Useful Information

Cuba coexist in two currencies: the Cuban peso and the convertible peso.Both can be purchased at the official exchange houses called CADECA (you can find them at all tourist sites and airports. From November 8, 2004 U.S. dollars (U.S. $) are not accepted in stores on tourists have Cuba.Los In principle, the obligation to pay all with convertible peso, but some things as transport reserved for Cubans, food markets, bars and some small souvenirs can be paid in Cuban Peso. The Convertible Peso exchange rate depends on force for change. If the purchase with $, you'll be charged a levy of 10%, making it desirable to change them in your home country to any currency of a mencionadas.Por Convertible Peso get 24 Cuban pesos (MN - Local Currency ). In some tourist hotels and bars can also buy Cuban pesos (about 23 Cuban pesos). Please visit the Central Bank of Cuba to obtain the exchange rate as of today. When leaving the country can be changed Convertible Pesos you are in any currency without any charge (including U.S. $). The few things that can be paid with Cuban Peso are very cheap so we recommend not to change too.

Costumes should be light, especially in the summer, has been woven cotton shirts, shorts, sandals and shoes preferably, for a winter jacket or a lightweight wool Sweta fine may be sufficient, mainly for the night, and shoes closed but comfortable. You need to bring glasses to the sun. Do not forget the swimwear for a refreshing dip, and a sunscreen. The electricity supply in most places residential, commercial, offices and hotels is 110 V / 60 Hz, although there are already facilities that are 220 V / 60 Hz. Power outlets are flat spikes.

Buses.There are public buses that depart regularly from crowded stations where it is usually difficult to get a ticket, except for foreigners who already have priority when paying with dollars. The private lines with more modern buses that offer greater convenience and, although they are slightly more expensive, more secure and recommended. Covers all the major towns and cost between 8 and 50 U.S. $ (Havana-Santiago). We recommend the company "Víazul" They have a good website where you can find all information about destinations, schedules and prices: www.viazul.cu. As if you can not connect, its headquarters are in Avda. 26 and Zoo in Nuevo Vedado (Havana) and their phones are 0053-7-881413 and 8,815,652.

Trains.There are two main lines that cover the first, from Havana to Santiago, and the second from Havana to Pinar del Rio. The first is through the towns of Matanzas, Santa Clara, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas and has branches that you come to Cienfuegos, Bayazid and Guantanamo. Trains in Cuba are slow, cumbersome and often suffer delays. For those who think they can be an interesting experience to make a long journey by train, take into account that there are wagons generally reserved for foreigners. In most of the state of services (hotels, restaurants, bars) are accepted cards Visa and Mastercard but have not been issued by American banks. However, always carries cash for times when the machines do not work registers.

Car Rental
To rent a car on the island in the present obligatory driver's license (international or country of origin) with a minimum of one year and be over 21 years. Rental prices will range between 35 and 85 dollars a day. It is highly desirable to review the car to verify that has all the detailed specifications in the contract, including spare tire, mats, car rental ... Both of the vehicle such as gasoline are paid in dollars. The tourists are again a priority to pay in U.S. dollars. Although there are no roadside supply problems, it is important not to rush the deposit since there can be long stretches without service stations. The state of the roads depends on the route you want to perform. From Havana to Pinar del Rio and Viñales (in the westernmost part) and to Ciego de Avila (center of the island) there are two good highways, but from Ciego de Avila and Santiago up (in the east) the road is 1930 and has two lanes. To reserve a car or find more information you may want to visit: www.havanautos.cu. They have many offices in all cities. For if you can not connect to the Internet, we provide some numbers: Havana: 0053-7-335215 or 962,694 Santiago: 0053-0226-51056 or 22,666

The Republic of Cuba is composed of 14 provinces, 169 municipalities and the special municipality Isla de la Juventud. From west to east are the provinces: Pinar del Rio, La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo.

Importants cities of Cuba

- La Habana
- Matanzas
- Santiago de Cuba
- Holguin
- Camaguey - Ciego de Ávila
- Pinar del Río
- Trinidad
- Sancti Spíritus
- Cienfuegos - Isla de la Juventud
- Santa Clara
- Bayamo
- Las Tunas
- Guantanamo
- Manzanillo
- Moron
- Baracoa
- San Jose de las Lajas

Electoral System

The State Council is appointed by and among members of the National Assembly of People's Power. The president is head of the Council of State and Government or Council of Ministers.

Members of the People's Power National Assembly (589 deputies) are elected by direct suffrage every five years and the Provincial Assemblies and Municipal People's Power were elected in the same way, every two and a half years.

Education

Education in Cuba is free and constitutionally mandatory.

In 1961 the country eradicated illiteracy through a national campaign. In every province there are lessons specialized centers and polytechnics as well as universities and other higher educational establishments, which added 13 343.

The number of students in educational institutions amounted to 2 623 300. The enrollment of students at the university level amounted to 201 257. In technical and vocational education, including teacher training pop, art instructors, teachers of physical education and sports, vocational schools and art professionals and others, studied 606 653 young people.

Deputy Minister of Education to operate other organizations:

.Educational Scientific Exchange Group.
.Latin American and Caribbean Pedagogical Institute.
.Central Institute of Educational Science.
.Latin American Reference Center for Special Education.
.Reference Center for Latin American Educational Pre-School/Kindergarden.
.Language Center and Computer José Martí.
.Event Organizers, through Cubatur-Events

Public Health

Cuba has a system of primary health care with total coverage of the country, considered unique in Latin America. Medical services are free for all Cubans. There is an extensive network of medical centers (442 polyclinics and 281 hospitals), and other specialized entities. The infant mortality rate is 7.1 per thousand live births and life expectancy at birth is 75.2 years. Cuba is among the six nations of the world production of interferon (INF).

Its vaccines antimeningocóccicas type B and C, and hepatitis B, are unique in the world. These achievements were made possible by the existence of 211 centers and institutes of scientific research-production.

Medical care and insurance

Around 95% of hotels have a doctor who ensures the patient's primary care. In addition, there are eight international clinics for treatments, which require more care-in Pinar del Rio, Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Cayo Coco, Santa Lucia, Guardalavaca and Santiago de Cuba. It is recommended that every tourist to travel to Cuba do so protected by an insurance policy, which can also be purchased on the island through the company travel assistance, Asistur SA

Sanitary regulations

There are only sanitary restrictions to travelers from countries where there are yellow fever and cholera are endemic or have been declared infected areas by WHO, in which case they are required to present the International Certificate of Vaccination. Restricted the entry of products of animal or vegetable origin.

Religion

The Constitution guarantees full freedom of worship. The most widespread religion is Catholicism. The Afro Cuban cults, the result of syncretism between pantheons of African and Catholic saints, they are also deeply rooted. Other churches and cults perform its activities with complete normality and equity.

Economy

The Cuban economy has two basic livelihoods: tourism and the sugar industry. Other items of importance are the snuff, coffee, rum, honey, cocoa and citrus; pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as the materials for the construction and fishing, plus mine Nickel, the country has the largest open pit reserves in the world, copper, manganese, chromium and refractory asphaltites.