Cuba
Country data
Capital: HAVANA
Population: 11.239.004
Area in Km2: 110.922
Time zone: – 6 hours; also in Cuba dst (normally taken a week before compared to Italy).
Language: Spanish
Religions: predominantly catholic; it is also spread the worship of animist religions.
Currency: in Cuba circulating two currencies, the cuban peso (CUP), also called the national currency, the cuban convertible peso (CUC), of equivalent value to the US dollar. The relationship between the CUC and the
CUP, for natural persons, is 1 to 24.. are progressively expanding businesses that accept payment in both coins.
Is not allowed the circulation of us dollars (USD) in cash. If changed in the bank undergo a further increase of 10% over bank charges for foreign exchange transactions. We strongly recommend that you bring euros cash because they are not accepted Travellers’ Cheques, nor Credit Cards of the circuits of the united states (American Express, Diners Club and the cards of the MAESTRO circuit. The VISA Card and paypal are accepted for cash withdrawals and to make payments (while the Master Card is not always operational). Are frequent the cases in which credit cards are accepted in the Country you “demagnetize” in an atm, making it impossible for the cash withdrawal. There are few commercial establishments equipped with working equipment for the use of credit cards, and it is very limited in the diffusion of atm machines. We also note that WESTERN UNION only works between cubans residing abroad and cuban residents in Cuba (an Italian citizen, from Italy, you can not send cash, nor the italians, nor to the cubans who are on the island).
Telephony: there is a network of local cellular coverage is not always complete. Can i use GSM mobile phones by purchasing the relevant activation card at the local company CUBACEL. There is the service of traffic data on the users of cuba.
The three operators Vodafone, Tim and Wind to ensure roaming and all the services GPRS (including the Internet), both in the case of subscription contracts, both in the case of prepaid cards. For the fourth operator, H3G, these services are limited to mobile phones with subscription contracts.
Roaming costs – for both the telephone traffic and the data – are particularly high: it is recommended to collect timely information from the network operator prior to departure. It is not authorised for the importation into the Island of cell phones and satellite. More detailed information
can be found on the http://www.cubacel.com/ website. Climate:
The climate of the island is uniform and is tropical, characterized by constant trade Winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean coming. There are basically two seasons, dry in winter (November to April) and wet, in the summer, from may to October. The average temperature on an annual scale are between 20 and 30 °C and rainfall is abundant and of great intensity in the summer period.
Embassy and Consulates
Italian Embassy Havana
5ta Ave. N. 402 esq. 4, Miramar
Tel: (00537) 2045615 r.a.. Fax: (00537) 2045659 – 2045661; Cellulare di servizio: 005352805417
E-mail: ambasciata.avana@esteri.it
Home page: www.amblavana.esteri.it
Documentation required to enter the country
The passport: the border Authorities have the possibility not to admit the entry of foreigners in possession of a passport with residual validity of less than six months. Although foreign nationals from Countries with which there is in Cuba a diplomatic/consular mission (like Italy) typically do not have difficulties to be admitted with a remaining validity is lower, it still suggests to present a passport that does not expire before six months from the entry into the Country.
It is also a good idea to inquire beforehand at the Embassy or Consulate cuban in Italy or at your travel Agent.
Entry visa: required. The tour operator from whom you buy your plane ticket generally takes care of the entry visa; those who travel individually, you can get it at the consular offices in the cuban in Italy. Anyway, it's always necessary to have obtained a visa (tarjeta tourism company) before the departure: in the defect, you may be denied boarding.
The entry visa is granted for a maximum period of thirty days, renewable for an additional 30 days (for a total duration of 60 days) upon payment of a state tax at the local offices of the immigration authorities.
According to the legislation of the Member States, which also applies to foreign citizens, the direct travel between the United States and Cuba are subject to strong restrictions (the https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text - idx?SID=b5ee59d94ee45bba6a049240298f1cff&mc=true&node=se31.3.515_1560&rgn=div8); in particular, that are not permitted to travel for reasons of tourism.
This policy applies to both travelers departing from the United States to Cuba and those arriving in the United States from Cuba, even if only in transit.
The Cuban authorities have the right to place the tourist in police custody until the time of repatriation, which takes place at the tourist's expense.
The activities carried out during the stay in Cuba must be consistent with the type of visa request. In particular, it is noted that the tourist visa does not allow the carrying out of any activity or different activities from those which are purely related to tourism (such as, for example, the journalistic profession). In case of violation of the provisions of the migratory cuban sanctions are rather severe and require the detention and expulsion from the Country.
READ MORE: Please consult the Insight Before leaving – documents for foreign travel of minors
Children born in Italy to mixed Italian-Cuban unions: remember that children born from mixed unions in
They do not purchase Cuban nationality until they have stayed at least three months in Cuba. As long as they are in Italy, therefore, even if the parents have submitted the birth certificate to the Cuban Consulate for registration in the civil state register competent in Cuba, they possess only Italian citizenship.
Money formalities and customs: at the time of entry into the Country is required to declare the amount of foreign currency if it exceeds $ 5,000. In the absence of such a declaration, it exposes, at the time of exit from the Country, seizure of the amount in excess of $ 5,000. Please note that, due to the u.s. embargo against Cuba, the input of dollars in the Country is not authorized by the american Authorities. It is not possible, then send that currency to and from Cuba through the international banking system, nor use credit cards issued by institutions statunitesi or linked to a us bank, or travellers cheques in US dollars. A recent agreement between the cuban Government and the u.s. Government has introduced the possibility for the cuban citizens resident in Cuba legally receive, through the company Western Union, cuban convertible pesos (CUC), in front of remittances in USD made by family members and acquaintances cubans from abroad (while maintaining a 10% tax applied to every transaction).
For specific information, please also visit the Customs website of Cuba www.aduana.co.cu.
Limits on imports non-commercial for tourists: travelers heading to Cuba can bring in the baggage from their personal belongings and also items, new or used, up to a maximum value of $ 1,000. Up to 50,99 dollars and there is complete exemption from taxes, while imports of up to $ 1,000 applies a progressive tax ($200 from 51 to 250,99$, $ 250 from 251 to 500,99$, $ 500 from 501 to 1000$). It is subject to a tax of 1,575 dollars in the case of imports in excess of 1,000 dollars in value. They are exempt from taxes the drugs up to 10 pounds. And’ authorized the temporary importation with the obligation to re-export at the end of the stay of some household appliances for personal use (e.g. electric razors, radio, tape recorders, cameras, etc). It is admitted also the temporary import of laptops and mobile phones. It is absolutely forbidden to import refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, kitchens, electric ovens, irons and heaters, and everything which can increase the electricity consumption in the Country. Requires a specific authorisation by the competent Ministry of Informatics and Communications, the cuban import of telephone equipment and radio transmission, and satellite tv. Live animals and plants, as well as products of animal or vegetable origin (cereals and pasta) are subject to prior authorisation by competent Authorities for veterinary and phytosanitary cuban.
Non-commercial export limits for tourists:
Can be exported:
up to 100 pesos in national currency and 200 pesos in convertible currency;
cigars up to 23 loose (you should, however, bring the invoice to avoid any seizures of the goods);
Cannot be exported:
goods belonging to the cultural heritage, even when they have been purchased in shops or at dealers and authorized private (for example, objects of art, books, crafts and antique objects found in some of the areas great tourist concentration). The export of such goods is subject to customs regulations, strict, under penalty of the seizure of the goods.
The seizure is usually the case when:
the goods belong to the National Heritage and you are not able to show the authorization of the Ministry of Culture that is normally issued, where relevant, at the time of purchase (it is well, however, request);
when it comes to all those goods which are in the collections of the museums of the national network or
possess a value from the archaeological, historical, literary, educational, artistic, scientific, and cultural in the general sense. It is recommended, especially in the case of paintings and old books, ask for and keep the receipt verifying that there is affixed to the label required.
Purchase of goods and services: it is recommended that you always issue a receipt certifying the payment. This applies in particular in the case of activities that may result in the risk of accidents (e.g. sports activities and nautical) and for which there is insurance cover. In the absence of such receipt, there is no guarantee that the policy is actually issued by the seller.
Credit cards: CREDIT CARDS are Not accepted Travellers’ Cheques, nor Credit Cards of the circuits of the united states (American Express, Diners Club and the cards of the MAESTRO circuit. The VISA Card and paypal are accepted for cash withdrawals and to make payments (in the latter case, their use is limited only to the hotel, and the state stores, where, in addition, often the POS is not working), while the Master Card is not always operational.
It should also be noted that in Cuba the use of the credit cards accepted is limited to a few exercises (hotels and restaurants state, NOT in private restaurants, called. paladares), in the main cities of the Country. All transactions made with credit cards suffer a surcharge of approximately 3% compared to the total value of the transaction. Therefore, we suggest you to travel with money in cash, preferably Euros, a currency that has a more favorable exchange against the US Dollar.
Information
In the country
Federation of Motorsport and Kartism of Cuba. 0053 7 683776. fax: 338503
In Italy
Indirizzo ufficio turistico in Italy
Via Fara, 30- 20124 Milano. Tel:02-66981463. Fax: 6690042
www.cuba-si.it
For addresses and contact details of the country's embassy and consulates accredited in Italy, please visit the website https://www.esteri.it/MAE/it/servizi/stranieri/rapprstraniere
Indications for economic operators
Italian entrepreneurs interested in starting business or investing can contact the Embassy Commercial Office (commerciale.ambavana@esteri.it) or the ICE Antenna, which operates at the Embassy in Havana (lavana@ice.it).
You can also contact the Cuban Chamber of Commerce directly (calle 21 n.661 esquina A Vedado, website www.camaracuba.cu). Italian Embassy in Havana.
Security
General information, public order and criminality
Cuba does not present any particular danger conditions for travelers.
However, incidents of micro-crime against tourists (thefts, burglaries and some cases of armed aggression) have increased in recent years, particularly in the capital and major cities.
It is advisable not to resist in the event of aggression.
Foreigners involved in road accidents with deaths, or even just damage to people, cannot leave the country during the duration of the investigation and trial, which can last for months. Energy-saving blackouts are common.
Terrorism risk
Terrorism is a global threat. No country can be considered completely free from the risk of incidents related to this phenomenon.
Environmental risks and natural magnets
In the course of the season of cyclones (approximately from June to November) you may encounter severe hardship or emergency situations.
Events from extreme weather, such as hurricanes, Irma and Mary, who have invested the entire band in the islands of the Caribbean in September 2017, and may occur again, inflicting so serious on the operation of the local infrastructure, and in order to strongly limit the response capacity of local Authorities, the consular assistance from the diplomatic network.
Communications and links to the internet and phone could be compromised, and the transport stopped for extended periods of time.
It is recommended to the fellow-countrymen to consult in advance on the weather situation at the destination by consulting your travel agent and directly by the Internet site www.nhc.noaa.gov.
If you decide under their own responsibility to undertake a journey in the season of cyclones, it is recommended that:
-exercise extreme caution to avoid areas where more could be exposure to risk
-keep informed through the media
-carefully follow these warnings and the instructions given by local Authorities
For more information please refer to the study Weather Alerts.
Areas of particular caution
Warnings
Compatriots are advised to:
– record the details of their trip on DOVESIAMONELMONDO;
– take caution in the streets of the centre of the city and outside the city of Havana (Old Havana), in the most popular districts, including the district of “Centro Havana”, and in some tourist resorts on the outskirts of the capital, such as Guanabo;
– use caution especially on the beaches, in particular in the area of St. Mary – Playas from the East, where there have been a number of thefts and attacks;
– turn with the copy of the identification document and with the money you need for the day;
– submit a complaint to the Authority of the local Police and, in the case of loss of documents and money, and promptly consult with the Italian consulate, who will issue a travel document to return to Italy. Also of note, in this regard, that the alien was found to have no identification documents and means of subsistence is subject to the police until the time of repatriation;
– move with caution avoiding roads are not lit, especially at night;
– avoid travelling at night through the Country;
– pay maximum attention in to conduct vehicles or motorcycles. The precarious conditions of the road network, the lack of visibility at night, and the frequent breaches of the code of the street by pedestrians and motor vehicles can put a serious threat to drivers in the course of your holiday;
– pay particular attention to the risks that you can take if you circles with vehicles rented on site. Often rental agencies in cuba are not up to the standards of safety and assistance in europe;
- – store valuables in carry-on baggage during air travel;
- – keep in a safe place travel documents, money and values in general;
- – observe normal safety precautions by avoiding flaunting jewelry, money and cameras;- use only licensed taxis;
– do not give passages to unknown persons, especially along the motorway network;
– in the event of a cyclonic threat, stay at the state hotel infrastructure, equipped with power generators and better security conditions.
If you were to remain without money, please note that the faculty of lending from the Embassy in favor of fellow countrymen in need is, by law, is limited and that, in each case, provides for the obligation of the repayment of the loan. Therefore, it is recommended that you:
directly contact with the institution in the cuban Asistur, (www.asistur.cu) Paseo del Prado 254, Havana, tel 7338527, 7338920 – fax 7338087.
ask a person in Italy to issue a bank transfer at Banca Nazionale del lavoro (BNL) or the Banca Popolare Antoniana Veneta (BPAV), in Euros or any other currency (excluding US dollars), in favour of the agency Asistur account no. 000769 at the Banco Financiero Internacional, Havana's delegate to receive transfers from abroad. Copy will be forwarded by the Bank via fax to the entity and the beneficiary will, in real-time (replace with: within 72 hours), withdraw the sum and change it into US dollars with a deduction of 10% commission.
ask a person in Italy to transfer a sum, in Euros or any other currency (excluding US dollars), a Bank-enabled in favor of the state Agency ASISTUR account no. 000769 at the Banco Financiero Internacional, Havana, delegate to receive transfers from abroad. Please note that this possibility provides wait times a little longer than the first solution (about 4 days)
Stay in private homes involves costs are significantly lower than those of the hotels. The local law authorizes the accommodation at private houses for the purpose, enabled, with the obligation on the part of the landlord to register the tenants in a special register at the offices of the Police. Staying in private homes is not authorized is unlawful and may expose the tourist to the sanctions of a different nature and, in certain cases, to expulsion from the Country. Remember, staying in private homes is not enabled exposes the tourist to a greater risk of theft or other incidents of crime and prevents or hampers the formulation of a complaint to the Police.
Relevant local regulations
Regulation for drug use and/or dealing:
the drug phenomenon is a considerable growth, both with regard to the trafficking of narcotic drugs for personal consumption. Local laws and regulations in the field provides for sentences of very strict and for the most serious cases of drug trafficking, even the death penalty. The introduction of the new legislation was followed by numerous arrests, even of foreigners, and the latest processes for these offences have resulted in sentences so heavy.
Regulations for sexual abuse or violence against minors:
Particularly serious is considered the crime of child abuse. The legislation, approved in February 1999, provides for severe penalties against the crimes of induction and exploitation of prostitution, both against the corruption of minors (of up to 30 years of imprisonment). Some countrymen are at the moment detained for offences of this type, with sentences of between twenty and twenty-five years ' imprisonment. In addition, the figure of the corruption of a minor is, according to the doctrine and the case-law of the cuban prevailing, in the category of “crimes formal”, for which it is sufficient for the declaration by the presumed injured party – even in the absence of other evidence – for the formalization of the indictment, and the establishment of a penal trial, with the consequence of a sort of ' reversal of burden of proof” that forces the accused to prove their innocence.
It should be remembered that those who commit abroad crimes against minors (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are prosecuted on their return in Italy on the basis of the laws in force in our Country.
In case of problems with the local Police (the state of the latch or shutdown) it is recommended that you inform the Embassy.
Business information
Italian companies that send technicians or workers are advised to carry out specific security measures and to comply with the provisions of the local authorities regarding the transfer of foreign personnel. Italian companies are invited to register the presence of their own workers on DOVESIAMONELMONDO and report them to the Italian Embassy in Havana.
HEALTH SITUATION
Healthcare facilities
Tol out of the hospitals for foreigners are mostly present in the major cities of the Country, medical care is not in line with european parameters. Hospitals have poor hygienic-sanitary conditions and are often devoid of medical material and medicines. It is recommended, therefore. to obtain a supply of essential medicines and first aid, especially if you plan to travel outside the capital and major tourist resorts.
Please remember that the hospital and physician costs, according to the severity of the cases, are very high, must be paid in currency and the Embassy, to the terms of the law, can not anticipate them, nor support them on behalf of my fellow countrymen. The administrations of the hospitals require the foreign liquidation punctual for all expenses incurred to authorize the discharge; the failure to pay may result in the denial of the repatriation by local Authorities.
With effect from 1 may 2010 all travellers, foreigners and cubans resident abroad at the time of entry into the Country, must be holders of an insurance policy that will cover any medical expenses incurred on the Island. The policy must be issued by an entity, the insurance recognized in Cuba (see the list of companies published on the website www.asistur.cu) and may also be purchased at the border, through the insurance company ASISTUR, a Body with the cuban state responsible for the assistance to tourism, with particular regard to the aspect of health.. it is good to clarify that the speed and the quality of the service provided by ASISTUR may also depend on the relationship that this Entity has with the insurance company you have chosen, from the type of policy subscribed to and the timeliness with which the latter guarantees to the authority the reimbursement of expenses.
Present diseases
Are present on the Island cases of the virus Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika, all transmitted by the mosquito “Aedes aegypti”.
It is recommended that you adopt, while staying on the island, prophylaxis, hygiene and health-care indicated in the Info Health – preventive Measures against diseases transmitted by mosquito bite.
And’ out in the Country a severe spread of conjunctivitis, hemorrhagic, disease of viral origin, highly infectious that it catches on more easily in situations of scarcity of water and high atmospheric humidity. Maintain careful personal hygiene and avoid contact with people already infected precautions are the minimum necessary to prevent infection. In the event of any suspicion of having contracted the virus, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately eye care professional and carefully follow the instructions of health care that are provided.
Were also established cases of cholera is in the eastern regions of the Country, and in the Capital itself and is, therefore, necessary to observe carefully the relevant recommendations of hygiene and health.
Cases of gastrointestinal viruses, which can be cured pharmacologically, but whose symptoms can be confused with those of cholera, continue to be frequent. If there is any proven doubt, it is advisable to undergo a health check.
Warnings
Sthe recommends entering into before starting a insurance policy that provides coverage of medical expenses, and any return air health or transfer in another Country) of the patient.
In consideration of the climatic characteristics of the island and the deterioration of the water system, and sewer, it is recommended in any case: drink bottled water without adding ice; make use of water only if previously boiled.
Mandatory vaccinations
No
MOBILITY
Mobility
Driving Licence: Italian
The road network ordinary: 34.000 km.
Speed limit on all roads: 90 Km (on the motorway is 100 Km), except in cases where it is indicated otherwise.
Network rail:15,000 km.
Main ports:
Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos.
According to the regulations of the cuban, in the case of fatal accidents or arrecanti injury to the person, the foreign citizen can be subjected to long measures restrictive of liberty (arrest and detention penalties that vary from 1 to 10 years imprisonment in the case of manslaughter). Waiting process is not allowed to leave the territory of cuba. Finally, if convicted, must serve a minimum period of detention at the prisons of cuba.
Transport: the circulation of the automobile, especially outside the city, it is quite messy, with frequent breaches of the rules of the road code. Many accidents are caused by the circulation of a variety of bicycles, missing of any light-signalling device or reflector, and for this little visible. Since the administrations of the hospitals require the liquidation on time in the currency of the expenditure incurred, renewed, the council aims to conclude by the tourist a special insurance which also covers the involvement of third parties in the automobile accident.
Speed limit on all roads: 90 Km (on the motorway is 100 Km), except in cases where it is expressly indicated otherwise.
In Cuba there is a compulsory insurance for private vehicles. Are instead covered by the insurance the car regularly hired on the condition that the guide will be the contract holder, or other person expressly specified in the contract (there is a surcharge in the case of multiple drivers). It is recommended to carry out checks on the actual coverage. In the case of traffic accidents with other means of transport (e.g. with a public taxi), please note that the insurance company of the carrier liquid damage if not after the criminal proceedings and in local currency.
It is strongly recommended to pay attention to the driving of vehicles or motorcycles. According to the regulations of the cuban, in fact, in the case of fatal accidents or arrecanti injury to the person, the foreign citizen can be subjected to long measures restrictive of liberty (arrest and detention) and in the expectation of the corresponding process is not allowed to leave the territory of cuba. It is therefore suggested that, in the event you rent an automobile, request the chauffeur service to the board. With this mode, in fact, the owner of a rental agreement is relieved from civil and criminal liability arising from any incidents on the road.
If the foreign citizen is convicted, he must serve a minimum period of detention at the prisons of cuba. The sentences vary from 1 to 10 years imprisonment for manslaughter.
The public transport, because of the economic situation, is very penalized. The urban service is not frequent and the buses are very crowded; to use the links at inter-provincial level it is necessary to reserve a place in advance.
Normally, even for minor offences it is necessary to seek legal assistance. The defender is provided by the Associations of the Lawyers of the State, cubans (c.d. bufete) with which you have to enter into a contract in foreign currency, as well as in foreign currency must be paid on any security deposit. It should be noted that, in cases involving a finding of responsibility and an investigation, the accused cannot leave the Country. A situation which – given the time of the celebration of the process – can last for several months. In such cases, the fellow awaiting trial may not engage in any working activity, since it entered the Country with tourist visa, what makes it even more burdensome on the economic plan, his being forced to stay.
Insurance
E. S. E. N. (feat state insurance) www.esen.com.cu/
Airports:
the main international airport is Jose Marti in Havana. Then there are airports at Varadero, Santiago, Santa Clara, Ciego de Avila, Holguin, Cayo Largo and Camaguey.
For general information on the safety of flights and on airlines of the Countries where it is forbidden to operate in the airspace the EU do not comply with the safety standards of the European Agency for Aviation Safety, we recommend that you refer to the section on aviation Security organized in collaboration with the Enac and the website of the European Commission.
Toutonoleggi:
There are many companies operating in the sector. It is recommended to those who – during the stay in the Country – intend to rent a motor vehicle, to make sure of the state of wear of the tires.
For more information, please refer to the website cuban: http://www.cubaweb.cu
It is also recommended that always make sure that the hired vehicles are covered by insurance. At the time of travel, it is recommended that you maintain driving strictly respectful of the code and road signs. Along the streets of cuba are, in fact, frequent police checks, always particularly detailed. In the case of road accidents, malicious, or merely negligent, the penalties applied, including imprisonment, can be quite severe.
Fuel: super Gasoline price: 1.40/1.50 Cuc (equal to the US dollar)
Diesel cost: 1.20 Cuc about
Hotels:
For a list of the hotel facilities, you can refer to the cuban http://www.cubaweb.cu