CUBA

Cuba beckons the jaded traveler with its picturesque colonial towns, intriguing Afro-Cuban culture, rousing revolutionary monuments, almost 300 unblemished beaches, enchanting countryside, and potent rum - even the beer is excellent. Activities such as scuba diving, yachting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching can be easily arranged through our website. The Cuban people are sincerely friendly and extend the same warm welcome to all guests from all countries. For four centuries Cuba was the main gateway to Spain's vast American empire, and cities such as Havana, Matanzas, Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Camaguey, Bayamo, Baracoa and Santiago de Cuba stand as sentinels to bygone colonial glory.

Tips on Travel to Cuba and Other Important Info

Recommended wardrobe:
The slight garments preferably of cotton or thread and sport footwear without stopping to keep in mind a slight sweater for the mountainous areas, the restaurants and bus.

Access roads:
Ports and international airports located in the main cities and tourist poles.

Cuba Currency

There is a big confusion for a traveller relative to the several currencies that are used in Cuba. In this page we will try to clarify this issue. Until recently there were up to four currencies circulating in Cuba, but not any more. I said "up to four" because the last incorporation to this monetary mixture was the Euro, but was accepted only in limited touristic areas like Varadero.

Recently (November 8/2004) the Cuban authorities eliminated the circulation of dollars and any other "convertible currency" in all the country. You could see more details of this news at: http://www.cubaxp.com/modules/news/article-211.html Additionally the Cuban Central Bank (BCC) resolution 80/2004, establishes that from November 8/2004 onward, the exchange of US dollars for Convertible Pesos will bear a 10 per cent tax. The measure is applied to nationals and foreign visitors in stores, hotels, bars, cafeterias, taxis, rent-a-car companies and any other business that presently accepts cash payments in US dollars.

The implication for all the tourist arriving or planning to visit Cuba in the future are: You could not longer use US Dollars or any other foreign currency in Cuba, and if you bring dollars a tax of 10% will be applied to you at the exchange of them for Cuban Convertible Pesos (this tax will not be applied to other currencies). So my strong recommendation is to bring Euros, UK Pounds or Canadian Dollars. You will change them while in Cuba, without the tax that will be applied to US dollar exchange. Additionally you will be able to exchange back the remainin Convertible Pesos at the end of your travel.

Purchases in Cuba: Prices are listed in CUC (convertible pesos/tourist dollars) at tourist facilities and other establishments. MasterCard, Visa, CABAL and BFI, not drawn on US banks, are honored in Cuba. Recently even some British credit cards that outsource their services to US firms have also been restricted for use in Cuba. It's best to check with your credit card company before departure.


Communications:
The hotels offer international telephony service of and mail, they are offices that offer international telephony services along the whole country, GCM cellular have rooming service. Hotels and mail offices access services internet. The recruiting of cellular can be carried out with the company CUBACEL and C-COM. The cellular equipment can be acquired in the offices of those companies. Own Cellular can be used whenever it is compatible with the norms AMPS


Airlines:
The main aids lines with regular flights from to Cuba are: AEROCARIBE, AEROCATERING CORP., AEROFLOT, AIRMAIL, AIR-TAXI, AIR FRANCE, SURROUNDS, AEROCARIBBEAN CORP., AEROGAVIOTA, AOM FRENCH AIRLINES, ALK-KLM MATINAIR-HOLLAND, AIR JAMAICA, CUBAN OF AVIATION, IBERIA, MEXICAN OF AVIATION, AIR EUROPE, ALITALIA, among others


Customs Regulations:
For the most current customs information visit www.aduana.islagrande.cu. Besides personal items, medicines, books & articles for teaching purposes, in general the traveler can import articles for non-commercial purposes up to a limit in value of $1000 pesos, of which the first $50 pesos are exempt from the payment of import duty, and for the rest (from $51 to $1000 pesos) he/she must pay the applicable import duties. Cuban residents pay the duty in national currency, and all residents in other countries pay the import levy in Cuban Convertible Pesos.


Immigration:
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Cuba and evidence of return passage is a required prior to entry. If you have a one-way ticket, you will have to purchase a return ticket before entering Cuba. You're also required to have a visa or tourist card unless you're from a country with a visa waiving agreement Cuba, or were born in Cuba. Tourist visas are generally provided with flights, but may also be purchased from the Cuban Consulate (or Cuban Interests Section) nearest you, or directly from Cuban Immigration for $25 CUC upon arrival. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days, extendable for another 30 days locally in Cuba with Immigration (with purchase of stamps and evidence of outgoing passage). The same tourist visa is valid for 90 days for Canadian citizens, extendable for another 90 days locally in Cuba with Immigration (with purchase of stamps and evidence of outgoing passage). Business or journalist visas should be requested in advance from the Cuban Consulate (or Cuban Interests Section) nearest you. Travelers born in Cuba must travel to Cuba on a Cuban passport, regardless of any other nationality or citizenship obtained after birth. We urge all travelers to consult with the nearest Cuban Embassy, consulate or Interests Sections for clarification regarding immigration regulations.


Electric Power:
The electric current in general use is 110 volts, 60Hz. Some hotel facilities also have 220 volts. It's best to inquire about the specific properties you'll be staying at prior to departure.


Culture:
A country prodigal in artistic and creative manifestations. It has made contributions to international culture with important names of writers, thinkers, dancers, musicians, painters, poets and singers. Cuban craftwork is interesting, with outstanding works in leather, vegetable fibers, wood, stone, metal and sea products. Cuba's cultural infrastructure consists of theaters, museums, art galleries and cinemas, where not only samples of the national wealth of all times are shown, but also of world art. It is the seat of important international events such as the Ballet Festival, the biennial of visual arts, popular music festivals and the Festival of the New Latin American Cinema, among others.