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The electric current in the majority of the places and hotels is 110V/60hz with standard US-style two- or three-prong outlets, although there are some installations that have 220V/60hz (particularly those that cater to European clientele).
You should bring personal appliances rated for 110-volt current, or the appropriate converters. It is also a good idea to carry a three-to-two-prong adapter for any appliance you have that has a three-prong plug.
Any possession, consumption and traffic of narcotic drugs and other substances are penalized regardless of the type and amount of drugs. Exception is made for drugs of personal use accompanied by the corresponding doctor prescription letter.
If arrested in Cuba, in possession of drugs, you are exposed to prison sentences of up to 30 years and even the death penalty, irrespective the amount of drugs seized by the police at the time of arrest.
Spanish is the official language in Cuba. There are no dialects. However, each region has its expressions and ways of pronounciation.
Compared to the standard Spanish, the language reflects the mixture of the mother tongue of different races and the influence of words from the Canary Islands as well as aborigine and African words is very distinctive. As examples of aborigine language presence we have Habana, Jagua and Guanahacabibes, while congrí, malanga and conga are of African origin.
Another characteristic example of typical Cuban Spanish is the use of the word compañero/compañera (meaning "comrade"). Like in most Socialist states, the term is used instead of the common señor/señora.
English is spoken at most tourist hotels and some restaurants and attractions. Outside of the tourist areas, English is not widely spoken, and some rudimentary Spanish will help you a lot.
There are not many dry cleaners and laundromats in Cuba. Hotels normally provide a laundry service, which can sometimes be expensive. Your best bet is to ask at your casa particular when you stay in one. You will be charged around 3 CUC for a full bag of laundry. Expect to pay a bit more if you want your clothes ironed.
In the event your wallet has been lost or stolen, contact immediately your credit card company. Also take the time to file a report at the nearest police station, as your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss.
Most credit card companies have a toll-free emergency number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two.
If you need cash over the weekend when all banks are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (toll-free number tel. 800 325 6000; www.westernunion.com).
You can get stamps at post offices (correos), gift shops, and the front desk in most hotels. The cost of a postcard or letter to the US or Canada is 0.75 CUC, and it takes about 3 weeks for delivery. A postcard to Europe costs 0.65 CUC and a letter to Europe is 0.75 CUC.
Packages can be sent from principal post offices (correos) only. A package of up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lb.) will cost 10 to 20 CUC, depending upon the destination country.
The Cuban postal system is extremely slow and untrustworthy. Also count on every package and piece of mail being opened and inspected.
To send anything of value you better send via an international courier service. DHL, Calle 26 and Avenida 1, Miramar, La Habana (tel. (7)204 1876; www.dhl.com), provides coverage to most of Cuba. Note that packages sent overnight to US addresses tend to take 3 to 4 days to reach their destination.
Most car-rental agencies and many hotels will give you a free map of La Habana and of Cuba. Most tourist gift shops and Infotur offices (see also “Tourist offices”) carry more detailed maps. If you're buying a map before your trip, try to get the International Travel Map: Cuba (ITMB Publishing; www.itmb.com). Alternatively, you can find some detailed maps on www.cubamapa.com.
However, if you plan to drive around Cuba by car you should purchase the Guia de Carreteras available in La Habana.
Cuba´s most widely read newspaper is the Granma. The name comes from the yacht Granma that carried Fidel Castro and 81 other rebels to Cuba's coast in 1956 launching the Cuban Revolution. It will come as no surprise, that this thin, Spanish-language newspaper is the official newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party. Its contents confirms this: speeches of leaders of the Cuban government, short pieces on the history of Cuba´s revolution, news regarding the socialist revolution and other party information. Other national and international news is also covered albeit scarcely. The normal edition is published six days a week (not Sundays). Several international editions, available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Turkish and Portuguese, are printed weekly and are also distributed abroad. The English on-line version can be read through the following link: http://www.granma.cu/ingles/
A handful of other daily and weekly newspapers are published, and are usually even harder to find than Granma. These include Trabajadores, Juventud Rebelede, and a number of regional papers.
Probably the most useful magazine for travelers is the bilingual cultural publication Cartelera, which is however hard to get hold on. Try front desks of hotels in La Habana.
The Cuban government recognizes the importance of tourism and tourists for its economy. It goes to show: a police agent will never be far away, especially near and around tourist attractions. As a general rule, they are helpful and easily approachable.
Nationwide, you can dial 116 for police, although you should not expect to find an English-speaking person on the other end of the line.
There are no hard-and-fast rules, but most shops and department stores are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Some shops close for an hour for lunch. Those that cater to tourists, tend to have slightly more extended hours, and are usually open on Saturday and Sunday.
Although Fidel gave up his Cohiba cigars years ago, many Cuban did not. In 2005 Cuba introduced a smoking ban in closed public places, but it is not really enforced. Most restaurants have non-smoking areas.
You will not find many public toilets in Cuba. You must usually count on the generosity of some hotel or restaurant, or duck into a museum or other attraction. Although it is rare that a tourist would be denied the use of the facilities, you should always ask first.
In general, the sanitary conditions of public toilets in Cuba are high compared to those found in developing countries, although toilet seats are sometimes missing. Always bring toilet paper with you wherever you go, as there may not always be an attendant who hands out toilet paper. When leaving the toilet facilities you are expected to either leave a tip, or pay a specified fee. If the restrooms are not clean and you do not take the toilet paper offered, do not feel obliged to tip. Otherwise, leave 0.10 or 0.25 CUC.
There are no direct or specific taxes on goods or services in Cuba. However, some tourist restaurants have begun adding a 10% service charge onto their bills. However, this charge goes to the restaurant and not the Cuban government. The waiter does not see any of it, so you will need to leave a cash tip for too.
There is a 25 CUC departure tax to be paid in cash upon leaving the country, right after check in.
In the event you have some specific questions regarding Cuba, the below indicated tourist offices can be of help:
Caribbean Tourism Organisation in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: +(020) 8948 0057.
More info: www.onecaribbean.org
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Cuban Tourist Board in the UK
154 Shaftesbury Avenue (first floor), London WC2H 8HL, UK
Tel: +(020) 7240 6655
or 09001 600 295 (24-hour brochure request line; calls cost 60p per minute).
More info: www.travel2cuba.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Cuban Tourist Board in the USA
80 Broad St, Ste 3200, NY, NY 10004
Tel: +(212) 635 9530
More info: www.caribbeantravel.com
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Once in Cuba you can get tourist information at the Infotur offices, the state-run tourist information centers with offices throughout Cuba (see more detail clicking on the following link: http://www.infotur.cu/donde.aspx). Besides tourist information, they provide maps, telephone cards, copy, printing and fax services, internet and e-mail facilities etc.
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