| Cuban
Provinces & Cities
|
Package list …
| First
the most complicated thing |
 |
Cuba
for Americans
Americans
are for all intents and purposes, not allowed to travel to Cuba.
Heavy fines (see the below) are being imposed and at a much greater
frequency under the Bush administration. Here you will find all
the resources you need to find out how you can get there "legally".
Please see the link to the Cuba
AIDS Project above
and also to OFAC
|
Travelers
to Cuba Complain of Fines
Mon Feb 11, 5:21 PM ET
By CAROLYN SKORNECK, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - Cevin Allen,
56, of Sammamish, Wash., traveled to Cuba in 1997 to spread his parents'
ashes at the church they founded a half-century ago. "During the one
full day we spent in Cuba, I scattered part of their ashes on the grounds
of the church in Havana, and another part at sea," Allen told a Senate
panel Monday. The trip helped him "deal with the pain of losing my parents,"
he said. When Allen returned to the United States he was hit with
a $7,500 penalty for violating U.S. restrictions on travel to the
communist nation. President Bush called last July and again last month
for stepped-up enforcement of the embargo and travel restrictions, hoping
to encourage a transition to democracy in Cuba, said R. Richard Newcomb,
director of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Newcomb said new demands from the war against terror have prevented
his office of 129 people from increasing its seven full-time employees
enforcing the Cuba rules. Yet the number of fines levied rose from
188 in 2000, the Clinton administration's last year, to 766 in 2001,
the Bush administration's first year, Dorgan said. Newcomb estimated
that more than 150,000 Americans go to Cuba each year, with about two-thirds
of them getting OFAC's permission. James Carragher, State Department
coordinator of Cuban affairs, defended the limits, saying travel to
Cuba outside the authority of the regulations "can help to prop up a
regime which continues to harass and imprison its people who dare to
criticize their government." At the same time, Carragher said, "Outreach
by everyday Americans to everyday Cubans ... introduces the best of
the United States to the Cuban people"
Travel
Documents For a US citizen ...
Passport
(US related)
Make
no mistake about it....you need a "valid" passport to get
into Cuba. Whereas in some countries you can get in with a US birth
certificate (Mexico, Canada) or even an expired passport (Bahamas),
you will NOT be admitted into Cuba with these credentials. Make sure
its valid and current.
Passport Stamping - Fortunately, the Cubans know that returning to the
US with a Cuba stamp can be trouble if you're not there with a General
or Specific License from OFAC. It used to be that if you slipped the
immigration official a $5 or $10 with your passport, it was no problem.
However, now there are posted signs in the Immigration Department discouraging
such practices. Either way, the best thing to do is smile, say something
nice then ask them in Spanish to please not stamp your passport. "Por
favor, no empuje mi pasaporte" should do fine. This is
still no guarantee that they won't however. They seem to like to stamp
page 16 with a very light owl stamp. Go figure.....
Holy
crap ... they stamped my passport! (US related)
Immediately wire home and have them send you enough money to hide out
in Cuba for the rest of your life!! You will need to ... just kidding.
If you check the OFAC papers (see link on navigation panel), I'm sure
you'll probably find a sanctioned way to go and not have to worry about
it. If not, the chances of actually being assessed a fine are pretty
remote anyway.
If you feel the need to bypass the system and go anyway, well ...
CAREFUL: Lying to an Immigration Official is a Federal Offense.
If you lie, you'll probably get through. Then again, if they decide
to question you, well ...
If you tell them the truth, they'll probably just wave you on through.
However, if not, read the above OFAC section.
If you get through, there's always that stamped passport you have to
contend with. Again, the absolute best way to go about it is under the
OFAC guidelines. A little reading can go a long way.
Still
US related questions? ... If
there are still any questions ... do not doubt to ask this at the Green
Screen, see the link on the left, or see the FAQ
page ...
| Now ... the rest of the
world ... and US as well! |
Visa
... Your Tourist card (visa)tarjeta de turista:
Fill in the whole card, don`t forget to mention a name of a hotel, and
when you didn`t book a government hotel, fill in SOME hotel.
You have to book a hotel at least 3 days, otherwise "THEY" arrange a
hotel for you! A Casa
Particular is NOT a government hotel. Order your visa
at the Embassy or Consulate of your country *For adresses of the
Cuban Embassies and
Consulates worldwide click here!
Luggage
and Bags: A
well locked suitcase, or a lock on your backpack.
Clothing
/ Shoes / Weather Gear: Your tropical
outfit In Dec / Jan it can be chilly at nighttime. So take something
warm.
Photo
Equipment: Take everything with you
from home, rolls are available at dollar stores, but the quality is
not as good as you are used to have, mostly only 100asa
Miscellaneous:
Anti muscito stuff, some areas are overloaded
with these bichos. Leave you're jewelries at home, you don't need them
on this Island. Take clothes with you which you might not like anymore,
and give it to Cubans at the end of your vacation, clothes are expensive
for a Cuban. Cubans need ballpoints, soaps, clothes, toothpaste, toys...
etc. Medical stuff is needed as well. everything which is very common
to you…they need it, even glasses. Please take some give-aways with
you.
Customs:
Havana
airport is more relaxed then Varadero,
but remind this ... All your stuff is getting scanned!!! Every suitcase
is passing a x-ray!!!
Not
allowed bringing in is ...
-
Prepared
video tapes
-
Porn
magazines, photo's or video tapes
-
Political
lecture against the system of Cuba
-
Protected
flora and fauna
-
Fresh
food, flowers and vegetables
-
Meat,
fish and dairy products
-
Drugs
(of course)
-
Electric
apparatus (machines), also can be a problem,
for there is not much electricity on the island.
-
Bringing
in computers, is also a hot topic,
since the government has forbidden for Cubans to have one private,
except Casa Particulars.
-
You
might having problems with bringing in goods,
mostly articles that are expensive or even not available at the island.
Dollars can do some help sometimes ...
But if "they" decide it is not alowe ... it just isn't alowed ... sorry!
To be sure … see the Cuban custom website.
http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/pasajero3.htm
*Remember there's a US$25 airport departure tax.
| Infotur
|
|
Infotur is a tourist service that can be found in many places
throughout Cuba. They provide tours, excursions, transport around
the Island, postcards, maps, printed guides, posters, magazines,
newspapers and souvenirs. They also sell pre-paid phone cards
which are good to stock up on since a $10.00 card only gets you
a few minutes when making an international call. They can confirm
airline flights as well. Disabled access is available. 521 Obispo,
La Habana. |
| Cuba
General Info |
| Weather
|
- The
whole year through about 28 / 29 C degrees. The East
of Cuba is always a few degrees warmer than the West
- Most
rain fall in May till October, during these months short
but heavy rainy showers can fall, mostly at the end of the day.
Areas like Baracoa
and Moa in the east of Cuba do have to most rainy days, because
the mountain which come from the Atlantic Ocean The dry season
is from Novenber till April.
- Most
sunny hours in July and August, Cuba has short days in winter,
at 18.00 it is getting dark. In summer the sun is very powerfull.
-
Dec / April Colder then usual, specialy at night
- June
/ September Hot humid, every end of the day a rainy shower
- June
/ end of November Huricane season (possible)
- High
and low (tourist) season December / Januari, Easter, July
/ September
Pesos
(about 26 pesos/USD 1, 2002) however the tourist have to pay in
Dollars, Varadero can
be paid in Euros as well ...
|
- 1 - Liberationday
- Feria Internacional de Artesanias,
Pabexpo, Havana. Kind of International fair
- First 2 weeks - Jornadas
de la Cultura Camagneyana
- End - Carnival in Habana
- Every second year - Habana
International Jazz Festival
- First half of Feb. - Feria Internacional
del Libro, Fortaleza de San Carlos. A book fair.
- Festival de Monogolos y
Unipersonales (Havana), A competion for actors, writers,
producers and dancers, from the whole country. Some foreigners
are also giving monologues.
- Taller Internacional de Teatro
de Titeres (Matanzas), Performances of the most important
puppet theatres, with seminars, acts and workshops.
- Semana de la Cultura (Baracoa)
- Electro-acoustic Music Festival
Varadero
- La Huela de Espana (Havana),
Gran Teatro de la Habana en Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
A Festival for Cuban/Spanish Culture, concerts, classical dance,
Flamenco and Theatre.
- Taller Internacional de Teatro
de Titeres (Matanzas), Performances of the most important
puppet theatres, with seminars, acts and workshops.
- Festival Internacional de
Percusion (Havana), Concerts, courses, readings and documentairies
about Cuban percussion instruments.
- 1-15 Bienal del Humor de
San Antonio de los Banos, Museo del Humor, San Antonio de
los Banos. Fetival of humor, with exhibitions, readings and
performances.
- Festival de Arte Danzario
(Havana and Camaguey), Festival for all kind of dancing,
Readings, seminars and workshops, the teachers and dancers will
be Cuban and from other countries.
- Los Dias de la Danza,
Festival of performing Cuban dance groups. May 29, the International
day of dancing, is the day the Premio Nacional de la Danza,
a nacional reward, will be hand out in the Teatro Mella Havana.
- 1 - Primero de Mayo (Labor
Day), Meetings, parades, processions trough the whole country.
The most important will take place in Havana at the Plaza de
la Revolution.
- First week - Romería
de Mayo (Holguin)
- Half May - Fierro
Internacional del Disco Cubadisco, (International music
album fair in Pabexpo Havana).
- Festival de Arte Danzario
(Havana and Camaguey), Festival for all kind of dancing,
Readings, seminars and workshops, the teachers and dancers will
be Cuban and from other countries.
- Fiesta Nacional de la Danza
(Santa Clara), The best dancers will perform through the whole
province. The festival will end with a big party in Santa Clara.
- End - Fiestas Sanjuaneras
(Trinidad)
- Festival of Caribbean Culture
- Half June - Festival de Boleros
de Oro (Santiago, Moron, Havana), Concerts of the best Cuban
and foreign Bolero singers, readings as well.
- 1 till 15 - Encuentro de
Bandas de Concierto (Plaza de la Revolution, Bayamo) Performances
of National and International bands. Readings, workshops.
- End of June - Fiesta del
Gallo (Moron), Parades in the sign of the rooster, the symbol
of the city.
- Every other year at the end
of June - Jornada Cucalambeana, Encuentro Festival Iberoamericano
de la Decima (Las Tunas), Most important festival of the
Rural Cuban Culture. Concerts and performances of poets, musicians
and repentistas (impromptu). Readings and litarairy meetings,
exhibitions of local activitie and theatre.
- Carnaval in Havana, a
parade of decorated cars driving from Hotel Nacional to Calle
Belascoain and music performances of comparsas (prosession group
who prepare this the whole year). During the weekends free concerts
at the Piragua.
- Last week - Carnival santiago
de Cuba, Parade of decorated cars through the streets of
the city, music of comparsas and a show of the Tropicana at
Santiago.
- 25-27 July - Celebration
of the National Rebellion, every year in a different city.
The official tribute because of the Moncada barrack attacks
at July 26 1953. Fidel Castro will always speech at one of the
Revoltion Squares in a Cuban city. Lots of concerts etc around
the country.
- Festival de Titere (Havana)
puppet festival in Havana Vieja
- Fiesta del Fuego (Santiago
de Cuba)
- Festival Internacional de
Musica Contemporanea de Camaguey, Big festival about todays
music, with concerts, workgroups and a roundtable for discussions
about Cuban music en foreign composers.
- 13 August Fidel Castros birthday
(1926)
- End of August, ones in 2 years
- Festival Internacional de Musica Popular "Beny More"
(Cienfuegos), Festival of the popular Cuban music and its
most important representatives, with readings etc about Beny
More.
- 8 - Festa de la Virgin del
Cobre (Santiago de Cuba)
- Second half of September -
Festival de Teatro de la Habana, 2 times a year event with
performances of dance, opera, puppettheatre, streetacts and
pantamime.
- Metamoros Son (Santiago),
Festival of Son, 2 years event.
- Festival de Teatro de Camaguey,
National Theatre competition, a tribute to Gertrudis Gomez de
Avellaneda.
- 10 October - Day of Cuban
Culture
- Havana Festival of Contemporary
Music Trinidad (10 days)
- Second half of Oct. - Fiesta
de la Cultura Iberoamericana (Holguin) Festival about the
Spanish culture with concerts, exhibitions, readings and festivals.
- Second half of Oct. - Festival
Internacional de Ballet de la Habana, Teatro Garcia Lorca
Havana. A wide open view on classical ballet, organised by the
Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
- End - Semana de la Cultura
Trinitaria Trinidad
- Salon de Arte Cubano Contemporeano,
Centro Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales, Havana (twice a year).
A expo competition of modern art with rewards to win. Next to
this expo,, discussions and readings.
- Festejos de San Cristobal
de la Habana
- Festval International de
Coros, Sala Dolores, Teatro Heredia (Santiago de Cuba)
- Second half of Nov. - Festival
de Raices Africanas "Wemilere", Guanabacoa. African
parties.
- Festival Cubadanzon,
Teatro Sauto, Matanzas. Performances of danzon orchestras and
dancers, courses and trades
- First half of Dec. - Festival
Internacional Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano (ICAIC) International
Festival of Latin American Film Habana. The most important Cuban
movie festival with lots of foreign famous people. The cinemas
show the newest Latin American movies.
- First half of Dec. - Fiesta
Guantanamera, Guantanamo. Demonstrations en readings about
Afro Cuban religions.
- Dec 17 - Dia de San Lazaro,
Santiago de las Vegas, El Rincon. Religious Cubans go to the
church of Rincon....a lot from far away by feet.
- 8 till 24 - Parrandas di
Remedios. Cuba's most popular nacional party.
|
| *In
the end a little funny quote, what a lot Americans will say when
the travel ban is lifted, and they finally are able to visit Cuba... |
- "Where
is the toilet seat? (and the paper to go with it)"
- "The
A/C doesn't work."
- "What
happened to the electricity?"
- "You
expect ME to use that shower?"
- "Where
did all these flies come from?"
- "How
come they don't have regular street signs?"
- "How
much longer do we have to wait for (name it)?"
- "What
do you mean, you're all out of filet mignon?"
- "The
room we reserved had a king size bed."
- "Why
is it so hot here?"
- "Why
does it rain so much in August?"
|
