Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

292  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Jineterismo and hotels also have 220-volt
The tourist boom and the AC current.
economic crisis have given rise
to a particular form of hustling Cuban Time
and prostitution both known as
jineterismo, which consists of Cuba is five hours behind
living off foreign tourists, not Greenwich Mean Time (GMT),
only through prostitution proper, like the US east coast. As in
but also by selling counterfeit Europe, there is daylight savings
goods (especially cigars), finding Colonial building of the United Kingdom’s time in summer.
rooms for rent or paladares and embassy in Miramar, Havana
receiving a commission from the DIRECTORY
owners. The jinetera (jinetero if An entry fee is always charged
male) accosts the tourist, and at museums. Children pay half- Embassies
initiates a relationship that may price, Cubans pay in national Canada
last a night or several days. To pesos and tourists, on average, pay Calle 30 No. 518, esq. Ave. 7,
avoid difficult situations, be wary 1–5 convertible pesos. The same Miramar, Playa, Havana. Tel 7204
of “chance” meetings, especially amount may be charged for permi- 2516. ∑ canadainternational.
outside hotels or in discos in ssion to take photos in museums. gc.ca/cuba
cities and resort locales.
This mainly affects Havana UK
and cities and resorts popular Gay and Lesbian Calle 34 No. 702, esq. 7, Miramar,
Travellers
Playa, Havana. Tel 7214 2200.
with tourists. Cubans are very ∑ ukincuba.fco.gov.uk
friendly people so don’t dismiss Historically, Cuba holds a poor
everyone as a jinetero. record on gay rights. However, US
after the decriminalization of Calle Calzada, esq. L, Vedado,
homosexual relations in 1979, the Havana. Map 2 E1. Tel 7839 4100.
Cuban Law ∑ havana.usembassy.gov
attitude towards homo sexuality
In Cuba camping and sleeping in has changed significantly. Never- Travel Safety Advice
sleeping bags on the beach, or theless, public display of affection
in areas not specifically used as a such as holding hands may invite Australia
camping site, is strictly forbidden. unwanted attention. There are Department of Foreign Affairs
Cannabis may be offered on many popular gay bars and clubs and Trade
the street or outside a disco, but on Malecón y 23 in Havana. Santa ∑ dfat.gov.au
purchasing even a tiny amount Clara also has a lively gay culture. ∑ smartraveller.gov.au
of marijuana is illegal and could UK
lead to immediate expulsion Foreign and Commonwealth
from the country. Disabled Travellers Office
Only major airports, hotels and ∑ gov.uk/foreign-travel-
restaurants have wheelchair advice
Tourist Information access for the disabled. José Marti
The state-run tourist information International Airport is wheelchair- US
US Department of State
network Infotur and national accessible throughout, and is ∑ travel.state.gov
travel agents such as Cubatur equipped with ramps, lifts, and
and Cubanacán have offices accessible toilets. A programme is Tourist Bureau
in major cities, at airports and in under way to gradually add such
many hotels, offering basic facilities to other airports and Infotur
information, ticket booking and stations, as well as public build- Obispo 524, e/ Bernazay Villegas,
Havana. Map 4 D2.
trips. Maps, guides and brochures ings, museums, offices and streets. Tel 7866 3333. ∑ infotur.cu
are also available. The Cuban
publisher Ediciones GEO pro- Websites
duces particularly good maps. Electrical Adaptors
The electric current in Cuba is General
110 volts AC (the same as in the ∑ cubatravel.cu
Opening Hours US), and plug sockets take two ∑ cubaupdate.org
Normal weekday working flat prongs. For European-type ∑ dtcuba.com
hours are 8am to 5:30pm; banks appliances and plugs you ∑ oncubamagazine.com/en
open at 8am and close at 3pm. will need a voltage converter Cuban Culture
Museum opening hours vary, and an electric adaptor plug, ∑ afrocubaweb.com
but in general they are from although some of the up-market ∑ cubaabsolutely.com
around 9am to 5pm, with a hotels have sockets that accept ∑ cubarte-english.cult.cu
half-day on Sunday. If a visit is round-pin Contin ental-style In Spanish
impor tant to you, it is best to plugs and three-pin British ∑ cubasi.cu
telephone ahead. plugs. Many modern buildings

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