Before Columbus landed on Cuba in 1492, the Taíno people had been living there for thousands of years. In 1511, the first Spanish settlement was founded by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar at Baracoa, and other towns soon followed including the future capital San Cristobal de Habana (Havana) which was founded in 1515.

Cuba remained a Spanish colony from 1511 to 1898 with an economy based on plantations, agriculture, mining and exports of sugar, coffee and tobacco to North America and Europe. The work was done primarily by African slaves brought to the island, until they were liberated in the late 19th century.

In 1898, Cuba was wrested from Spain by the United States in the Spanish–American War. Conflict over Cuba and outrage at Spain's heavy handed colonial rule there was the ultimate cause of the war with the trigger being an American ship sinking in Cuban harbor under circumstances that were interpreted as foul play at the time, but the U.S. ended up gaining control of the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and other places in the short decisive war that left Spain soul-searching with the "generation of 98" becoming an important literary movement. The U.S. subsequently kept Cuba under military occupation as a protectorate for a few decades and then controlled it through a series of corrupt military dictators who were also friendly with the Mafia. While Cuba was never formally annexed, nobody could rule for long in Havana between 1898 and 1959 without at least tacit approval from Washington.

In the late 1950s, Fidel Castro led a Communist guerrilla army to victory over the regime of Fulgencio Batista. Following his victory, Cuba became a one-party Communist country aligned with the Soviet Union, and in a state of confrontation with the United States, which attempted to overthrow the Cuban government by proxy invasion, blockade, embargo, and several assassination attempts on Castro's life by the Central Intelligence Agency. The only thing all these hostile actions succeeded in doing was helping to cripple Cuba's economy. Nevertheless, literacy and healthcare improved greatly under Fidel's rule.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Cuban economy entered an economic crisis, called the Special Period. They had previously been guaranteed Soviet oil in exchange for sugar, and a significant portion of their trade went to the eastern bloc. With their oil cut off and trade becoming more limited with the economically devastated former USSR, the Cuban economy suddenly had to make huge adjustments to stay afloat. Food and gasoline rationing, and lack of new imported goods meant that organic farming became popular on every available piece of land, and the country had to become less dependent on cars. These changes can still be seen in ripples in Cuba today. Venezuela under the presidency of Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) provided free oil to Cuba in exchange for Cuban doctors and nurses, and with relations improving with Russia in the 2000s, their economy began to return to normal.

There is a large gap between the income of visitors to Cuba and what local workers can earn. Since Fidel Castro retired, his brother, Raúl, has introduced more market-based reforms. However, the country's communist ideals remain.

Cuba is 1,250 kilometres (780 mi) long with an area of 104,556 square kilometres (40,369 sq mi), making it the largest island in the Caribbean by area. The highest point is Pico Turquino at 1,974 m.

Although average income is only US$25, Cubans are not poor as their basic needs are covered by the government. They pay their monthly bills of subsidized electricity and water with around US$5, receive free education from elementary school to university, can see doctors for free and receive medicine for free. The social system cares for people out of job and provides them with a home and money for food. Life is not easy but everyone can survive. Keep this in mind when it comes to tipping or people begging in the streets (rare).

The best times to go are between December and April, to avoid the storms and hurricanes before December and the sticky heat of the Cuban summer which can be unbearable for some. This is also the high season so expect a price increase during this period.

• January 1 – Triumph of the Revolution
• January 2 – Victory of the Armed Forces Day
• Good Friday (variable)
• May 1 – Labour Day
• July 25 – Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada Garrison
• July 26 – Day of the National Rebellion
• October 10 – Independence Day
• December 25 – Christmas

• Cuba Travel information

There are no ferry services from Cancún to Cuba as the sole operator of this line, Aqua Cruises, no longer sails this route. There are also no ferry services from Florida to Cuba, however several cruise companies have announced they intend to sail this route when the travel embargo is lifted.

Yachters are expected to anchor at the public marinas. Most ports are closed and tourists are not permitted to walk around them. Private vessels may enter at Marina Hemingway in Havana or Marina Acua in Varadero. There are no visa requirements. Expect to hand out several US$10 bills to facilitate your entry.

OpenStreetMap still has the best coverage of Cuba.

For reliable offline maps, GPS navigation, comprehensive trails and map information, consult OpenStreetMap, which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd (advanced with many add-ons), Mapy.cz, Organic Maps (fast and easy to use by the original developers who left Maps.me after new ownership degraded the app), or use OpenAndroMaps for South and Middle America with apps like Oruxmaps or Locus.

You can help improve the map by contributing places and other data to OpenStreetMap by editing the map or taking street-level photos with Mapillary and uploading when you have good connection or leave Cuba. Several years back the OpenStreetMap community used Mapillary to effectively capture imagery of La Habana useful for mapping.

The bus is the most popular way of getting around the island. There are two long-distance bus lines, Viazul, which is generally for tourists and Astro, which is generally for locals. Shorter distances are served by local provincial buses. In case, you prefer to solely use the local transport options, like buses or amarillos, it is better to do so outside of larger cities—it is much easier there. So, get there first if you are inside of a city.

Viazul

[edit]

Víazul is Cuba's main bus line for tourists and is the comfortable choice of public transportation to tour the island. The buses are reliable and punctual as there is little traffic in Cuba. The buses sometimes take detours or make pauses along the route, especially at road-side restaurants or local souvenir or food shops in the mosquito-ridden nowhere. However, Víazul is not automatically better, actually only the night buses are very comfortable. Also, Víazul buses run far less often the Astro buses. Hence, it makes only sense to use them on low frequented routes. In general, Víazul is about 6 times more expensive than Astro. Luggage is ~US$1, but that does not mean it will not get dirty in the luggage department or wet during rain.

The buses can be used theoretically by anyone, and they seem to be "filled up" by the Cubans, if there are empty seats by the time of departure (likely for much lower than tourist fare).

Reservations can be made in advance on their website, but this is typically only necessary when leaving from or going to popular destinations in high season. Reservations can also be made at a Viazul ticket office (usually located at or near the place where the buses stop). The reservations need to be exchanged for bus tickets in advance (as of 2015) at the ticket office.

If the bus is full, it’s very likely that you’ll be offered a ride in a shared taxi for the same price as the bus. If there are no shared taxis going to your destination, the ticket salesperson will likely advise you to arrive ½ hr before the time of departure and wait for a late cancellation. If there is a late cancellation, you will be allowed to purchase a ticket from the bus driver.

Schedules for Viazul can be accessed on their website. As internet is hard to come by in Cuba, it is recommended you download or print the bus schedules in advance. A useful one-page schedule of Viazul buses can be found on the Cuba-Individual website. Refreshments are not served on the bus but the buses stop for meal breaks at highway restaurants along the way. The buses are often overly air-conditioned, so bring along something warm to wear.

A popular alternative to travelling by bus is to use shared taxis or collectivos. These consist of either modern or old vehicles that carry 3 to 5 passengers (depending on the size of the car). The main advantage of a collectivo is they will take you all the way to your hotel or casa for a similar price to a Viazul bus ticket. They are also usually faster, stop at cheaper highway restaurants and give you an opportunity to meet locals.

The easiest way of purchasing a ride in a shared taxi is to simply arrive at a long distance main bus station and look for the next available taxi going to your destination. There will be a number of touts trying to sell you a seat in their colleagues taxi so finding a car is fairly easy. The taxi only leaves once the car has reached its capacity so try and find one that already has a number of people confirmed to reduce your waiting time. The best time to catch a collectivo is in the morning as this is when most of the locals travel and therefore will maximise your chances of finding a taxi going to your destination. Prices for a collectivo are about the same as for an equivalent Viazul bus ticket. Be sure to negotiate a price before hopping in the car.

Another option is to reserve a share taxi in advance at a tourist information desk. These desks are usually located near a Viazul bus station and they will reserve a seat a taxi for the day of your departure. These taxis will only run if the taxi is full so be sure to check there are enough passengers confirmed for the transit. If the taxi is not full and you must travel that day, be prepared to pay for the empty seats otherwise the taxi will not go.

Some share taxis operate illegally and if the driver is stopped by the police, you may have to get out of the car and you will be left stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Almendrones You will find an unusually large number of old U.S.-made cars on the street. Popularly known as "yank-tanks" and "almendrónes" after their shape, these are pre-revolution imports from the 1950s that have been nursed along well into the 21st century, because the Soviet-made cars available during the Cold War were too scarcely allocated for most Cubans to buy. However, as of the 2020s, they are gradually being replaced by newer Chinese-made electric cars.

In Cuba, all vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road.

Car rental starts from ~US$65 per day (including insurance) plus the cost of a full tank of gasoline. The refundable deposits start around US$200. Rental cars are for the most part fairly new, imported European or Asian models. You can rent cars from any Cubacar outlet^{[dead link]}. Any traffic tickets received are noted on a rental car sheet and are deducted from your rental deposit. If you are involved in a serious traffic accident involving injury or death, you will be detained in Cuba until the legal process sorts things out. This leaves travelers stuck in Cuba from several months to a year while collisions await trial - even if the visitor is not at fault or was just a passenger at the time of collision. For this reason, many countries advise their citizens not to rent cars in Cuba. Beware of scams regarding the cost of insurance. There is only one type of insurance policy covering everything (except for radio and tires) and the price varies only depending on the car type (details in the "Stay safe" section). Attentively check the contract and be sure you have a receipt for every peso you pay.

Busier roads and city streets are generally of fair (drivable) quality and should not pose much trouble if due care is exercised, however some quiet rural roads are in need of serious repair.

Generally traffic is light, especially away from Havana. Outside of towns and cities traffic is usually very light, with no cars for miles on some rural roads. Be warned - you also share the highways with local salespeople selling cheese and snacks, cyclists (sometimes going the wrong way, and at night usually without lights) and horse-drawn vehicles. The Autopista (the main highway running down the center of the country) is crossed at occasional intervals by railway tracks - take care to slow down before going over to avoid damage to the tires or suspension. Many of these have a stop sign ("PARE" in Spanish) which you should carefully heed - or risk a fine of ~US$30, even if no train is coming.

Roads are poorly signposted (and frequently not at all), so if you plan to do serious driving, it would be well-advised to get a detailed map and ask for directions when not sure.

Many traffic lights, especially in cities, are placed on the FAR corner of the crossing, not where you are supposed to stop, thus appearing to invite you to stop in the middle of the intersection.

Cubans tend not to drive too quickly, and chances are you'll be the fastest car on the road. In additional to random locations, speed limits are enforced at semi-permanent checkpoints. These are usually positioned at junctions and are signposted a few kilometres in advance. Most will require you to slow down to 40 km/h. Respect this or get fined ~US$30.

There have been reports of scams involving purposely punctured tires: This can happen when you park your car in a touristic location and someone either punctures one of your tires or places some sharp object close to the tire so it gets punctured once you depart. Within a few hundred meters someone on the street will make you aware of the punctured tire and guide you to a place where other people will help you change the tire and may even offer to replace your tire at an elevated price.

Gasoline costs ~US$1.00/1.20/1.40 for regular/special/super per litre. Tourist rental cars are not supposed to use regular.

The Cuban government's system for facilitating hitchhiking is by far the most economical way for foreigners to travel in Cuba, though a flexible schedule and good Spanish are a must. Known as "El Amarillo" ("the yellow guy") for the yellowy-beige uniforms of its administrators, the system consists of points along main routes where certain vehicles are required to stop and pick up hitchhikers. Amarillo points (el punto amarillo) along major highways are often full service rest stops for hitchhikers, with water, peso-priced food, and a 24-hr indoor waiting area.

Hitchhiking is the only system where you can travel for Cuban prices without paying a tourist premium. Given that transportation is one of a tourist's biggest expenses in Cuba, this can make your money go much farther. Telling people you're a student rather than a tourist can avoid funny looks and price gouging.

To use the system within cities, just keep your eyes peeled for a man or woman in a yellow and beige uniform standing along the road near a line of people. Tell the official where you need to go, and wait. To travel long distances, you need to get to the punto amarillo on the edge of the city in the direction you're going. Ask a local for help on the best way to do that. Then as you pass through cities, ask what bus or taxi to take to get to the punto amarillo on the outgoing road at the opposite extreme of the city. This can be tricky, and it's often worth it to take a local taxi. If you can find a Cuban to accompany you on your journey, their help will be invaluable.

In daytime hours, when the amarillo is present, you pay a nominal amount of money (approx. CUP20 from one city to the next) to the official when you find a ride. The money all goes to the government; drivers do not get any. As a result, it's much easier to travel long distances at night, when the amarillo has gone home and drivers can make some money picking up hitchhikers.

Of course, it's always possible to hitchhike just by sticking out your thumb to passing cars, but be prepared to give the driver CUP20-50 for a long ride. This is common in the countryside, near small towns and along the major autopistas, which are long, mostly straight roads that resemble an interstate system. The locals refer to hitchhiking as hacer botella, literally "making a bottle", from the hitchhiker's thumb up resembling asking for a bottle at a bar. Dar botella refers to giving someone a ride and pedir botella refers to asking for a ride. Your rides will usually begin and end at the various exits along the roadway, where there are usually a few people waiting, and sometimes an official flagging down passing vehicles.

Most of the rides you get will be in the back of large trucks, open to the weather. This is an exciting and beautiful way to travel the Cuban countryside. Though an accident would obviously be very dangerous for passengers, school children, older adults and parents with small children use this system every day. Make sure to bring protection against sun and rain and, if travelling at night, wind and cold.

See also: Rail travel in Cuba

The main train line in the country runs between Havana and Santiago de Cuba, with major stops at Santa Clara and Camagüey. Trains also run to other cities such as Cienfuegos, Manzanillo, Morón, Sancti Spiritus, and Pinar del Rio.

There is one reliable train in Cuba: the overnight Tren Francés between Havana and Santiago de Cuba, which runs on alternate days. If only one train in Cuba is running, this will be it.

All other trains in Cuba are unreliable. The equipment is often in poor condition, breakdowns are common, and when they occur, you can be stuck for the better part of the day (or night) waiting for a replacement engine. There are no services on the trains, so bring food and water with you. Trains are frequently cancelled. Schedules are at best optimistic and should always be checked in advance of travel.

Many Cubans prefer to hitchhike than take the train. Foreigners must pay much higher fares (which is still very cheap) than the locals. Tickets are roughly two-thirds what Viazul charges. Theft is a problem, so watch your luggage!

The fastest and most comfortable way to cover larger distances is on either of the Cuban airlines, Cubana de Aviación or Aerogaviota. They operate on the following routes:

Calm roads and beautiful scenery make Cuba an ideal country for biking. Its already an incredible popular bike touring destination, both for group rides with bus support, and smaller, independent bike touring. In January - February, you can be confident you will come across at least a few bike tourers. If touring independently, you will have to bring your own bike as bikes suitable for trekking are not readily available in Cuba. Bike touring groups though will have bikes of moderate quality included in the package. Do not under any circumstances rent a bike (i.e. el Orbe in Havana) in Cuba as you will get a Chinese junker or something that will leave your backside raw.

Roads in most places in Cuba are reasonably paved. Large pot holes are common, so always stay alert. There's also many roads that degrade to gravel in certain sections, so it may be a good idea to bring a mountain bike or bikes with reasonably thick wheels. Make sure to bring all spare parts you might need along the way, since they will not be available in Cuba. As casas particulares are available even in relatively small towns it is easy to plan an itinerary. In denser parts of the country (Central and Western Cuba), you can reasonably assume there will be accommodation every 20 km between large cities. Food for on the road can often be obtained locally for cheap Cuban Pesos, most small towns will have at least a sandwich or pizzeria stall. Make sure to carry enough food (and water!) though, if travelling through more remote areas. Obtaining bottled water outside the major cities can be a definite problem. Pack iodine tablets as a safe alternative.

Bikers are often met with enthusiasm and interest; when taking a break you will often be approached by curious locals. You'll get a lot Cubans offering to buy your bike, or asking if it'll be left behind. It is possible to take bikes on a tourbus, like Viazul, to cover larger distances. Some Viazul bus routes will charge an extra ~US$3-5 for carrying the bike. It is also possible to take bikes on trains and even to hitch with bikes (wave some pesos to approaching drivers to catch their attention).

For long tours, try and ride to the south-west to have a nice tail wind (for example, Havana to Viñales, a popular ~250 km ride).

There are two main island groups to explore along the southern shore of Cuba. Your sailing area from the two main bases, Cienfuegos or Trinidad incorporates the Canarreos Archipelago and the Juventud Islands or Jardines de la Reina Archipelago.

For information specific to U.S. citizens, see Americans in Cuba

On 1 Jan 2021, Cuba's "dual currency system" was eliminated. All transactions will take place with "moneda nacional", i.e. Cuban pesos (CUP). Cuban convertible pesos (CUC), which had been used for most tourism services and for imported goods, were eliminated. Coins in Cuba come in denominations of 1-, 2-, 5-, and 20 centavos, 1-, 3 and 5 pesos (moneda nacional). Banknotes in Cuba come in denominations of 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, 100-, 200-, 500 and 1,000 pesos (moneda nacional).

As in any developing country, most of the merchandise available is designed for tourists to take back home. The biggest Cuban exports for tourists are rum, cigars, and coffee, all of which are available at government-owned stores (including the duty-free store at the airport) or on the streets. For genuine merchandise, you should pay the official price at the legal stores.

Cubans also do well in creating music such as salsa, son, and Afro-Cubano. You can purchase CDs or tapes anywhere, but paying the equivalent of US$20 assures you of quality.

If you're tasting rum (ron in Spanish), there's more than just Havana Club, even though it is ubiquitous and probably one of the most easily accessible products. Other tasteworthy rums include Legendario, Ron Varadero, Ron Cubay, Ron Santiago de Cuba and Ron Santaria. For the allegedly authentic Cuban experience buy rum in a 200-ml tetrapak carton, available at small grocery stores aimed at local Cubans, but do not expect to be blown away by the taste.

If you are planning to take big quantities (several boxes or more) of cigars with you, be sure you have purchased them officially from an approved shop that gives you proper purchase documentation. Foreign nationals are allowed to export up to 50 cigars (generally 25 to a box) without special permits or receipts, but the export of more requires official receipts. If you buy cigars cheap on streets and you do not have official purchase invoice then your cigars may be confiscated. Also, any purchase of Cuban cigars outside government-approved stores (even in resorts) has the potential to be fake, and that the "cigar factory worker who steals from the factory" does not exist in any appreciable quantities. If you find a "deal" from a street vendor, it's highly likely you are getting fakes, some of which may not even be made of tobacco. Always ensure, no matter where you buy, that the Cuban government origin warranty stamp is properly affixed to the cigar box. Since 2014, licensed U.S. visitors to Cuba were being authorized to import US$400 worth of goods from Cuba, of which no more than US$100 could consist of tobacco products and alcohol combined. These restrictions were further relaxed in 2016, but bringing back cigars or rum for resale remains prohibited. As the situation is changing, it's best to verify current limits in advance.

Officially you'll need permission to export paintings that are larger than 70cm/side. When you buy artwork from approved shop then they'll give you also the required document, that consists of one paper and one stamp that will be glued on back of your painting. Serial numbers on the stamp and paper must match. Cost of the document is about US$2-3. In reality, it is possible that no one will be interested in your paintings.

As explained before, the monthly local salary is below €50/month. So, they tend to try hard to offer a good service in hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants. Many rely on tips to supplement their low incomes, so even a US$1 tip is often enough to make a difference. It is not always expected, but if you received good service.... Also, everyone will try to make an additional pesos on the side, especially when it comes to tourists. It is fine though to pay for a specific purpose, but if you expect anything to be for free, ask ahead, or you will be disappointed.

Travel in Cuba is a contradiction; touristy things (like music bars with professional dancers, tourist transport, and beach hotels) are nice, nice things are expensive, but expensive is not authentic. Authentic Cuba are mostly non-touristy and cheap things, like dark local bars with local people, packed local buses, hitch-hiking with the amarillo, or casa particulares.

Hence, it is particularly possible to see the authentic side on a tight budget. On the other hand you will be quite as happy spending a lot of money and experiencing the Cuba you know from high gloss catalogues.

Cuba has long been a popular medical tourism destination for patients worldwide that seek high quality medical care at low costs. According to the Association of Caribbean States, nearly 20,000 international patients visited Cuba in 2006 for medical care. Cuba is especially attractive to many Latin American and North American patients given its easy proximity and relaxing environment.

A wide range of medical treatments are provided including joint replacement, cancer treatment, eye surgery, cosmetic surgery and addictions rehabilitation. Costs are about 60-80% less than in the US.

The tourist areas of Havana and other large cities have many dining options.

Paladares, locally owned restaurants in private homes, are plentiful, even in the smaller towns. Seating is often limited, so you may need to arrive when they open, usually around 17:00-18:00. If you are staying in a casa particular ask your host for recommendations, as the quality of the food can vary substantially between paladares. Only eat in ones that have a printed menu with prices, otherwise you are very likely to pay two to three times as much as you should. Several have taken to printing two different menus, one with local prices and one with foreigner prices. Eating in paladares is legal, but if you are taken there by a Cuban, you may be charged extra in order to cover commission of the person who brought you. A supper will cost around ~US$7-10 per person.

There are private restaurants that cater for Cubans and are only allowed to take CUP. You will recognise them by a board that states the daily offers and prices. A tasty serving of rice, vegetables, plantains, and pork or beef will cost around CUP30-50. Some places even sell it to you in a cajita ["little box" in English].

Restaurants are owned by the government and run by employees, and the food ranges from bland to spicy. Eating in state owned hotels and restaurants is significantly more expensive and compares with prices in many first world countries. An average supper with soup, dessert and a glass or two of wine could easily cost ~US$20-30 per person. In these establishments, the vast majority of the employees' income comes from tips (their monthly salary often being less than the cost of one meal), making it a friendly and welcome gesture to tip liberally for good service.

In bigger towns you will also find some state-run restaurants which cater mainly to Cubans and accept local currency. Prices are extremely low (e.g. CUP10-15 for a sandwich and cooked meals for CUP30-60), but the quality of food, service and ambience is typically relatively low. Still, this may be an option if you are on a low budget or seeking an 'authentic' Cuban experience. If you choose to tip, do so in pesos as anything else would be an insult to staff.

It is customary to tip 10-20% in restaurants and bars. A 10% service charge is often added to the bill.

Most casas particulares serve their guests a large breakfast for around ~US$2-5 per person if requested (you can tell them what you want for breakfast). However, make sure you get value for money - often you can buy for much less money (in CUP) the same fruit, coffee bread/omelette, etc., out in the street that your casa particular owner will want to charge you 4 times more for just to present it to you in a more comfortable fashion. However, for money-savers, 'building' your own breakfast for CUP is quite easy. Every little village has sandwich shops where you can get a sandwich of ham, cheese or with omelette for CUP5-15 depending on the size. Most of them also sell Cuban coffee (sweet!) for CUP1-2 or a juice for CUP2 called 'refresco'. Some casas particulares may also serve guests large dinners for ~US$7-10 per person.

Sometimes if you ask nicely, your casa particular owner may let you use their kitchen to prepare your own food - in fact, they are usually quite accommodating if for instance you have special dietary requirements, or young children etc.

You can also find small street vendors selling a variety of foods. Many of these stores are run from people's living rooms, and buying from them is a good way to help provide some extra income to a Cuban family. While these meals are satisfying and cheap, long lines are common and the vendors are rarely in any rush to see everyone fed quickly.

If you want to experience something of the real life of Cubans, the best places to stay are casas particulares, which are private houses licensed to offer lodging services to foreigners. A casa particular is basically a private family establishment that provides paid lodging, usually on a short-term basis. This type of establishment would more usually be called a bed and breakfast or vacation rental in other countries. In general, under this term, you can find full apartments and houses, rooms inside people's homes, mini-apartments or rooms with separate entrance (studio or efficiency-type rooms). The business may be operated either as a primary occupation or as a secondary source of income, and the staff often consists of the house's owners and members of their family who live there. Most casas have air conditioning and private baths. Many have minibars stocked with water, beer and soft drinks; and televisions. The cost of minibar items is similar to that charged in a restaurant (~US$1-2 for water, ~US$2-3 for a beer). Some casas also have WiFi.

Casas particulares are cheaper than hotels (average ~US$20-30/room high season; ~US$10-15 low season) and the food (breakfast ~US$4-5, dinner ~US$8-13) is almost always better than you would get in a hotel. Casas particulares are plentiful even in small towns; they are somewhat more expensive in Havana than elsewhere. Any service offered by a casa particular other than accommodation, such as driving you to the bus station, will be added to your bill, regardless of whether this is stated up front. Items such as bottled water supplied with your meal will also have a charge. Always make sure that you talk to the owner about what things will cost when you arrive to avoid unpleasant surprises later. These houses are under a lot of restrictions by the government, so make sure that you are staying at a legal "casa". A legal house will have a sticker on the front door (often a blue sign on a white background), you will notice these as you walk past houses. Upon arrival, the houseowner will need to take down your passport details and how long you will be staying for. Some Cubans do offer illegal accommodations and although they are cheaper, the quality of the food and service is generally lower. If found, the Cubans will risk a large fine and it is best to avoid illegal casas completely.

If travelling around the island, it is recommended to ask the casa owners if they have friends or family in the city you are going to. There is a network of casas and the family will gladly organise for you to be met by their friends off the bus at your next destination. Because most casas particulares are small, rarely with room for more than about 5-6 guests, it is advisable for anyone wanting to stay at a bed and breakfast to make reservations well in advance of their travel date. Many casas particulares belong to associations, have a web presence, and are described in various books and travel guides. You can arrange your accommodation in advance, either by asking your host to recommend someone and by using a casa particular association (the party making the introduction will almost always receive a commission, which you end up paying as it will be included in the accommodation price). Some will let you book accommodation over the internet before your trip, and will go out of their way to arrange accommodation for you while you are there. You can make a reservation by calling ahead using either the casas phone or a public one. Alternatively, you can use a site specialised in vacation accommodation in Cuba like Casas de Cuba or BB Inn Vinales that let you search a house that suits your needs, check the availability of rooms on the dates that interest you and confirm your booking. Since mid-2016, the US government has permitted Airbnb to list accommodations in Cuba.

For the best rates just arrive in a place and knock on a door to see the room and ask for the price. If you do not like either of them go for the next door. Every city and every village has way too many casas for the few tourists that come. Due to the taxes the casa owners have to pay to the government the lowest price for a room is ~US$15 in high season; ~US$10 in low season. Some might ask you to have at least one meal at their casa to give you a cheap room price. If traveling by bus you will be sometimes welcomed by casa owners at the bus station that will present you with pictures of the room they offer. Those will most likely accept room rates of ~US$15, even breakfast for ~US$2 and dinner for ~US$5. Agree on a price and then go with them as all casas have almost the same standard. But beware of jineteros (hustlers) trying to lead you to a casa, where they will get a commission and you will be charged the extra. Make sure you talk to the casa owner.

Cubans hosting foreigners for free is illegal, and they risk a large fine if caught. Some will bend the rules, but be cautious if you choose to take up the offer (e.g. do not walk out the front door if you see a police car nearby, especially if you look obviously foreign).

In some Cuban cities and tourist resorts, like Varadero, Playa Santa Lucia and Guardalavaca, local authorities determined that casas particulares would represent a threat to the hotel industry, and passed some legislation placing regulations and limits on the industry forbidding the operation of these establishments.

Accommodations may state that they provide wifi, but an internet token must be purchased. See "Connect" section.

Most small cities and larger towns have at least one state-run hotel, which is often in a restored colonial building. The prices are US$25-100, depending on what you are getting. Resorts and high-end Havana hotels can be significantly more expensive.

Political demonstrations against the government are rare.

Criticism of the Cuban government, the Communist party, and figures of the revolution is not recommended; you never know who might be listening and your criticism might land you in hot water with the zero-tolerance Cuban justice system.

Do not take photographs of policemen, soldiers, and other authority figures without their consent. The authorities may consider it as espionage.

Women receive a lot of attention from men, especially away from the more touristy centre of Havana. Avoiding cleavage and short skirts will lessen the attention but by no means stop it. Do not get annoyed by the whistles or hissing sounds, as Cuban women often acknowledge and welcome the attention. Acknowledging it too enthusiastically, however, will probably encourage the men.

Common scams include:

• Renting a car in Cuba calls for your attention on every single peso you pay. One of the reported scams is referring to the cost of insurance, and it is quite expensive as you may be charged at twice the real cost. The price of insurance depends only on the car model, but the clerk might start to explain the difference between two or three types of policies, at different costs (for the same car class). The more expensive one has full coverage (except for the radio and tires theft). If you choose the more expensive option, you are told that it is not possible to pay the full amount with a credit card. Nevertheless, it is possible to pay a part of it with credit card (exactly the cost of the less expensive one) and pay cash for the difference. You will not get any receipt, nor does this sum appear on the rental contract. This is the exact amount the scammer gets from you.
• Real-looking discount cigars of dubious authenticity being offered by street touts. Quite often these are genuine articles which have been stolen or collected over a long period of time by cigar workers and are sold at substantial discount on legal and taxed cigars. If you are unable to distinguish genuine cigars then you should only buy from the official cigar dealers. Hotel doormen often offer untaxed (illegal) cigars, around ten times cheaper than taxed cigars a rule of thumb. There is a risk that customs will confiscate these on exit, although this will be unlikely for less than fifty cigars.
• "Friendly" locals inviting tourists to bars for a drink or to a restaurant; the tourist will be charged two to three times the normal price, and the spoils split between the establishment and the "friend". In Central Havana, a running trick is a young local man or couple, on the pretext of practising English, invite tourists to attend a performance by "Buena Vista Social Club" (no, most of the members of BVSC have passed away and the group has not performed in Havana for many years) while suggesting to go to a nearby bar for a drink while waiting for the show to start. Some locals even demand a few pesos for their company.

• Make the price absolutely clear before doing any business, especially if you are not a Spanish speaker. It is not uncommon to reach a destination with a taxi and be asked for much more money than agreed, on a pretext of misunderstanding such as CUP25 instead of CUP5. The advice is to write the price on a piece of paper and show it to the person. In Havana it is important to always be careful when using money. When taking a taxi, ask someone familiar with the system what the approximate fare should be, as many drivers will try to set an artificially high fare before departing. If in doubt, insist that they use the meter. You can almost be sure that any predetermined fare from the airport is higher than it should be, so insist on the meter.
• Water is often sold around tourist areas. Sometimes these bottles have been filled with local tap water (which can be poisonous) and re-sealed. You can usually see this tampering on the bottle, but not always. In any case, tap water will taste markedly different to bottled water and should be avoided in all cases. In fact, real bottled water (same goes for canned soft drinks) is a luxury even to locals and costs about the same either in CUP (around CUP10) in stores, local or tourist ones alike. If you get one too cheaply, it's probably too good to be true.
• Locals offer to swap money at a "local bank" where the natives can get the best rates and ask you to remain outside whilst they do the deal as your presence would drive the rate up. If you give them your money, you will never see them again.
• Credit card scams are common, so money should only be withdrawn in reputable hotels or banks. Ideally, carry cash with you; US dollars, euros and British pounds are almost universally accepted (in order of popularity).
• Some shop assistants have been known to take advantage of some foreigners when it comes to providing change:
  • Some have been known not to give change and go on serving the next customer, assuming the tourist will not be able to speak enough Spanish to question this.
• Do not let your credit card out of your hands, and watch as the salesperson passes the card in the machine. If anything seems strange, do not sign. Merchants in small shops may take your card to an adjacent bank counter and use it to take out a cash advance. Look closely at your receipts, if the receipt indicates Venta and a dollar or CUC amount, this means that it has been passed as a cash advance (which will be kept by the dishonest employees). However, credit card facilities are generally so limited to non-existent in shops that it is customary and more practical to pay with cash.
• Jineteros/jineteras (hustlers) are a problem in larger cities, and will try to sell tourists anything, including restaurants, cigars, sex and drugs. This type of solicitation is illegal in Cuba and most will leave you alone if you ignore them or politely say no for fear of police attention. If you do find yourself in a situation with a more relentless jinetero, tell them that you have been in the country for several weeks, that you are a student at the university, and they will probably leave you alone. Many rely on tourists who are unfamiliar with the system and comparatively rich, so ideally you should try not to fit that part. Even if a tout gets only a few pesos from unsuspecting tourists a day, he or she will probably make as much as a doctor's monthly salary in just a week or two.

Emergency numbers in Cuba are:

• 106: National Revolutionary Police (Police department)
• 104: SIUM (Ambulances services)
• 105: Fire Department services.

The Internet is characterised by a low number of connections, limited bandwidth, censorship, and high cost. Ordinary Cubans had access to Internet from home by 2017 and by 3G wireless by 2018, but the cost remains prohibitive for many (US$7-30/month for 600MB-4GB of mobile data, when most Cubans earn US$30-50/month).

The country code for Cuba is 53.

The emergency number is 116. The information number is 113.

To use your mobile phone in Cuba, you will need to have a GSM phone operating at 900 MHz (or quad-band world phone). If you plan on using international roaming, be sure to check with your phone company as most providers do not offer roaming in Cuba. Alternatively, you can buy a SIM card for ~US$111, plus your prepaid minutes. If you do not have a phone that operates at 900 MHz, you can rent a phone at several stores in Havana, including one in the airport. The rates are ~US$9/day (~US$6 for the phone and ~US$3 for the SIM card), plus about ~US$0.36 a minute for prepaid cards.

If you're planning on being in Cuba for more than two weeks, you can bring a phone, buy a SIM card and prepaid minutes, use it, then give the phone to a Cuban friend when you leave. Mobile phones are among the most desired items for Cubans (bring a case for the phone too, they are very fussy about keeping their phones scratch-free). You will have to go to a mobile phone store with your friend and sign a paper to give the phone to your friend. Do not give your friend an unlimited plan that charges to your credit card!

If you do use international roaming, try to avoid sending SMSs to local Cubans. They are likely to feel obliged to reply, which will be very expensive for them.

• Granma – The official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba. An international version, containing different content to the version published for Cubans, is available in English as well as some other languages. It has a daily edition and an English-language version.
• Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) – The official periodical of Cuba's Union of Young Communists is also available in English.
• The Havana Reporter' – An exclusively English-language newspaper published by Prensa Latina is available from the Varadero post office. It costs ~US$1.
• Cubavision – The national television station.
• Radio Reloj – Broadcasts news 24 hours and states the time every minute on the minute — dos cuarenta y dos minutos...
• Radio Havana Cuba – A multi-language shortwave radio station
• Havana Times – Photos, News Briefs and Features from Havana, Cuba.
• Cuba Headlines – Cuba News Headlines. Cuban Daily News | Cuba News, Articles and Daily Information.
• 14ymedio – The first independent digital media outlet, some articles are also translated into English.

If you're staying at a hotel or casa particular, it's likely there will be a television, and watching Cuban television is a good place to observe Cuba's unique mix of vibrant culture, sports and controversial politics.

The Cuban telenovelas are one of the state's key instruments for addressing sexual taboos and educating young people about AIDS, for example.

The locally produced cartoons are most interesting and uniquely Cuban. They range from abstract and artsy to informative to entertaining. The most famous of the genre is the children's program Elpidio Valdés, which chronicles the adventures of a band of rebels in the 19th-century revolt against the Spanish. The mix of cartoon slapstick humor and images of violent revolution (dashing revolutionaries stealing rifles, blowing up Spanish forts, and sticking pistols into the mouths of goofy Spanish generals) in a program geared towards children is simultaneously delightful and disturbing.

There are classes under the heading Universidad Para Todos (University for Everybody) with the purpose to teach Cubans subjects like mathematics and grammar through the television. Also one of the channels is called the "Educational Channel" (Canal Educativo).