Need to Know
Currency
Visas
Money
Cell Phones
Time
When to Go
High Season (Nov–Mar, Jul & Aug)
APrices are 30% higher and hotels may require advance bookings.
APrices are at their highest around Christmas and New Year.
AWeather is cooler and drier November to March.
Shoulder (Apr & Oct)
ALook out for special deals outside of peak season.
APrices and crowds increase over Easter.
Low Season (May, Jun & Sep)
ASome resort hotels offer fewer facilities or shut altogether.
AThere's a hurricane risk between June and November and a higher chance of rain.
Useful Websites
BBC (www.bbc.co.uk) Interesting correspondent reports on Cuba.
Cubacasas.net (www.cubacasas.net) Information, photos and contact details for casas particulares.
Info Cuba (www.cubainfos.net) Excellent collection of web pages focusing mainly on Cuba's resort areas. In French and English.
La Habana (www.lahabana.com) Art, culture, business and travel in Havana.
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba) Destination information, articles, hotel bookings, traveler forum and more.
Important Numbers
To call Cuba from abroad, dial your international access code, Cuba's country code (53), the city or area code (minus the '0,' which is used when dialing domestically between provinces), and the local number.
| Emergency | 106 |
| Directory assistance | 113 |
| Police | 106 |
| Fire | 105 |
Exchange Rates
| Argentina | ARS$1 | CUC$0.12 |
| Australia | A$1 | CUC$0.80 |
| Canada | C$1 | CUC$0.80 |
| Europe | €1 | CUC$1.12 |
| Japan | ¥100 | CUC$0.85 |
| Mexico | MXN$1 | CUC$0.07 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | CUC$0.75 |
| UK | £1 | CUC$1.50 |
| US | US$1 | CUC$1.00 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com.
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than CUC$80
ACasa particulare: CUC$25–45
AMeal in government-run restaurant: CUC$10–15
AMuseum entry: CUC$1–5
Midrange: CUC$80–170
AMidrange hotel: CUC$50–120
AMeal in paladar (private restaurant): CUC$15–25
AVíazul bus travel: Havana–Trinidad CUC$25
Top End: More than CUC$170
AResort or historic hotel: CUC$200–300
ACar hire or taxi: CUC$60–70
AEvening cabaret: CUC$35–60
Opening Hours
Banks 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday
Cadeca money exchanges 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, 9am to noon Sunday. Many top-end city hotels offer money exchange late into the evening.
Pharmacies 8am to 8pm
Post offices 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday
Restaurants 10:30am to 11pm
Shops 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, 9am to noon Sunday
Arriving in Cuba
Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí (Havana) There are no regular buses or trains running direct from the airport into the city center. Taxis cost CUC$25 to CUC$30 and take 30 to 40 minutes to reach most of the city center hotels. You can change money at the bank in the arrivals hall.
Other international airports Cuba has nine other international airports, but none of them has reliable public transport links; your best bet is always a taxi. Agree fares beforehand.
Getting Around
Buses are the most efficient and practical way of getting around.
Bus The state-run Víazul network links most places of interest to tourists on a regular daily schedule. Cubanacán runs a less comprehensive conectando service. Local buses are crowded and have no printed schedules.
Car Rental cars are quite expensive and driving can be a challenge due to the lack of signposts and ambiguous road rules.
Taxi Taxis are an option over longer distances if you are traveling in a small group. Rates are approximately CUC$0.55 per kilometer.
Train Despite its large train network, Cuban trains are slow, unreliable and lacking in comfort. For stoics only!