Hotel Florida 

Cuba is one of the most exciting and vibrant islands in the Caribbean. The culture is instantly intoxicating as is the fascinating history. The financial hardships experienced by many Cubans have been widely reported, but this is hardly diminished by the huge smiles and the real sense of fun and laughter in the air. Hotel standards are improving, but do not expect the relative sophistication found in many other Caribbean islands. Keep your expectations realistic, bear in mind this is still one of the lowest priced tropical beach destinations, and we are sure you will be pleasantly surprise.

Sea Fishing

Cuba is a paradise for fishermen because of its geography and location. Many sports fishing tournaments are held annually including the Ernest Hemingway Marlin Fishing Tournament held in the Gulf Stream - the writers 'great blue river' which touches the western part of Cuba's northern coast. Fishing is especially good due to the marine currents along the coastline which attract species marine life such as sailfish and marlin. The insular platform abounds in coral formations inhabited by innumerable species and at the point where the platform ends, some of the larger species can be found including bass and porgy.

Fly Fishing and Bone Fishing

Cuba has a huge variety of water types from lakes, river mouths, lagoons, to salt water flats which are perfect for all types of fishing. In the Zapata Peninsular, located between Havana and Cienfeugos is a huge mashy area which until recently was abrred to fishermen. It has now been opened up but is still unspoilt and uncommercialised offering the chance to catch not only bonefish but also the elusive permit fish.     
Presa Zaza is Cuba's largest man made lake, near to Sancti Spiritus it  provides anglers with trout and largemouth bass, whilst in the mangrove swamps of the south coast the main quarry is bonefish, and tarpon.

Scuba Diving

The reefs and walls of the Cuban maritime platform offer to divers of all standards, some of the best diving in the world. Cuban waters are pristine with very little pollution or coral destruction and and provide an underwater paradise of more than 50 species of coral, 200 species of sponges together with dozens of different types of tropical fish. Many sites include diving to wrecks and caves on the marine platform.

Cuba is very aware that safety is a priority for divers and never dive with more than 5 divers per dive master. The safety record in Cuba for divers is one of the best in the world.

Courses for beginners are available at many luxury hotel resorts with introduction in the pool and then progressing to the sea. Scuba diving courses are also available for those wishing to become a qualified diver and also for advanced divers. 

Dive sites

Currently there are 30 dive sites dotted in and around Cuba and the main tourist centres. Here is just a selection of sites available, but for more detailed information please, feel free to speak with one of our cuba holiday specialists who will be able to anwser any questions you may have:

Marina Hemingway (Havana Area) - located on the western edge of Havana and Blue Reef Diving Centre about 20 kilometres west of Havana. Both dive the same sites which runs parallel to the coast where the platform descends by steps between 5 - 35 metres, with a wide variety of marine flora and fauna.

Guardalavaca - the Eagle Ray Diving Centre on the western tip of the beach with sites from 5 - 40 metres including the old Bahamas Channel. Formations such as coral barriers, tall crags and vertical cliffs with gaps that open into the abyss.

Varadero/ Matanzas - diving in this natural paradise is from the Barracuda Centre with dives from 5 - 40 metres featuring caves, tunnels and reefs with many species of fish.

Camaguey/Santa Lucia - the Shark's Friends Diving Centre is located on the north east coast of Cuba and featuring over 30 sites with depths of 7 - 25 metres. From shipwrecks to the remains of a Spanish Fort, exotic fish, caves and sharks hand fed by the instructors, it is one of the spectacular diving areas in Cuba.

Cayo Coco- close to the main hotels, divers have access to the coral reef which extends over 10 kilometres with depths from 10 - 30 metres. There is sunch an abundance of fish that divers have felt that they are in an aquaruim. Large shoals of tarpon, jacks, snapper, sharks and barracuda are an added attraction.

Santiago de Cuba - there are 4 dive centres within easy reach of the city.  With 23 different sites offering large coral crags, tunnels and narrow channels offering refuge for many species of larger fish, sponges and crustations. The bottom has shipwrecks to explore.   

Cienfuegos - Faro de Luna Diving Centre lies to the east of the city with acess to about 25 sites. The area is characterised by the calmness and visibility of the water and by large coral reefs interspersed by deep channels dropping from 10 - 40 metres. Other sites have huge coral formations which in some areas reach the surface. The diving zones have 6 shipwrecks all within a 10 minute sail.

Sierra del Rosario Mountains.

The first area to be designated as a preserve, and closest to Havana, it encompasses both La Terrazas and Soroa. Some of the loveliest scenery in Cuba can be found in this reserve with rivers, waterfalls, evergreen trees, ferns and an amazing array of orchids. The whole area is wonderful for walking, hiking, birding and horse riding. Rich in biodiversity the forests that clad the hills of Sierra Del Rosario are habitat to at least 98 species of birds that include parrots, trogons and the tocororo, the national bird.

Bird Watching and Hiking

Cuba tropical rainfall, fertile land and location in the southern limits of the Gulf Stream gives it its fertile land which is responsible for the richness of its flora and fauna, making it a haven for bird watchers and nature lovers. An area of approximately 22 percent of the island is protected with The Valley of Vinales being a UNESCO cultural heritage site and several large areas being named as 'Biosphere Reserves'. 

Zapata Peninsula

A paradise for bird watchers year round, the Zapata Peninsula encompasses the largest swampland in the Caribbean. It is also the important natural reserve in the country with the largest number and variety of birds, including the Zapata sparrow and Zapata Wren which are rare endemic species and the bee humingbird which at 63 millimetres long is the smallest bird in the world. Other residents include Cuban trogons - red, white and blue in colour like the national flag, Gundlach's hawk, great lizard cuckoos, parakeets, parrots and quail doves.

Sierra del Escambray Mountains

The most important mountain range in Cuba straddling the provinces of Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and Villa Clara. The scenery of towering mountains, numerous caves and cascading waterfalls is magnificent.
The hillsides are clothed in tree ferns, orchids and wild flowers, and trails through the mountains provide spectacular views and a great sense of peace.

Sierra Maestra Mountains

With a wide variety of eco systems the Sierra Maestra Mountains provide important habitats for many species of flora and fauna, and has been declared a protected area. The mountain area is divided into several National Parks including the Landing of the Granma area where Castro and Che Guevara landed from Mexico to begin the revolution, the Turquino National Park, Gran Piedra (big boulder) National Park and the Baconao area a UNESCO preserve.

The giant mountain range has three main sections which cover large parts of Granma, Santiago and Guantanamo Provinces in the south east of the island.

Baracoa

The sea, rivers and forests meet here in the most north eastern part of the island of Cuba. This is the place where the Spanish settlers first established a foothold on the island. Tropical rain forests dominate the area, save for the narrow coastal strip where rivers run into the sea. The large network of rivers are still used by local people for getting around and transporting goods, similar to those used in the past by the Indian population many centuries ago. Coconut groves, cacao and coffee plantations and a variety of fruit trees thrive here aided by the humid tropical climate. There are a vast number of endemic plants and the greatest bio diversity in the whole of Cuba.

Museums

There are over 50 museums in Havana housing something of interest for everyone:

National Museum of Fine Arts - Calle Animas
Havana's finest collection of Cuban paintings and sculpture including contemporary art.

National Museum of Decorative Arts- Calle 17 y D

a rich collection of porcelain, sculpture and furnishings housed in a spendid mansion

Museo de la Revolucion - Calle Refugio

Housed in the former Presidential Palace, the sumptuous interior decorated by the firm of Louis Comfort Tiffaney, this was the site of an unsuccessful coup to topple General Batista in 1957 and the bullet holes remain in the foyer. This museum is Cuba's most complete exhibition of the history of the revolution. With maps, weaponary, photographs and personal items providing a moving history of turbulent times. Outside is the Granma,  the boat that brought Castro, Che Guevara and 80 other rebels from Mexico to launch the revolution on 2 December 1956. Also outside are other vehicles involved in the revolution including planes and tanks.
 
Museum of Sacred Art- in the Convent of San Francisco de Asis

Latin American paintings, furnishings including pieces from the original convent.

Rum Museum

The rum museum is on the Havana waterfront opposite the cruise ship terminal. Here you can learn the history of rum making and taste the results at the bar.

Tobacco Museum

In Old Havana Calle Mercardes between Obispo and Obrapia Streets, the Tobacco Museum is a museum dedicated to Cuban cigars and cigarettes.

Citizens of the UK who are spending no more than 30 days in Cuba require a Tourist Card, return airline tickets, and a full passport valid for at least six months after the return date to the UK. W&O Travel can supply a Tourist Card at a cost of £20 per person and this will be sent with your tickets and vouchers. It is the client’s responsibility to complete the card with the necessary details.

Travel Insurance

It is compulsory to have a valid travel insurance policy that will cover you for both travel and medical insurance when travelling to Cuba, any insurance policy issued by an American underwriter will not cover you for Cuba. You may be asked to prove you are in possession of a policy when you clear customs, if you are covered by your bank or credit card you will need to show a copy of your agreement, if you are unable to provide this information you will be required to purchase a policy from one of the tour operators at the Airport in Cuba.

The following immunisations are recommended before you travel to Cuba but it is best to consult with your GP for up to date information or phone NHS Direct on 0845 464748.

• Typhoid
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Hepatitis A.

Several airlines fly to Cuba with the journey taking about 10 hours from London, Paris or Madrid. The return journey is overnight and usually an hour shorter.

Virgin Atlantic

A new service being launched on 27 June 2005 direct from Gatwick to Havana twice weekly on Sunday and Thursday.  The flight duration is 9 hours 40 minutes outbound and 8 hours 35 minutes on the return. Virgin offer three class of travel- economy, premium economy and upper class. 

Iberia

Daily flights from London Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham via Madrid. Flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Jersey connecting through Madrid are also available at a supplement of £35 per person.

The local currency is the Peso- for tourists this is the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). Recent changes in regulations require all purchases by tourists to be made in Convertible Peso.

Western & Oriental Travel recommend that you travel with Sterling cash and change this on arrival in to Cuba. Money can be exchanged at almost all hotels, as well as at exchange bureaus and banks. Exchange rates are normally the same or very similar throughout Cuba and changing currency at your hotel tends to be the easiest option.

If you are travelling with US$ you will be charged approximately 10% commission, we advise against taking US$ to Cuba.

Credit cards are accepted at some of the larger restaurants and department stores in cities such as Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad, however you will be charged an 1.03% surcharge for any purchase made by credit card. Credit cards drawn on US banks are not accepted in Cuba.

Convertible Pesos can be drawn from ATM’s which can be found in most major cities, however these are few and far between. The most centrally located ATM machine in Havana can be found in Obispo Street opposite the Hotel Florida, this is normally open everyday of the week. Please do not rely on obtaining cash from ATM’s, these are often out of operation. Remember, always try to take with you enough cash for the duration of your holiday to Cuba.

Almost all of the hotels we feature will provide an in-room safety deposit box, please ensure you store you cash in your safe at all times and that you keep your safe key or pin number safely with you. Do not leave cash lying around in your room.

When spending cash, check your change carefully to see that your bank notes have the word ‘convertible’ written on them as the local peso are much less valuable.