These are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding traveling to Cuba.
1. Is it legal to travel to Cuba?
Yes, it is legal to travel to Cuba if you are a politician, a Cuban American, a journalist or if you have a legitimate research project pertaining to Cuba. It is also possible for educational, athletic and religious groups to obtain a license from the Treasury Department OFAC in Washington DC.
For the most part, according to our government it is illegal for tourists to spend money in Cuba. As recently as October of 2000, the Congress again tried to ban travel to Cuba. Did they? No, nothing significant has changed since the regulations were passed on May 15, 1982. All that has happened was an attempt to prevent former President Clinton from opening the door to the "freedom to travel" and to allow farmers to travel to Cuba in an effort to sell their products. Cuba said they would not buy them without the proper financial assistance provided to every other nation under these same conditions. But they did…..more than $500 million in sales has been authorized.
President George W. Bush said he would unite this country. So far all that has meant is that he will veto any legislation to allow free travel to Cuba or anything that might help the Cuban people. According a recent poll by CNN in September (Wolf Blitzer Show), 86% of the American people want the embargo ended. The House of Representatives passed legislation to allow the freedom to travel to Cuba in October and the Senate authorized it November. Republican leaders removed the wording from the Treasury and Transportation bill. American style Democracy at work…..if you have the money you can buy almost any kind of legislation that you want.
Even the Texas Legislators disagree with President Bush (former Governor of Texas) and have asked him and the US Congress to end all restrictions on travel, trade and financing. So has California and several other states.
The United Nations voted 173-3 to end the Cuban Embargo for the 12th consecutive year. Only Israel and the Marshall Islands voted with us. Israel has a big citrus business in Cuba.
More than 200,000 Americans will visit Cuba each year in the coming years. 80,000, native born Americans, besides the Cuban / Americans, visited Cuba in the year 2001, down about 5% in 2002 but up 33% in January of 2003. We will update those numbers as we get them, if and when they are released. Most travel to Cuba illegally (estimated to be 60,000)! We encourage as many Americans as possible to travel to Cuba for several reasons:
(a) Travel was always considered a Constitutional Right up until recent years. It must be again! Americans cannot allow the government of the United States to revoke that most precious of liberties without the most powerful of protests!
(b) We constantly hear our nation's leaders chastise other nations for violating the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Well, our nation is blatantly violating the UDHR when it comes to travel rights. The Declaration says in Section 13-2 "Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country". That is very clear, but when you return to the United States you could be subject to a $250,000 fine and 10 years in prison, or both, if you have traveled to Cuba! In most cases, we have the Americans pick up their tickets and hotel vouchers in Mexico, Bahamas, etc., that way there is no chance that the US Customs and Immigration will have a chance to intercept or seize the airline tickets or vouchers when they are mailed into the United States. They are in the Fed Ex offices, etc., and if they know there might be tickets in the mail, they make you come in and open the envelope. If you don't have a Treasury Department license, they will take them away from you....you will lose the money that you spent.
We all remember that great Ronald Reagan speech, while standing before the Berlin Wall, where he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall". Well, Gorby did and then Reagan / Bush put it up between the US and Cuba, on May 15, 1982.
(c) When the United States Supreme Court ruled on the matter of travel in the Wald vs Regan case in 1984 (I was an intervener in that case), they refused to deal with the matter of whether or not travel is a Constitutional Right and said only that, they were allowing these restrictions on spending money in Cuba because Cuba might possibly use the money for Cuban adventurism. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Supreme Court Justices....there is no Cuban adventurism going on anywhere in the world today. Even the Pentagon said in May of 1998, that Cuba was no threat to the United States or any of its other neighbors. The Supreme Court did rule in 1962, that travel is a Constitutional Right. So, what kind of fraud is being foisted on us by saying, well, you can travel to Cuba, but you can't spend any money! DUHHHH!!!
(d) According to Dr. Wayne S. Smith, the man many believe to be the top expert on Cuba in this country, and the Chief of the U.S. Interest Section in Havana at the time these travel restrictions were announced, called the reasons for the restrictions an "outright lie". The reason given was "that Cuba had increased its efforts to destabilize the governments of Latin America." Smith claims that he had just received State Department Cable #11853 saying that the U.S. government had no such evidence. David Mac Michaels, a CIA analyst on Cuba and Central American agrees with Smith saying that he looked at all the "hard evidence" dealing with the reasons for the travel restrictions and called them a "fraud".
Rather than just take Smith and Mac Michaels word for it and in fairness to Reagan/Bush, I filed hundreds of Freedom of Information requests to every top official in the Reagan/Bush administration asking for the "hard evidence" to support the reasons for having banned travel to Cuba, "that Cuba had increased its efforts to destabilize the governments of Latin America". Although Government is required to answer within 10 working days, not one piece of hard evidence has ever been supplied. You be the judge!
My friends, the truth is that our government has revoked one of our most cherished of liberties, the right to international travel during times of peace, and they did it with a Government lie. Every other nation claiming to be free, including the Russians, enjoy "unrestricted travel rights". We the American people must fight with every last drop of our blood until we are as free as the citizens of every other nation claiming to be democratic!
(2) Will the Cubans stamp my passport?
Cuba no longer stamps Americans passports. It has been guaranteed. Most Americans still ask the Cuban Immigration officer not to stamp their passport. Only your tourist visa is stamped. For several years they put a bank mark on page 16 of American passports....that practice has been discontinued. In fact, stamping an American passport is now illegal.
What can I bring....In addition to their
personal jewelry, cameras and other valuables, visitors are allowed to bring
into Cuba, duty free, two bottles of liquor, one carton of cigarettes and up to
10 kilograms of medicine. Only two kilos of gifts up to a value of $250 US can also be brought in.
Of that, $50 is duty-free; the rest is 100 percent taxable.
Narcotics and firearms are not allowed
into the country. No restrictions exist on the amount of money a visitor can
bring into the country, but amounts over $5,000 US should be declared.
It is wise for Americans to use their passport only to enter and
exit Cuba. Many use their birth certificate and a picture ID (like a
drivers license) to enter Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, etc., and to re-enter the
United States. This way, the U.S. never sees your passport and there are
no entry and exit stamps in your passport from the third country that you
traveled through, that might make US officials nosey about your travel!
There is a question on the U.S. Customs & Immigration form that most who fly to Cuba must fill out upon return to the United States. The question is (8) What countries did you visit on this trip? I can't tell you to lie to US Customs & Immigration but I can tell you that most Americans do! Most Americans that I talk to say that they choose to lie and don't tell the U.S. Immigration and Customs officials that they have been to Cuba. Many believe that if the U.S. lied to us about the reasons for the travel ban, that they feel no moral obligation to tell the truth to those who have lied to us and revoked our travel freedoms illegally! Hard to argue with that!
(3) Is it safe to travel to Cuba?
Not too long ago, one of the international travel organizations declared that Cuba was the safest country for travelers in the Western Hemisphere! Today, it may not quite be as safe as it once was (5 were killed in 2001 and another 5 in 2002), That was very unusual and violent crime against tourists is almost non-existent! Still, one has to take every necessary precaution. For example, we recommend that Americans use a money belt. Use a suitcase with the best possible lock. Most of the hotels now have a safe in the room. There is a charge for it in some hotels....but it is worth it! Hotels that do not have a safe in the room have one at the front desk in the lobby. Lock your passport and excess money that you will not need for the day in the safe. Keep a photo copy of your passport with you.
(4) What kind of plane will I be flying on?
From Cancun, Cubana still flies their Russian made Yakelov 42 or their Il 62.
Mexicana also flies from Cancun every day. They fly the DC 9-31, a very nice 110 passenger plane.
Cubana and Mexicana Airlines fly just about every day of the week from Mexico City. Both use the Airbus 320 A or Boeing 737.
Cubana Airlines flies their older Russian made jets from Nassau (one flight per day).
(5) How do I carry cash with me without problems?
Americans still cannot use credit cards on American banks while in Cuba. This means that everything has to be paid for in cash or international travelers checks (like Thomas Cook). If one has a credit card drawn on a foreign bank, it can be used in Cuba.
Amigo Travel Card has to be purchased and paid from Canada. The Cuban Government does not allow deposits on the Island anymore. To obtain an Amigo Travel Card to visit Cuba you need to contact Transcard head office in Canada via phone (1-800-724-5685), email csr@transcardinter.com or visiting the Amigo Travel Card web site www.amigotravelcard.com You can pay for an Amigo Travel Card by sending a wire transfer, cashier check or international money order payable to Amigo Travel Card. The Amigo Travel Card is exempted of paying the 10% surcharge and its funds will be in USD exchange rate of the date in effect. The fees and exchange rate can be found in details at www.amigotravelcard.com
Bank of Nova Scotia in Havana accepts Master Card for Americans needing cash advances. ATM machines are now in various places around Cuba and some Americans are now saying they have been able to get cash advances without problems. However, don't count on this.
Other Americans choose to use a money belt. While in Cuba, they keep their excess money and passport in the safe in their room (where available) or at the hotel safe at the front desk. Keep a copy of your passport with you and just enough money for that day or evening out! Never carry all your money in the same pocket. Using pockets with zippers, buttons or velcro is a very good idea.
For those Americans staying in private homes, get a good piece of luggage with the best lock possible.....then use something like a bicycle chain to lock it to the heaviest piece of furniture in the home where you are staying.
Crime in Cuba is almost non-existent, but that doesn't mean that one can leave a camera or other valuables lying around. Also some petty theft happens, such as young boys on bicycles snatching purses and caps.
In the event money is lost, Western Union now has an office in every Province in Cuba and money can be wired to Cuba in case of emergency. Sadly, some Western Union offices don't know it yet! DHL does overnight deliveries to Cuba and so in some cases families or friends can send a Thomas Cook travelers check. Also, as a last ditch effort, there is a company known as Asistur in Cuba that can help in emergencies. Asistur can help provide insurance, medical assistance, funerals (it happens), legal and financial aid. They know every possibility for helping.
(6) Do I need to be able to speak Spanish?
No, you do not need to speak Spanish in Cuba. However, if you want one, I recommend Tania Toledo, who is an English/Spanish speaking Cubatur tour guide who has worked with our clients for the past seven years. Tania, is a college educated English major. She is not only intelligent and informative, but attractive. She is very nice, even with mixed groups and causes no threat to any women in the group. Frankly, Tania is just a lot of fun! We will help you hire her if you like. Her fee is $100 per day plus expenses. She is well worth it! You will love her!
There are many tour guides that can be arranged for prior to your trip. Of course, there is a daily fee for their services and in most cases you may also have to pay their travel expenses such as hotel, meals, transportation, etc. Most think the price is very reasonable.
In the event you get to Cuba and then decide that you need a tour guide for your stay or just for a day or two, you can arrange that at most any tour desk found in the lobby of all major hotels.
For those who don't want an official tour guide, there will be English speaking people on the streets offering their services at probably a lower price. Just get out and get exposed to the Cuban people, the English speaking unofficial guides know how to find you.
The Cuban people are the best part of Cuba. Get to know them.....you won't be sorry!
(7) Where are the most beautiful places in Cuba?
Wow! That is a great question, one that cannot be easily answered as beauty is sometimes in the hearts and minds of each individual who visits Cuba. Let's start with the some 280 virgin-like beaches in Cuba. Some say Varadero Beach is the most beautiful beach in the world and it would be hard to argue with that statement. Others might say that Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Santa Lucia and Guardalavaca beaches would give Varadero some very good competition.
There are four mountain ranges in Cuba and for mountain lovers, you won't be disappointed in Cuba. The mountains are simply incredible with their different covers and caves, rivers and water falls. Enjoy!
Some believe that the swamp lands like the Zapata National Swamp is beautiful, with all the different mangroves, bird life, plants, etc. There are crocodiles and manatees. Many just love it!
There are lots of cattle ranches and other kinds of farmland and orchards. Sugar cane grows everywhere, but is being cut back due to falling prices.....a new look may soon emerge!
Lots of the old buildings of Cuba are being restored by UNESCO and other investors to preserve their historical and architectural values.
There are many beautiful places in Cuba, but none are more beautiful than the Cuban people themselves. They are indeed remarkable!
8) Can I bring home cigars?
According to U.S. laws, it is illegal to bring Cuban cigars into the United States, but it is done all the time. Some say as many as 16 million illegal Cuban Cigars find their way into the United States each year. It is impossible to control such a cherished item. Not only are the Cuban cigars sold to anyone in Cuba, but they are also sold in both of our bordering countries, Canada and Mexico.
If Americans are on a legal trip to Cuba, they can bring back up to $100 worth of cigars.
Most Americans just never declare the cigars. Of course, if U.S. Customs finds out you have them they will take them away.
The truth is that probably 99% of the Havana cigars bought in Cuba, Canada or Mexico probably make it back across the border. No one, to my knowledge has ever been fined or jailed for bringing a few boxes of cigars home from Cuba!
(9) What is the truth about nightlife in Cuba?
What is the real story about "sex and tourism" in Cuba. No doubt about it, the government of Cuba does not want to be known as a place for sex tourism. They have tried to crack down and have been successful in places like Varadero Beach, Cayo Coco and Cayo Largo, which are now a place mostly for families.
On the other hand, in Havana and many other places in Cuba, the crackdown has not done so well. It seems those sorts of activities are there to stay. They just move down the street or around the corner. Cuba even tried closing some of the discos. Not much luck there, the people would just open a street dance! Certainly, the government will likely continue their efforts, just as many have since time began. What do they say? It is the oldest profession in the world!
Prostitution in Cuba is really just an amateur act. There are very few ladies or men who are really professionals. Mostly you find young women, known as jineteras, just trying to have a good time and make enough dollars to survive. In Cuba, it is very difficult if you do not have dollars. Probably less than 50% of the Cubans have access to dollars. It includes those who work in tourism or those who are fortunate enough to have a family member or friend outside of Cuba that can send them some money. Today, any American can send up to $1200 per year ($300 per quarter) to family or friends in Cuba.
Many women in Cuba just want a friend, or bed partner, that will take them to nice places, get them nice meals and drinks, and perhaps even buy them some nice items from the gift shops. Others are looking for a way out of Cuba. They want a foreigner willing to marry them or to get them out on a fiance visa. Others just want a boyfriend or a girlfriend that will visit them on a regular basis and bring them nice things from outside Cuba. Few Americans or other foreigners have difficulty making such an arrangement!
Cuba is a very sexually permissive society. The standing joke among Cubans is that sex is the only thing that Fidel Castro cannot ration. Sex is a national pastime pursued by both men and women in Cuba. American men are not accustomed to the hot-blooded women they find in Cuba. These women like being romanced and are very aggressive. Such sexuality is unknown to most Americans and they fall in love easily with Cuban women. In fact a number of our male and female clients are trying to marry their new found Cuban lovers and bring them home. We applaud their efforts!
Cuba is a very safe place, only about 3,500 cases of AIDS (900 deaths) in the country and on the other hand, almost no crime connected with sex, such as muggings, drugging or robbery!
(10) What do I say to U.S. Customs & Immigration when I return?
I (Dan Snow) have been to Cuba more than 150 times. In fact, some U.S. Customs and Immigration people could not be nicer. On the other hand, some have to be considered the slime of the U.S. citizenry! So how does one deal with them?
Technically, it is not illegal to travel to Cuba, but it is illegal to spend money there. Only Cuban Americans, politicians, journalists, and those with legitimate research projects are legally allowed to visit Cuba without a license or permit from some government agency. Still, most Americans go and spend money without permission. 76.898 Americans, not including Cuban Americans, visited Cuba in the year 2000. About 48,000 went illegally....Bless them! The Cubans say that 80,000 Americans visited Cuba in 2001, 60,000 illegally. CNN and Florida International University reported in early June, 2002, that more than 85% of the American people want to normalize relations with Cuba.
Generally speaking, Americans traveling to Cuba as tourists are considered to be going illegally, however, as always there are loop holes left in the law. We like to find them and use them. In the past 25 years, not one of our many thousands of clients has been prosecuted, jailed or fined. We don't think any ever will be. Let us use the example of the Helms-Burton Act, which in part, controls our travel to Cuba. In Section 1705 (b) & (c) called SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE, it says, nothing in this law or any other law shall prohibit donations of food and medicines to any Cuban or to any non-governmental agency in Cuba. The only two non-governmental agencies in Cuba are the Cuban Red Cross and Catholic Charities.
So, we urge all of our clients to take medicines or food with them. We will provide each with a list of the most needed medicines for individuals or at the request of the Cuban Red Cross. That list always includes aspirin, cold medicine, flu medicine, asthma medicine, antibiotics, medicine for lice, prescription medicine, vitamins of all kinds, condoms, birth control pills, cooking oil, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, pens, pencils, writing paper, envelopes and toys. We then urge our clients to give those items to individuals in Cuba or to the nurse at the hotel where they are staying. The nurse is a Red Cross representative. Save your receipts for any money that you spend and try to document the giving of your gifts with a photo. Have someone take your picture making your donation. Although none of this has ever been tested in a U.S. court, we don't think it ever will be!
If any of our clients ever have trouble with the U.S. government, our lawyer friends at the Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild have agreed to defend them for free, no matter where they live in the United States. I am a spokesperson for the Wall of Lawyers, that will defend any American in trouble.
Upon your return to the United States, you will be required to fill out a Customs and Immigration form. One question on that form asks what countries did you visit while you were outside the U.S. I always suggest that you answer the question truthfully, but in reality, most Americans choose to lie and not tell them that they have been to Cuba. They simply give them the name of a hotel in Canada, Cancun, Mexico City, Cayman or Nassau and say that is where they stayed.
The CCR and NLG lawyers say that if you are asked more than the routine
questions on the Customs and Immigration form, just refuse to answer the
questions and hand them a piece of paper with the lawyers name and phone number
and tell them to contact him. You are not required to give the US
officials any information that might be used against you in the future....it is
called the Fifth Amendment. Use these names.....Anna Liza Gavieres at the
Center for Constitutional Rights .. 212-614-6470. Email
These lawyers will ask the Treasury Department OFAC for a hearing within 30 days. The Treasury OFAC has no facilities for hearings nor judges to handle them. Therefore, the problem goes away and they never hear from them again. That has been the way it has worked for at least the past five years.
Let's be honest. Former State Department and CIA officials say that the reasons that the U.S. government gave for restricting travel to Cuba were an "outright lie". For that reason and others, many Americans do not feel morally or ethically required to tell our government the truth about where they have been. They lied to us....we are just giving them a dose of their own medicine!
Feel free to call or e-mail us regarding these matters. We can provide all the "hard evidence" necessary to support our statements!
11. What is the weather like in Cuba?
The average temperature in Celsius is: January 26; February 26; March 27; April 29: May 30; June 31; July 32; August 32; September 31; October 29; November 26 and December 26. To convert C degrees to F degrees multiply by 1.8 and add 32. Plain truth is that temperatures average from a low of 78.8 degrees in February to a high of 89.6 degrees in August.
12. Do I have to show proof of 3 days hotel reservations before arriving in Cuba?
For Canadian citizens, there is probably no way you can get around this rule. You must have a voucher proving that you have at least three days of confirmed reservations at a hotel or legal casa particular. For Americans, in the very near future that voucher will have to be one issued by Havanatur. That agency is now in charge of travel for all Americans.
For those traveling from Mexico, Bahamas or Grand Cayman, the three days proof of hotel or legal casa particular is not being enforced at this time. That is not to say that it won't be in the very near future. Any other advice on this matter on my part would simply be a guess!
In my opinion, the pressure is on to force many of the Casa's out of business. A tax of about $170 per month is causing many casa particulars to close their doors.
Another problem is that some say many of the casas are primarily being used for "sex tourism". The Cuban government is said to be watching these operators much closer than in the past. However, these clamp downs on "sex tourism" seem to come and go with regularity. The degree of severity of this crack down seems to be on a province by province basis. Some say it started in Havana in January 2003....other regular travelers to Cuba say nothing has changed.
In reality, the Cuban government wants Americans staying in hotels. They have more than 400 joint ventures with foreigners, mostly hotel firms. Let's be honest, they want you staying in hotels so they can attract more investments. On the other hand, Cuba wants to show more openness regarding self employed Cubans. No doubt, these two methods of doing business clash.
Most hotels charge what is known as "rack rates" for those who walk in off the streets to rent a hotel room. Sometimes these prices may from 20% - 60% higher than buying through a travel agency or tour operator before you go.
Travel agents and tour operators can't make any money or enough money selling home stays, camping or casas. Therefore, you probably won't be getting much help from them. Our agency does not rent casa particulars at this time.
Travelers must also realize that travel agencies in America are closing their doors at a rate of about 300 per month. 12,000 fewer than at this time last year. Understand that air travel in America has been said to be off by as much as 22 % since September 11, 2001. Many airlines in America are either broke or close to filing for bankruptcy. United Airlines filed the first week in December 2002. More may be coming! Delta and American have announced cutbacks in 2003. Travel is still the biggest business in the world...but acts of terrorism and travel warnings being issued by our government are keeping many Americans at home or at least causing them to stay within driving range. Try to remember that Cuba is the safest country in this hemisphere for travel and there has never been any proof of an act of terror committed by Cuba against the United States or any Americans. On the other hand, many acts of terror have been committed by Cuban American terrorist groups against Cuba and their friends. Many of those groups are financed by our own government and trained in Florida.
There are two sides to this story....we will advise as we feel better informed.
13. Don't make this mistake!
Cuba is in the process of installing a new control system for reservations. IT IS TOUGH! Whatever you might do, don't get caught in a position of double booking. It happens all the time. Cuba is very slow about confirming reservations. Therefore, many Americans get nervous when they don't get immediate confirmation and start checking around. They might even make a reservation with another agency. DON'T DO IT! I have already had my first two clients cancelled with both agencies for double booking. Find an agency you can trust, then be patient enough to allow that agency to get your flights, hotel and car reserved and confirmed.
14. Cell phone & Internet hookups.....If your cell phone is compatible with the American (TDMA) -either dual or digital-you can use it in Cuba. You only need to activate it, at the rate of $3 US Dollars per day.
Prices to call within Cuba are $.90 per minute. To call the US, expect to pay about $2.45 per minute, to Mexico $3.40 per minute, South America $4.45 per minute and to Europe, $5.85 per minute. A $200 deposit is normally required.
Internet hookups are available now in the better hotels such as Nacional, Melia Habana, Melia Cohiba, Parque Central, Inglaterra, Plaza and Habana Libre as well as several in Varadero, one being the Iberostar. The Capital building has two, one on each floor. There are also a few internet Cafes open as well as service being provided at the post office and the telephone company. The phone company is now installing small air-conditioned booths around that look like a typical phone booth. Internet cards are available for about $15.00 for about 5 hours. This problem has gone from being very difficult a few years ago to pretty easy and getting better by the day..
A $300 deposit is normally required.
15. Finally
Americans are welcome to Cuba with open arms. It takes no special planning or efforts to get a visa or tourist card. It comes with the airline ticket and the price is usually about $15 US Dollars. Only Cuban Americans are required to obtain a visa from the Cuban Interest Section in Washington DC.
We offer different modes of paying for your trip, depending upon what Gateway City you depart from such as : Cancun, Mexico City, Nassau, Cayman Islands or others. The laws in the US do not forbid travel to Cuba, only the spending of money there. The best way in our opinion is to pay with a money order or cashier's check. As previously indicated, it differs depending on the Gateway City. Just ask, we are responsible for about 21,000 American tourists traveling to Cuba....not one has been prosecuted or fined to our knowledge.
Click here to see flight schedules and hotel prices. Package prices for travel to Cuba from Cancun can be found. Cancun is the most widely used gateway city by our clients. Cancun is the number one destination for American travelers, so there are many flights to that Gateway City. There are three flights to Havana each day from Cancun.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON
CUBA
LOCATION
Located in the Caribbean Sea it is the largest island in the West Indies about
780 miles long and 140 miles wide at the widest place. Cuba is just 90
miles from Jamaica, 87miles from the
Bahamas, 90 miles from Key West, Florida, and 130 miles from Cancun.
CURRENCY
The Cuban peso is the official currency.
National
Holidays
Jan 1 - Liberation Day - Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution
May I - International Workers' Day
Jul 25, 26, 27 - Celebration of the Day of National Rebellion
Oct10 - Celebration of the Beginning of the Wars for Independence
Cuban cuisine
Cuban food is the result of Spanish and African culinary traditions with Chinese
elements added. Ajiaco is the national dish - a thick soup made with vegetable
roots and stems with meat (usually pork). Other Cuban dishes are Lechon asado en
pua (broiled pork cooked on a broiling stick over an open fire), Tachinos,
chatinos or tostones (fried unripe sliced bananas), and frijoles negros dormidos
(very thickly cooked black beans).
Language
Official language is Spanish. However,
English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Time
Cuba is in the Eastern Standard Time
Zone (-5 GITT). It also will change to
Eastern Daylight Saving Time from May
to October.
Electricity
110 vol~60 cycles, however
many of the newer hotels have
220 voltage - adaptors and/or
converters may be required.
Water
Water in Cuba is purified in the main tourist areas, however bottled water is
readily available and recommended just to be on the safe side.
Getting Around
Car and moped rentals, taxis, and buses are available. Keep in mind that the
reason there are still 1950s cars cruising the streets of Cuba is that there is
a car shortage, so rental cars are more difficult to come by here than many
countries.
Tipping
Tipping in Cuba is discretionary, however when tipping 10-15% is recommended.
Shopping
Cuban Cigars, Rum, handicrafts & souvenirs
Health requirements
No special requirements for
Americans or Canadians.
Travelers arriving from other countries
should check with the Cuba Tourist
Board or Cuban Consulate.
Public Health care
Cuba has one of the highest health index in the world. Medical care, hospital
treatment and dental care are free for the Cuban population. Cuba's health care
facilities also provides medical care for tourists (cost will apply).
16. Make sure you know the new rules regarding what you can bring to Cuba.
New rules regarding what you can bring to Cuba start on November 1. Make sure you don't take more than 44 pounds of personal luggage unless you are willing to pay about $10 per pound for each pound over 44 pounds. You can also bring a carry on bag and a bag of up to 22 pounds of medicines, no questions asked. You can bring only two pounds of gifts. Check Customs rules.
17. Why should I use Cuba Travel USA over another
agency?
Our most cherished of liberties has been denied by the past four Administrations. That cannot be allowed to continue. There can be no doubt that, I (Dan Snow), have been the leader in the effort to restore the "freedom to travel" for all Americans. I have challenged each and every one of these four Administrations at every turn in the road. I have challenged them in 15 courts, exposed their lies and wrongdoing in press releases and in CUBANEWS published on this website. None of us want to overthrow this government but only to restore the Constitutional Right to travel in times of peace. Let us be honest, Reagan took $1million from the Cuban Americans. The elder Bush took at least $1 million. Clinton took at least $550,000. George W. Bush and Jeb Bush accepted $2 million from Cuban Americans on May 20, 2002. The Senate and House of Representatives have taken at least $4.4 million according to one report. Why should 1 million Cuban Americans control the right of travel for the other 285 million of us. This kind of special interest and "bribery" must come to an end. Recently polls have shown that 66.8% to 85% of the American people want a better relationship with Cuba including the "freedom to travel" to Cuba. I have been to Cuba more than 150 times, more than 1500 days! I was the first American to sign a contract with Cuba after their Revolution (it was on July 4, 1977). I have opened businesses in 10 of Cuba's fourteen Provinces. That required me to work with the top people in each of those Provinces and at least 100 other Cuban workers in each. We remained at least a year or two in each of those Provinces. Many of those same workers are still there, doing the same job. I doubt that any other American has that kind of experience.
Let me end this by saying that I love our travel agency friends in Canada, Mexico, Bahamas and others....but in reality, they care little about your "freedom to travel". For the most part, they just want your money. I (Dan Snow) am the one fighting the battles to restore your "freedom to travel", and to help you if you do get into trouble. I was probably the first client for both the Center for Constitutional Rights and the American Trial Lawyers in the first Supreme Court battle over the right to travel to Cuba. The case is known as (Wald vs Regan), meaning Ruth Wald who wanted to travel to Cuba for an International Women's meeting and Donald Regan, who was the Secretary of the Treasury at that time, who denied Ruth a license. These two Constitutional Law Firms and three others allowed me and the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee to become what is known as interveners in this case. In other words, we would receive the benefit if we won or lost this case. We lost in the Federal Court, won in the Court of Appeals and then lost in the US Supreme Court by a decision of 5-4 with 5 dissenting opinions. That is as close as one can lose by....still it was a loss. I have been in at least 15 other courts trying to restore this most cherished of freedoms. Honestly, we are very close to winning right now. It is your freedom to travel wherever you please and my freedom to send you there that has been at stake, since 1982, in this country. You can help speed up this process by buying from this agency. My prices are the best in most cases....but even when I am not....you should still buy American. It is a small price to pay! Your freedom is the issue!
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