Useful Information to the traveler
- Cuba, a very particular destination.
- Weather
- Currency
- Culture and sports
- Means of transportation
- Food offers
- Energy
- Medical services
- Security
- Communication
- Customs
- Visa
A very Particular destination
A good warm weather, beautiful beaches along 5700 kms of Caribbean coasts, the history, a particular social project and something very singular: a well educated and friendly population with great sense of humour and love for sport, dance and music are those elements that have made of Cuba a very particular destination.
In Cuba you will be able to visit historical cities, distinguished by the high grade of conservation of their colonial architecture, not only in the country, but in all America. For example the Old Havana and the Trinidad City, both declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Also has the Island beautiful natural landscapes, as The Valley of Viñales, in Pinar del Río, with its very preserved flora; the Peninsula of Zapata, in Matanzas, the biggest natural reserve in Cuba and bigger marsh of the Caribbean, with many endemic species; the Sierra Maestra, great national park, also with great endemic content in their flora and fauna and with historical connotation.
Among the most visited beaches can be cited the Spa of Varadero, wonderful peninsula at the Province of Matanzas, which has a good tourist infrastructure. The beaches of Ciego de Ávila keys, especially in Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo; the beaches of Cayo Largo, toward the east of the Isla de la Juventud; the Beaches of the East, at Havana, specially Santa María and Guanabo; Santa Lucía Beach in Camagüey and the Beach of Guardalavaca in Holguín also stand out thanks to their quality. The practice of nautical sports is usual at many of these places.
In Cuba you will enjoy the musical traditions and aptitudes for the dance of Cubans. They really are good lovers of music and very good dancers. You will appreciate these qualities, specially, at the province of Santiago de Cuba, cradle of most of the Cuban musical genres such as the Rumba and the Son. Other qualities that you will enjoy will be the Cubans´ hospitality and their great sense of humour.
Cuba is also characterized by the presence of the religious syncretism. Next to the Catholicism and other representations of the Christianity are practiced the Afro-Cuban religions, in particular the Santería, very representative in certain regions, for example, at the Province of Matanzas .
Weather
Cuba is a warm and humid country. The annual temperature average is over 24,6º C (76,3º F). 25º C average of summer (77º F). 22º C average of winter (71, 6º F). The oriental region enjoys a warmer weather. It is advisable the use of a fresh clothes (of cotton) and of clear colours, summer footwear, cap or hat and glasses for the sun. In the months of winter (approximately from November to January) it can be necessary to be sheltered; nevertheless, it is usually enough with a light coat.
Currency (Consult Currency Converter by OANDA.com)
In Cuba officially circulate two currencies: The Cuban Peso or Domestic currency (MN) and the Convertible Peso (CUC), the must useful for tourist.
1 Convertible Peso (CUC) = 25 Cuban Pesos (MN);
The American dollar (USD) is object of a tax of 20%, so it is advisable not to take dollars. It is better to travel with Euro or another currency, to make your travel cheaper.
Change money at the Money Exchange Offices (CADECA) or at the banks, to acquire the Convertible Peso (CUC). It could be possible at the own airport. Request small bills. The payments with bills of 50 CUC or superior require of being registered by presenting the passport.
Most of the retailer trades take place in Convertible Peso (CUC). It is also the currency that is used in most of the leisure places and at the museums and theatres (in the last two cases only applicable to the foreign tourists). The rent services of vehicles and transport services for the tourism are paid also in Convertible Peso (CUC).
The Cuban Peso (MN) is used for payment at some cafeterias and stores, at fruit and vegetable markets, at cinemas and some other leisure options and at public services like bus transportation.
The credit cards are accepted in Cuba whenever they are not emitted by banks of USA . In many establishments of services that operate with Convertible Peso (CUC) Visa, MasterCard and CABAL cards are accepted.
In the resorts, the prices are fixed in Convertible Pesos (CUC). In Varadero, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Santa Lucía beach, Covarrubias Beach and the tourist destinations of the north coast of Holguín the payment is accepted in Euros. The checks of travellers are admitted, including the ones from USA.
Culture and Sports
Cuba presents important contributions to the international culture of outstanding musicians, singers, dancers, painters, poets, writers and intellectuals. The country has museums, art galleries, cinemas, theatres. Besides, Cuba is headquarter of international events as the Festival of the New Latin American Cinema and the International Festival of Ballet.
Cuba also presents important achievements in the international sport sphere. At the moment has some world records as those presented in the modalities of 110 m with barriers, jump of height and the javelin, in athletics.
Transportation
For the transfer inside the cities taxis are the best choice. They are available all the day and can be reserved by phone. The bus service presents great demand, and sometimes it is very difficult the access to them.
For long transfer you can travel by plane. There are two domestic airlines: Cubana de Aviacion and Aerocaribbean. It is advisable to book in advance your trip. The tourist buses are other option for travel. This service, generally, don't require previous booking. The bus agency Viazul, make travels along the country. Travel by train is another option, although this mean doesn't has a great development.
It is possible to rent a car, since your arrival to the country, in the own airport, as well as in the rent agencies at hotels and tourist places. The daily cost depends on the car type. It oscillates between 35 and 100 Convertible Pesos (CUC).
To rent a car you should present the passport and the permission to drive. It is advisable
don't
leave the worth belongings inside the car when you stay outside.
Food offers
At the cities there are many trades and cafeterias that operate in Convertible Peso (CUC) and also in Cuban peso (MN). Mainly in the capital you can find restaurants and some private business with good offers.
It is advisable to consume bottled water and not the one that leaves the faucet, although this is drinkable. You can acquire water bottled in almost any market or cafeteria in Convertible Peso (CUC).
Energy
The electric energy in the most of places is 110 V / 60 Hz. The hotels also usually present 220 V / 60 Hz.
Medical services
Cuba presents services of health with recognized quality. You can find specialized clinics for tourists at the main cities. Besides, there are international pharmacies in Convertible Peso (CUC), in the hotels and tourist areas, which usually present good stock.
Security
Cuba is regarded as a sure country, with a very low crime rate. Nevertheless it is always advisable to take cautions: to take care of cash, bags of purchase and personal belongings as cameras, cell phone, passport, etc., not to walk alone and at night for lonely or dangerous places.
Communication
The streets dispose of public telephones and public communication offices that include handicaps services.
The prices of cell phone communication, in Cuba , are usually expensive. It is advisable to acquire a phone card in Cuba for the calls.
Internet Navigation service is offered at hotels and in offices at the main cities.
Customs
The Cuban customs allows the entrance to the country of the necessary belongings for the stay and articles without commercial character until a limit in value of 1000 USD.
The tax of customs is progressive. The personal belongings, medications, books and articles for the teaching and 50 USD of other objects are free of taxes.
The law forbids the entrance or export of drugs and narcotics (except for healthy cares accompanied by the medical prescription), explosives, pornographic material, firearms, although these last ones can be authorized when weapons are for the sporting hunting, by the entity in charge of this tourist modality.
The export of works of art, antiques, flora species and Cuban fauna and other cultural goods legally protected, is allowed with the due documentation of the competent institutions.
To consult the regulations of Cuban customs, please, visit the official website of the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba: www.aduana.co.cu
Visa
To arrive and to leave Cuba you should present your passport, the Visa or tourist card and the trip passage.
The tourist card or visa can be requested at the overseas Cuban consular representations and in the travel agencies or airlines authorized for this. The tourist card or visa is valid for only one arrival and going out and has duration of 30 days, from the date of arrival to Cuba . It can be extendible for others 30 days by the Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería (Immigration and Foreign Head Office) in Cuba, paying 25 USD in stamps.
For business or studies travel or long stays the visa must be requested at the Embassy or the Cuban consulate of your country.
The name of the house in which you will stop must be register in the Visa document or at least must be registered "particular house".