Frequently asked questions
Where is Cuba located?
The Cuban archipelago is formed by the Cuban Island - the greatest of the Antilles, the Isla de la Juventud (Island of youth),
and around 4195 islets and keys with a surface of 110 992 km, located in the Caribbean Sea by the Mexican Gulf.
It is a distance of 140 km from the Bahaman islands, 146 km from Jamaica, 180 km from Florida (USA) and 210 km from Cancun (Mexico).
Where can I find tourist information about Cuba?
What is the weather in Cuba like?
Climate in Cuba is moderate subtropical, with generally warm temperatures. There are 330 days of sun light during the year.
There are two seasons: rainy season (May to October) and dry season (November to April). The average air temperature is 25.5°C and the
average temperature of the coastal waters is 25°C. The annual average humidity rating is 78 percent.
Is a visa necessary to travel to Cuba?
All visitors should have a valid passport or tourist document issued in their name and the corresponding visa.
The application for the last can be done in the consular seats of the different countries. There are two types of tourist document or visa:
The first, for individuals, and the second one for groups. Business men, journalists, and natives from Cuba who are not residents or are of
a different nationality, must apply for a visa in a Cuban consulate. For U.S. residents, entrance to the country is not registered in the passport.
Is vaccination required?
There are only sanitary restrictions for visitors coming from countries with diseases such as endemic yellow fever and cholera,
or that have been declared infectious zones by the World Health Organization (WHO), in this case, the International Vaccination Certificate
is required.
Which are the main Cuban destinations and attractions?
Cuba aims to offer the visitor a vast number of different choices in order to make it a competitive travel destination.
There are many regions, all of them with their own atmosphere, each suited to a different kind of traveller. The main destinations are Havana,
Varadero, Holguin, Jardines del Rey (Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo), Cayo Largo del Sur, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Lucia de Cuba, Trinidad,
Cienfuegos, Pinar del Rio, and many other destinations including the Peninsula de Zapata, Villa Clara, Granma, Las Tunas and Baracoa.
What is the most appropriate clothing to take to Cuba?
The Cuban climate is hot most of the year so people wear light, fresh clothes. During the day informal clothing is mostly worn and at night,
light but slightly more elegant. Although, when attending solemn ceremonies, business meetings, dinners, diplomatic meetings or visits to clubs,
formal clothes are more appropriate. It is recommended that you wear light clothes, preferably cotton, at both day and night.
For our brief winter (December to March) a light jersey is enough, especially to ride air-conditioned buses.
What are Cuban custom regulations?
The Cuban custom house allows travelers to enter the country with the necessary personal assets. The custom house taxes 100% worth of the cost
of the product announced by the visitor, except personal assets and 10 kg of medicines (see ‘Regulations’ in “General Info”).
The following items are forbidden from import: "Freezers of more than seven cubic feet of capacity"; “Air conditioners";
“Electric kitchens and furnaces - of all types, models and capacities"; “Electric ovens - of all types, models and capacities,
including micro waves"; “Electric showers - of all types.” Exporting works of art is allowed, as well as antiques Cuban flora and fauna
species and other legally protected cultural goods provided the documentation from the corresponding institutions is obtained and presented.
The maximum worth of other exported goods is 1000 dollars. Craftsmanship exports do not require documentation.
For more information please visit www.aduana.islagrande.cu
Can I export an unlimited amount of cigars from Cuba?
When leaving the country, the free export of 50 cigars is allowed, loose or in containers and there is no need to present any document. If travelers want to export more than the amount mentioned (50), they must ask for the official invoice in the institutions appointed for that matters by Habanos S.A. company, where they were obtained and hand in a copy in the custom house. The cigars must be in the original containers, with the official authorization, including the new holographic seal. If the product does not fulfill the illicit acquisition’s essential requirements, the custom house will be able to confiscate it. For more information please visit: www.aduana.islagrande.cu/tabaco3.htm
Where can I rent a car in Cuba?
There is a transportation network which guarantees safe and efficient travel to and from all destinations, and their connections to tourist regions and their sites. A wide road and path network (around 50 000 km, from which 14 000 km are highways and asphalt roads) connect it to the main settlements. You can rent a car and travel around Cuba; enjoy each and every detail of its natural magic. Ask for services in the different rental car outlets in the 14 provinces, through the tourist transport enterprises: - Cubacar - Micar - Rex - Rent a Car Vía.
Is health care available in all Cuban hotels?
More than 95% of hotels ensure primary health care. There are also eight international clinics –for treatments of greater care- in Pinar del Rio, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Cayo Coco, Santa Lucia, Guardalavaca and Santiago de Cuba. It is recommended that you travel to Cuba with full medical insurance, which can be applied for on the Island through the company set up for traveller’s assistance, Asistur S.A. (www.asistur.cu).
Can I ask for extra time as well as changes in the type of tourism?
To ask for extra time or change the type of tourism, you should consult the tourism bureau in your hotel or the nearest tourism offices.
Are there places for sport hunting and fishing?
Sport hunting and fishing is standardized by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As stated, the export of live or dissected species, and goods made out of protected species, is prohibited. The export of goods made from species of flora and fauna is allowed if they are protected by a Certificate of the Management Authority of CITES in Cuba.
How can I pay for products and services in Cuba?
All payments and transactions in Cuba will be carried out using the CUC (Cuban convertible currency). Prices of tourist facilities are in CUC (Cuban convertible currency) and Euros (according to the tourist destination). The current exchange rate of CUC in relation to USD is at 1.08, meaning the CUC has been rated 8% above USD, in other words 1 CUC = 1.08 USD. For tourists who would like to pay with credit cards, those issued by US banks will not be accepted; furthermore a different exchange rate applies, that being 1.1124 (1.08 change type by 1.03 by sales margin of CUC against foreign currency). Accepted credit cards are, Cabal, Transcard, Visa and MasterCard International, unless they have been issued by US banks or any of their branches. In the case of EURO, CAD or any other for bank transfers as a cash payment in the country, the exchange rate will be according to that day’s exchange rate. There is also payment means of national use emitted by the Banco Financiero Internacional (BFI cards) and the banks of Crédito y Comercio, Metropolitano, Popular de Ahorro and BICSA (RED cards). With the implementation of the Euro in six Cuban destinations (Varadero, Jardines del Rey, Cayo Largo del Sur, the North of Holguín, Playa Covarrubias in Las Tunas and Playa Santa Lucía in Camagüey), tourists who use that currency will have better access to hotels and their services in these regions.
Is it possible to take pictures and film freely in Cuba?
You can take pictures and film freely in Cuba, except in restricted areas such as military zones among others. Museums and other places of interest have specific regulations. To take colour pictures, the best time is between 09:30 hours and 11:30 hours, and after 16:00 hours.
