Public health
Cuba's system of primary health care covers the entire
country and is considered to be unique in Latin America. Health services are
free for all Cubans. There is an extensive network of centres (442 health
clinics and 281 hospitals), in addition to other specialized institutions. The
infant mortality rate is 7.1 per thousand live births and life expectancy at
birth is 75.2 years. Cuba is among the six nations of the world that produces
interferon (INF). Its type B and C meningitis vaccinations and hepatitis B are
unique in the world. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the
existence of 211 research-production scientific centres and institutes.
Immigration regulations
Cuba demands valid passport and the corresponding visa or
tourist card, issued by your travel agent or the Cuban consulate of your country
of origin; except for the countries with which Cuba has agreements of free visa.
Customs Regulations
Exempt from payment of import duty: goods for personal use, personal jewellery, photo or
video cameras, sport and fishing gear, bicycles, camping tent, sports
equipments, laptops, binoculars, equipments for recording and reproducing
sounds, portable type writers, two spirit bottles, a round of cigarettes and up
to 10 Kg of medicine.
Passengers importing other articles in addition to their
personal items must fill out the Customs Declaration form providing all the
information required in this document.
If a passenger is carrying an amount in cash exceeding
$5000,00 USD or the equivalent amount in other currencies when entering, the Customs Declaration form must be filled out, as well.
Prohibitions for arrival and departure: Drugs, narcotics
and psychotropics, excluding those of personal use with their correspondent
prescription, explosives, fire arms and ammunitions, unless when submitting the
expressed authorization from the appropriate institution,
hemoderivates, pornographic and obscene books, magazines, goods
Prohibitions for departure only (export): Art goods if not
authorized with a permit, manuscripts, incunabula (books printed before 1500);
books, brochures and foreign or Cuban serial editions printed from 16th to 18th
century, Cuban books of “R” Edition, endangered species, especially protected,
of flora and fauna (Agreement CITES); more than $100.00 Cuban National Currency
(CUP) or more than $200.00 Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC).
Prohibitions for arrival only (import): Electronic
devices, such as freezers having a capacity exceeding 7 feet, air conditioners, cookers and
electric ranges including electrical resistance, ovens and microwaves, showers,
fryers, water heater, irons having a consumption exceeding 290 watts/hour with
spray or 703 watts/hour with spray and steam, bread toasters.
When leaving the country, the free export of 50 cigars is
allowed, loos or in containers and there is no need to present any document. If
travellers want to export more than the amount mentioned (50), they must ask for
the receipt at the establishment 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 fulfil the licit
acquisition’s essential requirements, the custom house will be able to
confiscate it.
If you acquire fresh paintings and sculptures in the
points where they are sold, make sure that they have the seal which authorizes
their export or request the corresponding permit indispensable requirement to
take them out of the country.
The payment for the transportation of luggage overload to
the airline from the place of departure does not exempt the traveller from
paying the correspondent tax, according to the value of the goods.
The departure tax at Cuban international airports is 25.00
CUC (Cuban convertible pesos)
Entering by sea
Before reaching Cuban jurisdictional waters (12 miles from
the insular platform), communicate with the port authorities via HF (SSB) 2760
(national coastal net) and 2790 (tourist net), or VHF, channels 68 and 16 with
the first and 19 for the second.
Sanitary regulations
Travelers coming from countries with yellow fever and
endemic cholera, or those declared infected by the WHO must present a
vaccination certificate issued 10 days before entering Cuba.
It is possible to import meat, only when properly canned
and sterilized; vegetables, if properly processed industrially as dairy
products. Fresh and dry fruit must have the corresponding agricultural health
certificate.
If you travel with animals, plants or products not
complying with the aforementioned requisites you must contact with Cuban
sanitary authorities to know the applicable regulations to each case.
Photos, videos, ...
There are special regulations for museums. It is strictly
forbidden to take pictures or film military areas and some industrial centres,
factories or research centres where prior authorization is needed.