (if you were not provided on board). After that you go through passport control, where you must pass the tourist card for border officials of the Republic of Cuba. After passport control do not forget to claim your baggage and go with him on the way out of the airport building. Carrying luggage you can take advantage of fee-related services the airport. Complaints on baggage (if any) immediately told a representative of airlines your flight.

TIME.

The country is located in the Eastern Caribbean time zone (GMT - 0400). Time behind Moscow 8:00.

VOLTAGE.

110W. To use the appliances you need a special adapter with flat pins. Most hotels have the opportunity to use the 220 Tues

CURRENCY

Currency - Cuban Peso (CUC). In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 and 3 pesos. Currency can be exchanged at hotels, airports, banks and special exchange offices. When exchanging U.S. dollars for Cuban convertible peso is taxed at 10%. We accept traveler's checks and credit cards (except for cards issued by U.S. banks).

PHOTOGRAPHY

Before you take a picture of a local, ask him for permission. Strictly forbidden to photograph military installations and enterprises, as well as industry and the people in uniform, any military equipment.

SHOPS

Shops in Cuba working from 8:30 to 18:00 (sometimes with a break for lunch from 12:00 - 14:00) on weekdays. Large shopping centers are open from 9:30 to 18:00 on weekdays (some of them also work on Saturdays and holidays).

FAVORS

Export from Cuba stuffed animals is prohibited, except stuffed crocodiles (requires certificate store). Allowed to export a picture with a certificate of purchase.

Cigars: you can take out 50 pieces without a certificate of purchase. A greater number must have a certificate. The total cost of cigars should not exceed U.S. $ 2,000.

Corals: pure export prohibited. The products of the white coral certificate is not required for products made of black coral requires a certificate.

TRANSPORT

In Cuba, it is better not to use public transport - Cuban buses run regularly and are packed to overflowing passengers. It is best to use the service of tourist taxi. This machine can be ordered from any hotel fare - from 50 cents to $ 1 per kilometer. Taxi companies in Cuba government, their service is very reliable. If you want you can rent a car - so you can look for a holiday throughout the country. The cost of car rental from $ 60 per day, not including the cost of insurance. Highway system in Cuba is quite complicated, the road signs are not very regularity. For a successful movement to know conversational Spanish and carry a good map. You can travel by bicycle - so goes the majority of Cubans.

PHONE

For a call to Cuba to gain access code of the country where you are, then the code of Cuba - 53, in the province of code you want to call, and then the local number.

Codes of some cities and provinces: Havana - 7, Pinar del Rio - 48, Varadero - 5, Holguin - 24, Trinidad - 419, Santiago de Cuba - 226, Cayo Largo - 45. For calls to Russia - 0117, area code and number. All large Cuban hotels you can find the telephone exchange "Telekorreos" and call through the stations anywhere in the world. Calls are made of card value of 10 or 25 USD, cards can be purchased at the "reception" hotel.

In the Cuban cities can call home via payphone, for this you will need cash or a phone card.

Observe good personal hygiene, avoid casual cafés. To abstain from drinking in public places, boiled water and fresh juices, fresh vegetable and fruit salads, fruit, raw before eating, ice cream, pastries filled with fruit, edible ice. In all cases where there is evidence of disease immediately seek medical attention (the information contained in the text of the insurance policy).

Advised to drink only bottled water and soft drinks.

Be careful and vigilant while traveling as tourist centers in all countries, attracted the attention of fraudsters and pickpockets. Money and documents are stored so that they do not become their prey. Among high-risk locations include stations, gas stations, markets. Be careful not to leave your belongings unattended (or his proxy), especially in public transport and transfer. Leaving the bus at the station, including during the tours, do not leave it in your hand luggage, especially valuables and money. Responsibility for safety rests with the hand luggage passengers.

CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES

 As a guest you must respect and tolerance for the customs of the country in which the profits. Before visiting temples find out the present rules in this regard. The relevant information can be obtained from the guide, as well as the information pages of our catalogs. To avoid undesirable incidents should: be the way of life of the local population, be friendly, be patient, do not be rude, do not raise your voice, do not degrade the local population, to respect local customs and traditions, not to show arrogance and disregard for local culture, as well as avoid abusive language towards the citizens and the leaders of the host country does not appear in public places or on the street in a drunken state, as well as to consume alcoholic beverages in places not designated for such purposes. In Cuba, there are restrictions on smoking in public places, the implementation of these regulations are strictly followed.

Cubans are absolutely forbidden to beg from tourists. If you submit something from Cuba, it can cater for it in prison, because the order is strictly monitored by the police.

WHAT TO SEE

Cuba has always attracted tourists not only for its exotic tropical, but the special flavor of the island. Every 2 years in Havana is an international festival Guitars (May). One of the most interesting events of the capital - "Karosas" ("Carnival chariots") when the three summer evenings in a row on a fantastic ride around Havana mobile showplace, held marches "komparsas" (walking ensembles) and "munekones" (huge doll). Also, every Saturday in the summer in the capital are "extravaganza" - fair of folk crafts. The most famous festival of the country - International Festival of Latin American Cinema (December). Every two years (February) held Havana International Jazz Festival. In late February, the capital hosts an international festival of Cuban cigars, as well as pass the Havana International Festival of Theatre (once every 2 years, September) and the Havana Festival of Contemporary Music (Festival of Sound, October).

Pinar del Rio is located in the west of the island and is famous in the first place, beautiful nature, and, secondly, the tobacco plantations. Attractions of the region: the city of Pinar del Rio, the national park "Valley of Vinales" and Soroa. Capital of the province of the same name his interest Provincial Museum of Natural Sciences, Guasch palace, theater, "Milanes' and cigar factory" Francisco Donatien ". Viñales, located in the Sierra de los Organos, is remarkable for its "Mogote", steep hills with flat tops, "Indian Cave," Cave of Santo Tomas, healing springs of San Vicente and prehistoric mural on the wall of one of the "Mogote ". The main attractions of Soroa: one of the world's largest orchid nurseries Orquideario, Manantyales waterfall on the river and the natural lookout Castillo da las Nubes atop Mount Loma del Fuerte.

Havana Province will be especially interesting to fans of ecological and adventure tourism, there are many quiet secluded beaches. The area Eskaleras de Haruko many caves and steep cliffs: it is good for caving enthusiasts. In San Antonio de los Baños, you can visit the Museum of humor, and the coastal town of Santa Cruz del Norte is known that it produces the famous rum Havana Club.

Isle of Youth - the second largest in the Cuban archipelago. The most interesting places of the island: Natural Reserve of Los Indios San Felipe with a unique flora and fauna, the prison "Presidio Modelo", a copy of the American prison, "Joliet" in Illinois (it was serving a prison sentence, Fidel Castro), the National Marine Park of Punta Frances, an international diving center "El Colony", the island of Cayo Largo del Sur, Cayo Rosario, Cayo Kantiles and Cayo Iguana (great diving and fishing).

In the province of Matanzas, is the provincial capital of the same name to visit: the area of ​​Vigia (place the base of the city), Liberty Square, Montserrat Chapel (built in the image of the church in Catalonia), the Castle of San Severino (because of its size, is one of the major Spanish forts in America) . In the vicinity of the caves are interesting "Belyamar" (with cave paintings, fossils and traces of human habitation, who lived 1600 years ago) and the ruins of the "triumvirate" - there in the 19th century was the largest in the history of the Cuban rebellion of African slaves. Main Attractions Zapata Peninsula: Village Taino Indians in Guam, the nursery of crocodiles in La Boca, fauna reserves "Santo Tomas" and "La Salina" and the Historical Museum on the Bay of Pigs.

The main city of the province of Villa Clara, Santa Clara, called "the city of Che Guevara." That there is a memorial to the famous revolutionary and kept his remains. Square "Leoncio Vidal" - the central square of Santa Clara, located around the Museum of Decorative Arts, the former Government Palace. In addition, interesting town in the province of Remedios. Its main attractions: Museum of Carnival, Music Museum, "Alejandro Garcia Caturla" and the main parish church of St. John the Baptist, which is considered one of the most interesting in Cuba.