Cuba Tips

In order to make your visit to Cuba a breeze, we have compiled these useful Cuba tips for handy reference.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
What you pack for your visit to Cuba will depend on the time of the year and the places you are going to visit. Here are few ideas to help you bring the right items for your plans:

Cuba is a warm, tropical island, so cotton and other light fabrics are ideal for outdoor activities. Clothing should be light, mainly during summer, so it would be best to wear shorts, cotton and flannel outfits and sandals. However, resorts, restaurants, tour buses and other public areas are generally air conditioned.

During wintertime, which is slightly cooler, bring a light overcoat, a light jacket or a fine wool sweater and closed comfortable shoes, mainly at night.

For the rainy season (May to October), rain gear or an umbrella will be an important issue.

Casual is the way cuban people are dressed. However, visitors who enjoy elegant dining, theatre and other sophisticated entertainment tend to dress more formally for those occasions.

You should also bring sunglasses, and a bathing-suit in order to take a refreshing swim, and don't forget your sunscreen, sun in Cuba is quite hot and the ultraviolet rays can burn you.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Cuba 's electricity is 110 volts, 60Hz, but most hotels and resorts have 220 volts. Electrical outlets take flat plug prongs. If you're bringing an electrical appliance, check before you leave to see if you need an adaptor or converter.

CLOCKS
Cuba is on Eastern Standard Time. It is located in Time Zone 19, whose midday is 75º West, crossing Yateras in the Province of Gauntánamo.

It is important to mention that, from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October, summer time is established in Cuba acquiring the time of midday 60º West, and time is advanced one our so the difference between the Island's time and Greenwich's (GMT) is of one hour less.

CUSTOMS
Visitors who are well prepared and adhere to a few simple rules should have smooth trips through customs, both when entering and leaving Cuba . Key information to remember:

Inbound travellers: You must be aware of some customs regulations before you travel to Cuba , for example: no weapons, explosives or pornographic magazines are allowed in the country; any article, including literature, that attempts against the security and the internal procedure del country. There is a relation of regulated and prohibited articles that you must know.

Those tourists arriving from the States, either directly or from a third country, are not permitted to bring videocassette players. Tourist are allowed to bring, tax free, two bottles of liquor, one carton of cigarettes, personal belongings and jewels, photographic and video cameras, typewriters, sports and fishing gear. You can bring, duty free, up to 10 kilos of medicines in their original packaging. Gifts up to a value of $250 US can also be brought in. Of that, $50 is duty-free; the rest is 100 per cent taxable.

Visitors should possess an effective passport or a trip document stating their name and the corresponding visa or Tourist Card, excepting those countries that Cuba maintains Free Visa agreements with. Tourist Cards can be requested at the Cuban consular representations. Also, in travel agencies and airlines. They are of two types: for individual tourists or tourists that travel in groups. The businessmen, journalists at work and natural of Cuba , non-residents or with another nationality, should get a visa.

If any articles are retained, the Customs officials must give the traveller a document properly coined and signed by the operating civil employee that legalizes the action, in this document must appear the proceedings that the tourist must make and the rights that attend to him.

Outbound travellers: Be sure to save $25 CUC (Cuban Convertible pesos) in cash for your departure tax at the airport. Visitors leaving Cuba can take out 23 cigars, and 1.14 litres of liquor (two regular-sized bottles of 750ml). You must ask for the original and copies of the official invoice at the store where the cigars are sell, because you must give the copy in the Customs when you are leaving the country. The twisted tobaccos will have to be in original packages, with the official ratings, including the new holographic seal.

To export other items, such as art and antiques, obtain a permit from the National Registry of Cultural Objects. Most legitimate vendors have such permits, and can officially stamp your receipt.

Strict rules apply to taking plants and animals out of Cuba . The Convention on International Trading in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits taking the following out of the country: indigenous flora and fauna; live or preserved specimens and articles made from parts of endangered species. However, articles made from species approved by the CITES Administrative Authority in Cuba may be taken out.

TRANSPORTATION
Cuba has an excellent taxi services as well as car, van and motorcycle rentals. Tour buses in Havana and Varadero cover the major sites of interest. For special excursions, contact the tourism desk at your hotel. Economy travel on buses among major centres around the country is also available through Viazul.

You should not take urban transportation - like the "camel" -, they are always crowded and unreliable. You should take taxis or tourist buses instead, or walk when it's short distances. If you want to go on a tour of the island, your best option is to rent a car. There are several car rental offices at internet, the airports, hotels and tourist spots providing high quality cars and services.

You must show your passport and driver's license in order to rent a car. The driver must be at least 21 years old; the license could be international or from your country but at least a year old. It is not advisable to drive at night. You must also watch out for animals on the road and cyclists in urban areas when you are driving. Park the car in a safe well-lit place and do not leave anything valuable in it. We recommend you buy a "Road Guide of Cuba" which is very helpful for finding your way around on the roads.

VACCINATION AND HEALTH ADVICE
There is no need to be vaccinated to come to Cuba . Most hotels provide 24-hours health care services with specialists and nurses. There are specialized clinics for tourists in the main cities.

Though tap water is drinkable, we advise you to drink bottled water to avoid tropical illnesses.

OTHER TIPS
Even though Cuba is a safe and has a low crime-rate, you should take some precautions to avoid being caught out by petty thieves, who are just waiting for the chance to grab any belonging such as wallets, photo and video cameras, pieces of luggage, handbags or shopping bags.

Public peace is ensured in streets by lots of young police officers always willing to help in case you need them, though they do not speak English.

You should take note of the following advice: do not take more money with you than you need; do not be careless with your belongings and purchases; take good care of your wallet and passport in crowded places, we suggest you keep them in your front pocket; check the bill at restaurants; get rid of so-called "tourist guides", they are not professional and many are not aware of Cuban history and culture, they just pretend to be nice to tourists in order to fool them; keep your jewels and valuables in the room safe.

TELECOMUNICATIONS
Cuba 's telephone network provides direct communications inside the country and out - with any part of the world. Some hotels and resorts also provide Internet connections.