According to Watch Tutorials, tipping is usually 10% of the total cost of the service. (!) Undoubtedly, it is better to buy black coral and various decorations from it as souvenirs and gifts. In combination with silver, it looks much better. Also good products made from tortoise shell, especially bracelets and hairpins. Almost no one leaves without buying a bottle or two of Cuban rum and real Cuban cigars. (!) When buying products made of crocodile leather, ask the seller for an export license, otherwise this souvenir will be confiscated during customs control. These licenses are issued, as a rule, only in stores, in the markets crocodile skin products cost 3–5 times cheaper, but export licenses are not issued (!) We recommend buying food in stores, and even better in supermarkets. (!) Cubans value cleanliness at home and away. It is not customary to refuse an invitation to drink or eat. The behavioral formula is: “You can’t be rude in Cuba.” If someone has done you a favor, give him some cosmetics or a bottle of rum, it will be accepted with gratitude. (!) You can drink water painlessly throughout the country, Cubans drink it from the tap, tourists prefer bottled mineral water.

Sights of Cuba

ATTRACTIONS Cuba is not only the finest white sand, crystal clear turquoise sea, a huge amount of rum and a sea of music, dancing and fun, it is also a country of incomparable excursion programs. No matter how much they talk about Havana, every tourist who comes to Cuba needs to see it. Malecon is the central promenade of Havana, where world-famous carnivals take place every year, Old Havana, the Presidential Palace, now the Museum of the Revolution, Jose Marti Central Park, the Capitol Building, the Museum of Fine Arts and that’s not all that you need to visit in Havana. After admiring the beautiful sunset on the Malecon, you will certainly go to “Tropicana”. It is here that you will be able to see an amazing show of any imagination, which is rightfully considered the best in Latin America. It is not for nothing that Al Capone himself came to Cuba only to visit the Tropicana. Traveling around Cuba, you certainly cannot fail to visit Soroa – the orchid reserve, donated by one millionaire for the fifteenth birthday of his beloved daughter, visit Pinar del Rio and taste the taste of Cuban cigars right at the factory for their production. If you want to visit pre-Spanish Cuba, by all means, visit Guam, an Indian village and here the most famous crocodile nursery in Cuba, Caleta Buena. For exotic lovers, Cuba will offer helicopter rides to the Yumuri Valley, high-speed racing “jeep safari”, trips on semi-submarine boats, horseback riding and much more.

Cuba: Money and currency of Cuba

Money, CURRENCY EXCHANGE Cuba’s national currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), divided into 100 centavos. The dollar has free circulation. (!) The organization of monetary circulation in Cuba has practically no analogues in the modern world. There are two types of pesos – “non-convertible” and “convertible” (the second, unlike the first, is multi-colored). “Non-convertible” pesos are paid wages to workers and employees, they are paid in stores where food and food cards are bought. The official exchange rate of the “convertible” peso to the dollar is 1:1. It is completely unrealistic economically, but in some situations it is still applied. Convertible pesos are issued by banks to foreigners when they cash travelers checks or withdraw currency from credit cards. They can buy everything the same as for dollars, and at any time exchange in a ratio of 1:1. Everything that is offered to tourists in state hotels is priced in dollars. (!) Credit cards and US bank checks are not accepted.

Cuba: Cuisine of Cuba

Cuisine Rice and black beans, pork and chickens form the basis of the Cuban diet. Cubans are not very fond of vegetables, but they love fruits, there are a lot of them and they are always fresh. Very tasty mango and banana. Baked bananas in Cuban cuisine come from African slaves. “Fufu” is bananas mixed with other ingredients. (!) If you order fruit juices, make sure they are freshly made. If your funds are limited, in the snack bars you will be offered a set lunch at a fixed price, you will choose the dishes yourself. Ice cream is very popular. There are many small restaurants right at home with Cubans where you can eat for about $4. Speaking of cuisine, one cannot ignore Cuban coffee, which Cubans drink in large quantities throughout the day. Cuban coffee is very strong and sweet. There are many cafes in the cities where you can taste various infusions, decoctions and other drinks. Cubans put a lot of sugar in all drinks. The most popular alcoholic drink is rum. The most famous brand of rum is Havana Club. There are three varieties: Carta Oro (gold), Carta Blanca (white) and Anejo (old), which differ in aging.

Cuba: Culture of Cuba

NATIONAL FEATURES The main religion of the country is Roman Catholicism. Holidays:

• Liberation Day and the anniversary of the victory of the revolution – January 1
• International Workers’ Day – May 1
• The day of the start of the national uprising – the attacks of Moncada – July 26 (July 25 and 27 are also holidays)
• Anniversary of the beginning of the Wars of Independence – October 10

(!) In summer, there are a lot of carnivals that are so attractive for tourists.