Frequently Asked Questions


Do I need a visa?

A tourist visa is compulsory for entry to Cuba and is valid for 30 days from the day of arrival. One for each person will be forwarded with your documents together with instructions on completion, which is very straightforward. Any mistakes made whilst completing the visas will necessitate further cards being sent to you at a cost of £15.00 each. 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, and clients staying for longer than this may extend these locally with the help of our local representatives. If you are travelling to another country from Cuba and then returning, you will need another tourist visa in order to re-enter the country. 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.

Do I need any inoculations?

There are no current requirements for a certificate of vaccination but the Department of Health recommends typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. For the most up to date information please check the Department of Health’s free leaflet ‘Health Advice for Travellers’ (available from 0800 555777) or your General Practitioner. In general, standards of care, hygiene, safety, public services and efficiency may differ from those at home. You should accordingly exercise greater care for your own protection and health in matters of hygiene and choice of food and drink. In general, however, Cuba’s health facilities are good and some of the larger hotels have their own doctor on site. International clinics can be found in all the main resorts as well as Havana, Trinidad, Santiago and Cienfuegos. Remember to use plenty of mosquito repellent and keep covered in the evenings, especially at sunset. Many over the counter medicines are not commonly available (e.g. Imodium, TCP, Piriton, sanitary protection) and we recommend you take your own supply. Mains water is considered safe but bottled water is freely available should you prefer. Should you have to visit a doctor in Cuba, ensure you keep receipts for doctors’ fees or medicine paid for, as these will be required for any insurance claim on your return.

What currency do they use in Cuba?

There are currently two currencies in circulation in Cuba: the peso and the convertible peso (CUC). We do not recommend using the peso. The convertible peso is issued on a par with the US dollar, although they are of no use outside Cuba and must be changed before leaving the country. US dollars may not be used for commercial transactions within Cuba and there will be a 10% commission imposed for changing these into the convertible peso. We therefore strongly advise that cash and travellers' cheques should be in either sterling or euros to avoid paying this high level of commission. National Bank regulations apply to the import and export of foreign currency, and it is prohibited to import or export local Cuban currency. Please note also that exchange houses are not familiar with Scottish and Ulster banknotes and do not always accept them. Euros are accepted in Varadero, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Largo. Sterling travellers’ cheques are acceptable provided they are not issued by an American bank, but they can be difficult to change outside of Havana and the main resorts. As well as the major hotels they can be changed in exchange houses in Havana signposted CADECA (Casa de Cambio). Non-American issued credit cards are also acceptable; however, in these days of an increasing number of credit cards bearing individual names, it is very important to check that the card has not been issued by an American bank. Sometimes the name may sound British but the parent company will be American. Cash in Cuba can be drawn against Visa cards at the Banco Financiero Internacional, which has offices outside the Habana Libre hotel and other locations in Havana and Varadero. They are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: HOTELS AND OTHER OUTLETS ARE CURRENTLY CHARGING 11% COMMISSION ON ALL DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS.

What's the weather like?

Peak holiday months for visiting Cuba range from December through to March, although July and August are popular with Europeans. The quietest months are June, September and October. The conditions from December to March are pleasantly warm and dry, with an average daytime temperate of 25C. Between May and October temperatures rise to 30C with high humidity and some short-lived showers, usually in the afternoon or evening. The east, particularly in Santiago province, is much hotter than the west around Havana. Hotels and restaurants have air conditioning which can sometimes be uncomfortably cool, so make sure you take a light jacket or shawl for eating out, although remember the dress code in Cuba is very informal. Water temperatures can range from 24C in February to 28C between July and October. The sea is noticeably cooler in the north-eastern province.

What happens on arrival?

We recommend making a prompt exit from the aircraft on arrival, as queues at immigration can be lengthy and slow. Once you have cleared customs and collected your luggage you will proceed through automatic security doors. Please make yourself known to the Havanatour representative, who will then direct you to your transfer bus (if pre-booked). Your arrival transfer will be shared with other clients and there may be some waiting time whilst everyone clears customs. Private transfers may be booked and pre-paid. The local representative will advise you concerning pick up times for onward transfers from hotels and for your flight home. If you do not have a transfer it is very important that you still make yourself known to the representative so that he can give you important information about welcome meetings and contact details. English speaking representatives will be on duty for the following international flight arrivals: Air France, Virgin Atlantic and Cubana. Outside these arrival times, in the absence of a representative passengers may contact Havanatour personnel in the airport office, which can be found in Terminal 3 next to exit door C or alternatively in Terminal 2 on the second floor on the right of the exit door.

Is Cuba safe?

Cuba is generally considered a very safe destination but wherever you travel in the world the risk of theft, mugging etc. is always there, as indeed it is at home. Generally your own common sense prevails but take extra care when walking around cities or towns, especially at night and avoid carrying valuables, which should be left in the hotel safety deposit box. If you enjoy sea bathing, please remember that tides and other conditions may make this inadvisable. Be guided by our local representatives or your hotel. Beaches throughout the world are usually public property and therefore neither Havanatour nor hoteliers can be held responsible for their condition or safety.

What's the time difference?

Cuba is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

What kind of adaptor do I need?

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.

What's the food and drink like?

There is some Creole content in Cuban food but a wide range of international dishes is also on offer. Many larger resorts offer comprehensive buffets including a full range of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and desserts, which can be very sweet and include pastries, flans, caramel custard, etc. Outside the main resort areas, choices for vegetarians can be limited. Eating out can be done either in dollar restaurants or in private homes, called paladares. These enterprises, consisting of no more than 12 places, provide a good opportunity to meet Cubans in their home environment and provide a real taste of home cooking! Restaurant meals will cost between $15 and $30 dollars a head, whilst in private homes the cost will be between $8 and $15. 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. The local versions of Coke, Sprite etc. are available or you may also see ‘the real thing’ which has been imported from Mexico.

Do I need to tip?

Plenty of small notes and coins are advisable for tipping purposes to porters at hotels and airports, guides and drivers. This is a much appreciated source of income.

I’d like to take some gifts with me. What are the best items to take?

During the course of your stay in Cuba you will have many opportunities to meet with the locals who are very friendly and hospitable. The economic situation is very difficult and there are shortages of many everyday items, therefore it can be a great gesture to take a small number of presents to give to the Cubans that you meet. Such items as nicely wrapped toiletries (particularly soap), pens, pencils, writing paper or t-shirts make great presents.

Do I have to pay departure tax?

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 your holiday.