Regional NotesCuba GOVERNMENT Cuba is a communist state (Socialist Republic). TIME ZONE GMT/UTC less 5 hours. MONEY The currency is the Cuban Peso (= 100 Octavos). The Peso is not convertible, but US dollars are accepted. Some goods are available only in 'dollar stores'. Another feature of the Cuban economy are the Paladares. These are small restaurants run in private homes, highly recommended and offering better prices than other eating places. Tipping is accepted, and normally between 10% and 20%; Paladares may simply add this to your bill, as a tax or service charge. COMMUNICATIONS With an International Calling Card, available from post offices or hotels, you can dial direct and get good connections. Only political obstacles prevent direct communication with the United States. However, such calls can be made at hotels, telecom and post offices through an operator, without any problems except astronomical cost. Local calls can be made, using centavos, in street phone boxes. Mobile phones can be hired from Cubacel S.A (Tel 537-802-222). Faxes, email and telegrams can be sent from larger hotels or telecom offices. LANGUAGE & CULTURE Very little English is spoken in Cuba: the official language is Spanish. Cuba has given social priority to its health care system. There is excellent, free, medical care, and even most marinas have a clinic on site. Conversely the buildings in Cuba, including marinas, are often in poor repair: this can mean rods, etc. jutting out from dock walls, so you need to use plenty of fendering. There is a public transport system, and taxis and hire cars are readily available.Public Holidays Liberation Day (January 1), Labour Day (May 1), Anniversary of the 1953 Revolution (July 25 - 27), Wars of Independence Day (October 10), and Christmas Day. HEALTH Cuba has a high standard of health care, which is readily accessible, and routinely free of charge to everyone including tourists. However, hospitalization would be at a designated tourist hospital, where the charges rival those of the USA. Also, even common drugs such as aspirin are in very short supply. IMPORTANT ADDRESSES, CONSULATES etc. British Embassy, Calle 34 No. 702/4 entre 7ma Avenida y 17, Miramar, Havana, Tel 52- 7- 24 - 1771. Canadian Embassy, Calle 30, No. 518, Esquina a7a, Miramar, Havana, Tel.: 53 -7- 24 -25 -16 Canadian Consulate in Guardalavaca: Villa Cabanas 13-14, Guardalavaca, Holguin (Province), Tel 53 -24-30-290. Canadian Consulate in Varadero: Calle 13E, Avenida Primera y Camino de Mar, Varadera, Matanzas (Province), Tel 53-5-61-2078. The US has no diplomatic representation in Cuba, but there is an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy - at USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado Seccion, Havana, Tel 33-3551 through 3559 and 33-3543 through 3547 (with operator assistance). SPECIAL FEATURES Sailing to Cuba is for the hardy and adventurous, but increasing numbers of people are doing it as the island opens itself up to tourism, and the US relaxes travel restrictions. Cuba is bigger than often thought - it is the size of England, with a longer coastline. It is less than a day's sail from Florida's Key West. Most US insurance companies will not insure boats in Cuban waters, and nor will most European companies, but the British Company Special Risks are a major exception. There is now a choice of sailing guides to Cuba. Useful ones are Nigel Calder's 'Cuba: a Cruising Guide' (St Ives, UK: Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson, 1999) and Simon Charles' 'The Cruising Guide to Cuba' (Dunedin, Florida: Cruising Guide Pulications Inc., 1997). You will need to fully provision your boat, as many basic goods cannot be easily obtained on the island. This includes soap, sanitary supplies, medicines, bread, milk and cooking oil. US law forbids US citizens from trading with Cuba, so they must bring nothing back from the island, even spare food. Likewise, provisions will be closely inspected on entering Cuba, but for health risks. The US legislation on tourist visits to Cuba is open to differing interpretations, and you are strongly advised to inform yourself fully before preparing to travel if you are a US citizen.Regional LinksThe Locations |