Free Travel Guide

CUBA

Free Travel Guide

Cuba

November to March

Spanish

Cuban Peso (CUC)

High

For many, including us, Cuba is a dream destination. And that is mainly due to the beautiful beaches and the southern atmosphere that you can find there. Of course Cuba is also known for the colorful Havana where you can still drive around in real oldtimers. And those who love cigars and rum are also in the right place on this Caribbean island, which is mainly visited as an All-In trip. You can also fly to Varadero from Belgium and the Netherlands. However, anyone who thinks Cuba is a budget destination will be disappointed. Because of its tourist currency (CUC), Cuba has managed to keep its prices high for tourists.

Transport in

Cuba

Rent a car

If you want to rent a car in Cuba, you should not be afraid of traffic. Because in this country the normal traffic rules apply that also apply at home. With the exception that you are allowed a maximum of 100 km/h on the motorways. Your driving license from home is also valid in Cuba. Renting a car in Cuba is possible from 70 euros at TUI . This is a fairly high amount. But that is mainly due to a much more limited supply than in other countries. A road trip in Cuba is certainly not cheap!

Bus

Although there are some city buses in this country, they are not recommended. This is mainly because they drive irregularly and are always overcrowded. Also keep a close eye on your belongings on these buses. The Viazul buses , on the other hand, are much more reliable and also quite cheap. For example, you pay just under 10 euros for a ride from Varadero to Havana. Which is not much for a drive of almost 3 hours. It is best to book these buses the day before.

Plane

Although you can find an airport in every larger city, it is not always of the known European quality. Yet they are safe. However, the question is whether this method is the most ecological way of transport in this country. Since the distances are not really great, it is better to opt for another mode of transport. However, the longest flight from Havana to Santiago de Cuba only takes an hour and a half. Also book your flights well in time! Because these also sell out quickly. The easiest way to find these tickets is through Skyscanner .

Train

If you are not in a hurry and comfort is not really important, the train in Cuba is an ideal way to traverse this country. Because every city is connected by a railway. Make sure you book these trains early enough. This is because only a limited number of places are given away to tourists. Extra tip: if you are going to take a long ride on the train, bring your own toilet paper. This is almost always on when you have to.

Useful tips

Cuba

Helpful facts

Cuba

Food

Eating and drinking in Cuba is not that expensive in Belgian and Dutch terms. You can eat the man well for 10 euros. Cuban food mainly consists of beans and rice. Which is then combined with chicken, pork and sometimes fish. Eating healthy in Cuba is a bit more difficult, however, as vegetables do not play such an important role in Cuban eating habits. You will not find a large chain of McDonalds here. Always ask the price of your dish in Cuba because these are not always stated. Keep in mind that you also have to pay 12 percent (tax) on this.

Papers for Cuba

You need a visa for Cuba. You can usually obtain this visa from your airline at the airport. This is a blank visa that you just have to fill in with a ballpoint pen. Please note, not every airline does this. So be sure to check this out. Tui does. If they do not do this, you have to get this visa yourself at the consulate of Cuba. Attention! If you are traveling from America, you need permission from an American travel agency or from the government. This is due to the increased controls between the wide countries. A Belgian driver’s license is also valid in Cuba.

Vaccinations for Cuba

You do need some vaccinations for Cuba. You can get this from your family doctor or at the subtropical institute. You need a vaccination for yellow fever, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio). For a longer stay in Cuba, a vaccination against Rabies (rabies) is also recommended. You must also have proof of all these vaccinations in the international vaccination booklet. You can also easily obtain this from the subtropical institute. The chance that you have to show this is small, but you never know. In the tourism regions such as Varadero, an exception can be made to these vaccinations. For more information you can always take a look here. You can also find the rules regarding covid19 here.

Internet

When it comes to the internet, Cuba is a real hell, especially if you need the internet like us to do your job. You hardly have WiFi anywhere. And if there is already wifi you have to buy an entrance ticket of 1 CUC (80 cents) per hour. And although you have to pay for this wifi, it is also not that good. When purchasing these tickets, your passport will also be requested for verification. Buying a SIM card with 4G is not yet possible as a tourist in 2020.

Tipping in Cuba

Most workers in service sectors such as restaurants and hotels have very low wages and actually live off tips from the tourist. Although this is not mandatory, it is still recommended to tip about 10 percent. You give about 2 CUC to a chambermaid. You can also tip a guide between 2 and 5 CUC. Even though some Cuban guides try to get a little more with some lies that this would be mandatory 10 percent. Because it isn’t!

Safety

Compared to some other poor countries, Cuba is a very safe country for the tourist. Of course you also have the petty crime that you also find in our cities. But if you take good care of your belongings, you won’t be robbed so easily. It is recommended to use a safe in your room. Also, don’t keep all your valuables in the same place. And of course don’t go for sale with all your expensive stuff.