- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Cuba
Cuba
Cuba can portray itself as the archetypal image of a Caribbean
island with its sandy, palm-fringed shores washed by crystal-clear
waters and cooled by breezes carrying the scent of frangipani,
mango and guava. But Cuba has so much more to offer those who
venture away from its beaches to the towns and cities and their
Spanish colonial architecture and grand plazas, where classic
automobiles labour along streets and country roads, and the
hip-swaying sounds of salsa music fill the night air. Together with
cigar smoke and rum cocktails, baseball, and everywhere visual
references of the 1959 revolution, these picture-postcard portraits
of Cuba tell a more complete tale of the largest island in the
Caribbean.
Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba on his way back to Spain
after his second voyage to the New World in 1492 and was the first
European to remark on its beauty. Today, the island state is
starting to exploit its glorious attractions and offers visitors an
alternative Caribbean holiday.
Cuba is so large that it allegedly confused Columbus, who
thought he had discovered a continent and not an island. It sits at
the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico; the main island is 746 miles
(1,200km) long with an irregular coastline that offers hundreds of
bays and beaches. The years of political isolation have protected
Cuba from mass tourism; the main towns and villages retain a
crumbling colonial charm and are generally devoid of resorts that
blight some of its neighbouring islands.
With its history and great choice of natural attractions Cuba
has much to offer. But most visitors agree that Cuba is a country
so individual and extraordinary, that to be truly understood and
appreciated it has to be experienced in person.
Information & Facts
Attraction Overview
Cuba is a country like no other: visitors here experience the
thrill of the new; of being in unfamiliar territory. There is much
to see and do, particularly if you enjoy Havana's majestically
decaying colonial architecture and revolutionary artefacts infused
with communist iconography. Then there are the fabulous beaches,
mercifully free of the rampant resort development you'll find
elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Few visitors get out of the capital, which is a pity as the
countryside holds a wealth of natural splendour and interesting
attractions such as the sugarcane palaces of Trinidad and the
colonial city of Sancti Spiritus.
Cuba is a year-round destination although is busiest over the
cooler winter months of December to March. The tail-end of the
hurricane season is September to October when wet and windy weather
is the norm.
Business
Cubans tend to be warm and hospitable, and business is conducted
more informally than in other countries. Establishing a good
relationship is vital to successful business and some time may be
given over to small talk. Due to relative isolation from the global
economy, business in Cuba tends to take some time and effort, and
one is often hemmed in by the country's communist practices.
Punctuality is always important, but don't expect meetings to begin
on time or deals to be struck quickly. Dress tends to be more
casual than elsewhere and businessmen usually wear traditional
shirts and women dress sophisticatedly. Business hours are usually
8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Some
businesses are open every second Saturday.
Climate
The climate is hot and humid all year round, divided into a dry
season (November to April) and a rainy season (May to October). The
dry season is the busiest and prices are higher at this time.
September to October is hurricane season.
Communications
The international access code for Cuba is +53. The outgoing code
is 119 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 11944 for the
United Kingdom). The city code for Havana is (0)7. Cellular phone
companies have roaming agreements with many international cell
phone companies, but not the United States. A GSM network covers
most main towns, and cell phones are available for rent. Public
telephones are widely available for domestic as well as
international calls, but international calls are expensive.
Pre-paid phone cards are available. Internet cafes are located in
the main towns and cities.
Customs
Visitors should address Cuban men as 'señor' and women as
'señora'. While many Cubans will engage in political discussion and
debate, it is not advised to criticise the government too vocally,
and one should be respectful of revolutionary figures such as Fidel
Castro and Ernesto 'Che' Guevara.
Duty Free
Travellers to Cuba over 18 years do not need to pay customs duty
on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 3 bottles of
alcoholic beverages; gifts to the value of US$50; and up to 10kg of
medicine. Seeds, fresh animal or vegetable products, narcotics and
psychotropic substances; explosives, firearms and ammunition;
pornographic material; publications directed against public order
and morality and household electrical appliances are all
prohibited. Strict regulations govern the import or export of
philatelic collections; precious stones and metals; artistic,
historical or cultural artefacts; and books printed prior to
1940.
Electricity
Most older hotels use 110-volt power, while newer
hotels use 220 volts. A variety of outlets are in use, but the flat
and round two-pin plugs are most common.
Getting Around
Health
Health insurance, with provision for emergency repatriation, is
compulsory for visitors to Cuba. Those travellers without adequate
health insurance will be obliged to purchase Cuban health insurance
on arrival. No vaccinations are officially required, however
visitors are advised to take precautions against typhoid if
travelling to rural areas. Most of the more serious tropical
diseases are rare in Cuba, but viral meningitis and dengue fever do
occasionally break out, including in urban areas like Havana.
Dengue fever is on the increase and the best prevention against it
is mosquito repellent and suitable clothing to avoid being bitten.
Hepatitis A is common. Food is considered safe. Bottled water is
available and advised for the first few weeks, although mains water
is chlorinated. Cuban medical facilities are mediocre and many
medicines are unavailable, so those requiring regular prescription
drugs should bring them, along with a copy of the prescription and
a doctor's letter to facilitate entry through customs.
Language
The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken
in the main tourist spots.
Money
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), divided into 100
centavos, but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC),
which replaces the US Dollar as currency in tourist related
establishments like hotels, restaurants and so called 'dollar
shops'. US Dollars are no longer accepted as payment, and a 10%
commission or more is charged to exchange them, therefore the best
currency to bring along is Euros, the British Pound or Canadian
Dollars. The CUC is almost equal in value to the US Dollar. Some
places only accept Cuban pesos and others only Pesos Convertible
(usually tourist related establishments). Money should only be
changed at official exchange bureaux or banks to avoid scams
confusing the two currencies. Visa and MasterCard are generally
accepted only in major cities and hotels as long as they haven't
been issued by a US bank; Diners Club has limited acceptance, and
American Express is not accepted anywhere on the island. Travellers
cheques are less readily accepted than credit cards, but all major
currencies are acceptable, except for US bank issued cheques. No
US-issued credit or debit cards will work in ATMs, but those
holding other cards issued in other countries should be able to get
pesos at most major tourist destinations. Euro or Sterling
travellers cheques are accepted at Cuban banks and Bureaux de
Change.
Passport Visa
In lieu of a visa, a Tourist Card ("Tarjeta del Turista"),
costing US$25 or equivalent, may be issued by tour operators,
travel agents or airlines for a single-entry holiday trip of up to
30 days, provided land arrangements are pre-booked and paid. A
return ticket or proof of onward travel is required, as well as
sufficient funds to cover the period of intended stay in Cuba
(US$50 or equivalent per day). All those entering Cuba must hold
travel insurance to cover medical expenses, with coverage in Cuba,
for the period of stay. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your
passport has at least six months validity remaining after your
intended date of departure from your travel destination.
Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated
by travel agents and official sources.
Safety
Cuba is considered free from any threat of global terrorism, but
has an increasing crime rate. Visitors are warned that theft from
baggage during handling is common, and valuables should not be
packed in suitcases. Be wary of pickpockets and bag snatchers in
major tourist sites and on buses or trains. Crime is on the
increase and visitors should be particularly careful after dark in
Havana; in October 2005 there were two incidents in Centro Habana
at about 2am, where foreign nationals were stabbed and robbed, and
visitors are advised to take taxis after dark rather than walk.
Beware of thefts from rooms in casas particulares (private homes).
Tropical storms and hurricanes usually occur between June and
November; although good warning is given, electricity, water and
communications can be disrupted for weeks. Fidel Castro, Cuban
leader since 1959, has handed the reigns over to his brother, Raul,
following surgery and a long period of rest. Although the political
situation is calm at present, political gatherings should be
avoided.
Time
Local time is GMT -5 (GMT-4 from the second Sunday in March
to the last Sunday in October).
Tipping
Tipping in convertible pesos is very welcomed as salaries in the
service industry are small. A 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants
and by taxi drivers. Small amounts are appreciated by all service
staff.