Useful information about Cuba : Houses in Cuba : Renting private houses

To avoid scams and rip-offs it is strongly recommended that you do not exchange currency in the streets. Make sure you only exchange your foreign currency at the official banks or Casas de Cambio also known as CADECA located all over the country.

There are two types of currencies in Cuba: the convertible peso (CUC) and the plain Cuban peso. We recommend that you exchange your foreign currency in convertible pesos (CUC). You will use this “tourist” currency to satisfy most of your needs. In case you need plain Cuban pesos, it will be easier to get them by selling a few of you convertible pesos.

We recommend that you take cash with you. The use of credit cards in tourist places is heavily taxed, approximately 11 percent of the cost of the service you receive.

You must pay an airport tax of $25.00 CUC at the moment of departure from Cuba.

Most airlines allow a maximum luggage of 20 kilos for the tourist class. Some others like Cubana and AirEuropa can allow a maximum of 30 kilos.

Nonetheless, starting in 2007, Cuba has new regulations regarding the amount of luggage that is allowed to bring in: upon arrival to the airport passengers are supposed to weigh their luggage using available scales. Up to 30 kilos (including your cabin luggage) is tax-free. You can take up to 95 additional kilos that will be taxed at a rate of $10.00 CUC per kilo (about 8 Euros). Appliances and car parts are subject to a higher tax.

You are allowed to take up to 10 kilos of medicines in a separate bag. This is tax-free, if kept in their original packaging.

For further details about customs regulations in Cuba, visit the official website at www.aduana.co.cu

*Do not drink tap water never.

*If you are taking specific medication, bring it with you.

*Do not carry lots of cash with you when walking in the streets. Do not carry your passport when walking in the streets. (You can just make a copy of your passport to carry with you and leave the original safe in the hotel)

Do not buy cigars or liquors in the street. We strongly recommend that you buy those items at the official stores where quality is guaranteed and you will get a purchase receipt.

It is true that Cuba is an everlasting summer. All year temperatures vary from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius, but sometimes it feels like hotter due to the high humidity. We recommend you pack summer clothing made out of cotton plus a light sweater to wear in AC buses or in the winter cooler days (from December to February)

Complying with a worldwide etiquette rule, the most elegant restaurants require more formal attires.

Cuba’s electricity is 110 volts, 60Hz, but most hotels and resorts have 220 volts. Electrical outlets take flat plug prongs. If you are bringing an electrical appliance, check before you leave to see if you need an adaptor or converter.

*All houses are legal for the Cuban goverment and pay the corresponding legal rates.

Two adults per room. Underage children can stay in their parent’s room.

If you have a Cuban male or female companion, this person (must be an adult) should register in the hotel book and provide his or her ID document.

Upon your request, it will be possible to book a different room or an additional room in the same

neighborhood where your original room is.

We recommend that you use the cars offered by rental agencies in Cuba. You will be travelling comfortably and safely.

If you take a taxi from the airport to the place of your lodging, make sure you knock at the door of the house in person. It can happen that the taxi driver tries to cheat you by saying that the place is full or that there is nobody at home and you will lose your reservation.

Gifts and souvenirs are available at crafts fairs in any province or territory. When purchasing these items just make sure you are given an official receipt or exportation permit. A designated employee working at these fairs will be able to provide you with this document for a charge of $5.00 CUC or less. This will guarantee a smooth and hassle-free clearing of customs at the moment of departure. Keep in mind that you can be asked to present an exportation permit for all crafts, no matter how small they may be.

In the case of cigars and liquors, make sure that the boxes have the official export stamp. You are allowed to take with you up to 2 boxes of cigars or 2 bottles of liquor without official receipt. For bigger quantities you will be required to produce the commercial invoice issued by the store in which you bought the items.