Cuba Travel Tips

STAYING IN CUBA - CUBA INFO
CUBAN TRADITIONS - CUBA TRAVEL TIPS

Cuba Travel tips: Can I stay with a Cuban family ?
Answer:
A stay in the house of a Cuban family is not permitted. The Cubans can be fined up to 1500 $ (a small fortune for a Cuban). Foreign visitors have only two options: a stay at a Cuban (State) hotel or in a "Casa Particular", which is a private room rented per night. The "Casa Particular" should have an official license.

Cuba Travel tips: Can I have dental implants performed in Cuba ?
Answer:
Yes, Cuba has specialized clinics for dental implants. The price of one dental implant starts at 745.00 US $. For a complete overview, check prices and treatment at http://www.cirag.cu/ingles/implantes.htm

Cuba Travel tips: I am interested in a medical degree and scholarships. What are the requirements ?
Answer:
For detailed information check with the Cuban embassy in your country. You can find more information and immigration requirements at the Havana university’s website: http://www.uh.cu/infogral/estudiaruh/postgrado/english.html Note that for most courses a good basic knowledge of Spanish is needed.

Cuba Travel tips: What kind of money can I use in Cuba ?
Answer:
Cuba has a dual currency system. There is the Peso Nacional (CUP), the currency for internal Cuban use. Cuban wages are paid by the Cuban State in Peso Nacional. The second money system is called the Peso Convertible (CUC) or the money used by tourists and foreigners. As a tourist you have to use the Peso Convertible (CUC). You can exchange money at the Cadeca (official state exchange offices) or at any Cuban bank. Canadian dollars, the Euro and Pound Sterling are accepted but avoid using US dollars. They are accepted but you will pay an extra 10% duty on the normal exchange rate.

Cuba Travel tips: Where can I buy Cuban cigars? Which are the best Cuban cigars?
Answer:
The original "real Cuban cigars" can only be bought at the official state shops, the official cigar factories and in some major state hotels. These cigars are provided with the official seal and hologram. Do not buy cigars at a lower price from hustlers on the streets, barmen, etc., since these are all counterfeits. These counterfeit cigars are not bad but are made from tobacco waste and sold under a brand name. One of the best Cuban cigars is the Cohiba brand, but of course much depends on personal taste. An original Cohiba cigar sells for 10 up to 20 $ and more. Other fine cigars are Montechristo, Bolivar, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas and H.Upmann.

Cuba Travel tips: Can US citizens buy property in Cuba ?
Answer:
A US citizen can not buy Cuban property. All property in Cuba is state owned or registered in the name of a Cuban citizen. Cubans are not allowed to sell their property to other Cubans or foreigners. Only a house swap between Cubans is permitted, which is a rather complex operation. Sometimes money is involved in the transaction, but this is an illegal practice and the house can be confiscated.

Cuba Travel tips: Can I start a business in Cuba ?
Answer:
If you are thinking of starting a small or medium-size business like a restaurant, bar or shop etc., think again. These kind of private businesses are not allowed in Cuba. The foreign companies that operate in Cuba are major enterprises based on a joint venture with a Cuban state company. In most cases the joint venture is based on a 51%-49% share ratio.

Cuba Travel tips: Can a US citizen have a residence in Cuba ?
Answer
With a tourist visa ( Tarjeta Tourista) a US citizen may stay in the country for 30 days. This visa can be extended to 60 days. After 60 days he or she will have to leave the country. There are some exceptions for volunteer work, medical treatment, study at the university, foreigners with a special work permit, etc. Permanent residence in the country is only permitted for foreigners married to a Cuban citizen. The tourist visa for Canadian citizens is valid for 90 days and can be extended to 180 days. Note: travel to Cuba is illegal for US citizens; the trip can only be made with a special license from the US Treasury department.

Cuba Travel tips: What is the equivalent of one Cuban peso to one US dollar ?
Answer
At present, one US dollar is equivalent to 0.9 CUC ( peso convertible). For the latest update check with : Money in Havana - Money exchange in Havana

Cuba Travel tips: Can I send money to a friend in Cuba ?
Answer
Yes, you can send money through a Canadian company called Duales. They will transfer the money to a debit card issued in your friend’s name. Check their website: http://www.duales.com

Cuba Travel tips: Can I send a package or goods to Cuba ?
Answer:
Yes and no. Do not send a parcel to Cuba, since each parcel is opened, it is not permitted to send food and customs duties have to be paid on each product of value. Besides, most packages sent by regular post disappear. A reliable way to send a package to Cuba is by using DHL courier services: http://www.dhl.com . Food and groceries can be sent through an online supermarket with warehouses in Cuba and can be paid with a Visa credit card (not issued by a US bank). Check these websites: http://www.supermarket.treew.com
http://www.envioregalos.com

LIVING AND WORKING IN CUBA
INFORMATION ON CUBA

Q. Can a Cuban have a dual nationality ?
A. The Cuban Government does NOT accept a dual nationality. A Cuban citizen abroad will always be regarded as being of Cuban nationality and can not accept a foreign one.

Q. Is it possible to become a partner in a business in Cuba ?
A. Business and commerce in Cuba is totally controlled by State-owned companies. Major foreign companies in Cuba operate within a 49% shareholding joint venture. Private small and medium-size businesses are not allowed.

Q. Can I work and live in Cuba ?
A. It is very difficult to work in Cuba. First you need to apply for a work permit. All jobs in Cuba are distributed by a government agency and Cuban citizens have priority in the job distribution. If you do however manage to obtain a job, it will be according to Cuban standards. This implies that you salary will be paid in Peso Nacional, which is the equivalent of 15-20 US $ monthly ! Another option is to work for a foreign company in Cuba, such as a tour operator or an international hotel group. Once you are in the possession of a work permit and a job, you can apply for a temporary residence of one year. With a tourist visa you can stay for 30 days extendable to 60 days ( for Canadian citizens this is 90 and 180 days respectively). Permanent residence is only afforded to foreigners married to a Cuban citizen.

Q Can I study at a Cuban university ?
A. Yes, as a foreigner you can follow a course at Havana university. You have to apply for a special student visa. The Spanish language and Cuban culture are two popular courses for foreigners at Havana university. Check the complete requirements and more detailed information at http://www.havana-guide/havanauniversity.html

Q. What is the best way to contact friends in Cuba ?
A. The best way is to send an email. Your Cuban friend can open an email account at a Cuban Post Office (Correos de Cuba). Do not send letters or postcards with the regular postal services as 90% never arrives. Use registered or double registered post. Expensive but very reliable is the use of DHL courier services, which allows you to track your parcel on the internet. Telephone calls are expensive and sometimes difficult to understand due to overload.

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