Cuba - Is it safe to go alone?? Visa to go to Cuba?

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TravelinAngel

I have been to Cuba Alone several times with no problems
Even though Cuba is a safe and has a low crime-rate, you should take some precautions to avoid being caught out by petty thieves, who are just waiting for the chance to grab any belonging such as wallets, photo and video cameras, pieces of luggage, handbags or shopping bags. Public peace is ensured in streets by lots of young police officers always willing to help in case you need them, though they do not speak english. You should take note of the following advice: do not take more money with you than you need; do not be careless with your belongings and purchases; take good care of your wallet and passport in crowded places, we suggest you keep them in your front pocket; check the bill at restaurants; get rid of so-called "tourist guides", they are not professional and many are not aware of Cuban history and culture, they just pretend to be nice to tourists in order to fool them; keep your jewels and valuables in the room safe.

VISA
British Citizens need a visa to enter Cuba, although there is a concession that allows you to enter on a "tourist card" instead. The tourist card allows a maximum stay of 28 days, although you can extend your stay after you arrive in Cuba. The tourist card is supposed to be issued only to those taking part in organised tours, and should have the name of the hotel you're staying in written on it. The tourist card is not supposed to be used by people not staying in hotels, e.g. in private houses. If you book a package holiday then the tourist card should be issued by the holiday operator. The first time I went to Cuba was on a charter flight (without accommodation). The tour operator still gave us a tourist card that said on the front that we'd be staying in an unspecified hotel to be provided by them, which plainly wasn' t the case but didn't cause any problems. There are however stories of people with tourist cards being asked to provide evidence of their hotel booking by Cuban Immigration, and if unable to provide any evidence being marched to a hotel desk in the airport and being made to book and pay for a hotel there and then.Don't forget that when you're leaving Cuba as well as having to show your tourist card you'll also need to pay a departure tax. At Havana and Varadero it's $20 (cash), at all other airports it's $15. When you pay you'll be given a receipt, without this receipt you can't leave Cuba.

Good luck Dear!

Cornish Pete.

Been there don't bother,
Unless you want to loose weight, not enough food to go around, even hotels are rationed!

carry me home

do you have family there?

the big

I would recommend another place, at the present moment

What are you going to study ?

To artsyk:
The reasons are basically that the government fears that the foreigners may "corrupt" the Cubans where they are. Also, that stimulates the growing of a black market concerning the gathering of dollars

Der Schreckliche

Well, there was somebody that, supposedly put a bomb in a restaurant some years ago, but they caught him and he disappeared.

People who do that in Cuba don't live much longer

julie_spendlove

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Dont go there specially not alone!

Luis M

In general, Cuba is very very safe. You can go alone and you will enjoy Cubans. They are very helpful and nice people.
Try to walk and go to places where most tourist go and walk.
Just take precautions like in any other civilized country.
If you do not get your visa with your tour package, then you will get it right at the airport before you enter the plane.
Enjoy your trip.

â™¡â™ªâ™¡

To put it simply and short: Cuba has these tourist areas specifically for people vacationing there. They keep it safe and nice just for them. Im sure if you look for vacation packages and such to these places you'll be fine, like in any other vacation spot.

Chris D

where in cuba are you going?
I have been by myself 3 times to veredero - got back last week.
I love it, its very safe and talking to the cubans at the resort is very memorable. Its easy to meet people at the resorts so when you are going shopping or sightseeing or dancing at night you are in groups.
Let me know if you would like to chat more about this.

lolzombie

Things about cuba:
1: Do not accidentally ask for any of these in a sentence, even if you mean something else: Marajuana, hemp, pot, crack, abe, cannabis, blazer, 420, A-Bomb, Ace, Atshitshi, Aunt Mary, Meggie, Messerole, Method, 50-cal, 40-cal, 22, 24, Mag, uzi, G36E, M60, M72.

Tropicales

It is safe for you to travel to Cuba...but naturally anywhere you go you would need to always exercise caution and use common sense.

It is also relaxing depending on what you're doing. But if you want to study for an exam, you might not have all the time for it even though it would be a relaxing beach holiday for you.
There will be a lot of things you'll want to do when in Cuba...sights to see, activities to do. But if you're determined to dedicate your time for study, then the beaches are beautiful and relaxing for reading too.

As for a visa, you would need to purchase that from the UK when you book your trip. Go to your nearest Cuban consulate to get your visa (or your travel agent will direct you). But you'll need to give yourself a bit of time ahead of your trip to get it and make sure it's filled out properly.

Otherwise, you're good to go. end of October is a nice time to go.

Here are some links to help you with more information.

http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/travel_information.htm
http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/crime.html
http://www.gocuba.ca/en/travelTips.asp#10
http://www.gocuba.ca/en/destinations.asp
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cuba/3173020004.html
http://webhavana.com/
http://habanasol.com/
http://www.lahabana.com/
http://www.cuba-pictures.com/index.html
http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/html/directory/en/hotel/hotels-america/hotels-cuba.html

artsykrissy

I don`t know who`s putting their thumbs down for those who said it is a very safe country, but they need to check their facts.

Cuba has a very low crime rate, and in fact, is the safest country in southern and central America to go to.

Obviously, take the usual precautions that anyone would, especially as a female, make sure you don`t walk alone at night, and beware of jineteros. These Cuban men are known to try to get a date with a foreigner and soon try to marry her so they can get out of the country. Pick pocketing is another common crime, but honestly... there are so many police officers at every street corner, how could one not be safe? Tourists are especially protected due to tourism being their largest industry.

As for your visa, you should call your Cuban embassy in your country, because if your studying, you can usually get on a study visa. If you are not staying in a hotel (like a casa particular), then you definitely need a visa other then tourist, otherwise you could have a problem. Usually, whatever visa it is, you need to get it from the Cuban embassy in your country before you leave.
I to am going back to Cuba (because I was already there once) to study for 4 months. I am Canadian, and I had to apply for a student visa before I left because I will be there a.) for more then 90 days, and b.) because I will be staying in a casa particular. For some reason, the Cuban government does not allow anyone on a tourist visa to stay anywhere else but in a hotel or resort... Even last time when I went to a resort, the travel agency had to get me my tourist card for me before I left. Whatever your doing, if you didn't arrange this trip through a travel agency, call your Cuban embassy, and they will tell you exactly what you need.

Havanalover

Your visa is a small card called " Tarjeta turista" that you fill out.
Some tour operator packages will include this card ( 25 cuc) in the
price. Or you can buy this visa on your arrival at the Cuban airports. The Cuban immigration services will stamp this card ( not your passport) and you have to show the visa when you leave the
country.
What you should avoid ? I guess that you will study at Havana University ? Don't walk alone at night in the dark and small streets of Havana, take a taxi if needed. When exchanging money, count your money, shortchanging is a wide spread plague in Cuba. Take the usual
precautions, leave jewels or things of value locked in your (hotel) room.
Cuba is one of the safest places in Latin America and the criminality is low, but snatching off a handbag happens sometimes.
More recommendations at http://www.havana-guide.com

Havanalover

thinkingtime

I travel alone to Cuba, stay in a small town, rent a studio in a private house and feel secure.

It's wonderful.

I travel with a charter, get picked up by car and have a pre booking in the town made by the local Infotur office. The visa paper is filled out on the plane and presented when you leave with a 25 convertibles fee.

If you like the beach. I can recommend Sol Club Cayo Coco. It's smaller and quieter but very restful. There is swimming and visits to the reefs.

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