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.

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 muralA 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.

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.

Legal Requirements for getting married in Cuba

Cuba

Cuba Embassy   www.embacubacanada.net Cuba Tourist Board   www.gocuba.ca If you have never been married before, Cuba now requires you to have a valid passport for three months beyond your return date home, and a tourist card. If either the bride or groom has been married before, the previously married person must, also produce the following documents:     •    if divorced: Birth Certificate and Certificate of Divorce;     •    if widowed: Birth Certificate, Certificate of Marriage and Certificate of Spouse’s Death. Have your Birth Certificate and any divorce/marriage/death documents translated into Spanish and certified by a notary public and legalized by the Cuban consulate in Canada (service fee applies). Create a document that lists:     •    your names, home address, occupations, level of education, nationality and the full names of your parents, living or deceased. Attach the photo page of your passport to this sheet. Fax copies of all documentation in both English and Spanish to your hotel in Cuba at least three weeks before your arrival. Bring all your original documents with you. Your marriage will be formalized in the name stated on your passport. Your passport must be correct, and must match that on all your other documents. Your marriage is legalized by the Canadian Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Foreign Affairs department.   *Please note that the Legal Requirements are subject to change, for up to date information contact the Cuban Embassy

Although we provide this information it is subject to change and you must contact the tourist board or consulate to verify these requirements.