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Cuba Information

Overview

Cuba swings to a different rhythm, and at first it can be hard to get the beat. Opinions are divided on the effect of Castro, 40 years of US blockade and the collapse of the Soviet Union. They have health care, education, food and work but Cubans are still not free to say what they think.

Fortunately, the country has undergone a transformation since it opened its doors to global tourism in the 1990s. Staying at a casa particular (a private home with rooms to rent) gives the traveller a glimpse of life for the average Cubano, and opens up parts of the country that were once inaccessible or off-limits. It also frees up more money to enjoy the raucous nightlife that made Havana famous.

The country’s heritage is in safe hands. Historic Havana and Trinidad, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have undergone painstaking restoration and preservation. Walking around them is like a trip back in time.

The concept of ‘ecotourism’ is catching on here, and in this respect, the blockade has helped. Cuba has not suffered a half century of reckless expansion along its beautiful coastline, and there are countless pristine beaches waiting to be explored.

Top Things To See

Head to the Plaza de Armas in Old Havana for a glimpse of colonial majesty at the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, former residence of the Spanish Crown’s representatives.

Enjoy wonderful views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the rooftop bar of Old Havana’s Museo Nacional de Historia Natural.

Wander around the Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The oldest of Havana’s three forts is still standing because it was to all intents and purposes built in the wrong place.

Take a tour of the Capitolio in Havana’s centre. Built by a dictator to mimic Washington DC’s Capitol (though the detailing on Havana’s version is finer), it housed a puppet parliament until the Revolution.

Visit the Museo de la Revolución for a historical context of modern Cuba. Outside is the Granma, a cabin cruiser built for 12 people. In 1956, 80 exiled rebels (Castro and Ché among them) came perilously close to sinking the overcrowded yacht, as they sought to return to Cuba.

Head for Pinar del Río, arguably Cuba’s most beautiful province. The outstanding feature must be the mogotes (oddly rounded limestone mountains, covered in lush vegetation). The caves here, notably the Cueva del Indio, are well worth a visit, with stalactites and stalagmites and underground rivers.

Visit revolutionary Santa Clara, and the monument, museum and mausoleum of Ché Guevara. His body was only returned from Bolivia in 1997, 30 years after his capture and execution. In 1959, he and 300 rebels defeated 3,000 of Batista’s troops here, leading to the dictator’s flight just days later.

Feel the history in colonial Trinidad, founded in 1514. Locals ride horses down cobbled streets past houses painted in pastel colours. Elegant mansions are now museums in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy great views of the Valley of the Sugar Mills ( Valle de los Ingenios) from the Torre de Manaca Iznaga (50m/165ft), an old slave watch tower.

See the country’s best musicians and dancers at work in Santiago de Cuba. Visit the Museo Emilio Bacardí, which contains the rum magnate’s collection of antiques and fine art, and the Moncada Barracks, where Castro launched an abortive uprising in 1953. The Castillo del Morro is now a museum of piracy.

Further information: Websites for most museums and monuments can be found through the government’s web portals, www.cnpc.cult.cu and www.ohch.cu.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

 Follow in famous footsteps. Have a beer at Castillo de Farnes, where Ché and Castro toasted the success of the Revolution, and raise a glass to Hemingway at his old haunt La Bodeguita del Medio (website: www.bazar-virtual.com/palmares).

 Try rolling cigars at one of Cuba’s tobacco factories such as the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana (website: www.habanos.com), or others in Pinar del Río and Trinidad. 

 Take a stroll along the Malecón, the sea wall that links Old Havana to Vedado, and is popular with fisherman, families and couples. 

 Live the high life in Havana’s Vedado district. The Hotel Nacional has hosted gangsters and film stars and is well-placed for Carnaval processions along the Malecón (website: www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com). 

 Soak up some sun on Cuba’s beaches: from Playas del Este near Havana, where the locals play, to exclusive island resorts like Cayo Coco where the only Cubans around are waiters and chambermaids. Varadero is a lively resort that combines beach life with nightlife, for locals and foreigners. 

 Explore the deep. There are 30 dive sites at Varadero alone. One of the world’s biggest coral reefs is offshore at Cayo Coco, and there are more reefs around Isla de la Juventud, Stevenson’s inspiration for Treasure Island. 

 Hike the Sierra Maestra, dominated by Cuba’s highest mountain Pico Turquino, or trek the marshes and forests of the Zapata Peninsula, teeming with bird, mammal and reptile wildlife. 

 Take an emotional journey to the museum at Playa Girón, scene of the US-backed ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion in 1961. Touching personal effects of those killed, a harrowing film from the time, and CIA battle plans captured when it all went wrong tell a sad story.  

 Saddle up and go for a gallop through the scenic sugarcane fields around Trinidad, or the hills and valleys of Pinar del Río. 

 Make friends with the locals. Make time for at least a night or two in a casa particular, eat in paladares rather than state-run restaurants, and strike up conversation whenever possible. Cubans are polite, educated, fun, and just dying to make contact with people from other countries. 

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Surprisingly for an island so rich in marine life, fish and seafood rarely top the menu - most seafood is exported. Cuisine is a mix of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean, heavily reliant on rice, beans, chicken and pork. Fresh vegetables are hard to come by, and flavours are limited by the lack of available herbs and spices. Some of the best cooking, and often an illegal lobster or two, is found in paladares (small, private restaurants). In state-run establishments, service can be painfully slow and sometimes even surly.

National specialities:
• 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 (especially the daiquiri, mojito and cuba libre).

Legal drinking age: There is no minimum drinking age, but buyers must be at least 16 years old to purchase alcohol.

Tipping : A 10% gratuity is appreciated.

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 Varadero rum. The famous Tropicananightclub stages nightly open-air cabarets that are a throwback to the decadent days before the Revolution. The Cabaret Parisien at the Hotel Nacional is similar, 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 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 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 favoured 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 Habana 1791.

Shopping hours : Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 0900-1200.

Climate

Hot, sub-tropical climate all year. Most rain falls between May and October and hurricanes can occur in autumn (August to November). Humidity varies between 75% and 95%. Cooler months are January to April when the least rain falls.

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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan Liberation Day.
2 Jan Victory of Armed Forces.
1 May Labour Day.
20 May Independence Day.
25-27Jul Days of Rebelliousness.
10 Oct Anniversary of the beginning of the War of Independence in 1868.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan Liberation Day.
2 Jan Victory of Armed Forces.
1 May Labour Day.
20 May Independence Day.
25-27Jul Days of Rebelliousness.
10 Oct Anniversary of the beginning of the War of Independence in 1868.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes*

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes*

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes*

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

Obtain adequate health insurance before travelling. Prior to treatment, visitors may need to show proof of ability to pay, though some emergency services are provided free of charge. Standards of care and training are excellent, but equipment and drugs are often in short supply.

Note

* Potentially required if travelling extensively throughout Cuba.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

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.

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.

Traveller's Cheques

US Dollar, Pounds Sterling and other major currencies are accepted; US Dollar cheques issued by US banks are not accepted. It is recommended to take cheques in a currency other than US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1330-1500, Sat 0830-1030. Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passport Note

Persons of Cuban origin who are nationals of other countries must travel with a Cuban passport if they left Cuba after 1970.
Neither visa exemptions nor tourist visa card facilities are applicable to foreign passport holders born in Cuba, unless holding a document proving withdrawal of Cuban citizenship.

Passports

Passports valid for at least six months after the departure date from Cuba required by all nationals referred to in the chart above without diplomatic representation in Cuba.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours, provided they hold confirmed onward tickets and US$50 per day.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

1. Nationals of the USA are subject to the Cuban assets control regulations. The regulations require that persons subject to US jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any travel related transactions to, from and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licenseable. The restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. US law enforcement authorities have increased enforcement of these regulations at US airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travellers who fail to comply with the department of treasury regulations will face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the US.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist Visa Card: £15. All other visas: £36 (plus a £15 processing fee.)

Validity

Tourist and Business visa: valid for stays of up to 30 days, visas must be used within 180 days from date of issue, extensions of 30 days are available in Cuba 

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. Application forms for tourist visa cards can be obtained from certain tour operators and travel agents or downloaded from the website of the embassy of the Republic of Cuba in the UK (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Tourist visa card: One day (seven days for postal applications). Tourist visa: 48 hours. Business and Family visa: 72 hours (two weeks for postal applications). Journalist visa: six weeks.

Contact Addresses

Embassy of Cuba in the UK

167 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PA, UK
Tel: (020) 7240 2488 or 0870 240 3675 (recorded information line).
Website: www.cubaldn.com  
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (embassy); Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (consulate).

Cuba Tourist Board in the UK

154 Shaftesbury Avenue (first floor), London WC2H 8JT, UK
Tel: (020) 7240 6655 or 09001 600 295 (24-hour brochure request line; calls cost 60p per minute).  
Website: www.cubatravel.cu

Caribbean Tourism Organisation in the UK

22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Cuban Interests Section in the USA

2639 16th Street, NW, Washington DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 797 8518/19/20.
Website: http://embacu.cubaminex.cu/sicw  

Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Cuba are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Travellers are warned that crime is on the increase. The most common problems are from opportunist theft and loss of travel bags, handbags, etc containing passports and funds. It is advisable to keep all your funds separated and to have a photocopy of your passport.

In view of serious accidents that have involved tourists, visitors are advised not to use mopeds or three-wheel Coco-Taxis for travel around Cuba.

The hurricane season in Cuba normally runs from June to November.

There are outbreaks of dengue fever in Havana and other parts of Cuba which the Cuban government is treating as a major health threat to the population. The Cuban authorities are taking extensive measures to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits the disease to humans.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• Cuba Overview
• Cuba Things to See
• Cuba Things to Do
• Cuba Events
• Cuba Climate
• Cuba Public Holidays
• Cuba Health
• Cuba Currency
• Cuba Passport & Visas
• Cuba Contact Addresses
• Cuba Travel Advice