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Cuba visa, currency and healthDuring your holiday in Cuba, everything will be just a little different than what you're accustomed to. Even if you're a seasoned traveller who's been to Europe, Asia or Latin America, it's still very important to prepare properly for your trip to Cuba and to read through the following Cuba travel information.As a foreigner travelling to Cuba, you will need to have a Cuba visa prior to arrival. Once you arrive in Cuba it's also important to know that as a tourist you'll use a different type of Cuba currency than the locals do. Another interesting fact: even though debit card payments are generally accepted all over the world, it's not always possible in Cuba. Below you'll read more about this and other practical information in preparation for your Cuba holiday. If you are not a British passport holder, other conditions may apply to border documents, visas and vaccinations. Once you have read our Cuba travel information, you can choose from our selection of suggested Cuban holidays or you can build your own Cuba trip by combining several of our Cuba Trips. If you would like to request a quote, simply fill out our online Cuba travel quote request form. |
Cuba Travel Information: Required Documents
Those travelling to Cuba with a British nationality must have a valid passport with a validity of at least an additional 6 months after your intended departure from Cuba. You'll also need a 'Tourist Card', commonly known as a Cuba visa. Your Tourist Card must be in your possession prior to your arrival in Cuba. If you book your trip with Cuba Travel Plan we'll arrange your Tourist Card for you at a cost of £22.50 per person. If you plan on staying in Cuba longer than 30 days, you will have to apply for an extension of your Cuba visa while you're in Cuba. Keep in mind that it can take quite some time to arrange your own visa whilst in Cuba and that it may be a little difficult if you do not speak Spanish.
For more Cuba travel information, check out the UK Passport Information site: www.ukpa.gov.uk
Those travelling to Cuba with a British nationality must have a valid passport with a validity of at least an additional 6 months after your intended departure from Cuba. You'll also need a 'Tourist Card', commonly known as a Cuba visa. Your Tourist Card must be in your possession prior to your arrival in Cuba. If you book your trip with Cuba Travel Plan we'll arrange your Tourist Card for you at a cost of £22.50 per person. If you plan on staying in Cuba longer than 30 days, you will have to apply for an extension of your Cuba visa while you're in Cuba. Keep in mind that it can take quite some time to arrange your own visa whilst in Cuba and that it may be a little difficult if you do not speak Spanish.
For more Cuba travel information, check out the UK Passport Information site: www.ukpa.gov.uk
A Cuba visa is made up of two identical halves. Customs will take one half when you arrive in Cuba. Keep the other half in a safe place; you'll have to hand it over it when you leave the country as proof that you're leaving Cuba.
It's also very important to make sure you that you have adequate Travel Insurance for your trip to Cuba, to cover yourself against any medical, cancellation, loss of possessions, personal accidents etc whilst away. Don't forget to take along written proof of your Travel Insurance, an insurance card or copy of your Travel Insurance policy will do. If you are not able to prove that you have the necessary type of insurance when you arrive in Cuba, you'll be required to purchase insurance directly there in Cuba. Since this can be quite expensive and time consuming at customs, we recommend having your Travel Insurance properly sorted out before travelling to Cuba. Please note, Cuban officials will not accept insurance that has been purchased from an American company.
Cuba Travel Information: Currency
There are two kinds of official Cuban currency: the CUC (Cuban Convertible) for use by foreigners, the CUP (Cuban Peso) for use by locals. The exchange rate for the CUC fluctuates between £0.70 and £0.90. For every Peso you spend, you're actually spending less than one Pound Sterling. Since November 2004 you are no longer allowed to use US Dollars to make payments. If you do try to use US Dollars, you'll be charged an extra 10% fine for using them.
It's also very important to make sure you that you have adequate Travel Insurance for your trip to Cuba, to cover yourself against any medical, cancellation, loss of possessions, personal accidents etc whilst away. Don't forget to take along written proof of your Travel Insurance, an insurance card or copy of your Travel Insurance policy will do. If you are not able to prove that you have the necessary type of insurance when you arrive in Cuba, you'll be required to purchase insurance directly there in Cuba. Since this can be quite expensive and time consuming at customs, we recommend having your Travel Insurance properly sorted out before travelling to Cuba. Please note, Cuban officials will not accept insurance that has been purchased from an American company.
Cuba Travel Information: Currency
There are two kinds of official Cuban currency: the CUC (Cuban Convertible) for use by foreigners, the CUP (Cuban Peso) for use by locals. The exchange rate for the CUC fluctuates between £0.70 and £0.90. For every Peso you spend, you're actually spending less than one Pound Sterling. Since November 2004 you are no longer allowed to use US Dollars to make payments. If you do try to use US Dollars, you'll be charged an extra 10% fine for using them.
Please note: the British embassy in Cuba is regularly contacted by travellers who are stranded in Cuba without cash. Some travellers automatically assume that they can use their debit/ bank cards here. Unfortunately this isn't always the case.
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In Cuba you will not be able to use your debit/ bank card to make cash withdrawals or to make payments. In our Cuba travel information, we recommend bringing along cash and exchanging most of it when you arrive in Cuba. Hide the rest of your foreign currency in various pieces of your luggage. During your trip you can exchange British Pounds (or Euros) for CUC at banks, official cash exchange offices ('Casas de Cambio' by Cadeca) or at your hotel. Exchanging British Pounds notes for CUC's will take the least time and cost you the least. Each of these locations will charge you the daily rate and will not charge you a commission; hotels however may charge you a fee. If you bring along Travellers Cheques you may be asked for the proof of purchase of the cheques (so don't forget to bring it along) and the check numbers will be registered. |
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Don't forget to bring along a credit card when travelling to Cuba. Visa, Euro and Master Cards are widely accepted. American Express and Diners' Club are not accepted. When using your Visa credit card and your pin number, you may be able to make cash withdrawals from some bank ATMS. You can use the other credit cards to pay in stores and hotels or to make cash withdrawals in banks as long as you have your passport with you as identification. There's a fairly steep commission for using a credit card though; you'll pay 11%. You shouldn't have any problem spending money; however in this Cuba travel information, we do want to advise you about the following: - You can use the Convertible Peso (CUC) to pay in restaurants, stores, taxis, for car hire and more. Cuban Pesos (CUP) cannot be used as payment by foreigners. Many Cubans would very much like to have a few Convertible Pesos (CUC) of their own so that they can by a few 'luxury' items. People will offer to carry your bags, shine your hoes, guard you car, give you a tour, sell you a cigar, invite you to their home for a meal, let you spend the night, etc., all just to get a few CUC. It's perfectly understandable why they would want to do so, but it can feel a bit pushy at times. - CUC can be exchanged for British pounds at Havana airport at the end of your holiday. Of course it's a shame to do so because you'll end up losing money in the exchange. Try to finish all but about 25 CUC (you'll need this at the airport to pay your departure tax) before you leave the country. - Tips aren't compulsory, but you may feel morally obligated to do so. Taxi drivers, restaurant staff and hotel staff generally receive a 10% tip. - The amount of money you'll actually spend on holiday, that you'll have to bring along with you, depends on your spending pattern. In this Cuba travel information, we suggest that on average you'll spend about £35-40 per person, per day for food, drink and petrol. |
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