Cuba / Island Essentials

All travellers to Cuba will need to know the essential island facts. The information on Cuba shown below is current (2011).

Airports

Cuba's largest airport is Havana (HAV) situated in the capital Havana. This is where most scheduled flights land, but most charter airlines offer direct flights to Varadero (VAR), Cayo Coco (CCC) or Holguin (HOG). There are also a number of smaller airports, some of them with international flights.

Check-in/Check-out

As a rule check-out times are around 12 noon and check-in is generally not prior to 3pm, while the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. This is not usually a problem as most guests do not reach the hotel until the mid afternoon anyway. If you will be arriving earlier than that then try to let your hotel know and they might possibly let you into your room early. Some properties may provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability, or they may sometimes be flexible on check-out time by prior arrangement.

Departure Tax/Taxes

An overseas departure tax (approximately $25) must be paid when leaving Cuba. It is applicable to all travellers over the age of two and is generally added to your ticket at the time of booking.

Electricity

Power is 110/230 volts AC at 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs are generally used, except in certain large hotels where the European round two-pin plug is standard.

Embassies/Consulates

British Embassy, 702/4 Calle 34, Miramar, t 7204 2516, open Monday-Friday, 8am-3.30pm.

Canadian Embassy, 518 Calle 30, Miramar, Havana, t 7204 2516, open Monday-Thursday, 8.30am-5pm, Friday 8.30am-2pm.

United States, c/o Swiss Embassy, Calzada, Vedado, between L and M streets, t 7833 3551, open Monday-Thursday, 8.30am-5pm and Friday 8.30am-4pm
The USA has no embassy because it has had no diplomatic relations with Cuba since the Cuban revolution in 1959. US Interests are represented by the US Interests Section (USINT), which operates under the legal protection of the Swiss government.

Emergencies

One emergency number covers all services. It can be reached by dialling 26811.

Nudity

Topless bathing is banned in theory, but is practised by tourists on many of the beaches. Public nudity is not appreciated on mainland Cuba but it does happen in quieter areas on Cayo Largo

Service Charge/Tipping

Tipping used to be discouraged but it is gradually becoming more common in Cuba. There is no tradition of adding a percentage, so rounding up the bill will usually suffice. Small amounts are appreciated by service staff and taxi drivers.

Time Zone

Cuba is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (ie the same as the eastern seaboard of the USA), which is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5), ie Britain in winter, and six hours behind mainland Europe.

After several years of not implementing Daylight Saving Time, Cuba now operates summer time in line with other North American countries. During DST Cuba is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -4), but still five hours behind British Summer Time and six behind European time.