TRAVEL INFORMATION
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Documents needed to enter Cuba:
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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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IMPORTANT: Obligatory health insurance for travelers entering Cuba! >> more
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Leaving the country:
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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.
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Extension of the tourist card:
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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).
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Security
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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.
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Costs for restaurants, bars and nightclubs
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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.
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Dress
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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.
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Climate
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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).
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