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Last Updated:
November 5, 2007 10:29
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:40 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1 and 2 of this Travel Report have been updated (Current Issue removed). The hurricane season extends from June 1st to November 30th. For more information, please see our Current Issues on the hurricane season. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Cuba
Most Canadian visitors to Cuba do not experience problems. While the political situation remains calm, Canadians should be vigilant and avoid political demonstrations. Hurricane NOEL affected weather and security conditions in several countries, including Cuba. Transportation routes, power and telecommunications systems may be affected. Canadians residing in or travelling to the affected areas should monitor local news and weather reports, follow the advice of local authorities, and contact their travel agent or tour operator to determine whether the situation will disrupt travel arrangements. Water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases could also become a threat. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Reports of Canadians who are victim of pickpocketing, theft and assault, are increasing, especially in Havana (the neighbourhoods of Old Havana, Centro Havana, the Malecón, and Vedado), and on the beaches of Playa del Este and Varadero. Theft of items from checked baggage at Cuban airports, particularly in Havana, is frequent. Bags, including locked suitcases, are being opened, and items removed. Do not pack valuables in your checked luggage. All bags are routinely x-rayed on arrival and departure, as part of normal local procedure. Reports of violent crime are also on the rise. Exercise caution at all times, especially in tourist areas and crowded places. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Avoid wearing jewellery or showing signs of affluence. If you are being robbed, remain calm and do not resist. When reporting a crime to local police, you should insist on receiving a full copy of the report. Police officers may only speak Spanish. Unscheduled electric power surges and outages are common. Most tourist resorts are equipped with generators. Telephone communication is a problem. Calls are often not answered, even at major institutions. Technical problems also exist. Calls may be connected to a different number than the one dialled. It often takes persistence to place a call to another city (particularly after rain). Reliable cell phone service is available in most major cities. Canadian cell phones generally function. Canadians can use their own cell phone as long as it is compatible with American standards. They may arrange for cell phone service by contacting Cubacel at 820-2222. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with Cuban authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on April 17, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. Passports and visas A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Cuba. The passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also carry a tourist card (or visa), or a business or student visa. The tourist card is generally provided by tour operators or airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office in Canada in the case of privately organized flights. It can also be purchased at certain airports in Canada. Tourist card or visa: Required Personal visa: Required Business visa: Required Student visa: Required Visitors are prohibited from undertaking business activities when travelling on a tourist visa. Travellers intending to stay at a private residence or do business while in Cuba should check with the Cuban government office in Canada prior to their departure. Canadian tourists who were born in Canada may stay in Cuba for up to six months, and will have to check in with immigration authorities or with a tourism office in Cuba prior to the 90th day of their stay to apply for an extension. Canadian tourists who were born outside of Canada may be treated differently by Cuban officials and may be informed that they can only stay for 30 days, even though they are travelling on a Canadian passport. Dual Citizenship Dual citizens (of Canada and some other country) may have difficulty boarding a plane to Canada with their non-Canadian passport and their Canadian citizenship card. The Canadian citizenship card is not a travel document. Cuba does not recognize dual citizenship. Cuban-Canadians must enter Cuba on their Cuban passport. They must also show a valid Canadian passport in order to return to Canada. Under Cuban law, the Government of Canada cannot provide consular services to Canadian nationals or to permanent residents of Canada with Cuban citizenship. Travellers born in Cuba (regardless of current citizenship) should contact a Cuban government office in Canada to ensure compliance with Cuban regulations. Failure to do so may result in being refused entry into Cuba, detention upon entry or being refused departure by Cuban immigration authorities. U.S. Residents Under U.S. law, people residing in the United States, including Canadian citizens, are prohibited from spending money (in any currency) related to Cuban travel unless they are licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. For more information about the Cuban sanctions program, contact the OFAC at 202-622-2000. Boat Traffic The U.S. government closely monitors boat traffic in the Straits of Florida. Officials will seize any vessel without an OFAC licence if they believe it is headed for Cuba. Canadians who dock their Canadian-registered boats in Florida are subject to these measures, whereas those Canadian boats simply en route to Cuba via the U.S. will be exempt. Expect to be thoroughly searched and questioned if you are in the latter category. Imports and Exports For information on what you can bring into Cuba, consult the Web site of the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba. Articles prohibited from entry into Cuba include satellite phones, GPS equipment, small appliances and other items that draw heavily on electricity, fresh fruits and vegetables, and pornographic material. Such items are routinely seized on arrival, without compensation. For more information on import requirements, see the Web page of the Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa. Cuban customs may seize any imported item that they do not consider to be for the tourist's personal use. Donations of any type, whether by individuals, organizations, or businesses, must be coordinated through the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa. You may export from Cuba up to 23 cigars without producing any receipts. If you exceed that amount, you will have to show the official receipt upon leaving. The cigars must still be in their original boxes with all official seals. Art objects (including artifacts and paintings) purchased in Cuba must be accompanied by an export permit. State-owned galleries will usually provide customers with the document. Otherwise, items must be registered with the Registro Nacional de Bienes Culturales, Calle 17 #1009 e/10 y 12, Vedado, Tel. (53-7) 833-9658. For information on what you can import into Canada, please refer to the Canada Border Services Agency website. Since January 1, 2007, Cuban customs applies steep tariffs for travellers whose total baggage exceeds 30 kg. All passengers arriving in Cuba may be subject to these new regulations, even though as of February 1, 2007, this levy was not being applied to foreigners entering Cuba on a tourist card. Please check with Cuban authorities for information on the application of the fee. Documents Required Upon Entry Upon entry in Cuba, it is recommended to have a return air ticket and evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. Travellers arriving with "air only" tickets must show that they have sufficient funds to meet their minimum financial needs (equivalent to CUC 50.00 per day for the duration of the stay). Departure Tax There is a mandatory departure tax of CUC 25 payable only in Cuban Convertible pesos. Children Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Any Canadian child (under 18 years of age) travelling to Cuba without parents should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Ottawa or one of its consulates in Canada well in advance of departure in order to obtain up-to-date information on entry requirements. Special procedures regarding the letter of consent may apply. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses: Cuba - HAVANA, Embassy of Canada Address: Calle 30, No. 518 esquina a 7ma, Miramar, Havana Tel.: (53-7) 204-2516 Fax: (53-7) 204-2044 E-Mail: havan-cs@international.gc.ca Internet: http://havana.gc.ca Cuba - GUARDALAVACA, Consulate of Canada Address: Hotel Atlantico, Suite 1, Guardalavaca, Holguín Tel.: (53-24) 30-320 Fax: (53-24) 30-321 E-Mail: honcongvaca@canada.com Cuba - VARADERO, Consulate of Canada Address: Calle 13 e/Avenida Primera y Camino del Mar, Varadero, Matanzas Tel.: 53 (45) 61-2078 Fax: 53 (45) 66-7395 E-Mail: honconvdero@canada.com For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Havana and follow the instructions. You may also call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or e-mail sos@international.gc.ca. To call collect from Cuba, dial 012 to reach a local operator. Advise the operator that a recorded message will indicate that collect calls are accepted. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Cuba have a treaty that permits a Canadian imprisoned in Cuba to request a transfer to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Cuban authorities and takes over a year to execute. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Permission for Canadian consular officials to visit detained Canadians may be denied for a period of up to 21 days following the arrest. Canadian consular officials may be accompanied by Cuban authorities during visits with Canadians who have been arrested or detained. Cuba does not recognize dual citizenship, and Cuban-Canadians visiting Cuba are considered to be Cuban nationals. Canadian Consular staff may be denied the right of providing consular assistance to detained Cuban-Canadians. Under the Cuban judicial system, charges are not laid until the investigation is complete, and the accused may be jailed during the entire period of investigation. Although Cuba retains the death penalty, to date, it has never been applied in the case of a foreign offender. Crimes such as drug trafficking, assault, sexual assault, and assisting in illegal migration of people are punishable by long prison sentences. Drinking and driving is against the law. Cuba is actively working to prevent child sex tourism, and a number of tourists, including Canadians, have been convicted of offences related to the corruption of minors. The legal age of consent in Cuba is 16. Prison sentences range from 7 to 25 years. Release on bail before trial is unlikely. Travellers may be approached and offered black-market goods (e.g. cigars) or asked to change dollars for Cuban convertible pesos. Engaging in black-market transactions is illegal and can lead to difficulties with the Cuban authorities. Never transport packages for strangers. Pack all luggage items yourself. It is forbidden to leave Cuba with illegally purchased langoustes (spiny lobsters). Authorities can impose heavy fines, and require the offender to pay before leaving the country. Visitors should avoid military zones and any other restricted or heavily guarded areas. These are not always identified. Photographing military or police installations or personnel, or harbour, rail, and airport facilities, is forbidden. Marriage to a Cuban citizen does not guarantee your spouse immediate access to Canada. The immigration process takes at least 10 months, and you must initiate the sponsorship in Canada. For additional information, consult Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Marrying a Cuban does not automatically entitle you to live with your spouse in Cuba, even for just a few days. To be able to stay in your spouse’s residence, you must have a personal visa so that you are properly registered with local authorities. Your spouse can be fined or jailed if you do not follow the rules. Cuban nationals are not permitted to stay in hotels, even if invited by a tourist or married to one. Cubans accompanying foreign visitors, especially in bars and hotels, may be asked for identification papers and denied entry. Canadians wishing to marry a Cuban in Cuba may visit the website of the Embassy of Cuba in Canada for more information on required documents and procedures. Two Canadians who have never been married before need to present the following documents to be married in Cuba: a) valid passport; and b) the tourist card obtained upon arrival. If either of the Canadians has been married before, in addition to a valid passport and tourist card, he or she must produce the following documents: a) if divorced, certificate of divorce; b) if widowed, certificate of marriage and the spouse's death certificate. Furthermore, these certificates must be legalized and authenticated by Canadian authorities, translated into typewritten Spanish, without errors or corrections, and then forwarded to the Cuban Embassy or Consulate in Canada for legalization and authentication. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Canadians should avoid driving in Cuba; driving conditions can be hazardous. Signs are scarce. Bicycles, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carts use the middle of the road and do not readily give way to oncoming vehicles. Many vehicles are old and poorly maintained. Inoperable vehicles are often left on the road until repaired. Few roads are lit and vehicles rarely have lights or reflectors. If you must drive, drive defensively at all times and avoid driving after dark. The Autopista Central (national highway), which runs the length of the island, is generally in good condition. Other roads are generally poor. The highway between the Guardalavaca hotels and the Holguín airport is particularly dangerous. Allowing hitchhikers into your vehicle is not advised. Traffic accidents are a frequent cause of arrest and detention of Canadians in Cuba. Accidents resulting in death or injury are treated as crimes, and the onus is on the driver to prove innocence. Regardless of the nature of the accident, it can take five months to a year for a case to go to trial. In most cases, the driver will not be allowed to leave Cuba until the trial has taken place. In some cases, he will be imprisoned during this delay. Canadians should be cautious when renting a vehicle in Cuba. Although insurance is offered, coverage differs from that in Canada. If the traveller is in any way at fault in an accident, rental agencies will nullify coverage and seek damages to cover the cost of repairs. Contract agreements do not cover occasional drivers and the signatory is responsible for all people driving the vehicle. Rental agencies are government-controlled and can prevent your departure from the country unless payment is obtained. Charges associated with accidents can range in the thousands of U.S. dollars. Radio taxis are generally reliable. Unlicensed private taxis should be avoided. Yellow, three-wheeled Co-co taxis are unsafe and should be avoided. City buses are infrequent and overcrowded. Tour companies offer good bus service between airports and the all-inclusive resorts. Buses used for organized day trips from hotels are also in good condition. Cuba has two official currencies: the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) and the National Peso (moneda nacional or MN). Transactions involving foreigners almost always take place in CUC. However, visitors should familiarize themselves with the moneda nacional, since it is a common scam for merchants to give change in moneda nacional instead of CUC. CUC is worth substantially more than the MN. Most foreign currencies can be exchanged at Cadeca exchange houses, found in Cuba’s international airports and in urban areas, as well as in banks and major hotels. Australian dollars cannot be exchanged anywhere on the island. Canadian currency (cash and traveller’s cheques – with the exception of American Express Travellers Cheques, which are never accepted) may be exchanged for CUC without fees. Keep receipts for Travellers Cheques separate. Exchange of U.S. currency is possible, but subject to an additional fee. CUCs can be exchanged for U.S. dollars (and Canadian dollars, if available) at international airports before leaving the country. It is not possible to exchange CUCs outside of Cuba. Debit cards and Canadian money transfers are not accepted in Cuba. Credit cards issued by American financial institutions are not accepted. American Express cards are not accepted, regardless of the country of issuance. Other credit cards are generally accepted in major establishments. Visa or MasterCard holders may obtain cash advances (in CUCs or U.S. dollars) at banks, hotels or Cadeca exchange houses. ATMs are few and do not always work in Cuba. In Havana, cash advances in CUCs from Visa cards can be obtained from the ATM machines located in the Miramar Trade Centre and in some hotels. In Varadero, ATMs are located in the Plaza America and at banks. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Hurricane season in the Caribbean extends from June to the end of November. Please visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions. Flooding can occur during the Hurricane Season. Transportation, utilities, emergency and medical care, as well as food, fuel, and water supplies may be disrupted. Canadians should monitor local weather reports, avoid disaster areas, and contact the Embassy of Canada in Havana or either of its Consulates (see section 5 above) if they require assistance. Travellers should check with their travel agent or tour operator to confirm their travel plans prior to departure, and ensure they leave a detailed copy of their plans (including dates of travel, itinerary, hotel name and location, etc.) with a family member, friend and/or work contact. This will facilitate the Embassy’s ability to locate Canadians should disaster strike. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION As in many other areas of the There have been reports of an increase in dengue fever in some areas of Generally, Cuba’s medical services are acceptable, although basic medicine and equipment are not always available. The Cira García Hospital (Calle 20, No. 4191, corner of Av. 41 and Playa; tel.: 204-2668 or 204-2489) offers health services reserved for foreigners. International Servimed clinics provide emergency medical care and are located in most major tourist areas around the island. In most hospitals, guarantee of payment (or payment in cash) must be provided in advance. Check with your insurance company for payment/reimbursement procedures. You may have to complete all transactions regarding your hospital bill before you leave the country. Canadians with prescription medications are responsible for determining whether or not their medication is prohibited in Cuba. They should bring sufficient quantities of prescription drugs with them. Medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. As pharmacies sometimes run out of stock, visitors should also bring basic medicine, particularly if travelling to outlying areas. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice should be boiled first. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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