| Isn't
Cuba a dangerous country? |
Actually,
Cuba has the lowest crime rate in the Western Hemisphere! You will
be surprised by the visible police presense in Cuba. They are there
specifically to protect and help tourists. As the American dollar
is also Cuba's currency, and tourist dollars are vital to their
economy, they bend over backwards to make sure everyone has a safe
and pleasant stay.
|
| Do
they have Internet & E-mail access there? |
Yes.
It is rare, however, for ordinary Cubans to have internet access.
You can find all about the internet, its availablity in Cuba, and
Cuban internet cafes by accessing Cuba-Junky's
Etecsa page.
|
| The
Caribbean is so expensive...how much will it cost? |
For
the price of a hotel room on most other islands, all of your daily
expenses will be covered in Cuba. Your airfare will be your most
expensive single item. For US travelers, OFAC
has set your expenditure limit in Cuba to $195 per person, per day.
I find that $100-125 is typically more than enough for a casa, food,
transportation and "incidentals".
|
| What
is the best time to go to Cuba, and what is the cheapest period? |
March,
April and May are the months with the nicest weather and less rain.
The high seasons in Cuba are July / August and December / January
|
| Do
I need a Visa and a passport? |
| Yes
and yes. Cuba will give you a visa, however, you must acquire the
visa before you arrive, You can accomplish this by contacting the
nearest Cuban
Embassy or Consulate in your country, except for
citizens of the USA, whom wil be issued a visa onboard their flights
to Cuba. Passports. Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months
left till it expires, calculated from your departure date ... More
about the do's and don'ts in the "Vamos"
page
|
| They
told me I need to a book an hotel, but I want to stay in a Casa Particular? |
Cuban
law says: you have to book a hotel for the first 3 days. If you
only booked a flight you must fill in your visa, this visa will
ask you in which hotel you are staying ... fill in an address of
a hotel and look really innocent going through customs ...
|
| Yikes!!
I don't speak Spanish... !!! |
Some
Spanish is a definite plus. I suggest you learn a few simple phrases.
However, many Cubans speak English and many of the people we will
be in contact with speak English very well also.
|
|
Do they take American Express, Visa and MasterCard? |
Sure
... as long as it's not drawn on an American bank. Unfortunately,
it's part of the US embargo restrictions on Cuba. No travelers cheques
either. You'll have to carry cash. Fortunately, almost all casas
have safes in the room.
|
| What
are the Casas Particulares Cuba-Junky recommend? |
|
| I
hear many prescription drugs are not available in Cuba due to the
embargo...what if I get sick? |
Cuban
doctors are known throughout Latin America as the best trained doctors
in the region. However, they do lack many of the bare necessities
that we expect. "Tourist Pharmacies" DO stock many prescription
drugs. Nevertheless, I suggest bringing with you antibiotics, aspirin,
band-aids, anything you may need for personal hygiene, etc. just
in case. Besides, they make great gifts for the Cubans when you
leave.
|
| Can
I travel on my own or do I have to make a tour reservation? |
| You
can travel through Cuba on your own, however, sometimes it can be
a bit of an adventure. You can rent a car, grab a by bus, train, or
just hitch hike. More about this in Cuba-Junky's
"Transportation" page.
|
| I'm
a woman traveling alone. Is Cuba a safe place to travel for me? |
|
Yes!
No problem ... but don't fall in love :) And don't go down dark
streets at night, the same streets you wouldn't go in in your own
hometown, and just be carefull while hitch hiking. Hitch hiking
should be considered as a last resort.
Use
you female instinct!
|
| What
are the best places to visit in Cuba? |
Well
Havana,
Trinidad,
Vinales,
Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa,
at least, is the opinion of Cuba-Junky.
For nature or eco tours go to Baracoa,
Vinales,
Topes
de Collantes (Escambray),
Granma Province
(Siera Maestra Mountains)
|
| With
what currency can I pay in Cuba, and can I use my credit card? |
| A foreigner
has to pay in US dollars, although since June 2002 the Euro is excepted
as well in the tourists centers like Varadero. Yes, you can use your
credit card as long as it is NOT an American Express or any other
American credit card, the best plan is to get yourself a Euro/Mastercard.
You also can get cash with Travel cheques, but not American Express,
get yourself Thomas Cook ...
|
| Can
you play golf in Cuba? |
Yes, in Varadero
and Havana
|
| Where
can I have a cheap and decent dinner? |
At
the Casa Particular you are staying or at a Paladar
|
| What's
the best way to travel around Cuba? |
| Rent
a car or take the Viazul Bus, see CJ's Transportation
pages
|
| What
and where are the best nightlife places to go in Cuba? |
See
the Nightlife
pages
|
USA
Related Questions...
|
| Isn't
it illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba? |
|
Well,
technically, it's not illegal to travel to Cuba, but it is illegal
to spend money there. Sound confusing? It is a little. In a nutshell,
due to the 40-year-old embargo imposed on the government of Cuba
after the Cuban
Missile Crisis and the Bay
of Pigs Invasion, Americans must adhere to the
Trading with the Enemy Act which is overseen by the Treasury Department
and the Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC).
It disallows the spending of money there so as not to support the
Cuban government.
|
| How
do I get there? Don't I have to travel through a third country such
as Canada, Mexico, Jamaica or the Bahamas? |
| Flights
are available from New York City, Los Angeles and Miami for those
who are licensed by OFAC.
However, you are eligible to fly from anywhere you wish. Sometimes,
it is faster, more convenient and less expensive to fly through a
third country. Remember, your US travel agent cannot book your flight
INTO Cuba. |
