Cuba holiday deals

If your holiday is all about the beach, you’ve come to the right island – Cuba is fringed with perfect white sand beaches. You’ll also certainly find amazing beaches at any of the all-inclusive resorts in Varadero, a 20km (12 miles) sandbar that stretches out into the Atlantic.

Guardalavaca in the east is another postcard-perfect resort town, with a wide range of accommodation to fit any budget. Can’t decide between Varadero or Guardalavaca? Compare their prices and find the best holiday package deals on TravelSupermarket. 

A Cuban holiday wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Viñales Valley, a vast expanse of tobacco farmland set against oddly rounded limestone mountains known locally as mogotes. Said to have been Fidel Castro’s favourite place in Cuba, Viñales produces some of the best tobacco leaves in the world and is one of the only places in Cuba where you can hike freely.

Cuba’s communist government is slowly starting to relax its grip on everyday Cuban lives. As a result, small private businesses are springing up all over the island and a new wave of creativity and optimism currently grips Cuba. The island’s food, art, culture and nightlife are all expected to benefit because of this.

Cuba has a temperate climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season is from May to November, with a risk of hurricanes in September and October. Unsurprisingly, hotel prices are cheapest when the tropical storms hit the shores.

The dry season is from December to April, with pleasant temperatures (averaging 22C) that make it the best time to holiday in Cuba. January and February are the coolest months and can be marginally cheaper for travellers, while Easter is expensive.

The pride of Cuban cultural heritage is magnified in its rum-soaked Havana Carnival. Massive street parties, colourful costumes, plenty of fireworks and wild dancing take place every weekend from early July to the end of August.

The Hemingway Fishing Tournament, held in June, is a definite highlight among sport fishing enthusiasts in pursuit of large ocean fish such as mahi-mahi, merlin, and tuna.

Currency: Cuba has two currencies, the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) and the Cuban Peso. Tourists should only really come into contact with CUC, although you may get change in Cuban Peso. Additionally, you can only get CUC in Cuba – take pounds to exchange at the airport.

Capital city: Havana

Language: Spanish

Key phrase to learn: Hay algo más barato? (Do you have anything less expensive?)

Time difference: Cuba is 5 hours behind the UK

Average flight time: 10 hours

International phone code: +53

Emergency services number: 106

Public holidays: Liberation Day (January 1), New Year’s Day (January 2), Epiphany (January 6), Jose Marti’s Birthday Memorial (January 28), Palm Sunday (April 9), Maundy Thursday (April 13), Good Friday (April 14), Labour Day/ May Day (May 1), Mother’s Day (May 14), Independence Day (May 20), Revolution Anniversary (July 25), Day of the Rebellion (July 2), Revolution Anniversary Celebration (July 27), Beginning of the War of Independence (October 10), Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Eve (December 31)

Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba