Frequently asked questions about Cuba.Travel to Cuba, Hotel Reservation, car rental, Flights to Cuba

These are houses were you could live with a Cuban family (or not), having your privacy and other conditions (air conditioning, hot water, etc) .There are owners with big houses they have divided into two, so the guest lives in one part, having total privacy and independence but at the same time he/she has the family in the next door.

2.- If there are so many hotels, why this idea of renting private houses?

At the beginning of the 90's, Cuban tourist industry was highly demanded and, as a response, the Cuban Government wanted to offer more options by allowing the opening of small private business. Among these small business allowed was the rental of private houses, which should meet certain conditions similar to hotels, emphasizing on security and hygiene. Theses houses are supervised by the State and license are granted only to families once its integrity is proved (so, be careful with houses without licenses).

3.- How can I know if a house is legally authorized for rental?

A Legal Private House must have a blue triangle in the door and a registry book, similar to hotels.

4.- May I stay in a private house which doesn't have a renting license?

It is not allowed. In Cuba, the government only gives permissions to houses meeting certain conditions for rental. Cuban Legislation establishes high fees for those houses' owners that rent their places without a license. We advise you that never stay in a non-authorized house, you could have problems with the government.

5.- In the tourist card (visa), is obligatory to put the address I'm going to? What happens if I change the place?

It is not obligatory to put the address. When requesting the tourist card (visa) you could ask the person in charge to write CASA PARTICULAR LEGALIZADA (Legal private house) and then at the Cuban Customs, you provide them with the exact address.

6.- What is the best season to travel to Cuba?

Cuba is an endless summer. Any season is good to go there. There are high temperatures the whole year and you can go to the beach at any time. Cuba has a tropical climate, with meaningless changes, although August is the hottest month and January the "cooler" one.

7.- What happens when hurricanes season starts?

One of the merits of the Cuban Revolution is hurricane warning, so it is very difficult they suffer human beings damages during this season. Before the hurricane comes into the island, trees are cut, road signals are retired, and roofs are reviewed as well as electrical cables, among other things. People with bad houses are moved to safer places and regarding tourists, they take care of them as a father to his son.

8.- To avoid high temperatures, which Cuban province is the best?

The best province regarding climate, dry and warm, is Havana, due to the influence of the Caribbean Sea and the winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Santiago de Cuba, at the eastern part of the country is warmer and its temperature during the summer use to be the highest plus the humidity level that could be excessive.

9.- May I pay in dollars, Euro or any other currency?

Payment in Cuba is made in Pesos convertibles cubanos CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos), known as "chavitos". All currencies must be changed by the Cuban Convertible Peso when arriving there. See more info in the topic Cuban Currencies.

10.- How can I make my trip less expensive?

It would be nice to rent a house or apartment near the places you are planning to visit frequently because it is a way to spend less money in taxis and transportation. The cheapest taxis are from a company called PANATAXI. You should trust these advices we are giving you regarding lodging and do not accept proposals from taxi drivers or other persons which could bring you problems, mainly related to security and legality. Besides, people that is offering you things (restaurants, houses, taxis) are receiving a commission for doing this, so, it would be always more expensive for you.

11.- If I'm in Havana, it is easy to make tours to places outside the province?

Yes, you may travel to other provinces doing tours for one, two or more days. If you wish to make trips by your own, owners of the houses will help you find other places to stay in the destination you are traveling to. You can also use the transportation agency VIAZUL (www.viazul.cu), which have nice and economic buses going to almost all tourist interesting places throughout the island. If you prefer traveling in an organized trip, you could go to any hotel and join to any tour they have (For example in Habana Libre Hotel and Hotel Nacional in Vedado)

12.- What places in Havana are recommended to go to?

For historical visits we recommend you going to Old Havana, the ancient part of the city, full of museums, crafts markets, stores with typical things, the beautiful cathedral and its colonial environment. If looking for party and joy, Vedado is the main place for restaurants, hotels, bars and discos. La Rampa (in 23rd Street) is the better place for finding this. If wanting to go the Eastern Beaches (20 km far from Havana Center), you could also use Viazul (I think this information is not in their web but you may ask there by phone). An obligatory place to go is the Morro, to see the Cannon shot ceremony, at 9 pm, and it is heard in all Havana. And of course, there are a lot of places to recommend but for that, we'll need a tourist guide...

13.- What places in other Cuban provinces are recommended to go to?

Viñales, in the province of Pinar del Rio (a valley with caves and special trees called mogotes", which are unique in the world.
Guama, in Matanzas, a big lagoon with crocodiles and a tour in a ship. Guanabo Beach at the Eastern part of Havana.
Cuban Cigars factories in Havana and Pinar del Rio, where you can see the manufacture process. Soroa (a beautiful waterfall with the best orchids' cultivation.
San Antonio de los Baños, a spa next to a river.
Cienfuegos, Trinidad, a colonial city and Santiago de Cuba.

These are just a few examples of places to go, take a look at each destination by clicking here

14.- Regarding dining, what is the best choice "paladares" or restaurants?

Paladars are small private restaurants with around five tables for 20 people, offering Cuban typical food. Prices vary according to dishes and menus, for example, seafood is more expensive. On the other hand, there are restaurants which offer complete menus, called "descargas or tables" for economic prices. Among the cheap and nice restaurants you may find La Roca in Vedado, Hanoi and Los Nardos near Havana's Capitol, but going to one place or other it's your choice.

15.- What is an "agro"?

These are a kind of free market where there are a lot of people, mainly farmers, selling meat, fruits and vegetables at very low prices, because it is paid in Cuban pesos. There, you could buy anything as Cubans do. If going there, you will see prices are very cheap and it is a way to economize regarding food because you can cook it yourself in the apartment.

16.- What can I take as a present for Cubans?

For humanitarian help, medicines (in Cuba people suffer mainly from asthma, blood pressure and flu, etc.). Cuban Customs Legislation allow to enter food in the country if are hermetically preserved, example, in cans. You may also give as present parfums, eau de toilette, and cosmetic products, which are very good presents cause Cubans love that, they are always clean and using fragrances. If wanting to give clothes is better summer clothes, sunglasses, school things for children, etc. You could take anything you want, there would be well received.

17.- What is a "jinetero" or "jinetera"?

It is a boy or a girl offering "company services" without asking for money, but with double meaning and second intentions. Intentions are to receive some money or gifts after his/her services. Socially, they are not accepted and people reject them. It's a kind of "fortune hunter". Cubans are friendly and kind by nature, easy to love, they have a free sexuality and the problem there is to identify who is a "jinetero /a and who is not.

18.- Should I accept free lance tourist guides meet at the street?

No. They could be untruthful persons. The best thing is to consult the apartment's owner who could introduce you someone trustful and responsible.

19.- Is this a travel Agency?

We are not a travel Agency. We are a group of friends, in loved with Cuba, trying to gather as much information as possible to help all people who wants to know this beautiful island.

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