Cuba fieldcourse 2010
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- Political Situation
- Local Travel
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
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- Travelling with babies
- Basic Medications Toiletries
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Travel Summary
Safety and security TerrorismThere is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
CrimeCrime is on the increase. Theft from luggage during baggage handling, both on arrival and departure, is common. You should remove all valuables, lock suitcases and consider having them shrink-wrapped before check-in.
There are a small number of bogus tour agents/taxis operating at the airports and around Old Havana. You should not travel with anyone other than your recognised tour operator. If you need to take a taxi, ensure it is a registered one and not a private vehicle.
Car-related crime and mugging incidents are increasing, not only in Havana but also in Santiago and other areas less frequented by tourists. There have been attacks on foreigners using hire cars after staged punctures and by bogus hitch-hikers. Do not pick people up; if you get a puncture in a lonely spot, drive on to a town before stopping. Beware of pickpockets and bag-snatchers, especially in Old Havana, on buses/trains, at major tourist sites and in nightclubs. Don’t carry large amounts of cash when away from your hotel; avoid wearing ostentatious/expensive jewellery; leave travellers' cheques, credit cards, passports and other important documents in a safe deposit or similar at your hotel. You should carry a copy of your passport and lock the original away with other valuables.
Beware of thefts from rooms, particularly in private guest houses (‘casas particulares’). Political SituationCuba is a one-party state. There is a high level of social control and a strong police presence. There are widespread restrictions on freedom of speech, association and assembly for Cuban nationals. Political demonstrations or gatherings not sanctioned by the government may be broken up. You should avoid demonstrations or large public gatherings. The political situation remains calm at present.
Road TravelA valid UK Driving Licence is required to drive and/or rent a car in Cuba. If you decide to rent a car in Cuba, you should ensure that the insurance which is provided with the car includes local third party insurance cover. All drivers and passengers of motorcycles and scooters are required by law to wear a crash helmet.
In view of serious accidents that have involved tourists, you should not use mopeds or three wheel Coco-Taxis for travel around Cuba. Driving standards are variable. Many vehicles, including public transport, suffer from lack of maintenance and roads are poorly lit and sign-posted. Beware of cyclists, potholes and cars that stop without warning to pick up hitch-hikers.
You should avoid driving at night, when animals, unlit vehicles and other hazards are a real danger. The Cuban police are cracking down on drink driving. If you have a traffic accident where someone is killed or injured, the police investigation may take several months during which time the driver will normally not be allowed to leave Cuba. There is no guarantee that criminal compensation payments will be made. If convicted of killing someone in a road traffic accident, the standard punishment is at least two years in jail. If you do have a serious accident, you should contact the British Embassy as soon as possible.
Air TravelYou must pay an airport departure tax of 25 Convertible Pesos (CUCs) per person when leaving Cuba. This must be paid in local currency. You should consider using baggage plastic-wrapping facilities when travelling to and from Cuba as there have been instances of theft from luggage, even if locked, at Cuban airports on arrival and departure. In 2007 the Cuban authorities averted attempts by Cuban asylum seekers to leave the country by hijacking an internal passenger aircraft. The Cuban authorities are known to restrict the amount of fuel on aircraft on internal flights to prevent hijacks. There are concerns about standards of maintenance of public transport and we recommend against internal air travel unless on flights recommended by or operated on behalf of recognised international tour operators.
Cuba prohibits the import of all meat products. The import of fruit is also banned. If you arrive in Cuba with any meat or fruit it will be confiscated and destroyed. Avoid military zones and other restricted areas. Be particularly careful when taking photographs or video film. Note that these areas are not always well signposted. The Cuban authorities take a serious view of any breach of their immigration rules. In some cases those who overstay are detained by Immigration on departure and held in custody until reports are received on their activities whilst in the country. Homosexuality is legal in Cuba. However, there are few places where gays can socialise openly and same-sex couples - particularly if one partner is Cuban - should be careful about public displays of affection, which can lead to unwelcome attention from the police and local authorities.
VisasAll British nationals require a visa to enter Cuba. You should ensure that you get the correct visa for the purpose of your visit. As well as tourist visas, there are other visa categories for different types of visitors. Dual nationals should contact the Cuban Embassy in London for for advice on entry requirements before travelling. Passport validityYour passport must be valid for six months after departure from Cuba. Customs RegulationsElectrical items with heavy power consumption such as travel irons and kettles may be confiscated upon entry to Cuba. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are also subject to import requirements and may be confiscated. Such confiscated items are normally returned upon departure. . HealthThe medical facilities in Havana are better than those available elsewhere in Cuba, but it is sometimes necessary to medically evacuate those who require urgent specialist care. This can be very expensive so you should ensure that your medical insurance covers you for this. If you require medical treatment you will be expected to pay in hard currency; a basic hospital stay can cost as much as £200 per day plus medical expenses. Many medicines are unavailable in Cuba so you should bring any prescription drugs you take regularly. A copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining your condition can be helpful at customs. Hepatitis A is common to Cuba, particularly in the summer. You should be aware that treatment is not readily available. Viral meningitis occasionally breaks out both in Havana and in other provinces of Cuba. There have been reports of outbreaks of dengue fever and haemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Cuba. Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. The Cuban authorities are taking steps to control the mosquito that transmits dengue fever to humans and are advising people to wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis. In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 6,200 adults aged 15 or over in Cuba were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cuba and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. Natural disasters The hurricane season in Cuba normally runs from June to November. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike hit Cuba in August and September 2008. They caused considerable damage in many parts of the country, but particularly in the Provinces of Holguin (including the resort of Guardalavaca), Pinar del Rio (including the town of Vinales), and Isla de Juventud. Early warnings are common but in the aftermath of a hurricane power, communications and water supplies can be disrupted for an extended period. Even in holiday resorts, utility services cannot be constantly guaranteed. In the event of extreme weather conditions flights to and from Cuba could be delayed or cancelled. GeneralInsuranceWe recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. You should keep a copy of the photo page of your passport separate from your passport in case your documents are stolen. Travelling with babiesBaby food, disposable nappies, and other baby supplies are only sometimes available in Havana and normally unavailable in the rest of Cuba; if you are bringing a baby it is best to come self-sufficient. MoneyCuba operates a dual currency system. Visitors use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), as opposed to the Cuban Peso (CUP) used by locals. You should check with your bank before you travel to confirm that your debit/credit/ATM cards will work and will be accepted in Cuba. If your bank cannot confirm this then you should bring suitable Sterling or Euro alternatives, preferably in the form of travellers’ cheques. You should also note that we have heard reports of banks offering incorrect advice. You should be aware that there are virtually no ATMs available for drawing cash against Cirrus or Switch cards in Cuba. You should be aware that Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes/coins cannot be exchanged in Cuba. US Dollars are no longer accepted as payment in Cuba, and you will be charged 10% commission to exchange them. Credit card transactions, including withdrawals from ATMs, are subject to local commission charges of between 11%-13%. American Express travellers' cheques are no longer accepted in Cuba. Travellers' cheques and/or credit cards drawn on all other American banks are also not accepted in Cuba. You are advised not to change money anywhere other than at the airport Cadecas, hotel exchange bureaux or banks, due to the prevalence of forged currency. Individuals offering exchange facilities to avoid queues should be avoided, and where possible small denomination bills should be requested. EATING IN HAVANA There are some convertible peso shop supermarkets locally including one below the Edicifico Focsa (Calle 17 at Calle N). It is open Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 9am-1pm. Also Mercado Agropecuario (Calle 19 and B) and Supermercado Meridian (in Galerías de Paseo across the street from Meliá Cohiba). There is a pastry shop close to the hotel which may be useful for snacks (it also sells sandwiches, coffee and drinks). It is called Pain de Paris (Calle 25, No 164 near the intersection with O). Ice cream is available from Coppelia (Calle 23 at Calle L). If you want to try eating in Paladares, some of those in Vedado are listed below. A number of paladares have closed down in recent times (so these may not all be there now!) and some need reservations.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING? Make sure that you bring the following with you:
Ensure all sharp objects and liquids are packed in your suitcase and not in your hand luggage. INSURANCE DETAILS Insurance Company: ACE European Group Limited Policy Holder: The University of Manchester Policy Number: 55UK475527
From the UK 020 7173 7796 From outside the UK +44 20 7173 7796
What do I do in the event of a claim? In the event of any incident, whether or not it may lead to a claim, advice and support can be obtained by contacting the emergency assistance helpline. Please note however that the helpline cannot assist in making a claim under the policy, for which you will need to contact the Insurance Office. Theft or unexplained loss of property must be reported to the local police as soon as practicable after the loss has been discovered and a crime or incident number obtained. You should also record when and where the loss was reported and, where possible, the name and/or number of the officer to whom the loss is reported.
Claim forms are available on request from the University Insurance Office. John Owens Building - Room MLG.006 The University of Manchester Oxford Road tel: 0161-275 2243 Manchester fax: 0161-275 2961 M13 9PL e-mail: Lucy.Lynch@manchester.ac.uk
A summary of the cover is provided below:
Full details can be found at: http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/medialibrary/insurance/study-abroad-travel-insurance-leaflet.pdf 
1 To limit competition with the state-run restaurants, paladares are limited to 12 seats and to meals consisting of pork, chicken or fish. 2 This was an influential group that sought to divert architecture away from academic preoccupations. The organisation had a major influence on architecture and town planning from 1930-34 and from 1950-55. Designs often followed a particular model including:
3 Tarará is the nearest beach to Havana and is located close to a small village and hospital. This beach used to be frequented by Russians living in Cuba and the hospital was used to treat children who had been affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Directory: humanities humanities -> Unit IV text: Types of Oil, Types of Prices Grammar: that/those of, with revision humanities -> Module specification humanities -> There's a Certain Slant of Light By Emily Dickinson humanities -> University of kent humanities -> 0 humanities -> Proposal of the Curriculum Sub-Committee of the Humanities Project I. Broad goals humanities -> Month Date Understandings/Skills Big Idea Learning Targets humanities -> Phonological Rules Iman Mingher Obied humanities -> Comma Splice & Fused Sentence Exercises Download 431.09 Kb. Share with your friends:
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