Cuban Holidays. Things you shoud know.

Thinking of holidays to Cuba? Excellent, this is one island in the Caribbean where you will want to do more than just a beach holiday. The people are bright, self-assertive and handsome. Their cultural heritage is colourful, as are the monuments of their often tumultuous, always fascinating history. A Cuban Holiday is without a doubt one to consider.

These are just some of the facts to consider and places and things you should not miss in your holidays to Cuba.

Economy: Sugar and its derivatives are the principal source of revenue, followed by tobacco, the Cuban cigar still being the most sought after in the world-and favourite contraband into the United States. Other sources are cattle breeding and fisheries, while agricultural products include rice, beans, coffee, maize and fruit.

Most international flights serve Havana's Jos MartI Airport, Varadero and Santiago de Cuba. The terminals provide banking, car- hire and tourist information office services, in addition to duty-free shop, restaurant and snack bar facilities. There are bus and taxi links to town.

Caressed by the prevailing north east trade winds, the island's climate is agreeably sub-tropical, most often around 25C (77F), rising to an average 28C (82F) in July and August and "dipping" to 22C (71F) in the coolest month, February. The east, especially the mountains, gets more rain than the west. The hurricane season is from June to November, most likely in September and October and more often in the west around Havana and Pinar del Rio than in the east. Storm winds can reach 250 kph (156 mph). Swimmers take note: Caribbean waters are slightly warmer than the Atlantic.

Postal services, as almost every where these days, are very slow and unreliable. If you have urgent mail, ask your hotel about the international courier services available. The island's telephone services are problematic, though a phone card system is being progressively installed in the major tourist areas. Calls are best handled through your hotel, which also usually has fax facilities. Check the price first to avoid unpleasant surprises. The outgoing code is 119.

The facts about holidays in Cuba go on and on. The information is immeasurable for your holidays to Cuba. Keep reading as much as you can about Cuba so that you can get the most out of your Cuba holidays.