Page 292 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

290  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

In the last 20 years Cuba has made great providing practical information and often
strides in the field of tourism and can now a booking service. However, although
provide visitors with modern, international- Cuban tourist operators are very good,
level facilities. It is now possible for tourists visitors still need to be adaptable and
to move about much more easily on the flexible. The pace of life here is slow, as is
island, although advance planning is still the bureau cracy, so be prepared to waste
essential, especially as regards transport a certain amount of time when trying to
around the island. An effective approach get things done. Whatever happens,
is to contact one of the many travel try and remain optimistic. With a bit of
agencies in Cuba, which may have their patience and a lot of perseverance “todo
own offices or be based in the major hotels. se resuelve”, as they say in Cuba: a solution
The latter also function as tourist offices, can always be found.

apply to the Cuban embassy or
consulate in your home country
well in advance for a special visa.
The travel ban for US passport
holders has been lifted, although
restrictions still apply. The situa-
tion is currently in flux (see p300).

Vedado Immigration Office
Calle 17 No. 203 e/ J y K,
Vedado, Havana.
Travel Safety Advice
Visitors can get up-to-date
travel safety information
One of the Playas del Este at Havana, crowded with tourists and locals from the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office
When to Go into Spanish and notarised. in the UK, the State
Apart from September to Contact the Consultoria Jurídica Department in the US and
November, prime hurricane in Cuba for more information. the Department of Foreign
months, and July and August, Affairs and Trade in Australia.
when the torrid heat can make Consultoria Jurídica
touring quite tiring (unless Tel 7204 2490. Customs Information
you spend your entire holiday
at the seaside), any time of year Visas and Passports Besides your personal
is good for a visit to Cuba. It is belongings, you are allowed
possible to relax on the beach To enter Cuba, travellers must to take into Cuba new or used
all year round, thanks to the have a valid passport, a return objects whose overall value is
mild climate. ticket, valid health insurance, no more than CUC$1,000, plus
The best period for a visit is and a tourist visa (tarjeta de 10 kg (22 lb) of medicines in
December to March, when turista) issued by a Cuban their original packaging. Small
the climate is warm without consulate, or the travel agency appliances such as electric
being unbearable and there are or the airline you bought your razors are allowed; walkie-talkies
more cultural events, such as ticket from. This visa is a form require per-mission. It is for-
the Festival Internacional del which you have to fill in with bidden to import fresh food such
Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano, your personal data. Visas are as fruit and plants of any kind,
the international jazz festival valid for one month and can as well as explosives, drugs, and
and the Festival de Habanos, be extended for another 30 pornographic material. Hunters
a massive cigar trade fair. days: in Havana, go to the with firearms must present their
Winter is also a popular time Vedado Immigration Office. permits at customs.
of year to get married in Cuba. In other cities, you must go to If you intend to take more
However, be aware that getting the local Dirección Provincial de than 50 cigars out of the
married here is bureaucratic Inmigración. If, however, you are country you must be able to
and requires that all necessary going to Cuba on business or to produce a receipt declaring
documents be translated work as a journalist, you should their purchase at a state-run
A colourful street in Camagüey

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