| General Information about Cuba |  |
Documents needed to enter Cuba: Each traveller needs a passport (valid for at least another 6 months when leaving Cuba) and a tourist card (valid for 30 days), which you can buy at the Cuban embassy in your country or via your travel agency. This card must be filled in and be kept together with your passport during the whole stay in Cuba. When you leave the country you must show this tourist card to the immigrations again. US passport holders: please ask your travel agency. |
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Leaving the country: At the airport a tax of 25 CUC (27 USD) will be charged in cash (CUC). International flights with Air France, Iberia, Martinair and Condor do not have to be reconfirmed but you shoud be early at the airport, we recommend 3 hours before scheduled departure. |
Extension of the tourist card:
In Havana at the immigrations / Control de Estranjeros in Nuevo Vedado, Street address: Factor y Final.
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 08h30 – 12h00 (closed on Wednesday).
Best to be there already at 08h00, this can take several hours. A taxi from Old-Havana costs about 4 CUC and takes about 10 minutes. We recommend to buy already a day before the necessary „Sellos“ (stamps which you can only buy at some banks) in the amount of 25 CUC since cash will not be accepted.
You will need: Passport, touristcard, written confirmation of accomodation (hotel or casa particular), sellos in the amount of 25 CUC per extension and person. In other cities ask at airports or in the city at immigrations.
Trinidad: calle; Prolongacion de Julio Cuevas Diaz sin numero, Tel: 6650 und 6950; Tuesday and Thursday 08h00 – 17h00
Santiago de Cuba: Calle 13 No. 6, Vista Alegre, Tel: 641 983 or 642 409
All informations subject to change (latest update January 2006).
Security
Cuba is a quite safe country (some say the most safe on the American continent). Violence against tourists is rare and even at night one can move quite safe if there is enough light – avoid the dark streets and some areas though, best to ask the staff at the reception or guide. Nevertheless there is small crime like pick-pockets (beware also of the kids) especially where tourists gather e.g. Old-Havana and Malecon. You will often be approached e.g. „Hello, where are you from? What’s your name?“ etc. Their goal is to offer any service for money (e.g. bring you to a restaurant, sell you cigars, rum or sex). Pedestrians should always give way to all vehicles in the streets because many Cuban drivers think, that they do not have to stop, when a pedestrian crosses the street.
Costs for restaurants, bars and nightclubs
Cuba is more expensive than most people might think, especially in tourist restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The reason is the American embargo and the high mark-ups on imported consumer products. The cover charge for a tourist disco is between 5 and 25 CUC depending on the programme and live band. The costs for drinks there are sometimes even higher than in Central Europe. Also in state restaurants the prices are at European level although not the quality of the food. A very good option to dine can be the so called Paladares (private family run restaurants) although they are not allowed by law to offer the same variety of food and drinks (e.g. no lobster) and also the number of seats is limited and therefore a reservation is strongly recommended at least at the most „hip“ Paladares. Some of them have a romantic, very unique and original ambience or even „cult“ status. Please note: Some locals in the streets or taxidrivers will also recommend private restaurants (in order to get a commission), but many of these recommended Paladares offer lower quality. The good Paladares do not have to rely on hustlers or taxidrivers to fill their restaurant. In the countryside and where there are only few visitors the costs for food and drink are usually much lower.
Dress
Light clothes made of cotton. Men should wear in the evening long trousers and shirt in good hotels and restaurants. Tie and jacket are not necessary – it can be very hot in the summer also in the evenings. Also at the Cabaret Tropicana long trousers (no jeans) and nice shirt are sufficient.
Climate
You can travel all year round in Cuba. The dry season is from november to april, the „rainy“ season is from may to october (often only a short shower in the afternoon, most days are sunny and without rain although they call it the „rainy“ season). Hurricanes may occur from june to november. Average temperature is 25 degrees, maximum temperature in summer between 30 to 34 degrees with high humidity (80%). In the eastern part of the island (Santiago, Baracoa, Holguin) it is usually 3 to 5 degrees warmer and therefore year round nice and warm. In the Havana area and western Cuba (Pinar del Rio) the temperature at night in winter can sometimes drop to 14 degrees (especially from december to february) and it can be coolish-humid. During the day the temperature is always above 20 degrees celsius all year round. The caribbean side (Trinidad/Cienfuegos) and the island of Cayo Largo (in the Caribbean Sea between Mexico and Cuba) is usually slightly warmer than the atlantic coast (Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria).
| Climate Varadero Airport | |
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| Climate: Santiago de Cuba Airport | |
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Power
In the better Hotels you can find 220 voltage, but many still do have 110 volts or even both (110 volt plugs and 220 volt plugs). It is recommendable to buy an adapter for American plugs, because they are not easy to find in Cuba.
Taking pictures
Good films and good batteries you better buy in Europe, since they are rare and also expensive in Cuba.
Cubans like to be photographed but sometimes may ask for money afterwards, therefore it is always recommended to ask permission before you take pictures, sometimes a little present or tip will be expected.
Health
No special vaccination needed. Cuba has many good doctors but due to the embargos there is a lack of medicine. Though for tourists there are many different pharmaceuticals and some special clinics available. In the upmarket hotels you will usually find doctors. Medical treatment for foreigners in hospitals is very expensive (like in the USA). Therefore we strongly recommend to check your personal insurance situation carefully before you travel.
Food
A sensitive subject. Let’s face it - Cuba is not a gourmet-country. The food is simple and based on chicken, pork, beef and fish, prepared in a simple manner. Most expensive is seafood. Unfortunately many recipes were lost during the revolution. In state restaurants they often serve food which was frozen before and therefore isn’t fresh. Cuban chefs have rarely the oportunity to gain experience abroad and therefore are still missing the skills regarding the preparation of the meals. Often the meals are more expensive than in Europe but unfortunately the quality is lower. Dressings are almost unknown and salads are simple (Cuba is no „salad-country“ and also no „bread-country“). There are few restaurants and private Paladares which reach the European level – but the few are very good an have a very special ambience. Otherwise you can eat quite good in the big hotels managed by foreign chains (e.g. SOLMELIA).
Vegetarian food
In the upmarket hotels you will find a good variety at the buffets. In other restaurants vegetarian food is rare and the salads are not very inventive. The few vegetarian restaurants are seldom visited by Cubans since the prefer „solid“ food (chicken, pork, rice and beans).
Airconditioning
Many restaurants, bars and cabarets seem quite cold because of the air conditioning. Then and in the winter (when temperatures can drop to 14 degrees) a light jacket or long sleeve shirt might be useful.
Mosquito repellent
Sometimes recommended mainly at the Cayos (Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cayo Santa Maria) but also in the Holguin/Guardalavaca area. Furthermore with excursions to the tabacco country (Piñar del Rio province). Better to buy the moscito repellent abroad (better quality).
Health and general insurance
We recommend to buy a travel health insurance in your country and also an insurance for your luggage.
Currency:
The Peso Convertible (CUC) is the only valid and useful currency for tourists (and also the EURO in some privileged beach areas, like Varadero, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco/Guillermo, Cayo Largo and Guardalavaca). Since November 2004 the US-Dollar is not allowed anymore as legal tender in Cuba. In addition - since april 2005 – the CUC has been „upgraded“ against the USD (1 CUC = 1.08 USD) and one even has to pay an extra fee of 10% when changing USD into CUC, so those who bring in USD loose in total 18% against the CUC. We therefore recommend to bring EUROS (or Pound Sterling or Swiss Francs) to Cuba, because with these currencies you change according to the actual exchange rate (and you do not have to pay an extra fee).
It is recommendable to change into small bills, because you will always need one, three, five or ten CUC bills as it is sometimes difficult to receive change (e.g. from taxidrivers etc.) and it is sometimes quite difficult to change 50-CUC bills (or even 100) outside of the hotel areas and when, then you might have to show your passport and it will take more time till everything has been written down properly. The official currency for the Cuban population is the Cuban Peso (MN = „moneda nacional“ or „Peso Cubano“), 1 CUC = 24 MN. But to change the Peso Convertible (CUC) into normal Cuban Pesos makes almost no sense, since you only get very few things for it (as fruits in local fruit markets where you could also use CUC in case you want to). When leaving the country you can always change CUC back into USD (1:1) or Euro (current exchange rate). Do not change on the black market; it is illegal and usually you will be tricked. Better to use banks (slow) or (with faster service) in exchange offices (Casa de Cambio = CADECA).
All products in supermarkets or restaurants and bars which you have to pay in CUC have also to be paid in CUC by Cubans. Some think that the CUC prices are only for tourists and the locals can buy the same product or service with the (much weaker) local Peso Cubano, this is not the case! See also below chapter „Tipping“.
Credit cards
Cuba is a cash-country. Credit cards will only be accepted in some (good) hotels and very good restaurants. Often though the machine doesn’t work or the employee doesn’t know (or doesn´t want to know) how to handle it. Therefore we highly recommend to carry enough cash all the time – especially in the countryside since banks are rare or don’t exist outside the tourist areas. Credit cards which are issued by American companies (e.g. American Express) or charged via American Banks (e.g. Citybank) won’t be accepted anywhere in Cuba (because of the American embargo). There are a few ATM (automatic teller machines) for Visa or Mastercard but do not rely on it. You can get cash advance at the bank with a commission of about 12% (same comission as when you are using credit cards to buy something) – another good reason for you to carry cash instead. Postbank, Eurocheque or other Bank-Cards can not be used in Cuba.
Traveller-Checks:
We recommend to use Thomas Cook or Mastercard traveller checks (American Express will not be accepted anywhere in Cuba, as explained above). You will need a lot of time (outside of the hotels) to change travellers checks and the commission will be between 5 and 12% (according to the currency of the traveller checks).
Taxis
A public transport system like in Europe is almost inexistant in Havana unless you want to use the totally overloaded buses or trucks (no clearly defined schedules). A taxi is the most convenient mode of transport in Havana. Insist on using the taximeter (this is the law and is usually – but not always - cheaper than making a „deal“ with private taxidrivers who approach you on the street). The smaller the car the cheaper the fare. Yellow Panataxis and the little white-red Lada taxis are the cheapest. Bigger cars and Mercedes cost the most, especially in front of a 4 or 5 star hotel. Tips after driving with taximeter: 25 to 50 cents. Bring enough small change since taxidrivers are badly organised or often pretend not to have any change (even not 1 CUC).
There are also private cars (mainly at night and always illegaly) but they are usually not cheaper (but dirtier) than the state taxis.
Taxi-fares to give you an idea:
2 – 3 CUC within the Old Town of Havana
4 – 5 CUC Old Town – Vedado (e.g. to the Hotel Nacional or Melia Cohiba)
8 – 12 CUC Old Town - Tropicana
7 – 12 CUC Old Town - Miramar or Marina Hemingway (12 CUC)
Coco Taxi
2 – 3 CUC within the Old Town
3 – 4 CUC Old Town - Vedado (e.g. to Hotel Nacional)
Horse carriage
15 – 25 CUC per coach and hour within the city (high season up to 40 CUC, 3-4 persons cost more than 1 – 2 persons).
American classic/vintage cars (Oldtimer)
20 – 25 CUC per hour within the city (open cabriolets are more expensive than other classic cars)
Getting approached in the streets
A friendly “Hey my friend!” “Amigo!“ „English?“ or questions about the time etc is common in tourist areas by so called „jineteros/jineteras“ (male and female „jockeys“) which „ride“ on the back of the tourists. Often this is an introducion to „get in business“ with you: They offer private restaurants (where they get commission), cigars (black market) or women for sex. At the latest after a few days this can be annoying. Therefore it’s best to ignore those approaches friendly but firm. And please note: these „jineteros“ are only where the tourists are. In non-tourist areas of Havana and some cities (e.g. Sancti Spiritus, Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, Remedios etc) this nuisance is almost non-existing.
Getting approached in bars and discos
Many „jineteros“ want to get free drinks or the „jineteras“ offer sex (sometimes with the first words they talk to you). If somebody of them tells you, how difficult his live is in Cuba, he is exagerating, since he hangs around in „hard currency“-bars while the really poor people (and even most of the middle class) could not afford this.
Begging children
Every child in Cuba has to go to school and gets food there. There are no „street kids“ like in other Latin American countries. But some kids – especially in Old Havana – ask tourists for little gifts or sweets or money. This way some earn more than adults with a „proper“ job which causes social problems, therefore do not give money or things which can be resold to kids. There is no need for children to beg. Also whatch your belongings (especially on the Malecon), because some kids are little pickpockets.
Beach
Women should never go topless on public beaches – it is forbidden and not accepted by the locals.
Restaurants outside the hotel
Especially in state restaurants and bars some employees try to gain some extra money:
Some tricks might be:
The total on the handwritten check is higher than the addition of the various items or there is only one number as total written on the bill. The difference can be minimal or up to CUC 30 in other cases, depending on how „tricky“ the waiter is or how drunk the customers. Always double check the bill and do not hesitate to ask the waiter to write down the amount per item (and even then sometimes the total will not be amended although it is obvious, that the additon of the various items do not result in the total). By law every restaurant, bar, disco or cabaret has to have a written menu card, just ask for it beforehand. If there is no card, ask about the prices before you order anything. If you feel overcharged a good method to control it, is to ask for the receipt of the registration machine at the bar, because there the waiters cannot cheat, they always have to type in the right amount. Taxidrivers tend to recommend other restaurants or paladares than the one you want to go to in order to get commission from these (lower quality) restaurants. Always insist on going to the initialy mentioned place, even if the taxi driver says it is closed or he knows a better or cheaper place.
1. Whoever recommends a private restaurant (people in the streets or taxidrivers) will get a commission which usually will result in about 10% higher prices for the meal you pay.
2. If the little cheatings are just about small amounts you should take it in with a smile and stay calm. But if it is about a higher sum, it is worthwile to complain, especially about wrong invoices. The waiter will apologize and admit it was an error (although he probably tried to cheat you). There are bars in Old Havana where you will be overcharged constantly by all waiters. Often these are the well known and popular places mentioned in the travel guide books.
3. The above mentioned tricks do usually not occur that strong in Varadero and international hotels managed by foreign chains.
TippingCuba is not cheap and and some visitors might think it is not accurate to tip one CUC while the average salary is CUC 15 per month. You have to distinguish: In Havana life is much more expensive than in the country side. The prices for imported goods in the hard currency shops are often 20 – 50% higher than in Europe. A middle class family can hardly survive with the average salary and the monthly ration card (which is already used after 14 days). Many have a second job or an other (semi-legal) way to get additional income or they have relatives in the USA which send them some money. With tips received from tourists waiters, travel guides, taxi-drivers etc. can support whole families. But some Cubans use questionable methods to get money from the visitors. You don’t have to tip always 1 CUC, sometimes coins are sufficient. It depends on the place and the service. In a 5 star hotel they expect more than in a local outdoor place. At the end it’s up to you.In many countries you compare the tip in relation to the salary, but in Cuba you have to see the high costs. To avoid misunderstandings we would like to point out again (as mentioned in chapter „Currency“) that all products, imported goods and services, which you get in the supermarkets and restaurants/bars for CUC (e.g. Cola, tooth paste, oil, beer, cans etc) have also to be paid by Cubans in CUC at the same price. These prices in hard currency (CUC) are not only „tourist prices“ and locals can not just pay with the (much cheaper) local Peso Cubano.
Here some guidelines:
> porter at the Airport 1 CUC per baggage car
> porter in a 5 star hotel 1 CUC per room
> porter in a 3 – 4 star hotel 0,5 – 1 CUC per room
> waiter in a restaurant 1 CUC (1 - 2 guests) or up to 5 - 10% if not already added
> musicians in a restaurant/bar (if you liked it) 1 CUC (2 - 4 guests)
> musik CD of bands in a restaurant/bar 10 – 15 CUC
> room maid 1 CUC (for 3 days)
> the woman in front of the bathroom coins (10 – 25 cents)
> newspaper in the streets coins (10 – 25 cents
> gasstation (inkl. cleaning windows) coins (25 – 50 cents)
> cleaning the rental car 0,5 – 1 CUC
> security at parking lots 0,5 – 1 CUC
> handicapped beggers coins (10 – 25 cents)
> begging children nothing
Tips for taxidrivers:
> transfer airport – city (incl. luggage service) 1 CUC per Taxi (2 – 3 CUC with small groups)
> transfer Havana - Varadero (incl. Luggage service) 2 – 3 CUC per taxi (4 – 5 CUC with small groups)
> within Havana (Taximeter) 10 – 50 Cents
Our recommendations for guided tours:
Guided tours in bigger groups (10 to 40 participants):
Bus-Driver: 0.5 – 1 CUC per tourist per day (or more if very good and friendly driver)
Guide: 1 – 1.5 CUC per tourist per day (or more if a very good guide)
Guided tours in smaller groups (6 to 9 participants):
Bus-Driver: 1 – 1.5 CUC per tourist per day (or more if very good and friendly driver)
Guide: 2 – 2.5 CUC per tourist per day (or more if a very good guide)
Private guided tours (3-5 participants):
Driver: 2 – 3 CUC per tourist per day (or more if very good and friendly driver)
Guide: 3.5 – 4 CUC per tourist per day (or more if a very good guide)
Private guided tours (1-2 participants):
Diver: 3.5 – 5 CUC per tourist per day (or more if very good and friendly driver)
Guide: 5 CUC – 7 CUC per tourist per day (or more if a very good guide)
State restaurants: 1 – 2 CUC or 5 – 10%
If there is a so called „service charge“ on the bill, this will go to the state and not to the waiter therefore it’s recommended to give an additional tip. But again: check all the bills carefully.
Private Paladar: 1 – 2 CUC or 5 – 10%
If there is a service charge in a private paladar, then there is no additional tip needed. Good paladares should also have a menu card or tell you at least the prices in advance. If not, check the bill.
The staff in the hotels and every Cuban will be very pleased if you give away soap, shampoo or modern clothes (e.g. jeans and printed T-shirts).
Many families and their relatives are living of the tips earned by family members in tourism and therefore tipping is recommended. In Havana they will expect more than in the country side. On the other hand some locals are already spoiled and you don’t always have to tip. Especially if the service was not good.Service, promptness, punctuality, organisation
The Cuban mentality is different. Cubans have always time for a chat and do not react as fast as in many other countries. Therefore be patient and prepared for changes and improvisation.
Have a nice stay in Cuba!