Search:

Go Cuba Fishing

A site about fishing in Cuba

Go Cuba Fishing is made by Fishermen, for Fishermen

Hints, going to Cuba
Nice to know, going to Cuba
Information which is nice to know when going to Cuba

Water & Electric
Water should not be drunk, even in hotel rooms, unless it has been boiled. However, most visitors drink purchased mineral water, which is widely available. Cuba operates on 110-volt AC nation-wide; though 220-volt is found in places, take an adapter with you. New eurpoean adaptors(NOT UK adaptors) for mobile phones etc. normally covers 110-230 volts and suits the sockets in Cuba.

Telephone, Email & Internet
You can use your mobile phone in Cuba, and you can also make local and international calls from your hotel room or a telephone centre in the hotel. Outgoing international calls can be made with a prepaid charge card from designated telephone centers. You can also hire mobile phones. There is some Internet centers for sending and receiving emails, and some hotels have computers for customers use.

Safety
Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel. Common sense applies to valuables in hotel rooms (there are safes available to rent in the room). Old and Central Havana are subject to occasional petty thieving and jewelry/bag snatching. Locals may try to sell you cigars etc. but theese are often expensive and the quality could be low.

Customs requirements
Customs is relatively easy with no forms to fill. Suitcases are X-rayed so electrical goods and food items may induce a search and possible confiscation until departure.

Women travelers
Women traveling on their own are generally safe but will be subject to lots of verbal cries from men and curiosity from everyone.

Beaches Resorts & Swimming Pools
Cuba has some beautiful beaches, many of which are largely unspoilt. There are a number of beach resorts east of Havana such as the Playas del Este within 20 minutes drive. Varadero is the best known and most developed, mainly for all-inclusive package holidays. Trinidad has a good beach situated on the Caribbean Sea. There are many excellent beaches in the east of Cuba. Escape islands with good beaches include Cayo largo and Cayo Coco. The sand in these places never gets hot owing to the formation from calcareous corals. Swimming is usually very good and safe. Scuba diving and snorkeling is excellent. Some hotels allow non-residents the use of swimming pools and may charge a small fee for this. Please note that due to recent changes in regulations Cuban nationals are now allowed to stay in tourist hotels.

Food and drink
Cooking is Creole and international. The Creole is a mixture of Spanish and African components. Cooking is still a bit bland though some of the Paladares (family run restaurants) have developed a bit more imagination, prices range from 10-18 cuc's. Commonest meat is pork; rice and beans are ubiquitous. Beef, lobster and prawns are only legally available in state restaurants at generally rip-off prices. Despite being an island, Cubans are not great fish eaters; nevertheless fish is available and specially lobsters. Cocktails are good with most being rum based. The national cocktail is a Mojito followed by Cuba Libre, Daiquiri. A refreshing drink is 'Limonada natural' which is fresh lemon juice with water. Light beers are available(Cristal and Bucanero most common). Wines are available but fairly expensive and not always very good. A Cuban/Italian wine exists. If you are self-catering there are a number of markets where you can buy fresh food, although limited in choice. You will find more variety in cuc shops or supermarkets. Vegetarians and vegans are not well catered for, but you will manage. There is an excellent veggie restaurant, the Bambu Restaurant, which overlooks the Japanese garden in the botanical garden in Havana. More veggie places are developing. Spices are rare in cuba, so if you are self catering, you'd better bring some.