Cuba
blends vintage charm, Caribbean energy and rich cultural heritage.
Discover the surprising facts, local traditions and unique everyday
customs that reveal the deeper character of this captivating island
nation.
• Cuba has two currencies historically (CUP and CUC), creating a dual-economy experience unseen in most countries.
• More than half of all cars on the road are classic American vehicles from the 1940s and 1950s.
• Cuba has one of the world’s highest literacy rates.
• Internet access was limited for decades, with public Wi-Fi hotspots only appearing in 2015.
• The country is home to the world’s smallest bird — the bee hummingbird.
• Cuba developed an innovative lung cancer vaccine (Cimavax), now studied internationally.
• The Latin American School of Medicine in Havana trains doctors from dozens of countries.
• The mambo, cha-cha-cha and bolero all originated in Cuba.
• Cuban scientists pioneered treatments for diabetic foot ulcers.
• Public affection is generally accepted, especially in relaxed social settings.
• Queuing is done using “el último” — asking who is last and keeping your place verbally.
• Tipping is common in tourism, even for small gestures.
• Locals may greet visitors with a friendly “mi vida” or “mi amor” — affectionate and cultural, not romantic.
• Talking about politics in public may be viewed as sensitive.
• Fidel Castro became one of the most recognisable political figures of the 20th century.
• Celia Cruz, the “Queen of Salsa,” shaped Latin music worldwide.
• José Martí is Cuba’s most important independence hero and poet.
• Compay Segundo helped bring Cuban son music to global audiences via Buena Vista Social Club.
• Havana’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colonial architecture.
• Varadero’s shoreline is considered one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches.
• Viñales Valley is famous for tobacco farms and dramatic limestone cliffs.
• Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean.
• The Bay of Pigs is home to excellent diving spots with crystal-clear waters.
• Music and dance are woven into daily life, from street performances to family gatherings.
• Cubans often socialise in doorways and public parks, creating a vibrant community atmosphere.
• Many locals rely on “resolver” — a resourceful attitude to overcome shortages.
• Shared taxis (almendrones) are a popular and communal way to travel.
• Dominoes is Cuba’s national pastime and played passionately in almost every neighbourhood.
• Cigars are rolled by hand using traditional techniques passed down for generations.
• Cuban coffee is strong, sweet and often served in small cups called “cafecito.”
• Salsa, rumba and son remain the heartbeat of Cuban cultural life.
• Cuba was the last Spanish colony in the Americas to gain independence.
• The Revolution of 1959 reshaped the country’s politics, economy and global identity.
• Trinidad is one of the best-preserved colonial towns in the Caribbean.
• The island’s African, Spanish and Indigenous heritage deeply influence its language, food and music.
• El Morro Castle guards Havana Harbour and offers stunning sunset views.
• Cienfuegos, known as the “Pearl of the South,” showcases French-influenced architecture.
• Alejandro de Humboldt National Park is one of the most biodiverse places in the Caribbean.
• Baracoa, Cuba’s oldest city, is surrounded by mountains and lush rainforest.
• Cuba’s classic cars are mostly pre-1960.
• The bee hummingbird is the world’s smallest bird.
• Wi-Fi became public only in 2015.
• Salsa and cha-cha-cha originated in Cuba.
• Cuba has a 99% literacy rate.
• Viñales grows world-famous tobacco.
• Cuba is the Caribbean’s largest island.
• Cafecito is strong, sweet Cuban coffee.
• Dominoes is the national pastime.
• Trinidad is a UNESCO colonial town.
• Cuba developed a lung cancer vaccine.
• Baracoa is Cuba’s oldest settlement.