Cuba is the Caribbean's
largest island and one of the world's last bastions
of communism. Its relative political isolation has
prevented it from being overrun by tourists, and locals
are sincerely friendly to those who do venture in.
Despite the formality of the colonial architecture,
Cuba is pretty relaxed, even in the larger towns.
The most frenetic it gets is in the middle of an enthusiastic
chachachá, and the loudest it gets is behind
one of the huge finned American cars chugging the
streets. If you want it even quieter, Cuba's backcountry
and beaches are perfect destinations for hikers, swimmers,
cyclists, spelunkers or those who just want to smoke
a fine cigar under a palm tree.
Electricity: 110V/230V, 60Hz
Time Zone: GMT - 5, April to Sept is Daylight Saving
time GMT/UTC -4
Dialling Code: 53
Festival Calendar
January 1st - Liberation Day - Commemorates Cuba’s
liberation from the Batista dictatorship.
January 28th - Birthday of Jose Marti, Cuba’s
most notable author and journalist, who has become
a national hero.
1st 2 weeks in February - Havana’s Jazz Festival
July 25th – 27th- Celebration of the National
Rebellion - Honours the attack on army barracks in
Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo. Most Cubans take this
holiday quite seriously, so many things shut down
Last 2 weeks of July and 1st week of August - Carnival
marking the end of the sugar harvest - celebrated
throughout the country with dancing and parades
Late August to early September - Havana’s International
Theater Festival
October 10th - Day of Cuban Culture - Marks the first
day of the War of Independence - celebrated throughout
the country with many musical events.
Late October - Havana’s International Ballet
Festival
Christmas - Unlike any of the other countries we visit,
Cuba does not celebrate Christmas and hasn’t
recognized it as a public holiday since 1969 when
it was feared that celebrations would disrupt the
sugar harvest and cause economic problems.
Currency
Credit cards are very useful for cash advances, Visa
being the most widely accepted. As of November 8,
2004 the US Dollar is no longer used as official currency.
The Convertible Peso (Cuban Dollar) is at a 1:1 rate
(equal) with the dollar, and can be acquired at any
change house with no problems, except when trying
to change US Dollars, to which a 10% fee will be applied
for every cash transaction. This means that if you
want to change $100 USD, you will get 90 Cuban Convertible
Pesos. Other currencies can be changed at no extra
fee. Please note that this applies only to US Dollar
cash transactions. People travelling in Cuba with
US Dollar credit cards can still use them for cash
advances.
Credit cards, travellers’ cheques, issued in
the US, and Eurocheques are not accepted anywhere
in Cuba. Visa travellers’ cheques issued in
USD are not a problem, neither are Visa and MasterCard
credit cards.
There is generally a small commission of 2 to 3% charged
for the use of either credit cards or travellers’
cheques. Banks and exchange houses are open from 8:30am
to noon and from 1:30pm to 3pm during weekdays, and
from 8am to 10am on Saturdays. Hotels will generally
change money at any time.
Visas
At present, a visa for stays of no longer than 4 weeks
is not required. A tourist card is, however, required
and can be purchased along with your airline ticket
or at Havana’s international airport for about
$25 convertible pesos. Citizens of Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia do not require
a tourist card. Please verify current requirements
prior to departure.
Health
Hepatitis
Several different viruses cause hepatitis and they
differ in the way that they are transmitted. The symptoms
in all forms of the illness include fever, chills,
headache, fatigue, feelings of weakness and aches
and pains, followed by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, dark urine, light-coloured faeces,
jaundiced (yellow) skin and yellowing of the whites
of the eyes. Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated
food and drinking water. Seek medical advice, but
there is not much you can do apart from resting, drinking
lots of fluids, eating lightly and avoiding fatty
foods. Hepatitis E is transmitted in the same way
as hepatitis A; it can be particularly serious in
pregnant women. Hepatitis B is spread through contact
with infected blood, blood products or body fluids,
for example through sexual contact, unsterilised needles
(and shaving equipment) and blood transfusions, or
contact with blood via small breaks in the skin. The
symptoms of hepatitis B may be more severe than type
A and the disease can lead to long-term problems such
as chronic liver damage, liver cancer or a long-term
carrier state. Hepatitis C and D are spread in the
same way as hepatitis B and can also lead to long-term
complications. There are vaccines against hepatitis
A and B, but there are currently no vaccines against
the other types. Following the basic rules about food
and water (hepatitis A and E) and avoiding risk situations
(hepatitis B, C and D) are important preventative
measures. Hepatitis A is a common problem among travellers
drinking tap water in areas with poor sanitation.
Best time to go
Cuba’s climate is considered subtropical, and
due to its long tapered shape, few places are far
from the Northeast trade winds that blow from the
coastal regions, giving Cuba pleasant temperatures
year round.
The dry season runs from November to April and the
wet season from May to October. Even in the rainy
season, downpours are short and heavy and should not
hinder travel plans. The only problematic months are
September and October, when hurricanes can pummel
the Northwest coast, but generally leave the eastern
seaboard unscathed. Cuba has had its share of these
tropical storms over the past few years.
Upon arrival
Once you’ve reclaimed your baggage and cleared
customs, you will be warmly welcomed to Cuba, assisted
with your luggage and taken you to your hotel by private
air-conditioned minivan/bus. Please do not leave the
airport terminal building unless you have made contact
with Amazing Peru staff. Also ignore the calls from
taxi drivers as your private transport has been provided
for you
Food and drink
Drink only bottled water. Pasteurised milk is widely
available. Avoid dairy products that are likely to
have been made from unboiled milk. Avoid street food
vendors and the cheaper restaurants.
What to eat
To try some typical foods, here is a selection of
what we recommend.
Ajicaco - A typical meat, garlic
and vegetable stew
Fritura de maíz - Corn fritters
Natilla - Vanilla pudding
Flan - A small Spanish caramel pudding
Tachinos or tostones - Fried green plantain chips
Plátano frito - Fried ripe banana
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