Fast Facts

Currency Exchange -- A CADECA (tel. 22/65-1383) branch is on Calle Aguilera 508. The local branch of Banco de Crédito y Comercio (tel. 22/62-3316), where you can exchange traveler's checks and get cash advances, is on Félix Peña 614. Bandec (tel. 22/62-7581), with similar services, is on Félix Peña between Aguilera and Heredia with an ATM. Both are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 3pm and Saturday 8 to 11am. An ATM is at the Banco Popular de Ahoro (tel. 22/64-2454) on Plaza Dolores. You can also change money at the Meliá Santiago and most other hotels in the city.

Emergency -- Dial tel. 116 for any emergency.

Hospitals & Medical Assistance -- Clínica Internacional, Avenida Raúl Pujol at Calle 10 in Reparto Vista Alegre (tel. 22/64-2589), has 24-hour emergency services, a dentist, and English-speaking doctors. There are pharmacies at the clinic and along Calle José Antonio Saco.

Internet Access -- The Etecsa Multiservicios Céspedes on Heredia, corner of Sto Tomás (tel. 22/62-4784) provides telephone and Internet service daily from 8:30am to 7:30pm. You can also find cybercafes at the Meliá Santiago.

Police -- The police station is located at Corona and San Gerónimo (tel. 116). However, the probability of finding an English speaker is remote. In case of an emergency, one of the better hotels (such as the Casa Granda or Meliá Santiago) should be able to help or at least interpret for the police.

Post Office -- The main post office is on Calle Aguilera 517 at Padre Quiroga (tel. 22/65-2397); it's open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 10pm. There are basic postal facilities in all the major hotels. A DHL office can be found at Calle Aguilera 310 at the corner of San Félix (tel. 22/68-6323).

Safety -- Santiago is one of Cuba's less safe cities, if only because the local jineteros are relentless in accosting foreigners. They are, for the most part, innocuous. Still, if you're attending a street festival, concert, or Carnival, put your money in a money belt and leave your watch, jewelry, and knapsack behind (these items will be safer in your hotel or casa particular). Also, be careful and keep an eye on your bags at the Santiago bus and train stations. That said, Santiago, as with the rest of Cuba, is still relatively safe for a large city.

Telephone -- Santiago's area or city code is 22, but many numbers are still published under the old system and area code 226. The "6" is now placed before the number.

You can make local, long-distance, and international phone calls with a phone card from Etecsa.