Travel advice & practical information for travelogue:

'Surprising Cuba'

Useful addresses

Toronto

Consulate General of Cuba
5353 Dundas St. West, Suite 401
Etobicoke
Toronto ON M9B 6H8
Tel.: 416-234 8181
Fax: 416-234 2754
E-mail: cubacon@on.aibn.com

London

Embassy of Cuba
167 High Holborn
London WC1V 6PA
Tel.: 020-7240 2488
Fax: 020-7836 2602
E-mail: embacuba@cubaldn.com
Web site: Embassy of Cuba in London

Paris

Cuban Embassy
16, Rue de Presles
75015 Paris
Tel.: 01-4567 5535
Fax: 01-4567 1262
E-mail: embacu@ambacub.fr

General information

Ask the local population for advice; they know the best addresses and often enjoy helping.

Bring pictures of where you live. People are ignorant about everything that happens outside Cuba and are eager to find out how people in other countries live.

Money

American Express Traveller checks are not accepted; Thomas Cook's are, in BFI banks. Most big cities have those (Havana has several). One has to pay commission, though.

So one has to bring cash. The local peso can only be used to purchase food in the street. To change convertible pesos, bring cash, in small denominations.

If you know in advance which places you're going to visit, you can find out online if and where there are ATM's where you can use your MasterCard and Cirrus or Visa to withdraw money.

Accomodation

One can find the addresses of casas particulares on www.cuba-junky.com. Some can be booked on line. But that isn't necessary, rooms are always available.

Language

Outside tourist resorts (especially Varadero) people only speak Spanish. It's best to take a basic course in Spanish if you want to travel around, or bring a good phrase book.

Communication

Cell phones can be used only in Valadero and Havana. Internet is only available in big cities and slow because of bad phone connections.

Health

For up-to-date information about health risks go to the site of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cuba. Always consult your family doctor as well.

Safety and security

Traveling in some countries or regions can bring risks with it. That shouldn't always be a reason not to go there, but part of a thorough preparation is to find out about possible risks.

A good place to find information is the web site of the CIA World Factbook Cuba. Always seek advice from your own country's foreign department as well.

Plan your trip to Cuba online

Through online reservation systems like À la Carte Vacations you can book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars and holiday houses. You can build a fly-drive itinerary with maximum flexibility, book a flight plus a hotel hotel for a night or weekend. Without the limitations of package deals from travel organisations and most times for a much better price.

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