Travel Tips & Information Regarding Your Trip to Cuba Provided by Golden Airlines & Golden Cuba Meetings The information provided may change from time to time. We will do our best to keep topics updated. At any time please contact us at 1 800 611 7976 for any additional information you might need. Air TransportationFrom the USA: - Los Angeles, Miami and New York operate authorized flights to Cuba. Regular scheduled flights to these cities are commercially available. Golden will assist you in identifying best cost and connecting times from your city of origin to the departure time of your flight to Cuba.
- From Los Angeles, Miami or New York, Golden will assist you with reservations on scheduled public charter or with Golden Airlines private charters for either small or large groups.You are in control of the departure times.
From other countries: Most other countries have direct flights to Cuba. Please contact our office. [ TOP ] Altitude For practical purposes all cities in Cuba are at sea level or below 1,000 meters [3,300 feet]. [ TOP ] Budgeting - Budget $15.00 - $25.00 per person for each unscheduled meal
- Budget $ 3.00 - $ 6.00 per alcoholic beverage
- Budget $ 10.00 - $13.00 per day for tips
- Budget $15.00 - $20.00 for extras
[ TOP ] Cancellations/Refunds You must read current Cancellation / Refund policy at the time of reservation/registration. Please request a copy if it is not enclosed. [ TOP ] Changes beyond your control If your arrival into a city changes from that scheduled, your must notify the telephone contact provided to you with your final travel documents. It is your responsibility to keep all concerned informed. [ TOP ] ClimateCuba has a tropical climate with northeast trade winds tempering the heat. It is generally hotter and drier in Santiago de Cuba than Havana and wetter and cooler in the mountains than the lowlands. The tropical storm season is generally August though October. The following chart will give you an idea of average temperatures (degrees Fahrenheit) and precipitation for the country. | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | | | Average
Temperature | 71 | 71 | 73 | 77 | 79 | 81 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 79 | 75 | 73 | | | Average Days
of Rain | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 6 | [ TOP ] ClothingTravel casual, and for special occasions, “business casual” will be perfect. Formal or semi-formal would be considered only at opening ceremonies, farewell dinners or as specified by the organizers of a given event. Cotton materials breathe better. If traveling during the rainy season, bring an umbrella. [ TOP ] Communications It is possible to make long distance calls from your hotel. Instructions will be posted in your room. You can also receive calls from your home city. The country code for Cuba is [53]. Check with the long distance operator for city codes, e.g. Havana is [7]. Most hotels do have electronic mail facilities. Sending post cards home takes about 10 to 15 days. [ TOP ] Contact Numbers and eMails With your travel documents you will receive contact phone numbers and eMail addresses for each hotel during your stay in Cuba. Leave a copy of this list at home or with you emergency contact person prior to departure. [ TOP ] Currency The euro and the U.S. dollar are accepted by all service providers. International credit cards and travelers checks are accepted in most hotels and leading establishments. Credit cards issued in theU.S.are not accepted for purchases or ATM use. [ TOP ] Drinking Water Bottled water is provided in most hotels. You can get additional bottles at the bar of the hotel or at stores in any city during your visit. [ TOP ] Electricity The electricity in Cuba is 110v. Most outlets are two flat prongs. [ TOP ] Guides All scheduled transfers, visits and tours will be escorted by a certified and authorized professional bilingual guide. Specialized guides [architecture, museums and historical sites] have completed intensive training courses and all of them have a college/university degree. Please request the language of your choice at the time of reservation. [ TOP ] Insurance We offer travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, evacuation for medical emergencies and emergency assistance services. The cancellation coverage protects you if you or a family member becomes ill and you have to cancel the travel. [ TOP ] Itinerary in detail A detailed day to day itinerary will be sent to you with your travel documents. This itinerary will reflect the themes, places, tours and events discussed during the coordination of your trip to Cuba. [ TOP ] Language Spanish is the official language of Cuba. English is spoken by most employees at 5-star hotels and by the staff of leading restaurants. We can assign you with a guide that speaks the language of your choice. [ TOP ] License [ONLY for U.S. citizens or residents] As a U.S. citizen or resident at the time of your travel, you must have a Specific license for travel to Cuba issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control. Citizens from other countries are free to travel to Cuba. ALL need a visa to enter Cuba. [ TOP ] Local Hosts When attending a Seminar, Congress or an event of international magnitude, a local host will meet you at the airport to provide you with identification documents and accompany you to your car/bus which will transfer you to your hotel. Also, if you have requested special VIP services at selected airports, a local host will meet you at the gate upon arrival and accompany you to the VIP room while your luggage is being identified and taken to the car/bus. There is a fee for this service. [ TOP ] Luggage In today’s travel environment, we must abide by the regulations provided by each airline, both within your country of residence and for internal flights in Cuba. On your flight to Cuba, you are allowed 44 pounds of baggage. Excess baggage up to a limit of 66 pounds is charged an additional $2 in excess baggage fees (paid in cash at the airport). You are allowed a carryon bag that meets Federal Regulations for international travel as well as a personal bag or briefcase. Updated information will be provided prior to your travel date. Please make sure to have visible identification in each piece of luggage, both in the carry-on and those you check in. [ TOP ] Medical The health delivery system in Cuba is a leader in Public Health, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Obstetrics, Pre-natal and Peri-natal care. University hospitals are equipped to service the international community.You will be provided emergency medical attention in Cuba as needed. An Emergency Medical Transportation insurance plan that covers evacuation and transportation as directed by a doctor to the nearest adequate facility is highly recommended for all international trips (see insurance). If you are on medications, please take enough supplies for the duration of your trip. Please let us know of any medical condition we should be aware of: diabetes, hypertension, etc. Also, let us know if you have dietary restrictions. [ TOP ] Passport & Visa A valid passport is required for all persons arriving in Cuba. Passports must be valid for 6 months after travel is completed. Golden Airlines can issue your Visa with prior arrangement or you it can be issued and paid for at the airport.If you are a Cuban born U.S. citizen or resident in the USA, please contact our offices at least 90 days prior to your expected trip. All passengers on arrival in Cuba, you will go through Customs and Immigration and be issued a Cuban Tourist Visa. [ TOP ] Photography Cuba is a paradise for photographers – amateurs or professionals. Bring plenty of your preferred film, although most common films [Fuji, Kodak, Agfa] are easy to find, as well as batteries for your cameras. There are also “one hour developing services” in the major cities. [ TOP ] Pre-paid Documents/Informationalloggio motel Sandsli You will have a set of pre-paid services: transfers, accommodations, restaurants, museums, special events. Sometimes the order of items in your itinerary may change due to weather or other conditions beyond human control and will be rescheduled to meet 100% of your expectations. [ TOP ] Reading Materials/Bibliography You will find with your travel documents a suggested bibliography on Cuba. You may also request it at any other time. It is also available in this web page. [ TOP ] Safety Boxes Most 5-star hotels have a safety box in each room. Your trip to Cuba, like any other travel experience, is cultural in nature. You do not need to travel with expensive items. But if you do, leave them at the safety box of the hotel. Read the regulations printed in the safety box. [ TOP ] Shopping The Cuban quality of the rum and cigars positions the country as an international leader, thus providing significant income to the island. Check current regulations in your country of residence to determine how much you can bring back home. In the case of U.S. residents traveling with a license, no more than US$100.00 per person can be brought into the country. [ TOP ] Smoking Policy Not all properties have smoking or non-smoking rooms. At the night club shows, you’ll find many people enjoying their new Cuban cigars! [ TOP ] Special Occasions If during your visit to Cuba, you need to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other significant event, you can coordinate with the Concierge of your hotel for flowers, music or other special ideas you may have. [ TOP ] Taxes Your domestic airline tickets already have taxes in effect at the time of issuing such tickets. Charter flights [public or private] to Cuba must collect taxes in cash at each airport [Los Angeles,Miami or New York]. Check with Golden Airlines for the current tax or security fee requirements. Departing from Cuba you must personally pay an airport tax of US $25.00 in cash [as of 05mar03]. [ TOP ] Time Zone Cuba’s time is equivalent to Eastern Standard Time in theU.S.and Canada. Clocks are turned back one hour for daylight savings time in early October and moved forward at the end of March. [ TOP ] TippingTipping in Cuba is not forbidden! While tipping is a personal matter, show your satisfaction as you normally would when you receive a good service: porters, bellmen, waiters, maids/housekeeping, taxi drivers, guides, drivers, etc. start at 10% of the service received. Take small bills with you to Cuba for tipping. It will be sincerely appreciated. [ TOP ] Vaccinationscheap hotels in Rome At the present time no vaccinations are required to enter Cuba, unless you arrive from a known infested area. Please check with your personal physician in case you need special immunizations. [ TOP ] | 
