Enjoy A Cuba Honeymoon Or Destination Wedding.
The biggest island in the Caribbean, The Republic of Cuba is also one of the Caribbean’s most popular wedding destinations. Couples on a Cuba honeymoon or destination wedding will enjoy relaxing on gorgeous beaches, attending shows in Havana, or snorkeling and scuba diving in clear, turquoise waters.
On Cuba’s coral reefs, divers and snorkelers can get up close and personal with thousands of vibrant underwater species, fabulous topography and unusual wrecks. World-class dive sites, equipment, and instructors combine to make the Cuban underwater experience one to revisit again and again. Jacques Cousteau thought so, too—when he filmed Cuba, Waters of Destiny.
Cuba’s 30 dive centres provide packages for everyone—from novices to pros. Some also provide certification, courses in marine photography, night diving, and other interests. Most centres are near hotels and resorts and have equipment for rent. However, underwater photographers should bring their own camera equipment, silicone, and film to ensure they get the shots they need. Cuba also has several recompression chambers.
Much treasure lies beneath the unpolluted waters of the Cuban archipelago, which offers through-water visibility of 30 to 40 metres. Home to more than 500 varieties of fish, crustaceans, sponges, mollusks and coral, Cuba’s ecosystem is one of the most treasured in the Caribbean, and the wrecks of several 17th- and 18th-century Spanish galleons carrying valuable cargo provide treasure-hunting of a different sort.
Today, CARISUB, a Cuban marine archeological organization, charters salvage tours of such sites around Cuba. One well preserved wreck that went down more than 100 years ago near Santiago de Cuba is the 6,800-ton El Cristobal Colon, once the pride of the Spanish Navy. The wreck is also home to colourful underwater life that is either attached to the hull or weaves playfully in and out.
Whether your dream wedding includes a diving experience or remains on dry land, Cuba offers the beauty, culture, and adventure of all Caribbean destination weddings. The wedding and honeymoon professionals at Absolute Wedsite can plan your Cuba wedding or honeymoon, so all you have to worry about is getting to the airport! Contact us today for your free consultation.
VARADERO
Varadero is part of a peninsula that stretches far out into the calm waters of the Atlantic. Its 21-kilometre strip of fine white sand is an ideal vacation spot for sun lovers, water babies, and golfers. The nearby cities of Cárdenas and Matanzas (the provincial capital) are known for their art, culture and history.
SANTA CLARA
Santa Clara is a tiny islet just over 13 kilometers long and a little over two kilometers wide. The incredible beach will please even the most discerning sun seeker. Its fascinating blend of land and sea, flora and fauna, make it a marvelous place for exploring and scuba diving.
HOLGUIN
Surrounded by one of the most beautiful seas, Holguin is home to more than 100 beaches and possesses majestic mineral-rich mountains, bays, caves, rivers, waterfalls, natural springs, and dams. Besides amazing dive sites, Holguin boasts the world’s second-largest deposits of nickel and cobalt.
HAVANA
With its colourful history and friendly people, Havana is the heart of Cuban political, scientific, and cultural life. Marvel at the colonial buildings of Old Havana, or mingle with locals in a main plaza. At every turn, you’ll find lively music, vintage cars, or that perfect cigar.
CAYO COCO
Cayo Coco is a paradise of tropical vegetation, beautiful white-sand beaches and a coral reef to explore. To the west of Cayo Coco, Gayo Guillermo boasts the highest sand dune in the Caribbean and was once a favourite hangout of Ernest Hemingway. Resorts and spectacular beaches abound here.
Additional Information
Local Language
Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in tourist areas.
Money!
Travelers are advised to carry Canadian cash to Cuba that can be exchanged at the airport, hotel or bank into CUC at the current rate of exchange upon arrival at destination.
Getting Married?
Nothing is more romantic than a wedding on a tropical island. And Cuba has it all – theme weddings; splashy weddings; exotic weddings; quiet weddings; combined weddings and honeymoons.
We can help you design a perfect day. Here are a few pointers to help you get started.
- If you have never been married before, all you need is a passport that is valid throughout your stay in Cuba, and a tourist card (available through us, airline or the Cuban consulate).
- If either the bride or groom has been married before, the previously married person must, in addition to the valid passport and tourist card, also produce the following documents:
- if divorced: his/her birth certificate and Certificate of Divorce;
- if widowed: his/her 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 consul in Canada (service fee applies).
In addition, you must:
- Create a sheet 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 (including the extras described above if you have been married before) in both English and Spanish to your hotel in Cuba at least three weeks before your arrival there.
- Bring all your original documents with you.
Your marriage will be formalized in the name stated on your passport. Your passport must therefore be correct, and the name on your passport must match that on all your other documents.
After your wedding, your Marriage Certificate will be prepared as quickly as possible and either given to you before you leave (time permitting) or couriered at the hotel’s expense to the home address on your documents. Your marriage is legalized by the Canadian Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Foreign Affairs department.
Please note: All information is subject to change at anytime without notice. For up-to-date information, contact the Cuban Consulate in Toronto or Montreal.
Toronto:
5353 Dundas St. West, Suite 401
Etobicoke, ON M9B 6H8
Tel: (416) 234 8181
Fax: (416) 234 2754
Email: cubacon@on.aibn.com
Montreal:
4542-4546 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec. H3X 2H5
Tel: (514) 843-8897 / 843-7559 / 843-1063
Email: consulgralcuba@bellnet.ca
Jurisdiction: Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador
Witnesses required: 2
Documents must be in the following language: Spanish
Entry/Exit Requirements
It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Dutch authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the Cuban Embassy and its consulates for up-to-date information.
Passport
Canadians must present a passport to visit Cuba, which must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of expected departure from that country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
Permanent residents of Canada must travel with their Permanent Resident Card and a valid passport from their country of origin.
Visas
Tourist card or visa: Required
Personal visa: Required
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required
Canadians must also carry a tourist card (or visa), or a business or student visa. The tourist card is generally provided by tour operators or airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office in Canada in the case of privately organized flights. It can also be purchased at certain airports in Canada.
Visitors are prohibited from undertaking business activities when travelling on a tourist visa.
If you intend to stay at a private residence or do business while in Cuba, check with the Cuban government office in Canada prior to departure.
Canadian tourists who were born in Canada may stay in Cuba for up to six months, but must check in with immigration authorities or with a tourism office in Cuba prior to the 90th day of their stay to apply for an extension. Canadian tourists who were born outside Canada may be treated differently by Cuban officials and may be informed that they can only stay for 30 days, even though they are travelling on a Canadian passport.
Entry Documents Required
Upon entry into Cuba, tourists should have a return air ticket and evidence of sufficient funds. Travellers arriving with “air only” tickets must show that they have sufficient funds to meet their minimum financial needs (equivalent to 50 Cuban convertible pesos per day for the duration of the stay).
Dual Citizenship
Cuba does not recognize dual citizenship. Cuban-Canadians must enter Cuba on their Cuban passport. They must also show a valid Canadian passport in order to return to Canada. Travellers born in Cuba (regardless of current citizenship) should contact a Cuban government office in Canada to ensure compliance with Cuban regulations. Failure to do so may result in being refused entry into Cuba, being detained upon entry, or being refused departure by Cuban immigration authorities.
Health Screening
You may be subjected to a medical examination when you are entering or exiting Cuba, or reporting for domestic flights. In some cases, you may be quarantined for up to seven days for medical observation if you are believed to have symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus or have come in contact with a suspected carrier of the virus.
Airport Tax
There is a mandatory airport tax of 25 Cuban convertible pesos.
Children and Travel
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, the legal guardian and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, to leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Any Canadian minor (under 18 years of age) travelling to Cuba without parents should contact the Embassy of Cuba in Canada before departure to obtain up-to-date information on entry requirements. Special procedures regarding letters of consent may apply.
