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Banks
Banks generally close at 3pm, earlier on the last day of the month. When going to a bank allow plenty of time as service is usually slow and there are often long queues. You must take your passport if you want to exchange travellers’ cheques or make a credit card withdrawal, although cash can be changed without a passport. Exchange rates do vary from place to place. It is easier to change money at you hotel, but the exchange rate may be significantly lower than at the bank.
ATMs are rare in Cuba and there are just a handful of them even in Havana. Most are linked with either the Mastercard/Cirrus or Visa/Plus interbank systems. Even after finding an ATM there is no guarantee it will be in working order or have sufficient cash in it for a large withdrawal. Cards issued in the USA are not accepted at all. The best places to use a credit or debit card for a cash withdrawal are at the state run Cadecas, but bear in mind that again American cards will not be accepted.
It is a good idea to have enough currency when you enter the country to get by for a couple of days, in case there are any problems with withdrawing cash. |
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Beaches
Cuba’s hundreds of miles of coastline and the scores of offshore cays have some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, with soft, usually white sand, electric blue water and beautiful coral reefs. There is a huge variety, from the 12 miles of Varadero with its many hotels to pretty, isolated coves with nothing but a fringe of palm trees and seclusion.
By law all of the beaches (playas) are public and many get extremely busy at the weekends when Cubans visit from the cities. However there are plenty of idyllic strands away from the crowds. Below is a selection of some of the best beaches in Cuba.
Varadero, north coast, east of Havana
Cuba’s premier beach resort area, and one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, twelve miles of beautiful sand 100 miles east of Havana. The strip of land behind the beach is full of hotels and restaurants, which makes the beach lively and popular amongst all types of tourists. Plenty of watersports and other activities.
Playa Ancon, south coast near Trinidad
Attractive white sand beach just a few minutes away from the town of Trinidad. Easy access, one large resort hotel nearby but otherwise fairly undeveloped. Good scuba diving.
Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Paredon Grande, north coast islands
A string of small cays along the north coast, connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway. The 1990s saw considerable development, many hotels and an airport at Cayo Coco. Superb beaches, excellent scuba diving and a full range of watersports available.
Cayo Sabinal, northeastern coast, near Santa Lucia
Small cay on the northeastern coast that has brilliant beaches protected by stunning coral reefs. Rich flora and fauna, very secluded and almost no facilities. Can be reached for the day from Santa Lucia.
Santa Lucia, northeast of Camaguey province
Miles of idyllic palm-backed sand just outside the town, marina and hotel, away from Cuban life and culture. Outstanding coral reefs which are enjoyed by snorkellers and divers alike.
Guardalavaca, north coast of Holguin province
Attractive resort area that gets fairly busy due to the compact concentration of resort hotels. The beaches, backed with lush tropical vegetation, are excellent with bright white sands and clear turquoise waters. Long stretches of coastline are interrupted by charming beaches in small coves. Be alert when swimming as the sea is sometimes rough.
Playa Corinthia, eastern tip
Small, undeveloped beach on the eastern tip of Cuba, a few miles west of Moa. Great place to swim.
Santa Cruz del Sur, Camaguey
Located in Camaguey on the southern shore where there are fewer beaches due to the mangrove swamps and thick forest. Attractive beach and offshore reefs to explore.
Cayo Largo, south of Havana off the coast
Playa Paraíso and Playa Sirena, located at the protected western end of Cayo Largo, are the most outstanding of the spectacular beaches that stretch the length of the island. Apart from a simple beachside restaurant on Playa Paraíso, they are fairly empty and peaceful places to enjoy the sun. |
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Casinos
Before the Cuban revolution in 1959 Cuba had huge gambling interests and a number of casinos. When he became leader Castro outlawed them and there are now no casinos on the island. |
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Check In/Check Out
As a rule check-out times are around 12 noon and check-in is generally not prior to 3pm, while the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. This is not usually a problem as most guests do not reach the hotel until the mid afternoon anyway. If you will be arriving earlier than that then try to let your hotel know and they might possibly let you into your room early. Some properties may provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability, or they may sometimes be flexible on check-out time by prior arrangement. |
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Cruises
Due to the US embargo, no cruise ships visit Cuba from the States, and any ship that calls there cannot dock in the USA for six months afterwards. However an increasing number of non-US cruise ships do call at Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and coastal resorts such as Cayo Coco. These are mainly the huge liners full of hundreds of sightseers that tour the Caribbean, however from mid December 2008, German-owned Sea Cloud Cruises started to include port of calls into Cuba on three of their winter Caribbean cruises. Their four-mast Sea Cloud (a 360ft barque built in 1931 with 32 cabins) will call in at one or more of the following: Cienfuegos, Havana, Isola de la Juventud and Santiago de Cuba on the 19 Dec-05 Jan Costa Rica to Cuba, 05-15 Jan Cuba to Jamaica and 15-26 Jan, Jamaica to Antigua itineraries.
If you are arriving on a private yacht then contact the Marina Hemingway in Havana, t 7241 149, where there are Immigration authorities. |
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