| USEFUL
INFO:
Language:
Spanish is the natural
language in Cuba, Central and South America and though you
will find English reasonably well spoken and understood in
the resort areas it is less so off the beaten track. English
is the first language in the British Caribbean islands.
Credit Cards:
The use of traveler's cheques is strongly recommend when
traveling abroad. Credit cards are widely accepted in Latin
America and the Caribbean. In Cuba they are accepted in most
hotels but not usually in shops and restaurants. Please note
that in Cuba traveler's cheques or credit cards issued by
an American bank will not be accepted anywhere as a result
of the US embargo. In these days of an increasing range of
credit cards with highly individual and obscure names,
please double check that your card has not been issued by an
American bank, especially if you are relying on it as part
of your budget.
Tipping:
Tipping, especially at All
Inclusive hotels, will be greatly appreciated and (wrong
though it may be) will probably result in a better service.
If you are going to tip, we therefore recommend that you do
it at the beginning of you holiday. In Cuba the state
controlled monthly salary is very low, so even a dollar tip
goes a long way.
Food, drink
and eating out:
Most of the hotels
we feature offer a fair selection of international dishes. To
savour the real influence and ethnic diversity of the
countries however, we recommend a foray into some of the
smaller local restaurants. Specifically in Cuba there has been
a rapid growth in private restaurants, known as paladars,
which effectively are akin to eating in people’s houses and
offer great value, particularly in seafood. Of course the best
part of eating out comes with the washing it down! Needless to
say in the Caribbean rum is the foundation for a mean
selection of cocktails and as Cuba is the original home of
Bacardi the Mojito, Cuba Libre, and the Daiquiri originated
here and prevail today. Proceed, but proceed with caution!
There is also a good range of beers and local wines,
especially in Latin America. On a more sober note, it is
recommended that you buy the bottled water.
Telephone area
code in Cuba:
| Ancón
(419) |
Baracoa
(21) |
| Caibarién
(42) |
Camagüey
(32) |
| Cayo Coco
(33) |
Cayo Largo del Sur
(45) |
| Ciego de Ávila
(33) |
Cienfuegos
(432) |
| Florida
(32) |
Granma
(23) |
| Havana
(7) |
Holguín
(24) |
| Las
Tunas (31) |
Matanzas
(45) |
| Morón
(335) |
Pinar del Río
(82) |
| Playa Covarrubias
(31) |
Playa Girón |
| Playa Larga
( 45) |
Playa Santa Lucía
( 32) |
| Remedios
( 42) |
Sancti Spíritus
( 41) |
| Santa
Clara ( 42) |
Santiago de
Cuba ( 22) |
| Topes de Collantes
( 42) |
Trinidad
( 419) |
| Vinales
( 8) |
Varadero
( 45) |
Departing Cuba:
Please remember to
keep US$25 in cash per person to pay your departure tax. >>
Diplomatic
Missions In Cuba |
