Cuba or Sri Lanka

The next vacation is coming, but you still can't decide which of the countries – Cuba or Sri Lanka – will be the venue for it? Then let's try to weigh all the “pros” and “cons” of these island states, which, by the will of fate, ended up in different hemispheres of the globe. Which of the resorts will give more vivid impressions, and maybe even become a favorite place for an annual holiday?

If you are a regular client of travel agencies and follow new offers, you could not help but notice how popular the holiday on Liberty Island has recently grown among Russians. And there are reasons for that.

First, Cuba is close to many of us in spirit. Still fresh in our memory are the times when people took an active part in building socialism and believed in a brighter future. And if our worldview has been somewhat reformatted after the collapse of the Soviet Union, then the Cubans continue to live under the influence of revolutionary sentiments and still see the United States as their main enemy. Arriving in Cuba, travelers seem to find themselves in a museum of communism, on the roads of which native Muscovites and Volga continue to travel, there is a cult of the odious Comandante Che.

But the impressions of a vacation in Cuba do not end there. Travelers will be able to enjoy plenty of exotic nature, sunbathe on the golden beaches and taste other delights of a holiday in the Caribbean.

You can get to the island from the capital's airport on Aeroflot aircraft, which make direct flights. Travel time will be only 13 hours, and the ticket price will be 38,900 rubles. This is the best option as other flights involve multiple stops in Europe or the US, are more expensive and take two or three times as long. There is good news for Russians: if you do not plan to stay in Cuba for more than 30 days, then you do not need to worry about obtaining a visa.

More detailed information – how to get to Cuba on your own in our article.

There are a few simple rules for staying on the island that will help you avoid trouble. In particular, so that your valuables do not suddenly disappear from hotel rooms, it is recommended to store them in specially installed safes. To do this, choose proven hotels and remember that it is better to overpay a little for accommodation. Be careful while eating. So, drinking water from the tap is not recommended, and you need to eat only in public institutions.

The climate on the island is tropical, and the average air temperature is +25 °C throughout the year. The air is characterized by high humidity, which, combined with high temperatures, will require acclimatization from guests of Cuba.

Almost all beaches are free to use. But individual hotels still won the right to manage the coastline on their own, which will appeal to many guests who avoid crowds.

Acquaintance with the Island of Freedom will also be useful for those who like to “throw around” the shops. In local shops you can buy original decorations made of coral, tortoise shell and real Cuban cigars. Separately, it must be said about rum, which is considered the most popular drink in the Cuban basin since the days of piracy.

Tourists will be able to have fun while sightseeing. For example, in the province of Pinar del Rio, you can visit tobacco plantations, and during a walk through the Viñales Valley National Park, you can enjoy a variety of exotic nature. Well, it’s worth going to Soroa at least to appreciate the unique collection of orchids in the Orquideario nursery and see the Manantiales waterfall.

Of the active entertainment in Cuba, diving and fishing are popular.

Sri Lanka

Holidays in Sri Lanka will be somewhat different. This country is chosen by those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle and spend a few weeks in the company of turquoise waves that crash with noise on the sandy coast. You will notice that here no one is ever in a hurry, as if everyone, including the staff in the hotels, enjoy every minute of life.

You can get to Sri Lanka from the capital's airport for only 16.5 thousand rubles on a Qatar plane. Travel time, including one change in Doha, will be 10.5 hours.

The bulk of the attractions that are presented in Sri Lanka are of natural origin. The same can be said about entertainment. Do you like parties and discos until you drop? Then you have nothing to do in the resorts of Sri Lanka. But to enjoy diving, fishing and picnics in nature – you are always welcome!

To avoid trouble, you also need to follow simple rules. Because the climate here is very hot, the risk of stomach infections increases. It is recommended that you always wash your hands, fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, and eat only in trusted establishments. Don't drink tap water.

If you go for a walk in the national park, take care of special antimalarial pills and choose the right clothes (shorts, T-shirts and other items that leave large areas of skin exposed are not recommended). You can visit the temple only without shoes. And monkeys are considered the main thieves, so hide all valuables away.

For those who are not used to spending their entire vacation on the beach and want to learn more about the country, we recommend visiting the most interesting places:
– the main relic of the country “Kandy Yesala Perahera”, which can be bowed during a large-scale procession in August;
– the oldest tree on the planet – the sacred Bo tree, which is located in one of the temples of Anuradhapura and is fenced with a fence of pure gold;
– Dambulla cave, where you can see how water flows up the walls and falls from the ceiling into a golden bowl.

There is also a huge zoo in the suburbs of Colombo, which contains the most exotic and rare animals of the planet. And finally, you can take a walk to local shops. Gemstones and jewelry are in particular demand among tourists. But do not buy valuables on the street and markets, and in stores do not forget to require certificates and receipts that will help you avoid high-quality fakes.

No less popular are leather goods, teas and infusions, as well as unusual masks. You can always bargain in the markets and get a good discount.

As you can see, it is difficult to choose which resort – Cuba or Sri Lanka – is more suitable for a vacation. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. But in each case, you are guaranteed to get a new batch of vivid impressions. The choice is yours!

Pattaya or Phuket? – Go to the life hack of our website, read and make the right choice.