Travel advice & practical information for travelogue:

'Backpacking in Cuba'

Useful addresses

Toronto

Consulate General of Cuba
5353 Dundas St. West, Suite 401
Etobicoke
Toronto ON M9B 6H8
Tel.: 416-234 8181
Fax: 416-234 2754
E-mail: cubacon@on.aibn.com

London

Embassy of Cuba
167 High Holborn
London WC1V 6PA
Tel.: 020-7240 2488
Fax: 020-7836 2602
E-mail: embacuba@cubaldn.com
Web site: Embassy of Cuba in London

Paris

Cuban Embassy
16, Rue de Presles
75015 Paris
Tel.: 01-4567 5535
Fax: 01-4567 1262
E-mail: embacu@ambacub.fr

Language

Outside the touristic areas (mainly Varadero) people only speak Spanish. If you want to travel around in the country, you have to take a basic course in Spanish or bring a good phrase book.

Money

Traveler cheques issued by American Express are not accepted. Thomas Cook's are, in BFI banks. Most larger cities have one. Havana has several. You have to pay commission on those checks though.

It's probably better to bring cash. The local peso can only be used in the streets, for example if you buy food at a snack stall. Bring either euros or dollars, in small denominations.

If you know in advance which places you're going to visit, you can find out online if and where there are ATM's where you can use your MasterCard and Cirrus or Visa to withdraw money.

Safety and security

Traveling in some countries or regions can be dangerous. That isn't always a reason not to go there, but part of preparing well for a trip includes finding out about possible risks.

The CIA World Factbook: Cuba is a good place to look. Of course you always should consult your own country's Foreign Department web site.

Health

Find current information on the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Always consult your family doctor and your country's Health Department web site.

Plan your trip to Cuba online

Through online reservation systems like À la Carte Vacations you can book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars and holiday houses. You can build a fly-drive itinerary with maximum flexibility, book a flight plus a hotel hotel for a night or weekend. Without the limitations of package deals from travel organisations and most times for a much better price.

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