The Land of The Valle de los Ingenios,

Sierra Maestra Mountains, Rum & Cigars

Information on Relocating to Cuba

• The capital city of Cuba is Havana with about 2.2 million people. The political centre is also in Havana where the President resides. Cuba is a Socialist Republic.

• Languages: The official language is Spanish. English is the language used for commercial operations. The TV programs are in Spanish and English. Cable TV is available.

• Population: The population is about 11.3 million people - 51% are mulatto, 37% white,  11% black, 1% Chinese.

• Expat areas: Most popular areas are: Miramar (16 km east of Havana) and Siboney/Cubanacan (west of Miramar).

• Housing: Accommodation of reasonable quality is available in the capital. Both houses and apartments are available although most expatriates live in houses.

• Cost of housing: For a 2 bedroom apartment you will pay approx. US$ 1500, for a 3 bedroom detached house US$ 3000 and US$ 4100 for a 4 bedroom detached house. The local currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP) but US dollars are widely used and are the only currency generally used by foreigners.

• Schools: We have the International school with the American and British system and the French school. Depending on the age we can tell you about a possible waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: Buses, minibuses and plentiful shared taxis operate in Havana at low flat fares. Buses are frequent but often very crowded, and foreigners may have difficulty paying the fare in pesos.

• Bank: The banks are open Monday-Friday from 8.30 am - 12.00 and from 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm, Saturday 8.30 am - 10.30 am. Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.

• Shopping: Is generally done from Monday-Saturday from 9.00 am - 6.00 pm. Sundays from 9.00 am -12.00 noon.

• Climate: Cuba has a subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 25°C (77°F). The mean relative humidity is 77 percent during the dry season (November-April) and 82 percent during the wet season (May-October). Cuba can experience hurricanes anytime from August through October, and occasionally in other months as well. The country averages about one hurricane every other year. Cuba's weather is very similar to that of Miami, Florida.

• Culture: Nightlife is concentrated in Havana, Varadero Beach and in the major tourist resorts. Cuba is renowned for its salsa dancing and visitors can attend dance classes or swing their hips with the locals at the Tropicana and Varadero Mambo nightclubs. Even medium-sized bars usually have a house band playing Cuban classics. There is a choice of floor show entertainments, nightclubs and theatres. The Tropicana nightclub stages spectacular open-air shows. Theatre, opera and ballet are staged all year round in Havana and seats are very cheap. Cinemas show films in Spanish, but some have subtitles.

• Public holidays:  January 1st-Liberation Day (1959); May 1st-Labour Day; July 25th-27th-Anniversary of the attack on Moncada Barracks (1953); October 10th-War of Independence against Spain (1868). In addition to these official public holidays, there are innumerable other important dates which are commemorated, including: January 28th-the death of José Martí (1895); April 19th-the victory at the Bay of Pigs (1962); October 8th-death of Che Guevara (1967); December 25th-Christmas Day.