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| Habanaloko travel tips provide you the best advice on getting prepared for your Cuba dance holiday and how to make the most of it. |
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| Visa / Touristcard |
| Habanaloko Cuba Dance Holidays will look after your visa arrangements as part of the service in your group holiday.
However, if you decide to do your own arrangements or travel independently you can order your visa through the Cuban Embassy or Consulate and some travel agencies and flight companies. For the visa application you will require a booking for the first night of the accommodation.
If you haven't got the first night of accommodation booked you can fill in any address of a hotel or casa particular and look innocent going through customs. From experience you can also fill in an address of a licensed casa particular. However, if customs have a strict day they can demand to book a hotel, if you didn't, they will make a reservation for you. |
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| Electricity |
| Cuba has 110V electricity but some luxury hotels also 220V. The sockets are the same as in the USA so an adapter is required. |
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| Customs |
Havana airport is more relaxed than Varadero or Holguin but keep in mind that everything gets scanned. Check out the Cuba customs website to see what is and what's not possible to bring in.
If you are planning to take new products (such as stereo or dvd) into Cuba you might have to pay tax unless you claim it is for your own use during the holiday.
Money can sometimes help you through the customs.
There is a 25 CUC airport departure tax. |
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| Internet |
Most hotels have got internet access and there are also small offices by Etecsa all around the island. Internet in Cuba is slow so forget uploading your pictures through the Cuban internet connection.
You can bring your laptop without problems with the Cuban customs. However, wireless internet connection is only possible from some top end hotels like Saratoga and Melia Cohiba in Havana. |
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| Weather |
The weather is around 28 and 29 degrees throughout the year. The eastern Cuba is always a few degrees warmer than the west. The longest days are in July and August but in the winter Cuba has short days, getting dark at 6pm. In the summer the sun is very powerful.
Most rain fall from May until October and during these months short but heavy rainy showers can fall, mostly at the end of the day. The dry season is from November until April.
December-April: cooler than usual, especially at night
June-September: hot and humid, end of the day a rainy shower
June-end of November: Hurricane season |
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| Currency Exchange |
Cuba only accepts convertible pesos (CUC). This means you have to bring currency with you to exchange it into CUC. In addition, you can bring a credit card with you to draw out money from a bank in Cuba.
Furthermore, Cuban national pesos (CUP) can be used for buying at local markets or paladars. The currency is more or less only used by Cuban citizens but foreigners can also exchange CUC into the national currency CUP.
Don't exchange money in the street ... EVER! |
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| Luggage |
A well locked suitcase or a lock on your backpack is recommended.
Anti mosquito stuff, some areas are overloaded.
The shops are not well stocked and it is worth considering bringing some snacks with you as many items are not readily available. |
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| Donations to Cubans |
Cuba is a developing country and any donations to the locals are greatly appreciated.
You can bring clothes with you which you might not like anymore, and give them to locals at the end of your holiday. Cubans also need ballpoints, soaps, toothpaste, toys. everything that to us seems normal. Medical stuff is needed as well, even glasses.
If you are able to, please take some items with you to donate. |
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