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You'll make plenty of new friends. Take lots of film or memory and batteries for your camera.
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Sunblock lotion! Lower latitude sun can burn you in minutes.
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WHAT TO TAKE ON A CUBA EDUCATION TOUR
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Less is better when traveling to Cuba.
Clothing Cuba is a wonderfully warm, tropical island, so cotton and other light fabrics are ideal for most activities. Keep in mind, however, that resorts, restaurants, tour buses and other public areas are generally air conditioned. During wintertime, which is slightly cooler, we recommend bringing a light coat or sweater. For the rainy season (May to October), an umbrella will come in handy.
Casual is the order of the day in Cuba (no suits or ties). However, visitors who enjoy elegant dining, theatre and other sophisticated entertainment tend to dress sharp for these occasions. Laundry services are provided at hotels and resorts for a fee.
Packing The best rule is to pack once, then cut it by half. Airline weight limits change constantly. Check with your airline prior to packing to avoid over weight luggage fees. Consider leaving some space for humanitarian donations.
Here's a handy checklist of personal items customized for Cuba travel. Just bring what you think you'll need. |
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YOUR CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES
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Underwear and socks
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Shirts and Tshirts
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Sunglasses, umbrella, sun screen
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Sweater or light jacket
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Skirt or slacks for evening events
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Cap or sun hat (purchase in Cuba)
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Pants and shorts
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Swim suit and towel
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Belt, watch, alarm clock, fanny pack or money belt
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Comfortable shoes (don't break in new shoes on this trip)
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Waterproof sandals
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Prescription glasses
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YOUR MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
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Face cloth, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, comb, hair brush (avoid hair dryers and irons)
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If you are sensitive to foreign food and water bring Keopectate or Imodium.
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Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash
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If you use prescription drugs bring a two week supply
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Shaver and supplies
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Deodorant, fragrance, moisturizer
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Band-Aids or a miniature first aid kit
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Fingernail clippers, lip balm
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One roll of toilet paper, sanitary napkins or tampons, condoms
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Insect repellent such as citronella essence
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Earplugs (if trouble sleeping)
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Vitamins, aspirin or equivalent
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YOUR OTHER HANDY TRAVEL ITEMS
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Electricity is 110 and 220 AC. A 220 adapter may be useful
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Snacks, dried fruits and nuts
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Camera, lots of film, memory, batteries. iPod, CDs, batteries
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Pocket knife (pack in check-in luggage), cigarette lighter, candle
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Rubber-bands, plastic bags, super glue, safety pins, sewing kit
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Novel, guide book, Spanish dictionary, phrase book, note book, pens, pencils
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MONEY, DOCUMENTS, PROHIBITED ITEMS, COMMUNICATIONS
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We suggest a minimum of $75 a day to cover meals and entertainment not included in your tour package, gratuities, gifts, long distance calls, internet, and Cuban Airport departure fee of 25CUC
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Click here for more current information on today's exchange rates and money matters in Cuba including details on credit cards, debit cards and travelers checks
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Your passport, a photocopy of your passport, your flight tickets and Cuban tourist card
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Addresses, phone list of friends, family, doctor, employer, and personalized calling cards
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DO NOT BRING GPS devices, any kind of weapon, narcotics, pornography, or anti-Cuba literature. See Cuban Customs website
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Cell phones are costly to operate in Cuba. We suggest purchasing a phone card on the island and using local services. If you must take your cell phone to Cuba, here's the website for Cubacel (in Spanish)
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Internet access is generally available at hotels for a fee of between 5 to 10 CUC per hour. Internet cafés are also common for similiar fees. It is difficult to connect your laptop to these services. Cuban bandwidth is limited to 56K phone modems as a result of the U.S. blockade.
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GENERAL TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS
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Safety Cuba is considered amongst the safest countries in the world with a very low crime rate. Yet we advise visitors to exercise the same precautions as anywhere else – do not leave personal belongings unattended. Ostentatious display of jewelry and electronic equipment invites pickpockets. Travelers should consider using a lockbox at hotels for valuables, documents and cash.
Entering the country All visitors must have a passport that is valid throughout the course of their stay, as well as a tourist card (issued by travel agents and airlines prior to departure). Business travelers need a valid passport and a commercial visa (issued by Cuban Consulates in Canada).
Tourist Card A Cuban tourist card (for Canadians) allows its holder to stay in Cuba for 90 days from the date of entry onto the island, and is valid for one entry into Cuba. For a stay of more than 90 days, one can request an extension for another three months at any tourism office in Cuba, for a maximum stay of six months. Children, regardless of their age, also require a tourist card, even if they are registered on their parents passports. See instructions for how to fill out a Cuban tourist card properly.
Leaving Cuba Be sure to save 25.00 Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) in cash for your airport departure tax. Visitors leaving Cuba can take out unlimited boxes of cigars as long as they've been purchased at state stores and you have a receipt. Visitors can only take out 23 cigars with no receipt or those that were purchased from street vendors. You can take out unlimited amounts of liquor, but remember your home entry limitations. To export other items, such as art and antiques, obtain a permit from the National Registry of Cultural Objects (legitimate artists issue such permits and official stamps).
Animal and plant exports Strict rules apply to taking plants and animals out of Cuba. The Convention on International Trading in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits taking the following out of the country: indigenous flora and fauna; live or preserved specimens and articles made from parts of endangered species. However, articles made from species approved by the CITES Administrative Authority in Cuba may be taken out of country.
Taxis For personal transportation, take an official taxi such as Pana Taxi (tel 855-5555). Private cabs are simply not worth the hassle, nor are they cheaper!
Photography and filming Photos and videos can be taken freely, except in restricted areas, such as military zones. Some museums may also have restrictions or request a fee. Be considerate and avoid embarrassment – ask first.
Water While most foreigners and Cubans have no problems with the water, we recommend you drink bottled water at all times.
Healthcare Travelers to Cuba are under no health restrictions and require no vaccinations or inoculations. All hotels have a doctor or nurse in residence or on call who guarantee primary care. Every major city has an international medical clinic that handles more complex medical conditions. Visitors might consider purchasing interruption and extended medical insurance before traveling. Discuss this with your travel agent.
Electrical equipment Cuba's electricity standard is 110 volts, 60Hz (North American), but many new hotels and resorts use bot 110 and 220 volts. Electrical outlets take flat plug prongs. If you're bringing electrical appliances, check with your hotel before you leave to see if you need a 110v to 220v adaptor or converter.
Donations Any thing you bring to Cuba can be left behind for hospitals and schools – a good way to free up luggage space for returning gifts and souvenirs. However unwanted items should not be given to Cuba service staff in place of monetary tips (see below). For more information on donations to Cuba, click here. |
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CUBA LAND TRAVEL DISTANCES IN KILOMETERS
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Havana
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157
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Pinar del Río
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87
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244
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Matanzas
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121
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278
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34
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Varadero
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268
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425
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195
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205
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Santa Clara
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232
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389
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177
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180
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61
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Cienfuegos
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340
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546
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324
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297
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92
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147
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Sanctí Spiritus
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434
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591
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396
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361
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146
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221
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74
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Ciego de Avila
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534
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691
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498
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461
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246
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321
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174
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90
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Camagüey |
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654
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811
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618
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581
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365
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441
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294
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220
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90
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Las Tunas
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730
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887
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694
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667
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401
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517
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370
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325
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196
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76
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Bayamo
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689
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846
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653
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696
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400
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476
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329
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240
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140
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35
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70
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Holguín
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847
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904
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811
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774
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409
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634
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487
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442
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313
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193
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130
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135
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Santiago
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891
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1048
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840
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818
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403
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678
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531
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486
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357
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237
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174
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179
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44
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Baracoa
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929
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1086
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893
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856
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640
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716
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569
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524
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396
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275
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212
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199
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82
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126
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G'tmo
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Cuba is considered amongst the safest countries in the world, and no vaccinations are necessary.
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Be generous We encourage tour participants to leave behind Tshirts, shoes and shorts, and hygiene products as donations for Cuban schools and hospitals.
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CUBA TRAVEL RESOURCES
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Learn Spanish Today (Free online course) Our favorite. Allows you hear and read many common words and phrases (with pictures) in Spanish with 26 modules.
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Study Spanish (Free online course) This site offers free Spanish grammar tutorials consisting of eight sessions.
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Translation Service (Free) Fast and fairly accurate: English to/from Spanish.
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 Weather.Com Hourly climate reports on Havana and environs, climate maps and ten day forecasts for the island.
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OUR CHOICE OF GUIDE BOOKS
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Lonely Planet's "Cuba" 4th Edition, 2006
ISBN: 174059746X
496 pp / 16 pp color / 65 maps
This is the least biased and most practical guide including places to stay, currency, music hot spots, tips on street food and eateries, 65 maps, national parks, and an overview of island social, economic and political life. |
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TIME/TEMP IN HAVANA NOW!
Island-wide annual averages:
Summer temp average: 81F | 27C
Winter temp average: 72F | 22C
Ocean temp average: 78F | 25.5C
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Climate overview
Suggested gifts for your new Cuban friends
