cuba, frequently asked questions, fqa


1. Is legal to rent a private lodging in Cuba?
From 1997 the Cuban government allowed the Cuban families to initiate their businesses of rents to foreign tourists in legal way in almost all the country. To carry out this economic activity, the proprietors pay a rent license monthly, in addition to the corresponding annual taxes.

2. Why make reservation through BedinCuba?
BedinCuba allows a detailed search of the characteristics that you need for your lodging, from the price to the comforts BedinCuba in addition, will show you photos for your election. We will be in charge of all the transaction of your stay, we will respond the reserve to you in 24 hours and with much professionalism we will take care of any restlessness to you online. Most of the international flights arrive late at night and with the height level of the tourism in Cuba is something difficult to find good supplies at those hours. The process of the reservation is extremely simple. You can trust us, all the houses that we make its available count on the due license by the Cuban authorities to offer this type on watch.

3. How I can recognize a legal Private Accommodation?
The legal Private Accommodation present the following logo in the entrance door:


4. Why I should not lodge in a ilegal Private Accommodation?
In the illegal Private Accommodation, their presence is not notified to the Cuban migratory authorities by what you and the owner of the house can have serious problems with authorities if its presence is detected in the illegal house.

5. Don't I find the lodging with the characteristics that I look for?
If you cannot find in our directory the lodging with the conditions that you need then using the choice of Contac Us that appears in the vertical bar, send us the requirements that you wish to have in your lodging and be sure we will find it.

6. How to make the reservation?
To reserve is very simple. In each page of the Particulara House you will find the following announcement "Click" here to reserve to ... alone should make "Click" and to send an email with their application, in a term smaller than 24 h will be responded.

7. How to obtain the confirmation of my reservation in BedinCuba?
In a nongreater term of 24 hours, we will send you an electronic mail to the direction that is specified, in which we will confirm the reservation to you, we will give you the data of the rented room and any other instructions that we consider opportune.

8. Must I pay extra by to have made the reservation here with BedinCuba?
No, you will only pay the price that shows with the characteristics of the room that you want reserve.

Private House
Casa Leo. Two independent Rooms in Vedado, Havana
Pepe Apartment. Independent room in Vedado Havana
More Private House


9. How is the payment of the reservation? To whom I must pay? Is needed a payment in advance before the arrival?
You will pay in cash once you arrive at the lodging and directly to the owner of the room that you reserved. There are no advance payments before your arrival.

10. Do I need passport to travel to Cuba?
Yes, not matter you are by your nationality, you will need a passport that must be valid by at least 6 months from the date of your entrance in Cuba.

11. Do I need visa to travel to Cuba?
You will need a denominated "card of tourist" like a visa. If you travel through Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas, the travel agencies in those countries can provide you that card or in the same Cuban airport.

12. Is needed reservation in some hotel to enter Cuba?
Not necessarily, when entering the country the Cuban authorities frequently ask in which hotel you will remain. If you do not have a voucher, electronic mail or some type of document printed with the name and direction of the hotel (or the private house), they will insist to reserve a stay of 3 nights in a hotel that they will offer (often with high prices). The best option is to have your booking printed before your arrival and not to accede to this request to reserve in a hotel.

13. Is it necessary to pay some tax to leave Cuba?

Yes, it is necessary to pay an airport tax of 25 CUC.

14. What documentation is needed to enter in the country and how long can I stay in Cuba? How to extend my permission of stay?

At your arrival to the country you must have on your passport a nonsmaller use of six months and your visa or permission of entrance. The visa can be valid by a term of 30 days, later if you want to extend your stay can go to the Immigration office before the finish of the visa in order to ask for the extension or prorogation of your visa.

15. Which are the main Customs Laws that I must know before my trip to Cuba?

Cuban custom house allows travelers to enter in the country the necessary personal assets.The custom house taxes 100% worth the cost of the product announced by the visitor. Except, personal assets, 10 kg of medicines, and 100 dollars for other obtjects.

Import by travelers of the following items is prohibited:
" Electric power plants (generators)
" Wireless telephones
" wireless microphones
" Video equipments of all types, notwithstanding the country of manufacture or brand, including those produced and sold in the market as built-in accesories for other equipments (VCR, DVD, etc.) Shall be exempted from this prohibition foreign diplomatic personnel, Cuban officials having stayed abroad for over a year, as well as individuals authorized to import household ménage.
" Freezers of more than seven cubic feet of capacity;
" Air conditioners;
" Electric kitchens and furnaces - of all types, models and capacities
" Electric ovens - of all types, models and capacities, including micro waves.
" Electric showers - of all types, mo

Export of work of arts is allowed, as well as, antiques, Cuban flora and fauna species, and other legally protected cultural goods, with the documentation from the corresponding institutions.The maximum worth of other goods exports is 1000 dollars. Craftsmanship export does not require documentation. More information: http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/pasajero3.htm

16. Can I take myself Rum and Tobacco legally?

You can extract of the country tobaccos for a maximum value of 1000 CUC with the corresponding purchases receipt of the stores authorized by the Cuban government, and alone up to 23 tobaccos without receipt and up to six bottles of rum

17. Can I buy and to export art works ?

Works of art can be purchased at art galleries and specialized shops that will also provide customers with the necessary information. However, to take it out of the country travellers must provide the corresponding documentation on the items they bought, that he or she can obtain upon request.

18. . Which sanitary regulations are in Cuba?

Visitors from countries with endemic yellow fever and cholera are required to present the International Certificate of Vaccination. The import of natural products of animal or plant origin is prohibited unless provided the corresponding sanitary documents.

19. Can I use in Cuba credit cards?

Most hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, etc., take Visa and Mastercard credit cards, as long as they are not issued by American banks. However, you should have some cash on you just in case the machines are not working.

20. What type of currencies or payment forms can be used in Cuba for expenses?

Official currency is the Cuban peso. Its import or export is prohibited. The Convertible Peso (CUC, acronym in Spanish) equals the U.S. dollar and comprises the same strength inside the national territory. The U.S. dollar is no longer in circulation.
It is recommended, for tourists, not to bring U.S. dollars as there is a 18% surcharge when exchanging. In the international nautical institutions, cruise terminals, and duty free stores at airports, the U.S. dollar can be used as the 18% surcharge is added to the price. Direct payment in Euro can be made in Varadero, Cayo Largo, Jardines del Rey, Santa Lucia beach in Camaguey, Covarrubias beach in Las Tunas, and beaches in Holguin (Guardalavaca, Don Ling, Esmeralda, Pesquero).
It is possible to exchange any currency, even U.S. dollars, in convertible pesos (CUC) at airports, banks and hotels, and reexchange them when leaving the country. In the main towns, there are Exchange booths in Cuba: “Casas de Cambio” (CADECA S.A.) for the exchange of hard currency in Cuban pesos and convertible pesos (CUC).
The banking network is represented by different entities, it comprises the national territory and it is equipped with modern technology and interconnection. The prices in tourist facilities are fixed in CUC. Credit cards such as, Cabal, Transcard, Visa, and Master Card are allowed, if they were not issued by U.S. banks or their subsidiaries.
There are also national means for payments issued by the Banco Financiero Internacional (BFI cards) and the Crédito y Comercio, Metropolitano, Popular de Ahorro banks, and BICSA (Red cards). More information: BedinCuba Currency

21. What is the best choice to transport in Cuba?

You should not take urban transportation - like the "camel" -, they are always crowded and unreliable. You should take taxis or tourist buses instead, or walk when it's short distances. If you want to go on a tour of the island, your best option is to rent a car. There are several car rental offices at the airports, hotels and tourist spots providing high quality cars and services, other good choice is Viazul ( bus company).

22. Can I rent a car before arriving in Cuba?

Exist Several rent cars companies where you can lease On Line a car before arriving in Cuba we recommend you the following Web to carry out your reservations:
http://www.micarrenta.cu
http://www.cubacar.cubanacan.cu
http://www.transtur.cu

23. What documents I should present to rent a car in Cuba?

You must show your passport and driver's license in order to rent a car. The driver must be at least 21 years old; the license could be international or from your country but at least a year old.

24. What cautions I should have when I rent a car in Cuba?

It is not advisable to drive at night. You must also watch out for animals on the road and cyclists in urban areas when you are driving. Park the car in a safe well-lit place and do not leave anything valuable in it. You are liable for traffic fines, failure to pay would mean incurring a debt with the State. We recommend you buy a "Road Guide of Cuba" which is very helpful for finding your way around on the roads.

25. Is Cuba a safe place?

Absolutely. Cuba is one of the safest countries of the world, with a lowest index of cases of violence. In the island the tourists are dealt with respect by the local population and will be fascinated by the hospitality of our people. Despite you must take the normal precautions from security like: Don’t carry more money than the necessary one in your wallet, not to leave your properties bye negligence, beware of the improvised tour guides, they are not professional, in many occasions they don’t know the history and the Cuban culture and they are amiable to deceive the tourists. In the most important cities you will find international clinics with service 24 hours. The medical insurance is available. Vaccines are not required to come to Cuba.

26. Electricity

The electrical current in most of the residential and commercial places, offices and hotels is 110V/60 Hertz, although already there are facilities with 220V/60 Hertz. The power outlets are flat pins, but you can use converters.

27. How can I communicate by phone in Cuba?

The phone calls to any city of the world can be made from any International Telephone Center. Also the service of prepaid phonecards exists that offer the opportunity to call by automatic teleselection to any city of Cuba or the rest of the world. You can travel with your own cellular phone, that must have the following technical characteristics so that work in Cuba: Norm GSM (European norm), in the band of the 900 MHz. For more details (to charge your mobile equipment or to contract the services of moving body rent) contact with company CCOM in its airport office or in the 3th Ave. number 9402, between 94 St. and 96 St., Miramar, Playa, phone (53 7) 204-1640, or Norm TDMA (American norm), in the 800 MHz band. For more details (to charge your mobile equipment or to contract the services of moving body rent) contact with CUBACEL company at its airport office or in 28 St. number 510, between 5th Ave and 7th Ave, Miramar, Playa, phone (53 7) 880-2222. In order to call to Cuba you must to dial the 53, later the code of the city and immediately the wished number. In order to call directly from Cuba to any country of the world you must dial first 119, followed of the code of the country, code of the city and the wished number. For call by operator dial 09, say to the operator the country, city and wished number. For the national calls you must dial the 0, immediately dial the code of teleselection of the locality and the wished number.

28. How is the medical attention to foreigners in Cuba?

The World Organization for the Tourism data has stablished that between 20 and 50 percent of the tourists have health problems in their trips. So, Cuba has created a system of specialized attention to take care of its visitors. From the accumulated experience stablished a national network of medical aid to tourists in three categories: the direct attention in hotels or places of lodging, the international clinics created in the tourist areas and the provincial or national hospitals, according to the requirements of each case. From the facilities specifically created for the foreigners and those of the national system of health, all them are used in these levels of attendance. Among them stand out:

• Health Villa El Saltón (Santiago de Cuba)
• Thermal center of San Diego de los Baños (Pinar del Rio)
• Center of Rest and Health of Topes de Collantes (Cienfuegos)
• The House of the Valley (Matanzas)
• Orthopedical Hospital “Frank País” (La Habana)
• Surgical and Clinical Hospital “Hermanos Ameijeiras” (La Habana)
• Clinical and Surgical Hospital “Manuel Fajardo” (La Habana)
• Orthopedical Hospital for Rehabilitation “Julito Díaz” (La Habana)
• The Internacional Clinic “Cira García” (La Habana)
• The Internacional Clinic “Camilo Cienfuegos” (La Habana)
• The International Clinic of Est Beaches (La Habana)
• Cardiac Center of the Pedhiatric Hospital “William Soler” (La Habana)
• Health Villa Tarará(La Habana)
• International Center for the Treatment of the Third Age (La Habana)
• Clinical and Surgical Hospital “Faustino Pérez” (Matanzas)
• The International Clinic of Varadero (Matanzas)
• Underwater Medicine center
• The International Clinic of Trinidad
• The International Clinic of Cienfuegos
• Center for drugs addicts “El Quinqué” (Holguín)
• The International Clinic of Guardalavaca (Holguín)
• The International Clinic of Santa Lucia (Camagüey)
• The International Clinic of Coco Key (Ciego de Ávila)
• The International Clinic of Santiago de Cuba

29. In Cuba exist dangerous animals?

One feature of Cuba’s fauna is the lack of poisonous or other species harmful to human health. With its diverse and bright colours, the polymita is a mollusc that can only be found in the Cuban fauna, just like the zunzún, the smallest species of hummingbird in the world, Canorous birds abound in Cuban Fields. It has been considered that the Cuban flora counts more than 8000 species.

30. What type of clothes and/or articles recommend that we take to Cuba like tourists

Clothing should be light, mainly during summer, so it would be best to wear shorts, cotton and flannel outfits and sandals. As for winter, a light jacket or a fine wool sweater and closed comfortable shoes would do, mainly at night. You should also bring sunglasses, and a bathing-suit and so that you can take a refreshing swim, and don't forget your sunscreen.

31. What are the main Cuban destinations and attractions?

In order to turn Cuba into a significant tourist destination and provide the sector with integrity and offer the visitor different choices to increase competitiveness, in addition to the possibility to know the archipelago, there are many regions, all of them with their own atmosphere, directed to the markets to be gained.

Main destinations
Havana
Varadero
Holguin
Jarines del Rey (Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo)
Cayo Largo del Sur
Santiago de Cuba
Santa Lucia de Cuba
Trinidad
Cienfuegos
Pinar del Rio

Other destinations:
Peninsula de Zapata
Villa Clara
Granma
Las Tunas
Baracoa

32. Can I drink water directly of the faucet?
Though tap water is drinkable, we advise you to drink bottled water to avoid tropical illnesses.

33. Are there places for sport hunting and fishing?
Sport hunting and fishing is standardized by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As stated, it is prohibited the export of live species or dissected, and goods made out of protected species. It is allowed the export of goods made of flora and fauna species, if they are sheltered by a Certificate of the Management Authority of CITES in Cuba.

34. Is it possible to take pictures and film freely in Cuba?
You can take pictures and film freely in Cuba, except in restricted areas as military and others. The museums and other places of interest have specific regulations. To take colored pictures, the best time is between 09:30 hours and 11:30 hours, and after 16:00 hours.

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