Things To Know About Cuba

The language is spoken

Spanish, although you will find that in most tourist areas other languages such as English, French or Italian may be spoken.

Currency

Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). You will be able to exchange U.S. and other foreign currencies into CUCs at banks, as well as at official exchange bureaus operated by CADECA (Casa de Cambio), the official government exchange agency, at the airport and at the hotels. Banks are typically open weekdays between 8 AM and 3 PM, while hotels’ hours are generally more flexible. The procedure for exchanging currency is similar to that elsewhere in the world, and you’ll need to have your passport handy as an official form of ID. The exchange rate is the same regardless of location.

Electricity

110V/220V. Please refer to individual hotel descriptions. 220V adaptors required.

Credit cards

U.S. bank-issued credit cards and debit cards will not work in Cuba, so you will be unable to access your funds electronically. Because of this, and because U.S. dollars are rarely accepted in Cuba, it is important to bring an adequate amount of cash with you to exchange into CUCs for any purchases you wish to make while in Cuba.

Travel Documents

Passengers require valid passports and tourist card or visa to travel to Cuba. Ask the airline about purchasing your visa or our agency representative Victor Perez.

Time Zone

Like New York City, Cuba is in the Eastern Time zone. Cuba also observes Daylight Saving Time, although the dates for changing from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time and back may not coincide exactly with the change in the United States. (To confirm local time, please visit www.timeanddate.com.)

Weather

Cuba enjoys a pleasant, semi-subtropical climate, with generally warm temperatures year-round, and two main seasons: a wet season (which runs from around May to October, when nearly two-thirds of the year’s rainfall occurs) and a dry season (from about November to April) – although fluctuations due to regional variations and trade winds can often occur. The country’s tropical temperature remains constant throughout the year with little seasonal variation, with an average mean temperature of approximately 77-78 °F.

WIFI

Is there Wi-Fi in Cuba? is one of the most frequent questions I receive. Short answer: Yes, there is Wi-Fi access in Cuba. Long answer: The Internet has existed in Cuba for well over a decade, just not in the form that most travelers are used to. The internet in Cuba hotels is becoming more and more available. Many high-end hotels offer Wi-Fi for their guests. You can purchase the Natura Wi-Fi card from them and connect to the hotspot.

Cell Phones

Most cell phones work in Cuba, but they will be expensive to use. Cuba uses the GSM network and rents cell phone satellite services from Italy. Most phones will work in Cuba, even if you are from the USA. Note that the details of Cuba/USA cell phone service are still developing, and change frequently. Another way you can use your U.S. mobile phone in Cuba is to rent a SIM card. If you have an unlocked GSM-capable mobile phone, you can rent a SIM card from Cubacel (ETECSA's mobile phone arm) that will allow you to use your mobile phone in Cuba.