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Published: August 10th 2020
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Cuba is among the most beautiful countries in the world, and all travellers should aspire to visit the country at least once in their lifetimes. It is tucked in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and has shores on this sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Since both of these beaches are breath-taking, you will definitely have trouble choosing one.
But it is important to remember that the country offers a lot more than the sun and beach. One of these is the interesting history, particularly through the 20th century. The transformation of the country through the decades is quite attractive. Here are some useful tips you should keep in mind when travelling to Cuba:
Always Carry Your Visa
Even before you purchase a plane ticket to Cuba, you need to make sure you have a valid Visa. You can go through this guide on
How to get Cuba visa to learn all you need to fill in when applying for a Visa from the USA.
If you are travelling with an organized package, you should not worry too much about the Visa since the travel agency will be in charge of such activities. It is important to note that the Visa is an official document that contains personal details of individuals, and as such, it cannot be transferred from one person to the other. There are different types of Visas, and the nature of your trip will determine the one you apply for.
Apply for Travel Insurance
Cuba is generally a safe island to visit, but accidents occur even in the safest countries. As such, you should consider applying for travel insurance. Again, you will not need to worry about this cover if you are travelling with an agency as they will usually offer their own insurance. If you are travelling on your own, you should be able to locate a reputable company that offers travel insurance services.
The insurance cover you choose will depend on your needs as a traveller. However, it is possible to find a comprehensive cover that protects you in many different situations.
Understand the Currencies
There are two legal currencies in Cuba, and these are the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). Travellers use the CUC to transact, while the local Cubans use the CUP. One CUP currently converts to around 25 CUCs.
Travellers from the USA should make sure they convert their currencies since the USD is penalized in Cuba. If you don’t want to use the CUC, you can simply convert your currency to the Euro.
An excellent place to exchange your currency is at the airport, and currently, there are two airports on the island. One is in Havana, and the other is in Santiago de Cuba. It is important to have cash in hand since there are limited places where you can pay via credit card.
You will usually find it easy to use dollars and euros if you visit tourist establishments such as souvenirs and hotels. It is important to remember that you can only convert your currency in official houses and banks.
Hire a Vehicle
Cuba is a paradise on earth, but there are a few things you can do to enhance your experience on the island. The first is to rent a vehicle. If you are travelling in the high seasons, you should make it an urgent activity since there will be a shortage of rental cars. Before you can rent a car, you will need to have a valid driving license.
You will also need to have an insurance plan for the rental car. Make sure your insurance plan covers the theft of car parts since there is a lot of car theft in Cuba. It is possible even for your wheels to be stolen.
The Internet is Bad
The
internet in Cuba can be very slow, and for this reason, some establishments sell Wi-Fi passwords. You will usually see people sitting in these places with their laptops, phones, and tablets. Usually, you will find such options in ETECSA offices or those of the Cuban Telecommunications Company. You may find the price of the connections very high, and also, the speeds will be too low. As such, you may not even be able to download heavy files.
Electricity and Plugs
It is also essential to research the plugs and electrical connections before travelling to Cuba. Tourists from the USA will find it easy to connect their devices since the plugs in Cuba have two pins. The electricity in the country is 110v, but in many hotels and resorts, it can go up to 220v. Such hotels may also feature European plugs, so you should consider carrying universal adapters to avoid connection problems.
Get a Small Medicine Cabinet
It has long been rumoured that Cuba has a shortage of medical and cleaning products. This is untrue since the country has many pharmacies and stores, where you can purchase medical products. The reality is that these stores are mostly small and have limited products. As such, you should consider carrying a small medicine cabinet with some disinfectants, antihistamines, gauze, pain relievers, compresses, and bandaids.
Cuba is a safe and exciting country to visit. It suits all sorts of travellers and features heavy contrasts.
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