Page 124 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

122 ❯❯ Streetsmart

Practical Information

Passports and Visas accident may involve and mosquito repellent
paying for treatment. help guard against
All visitors must have a It is also worth having mosquitoes. Sun screen,
valid passport, a tourist insurance against loss a hat, and sun glasses are
card (see p120), health or theft of valuables. also essential items.
insurance, and an onward Visitors intending to
ticket. It is wise to photo­ engage in any form of Time Zone
copy passport details. US extreme sports during
law currently allows its their trip should ensure Cuba is on Eastern
citizens to visit Cuba if that they are covered. Standard Time (EST)
they fall into one of twelve and is 5 hours behind
categories under a When to Go Greenwich Mean Time
general (pre­authorized) (GMT), the same as New
license from the OFAC Cuba’s tourist season York and Miami. Daylight
(see pp120–21). runs from December saving time operates
to April, when air fares, from May to October.
Customs accommodations, and car
Regulations and rentals are at their most Electricity
Immigration expensive. This period is
less hot than the rest of Cuba’s erratic electricity
Visitors are allowed to the year, but tempera tures supply works on a 110­
bring in 200 cigarettes in January can reach 79°F volt system, as in the US
and 6 pints (3 liters) of (26°C). The hurricane and Canada, although
spirits duty free, plus season lasts from June some outlets are 220­volt
44 lb (20 kg) of personal to November, with the and are usually marked.
belongings into the majority of storms Plugs are the two­pin
country. Certain electronic occurring in September North American type,
items are prohibited, and and October. so European visitors will
Customs is sensitive to Most visitors to Cuba need to bring adaptors.
visitors arriving with arrive for beach vacations
cellphones, cameras, or of a week to 10 days. Opening Hours
computer storage Havana itself requires
devices. Customs at least four days to fully Most offices are open
searches in Cuba can explore, while Viñales, 8:30am–12:30pm and
be rigorous, and the Trinidad, and Santiago 1:30–5:30pm Monday
authorities take a de Cuba deserve two to Friday. Shops usually
harsh line on drugs. each. Allow at least three remain open 8:30am–
to four weeks to explore 5:30pm Monday to
Travel Safety Advice the length of Cuba, from Saturday. Banks typically
Pinar del Río to Baracoa. open 8:30am–noon and
Visitors can get up­to­date 1:30–3pm Monday to
travel safety information What to Take Friday, and then 8:30–
from the Foreign and 10:30am on Saturdays.
Commonwealth Office Light cotton clothing is Museums hours vary
in the UK, the State recommended. Bring widely, but bear in mind
Department in the US, swimwear for a beach that many are closed
and the Department of holiday, as it can be on Mondays.
Foreign Affairs and Trade expensive in Cuba. It is
in Australia. worth packing a sweater Sources of
or lightweight jacket for Information
Travel Insurance heavily air­conditioned
restaurants, chilly winter Official Cuban tourist
Medical insurance is now nights, and visits to offices in Canada and the
obligatory when visiting mountainous regions. United Kingdom provide
Cuba, as any illness or Long­sleeved clothing basic information on the

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