last edited Dec 11, 2019
Other Practical Information for Cuba
Location Map of Cuba
Cuba
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What to Pack and Equipment to Bring
At any time of year, pack light clothing plus a sweater for evenings and air conditioning, or even a warmer garment if you plan to stay at higher altitudes. In some hotel complexes, slightly dressier attire may also be useful on occasion. Don’t forget mosquito repellent, sun protection, and rain gear—especially in season—as well as proper walking shoes.
In another area, the country faces shortages (or high prices for locals) of many everyday consumer goods. Bringing small gifts to give (but not just to anyone or in any way) can be a nice gesture.
Communications
Telephone
International dialing code: (00 +) 53.
To call Cuba: dial 00 53, then the city code, then the local number. To call abroad (e.g., France), dial 119 33 followed by the number without the initial zero. All international calls from the island are (very) expensive per minute.
Internet
Internet is not yet very fast. Connections also remain quite expensive at a flat rate of 3 CUC (about 2.50 €) per hour. Tourists can connect in large hotels (Wi-Fi or fixed terminals) and in call centers in major cities (Telepuntos). Since mid-2015, around thirty paid Wi-Fi hotspots have also been available in several cities, open to the public, including Cubans.
Post offices are open on weekdays and Saturdays until late afternoon (around 5/6 PM), and even on Sundays in the capital. However, mail delivery is not very fast, and it can take several weeks for letters to reach Europe or Canada. Posting directly from hotels may (in theory) shorten this delay.
Time Difference
Local time: .
Like Quebec, Cuba is on GMT-5, meaning it is 6 hours behind mainland France.
Electricity
110 or 220 V (60 Hz) with "American" plugs (officially types A and B) or "French" plugs (types C and L). It’s best to bring an adapter regardless of your equipment. Note that 220 V is mainly found in hotel complexes.
Opening Hours
Most shops and services are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the week.
Laundries
Local Tourist Offices
Weights and Measures
Cuba uses the metric system, like France.
French Language Use
Spanish is the official language of Cuba. You’ll find English or even French speakers mainly in tourist areas. That said, knowing some Spanish will be very helpful, especially for interactions or if traveling independently off the beaten path.