Airport tax
Every passenger leaving the country will be charged airport tax 25 CUC. The tax is only payable at the airport and can not be paid in advance.
Business hours
Most of the shops are open between 08.30 – 12.30 and 14.00 – 19.00 hrs from Monday to Saturday. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08.30 – 14.30 hrs. Postoffices open from Monday to Friday and have mostly the same hours as the shops.
Climate
Moderate Tropical, with just two seasons: the rainy season, from May through October, and the dry season, from November through April. The average year-round humidity is 80 percent, and average rainfall, 1500 millimeters. January is the coldest month and together with December also the driest. The highest temperatures in Cuba are in July and August, but the trade winds provide a cooling breeze. Water temperatures along the coast are almost always warm, ranging between 25° and 28° Celsius. Ideal for swimming and/or scuba diving. The last few years Cuba has been hit by some hurricanes, our experience is that tourists at that time in Cuba have the utmost priority to keep them in safe places and they are well taken care off by the government.
Clothing
Light summer clothes are sufficient – linen/cotton. For the evening you might need a sweater. Restaurants may have the airconditioning high at night, so do not forget to bring your sweater. Dress is normally informal. If you visit a show or special occasion consult your hotel desk for the appropriate clothing.
Communications
Cuba has a network of telephone services which guarantee direct communication with any other part of the world and within it’s own territory.
Calling to Cuba: To call directly to Cuba you would have to dial the country code for Cuba (53) then the area code for the province you want followed by the telephone number you want. For a detailed list of area codes
Calling from Cuba: The best thing to do is buy a telephone card and make your call from a telephonebooth. Calling from your hotelroom is expensive. Telephone cards are mostly sold at the post-office and sometimes at your hotel-desk. In some areas you can use your mobile phone (T Mobile/KPN), for rates you should check with your local provider. Inform the people at home that reaching Cuba by phone might be very difficult sometimes. Internet is provided in special internet cafes and in big hotels.
Culture
In general, Cubans have a high cultural level, which makes them more talkative and sensitive. Various cultural manifestations such as literature, painting, movies ballet and modern dance have achieved great development in Cuba, and several Cubans in in these fields have attained world acclaim. Cuba has 265 museums, over 100 art galleries, around 70 theaters, 120 publishing houses, 354 public libraries, 315 community centers, 46 schools of art and an international film school located in San Antonio de los Baños, Havana Province.
Currency
Since November 2004 US dollars are not accepted anymore in Cuba. Instead of the US dollars tourists use the CUC (peso convertible for tourists). The locals use the Cuban Peso. We advise you to bring Euros and change them at local banks, casa de cambio “Cadeca” or at your hotel. If you change dollars in Cuba a 10% commission will be charged. Consult your bank for the daily exchange rate. For 1 Euro you will get the USD daily exchange rate in CUC. Before you leave the country we advise you to change back the left CUC to Euros or USD. In some parts of Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco) you can pay with Euros.
You can also use your creditcard at the bank to withdraw money (Visa/Mastercard/Eurocard not from an American bank). American Express and Diners Club are not accepted. Traveller cheques from Thomas Cook are the only travellers cheques accepted in Cuba. In Cuba you can not withdraw money from the ATM. |