Language
The official language is Spanish, although many Cubans have studied either English, French, German or Russian.
Electricity
110/230 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs are generally used, except in certain large hotels where the European round two-pin plug is standard.
Currency
Convertible Peso (CUC; symbol CUC$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CUC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of CUC$1, and 20, 5, 2 and 1 centavos. In the 1990s, the US Dollar was in common use throughout Cuba, and in Cuba's foreign trade. In response, the USA put caps and heavy taxes on family remittances and punished international banks for breaking the US embargo. Cuba decided to slowly get rid of its Dollar reserves, banning the currency from general use and introduced the replacement CUC as a ‘tourist dollar' under its control. Cuban nationals continue to be paid in the Cuban Peso (CUP). In some tourist areas, the Euro is also accepted. Hard currency (ie CUCs not CUPs) must be used in most transactions.
Currency Exchange
Money should be exchanged at state-run CADECAs (cheaper than banks) or international air- and seaports. Dollars attract a 10% surcharge on top of the normal commission (US citizens should bring Euros to exchange). All local currency must be exchanged again before leaving the country. Card transactions attract a surcharge (3 to 5%) - see below. Would be better is you bring EUROS.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
MasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided they are not issued by a US bank, or a bank with links to the USA, but hefty fees are often added. ATMs are still rare, but cash can be obtained in banks with non-US Visa credit and Visa debit cards. Cirrus/Maestro is not accepted.
Traveler’s Cheques
Euros, Sterling Pounds and other major currencies are accepted; US Dollar checks issued by US banks are not accepted. It is recommended to bring checks in a currency other than US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions
Restrictions apply.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 08:30-12:00 and 13:30-15:00, Sat 08:30-10:30. Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.
Tipping
Tipping is widespread in Cuba. Many Cuban workers rely on tips to supplement their basic income and they all work really hard. Tips help them get better lifestyle. So if you receive a good service, it is very good etiquette to tip accordingly.
Our Recommendations:
Tortuga: 80 Euros x person would be appreciated at the end of you stay.
Avalon Fleet 1: 100 Euros x person would be appreciated at the end of you stay.
Halcón: 80 Euros x person would be appreciated at the end of you stay.
Reina y Caballones: 70 Euros x person would be appreciated at the end of you stay.
Food and Drink
Cuba caters well for the international visitors. Cuban cuisine have many foreign influences: Spanish, African and Chinese way of cooking. The Spaniards introduced root vegetables, rice, beef and some of their own regional dishes. West Africans introduced yams and tropical vegetables and the Chinese taught the locals how to use the products and prepare unusual meals.
¨Creole¨ cooking is very popular throughout the country, although at times it can be very difficult to get all of the spices. It uses pork steaks with yams, rice and beans (either kidney or black), and is flavored with a variety of spices.
As nation is surrounded by the sea, there is a wide selection of fish and shellfish available in most of restaurants.
National specialties:
• Soup made of chicken or black beans.
• Black beans & rice (known locally as Moors and Christians).
• Chicken or pork with rice, or occasionally French fries.
• Plantains baked or fried.
• Omelettes , often stuffed with meat and/or cheese.
National drinks:
• Cuban coffee (very strong).
• Cuban beer (tasty, yet weak).
• Rum cocktails: apparently there are some 69 cocktails that can be made using Havana Club Rum (especially the daiquiri, mojito and cuba libre).
Legal drinking age: must be at least 16 years old to purchase alcohol.
Nightlife
Havana is renowned for its after-dark entertainment scene, and only the tip of the iceberg is visible to tourists on a short stay. Even medium-sized bars usually have a house band playing Cuban classics. The Casa de la Musica in Havana attracts tourists and locals alike, the latter distinguished by their accomplished salsa dance moves and ability to consume whole bottles of rum. The famous Tropicana nightclub (code of dressing Smart Casual, Smart Shoes) is nightly open-air cabaret which is a throwback to the decadent days before the Revolution. The Parisien Cabaret at the Nacional Hotel is similar (code of dressing Smart Casual, Smart Shoes), and both attract tour groups on ‘day and night' packages from the coastal beach resorts. Theatre, opera and ballet are staged all year round in Havana and seats are very cheap. Cinemas show films in Spanish, but some have subtitles. Santiago de Cuba is the spiritual home of the Son - the music that gave birth to salsa, and regular live sessions are on offer at the Casa de la Trova. In beach resorts, nightlife tends to mimic what is on offer in Havana, with varying degrees of success. Varadero has a thriving scene, but in the smaller resorts (many of which are all-inclusive) most entertainment is planned and formulaic.
Shopping
Those hoping to spend, spend, spend will be disappointed in Cuba. There are a few luxury shops in Old Havana and in large hotels like the Habana Libre. Some offer tax-free purchases, but stock is generally uninspiring. Cigars: Cuba makes the world's finest cigars. Buy the real thing at factories such as Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Old Havana, which also sells fabulously ornate cigar boxes. Cigars from street vendors will probably be fakes or factory rejects, and may be confiscated at the airport. Castro's favourite brand (before he gave up) was Cohiba, Ché Guevara favored Montecristos, and before he put the blockade in place, JFK stocked up on Upmans. Rum: Santiago de Cuba was once home to the Bacardi family distillery, but Havana Club is now the most famous Cuban rum. Good though it is, connoisseurs prefer Varadero. The rich seven-year old variety is sipped like fine malt, while younger and lighter blends are used for cocktails. Souvenirs and other gifts: Ché Guevara merchandise is everywhere. In the capital, perfumes in fine ceramic and glass bottles can be found at Havana 1791. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00, Sun 09:00-12:00. Communications
Telephone Country code: 53. Prepaid phone cards for both internal and external calls are readily available from shops and kiosks. Some calls must be made through the international operator, and may be subject to delays.
Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. For extended stays, consider buying a Cuban mobile and SIM card for internal calls.
The mobile network is often more reliable than landlines, though coverage is far from universal. Internet is available at hotels and some Internet cafes. Some websites are censored. Post Letters to Western Europe can take several weeks. It is advisable to use the airmail service. Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1800; the large Havana post office (Plaza San Francisco) is open until 2200. Many luxury hotels have small post offices on site, or can sell stamps and post letters out of hours.
Required Clothing
Lightweight clothes most of the year; the high humidity makes it unwise to wear synthetics close to the skin. Light waterproofs are advisable all year round.
Medicine supply
Many medicines are unavailable in Cuba so you should bring any prescription drugs you regularly take. A copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining your condition will be helpful at customs. All visitors to Cuba should have adequate travel and medical insurance; hospitals sometimes ask to seek proof of ability to pay before treatment.
Customs Regulations
Importation of cash Any (cash) amount of freely convertible money may be brought into the country. • In the event that the passenger feels that, upon departure, they • will have with them more than 5000 CUC or a cash equivalent, this should be declared upon entry and the corresponding document will be provided by Customs officials, which should then be kept and presented on departure.
Articles that require prior permission or authorization for importation. Fire arms and ammunition. • Land stations and satellite communication terminals (including • receptor stations, satellite dishes and accessories and sat phones)
•Radio transmitters of any nature or service (radars, radio beacons, radio link-ups personal tracers, radio fusion equipment, tele measuring equipment) Fixed, mobile and personal radio transmitting equipment (eg. walkie talkies) Wireless fax equipment. • Telephone switchboards of all kinds. •
•Data network equipment (routers and switches)
•Wireless telephones that do not operate on 40-49 MHz, 2,4 GHZ and 5 GHZ.
•Wireless microphones and accessories.
•Biological and pharmaceutical products of animal origin for veterinary use.
• Flora and fauna or any remains of these (except endangered species especially protected by the Cites Agreement, which are forbidden)
• Food products that have not been industrially prepared and hermetically packed.
The temporary importation of high value articles In order to import high value articles such as jewels, the corresponding VALUE DECLARATION must be requested from customs authorities upon arrival at the airport and subsequently filled out.
It is forbidden to import and export:
•Drugs, narcotics and psychotropic substances, except those destined for personal use, which are accompanied by the corresponding prescription.
•Blood-derivatives
•Explosives
•Books, magazines, articles and objects of an obscene or pornographic nature, or which are detrimental to the general interests of the nation. It is forbidden to export
•Cultural goods declared part of the National Cultural Heritage.
•Incunabula, handwritten manuscripts (published between 1440 and 1500)
• Foreign serial books and brochures and publications published between the 16th and 18th centuries and Cuban serial books and brochures and publications published in the 18th century.
•R Edition Cuban books.
•Endangered species of flora and fauns especially protected by the CITES Agreement.
•More that 5000 CUC or their cash equivalent that has not been guaranteed by a declaration made to customs officials upon entry to the country or by a document issued by Cuban banking representatives.
NB: To find out more about the work and regulations of the customs authorities in Cuba, visit the Customs website at
www.aduanaislagrande.cu
General
There is a 25 CUC ( Cuban Convertible Pesos) departure tax per person to be paid on departure from Cuba. Travelers’ checks and/or credit cards drawn on US banks are NOT accepted in Cuba. This includes: American Express credit cards and American Express ¨Golden Gift¨ travel checks. However, regular American Express traveler’s checks can be cashed normally. There virtually no cash points for drawing cash against Cirrus or Switch cards. Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport in case your documents are stolen.
