Communications
Some American phone companies like Verizon and AT&T, now offer service in Cuba. Check with your phone company about their service and rates. You can call the U.S. from a hotel for around $2 per minute. There is internet service at all major hotels and at several hot spots around town. Consider installing WhatsApp on your phone before you depart for your trip so you can communicate directly with family members when you are online in Cuba.
Electrical Outlets
Most outlets in private houses and hotels are 110v like we use here in the U.S. but European hotels like the Meliá brand, and a few others would require a converter for hairdryers and shavers. All computers and phones have international chargers that can be plugged into with 110v or 220v.
Food
Traditional Cuban food is rice and black beans, with meat, fish, or chicken, and salad. They also often serve a vianda, starchy food like plantains, boniato (white sweet potato), or yucca. Over the last 5 years there has been a culinary renaissance and you can find many new privately owned restaurants with vibrant and delicious menus prepared by excellent chefs.
General Safety
Cuba is one of the safest places in the world. Crime rates are low and violent incidences are rare. However, petty theft, like camera and purse snatching, is on the rise. Keep an eye on your things when you are out and consider leaving extra cash and valuables in your casa or hotel room.
Gifts and Donations
Many travelers wonder what they can bring to contribute. Here are a few suggestions: aspirin, ibuprofen, cold and flu medicine, and vitamins for adults and children; also books in Spanish (including kids books), toothbrushes, sunglasses, deodorant, tampons, AA batteries, disposable razors, perfumes, nail polish, hair accessories, baseball caps, T-shirts, and backpacks. For musicians and dancers, consider bringing things like tights, dance shoes, drum sticks, and reeds for woodwind instruments.
Money in Cuba
Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC/Chavitos):
This currency is no longer valid in Cuba.
Cuban Pesos, Euros and USD
Cuba is relying more on the national currency, the CUP (Cuban Peso), and Euros. USD is not officially accepted in Cuba at this time. You will not be able to change US dollars for CUP at the bank or Cadeca (currency changing station). But because US dollars are still in demand, there will be ways that you can use some USD on your trip. You should plan to bring at least half of your spending money for expenses outside of the program in Euros.
Another development is that stores that formerly took dollars and CUC, now only accept pre-paid debit cards. No cash is accepted at these stores. The cards come in various denominations and can be purchased at banks, Cadecas, and hotels with non-US currency only. Hotels now only accept these cards at their restaurants, bars and stores. We’ll give you more guidance on the money situation as the tour approaches.
Our tour packages include housing, breakfast and some other meals, several excursions, and transportation to activities on the schedule. You’ll need money for things like bottled water, meals not on the schedule, supplemental transportation when you’re not with the group, entrance to venues not included on the pass, art and souvenirs, *group tip, and alcoholic beverages.
Tips
We suggest at least a 10% tip for meals in restaurants and paladars. Tip the taxi drivers at least $2 per ride.
Group Tip
On our programs, we encourage a group tip donation which gets distributed among many Cuban people who work hard to make this trip special, including your tour guide and bus driver, hotel front desk and kitchen staff, people who work at the music school, and others that are behind the scenes at group events. We suggest $25 per person per week.
Purchasing Goods
You can bring back art, musical instruments, souvenirs, and consumer goods, including tobacco and alcohol for personal use. There are general restrictions on the amount of alcohol and tobacco Americans can bring into the U.S. and those guidelines also apply for travel to Cuba.
Medical Care
No inoculations are required for travel to Cuba.There are excellent hospitals for foreigners. All flights from the U.S. include Cuba’s obligatory medical insurance. This covers medical treatments, hospitalization, doctor visits, and medicine up to $7,000.
Transportation
When traveling for a PlazaCUBA tour, you will be met at the airport and receive a transfer to the hotel. We will also provide ground transportation for scheduled group activities and excursions. Details about included transportation will appear on the itinerary. To attend activities not listed as included on the itinerary, plan to take a taxi. Travelers are departing on many different flights, we ask you to plan to take a taxi to the airport at the end of the tour.
Water
Most Cubans drink tap water, but we recommend that you drink bottled water because unfamiliar bacteria can cause stomach problems for travelers. It can be purchased in stores much cheaper than in the hotels.
Weather
In Spring, the weather is usually warm with temperatures ranging in the 70’s and 80’s, but there can still be an occasional cold front getting into the low 60’s or even cooler. Summer temperatures are in the low 90’s with high humidity and this is the rainy season with frequent afternoon showers. Winter weather is usually in the 70’s during the day and 60’s at night, but frequent cold fronts can bring in chillier temperatures in the 50’s, but with little rain.