TRAVELING TO CUBA
The Right to Travel
Returning from Cuba
Addressing On Going
Harassment After You Return Home
Embassies in CUBA
CUBAN
EMBASSIES AROUND THE WORLD
Travel Agencies
 U.S.
Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
Consular
Information Sheet
Cuba facts
History of Cuba
Stay with a Cuban
Family- ROOM DIRECTORY
http://www.housecuba.com
CubaConfort.com
Cuba Budget Travel Guide
this website has
all the information
on traveling to Cuba you may need
Travel
Information
Cuba facts
History of Cuba
Cuba’s web site,
a bilingual propaganda and advertising page with event listings, courses,
and business and trade info.
Lonely
Planet, basic “what to see” info; for the nuts
and bolts how-to, you have to buy the book.
Cuba in
Brief, a fairly comprehensive summary of
geography, politics, history and society.
Virtual
Voyages Cuba Page, A comprehensive compilation
of information about airlines, hotels, rental cars, plus lots of
what-to-do info.
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Travel Requirements
Current passport
What to Pack
The climate is tropical, so dress accordingly. Lightweight,
loose fitting cotton will probably suit you best. Bring a light
jacket or sweater for the occasional over air-conditioned
restaurant or hotel.
Bring good walking shoes (Havana is definitely a walking city)
and a fold-up umbrella for those warm season downpours.
Medicines and toiletries are in short supply and can be very
expensive. It is recommended that you bring the following items:
Insect repellant
Sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen – all are vital! Do not
underestimate the tropical sun
A basic first aid kit containing aspirin, antacids,
antihistamines, antiseptic lotions and band aids
An extra pair of prescription glasses (not just the
prescription, as you will not be able to get it filled)
Pocket packs of tissues (as many of the public facilities are
lacking in toilet paper)
All film and photographic equipment you may need (these items
are very expensive)
No body will ask you for anything but keep in mind Cubans are in
dire need of many things donations are highly appreciated any
medication or any other items can be left behind
Currency
American dollars are accepted everywhere
(no currency exchange is necessary). However, credit cards and
travelers checks issues by American banks are NOT accepted.
Credit cards issued by other countries may be used. ATM machines
are NOT available. Insight Cuba participants are dependent
solely on the cash brought into the country.
Cuba has a growing network of ATMs (in conjunction with Italian
and Spanish banking systems)
throughout Cuba. Cubans, as well as foreigners, use them with
debit cards, but also with
(non-U.S.) credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, as well as
Transcard (a Canadian
company). An ever-increasing number of Cubans are turning to the
Transcard as a fast,
efficient, and less costly alternative to receiving remittances
via Western Union. The
problem with ATMs in Cuba, as with the entire telecommunications
system, is that they
don't have the reliability that we are accustomed to here in the
U.S. One can obtain money
and make purchases using a U.S.-issued Mastercard (but not Visa)
because the transactions
are now routed via Canadian and/or European banks and are
thereby "masked" from the U.S.
banking system. However, my statements clearly indicate that the
purchase or withdrawal
was made in Cuba.
Health and Safety
No immunizations are required to travel to Cuba.
Regulaciones migratorias
Todo visitante debe poseer un pasaporte
vigente a su nombre y un visado expedido por una embajada o
consulado cubano en el extranjero, salvo en los casos de los
países con los cuales tiene convenios de libre visado,
Si el arribo es por vía marítima las tripulaciones deben
comunicarse con las autoridades portuarias antes de entrar en
aguas jurisdiccionales (12 millas naúticas a partir de la
plataforma insular). Las comunicaciones con las autoridades
portuarias pueden establecerse por el canal HF (SSB) 2760 de la
Red Costera Nacional y 2790 de la Red Turística, o por VHF por
el Canal 68 para la Red Costera Nacional o Canal 16 para la Red
Turística
Regulaciones aduanales
Los turistas no tienen que llenar el modelo de
declaración de aduana. Está prohibida la entrada de narcóticos,
pornografía y armas de fuego, salvo las de caza deportiva
debidamente autorizadas en Cuba a su llegada.
Están exentos de impuestos objetos de uso personal incluyendo
joyas propias, cámaras fotográficas o de video, efectos
deportivos y avíos de pesca, dos botellas de licor, un cartón de
cigarrillos y hasta 22 libras (10 Kg) de medicamentos. Además
pueden importarse artículos por un valor de hasta 250.00 dólares
americanos, de los cuales 50.00 dólares están exentos de pago y
los restantes 200.00 dólares se gravan con un arancel del 100%
La entrada de dinero en efectivo es ilimitada pero se recomienda
declarar cifras por encima de los 5 000 dólares pues para
reexportar un monto igual o superior a esa cantidad se exige
presentar la declaración de aduana correspondiente.
Al salir del país se permite la libre exportación de hasta 50
tabacos habanos (puros) , si la compra es de mas de 50 habanos y
hasta 2 000 habanos debe estar amparada por la(s) factura(s)
correspondiente(s). Una exportación mayor de 2 000 habanos debe
realizarse en los establecimientos designados a esos efectos por
la compañía Habanos S.A.
La extracción del país de obras de artes o antiguedades debe
estar amparada por un permiso del Registro Nacional de Bienes
Culturales, de la Dirección de Patrimonio del Ministerio de
Cultura.
El impuesto de salida en los aeropuertos internacionales cubanos
es de 25.00 dólares americanos.
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German Travel Info,
a thorough-looking (that's a guess, as I don't speak German) site with all
sorts of information about travel to Cuba.
1000 Travel Tips
for Cuba, an extensive compilation of travel
info, with tons of detailed specifics about accommodation, food, and
transport for 8 major travel destinations in Cuba.
Cycling Info, Good details on how to get around
by bike, solid general travel info, and a few leftist political rants.
Share Cuba Board, Scanty general travel info,
but a useful bulletin board to ask questions of others.
LANIC,
General info about Cuba, lots of Cuba links
Pablo's Guide,
offering casa reservations and travel information in English, Spanish, and
German.
The Cuban
Experience, a general travel guide with sections
on politics, culture and current events.
Cubaism, a
thorough guide to all sorts of info about Cuba, with some discussion
boards and chat rooms.
Cubamania, a
rather disorganized page, but it’s got some travel recommendations, info
on art and book reviews.
Kunava,
info on travel to and around Cuba by yacht.
Trip Reports
Sakib’s trip report, a Brit who toured Cuba
independently in March, 1997, though not on a rock-bottom budget, as he
stayed in hotels and booked day trips with the local agencies.
Bill’s trip report, a three-day whirlwind trip
to Havana in June, 1997, with lots of play by play and how-to specifics.
Phillipe’s tips, specifics on Havana, Pinar del
Rio, Remedios and Baracoa, including some off-the-beaten-track
suggestions.
Biking report
#1
Narrative of a family biking trip around Cuba.
Biking report #2
The scoop on biking around Santiago de Cuba.
Biking report #3
A Canadian woman's trip report of the ups and downs of cycling around
alone.
Kent’s
Tips
Experiences with immigration/customs, tips on gift-giving, and advice on
where to eat and sleep in Santa Clara and Sancti Spiritus
Sue’s Bartering Stories
Sue’s tips on how to barter in Cuba, and ideas for gifts.
Scott’s Trip Report
Good detail about travel via rental car in the west part of the island,
from Havana to Maria de la Gorda.
Jon’s
Cuba Page
Jon's photos and narrative of hiking in the Oriente, plus a Q&A style
travel info page.
April’s Trip Report
April’s experiences in Veradero, including black market purchase of
cigars.
German Report
Photos and a narrative (in German) of a Cuban trip. Great soothing
background music.
Viajar a Cuba,
an attractive page with lots of thorough travel info (in Spanish) and
links.
Salsaholic, a
travelogue, photos and tips for Cuban travel in German.
HavanaNet,
another German page, with a slide show and info on Cuban cities, music,
holidays, and some casa particular recommendations.
Olivier’s Tips, a straightforward “how we did
it” report of a trip to Cuba in 1999, including casa and paladar
recommendations. Also available in
French.
Jean’s Trip Report,
a daily itinerary of what they did and how they did it, driving around the
island and staying in hotels and casas. With
French and
German versions.
Clay’s Diving Trip,
photos, a daily journal, and an overview of diving in Cuba, including info
on specific dive sites.
Windjammer,
a trip report of a sail from
Florida to Havana.
Two Letters from Cuba,
Matt’s travelogue and photos from a 2001 trip.
Kohei's
Trip Report, a photo journal of his trip in
2001.
this material can be found @
Cuba Budget Travel Guide
Home / Up / Miguel A de la Torre / LA HABANA / LA OPOSICION / LOS CUBANOS / MAPAS DE CUBA / CARICATURA CUBANA / ELIAN GONZALES / SELLOS CUBANOS / AFICHES DE CINE CUBANOS / LA MONEDA CUBANA / LA ARQUITECTURA CUBANA / TRVELING TO CUBA / Putting Cuba back on the map
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Regulaciones sanitarias
Sólo existen restricciones
sanitarias para viajeros procedentes de países donde la fiebre
amrilla y el cólera son endémicos o hayan sido declarados zonas
de infección por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, en cuyo
caso se exige presentar el Certificado Internacional de
Vacunación.
La entrada de productos de origen animal o vegetal está
restringida, así como la entrada de mascotas requiere de
trámites especiales.
From
Mexico:
Costs of flying on Mexicana are about $220 from
Mexico City
and $110 from Cancun
each way. Several have recommended travel agent Divermex in Cancun, phone
011-52-98-84-50-05 (be advised that they don’t speak English) or visit the
Divermex web page.
Also mentioned are English-speaking Cuba Travel Service, contactable by
e-mail or on the
web. Prices are about $175 RT (on
AeroCaribe or Cubana). Travel packages with air only or with several
nights’ accomodation are readily available on short notice from many
travel agents around Cancun.
You can also get tix on Cubana right at the Cancun airport. I’ve received
3 separate price reports: $182 R/T, $75 RT, and $190 RT including tourist
card. Make sure you get there a couple hours early or they won’t sell you
a ticket. And be careful on the return date, as you may be bumped or the
flight may be cancelled, so don’t schedule your return too closely to a
connecting flight from Cancun back home. You can check the
Cubana schedule
on the web.
From
Tijuana,
Taino Tours charters Aero Mexico for a
once-weekly flight for $530 RT. It leaves on Saturday at 6 pm PST, stops
in Monterrey, and arrives in Havana at 3:30 am EST. Call (66) 84-70-01 to
book. (from mrjjs@adnc.com)
If you are coming and going from Mexico, be aware that there is a new law
in Mexico where you can only arrive with a maximum of one box of cigars,
three liters of alcohol and 200 cigarettes--even if you are just in
transit. In Cancun, customs will be all over you; it’s hard to avoid.
(from kcfoster@hotmail.com)
From Canada:
Toronto is the most
common Canadian jumping off point. Try watching the major Canadian
newspapers for tour companies offering last-minute or
not-so-last-minute air only transport for low prices. Vancouver to Varadero RT tickets have been seen for as low as $199.
Promtrav@istar.ca was happy with
quotes obtained from local (Toronto) travel agents through
www.tripquote.com.
Cuba@together.net has had good luck
with Club Stan-Buy in Montreal. They’re consolidators that sell
last-minute seats, with prices ranging from $140 to $425 (average
$225) depending on demand and availability. You have to return
within 2-3 weeks, however. If you overstay the expiration on your
ticket, you’ll need to buy a one-way ticket back (about $200) from
Signatur, Club Montreal, or the other tour operators in the big
cities.
Netssa sells
tickets and packages from Canada and posts airfares from Toronto
every week (self-referral
From Spain: Iberia Airlines flies daily from
Madrid to Havana (from jeanpaul.teinturier@hol.fr, who warns of delays
with Iberia).
From Belgium:
City Bird flies
weekly from Brussels to Cuba, alternating between Varadero and Camaguey
for about US$555 (20,000 Belgian francs). Cubana flies from Brussels to
Havana every week for about US$590. (from frederik.vanhaverbeke@elis.rug.ac.be)
From Denmark:
Cubana flies from Copenhagen
to Havana via Manchester, England beginning mid-December, 1997. (from
jonanders@geocities.com)
From Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Switzerland, & Ireland:
Aeroflot flies via Moscow and Shannon,
Ireland to Havana for US$630 from Switzerland and US$560 from the Czech
Republic or Slovakia. Jets are comfortable, luggage compartments huge, and
flight crews polite. (from colarowl@chlsnr.nestrd.ch)
From Central America:
Third-hand reports say that inexpensive packages
such as $350 RT from Costa Rica to Havana including a week in a hotel are
available.
Departure Tax:
The departure tax for international flights leaving Havana is $30.
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