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General Holiday Information

Passport & Visa

To enter Cuba, you will need a visa, a valid passport with at least six months remaining and travel insurance.  Keep your visa/tourist card safe whilst in Cuba to submit to immigration on departure. The visa/tourist card allows you to stay in Cuba for 30 days.  It can be extended by a further 30 days by visiting Immigration and buying stamps.  These stamps are placed on the back of your visa/tourist card with the new extension date.  This process can take 5 hours, if not the whole day to complete, so best not to leave it until your last day if you decide to stay longer than 30 days.

On arrival in Havana, you may be asked at Immigration to provide the address of your accommodation and evidence of your return flight.  We spend the first 3 nights at the Hotel Blau Arenal in Santa Maria and you can show your Key2Cuba itinerary as evidence if required.

When you leave Cuba, you will need to show the remainder of your Visa card to prove you have stayed within the dates of your visa.  

Recommendations for staying safe and healthy in Havana
  • Hydration

    Drink bottled water or carbonated drinks from a trusted source.  Do not drink tap water at any time and check for tampered seals. Water can be scarce, so buy plenty of bottles when given the chance.  Ice cubes are not recommended for those with sensitive digestive systems.  
     

  • Cleanliness

    Wash your hands regularly or use alcohol based hand sanitiser when travelling
     

  • Sun Protection

    The sun can be quite strong, particularly in August.  Protect yourself using sunscreen, wear UV protecting sunglasses and a hat at the beach
     

  • Nutrition

    Make sure your food is well cooked and hot.  Do not eat street food from vendors or food on a buffet that has been left out for a long time (get to breakfast early!).  The food in Cuba is naturally sourced and often organic.  The staple dishes are rice, beans, salad, plantain, fish, fruits and eggs.  There are often food shortages and the fruits and vegetables are seasonal.  The restaurants we visit as a group are of a very high standard.  You may be surprised how good the home cooked is in the Paladores.  Vegan, celiac and vegetarian options are minimally cater for so bring extra snacks or a mini blender for juices with you.  Local fresh fruit is amazing.  We do recommend you bring supplements and vitamins with you.
     

  • Transport

    if you're not travelling with the group on our luxury air conditioned coach, take a legal yellow taxi.  Do use the seat belts if they have them and always agree on a price before you start your journey.  Taking street bicyclist's taxis or Coco taxis can be fun, but not recommended in wet weather.  We do not recommend hiring scooters, motorbikes or cars if you are not used to the Cuban road regulations.

  • Storms
    Rain showers can come as a surprise. Always stay inside the hotel under cover and follow government guidelines at critical times. The Cuban authorities are well informed and organised in hurricanes. Bring a small torch with you, just in-case.
     

  • Sleep
    Make sure you get enough rest.  Our programme is designed for you to have at least eight hours sleep. You will need it after so much dancing. We also recommend taking a massage at the beach hotel with the resident masseur.  Brilliant for tired feet.
     

  • Mobile Phones
    We recommend you not bring your most expensive phone, just in case you leave it unattended.  Make sure you switch off your data roaming on arrival and check what your service provider is charging for calls and texts to avoid large bills on your return.  Let your service provider know you are travelling to Cuba and check if your phone will work there.  Clients from Dubai and UAE often have issues.  Have all important numbers written down somewhere safe, just in case you lose your phone.  We have a residential photographer taking shots with permission to take photos in the clubs as part of our entertainment package, so you don't need to take your phone out with you to the clubs.
     

  • General Safety
    Cuba is a relatively safe city.  Tourists can walk in most neighbourhoods however, be aware that petty theft does happen. Pay attention to your surroundings and your belongings like you would in any other big city. Lock your money, passport and plane tickets in your hotel room safe or suitcase. A copy of your passport is sufficient so avoid carrying the original with you. Be careful walking in the street late at night alone as pavements and streets have big potholes and pedestrians do not have the right-of-way. Should you experience any problems in the street, in your hotel or casa, go directly to the police station / immigration for tourists on the main street in Chinatown. Take your passport with you.

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