Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Cuban Holidays. Facts And Things To Do.

By Jose Mauricio Maurette

Thinking of holidays to Cuba? Cuba has more to offer than any of the other Caribbean Islands. The locals are friendly, charming and welcome you with a smile. The heritage of Cuba is as rich as are the monuments and palaces throughout the country. A Cuban Holiday is without a doubt one to consider.

These are just some of the facts to consider and places and things you should not miss in your holidays to Cuba.

According to official census figures, 70 per cent of Cubans are white, 12 per cent black, most of them in Oriental provinces, and 17 per cent mixed (mestizo and mulatto). It is generally agreed, however, that the percentage of "mixed blood" is much higher, perhaps as much as half the population. (The island's Caribbean Indians were almost totally wiped out under Spanish colonization.).

Cayo Coco boasts 21 km (13 miles) of impeccable white sandy beaches with first-class facilities for water sports. Flamingos and pelicans strut along the coast, and the interior is covered by dense forest. Casasa on the northeast coast offers excellent opportunities for deep-sea fishing.

Cayo Guillermo: This little coral key of just 13 sq km (5 sq miles) was one of Ernest Hemingway's favourite fishing destinations and it is still good for marlin and mackerel, notably on boats chartered at the main hotel, Villa CojImar (named after the village near Havana where Hemingway used to keep his boat).

Postal services, as almost every where these days, are very slow and unreliable. If you have urgent mail, ask your hotel about the international courier services available. The island's telephone services are problematic, though a phone card system is being progressively installed in the major tourist areas. Calls are best handled through your hotel, which also usually has fax facilities. Check the price first to avoid unpleasant surprises. The outgoing code is 119.

The list of places to visit and things to do goes on and on. The options are immeasurable for your holidays to Cuba. The last advice is to keep researching so that you can enjoy your holidays to the fullest.

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