Isn't
Cuba a dangerous country?
Actually,
Cuba has the lowest crime rate in the Western Hemisphere! You will be surprised by the visible police presense in Cuba. They are there specifically to protect and help tourists.
Foreign
currency and/or convertible pesos (CUC) are vital to their economy, they bend over backwards to make sure everyone has a safe and pleasant
stay.
Altough,
be aware of your belongings in cities like Havana and Santiago de
Cuba just like in every capital city
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Do
they have Internet & E-mail access there?
Yes
It
is rare, however, for ordinary Cubans to have internet access.
Almost
all hotels have at least 1 or 2 computers to go on the internet
for foreigners.
In the touristic areas there also are internet "cafés" from Etecsa the Cuban telephone/internet provider.
Forget about uploading pictures because the Cuban internet is very slow, about 56 Kbs if you are lucky. Also using USB sticks is 99% not possible.
The
Caribbean is so expensive ... how much will it cost?
First of all, in comparisson with other Caribbean islands Cuba isn't expensive. You can not compare Cuba with the mainland of any country in specific not with prices in Asia.
For
the price of a hotel room on most other islands in the caribbe,
all of your daily expenses will be covered in Cuba. Your airfare
will be your most expensive single item.
I find
that CUC 75 - 100 is typically more than enough for a casa, food,
transportation and "incidentals".
Low
budget travelers can do with 50 cuc per day.
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What
is the best time to go to Cuba, and what is the cheapest period?
March,
April October and November are the months with the nicest weather and less rain.
The
high season in Cuba is July / August
Peak Season is December
/ January/ February (Canadians)
Hurricane season is from June 1 till November 30
For
a more detailed weather info check out the General Info page
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Do
I need a Visa and a passport?
Yes
and yes
Cuba
will give you a visa / touristcard, however, you must acquire the
visa before you arrive.
You can accomplish this by contacting the nearest Cuban Embassy
or Consulate in your country, except for
citizens of the USA, whom wil be issued a visa onboard their flights
to Cuba.
Passports
Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months left till it expires,
calculated from your departure date ...
More
about the do's and don'ts in the "Vamos" page
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They
told me I need to a book an hotel, but I want to stay in a Casa
Particular?
Cuban
unwritten rules say: you have to book a hotel for the first night.
If you only booked a flight you must fill in your visa, the old version of the visa
will ask you in which hotel you are staying ... fill in any address
of a hotel and look really innocent going through customs ...
The
experience tells, it is also ok to fill in any address of a licensed
casa particular. However ... IF customs has a strict day they can
demand to book a hotel, if you didn't they will
make a reservation for you.
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Yikes!!
I don't speak Spanish... !!!
Some
Spanish is a definite plus. I suggest you learn a few simple phrases.
However, many Cubans speak English and many of the people we will
be in contact with speak English very well also. Cubans are very patient, don't worry, they will wait for you to
find the right word.
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Electricity
Cuba
has 110 volt, some more luxury hotels
also 220.
Socklet is as shown at the picture.
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What
about money? and can I use my credit card?
Sure
... as long as it's not drawn on an American bank. Unfortunately,
it's part of the US embargo restrictions on Cuba. No US travelers
cheques either. Americans have to carry cash.
Fortunately, almost all hotels have safes in the room. As for casa
particulares; mostly they are to trust, because the owners of a
casa are to frightend to loose their licensee because something
"bad" happened with a tourist in their home.
Cuba-Junky
does not recommend to use ATM's in Cuba. There are some of these
machines but also stories of travelers with bad experiences ...
an ATM machine in a bad mood can swallow your card, and it won't
be Cuba when somebody is there to help you get it back :)
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What
are the Casas Particulares Cuba-Junky recommend?
All
casa particulares at this website with an extensive explanation,
pictures etc. in specific the ones with a Special Casa sign
Besides this, some people write recommendations and experiences at the reviews areas, which
is usefull too
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I
hear many prescription drugs are not available in Cuba ... what
if I get sick?
Cuban
doctors are known throughout Latin America as the best trained doctors
in the region. However, they do lack many of the bare necessities
that we expect. "Tourist Pharmacies" DO stock many prescription
drugs. Nevertheless, I suggest bringing with you antibiotics, aspirin,
band-aids, anything you may need for personal hygiene, etc. just
in case. Besides, they make great gifts for the Cubans when you
leave.
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Can
I travel on my own or do I have to make a tour reservation?
You
can travel through Cuba on your own, however, sometimes it can be
a bit of an adventure. You can rent a car, grab a by bus, train,
or just hitch hike.
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I'm
a woman traveling alone. Is Cuba a safe place to travel for me?
Yes!
No problem ... but don't fall in love :) And don't go down dark
streets at night, the same streets you wouldn't go in in your own
hometown, and just be carefull while hitch hiking. Hitch hiking
should be considered as a last resort.
Use
you female instinct!
What
are the best places to visit in Cuba?
General
Well Havana, Trinidad, Vinales, Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, at least,
is the opinion of Cuba-Junky.
Nature
For
nature or eco tours go to Baracoa, Vinales, Topes de Collantes (Escambray),
Granma Province (Siera Maestra Mountains)
Beach
If you want to go into a resort relaxing at the beach: Varadero,
Jardines del Rey (Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo), Guardalavaca.
Scuba
Diving
Maria La Gorda is best but there are many other diving areas around
Cuba.
Can
you rent a bike or scooter in Cuba?
Yes, lots of hotels in resort areas have bikes for you to rent or otherwise outside of the hotel in the resort area.
As for cities ...
For bike rent Havana, this is the address:
Edificio
Metropolitano, San Juan de Dios esg. Aguacate, Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 860 8532
Costs
about 12 cuc a day.
But we recommend to bring your own
Can
you play golf in Cuba?
Yes,
in Varadero and Havana, both 9 holes golf courses.
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Where
can I have a cheap and decent dinner?
The
best dinners you will have at the Casa
Particular you are staying or at a Paladar
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What's
the best way to travel around Cuba?
Rent
a car or take the Viazul Bus
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What
and where are the best nightlife places to go in Cuba?
Many,
but the best to enjoy life music all around Cuba are the Casa de
la Trova's, located in almost every city around Cuba.
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Isn't
it illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba?
Well,
technically, it's not illegal to travel to Cuba, but it is illegal
to spend money there.
Sound
confusing? It is a little.
In
a nutshell, due to the 40-year-old embargo imposed on the government
of Cuba after the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs Invasion,
Americans must adhere to the Trading with the Enemy Act which is
overseen by the Treasury Department and the Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC). It disallows the spending of money there so as not
to support the Cuban government.
How
do I get there anyway as a US citizen?
Flights
are available from New York City, Los Angeles and Miami for
those who are licensed by OFAC. However, you are eligible
to fly from anywhere you wish. Sometimes, it is faster, more
convenient and less expensive to fly through a third country.
Remember,
your US travel agent cannot book your flight INTO Cuba.
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