There are few more fascinating destinations in the Caribbean than its largest and most populous island, Cuba – not least because it has been a socialist republic since the 1959 revolution, when Fidel Castro seized power. This last remaining vestige of state socialism, 90 miles south of Key West, Florida, was once the last stronghold of Spanish power in the region.

Comprising a surface area of 110, 992 km² and situated in the westernmost part of the insular Caribbean, at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico. Cuba has more than 4000 keys and islets form part of the Cuban island, including the special municipality Isle of Youth (Isla de la Juventud), with a surface area of 2200 km². Also known as the key to the Gulf, Cuba is the largest of the West Indies and one of the largest in the world.

With more than 300 natural beaches of fine white sand and crystal clear waters. The most famous of these is Varadero; however, there are others to the east of the capital city in Holguín and Cayo Largo del Sur, as well as in the northern keys of Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara.

Cuba has three mountain ranges, two long regions of savanna and numerous valleys known worldwide like Viñales, Yumurí and Los Ingenios go all through the Cuban island. Waterfalls and cascades in beautiful rivers like Hanabanilla keep charming nature lovers.

What Does Cuba Mean?

The word Cuba might mean land, in accordance with the indigenous origin of the term originally from the Arawakan language of the Taíno culture. It could also mean cupola, according to new information provided by more recent studies, yet to be confirmed, in which a Hispanic-Arabic origin is attributed to the name of Cuba.

Rich Heritage:

Cuba’s rich artistic heritage ranges from pre-Columbian cultures to the splendors of Spanish colonialism and the internationally acclaimed art of today. It is also a place of great natural beauty, with three magnificent mountain ranges and fertile plains where sugar cane and tobacco grow. And it has some of the best beaches in the world.

Old Cuban mural A quarter of Cuba’s 11 million people live in and around Havana, which lays claim to being the most beautiful city in the Caribbean. Old Havana, with its square mile of colonial palaces, handsome plazas and charming cobbled alleys was, along with Mexico City and Lima, one of the three richest Spanish cities outside Spain. It has been designated by UNESCO as a city of world heritage.

Cuba has an easy-going, multi-racial population whose greatest enthusiasm is reserved for music. It is the home of the modern rumba, actually of African origin, the mamba, the cha-cha-cha and the salsa. Cuban jazz is also excellent. Wherever you go on the island, music will go with you.

Hitchhiking is Regulated by State!

Cuban OldtimerTravel can be an adventure. Transport is cheap and convivial. Cuba is the only place on earth where hitchhiking is regulated by the state – in the nicest possible way. Each town has a hitch-hiking point manned by an official in yellow trousers who supervises the hitchers, registers their destinations and loads them on to any state or private car that happens to be heading in the right direction. Tourists are absolved from the obligation to take on hitch-hikers.

It's a great time to visit Cuba, if you can. It is a vibrant island with resorts and beaches, some extensive – and the fact that it does not always provide the fully-honed and polished version of modern-day tourism suits many of its visitors just fine.

AIRPORT/GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES:

There are several international Airports, Havana (HAV), Varadero (VRA), Holguin (HOG), Santiago de Cuba (SCU) are the main ones.

AIRPORT/GATEWAYS:

Canadian Gateways: TBA
US Gateways: TBA
Other Gateways: Charter flights are available from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow through a number of tour operators. Cubana Airlines and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Gatwick. Air France and Iberia from Heathrow via Paris or Madrid.

Excursions:
The variety of tours Cuba offers do not leave gaps for visitors to get bored. For those who arrive in the Island, there is a wide program of excursions and tours, with different resorts within the country as departure points.
Options encompass almost the entire range of interests: city tours and visits to sites of historical, architectural or cultural interest, tours to beautiful rural sites, visits to cigar, sugar and rum factories, museums, cultural and recreational centers, marine activities and excursions, and much more. All these excursions are hosted by a professional tour guide who speaks two or more languages.

**** WEDDING REQUIREMENTS IN CUBA ****

It's recommended that all the arrangements should be done according to the Cuban Laws & Regulations.

A minimum 20 days in advance is requested to get the photocopy of all documents required to have all the legalization ready for the wedding date.

A Wedding Coordinator and the Notary Public will confirm they are legally in order before clients arrive. The following prerequisites (for both contracting parties) apply for the ceremony to be performed:

THE REQUIREMENTS ARE:

1. A photocopy of the passport page with the photo of the bearer.
2. Occupation.
3. Private address
4. Father's full name
5. Mother's full name
6. Educational level
7. Amount of previous marriages ( in the case of non singles)
8. Birth certificate. (Just a photocopy of the original one)
9. If divorced, a divorced certificate having on the exact date when the marriage was terminated.
10. If a widow or widower, a marriage certificate and death certificate of the deceased spouse.

Important Information:
In case of a divorced woman from an annulled marriage interested in solemnizing a new one, if the decision is made within 300 calendar days from the date the divorced was legally annulled, will not have to present a medical certificate no matter if she is expecting.

• A copy of all documentation legalized and translated (exactly the way described) should be sent to the hotel with at least 20 days in advance. Remembering the clients has to bring the originals with them.
• Check more than once that there must be a correspondence in the information and particulars among all the legalized and official documents issued.
• It is needed for us to know the possible time and date for the wedding in advance. (The wedding will be performed at least 2 days later upon the clients arrival.)
• The marriage certificated have to be send to the original country of the couple, is impossible provided the marriage certificated during the stay of the clients.
• YOU MUST NOTE: The documents numbered 9 and 10 must be translated into Spanish if issued in a different language and legalized by the Cuban Consulate in the issuing country.
• All weddings are performed by a Notary Public.
• Wedding ceremonies are performed on weekdays only, that is, from Mondays to Fridays ( from 10:00am to 05:00pm )

Or you can contact the...

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
388 Main St.
Ottawa ON. K1S 1E3
Tel: 613-563-0141 Fax: 613-563-0068

Cuba Tourist Board
55 Queen St. E, Suite 705
Toronto ON. M5C 1R6
Tel: 416-362-0700 Fax: 416-362-6799

Please Note: Wedding requirements above are for information purposes only and may be out of date as of this print. Only use this information on this page as a guideline, and for more current and up to date information, please contact the countries Consular Affairs, Embassy, or the countries Tourism Bureau.