FAQs

• A tourist visa is compulsory for entry to Cuba and is valid for 30 days from the day of arrival.
• Tourist visas are not included in the cost of your trip (except in the case of the Brigades for which you will be provided with a special Brigade visa included in the cost).
• Please ensure that the tourist visa is filled in before you depart, as it will be requested at check-in with your ticket and passport. The tourist visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival.
• Whilst you are in Cuba, you must retain the tear-off part of the visa given to you by customs, as it will be required on departure.

• Cuba has two currencies, the Convertible Peso (CUC) which is issued on a par with the US dollar and used primarily by tourists and the Cuban Peso.
• It is highly recommended that you take GBP Sterling or Euros currency in cash which can be exchanged for Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) at Cadecas (official exchange kiosks) at José Martí international airport and various street locations in towns and cities or hotel reception desks.Some hotels/restaurants may charge an 11% credit card surcharge.
• Exchange offices in Cuba are not familiar with Scottish banknotes and will not accept them.
• The Convertible Peso (CUC) is of no use outside of Cuba and so must be changed before leaving the country.
• You can exchange GBP sterling for Cuban pesos at official kiosks, but you are unlikely to need them and will find it hard to spend.
• It is not advisable to take US dollars, they cannot be used and incur a very high exchange rate in banks/hotels.
• Non-American issued debit and credit cards can be used in Cuba both at shops and ATM’s, however you should check with your bank that they will be valid, as a bank with a US parent company will not authorise payment in Cuba. ATMs are also very few and far between.
• Please also check when you buy travellers’ cheques – travellers’ cheques issued by American Express and other American banks will not be accepted.
• You will not be able to change travellers’ cheques at the camp, you can at big hotels and banks, although you will be charged commission. Also banks often have extremely long queues.

For all Virgin economy flights, your checked in allowance is 23kg plus 6kgs carry on. For all Cubana flights your checked in allowance is 30kgs plus 8kgs carry on. It is recommend that you check directly with the airline with regards to permitted luggage sizing.

To reduce the weight of your luggage, wear your heaviest clothes during the flight - this will be the coldest you will be before you get back to Britain.

Be sure to take great care with valuables such as money, travellers’ cheques, tickets and your passport. While Cuba is among the safest places to visit (it has the lowest crime rate in the Carribbean) there is an element of petty crime and in some parts of Havana, particularly near the Malecón there is a problem of bag snatching. It is advisable not to walk at night in these areas and it is best to avoid carrying expensive items or jewellery.

As in any country please use your common sense to safeguard yourself and your belongings. We would recommend that all travellers refer to FCO website for latest travel advice.

Cuba is situated in the Caribbean, so it has a hot, tropical climate. November to April is the dry season with an average daytime temperature of 25C, however there may be short downpours of rain at any time. From May to October temperatures rise to 30C with high humidity and some short-lived heavy downpours of rain usually in the afternoon or evening. Cuba lies within a hurricane belt and Hurricane season is between August and October.

The east, particularly in Santiago province is much hotter than the west around Havana. Sun cream is advised for whatever time of year you visit.

Cuba is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

You should contact your GP for up to date vaccination information. If you have any long-term or recurrent medical problems - even minor ones - make sure you take sufficient drugs and the equipment you need with you.

Suggested items to take include:

• appropriate high factor sun protection cream
• after-sun lotion, insect repellent
• anti septic cream
• plasters
• surgical tape
• aspirin
• diarrhoea and laxative tablets
• indigestion tablets
• and any personal medicines you require.

Mosquitoes can be vicious, especially in the evenings, so dress accordingly, there are no malaria carrying mosquitoes in Cuba.

We recommend that you drink bottled water and this is readily available for sale in shops, restaurants and hotels.

Food served in hotels and restaurants reflects a Caribbean style of cooking. Pork, chicken and fish dishes are very popular as are rice, beans, malanga and other Caribbean vegetables. Choices for vegetarians in hotels and restaurants can be repetitive. The most famous drink in Cuba is of course rum, which is extremely cheap to buy and forms the basis of most of their cocktails! The locally produced beer is also very good and in the larger resorts there is usually a good selection of freshly squeezed juices, otherwise these tend to come in cartons.

Approximate Costs
Litre bottle of water = 1.50CUC
Cuban beer = 2.50CUC
Snacks = 5-10CUC
Lunch = 12-15CUC
Dinner = 15-20CUC

The cost of drinks in nightclubs can be very expensive. 40CUC for a bottle of rum.

(Please note, these prices are for Havana, prices in the provinces can be 10-20% lower).

Most of the sockets in the hotels are of the American, two pin, flat type although some are the round pin variety. The normal voltage is 110v although some of the more modern hotels have 220v. Most large resorts have hairdryers and shaver points in the bathroom.

A departure tax of CUC 25.00 is payable in cash at the airport on departure from Cuba. This tax is not included in the cost of your trip.