viva la cuba

Travel information

Population :

11,382,820 (2006 estimation)

Capital :

Havana. (Population: 2,306,000 (estimation 2005).)

Other cities :

Pinar del Rio,Trinidad, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Holguin, Guantanamo, Matanzas

Area :

110,860 sq km (42,803 sq miles).

Climate :

Hot, sub-tropical. The most pleasant monthes are November-April, when the day temperatures are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C, with nights in the 60s-70s F/15-27 C. Most rain falls between May and October and hurricanes can occur in autumn (August to November). Humidity varies between 75 per cent and 95 per cent. Cooler months are January to April when the least rain falls.

Language :

Spanish.

Government :

Socialist Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1898. Head of State and Government: President Fidel Castro Ruz since 1959.

Religion :

Roman Catholic majority. There are also minority Afro-Cuban religions.

Time :

GMT - 5.

International airports :

Havana (HVA) (Jose Marti International); international airports at Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Santiago de Cuba and Varadero.

Air transportation :

Cubana (CU, Cuba's national airline), Aeroflot, Air France, Air Jamaica, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Mexicana and SA.

Approximate flight times :

From Havana to London is eight hours, to Los Angeles is nine hours and to New York is six hours.

Passport & Visa

A Passport, a Visa and a return ticket are required. 30 days Tourist Visa Card (from 15 to 30 $).

Health

Drinking bottled water is recommanded. Milk, dairy products, meat, poultry, seafoods and fruit are considered safe.

Electricity :

110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style plugs are generally used

Telephone :

IDD to Havana only. Country code: 53. Outgoing international code: 119. Phonecards are available from shops and kiosks.

Mobile telephone :

Cellular handsets can be hired from Cubacel.

Fax :

Services are widely available in post offices, hotels.

Internet :

Available at hotels and some Internet cafes. ISPs are limited.

Telegram :

in all post offices in Havana and in major hotels in large towns.

Post :

Letters to Western Europe can take several weeks. It is advisable to use the airmail service.

Currency

Since 2004, three currencies : the Cuban Peso (CUP) for the locals, the Convertible Peso (CUC = "Tourist dollar"), and the US Dollars (you will be charged 10% commission on exchanging them).
1 US Dollar = 0.93 Cuban Convertible Peso (2006)
Cuban Peso (CUP) = 100 centavos
MasterCard and Visa accepted, if not issued by a US bank. Travelers cheques in US Dollar and other major currencies accepted, if not issued by US banks.