Moa City Guide
Image by Alex Meier via unsplash

Cuba

Moa City Guide

Holguin Province

Moa is an industrial city in eastern Cuba, known for nickel and cobalt mining. It's near the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and surrounded by mountains. The city is less touristy but has infrastructure challenges like unreliable internet and power. Pollution from industry affects air quality locally.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Limited
5

Food focuses on traditional Cuban dishes like Ropa Vieja and plantains. International options are very limited. Vegan and vegetarian diets can be challenging but rice, beans, and produce are staples. Late-night options are scarce.

Local Dishes:
Ropa Vieja, Moros y Cristianos, Plantains
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
3

Nightlife is limited, mostly around hotels or community centers like Hotel Miraflores Moa.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Traditional Cuban coffee is common. No specialty coffee shops.

💰
Tipping
Required
5%

Tipping is common especially in tourist services. Usually small percentages or rounding up. Negotiate taxi fares ahead.

Top Attractions
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
Nature
UNESCO site with hiking and birdwatching, rich biodiversity.
Playa de Cayo Moa Grande
Beach
Beach with clear water and white sand.
Nickel Factories
Industry
Industrial sites significant to the city's economy.
Baracoa
Nearby city
Historic city with beaches and a chocolate factory, about 1 hour away by road.
SIM Cards

Local SIM cards from ETECSA are available for 30 days with data and calls. eSIM options like GigSky exist. Phones must be unlocked and use 'nauta' APN. US citizens might face payment difficulties. SIMs can be picked up at the airport.

Available at:
ETECSA offices
Airport kiosks
Recommended Apps
Maps.me(Navigation)
Google Translate(Communication)
AlaMesa(Food)
La Nave(Transport)
Homestay.com(Accommodation)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Telegram(Communication)
Civitatis(Travel)
VPN(Connectivity)
ElToque App(Finance)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Poor
3

Visible pollution due to industry affects cleanliness.

24/7 Services
Poor
2

24/7 services are rare. Few late-night pharmacies, minimarts, or food options.

Groceries
Local supermarkets
Fresh markets

Groceries mainly include local products. International items are limited. Shops may close on Sundays and holidays. Bargaining happens in informal markets. Prices can be high and shopping tricky.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cuba mainly operates on cash. Card acceptance is very limited, especially for foreign cards.

ATMs

ATMs are scarce and often unreliable. It's best to carry enough cash in Cuban Pesos and possibly MLC. Watch out for scams with currency exchange and incorrect change.

Schools
Local only

Information on local or international schools is not available. Instruction mainly in Spanish.

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Poor
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

No real nomad community or co-working spaces. Most digital nomads stay in Havana.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Natural parks nearby provide green spaces. City green areas are limited.

Running
Limited
4

Running routes exist but air quality can be impacted by pollution. No dedicated infrastructure known.

Gyms
Not Available

No known formal gyms. Sports activities are likely informal and community-based.

Tennis
Poor
1

No public info on tennis facilities.

Padel
Poor
1

No public info on padel courts.

Yoga
Poor
1

No known yoga or wellness centers.

Martial Arts
Poor
1

No available information on martial arts training or clubs.

Skiing
Poor
1

No skiing available.

Water Sports
Poor
1

No known water sports facilities or rentals.

Surfing
Poor
1

Surfing infrastructure and spots are very limited or non-existent.

Diving
Poor
3

Diving spots are limited locally. Cuba is known for diving but local infrastructure in Moa is scarce.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Poor
3

Medical services are basic with limited medicines. Tourist hospitals handle emergencies. English-speaking staff are rare. Bring your own meds. Pharmacies may not stock common medicines.

Hospitals:
Local tourist hospital
Pharmacies:
Local pharmacies
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water isn't safe to drink. Buy bottled water from stores and avoid street vendors' bottles.

Common Scams
Fake cigars made from banana leaves, Incorrect change switching CUP and CUC, Inflated bills in restaurants, Commission-based guides and taxi scams, Overpriced event tickets

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Limited
4

Family facilities are limited. Attractions focus on natural sights and general city exploration.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

LGBTQ+ acceptance is moderate; more conservative areas outside big cities like Moa.

Pet Friendly
Poor
3

Limited pet facilities or services available.

Communities
Local Cuban Travel Groups (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
73,053
Power Reliability
Poor
2/10

Power outages are frequent and can last up to 12 hours daily. Some large businesses have generators, but fuel supply varies.

Beach Access
Available

Beaches near Moa include Playa Pinca, Playa de Nibujon, and Playa de Cayo Moa Grande. Quality varies; some affected by industrial pollution.

Mountains
Available

Moa lies in the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountains and borders Alejandro de Humboldt Park, offering hiking in dense forests.

Languages
Spanish(95%)
English(5%)
Emergency
104
Ambulance
105
Fire Department
106
Police

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
1

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Hurricane season
June, July, August, September, October, November
Hurricanes and tropical storms can disrupt power and transport.
Extreme heat
June, July, August, September
Summer months bring hot weather.
Smoke and haze
Year-round
Industrial activity can cause occasional air pollution.

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