Havana Hotel

Visas

Most will require a visa which allows stays of 90 days. Cost about 20 euros.
Visa free entry is possible for a stopover of up to 72 hours [some nationalities only].

To apply before travel from London:

Address: 167 High Holborn
London WC1 6PA
Consular Section
15 Grape Street
London WC1

Telephone: (020) 7240 2488


YOU MAY APPLY FOR A TOURIST CARD BY POST OR IN PERSON. If you apply in person
you can get the card straight away in our offices (opening hours Mon to Fri 9:30 to 12:30). If you
apply by post, cards are sent by return mail. All mailing services must be covered by the
applicant, so send a SAE. The Consulate can not be held responsible for tourist visa-cards lost in
the mail. We recommend the use of recorded mail or special delivery.
TOURIST CARD FEE IS £ 15.00 stg postal orders, cash, and bank-counter cheques payable to
The Cuban Consulate are acceptable

[from cuba embassy in london [fco] and Form. Web Site of the Embassy of Cuba in UK]


Note that the US government prohibits US citizens from spending money in Cuba. According to Frommers however: "As far as Cuba goes, U.S. travelers are welcomed with open arms.". If you are unfortunate enough to be a US citizen, investigate the penalties and detection strategies used before you decide to be genuinely free and travel anyway.

The Frommers visa info aimed at US citizens is:

All travelers to Cuba must posses a valid passport, a return ticket, and a visa or tourist visa. Tourist visas are generally issued by the ticketing airline or travel agent. In a worst-case scenario, they can usually be bought on the spot upon clearing Customs. Tourist visas cost between CUC$25 and CUC$35, depending upon the issuing agent, and are good for up to 90 days

[from: Website for Frommers guides ]

Airport Transfer

Taxis are the usual transport. To the city is around 15-20 CUC (10-15 euro)

The taxi, airport to bus station, should not be over 15 CUC (although maybe as much as 20). The bus to Varadero, not sure, but I think it's around 20 CUC. You can find out by checking the schedule at www.viazul.com

[from Lonely Planet's thorn tree]

airport departure tax of 25 Convertible Pesos (CUCs) per person when leaving Cuba. This must be paid in local currency.

[from UK fco travel advice]

We budgeted 15 euro each way for your transfer plus 20 euro for the departure tax.

Currency

Local currency for tourists is the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). There are about 1.3 to the euro or 1.9 to the pound or 0.9 to the US dollar.

Local currency for locals is the Cuban Peso (CUP) which is about 31 to the euro. Sometimes street foods and items in markets can be bought with Cuban Pesos.

Sample rates

Effective 03/10/2007

British Pound GBP 1.8883
Canadian Dollar CAD 0.9286
Swiss Franc CHF 0.7889
Yapanese Yen(*) JPY 0.7966
USA Dollar USD 0.9259
Mexican Peso MXP 0.0809
Danish Krone DKK 0.1762
Norway Krone NOK 0.1706
Sweden Krona SEK 0.1426
Euro EUR 1.3132
"Convertible" Cuban Peso CUC 1.0000

*Referred to a hundred units.

[from Banco Central de Cuba for CUCs. latest bank of cuba xchange rates]



Some but not all debit and credit cards work in ATMs. In general US bank connected cards will NOT work.

VISA cards will sometimes work. Mastercard will usually NOT work.

As always wherever you are travelling, bring several different sources of money and keep the cards, cheques or cash in different places so you always have something if you are robbed or your first plan doesn't work.

US Dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba, and you will be charged 10% commission to exchange them.

... bring suitable Sterling or Euro alternatives, preferably in the form of travellers’ cheques.

... be aware that there are virtually no cash-points available for drawing cash against Cirrus or Switch cards in Cuba.

[from UK fco travel advice]

Havana, Cuba hotels at a discount.

Coming soon ... search for discount hotels.

A cheaper hotel/hostal/b+b [casa] can be had for around 25 euro. 5-star hotels start at about 90 euro.

Summary

Havana, Cuba as a stopover

Stopover	Visa reqd	Hotel Cost - Luxury/Basic		2 Night Stopover Cost	LowCostLux Journey Rating	Discuss
Havana	Required. Visa free for up to 72 hours, some nationalities.	90 euro / 25 euro		100 - 230 euro	tbc	Havana, Cuba Chat Forum

Getting to Havana, Cuba from Europe is easy and relatively cheap considering the flight length.
You are more than half way to many South American destination so it's an ideal stopover.

In fact to some destinations you will pay absolutely nothing extra for flights with stopovers in Havana. For example London-Lima is minimum 780 pounds or at least 850 pounds if you want to avoid USA or for a stay of 3 months. London-Havana can sometimes be had for 410 pounds, Havana-Lima for another 200 pounds. Yes. It's cheaper to add stopovers in Havana and the 240 pounds (340 euros) saved easily covers the 2 night stay in a 5-star hotel plus transfers and tax. You are effectively being paid to take a 2-night Havana city break! Wow.

More Info:UK foreign office profile for Cuba. Brirish embassy Havana