Varadero

While you mostly search in vain for large hotel complexes on the rest of the island, you will find one hotel next to the other in Varadero. But despite everything, the beaches are not crowded and also the ocean you have almost to yourself.

We chose one of the many things to do - take a catamaran to a coral reef and snorkel. There were few corals, but the hungry little fish were grateful for our bread. After a long day in the ocean, you can end the evening with one of the most indescribable sunsets you have ever seen. Of course, with a Mojito or Cuba Libre in your hand.

In Cuba, you can enter with a passport and a temporary passport, but not with an identity card. These must be valid for at least six months. Because Cuba has very strict health guidelines, you are often asked questions about your previous location when you arrive. You should also carry a Spanish and English health insurance certificate with you.

At entry you need a visa, a so-called tourist card. With this card you can spend 30 days in Cuba, an extension of 30 days is possible. You should apply for the visa at the Cuban Embassy before your trip to Cuba, you will also receive it from some airlines. If you do not own your visa before the trip, you may be denied the flight. At entry, your biometric data is captured in the form of photographs. An entry directly from the US is not possible, not even for German tourists. If you want to enter Cuba via Brazil, you have to prove a yellow fever vaccine.

You can import a foreign currency to Cuba, but it must be declared at a certain value. The export of Cuban money is prohibited. And for cigar lovers: You can carry up to 20 loose cigars. If there are more than 20, but less than 50, they must be sealed and provided with an official hologram. More than 50 may only be exported for government business reasons. These are even more strictly controlled.

If you travel to Cuba, you must definitely be vaccinated against measles. WHO has declared that omitting the vaccine as a „threat to global health“. However, no vaccinations are required when entering Germany. If you come from countries with a yellow fever risk you have to be vaccinated against it. The standard vaccinations are definitely always recommended. It is also recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid. Cuba is warning about the Zika virus and dengue fever.

You should wear mostly light colored clothing to protect you from mosquitoes. At night you should sleep under a mosquito net. If you need medication, bring it with you from your hometown, as they are usually very expensive abroad. Watch out for water from the faucet. You should also be careful with food. During your trip you should take out a travel health insurance and consult your doctor before the trip.

In Cuba there is no reliable rescue system. So you can not count on help immediately. The treatment of foreigners is only possible in special hospitals. In acute emergencies, you can also be treated in the usual hospitals. But this is very expensive. Especially in more rural areas health care can not be compared with European standards.

Food is a very difficult topic in Cuba. Surely you know all these stories, that you come to a supermarket and there is nothing left. That‘s exactly how it is in Cuba. Supermarkets are either empty or there are masses of exactly one product. Preserves have expired, fruits and vegetables are rotten, and when lifting the eggs a cockroach runs over your hand. In restaurants many menus are no longer in stock, although they are on the menu.

Most of the time, you will be eating rice and beans with chicken. In Varadero you can eat in one of the hotels, but outside the hotel there are not that many restaurants. However, the local fruits are more than delicious. Not to mention the Mojito, Cuba Libre or Daiquiri. And of course you have to try those super delicious churros.

You can either fly directly to Varadero or travel by taxi or by bus from Havana. Traveling by taxi is fast and comfortable but expensive.

Traveling by bus takes a little longer but it is cheaper. So you can choose according to your comfort standard.

In Cuba, there is both a tropical savanna climate, as well as an oceanic maritime climate, due to the Gulf Stream. In January it can cool down to about 20 degrees Celsius, in August you can count on 28 degrees Celsius.

There is a rainy season between June and October and hurricanes can occur. The best travel time is between December and April.

There are two currencies in Cuba - one for the locals and one for the tourists. Tourists have to pay with the „Peso Convertible“ (CUC). Changing from Euro to CUC is easier than switching from US dollars to CUC. So you should always have some cash with you to change it in a currency exchange. The export of peso is strictly prohibited, you can change the remaining money at the airport to your home currency. Locals pay with the „Peso Cubano“, often called „Moneda Nacional“ (CUP, MN). The exchange rate of the CUC - CUP is 1:24.

German bank cards are not accepted in Cuba, neither at ATMs, nor in exchange offices. German credit cards are accepted in larger hotels, American cards not. It is best to have a Visa or Mastercard card with you. These are most likely to be accepted. However, there may be problems at any time and fees will be charged for using the credit card.