Vacation Spot: Cuba

                    Cuba: A Place to Visit

    Now first and foremost, the question on your mind is why travel to a country under a communist state in which many citizens flee as refugees to Florida due to poverty? Well throughout this blog I will describe the likes in which you will find Cuba as a nice vacation spot for a week. 

    Before diving into the culture, architecture, and climate of Cuba, yes you can legally travel to Cuba. I am not sure of the restrictions due to Covid-19 at the moment, however Americans can easily get a visa and travel to Cuba. Even if the U.S. and Cuba are not on the best of terms, and there was a travel ban in 1959, now in 2021 you are able to travel to Cuba legally from airports in Miami, Atlanta, Hawaii, etc. Now before traveling to Cuba, you may want to understand that the country is very different to America and there are some luxuries we have here that are not present in Cuba. One of which is internet over 4G, in Cuba internet is quite limited and you will probably have to purchase a "Wi-Fi card" and visit an access point to enable it. Additionally you will not be able to use credit cards at ATMs, so remember to bring mainly dollars that can be exchanged for the Cuban Peso. A side note is that there is a 10% sur- charge on the U.S. dollar during transactions. The currency exchange is almost 1:1 so be sure to save up a bit before traveling and remember the surcharge. Many market vendors usually only accept physical currency over card anyhow. And lastly the primary language is Spanish, however there are English translations for a good amount of attractions. Though it is best to touch up on a little bit of Spanish before traveling.  
You're probably thinking by now it will be a hassle and not worth the trip, but read a bit further as we deep dive into what makes Cuba a fascinating place (outside of course the government and problematic policies in place for the people). As you can assume, since Cuba is located in the Greater Antilles archipelago, the climate throughout most of the year is tropical. Perfect for a winter destination away from the freezing temperatures here in the U.S. With an average temperature in Havana (city capital)  of 79°F throughout the winter months. A tip of advice, it is better to travel during the winter rather than summer as the summer months tend to be more rainy/muggy and reaching temperatures of over 35°C.  The Caribbean Sea located around Cuba is perfect for swimming in year round. Cubans take pride in their nice beaches and it definitely shows. Due to the tropical climate, it is best to pack light clothing but also bring sweatshirts or jackets for the evening as it does get much cooler. An umbrella would also be a necessity as scattered rain showers do occur. Instead of that next trip to a Florida coast, why not consider this?

In addition to the nice climate and beaches, Cuba also boasts an engrossing culture to check out. With plenty of influences from the U.S., Europe and Africa, Cuba has been shaped into a  vast multicultural identity. A primary part of Cuban society is its music. Cuba is filled with high spirited dancing, singing, poetry, etc. It is quite common to find bands playing on local streets and in bars during the evening. Influenced by Africans during the slave trade, music and dance assimilated within Cuban culture. Permeating with Spanish traditional acoustic music, genres such as rumba and Jazz started to spread. Today genres such as salsa, bolera, and mambo can also be heard. However music is not the only thing about Cuban culture - Cuban cuisine is a must try. There are plenty of dishes to try if you decide to travel. Meals such as Arroz Con Pollo or Yuca con Mojo are just the right mix of that Caribbean feel that you cannot get elsewhere. There is such a wide variety of food thanks to the extensive cultural heritage of Cuba.          

Lastly, what about the Cuban architecture? What are some places to visit? One of the most notable things of Cuba is that its architecture and vehicles have not aged past the golden ages of the 1950s and 60s. While this may not be the best for the Cuban residents living there, it is quite the tourist attraction for those who want to take a "step back in time" so to speak. Cities like Havana boast very vibrant colors of its buildings and homes. There are plenty of old Spanish monasteries and constructions such as the Barcardi Building or the Morro Castle. Though if you are not into old Spanish gothic buildings how about Fusterlandia - a huge theme park for artistic creations. Maybe a walk through Josone Park in Varadero. If you are looking for locations outside the bustling cities, there are quite a number of places to visit. One of which is El Nicho Waterfalls as seen to the right. Outside of that there are many bars and market places to stroll through and experience. 
To conclude this quick dive into the destination spot, consider taking a vacation trip to explore the countless wonders Cuba has to offer. It would make for a nice getaway from the cold winter months we often get here in Georgia. With a diverse selection of food, music, and places to visit (not to mention the nice beaches), Cuba can be an incredible location for yourself or the whole family.   
 

Reference Links:

“Can Americans Travel to Cuba? I Did in 2020. Here’s What Happened.” Adventurous Kate, 30 Jan. 2020, www.adventurouskate.com/can-americans-travel-to-cuba/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2021.

“Convert CUC to USD.” Www.unitconverters.net, www.unitconverters.net/currency/cuc-to-usd.htm#:~:text=CUC%20to%20USD%20Conversion%20Table%20%20%20. Accessed 2 Feb. 2021.

“Climate - Cuba.” Cuba Climate: Average Weather, Temperature, Precipitation, Best Time, www.climatestotravel.com/climate/cuba.

“Cuban Music | Don Quijote Spanish School.” Donquijote.org, 2020, www.donquijote.org/cuban-culture/art/.

“Our Top Traditional Cuban Recipes.” Allrecipes, www.allrecipes.com/article/cuban-cuisine/.

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