What are some cultural traditions in Cuba?

7 popular traditions and celebrations in Cuba

Fire Festival in Santiago de Cuba (early July)
Carnivals in Cuban provinces (late June and throughout July)
Parranda of the remedies in Villa Clara (16 to 26 December)
Cubadisco Festival (mid-May)
Fiesta of the Red and Blue Majagua parties in Ciego de Ávila (early November)

What is considered rude in Cuba?

CUBAN CULTURE: Taboos (especially for travelers). Try to avoid these taboos when in Cuba: Spitting on the ground or blowing your nose in public. Taking pictures of anyone (without first asking their permission). Littering (this is not only rude, but it’s also against the law).

What should I know before going to Cuba?

14 Things to Know Before Visiting Cuba

Internet is not freely available so do your research beforehand.
Don’t bother booking all your accommodation in advance.
If you visit in peak season, be prepared for crowds.
Stores and supplies can be hard to find.
The food is hit and miss.
Bring hard cash and a VISA card.
A little Spanish goes a long way.
It is very safe.

Do and don’ts in Cuba?

TEN DOS AND DON’TS FOR YOUR TRIP TO CUBA

Do dress down. Wondering what to bring to Cuba?
Do engage with the local population.
Do bring enough cash.
Don’t patronize luxury hotels.
Do patronize paladares.
Do bring back Cuban goods.
Don’t take pictures of the military or police.
Do immerse yourself in the amazing culture.

Should I tip in Cuba?

Cuba has a strong tipping culture and you should be respectful of Cuba tipping etiquette. As a general rule, you should expect to tip plenty of people during your stay. Common places to leave tips are hotels, restaurants, museums, guided tours, and shops. You don’t have to tip everyone in Cuba the same amount.

Do Cuban resort workers keep their tips?

Resort workers get to keep their tips. At some resorts the tips are pooled and shared among the workers.

Are US dollars accepted in Cuba?

Can You Use the US Dollar in Cuba? Officially, you can use US dollars, Canadian dollars, and Euros ONLY at airports in Cuba. In fact, although the CUP is also accepted at shops and restaurants in Cuban airports, we encourage you to use your home currency (more on that below).

What is the average rent in Cuba?

Summary of cost of living in Cuba

Food
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area	283 CUC
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 2 people in 85m2 flat	50 CUC
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area	347 CUC

How much money do you need for a week in Cuba?

So it’s really just about how much cash you’ll need each day. At a bare minimum, you should aim to budget at least 50 convertible pesos each day (which is equivalent to $50.00 US dollars).

How much money do you need per day in Cuba?

How much money will you need for your trip to Cuba? You should plan to spend around ₱913 ($34) per day on your vacation in Cuba, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, ₱211 ($7.98) on meals for one day and ₱204 ($7.71) on local transportation.

How much cash can I bring into Cuba?

Currency Import regulations: RESIDENTS: Local currency (Cuban Peso-CUP) up to CUP 2,000. – in cash. Foreign currencies: unlimited; amounts exceeding USD 5,000.

How do you dress in Cuba?

You don’t need to bring a suit or a formal dress, but something “nice” to wear is highly recommended. A pair of light pants and a cotton shirt will be more than enough, or a light dress. Since Cuba can be such a warm country, the keyword is light. Opt for cotton or linen—something that lets your skin breath.

What is a typical Cuban meal?

A typical meal consists of rice and beans, cooked together or apart. When cooked together the recipe is called “congri” or “Moros” or “Moros y Cristianos” (black beans and rice). If cooked separately it is called “arroz con frijoles” (rice with beans) or “arroz y frijoles” (rice and beans).

Are there sharks in Cuban waters?

Because Cuba’s beaches sit on the Caribbean, sharks are sometimes in the vicinity. This is part of the reason it is inadvisable to go swimming in the early evening or at night, when sharks tend to be the most active. There are also jellyfish in the water, so keep a good lookout.

What are the hottest months in Cuba?

The hottest months are July and August. The daytime temperature rarely exceeds 33/34 °C (91/93 °F), but moisture makes the heat sweltering. The rains are often intense, but they occur mostly in the form of showers or thunderstorms in late afternoon.

What part of Cuba has the best weather?

Santiago de Cuba will be the warmest area but you could also give Holguin a try. I agree that Santiago would be the warmest but as far as beaches are concerned, the ones at Holguin are much better.

What is the coldest month in Cuba?

January

Is Cuba hot or cold?

Cuba lies within the tropics, though its climate—generally hot and moist—is more properly semi- or subtropical. There are only two seasons: wet (May to November) and dry (December to April), with regional variations.

Is Cuba hot all year round?

The climate in Cuba is sub-tropical with cool trade winds providing some relief from the heat and humidity. The average year-round temperature is approximately 26°C and there’s plenty of sunshine.

Does it rain a lot in Cuba?

Cuba has two distinct seasons, rainy (May-Oct) and dry (Nov-Apr). The dry season is characterized by consistently sunny and temperate weather, with daytime temperatures averaging between 75° and 80°F (24°-27°C).

Does it ever get cold in Cuba?

It gets colder as you go west. Cold fronts in Cuba only last a few days and then temperatures go back to normal, meaning neither hot nor cold, low humidity, for this season. When it gets cold, temperatures do drop to 4 or even less in some areas. Cold temperatures occur in central and western Cuba, Havana included.

Has Cuba ever had snow?

9 – March 12, 1857, was the only time it has ever snowed in Cuba. That was an extremely unexpected and surprising phenomenon. It took place in Cárdenas, to the North of the island. For a tropical country, with the warm and humid weather year round, snow is the most unusual event you can ever imagine.