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.
