Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

[Beagletorque]

Beagletorque Cuba Tips Based on April 2015 visit.

Visa – you will need a visa and if you travel independently you will need to sort this out yourself. They easiest way is to visit the Cuban Embassy in London and fill out the forms there and then. It can be done by post but an additional charge is made. There is less information on the Embassy website than there was but I did email them and got a fast response. http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/reinou...px#TouristCard

Arriving at Havana Airport.

Depending on when you travel it will be hot and you will be tired. It will take some time to get through passport control, wait for your luggage and then get through customs, so brace yourself for a long wait and have plenty of water with you from the plane. We bought water in the duty free in the UK to bring out in Havana, it was worth it! Our wait was 1 1/2hrs but there were stories of over 4 hours depending on various problems with the luggage belts etc…

Passport control.

They take this very seriously so don’t joke or offer cash! The main questioning when we went was regarding Ebola and had you visited Africa or had any of your friends been there. This may be out of date now. They take their time on each person so just be patient.

Luggage.

This can take some time to emerge and then only a few bags at a time so don’t get involved in the scramble to find a spot at the beltside as it is not worth the hassle of everybody pushing past you when their bags appear before yours.

Customs.

They are very strict on what you can and can’t take in to the country so check and make sure you are not carrying illicit goods accidentally! Checks seemed to be limited to whether your airline baggage labels tied up with the stickers on your passport/boarding card so DO NOT remove them before you clear customs otherwise they will go through your whole luggage. It may be that the unloaders remove the odd label to indicate which bags need to be checked by customs, so double check yours are still there before you exit!

Getting Cash.Funny things that happen at the bank!photo inside the bank!

More tips to follow.....

[mm500]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

I went there 2 years ago and was caught out by a few surprises. Will read this tomorrow and no doubt commiserate myself on not researching better.

Trouble is I always wing it and there are times one can get caught out...

Mal.

[rosco]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

Excellent post with some very useful information.

[raymondo]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

These Hot Tips have been noted, and will help us a great deal when we travel to Cuba. I will be waiting in anticipation over the next few days for further info, thanks again.

[Harbrimar]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

Another tip, make sure that you dont lose the immigration card; this is the piece of paper which is stamped when you arrive They do not put a stamp in your passport). I was there earlier this year and it somehow fell out of my passport in the scramble to pick up suitcases. I lost mine and reported it to the check in desk prior to flying back. I was told to stand to one side and two police officers collected me and took me to another part of the airport. I had to stand outside an office, reminded me of my old school days standing outside the headmasters office. I spent about 15 minutes waiting and wondering if I would be able to get on the flight. Eventually a police inspector gave me my passport and a new piece of paper. He shook my hand and sent me on my way. What a relief! A beautiful country and very friendly people but get there before hoards of travellers start arriving from the USA now that diplomatic relations have been restored.

[OM USer]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

Some good tips even if I never make it there.

[Wally]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

The info just adds cream on top of the cake on what has proven to be an excellent series of photographs.

[Beagletorque]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

Another tip, make sure that you dont lose the immigration card; this is the piece of paper which is stamped when you arrive They do not put a stamp in your passport). I was there earlier this year and it somehow fell out of my passport in the scramble to pick up suitcases. I lost mine and reported it to the check in desk prior to flying back. I was told to stand to one side and two police officers collected me and took me to another part of the airport. I had to stand outside an office, reminded me of my old school days standing outside the headmasters office. I spent about 15 minutes waiting and wondering if I would be able to get on the flight. Eventually a police inspector gave me my passport and a new piece of paper. He shook my hand and sent me on my way. What a relief! A beautiful country and very friendly people but get there before hoards of travellers start arriving from the USA now that diplomatic relations have been restored.

You're right it is the other half of your visa you needed to get in! The Cuba Visa is a piece of heavy paper about 3x7" with tear line down the middle. When you enter the country they take the first half at passport control and stamp the second portion so you end up with a bit of paper about 3" square which you need to get out, along with 25 CUC (notes only no coins). TAKE GOOOD CARE OF IT!! Going home you have to queue up after check-in to pay the 25 CUC and they then stamp the remaining half the visa to say you have paid. Passport control check this on the way out and take the remaining portion. I'm pretty sure some poor devil has to pair them all up again to make sure everyone has left the country as they are supposed to! I'll cover this again in "getting home". . . .

[Beagletorque]

Re: Tips for visitors to Havana Cuba

"Cuba is a great county and a **** hole at the same time. It all depends on you. All you need to take with you to make your holiday a success is: observational skills, sense of humour, money, creativity, patience and an adventurous mind. The rest will come without effort!"

This quote comes from http://www.bestcubatravelguide.com/ which looks like it could be of interest for travellers to Cuba. Most of what I have read, with the benefit of hindsight, is true. The ebook may worth looking at, but the website is free!