Cuba
Mission Trips

Cuba is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage. Its beautiful streets both old and new are alive with the sound of lively Latin music, delicious food culture, and a kind and warm local culture. Located just south of Florida in the Caribbean, Cuba is an island nation steeped in over 500 years of Spanish colonial history. Cuna has something for everyone: pristine beaches, bustling nightlife, world-class museums and historic landmarks. The Republic of Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean Sea and it is the largest nation in all of the Caribbean. Havana is the capital and most populous city with over two million of Cuba's 11.33 million people. Spanish colonial architecture remains prevalent. 

Climate

The tropical climate is similar to other Caribbean nations. There are large cities, agricultural fields, rolling hills, mountains, and delightful coasts. The average low temperatures are as low as 65 degrees in winter months and high temperatures can average 90 degrees in the summer.

Language

Spanish is the language of the Cuban people.

Safety

Cuba is well policed and crime is very rare. Foreigners who take proper safety precautions further reduce the risk of being involved in any crime. PPM has safety as a top priority. Your PPM trip leader will be with you the whole time you are in Cuba and is prepared to handle any concerns that arise.

Cuba is a developing, socialist/communist nation with centralized control of the market. Its planned economy is run by the state and jobs are issued through the government. Subsidized food rations are distributed regularly, although they are not sufficient to sustain the people by themselves. Cuba exports sugar, tobacco, coffee, and skilled labor, in particular medical personnel.

Cuban citizens have access to free education and healthcare. Cubans are very educated and their literacy rate is one of the best in the world. Approximately ten percent of the central budget is spent on education.

There are two forms of currency in Cuba. Cuban Pesos (CUP) are used by Cuban nationals. Foreigners can convert their currency into Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) known as "convertibles" for short. The ratio from CUC to US dollars is one to one, however, there is an exchange rate and fee imposed that will usually make the rate received closer to .87 CUC to 1 US dollar.

The pressed, grilled Cuban sandwich is a classic lunch item, but even more commonly seen at a Cuban family table is rice and beans. Cubans cook rice and beans together or separately, but they are enjoyed daily by most Cubans. Pork, chicken, fish, salad, plantains, and fresh fruit are some delightful additions to the menu.

Cuban music and dance display an exciting fusion between Latino and African elements. Cuba is world renowned for their creativity and innovation with the rhumba, salsa, soukous, flamenco, and Afro-Cuban jazz.

Baseball is by far the most popular sport. Other sports commonly enjoyed are soccer, volleyball, basketball, and cricket.

Culturally, Cuba is considered part of Latin America and the Caribbean. Cuban people and culture come from diverse origins, including the aboriginal Taino and Ciboney peoples, the long period of Spanish colonialism, the introduction of African slaves, and a close relationship with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The relationship between the United States and Cuba has a history of political strife. The independence offered to Cuba in 1902 was not without intervention and challenges. This continued until the US-backed Cuban President Fulgencio Batista was eventually overthrown in the Cuban Revolution that lasted from 1953-1959. Fidel Castro founded the Communist party and led Cuba as their president after their nationalist and socialist revolution took hold. Since 1965, the country has been governed by the Communist Party of Cuba and the role of the Communist Party is enshrined in the Constitution. The current president is Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Cuban and US diplomatic relations improved when their embassies were reopened in 2015. 

Even though Roman Catholicism looks to be the most popular religion in Cuba, a very small percentage of Catholics in Cuba attend mass regularly. Catholicism was believed to be the religion of the elite with colonialism and therefore became the nominal majority.

Santeria is a religion that grew out of the slave trade in the Caribbean. As African slaves were brought over from Yoruba, they held on to their beliefs. However under Spanish colonialism, slaves were forced to recognize the Roman Catholic faith. Over time, this religion was formed, combining African and Catholic traditions and elements which made it possible for the slaves to retain their traditional beliefs while appearing to practice Catholicism.

Atheism has been rewarded by the government at times since the Revolution. Religious persons were prevented from joining the Communist Party and Cuba had been declared a secular state. In the early 1990s, restrictions on religious practices were loosened and it became illegal to discriminate on anyone based on their religious beliefs. Approximately five percent of Cubans are believed to be Protestant Christians.