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| Visa | Every visitor of Cuba needs a passport, which is valid for at least 6 months beyond the length of stay. Visas are required by all except for holders of a Tourist Card. All passengers must hold tickets and other documentation required for their onward or return journey unless holding special annotation issued by a Cuban Consulate. All business travellers need a visa regardless of nationality. Persons, who want to reside in Cuba with family or friends, must apply for a Visitor's Card. For more information, please contact the embassy or consulate of Cuba. | | Time | GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) minus 5 hours | | Electricity | 110/120V, 60Hz | | Weights and Measures | Metric | | Health | Vaccinations
Travellers coming from or passing through infected areas must have an International Certificate of Vaccination verifying inoculation against cholera and yellow fever. It is recommended to get vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, meningococcus, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B. Rabies is present. If you are at high risk, you should consider vaccination before departure. If you are bitten, you should seek medical advice without delay. Hepatitis A has been reported in the northern Caribbean Islands. Diarrhea is common for travellers. Prevent fungal infections by wearing loose clothing made of natural fibers. Malaria, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, and tetanus have been nearly eradicated. Please contact the nearest vaccination centre before departure.
Water and Hygiene
Water on Cuba is relatively safe to drink, because it is chlorinated, but it may cause mild abdominal upsets. It is better to drink bottled water in the first weeks of the stay. You also should avoid the use of ice cubes. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood and fruit are generally considered safe to eat. It is better not to eat raw vegetables and fruit, unless they have been washed in a chlorine solution.
Medical Care
The medical services of Cuba have improved a lot since the 1959 revolution. The island now has a high quality standard for medical facilities and emergency treatment is available to visitors without extra costs. Many medications and supplies are available. However, travellers are advised to bring any necessary prescribed medicine. It is also wise to bring a copy of the prescription and a letter from a physician explaining the need for the prescription. It is necessary to have a health insurance, because foreigners need to pay for most of their health care. Staff at the major good hotels can recommend a doctor, and otherwise you should contact your embassy or consulate. | | Communication | In Cuba you have the following emergency numbers: police: 116; fire: 115. The international access code is 53. With the number 119 a international operator can be reached. For information you can dial 113 during daytime and 60-71-10 during the night. | | Money | The currency of Cuba are the Cuban Peso and the US dollar. You should exchange money at official foreign exchange bureaux, banks or international air and seaports. It is illegal to change money on the black market. Only non-US bank creditcards are accepted in Cuba. Credit Cards and travellers cheques issued by US companies are not negotiable in Cuba. You even cannot use your Eurocheques. Thomas Cook and Visa traveller's cheques in US dollar denominations are also fine, as long as a US bank did not issue them. US Dollar, Sterling and other major currencies are accepted, but US Dollar cheques issued by American banks are not acceptable. You should not enter the place and date details on the traveller's cheques; otherwise they will be refused. The white exchange paper received upon encashment must be retained and shown when money is spent. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There is no limit on the import of foreign currency, but it must all be declared on arrival. Generally, a maximum of pesos10 may be reconverted to foreign currency for re-export at the end of the stay but it may only be reconverted on presentation of a correctly filled out official exchange recordIf you would like to know the most recent exchange rate for this country's currency, go to the Oanda website. | | Links | Official website of the ministry of tourism of Cuba
Official website of the Cuban tourism board in Germany
Oanda Currency converter
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