Cuba

Cuba is in the Caribbean Sea, south of the U.S. state of Florida, west of the Bahamas, and north of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. To the west of Cuba lies Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and its capital is Havana.

Cuba was generally considered safe for tourists, with relatively low violent crime rates, especially against visitors. However, travelers should be cautious of petty thefts in tourist areas, be aware of the country’s strict governmental regulations, and understand the dual currency system to avoid scams. While internet access is limited and can be censored, standard health precautions apply, such as drinking bottled water and avoiding mosquito bites. Always check recent travel advisories and gather current insights before your journey.

Cuba has a dual currency system: the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). However, it’s important to note that the Cuban government announced plans to unify the currencies, with the CUC phasing out in favor of the CUP. Travelers planning a trip to Cuba should verify the most recent currency information and understand the current system to avoid confusion and potential financial mishaps.

Cubans primarily speak Spanish. It is the official and most widely spoken language in Cuba. While there might be regional variations or slang, the Spanish spoken in Cuba is mainly intelligible to Spanish speakers from other countries. However, it has its accent and some unique vocabulary.