Travel tips for Cuba - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Do not try to take pictures of people in uniform. Such actions are illegal in the country, and violators are subject to arrest. If you see policemen or army, take away your camera. When making a selfie at the airport, make sure there are no airport workers in the background. It is prohibited taking pictures of them too.

2. Do not waste your time trying to understand how local municipal transport, the bus, works. Indeed, there are buses in Cuba, but it is virtually impossible for tourists to use them. Local buses have no marked routes, they are always overcrowded and the wait between the buses can be very long. It is impossible to be on time for the bus because local buses do not have a fixed schedule.

3. Use the taxi to get around. There are also bicycle taxis in Cuba. They are cheaper but it is not always comfortable to use them.

4. Cuban sun is more active than the sun in Europe. In order not to get sunburnt, always take sunscreen to Cuba.

5. Do not drink tap water. Tap water is safe for locals but it can be dangerous for tourists because of different bacteria in it. Drink beverages cooled in the fridge. Do not ask to put ice in your drink because ice cubes are made from tap water.

6. Do not demonstrate large sums of money and expensive items in public places, smartphones included. This way you protect yourself from possible theft. Cubans have low salaries, and if there is a chance to obtain an item that they can resell high, some people might take an opportunity and steal something from a careless tourist. Remember about this and stay alert.

7. When leaving the hotel, don’t be surprised if someone from the hotel’s staff asks you to give them a razor set, shaving foam, or even toothpaste. These items are expensive in the country, and not every Cuban can afford them. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. Beef is very scarce on the island. Slaughtering a cow is a serious crime in Cuba and is subject to 15 years in prison. However, Cubans love this meet the most. It is very hard to buy beef legally because the prices are high. Beef in Cuba is mostly imported and costs a lot even for foreign tourists. When buying a dish with beef, especially with ground beef, you are at risk of being tricked. There might be very little beef or even no beef at all in your patty. Consider ordering pork or chicken, you will get exactly what you offer in this case.

9. There is a tax for card payments of a little more than 11%. Don’t forget about this mandatory expenditure.

10. There are not many places that accept bank cards by Mastercard. As a rule, Visa works better in Cuba.

11. Small cafes and shops might not have a bank card terminal and can only accept cash. Specify possible payments in advance if you don’t have any cash with you.

12. There is a special currency for tourists in Cuba – CUC. If you take cash with you, make your choice in favor of the euro. The U.S. dollar exchange rate is usually less advantageous and has a commission of up to 20%.

13. The country’s laws prohibit smoking in public places.