Fast Facts

Area Codes -- Area codes around the country range from one to two digits.

Business Hours -- There are no hard-and-fast rules, but most businesses and banks are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Some businesses and banks close for an hour for lunch. Shops and department stores, especially those that cater to tourists, tend to have slightly more extended hours, and are usually open on Saturday and Sunday.

Drinking Laws -- Cuba has no firm or clear liquor laws. Beer, wine, and liquor are served at most restaurants and are available at most gift shops and hard-currency stores. Drinking and driving is against the law.

Electricity -- You will find a mix of electrical currents and plug types used in Cuba. Around 90% of the hotels and casas particulares use a 110-volt current with standard U.S.-style two- or three-prong outlets. However, some outlets are rated 220 volts, particularly in hotels that cater to European clientele. These are usually marked and sometimes accept only two-prong round plugs. For all intents and purposes, you should have personal appliances rated for 110-volt current, with U.S.-style prongs, or the appropriate converters. It is also a good idea to carry a three-to-two-prong adapter for any appliance you have that has a three-prong plug.

Wherever you go, bring a connection kit of the right power and phone adapters, a spare phone cord, and a spare Ethernet network cable -- or find out whether your hotel supplies them to guests.

Embassies & Consulates -- All major consulates and embassies are in Havana. Canada also has other locations.

The embassy of Canada is at Calle 30 no. 518, at the corner of Avenida 7, Miramar (tel. 7/204-2516; fax 7/204-2044; http://havana.gc.ca). The Consulate of Canada is at Hotel Atlantico, Suite 1, Guardalavaca (tel. 24/430-320; fax 24/430-321; honcongvaca@canada.com); and at Calle 13, corner of Avenida 1 and Camino del Mar, Varadero (tel. 45/61-2078; fax 45/66-7395; honconvdero@canada.com).

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at Calle 34 no. 704, between Avenida 7 and 17, Miramar (tel. 7/214-2200; fax 7/214-2218; www.britishembassy.gov.uk/cuba).

Though neither an embassy nor a consulate, the United States Interests Section, Calle Calzada between Calles L and M, Vedado (tel. 7/833-3551; http://havana.usinterestsection.gov), is the official U.S. government representation on the island. There is no Australian embassy in Cuba. The Canadian embassy will assist.

Emergencies -- In most cases, you will want to dial tel. 106 for any emergency. This is the number for the police. Alternately, you can dial tel. 104 for an ambulance in six of the country's provinces (for Havana, dial tel. 838-1185; Pinar del Rio tel. 76-2317; Isla de la Juventud tel. 32-4170; Matanzas tel. 2-8500; Ciego de Avila tel. 185; Las Tunas tel. 4-9192; Granma tel. 185; Santiago tel. 62-3300); and, although in Guantanamo, you can dial tel. 104, in Baracoa, you must dial tel. 4-3472, and tel. 105 for the fire department. The three-digit emergency numbers are part of an ongoing effort to institute a national program for emergency response. However, in some areas of the country, it is still not fully functional. At none of these numbers can you assume you will find an English-speaking person. For legal emergencies, contact your diplomatic representation. All U.S. citizens can find assistance at the U.S. Interests Section, with no questions asked about licenses.

Etiquette & Customs -- Cubans are friendly, open, and physically expressive people. They strike up conversations easily and seldom use the formal terms of address in Spanish. However, be aware that as a foreigner, many Cubans who start a conversation with you are hoping in some way to get some economic gain out of the relationship. Jineterismo, or jockeying, is a way of life in Cuba. This may involve anything from offers to take you to a specific restaurant or hotel (for a commission) to direct appeals for money or goods.

Dress is generally very informal, in large part due to the tough economic times faced by the broad population. Suits are sometimes worn in business and governmental meetings, although a simple, light, short-sleeved cotton shirt with a tie, or a guayabera, are more common. The guayabera is a loose-fitting shirt with two or four outer pockets on the front and usually a few vertical bands of pleats or embroidery. The guayabera is worn untucked, and is quite acceptable at even the most formal of occasions.

Perhaps the greatest etiquette concern is about what you say. Open criticism of the government or of Fidel or Raúl Castro is a major taboo. Don't do it -- especially in open public places. The police, community revolutionary brigades, and reprisals for vocal dissent are an ongoing legacy of Cuba's political reality. One effect of this is that while Cubans you meet will often be very open and expressive with you, they tend to immediately clam up the minute another Cuban unknown to them enters the equation.

Hot Lines -- Asistur (tel. 7/866-4499; www.asistur.cu) can help with all types of travelers' emergencies -- for a fee.

Insurance -- Medical Insurance -- For travel overseas, most U.S. health plans (including Medicare and Medicaid) do not provide coverage, and the ones that do often require you to pay for services upfront and reimburse you only after you return home. Even if your plan does cover overseas treatment, most out-of-country hospitals make you pay your bills upfront, and send you a refund only after you've returned home and filed the necessary paperwork with your insurance company. As a safety net, you may want to buy travel medical insurance, particularly if you're traveling to a remote or high-risk area where emergency evacuation might be necessary. If you require additional medical insurance, try MEDEX Assistance (tel. 410/453-6300; www.medexassist.com) or Travel Assistance International (tel. 800/821-2828; www.travelassistance.com); for general information on services, call Worldwide Assistance Services, Inc., at tel. 800/777-8710).

Canadians should check with their provincial health plan offices or call Health Canada (tel. 866/225-0709; www.hc-sc.gc.ca) to find out the extent of their coverage and what documentation and receipts they must take home in case they are treated overseas.

Travelers from the U.K. should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC; tel. 0845-606-2030; www.ehic.org.uk), which replaced the E111 form as proof of entitlement to free/reduced cost medical treatment abroad. Note, however, that the EHIC only covers "necessary medical treatment," and for repatriation costs, lost money, baggage, or cancellation, travel insurance from a reputable company should always be sought.

Travel Insurance -- Check your existing insurance policies and credit card coverage before you buy travel insurance. You may already be covered for lost luggage, canceled tickets, or medical expenses. The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip, your age and health, and the type of trip you're taking, but expect to pay between 5% and 8% of the vacation itself. You can get estimates from various providers through InsureMyTrip.com. Enter your trip cost and dates, your age, and other information, for prices from more than a dozen companies. Residents of the U.K. can purchase annual and single-trip travel insurance at a low cost through www.travelinsuranceweb.com.

Most tour operators and agencies that work in Cuba or book travel to Cuba offer a basic insurance package for around CUC$5 (US$5.40/£2.70) per day, which includes in-country medical coverage with a zero deductible of up to CUC$25,000 (US$27,000/£13,500); emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage of up to CUC$7,000 (US$7,560/£3,780); coverage for civil damages caused to third parties of up to CUC$25,000 (US$27,000/£13,500); and lost luggage coverage of up to CUC$400 (US$432/£216). Other coverage options also exist. These policies are invariably bought through Asistur (tel. 7/866-4499; www.asistur.cu).

Trip-Cancellation Insurance -- Trip-cancellation insurance will help retrieve your money if you have to back out of a trip or depart early, or if your travel supplier goes bankrupt. Trip cancellation traditionally covers such events as sickness, natural disasters, and State Department advisories. The latest news in trip-cancellation insurance is the availability of expanded hurricane coverage and the "any-reason" cancellation coverage -- which costs more, but covers cancellations made for any reason. You won't get back 100% of your prepaid trip cost, but you'll be refunded a substantial portion. TravelSafe (tel. 888/885-7233; www.travelsafe.com) offers both types of coverage.

Internet Access -- In all cities outside of Havana, head to the main Etecsa office where you will find a bank of computers. Some hotels in the provinces and most in beach resorts also offer Internet access. In Havana, outside of the Etecsa office in Habana Vieja, all the top-end hotels offer Internet access at a minimum price of CUC$6 (US$6.50/£3.25) an hour. You'll get an Internet card with a scratch-off log-in number and password on the back, which will allow you to use any Etecsa computer around the country.

Language -- Spanish is the official language of Cuba. English is spoken at most tourist hotels and some restaurants and attractions. Outside of the tourist orbit, English is not widely spoken, and some rudimentary Spanish will go a long way.

Indigenous and African languages have had a profound and lasting influence, and you will find many words -- like cigar, barbacoa, and conga -- tracing their origin to indigenous and African sources used widely across the island. Various African dialects are still widely used in the songs and ceremonies of Santeria and other syncretic religions, although almost no one speaks them conversationally. In a legacy from the Soviet days, some Cubans speak Russian.

Laundromats -- Dry cleaners and laundromats -- be they full service or self-serve -- are few and far between in Cuba. Hotel laundry services, which can sometimes be expensive, are far more common. Your best bet is to ask at your casa particular when you stay in one. You'll be charged around CUC$3 (US$3.25/£1.60) for an enormous bag of laundry. It will cost extra to have your clothes ironed.

Legal Aid -- If you get into legal trouble, immediately request to be put in touch with your embassy. All embassies have round-the-clock emergency numbers. Asistur (www.asistur.cu) may also be able to help. Its emergency numbers are tel. 7/866-8521, tel. 7/866-8339, and tel. 7/866-4920.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two.

Visa does not have a toll-free emergency number for Cuba. You must dial tel. 119, then 01/410-581-994. For MasterCard, you must also dial tel. 119, then 01/636-722-7111. For American Express cards issued in Canada, you must dial tel. 119, then 01/905-474-0870.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- A post office is called a correo in Spanish. You can get stamps at post offices, gift shops, and the front desk in most hotels. The Cuban postal system is extremely slow and untrustworthy. You can count on every parcel and piece of mail being opened and inspected. The cost of a postcard or letter to the U.S. or Canada is CUC$.75 (US81¢/41p), and it takes about 3 weeks for delivery. A postcard to Europe costs CUC$.65 (US70¢/35p) and a letter to Europe is CUC$.75 (US81¢/41p). A package of up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lb.) will cost CUC$10 to CUC$20 (US$11-US$22/£5.40-£11) to ship, depending upon your destination country, but can only be dealt with at principal post offices.

However, it is best to send anything of any value via an established international courier service. DHL, Calle 26 and Avenida 1, Miramar, Havana (tel. 7/204-1876; www.dhl.com), provides broad coverage to most of Cuba. Beware: Despite what you may be told, packages sent overnight to U.S. addresses tend to take 3 to 4 days to reach their destination.

Maps -- Most car-rental agencies and many hotels will give you a copy of basic nationwide and Havana road maps. The Cuban Geographic and Cartographic Institute publishes a couple of much more detailed maps; most tourist gift shops and Infotur kiosks carry these maps. If you're buying a map before your trip, try to get the International Travel Map: Cuba (ITMB Publishing; www.itmb.com). You'll also find good maps online at www.cubaroutes.com and www.cubamapa.com. Anyone doing any serious driving should purchase the Guia de Carreteras available in Havana.

Measurements -- See the chart on the inside front cover of this book for details on converting metric measurements to nonmetric equivalents.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The nationwide Spanish-language daily, Granma, is a thin paper with sparse coverage of local and international news, and a strong party-line editorial bias. The paper is not nearly as widely available as daily papers in most other countries, but some street vendors and many hotels do have copies each morning. English-digest versions of Granma come out every few days and are available at many hotels. A handful of other daily and weekly newspapers are published, and are usually even harder to find than Granma. These include Trabajadores, Juventud Rebelede, and a host of regional rags.

Probably the most useful magazine for travelers is the elusive bilingual cultural publication Cartelera, which is sometimes available at the front desks of most hotels in Havana.

Passports -- The websites listed in this section provide downloadable passport applications, as well as the current fees for processing applications. For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "International Travel" tab of the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov.

For Residents Of Australia -- You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents Of Canada -- Passport applications are available at Passport Canada offices, Canada Post outlets throughout Canada or downloadable from the central Passport Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Gastineau QC K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Note: Canadian children under 16 years who travel must have their own passport. However, if you hold a valid Canadian passport issued before December 11, 2001, which bears the name of your child, the passport remains valid for you and your child until it expires.

For Residents of Ireland -- You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). A 3-year passport can be acquired for those under age 3; a 5-year passport may be acquired for those ages 4 to 17. Those over 65 may acquire a 10-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 21/494-4700) or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand -- You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom -- To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-yr. passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office or major post office, or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or visit its website at www.ips.gov.uk/passport.

For Residents of the United States -- Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

Police -- Nationwide, you can dial tel. 116 for police, although you shouldn't expect to find an English-speaking person on the other end of the line. In general, the police are quite helpful and not to be feared. Bribery and graft are not an issue. In the event of robbery, the police are your best bet, but for physical emergencies or other threats of serious danger, you are probably best off contacting your embassy.

Smoking -- Although Fidel gave up smoking years ago, Cuba remains a major producer of tobacco and tobacco products. Many Cubans smoke. Cuba introduced a nonsmoking ban in enclosed public places in February 2005, but it is not really enforced. Most restaurants have nonsmoking areas.

Taxes -- There are no direct or specific taxes on goods or services in Cuba. However, some tourist restaurants have begun adding a 10% service charge onto their bills. However, this charge goes directly to the restaurant and not the waiter, so you will need to leave a cash tip too. There is a CUC$25 (US$27/£14) departure tax that must be paid in cash upon leaving the country.

Fax -- Most hotels have fax machines available for guest use (be sure to ask about the charge to use it).

Time -- Havana is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, or on a par with Eastern Standard Time in the United States and Canada. Daylight saving time is observed by setting clocks ahead 1 hour from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Tipping -- Most Cuban workers earn incredibly low salaries in dollar terms -- around CUC$8 to CUC$12 a month (US$8.65-US$13/£4.30-£6.50) -- so tips are an extremely important and coveted source of supplemental income. With the rise in tourism, all sorts of workers now expect and work for tips, including taxi drivers, porters, waiters, guides, and restaurant musicians. Taxi drivers in particular are loath to give any small change on a fare. So if the meter reads CUC$2.30 (US$2.50/£1.25), you are expected to pay CUC$2.50 (US$2.70/£1.35), although you are certainly within your rights to ask for CUC$.20 (US21¢/10p) or so change. Porters should be tipped between CUC$.50 (US55¢/25p) and CUC$1 (US$1.10/55p) per bag. Some restaurants include a 10% service charge, although you should tip the waiter an additional 5% to 10% depending upon the quality of service, or even more (as this is how they actually survive, since they will not see any of that 10% service charge). If you stay in a resort, you should definitely tip the maid around CUC$1 (US$1.10/55p) a day, and also tip the waiters who serve you every day in the all-inclusive resorts, as they are on miserable salaries.

Toilets -- Public restrooms are hard to come by. You must usually count on the generosity of some hotel or restaurant, or duck into a museum or other attraction. Although it's rare that a tourist would be denied the use of the facilities, you should always ask first. In broad terms, the sanitary conditions of public restrooms in Cuba is much higher than those found throughout the developing world, although at many establishments, toilet seats are sometimes missing. Always bring toilet paper with you wherever you go.

Many restrooms have an attendant, who is sometimes responsible for dispensing toilet paper. Upon exiting, you are expected to either leave a tip, or pay a specified fee. If the restrooms are not clean and you do not take the toilet paper, do not feel obliged to tip. Otherwise, leave up to CUC$.25 (US30¢/15p).

Useful Phone Numbers --

Overseas Citizens Services: tel. 01/202-501-4444.

U.S. Passport Agency: tel. 1-877-487-2778.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international traveler's hot line: tel. 404/332-4559.

Water -- Water is generally safe to drink throughout the country. However, since many travelers have tender digestive tracts, I recommend playing it safe and sticking to bottled water, sold as agua mineral sin or con gas and made by Ciego Montero.