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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
South Africans require visas to travel to Cuba.
South African Passport Holders flying to Cuba via Europe, London or Turkey must apply for a Cuban Visa prior to departing South Africa.
Please also check your transit visa requirements – for example if flying via the UK you will require a UK visa.
IMPORTANT: Effective February 2017, for security reasons, South Africans travelling to Cuba via the USA can no longer apply for visas at a Cuban embassy in South Africa. They must apply for a visa at the airline desks in the USA, regardless of the airline they travel with. You should plan your flights carefully to allow time to apply for the visas at the airline desk. (Approximately two to three hours.) Please check with the Consulate about requirements.

VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
Tropical Climate
The best time to travel:
It has a subtropical climate ideal for travelling, most places catching the winds that blow from the coast, giving Cuba pleasant temperatures all year round. June through to August are the hottest months, the dry season from November through to April and the wet season from May through to October. In the rainy season, downpours are short and heavy and shouldn’t hinder travel plans. Tropical storms and hurricanes are more prevalent in September to October.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Country: | Cuba |
Capital City: | Havana |
International Airports: | Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport |
Area: | 109 884 km² |
Population: | 11,48 million |
Time Zone: | GMT-5 |
Religion: | Roman Catholic |
Language: | Spanish |
Currency: | Cuban Peso |
Exchange Rate: | Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate. NB: USD are not readily accepted in CUBA |
Credit Card Payment Availability: | Not readily available |
ATM Accessibility: | You will find ATM’s in the bigger cities, however check with your bank prior to leaving to establish if cards will work. |
Dialling Code: | +53 |
TRAVEL TIPS
Electricity: | Although the power supply in Cuba is mainly 110 volts, most of the modern hotels have dual voltage with all the sockets in the room being 220 volts. Usually in the bathroom there is an 110 volt socket suitable for shavers and charging batteries. |
Water: | Don’t drink the water, bottled water is readily available. |
Business Hours: | 08:00 – 17:00 during the week, although some factories may include Saturdays and start earlier in the day. |
Banking Hours: | Monday – Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. |
Photography Restrictions: | You can take a picture of almost anything with the exception of the airport, government buildings and personnel |
Tipping: | Tipping is expected, as a norm work on 10-15% in restaurants and 2-5 CUC / day for your tour guide. You will find the taxis also expect a tip, anything between 1-3 CUC will suffice |
Vaccination Requirements: | No vaccinations necessary, however if you have any doubts please consult with your medical practitioner or travel clinic |
Dress Code Restrictions: | No restrictions |
Peculiar Customs to Observe: | None known |
FESTIVALS
Festival de la Trova Longina – January
Havana International Book Fair – February
Festival del Habano – February
Memorial Guillermo Barreto Festival – March
Santiago Álvarez Memorial International Documentary Festival – March
International Pepe Sanchez Trova Festival – March
Havana World Music Festival – March
International Electroacoustic Music Festival – Mid March
Caribbean Dance Biennial – March -every 2 years
Trinidad Cross Procession – Good Friday
Muestra Internacional de Nuevos Realizadores – April
Gibara Low Budget Film Festival – April
Old Havana: City in Movement – April
May Day Celebrations – 1st May
Romerias de Mayo – May
Cubadisco – May
Festival Internacional de Poesía – May
International Ernest Hemingway Needlefish Tournament – June
Festival Internacional Boleros de Oro – June
Trinidad Carnival (Fiestas San Juaneras) – June
Camaguey Carnival (San Juan Camagüeyano) – June
International Corhabana Choir Festival – June / July
Festival del Caribe (Festival of Fire) -July
Santiago de Cuba Carnival – July
26 July Celebrations
Festival Internacional de Rap – August
Havana Carnival – August
Matamoros Son Festival – Biennial
CDR Anniversary – September
Havana Ballet Festival
Havana Theatre Festival – November
The International Choir Festival – October – Novemeber
Marabana Marathon – Novemeber
Havana Jo Jazz – November
Habana Clasica Music Festival – November
Havana Film Festival – December
Havana Jazz Festival – December
Parrandas de Remedios – Decemebr
Charangas de Bejucal – Decemeber / January
New Years Eve in Havana – 31 December
MAP
“Cuba is such a beautiful country, and everywhere you go there is music and people dancing – expecially in Havana. “
– Julia Sawalha