Cuba holidays

There are numerous carnivals in Cuba, but the biggest, most famous one in all of Cuba is the Santiago de Cuba carnival. This carnival is an explosion of colour, contagious drumbeats, and fun dances. During this time, Cubans gather to remember this history, community and culture and the carnival is often punctuated by the Cuban National holiday of July 26th.

Cuban music is often considered as one of the richest and most influential music in the world. Cuba has five basic genres of Afro-Cuban music including rumba, son, Cancion Cubana, danzon and punto guarjira, with rumba, son, and danzon being the most common genres and had the most importance in the making of Afro-Cuban culture in Cuba.

Traditional music in Cuban culture has its roots in African heritage, and it's these musical traditions that have helped keep the people of Cuba aware and appreciative of their beginning. Rumba is considering the most popular form of Afro-Cuban music, with the word ‘rumba’ coming from the verb ‘rumbear’ which translates to going to parties, dancing and having a good time. It is no surprise that rumba music is extremely rhythmic, and musicians can use anything from sticks, bottles, and cardboard boxes to more expensive drums.

Typical Cuban food is made from local produce that is usually fresh and organic, and many ingredients have full flavours. Some popular Cuban food dishes include Comida Criolla which is roast or fried pork and chicken accompanied by rice, beans and viandas (root vegetables), Ropa Vieja which is shredded beef (or lamb) served as a kind of stew, prepared over a slow heat with green peppers, tomatoes, onions and garlic, or Ajiaco which is a rich stew with at least one kind of meat, corn, and green vegetables.

There is also a lot of seafood, including lobster, shrimp octopus and fish which you can find on many restaurants’ menus. A rule of thumb for many places is that the simpler the dish, the better so be sure to check out a grilled or pan-fried fish.

Street food is a popular, and cheaper alternative and the result of private enterprise. Usually sold from front gardens, porches, windows, driveways, and street trolleys. There is usually a wide, and an excellent choice for snacks and impromptu lunches which are freshly made and very tasty. Tamales, corn fritters and pan con pasta are some common street foods that are cheap but don’t sacrifice their taste.

With the outstanding Cuban cuisine, we can’t forget to mention the delicious cocktails, especially those that are made based on pure Cuban rum. Many of these drinks have international recognition and you can find them being prepared in most clubs and bars in the towns and beaches because they are so refreshing.

Daiquiris are a popular drink made with rum, ice, lemon juice and sugar. There are a few different variations of this cocktail, such as the Daiquiri Floridita, banana daiquiri and strawberry daiquiris.

Mojitos are another popular drink, made with rum, sparkling water, sugar, lemon juice, ice, and mint. This was a favourite of the famous writer, Ernest Hemingway.

The Cuba Libra (Cubata) is a cocktail made from a blend of rum and cola and was named in Spain as Cubata.

For the non-alcoholics, Mala is a very popular choice for many Cubans. This drink can be described as a mix between root beer and an English stout. Fruit juice is also another popular beverage and is offered at many food stalls, restaurants and in casa particulares. Guarapo which is fresh sugarcane juice is another popular drink as is lemonade.

Baseball is the most popular sport in Cuba and the official sport of the country. Football, referred to as soccer, is another popular game but you can also find basketball, boxing, and volleyball as being common sports in Cuba.

While not generally considered a place to shop, you might encounter small state-run shops or hotel shops where prices are fixed. Such locations sell very basic necessities, along with items such as beer, coffee, or rum, and really, what more could you need! On occasion, you may find open-air, or craft markets dotted around Cuba, but there are no designated locations as to where these might pop up.