Baggage & Gift Parcels
(As amended Sept 3, 2009)

Baggage
The previous 44 Lb limit on accompanied baggage –including carry-on and gift parcels—applicable to those traveling under specific licenses for the purpose of visiting immediate family members, and to those traveling under academic educational licenses or professional research licenses, no longer applies. There is no weight limit on items brought to Cuba for your personal use during your visit. However, all airlines will collect overweight charges on baggage to Cuba. These charges vary from airline to airline:

• from Miami: over 44 Lbs @ $1-$2 per Lb.
• from Nassau: over 71 Lbs @$2.50 per Lb.
• from Cancun: Cubana 66 Lbs free + excess baggage @$1.30 per Lb.

Gift parcels
Any licensed traveler may bring gift parcels to Cuba for any individual (excluding certain Government and Communist Party officials), or to a charitable, educational or religious organization “not administered or controlled by the Cuban government”, in addition to foods (including vitamins), medicine, medical supplies and equipment (including hospital supplies and equipment for the handicapped).

Gift parcels may now include clothing, personal hygiene items, consumer communication devises, and many other items. The total value of non-food items is limited to $800. There are no limitations on bringing informational materials.

Money & Limit on Expenditures

Money
Only Convertible Cuban Pesos (CUC) are accepted as payment for goods and services in Cuba. US Dollars (USD) can be exchanged upon entry at the airport, or at hotels, banks and Exchange Offices like the Banco Financiero Internacional, Cadeca, Banco Metropolitano y Banco Popular. The exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 0.80 CUC.

There is no exchange fee for other currency exchanges –such as for Canadian Dollars or Euros—and we suggest you consider changing your USD into one of these currencies before departing from the US to Cuba. Travelers Checks can be exchanged as well into CUC, for an additional service charge fee of 3%.

Limit on Expenditures
(as of April 1, 2008)
There is a $179 per day limit on expenditures paid directly or indirectly to Cuba or Cuban nationals for transactions ordinarily incidental to travel within Cuba, including hotel accommodations and meals. However, there is no limit to expenditures that are directly incidental to the activities authorized by the Treasury Department pursuant to the license under which you are traveling.

For example, the $179 limit would not apply to expenditures for travel from your hotel to a conference you are authorized to attend, or expenditures for travel needed to carry out your authorized research or educational or religious activities, or payment for accreditation or program fees for your aut horized participation in an academic or educational program.

There is no limit on purchases of “informational materials” see definition of “informational materials” below . And there is also no limit on payments to Marazul for transportation on the flights from Miami, Nassau, Cancun or other cities to and from Cuba for authorized travelers.

Shopping
Persons authorized to travel to Cuba are NOT permitted to purchase merchandise in Cuba. You cannot buy cigars, liquor or handicrafts for instance. The only exceptions are “informational materials” for your own use. These include books, periodicals, paintings, sculpture, records, tapes, CDs, films, video cassettes, photographs, posters, etchings, lithographs, serigraphs, microfilm, microfiche, and other informational materials. All these purchases must be made with CUCs.

Communications

Internet
Internet access and services are available at increasing number of hotels, post offices and cyber net cafes. Postal service between the US and Cuba takes 6 weeks or more, so you should not expect to receive any mail while you are there.

Local & International calls
There is direct dialing between the US and Cuba. Cuba’s country code is 53. Havana’s city code is 7. Collect calls may not be available. If you are not staying at a hotel, international calls can be placed from Hotel Habana Libre in Vedado, Hotel Neptuno in Miramar, or Hotel Inglaterra in Old Havana.

Cell phone rentals
Cell phone rentals are also available in Cuba. An example is CUBACEL with offices in Jose Marti Airport and Havana. A returnable deposit is required.

Hotel & Auto Rental

Hotels
Marazul offers expert advice and flexible reservations in any Hotel in Cuba. Pre-registration allows you to save time through expedited check-in.

Lock Boxes are found at the front desk and many hotels also have them in each room for safekeeping of your valuables and perhaps your passport. Other than in the room safe, do not leave valuables in your room.

Electrical current. In general, your electric razor, hairdryer or other small appliance may operate on Cuba’s standard electrical current (110 volts). However, almost all of the newer or recently renovated hotels have converted to 220 volts and you will need a converter and a plug adaptor. Tipping is expected (in CUC).

Auto rentals
We can help you reserve the car of your choice and pick it up in Cuba, either at the airport or from your hotel. From vans sitting six, to full size coach buses with a 50 person capacity, we can provide comfortable and convenient transportation for you and your group. If you prefer chauffeured transportation we can reserve a car and driver for all or part of your stay in Cuba.

What to Wear

Cuba is on daylight savings time summer and winter (one hour later than Eastern Standard Time). Be prepared for hot weather with a chance of brief periods of rain. Bring a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings (and sometimes very cool air conditioned Restaurants).

From November to April the temperature averages 75-80F. From June to August, about 85—90F. The warmest weather is in the eastern part of the island (Santiago). Rainy season is May-October. In general, clothing should be on the informal side.

Items to pack
• Sun screen / Sunglasses / Sun hat
• Extra pair of glasses
• Mosquito repellent & anti itch medication
• Over the counter medication/Band-Aids
• Bathing suit
• Camera film (packed separately)
• Detergent for personal laundry
• Plastic Bags for soiled clothes
• If bringing prescription drugs, be sure your ID is in the label

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