Cuba (CU)
Cuba is a unique socialist island nation of 11 million people in the Caribbean — a country of vintage American cars, world-famous cigars, Havana salsa, colonial architecture, and extraordinary natural beauty.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Cuba is a unique socialist island nation of 11 million people in the Caribbean — a country of vintage American cars, world-famous cigars, Havana salsa, colonial architecture, and extraordinary natural beauty. For expats, Cuba offers a low cost of living, warm climate, and an unparalleled cultural experience, but also significant logistical challenges: limited internet, a dual-currency transition legacy, restricted banking for foreigners, ongoing electricity shortages, and a tightly controlled economy. Since 2021, private enterprise has been partially liberalized with MIPYMES (small businesses) and TCP (self-employed) categories. Cuba is an adventure for those prepared for its complexities.
Climate
March–May: 22–28°C. Dry season transitioning to wet. Comfortable, less humid. Ideal for exploring.
June–August: 28–33°C. Hot and humid. Wet season — frequent afternoon rain showers. Hurricane season begins June.
September–November: 26–31°C. Peak hurricane season (September–October). Heavy rain possible. November becomes drier.
December–February: 20–26°C. Dry season. Most comfortable months. Busy tourist season. Occasional cool nights (15°C) in Havana.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
Cubans are warm and tactile — expect a firm handshake or a kiss on the cheek between friends. "¿Qué bola?" (What's up?) is the casual greeting. Use "Señor/Señora" or first names — formality is low. Offer to share food and drinks; refusing hospitality can cause offence.
Cuba runs on "Cuban time" — being 15–30 minutes late for social events is normal and expected. However, for official appointments (immigration, government offices), arrive on time. Transport schedules are unreliable.
Informal and casual. Light clothing year-round due to the heat. Dress codes are rarely enforced except at some upscale Havana restaurants and certain government institutions. Swimwear is for beaches/pools only.
- ✕ Do not openly criticize the Cuban government, Communist Party, or Fidel/Raúl Castro — can attract unwanted attention and legal risk.
- ✕ Avoid purchasing items from unauthorized street vendors (jineteros) — you may be overcharged or scammed.
- ✕ Do not photograph military installations, police, or uniformed personnel without permission.
- ✕ Avoid discussing the US embargo in ways that could be interpreted as political agitation.
- ✕ Do not bring Cuban nationals into government-run tourist hotels where locals are restricted.
- ✓ Cubans form long queues (colas) for everything — respect the queue system and ask "¿Quién es el último?" (Who is last?) to find your place.
- ✓ Jineteros (touts) are common in tourist areas — a polite but firm "No, gracias" usually works.
- ✓ Hospitality is sacred: if invited to a Cuban home, bring a small gift (food items, rum, soap, or hygiene products are practical and appreciated).
- ✓ Music and dancing are part of daily life — joining in is welcomed and encouraged.
- ✓ Haggling at artisan markets (La Feria de la Artesanía) is expected and acceptable.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
Shredded braised beef in a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions. The national dish of Cuba, eaten with rice and black beans.
White rice and black beans — the daily staple of Cuban life. Cooked together (Moros y Cristianos) or separately. Served alongside almost every meal.
Whole roasted suckling pig marinated in mojo (garlic, citrus, cumin). The centrepiece of celebrations and Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) feasts.
Twice-fried green plantain slices, salted and crispy. A ubiquitous side dish across all Cuban meals.
Ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, pressed until crispy. A lunch staple in Havana and beyond.
Spiced ground beef hash with olives, raisins, and capers in tomato sauce. A budget-friendly everyday dish served over rice.
Cuba's most famous cocktail: white rum, sugar, lime, mint, and soda water. Invented in Havana's El Floridita bar. A staple of every restaurant and casa particular.
Rum and Coca-Cola with lime — simple, ubiquitous, and deeply Cuban. The name means "Free Cuba" and dates to 1898.
Fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice. Sold from street carts across Cuba. Sweet, refreshing, and dirt cheap (10–20 CUP).
Strong espresso sweetened with raw cane sugar during brewing, creating a caramel-like foam (espumita). Served in tiny cups. The social ritual of Cuban mornings.
📍 Tourist Highlights
UNESCO World Heritage colonial district with 16th–19th century Spanish baroque architecture, plazas, palaces, and museums. One of the best-preserved historic centres in Latin America.
UNESCO World Heritage tobacco-growing region with dramatic limestone mogotes (hills), cave systems, and authentic farmsteads. The best tobacco in the world is grown here.
Perfectly preserved 18th-century colonial town with cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and a thriving salsa music scene. One of the most beautiful towns in the Americas.
Cuba's premier resort peninsula — 20km of white sand beaches and turquoise water. Main international tourist hub with all-inclusive resorts.
Cuba's highest mountain range, site of Castro's guerrilla campaign. Trails lead to revolutionary sites including Comandancia La Plata.
📖 Brief History
Cuba was inhabited by Taíno and Ciboney peoples before Spanish colonization in 1492. It remained a Spanish colony for nearly 400 years, becoming a key hub for sugar and tobacco production built on enslaved African labour. Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898 following the Spanish-American War, but remained under heavy US influence until Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution established a socialist state. The Cold War brought the Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962). The US embargo (blockade) began in 1960 and continues to shape daily life. Following Fidel's death in 2016, Miguel Díaz-Canel became president in 2018 and continues leading the Communist Party government. Cuba passed a new constitution in 2019 and a progressive Family Code in 2022 that legalized same-sex marriage.