20 issues to know earlier than going to Havana

For all its tropical charms, Havana isn’t the world’s most simple metropolis for vacationers.

A singular financial state of affairs, top-heavy state paperwork and a long time of isolation from its neighbor to the north (the USA) can place obstacles in the way in which of even easy actions.

However whereas journey within the Cuban capital can pitch you the occasional curveball, it’s not often onerous and by no means uninteresting. Guarantee your journey to Havana goes easily with our prime 20 issues to know earlier than you go.

1. Carry proof of insurance coverage

Regardless of Cuba’s in depth state healthcare system, guests are required to have medical insurance coverage to enter Cuba, and also you’ll must deliver a digital or printed proof of your coverage. Random checks are performed on the airport; if you happen to arrive with out insurance coverage, you’ll be requested to purchase a Cuban coverage on the airport.

2. Fill in a web based immigration type prematurely

With Cuba being one of many world’s final Communist states, there is a little bit of red tape to navigate. An internet type referred to as D’Viajeros containing immigration and well being data have to be accomplished by all vacationers. You may digitally fill out the shape as much as 72 hours earlier than you arrive in Cuba, so make this a part of your pre-check-in preparations.

3. Totally different guidelines apply for US residents

On account of the strained political relationship between Cuba and the US, totally different guidelines apply for People touring to Cuba. To go to, you will need to apply for a travel license in one in every of 12 particular classes.

There is not any class for trip, however guests can typically acquire entry below the reasonably opaque “help for the Cuban folks” class. Try our detailed information to the rules for US travelers.

4. Double-check you will have a vacationer card

To enter Cuba, all guests must current a accomplished Vacationer Card. This journey doc is normally out there via your airline and is included within the value of many airplane tickets, however verify along with your airline to verify.

In case your airline does not give you a Vacationer Card, you should buy one via a Cuban journey company; prices vary from US$50 to US$85. Twenty African and Asian international locations require a proper visa to enter Cuba, so verify the principles to your house nation along with your native Cuban representative earlier than reserving your tickets.

5. It is higher to e book lodging prematurely

Reserving your lodging earlier than you arrive is not going to solely assure you will have a spot to remain, it’ll additionally let you pay prematurely and journey with much less money – a welcome state of affairs contemplating the sophisticated guidelines for funds in Cuba.

Guide a lodge via a good company – Canada-based A Nash Travel has some wonderful offers. For those who’d want to remain in a casa specific (personal homestay), use Lonely Planet’s listings to attach with homeowners straight through electronic mail or WhatsApp, or take a look at the choices on Airbnb.

6. Sensible up on the brand new cash state of affairs

The foundations for making funds in Cuba have at all times been complicated, even to Cubans, and issues have lately turn out to be much more complicated.

The nation abolished the convertible Cuban peso (CUC) in January 2021 and took the US greenback out of circulation in June 2021, resulting in large inflation and the emergence of a rampant black market. The knock-on impact is a bewildering twin economic system.

The official foreign money of Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP), however foreign exchange are additionally broadly accepted, particularly by personal companies who want arduous money to purchase non-rationed items in particular outlets that enable purchases utilizing Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC) – mainly, freely convertible foreign money.

State-run enterprises and banks use official change charges, however the superior companies provided by personal companies usually mirror the extra favorable black market change charges.

When shopping for one thing from a non-public enterprise – be it a restaurant, casa specific or taxi service – it’s normally greatest to pay in a international foreign money. At all times ask upfront what currencies are accepted and the change fee used for revealed peso costs.

The euro is probably the most interchangeable foreign money and the one most well-liked by Cubans. You too can use and change Canadian {dollars} and kilos sterling, however keep away from US {dollars}.

If you first arrive, the most effective coverage is to maintain most of your cash in a international foreign money and solely change small quantities into pesos for incidental prices akin to museum entry charges, live performance tickets and suggestions. There are additionally loads of issues you may see and do for free in Havana.     

7. Pack the proper garments to suit along with your plans 

The overall costume code in Cuba is fairly informal. Denims and a T-shirt or button-up shirt are commonplace apparel for guys and ladies, although some Cuban girls put on colourful rumba attire for particular events.

The one actual costume code is in cinemas, theaters, nightclubs and upscale eating places, the place male patrons are required to put on lengthy trousers and shirts with sleeves or half-sleeves.

8. Be taught Havana’s colloquial greetings

Like most huge cities, Havana has a wealthy seam of city slang. The basic Habanero greeting between pals is qué bola, asere? – which implies one thing akin to “how’s it going, man?” or “what’s up, buddy?”

The phrase asere is derived from a Nigerian Igbo salutation initially utilized by the Afro-Cuban Abakuá brotherhood.

The greeting caught on and has now turn out to be a type of handle peculiar to Havana; don’t use it in Santiago de Cuba the place they use the phrase compay as an alternative. 

9. Think about investing in some high quality earplugs

With Havana’s crowded homes, slender streets and penchant for loud dwell music, this may be one noisy metropolis – and the noise from the road and neighboring rooms and buildings can simply spill into the confines of your room.

In case you have delicate listening to, deliver some earplugs or plan on staying in a quieter a part of Havana. The suburban (japanese) half of Vedado and the diplomatic district of Miramar are much less frenetic neighborhoods, with just a few small inns and loads of casas particulares however, crucially, few nightspots.

10. The streets typically have two names

A few of Havana’s streets go by two names: a recent one that’s famous on maps and marked on road indicators and a pre-revolutionary one that’s nonetheless used broadly by locals. This may be complicated if you happen to set out on foot to explore Havana’s diverse neighborhoods, particularly when locals begin giving out instructions or addresses utilizing the previous nomenclature.

Some streets are at all times referred to by their previous names – for instance, Paseo de Martí, Havana’s most important tree-lined avenue, is invariably referred to as El Prado.

Equally, Havana’s most well-known street, the Avenida de Maceo, is universally referred to as the Malecón, whereas the principle procuring thoroughfare in Centro Habana (Avenida de Italia) is cherished by all as Galiano.

11. Be taught the weird guidelines for ready in Cuban strains

Cubans need to endure a number of lengthy waits in boring strains, so that they’ve invented a means of queueing that doesn’t contain bodily standing in line. In a Cuban line, you merely roll up on the bakery/clinic/visa workplace and yell out quien es último? – which means “who’s final?” – to the assembled crowd.

All being nicely, somebody in a quarter-mile neighborhood will reply your well mannered inquiry with the phrase yo (me) and that particular person can be your yardstick. So long as they’re nonetheless round, be at liberty to go for a stroll, sit within the lotus place or purchase an ice cream. After they get referred to as up, be in your toes – you’re subsequent!

12. Ask questions greater than as soon as

Due to Cuba’s top-heavy paperwork, solutions to easy requests aren’t at all times simple and the data you obtain could not even be appropriate, even from official sources. Probe politely and ask at the least 5 totally different folks earlier than you make necessary selections.

Are you able to pay for that taxi in euros? Has that casa specific you stayed in final 12 months actually closed endlessly? The reality is commonly someplace in between the primary and final reply you will get.

13. Work out the right way to differentiate between state-run and personal companies

It’s not at all times straightforward for first-time guests to inform the distinction between state-run and personal companies in Cuba – each varieties have their professionals and cons, however by going personal, you’ll be placing cash straight into the pockets of the Cuban folks, and personal companies typically provide higher requirements.

So far as eating places go, if the meals is sweet and the service pleasant and fascinating, you’re in all probability consuming in a non-public eating spot.

Relating to outlets and galleries, locations promoting official merchandise akin to cigars and rum are normally state-run, whereas extra esoteric companies promoting artwork, secondhand books and distinctive crafts are usually personal.

14. Hold valuables hidden to keep away from attracting pickpockets

Havana is a secure metropolis and principally bereft of violent crime. Pickpocketing is extra widespread however not rampant, and it’s principally avoidable if you happen to take just a few fundamental precautions.

Put on a cash belt, use secure containers in lodge rooms and don’t flash your money in public. Strolling round along with your pockets on show in your again trouser pockets can be a no-no.

15. Don’t change cash on the street

Cuba’s widespread black market gives all types of choices on the subject of altering cash, however don’t be talked into exchanging your international notes with unlicensed merchants on the road. You run the chance of receiving estafas (cast notes) and different kinds of swindles.

16. Carry your personal medicines

On one degree, Cuba has a great well being system – Cuban medics invented and shortly distributed three totally different COVID-19 vaccines – however it’s perennially in need of imported prescription drugs. Carry all of the medicines you assume you’ll want, together with prescription medicines and pharmacy necessities akin to ibuprofen and paracetamol.

For those who’d prefer to donate some medicines to the folks of Cuba, it’s presently potential to herald 10kg (22lb) of medical provides tax-free, however you will must pack them in a separate bag.

Fairly than giving out stuff out willy nilly, it’s higher to depart your donations with a trusted Cuban contact to distribute (if you happen to’re staying at a casa specific, ask the proprietor).

17. Keep away from sketchy cigars and different scams

Scams perpetrated by jineteros (hustlers) are commonplace and are usually preceded by pleasant chitchat adopted by elaborate tales about super-cheap cigars or professional guiding companies. Whereas jineteros might be persistent, they’re not often threatening; a well mannered however agency no gracias normally does the trick of dissuading them.

As a common rule, cigars offered on the streets are normally manufacturing unit cast-offs or counterfeits of actual manufacturers. If you need the actual factor, purchase your cigars in state-run outlets such because the Casa del Habano chain.

Guides might be hit and miss, and those that over-enthusiastically attempt to speak you into utilizing their companies typically fall into the latter camp. The most effective coverage is to get in contact with the respected of us at Free Walking Tour Havana.

18. Watch out for sidewalk obstacles

Havana’s sidewalks are stuffed with hidden – and never so hidden – obstacles. Fruit carts, uneven paving stones, canine droppings and uncovered manholes are simply a few of the hazards that might destroy your idyllic night stroll. For those who are inclined to stroll round daydreaming or gazing your telephone again house, pay further consideration in Havana.

19. Pack bathroom paper

The pandemic made the availability of hand sanitizer extra widespread, however the identical can’t be mentioned for lavatory paper. Public bathrooms not often present provides so carry your personal roll or gravitate to four- or five-star inns if you happen to’re caught brief within the metropolis.

20. Don’t drink the water

Havana’s faucet water in all probability gained’t kill you, however it could simply provide you with somewhat queasiness or an upset abdomen.

Bottled water is straightforward to search out and low-cost, however to chop down in your plastic use, think about shopping for a journey water bottle with a built-in filter earlier than you journey and refill it at your lodging (sadly, there aren’t any public water fountains across the metropolis).