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This site is part of the School of Environment and Development
at the University of Manchester

The Cuba Fieldcourse

INTRODUCTION: Practical Advice

In this page:

Weather in Cuba

The weather can be quite varied at the time we visit Cuba. It can be very hot in the day but you may need a jacket in the evenings. Take care with dehydration.
Weather in Cuba today.

Money

You will need to bring enough money to cover food, local transport and a small number of entrance charges.

The currency used in Cuba is the peso convertible which is only available once you arrive in Cuba. There is a 10% surcharge for changing US dollars so please bring your money in Euros or Sterling. Euro or Sterling travellers cheques (not American Express) drawn on UK banks are accepted at Cuban banks and Bureaux de Change.

Official “Casas de Cambio” (CADECA) can be use to exchange your money. Remember to spend or exchange any pesos convertibles before you leave the country, as they are worthless outside Cuba.

Travellers cheques and/or credit cards drawn on US banks are NOT accepted in Cuba. There are virtually no cash-points for drawing cash against Cirrus or Switch cards.

Passports and visas

Make sure you passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date we return from the fieldcourse.

Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport in case your documents are stolen. Police reports are needed to obtain a new passport and Cuban visa.

You are required to have a Tourist Card (£15) to travel to Cuba. We will arrange these before we travel.

There is a departure tax (25 Convertible Pesos CUCs) per person for payment of departure tax at the airport. You will need to pay in cash. US dollars will not be accepted.

Business hours

Telephoning England

You can telephone home from Cuba by buying a telephone card and finding a ‘blue card phone’ run by Etesca (there is one on Calle 23). You can buy the card and phone from a phone box in a Communication Centre located on Obispo. To call, dial 119 then 44 and your telephone number (less first 0) E.g. 119-44-161 for Manchester. Note that telephoning England is very expensive (about £3 or $5 CUCs per minute).

Take care phoning from the hotel. The charges may higher and the costs mount up very quickly!

Mobile phones

Some mobile telephones work in Havana. If you are going to bring a phone with you contact your UK mobile network provider to ensure your mobile phone is enabled for international roaming. Do this well in advance of your departure date, as it can take up to 14 days, and you cannot do it from overseas. Check that your existing handset will work in Cuba.
Check with your UK network provider how much it costs for international roaming services. Charges can be a lot higher than, and very different to, those for calls in the UK. For example, while roaming you will pay to receive calls and listen to voicemail. Sending text messages may be much cheaper, but you can be charged twice per message (once by your operator and once by the overseas operator) to convey messages to and from home. Rates can vary according to your network and the country you are visiting. Information on charges may be available from your network's web site, customer services or literature.

STAYING HEALTHY

There are three potential elements that may make you ill - the food, water and the heat. Please take particular care and read the information provided in the handbook. Bring basic medications with you including:

No vaccinations are officially required, however visitors are advised to take precautions. Many medicines are unavailable in Cuba so you should bring any prescription drugs you take regularly. A copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining your condition can be helpful at customs.

SAFETY

You must check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for safety advice before we travel .

Crime

Cuba has some of the lowest crime statistics in the Americas but theft from luggage during baggage handling, both on arrival and departure, is common so make sure you remove all valuables and lock suitcases before check-in. In Havana, beware of pickpockets and bogus taxi drivers. Don't travel alone at night. Don't stay out late at night in unfamiliar parts of town or in areas of Old Havana. Tourists are warned that mopeds and three-wheel Coco-Taxis have been involved in serious accidents and visitors are advised not to use them for travel around Cuba.

Local laws and customs

Cuban law allows for the death penalty and courts are handing out very severe penalties (in excess of twenty years) for all drugs related offences. Pack all your luggage yourself and don't carry any items that do not belong to you. If you need regular medication contact the Cuban Embassy (London) before travelling to get a letter clearing entry for private prescription medicines, especially insulin syringes:

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba,
67 High Holborn,
London, WC1 6PA;
Tel: 020 7240 2488.

Ensure your luggage does not contain any items that could be considered offensive as these may be confiscated on arrival. Electrical items with heavy power consumption such as travel irons and kettles may also be confiscated and returned upon departure.

Visitors must not take photographs of military or police personnel or installations. You may be arrested for spying. Avoid restricted areas that are not always well sign-posted.

Other information, maps and guides

Time

Local time is GMT -5 hours.

Electricity

Most older hotels use 110-volt power, while newer hotels use 220 volts. A variety of outlets are in use, but the flat and round two-pin plugs are most common.

Maps of Cuba

www.cubamapa.com

Tourist guides

Lonely Planet Guide,
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/caribbean/havana.

Information about Havana including restaurants, nightline and other attractions,
www.lahabana.com.

The Havana Area Guide,
havanacu.ags.myareaguide.com.

General information on Cuba,
www.cuba.com.

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