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VISA
EU citizens staying less than 90 days
don't require a visa, but you'll need to buy a
tarjeta turistica otherwise you will run the risk
to be rejected at the check in at the departure, so
ask to the air carrier you flight with about such
tarjeta. In my case I got by the air carrier (BluPanorama)
at the airport for 25€. Honestly I don't know
what happens if you land in Cuba without the tarjeta,
it might be you can buy there but I cannot assure
you.
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MONEY
Cuba has a double economy and here
it comes the confusion: there are two currencies
the CUBAN PESOS (CP) and the CONVERTIBLE CUBAN PESOS
(CUC).
At the time of writing the rate was 1€= 1,26
CUC, April 2012, while the rate for cuban peso is
fix with the CUC (1CUC= 25 CC).
Generally speaking the USD and CUC; CP have fix
rate, but watch out,as countermeasure
against the embargo, if you exchange USD you'll
have to pay a 10USD mark up.
What can you buy with a CUC and what with
CP?
In theory turists are supposed to pay only in CUC
but nobody will stop you in exchanging CP and using
them. Nevertheless I used very few times CP since
practically all of the things you'll pay (casa particulares,
Viazul buses, restaurants,....) are rated only in
CUC (no Cuban will never be able to afford such
luxuries!) While in CP you might pay taxis, tips,
food at the stalls,.... you can use CUC also in
these cases and it might be you'll get the change
in CP.
GUIDE
BOOK
I had the new version of the Cuba Lonley
Planet 6th edtion of October 2011. The new layout
is far friendlier than the old one, and the inserted
map very useful.
HEALTH
I had the usual vaccinations: ephatite
A, B, typhus and tetanus; there's no risk for malaria
so you can avoid any profilassys
GENERAL
TIPS
- Which is the best season in Cuba?
November to February will be a little cold for
having a swim, since the temperature might be
around 15C. On the contrary July to August is
the hurricane season and it's very humid, so it's
better to skip it if you can. The best season
is March to May and Sept to October.
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Insurance or not insurance?
From May2010 health insurance is mandatory of
every foreigner reaching Cuba, and you are supposed
to show evidences to be covered by a company approved
by the Cuban Government at the point of entry.
In the net you will find several cases of people
obliged to buy the insurance, but in my case,
as most of the times happens, nobody ask me anything.
My suggestion is don't do anything, at worst you'll
do there.
If on the opposite you have already your insurance,
bring with you the certificate, hoping it'll be
among the ones accepted.
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