Useful Information
Time Zone
The time zone in Havana is UTC/GMT-5 standard time and UTC/GMT-4 from the beginning of March until the beginning of November.
Language
The official language in Havana is Spanish, with the characteristic twists and vocabulary of Antillean Spanish.
Currency
Cuba has two currencies: the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC). Tourists use the CUC, which is approximately equal to one dollar. You can exchange currency in airports, banks, hotels and exchange houses.
Credit Cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted as long as they are not issued by United States banks.
Electricity
Electricity in Cuba can be 110v or 220v, depending on the part of the country. It is advisable to take devices suitable for both voltages, and adapters.
Business Hours
Although not strictly applied, normal shop opening times are from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 9:00 to 14:00.
Holidays
1, 2 and 28 January. 19 April. 1 May. 25, 26 and 27 July. 8, 10 and 28 October. 7, 25 and 31 December.
Tourism Offices
The National Tourism Information Office (Infotur) has information centres throughout the city: in the José Martí Airport (T3), on Av. 5ta. and 112 (Miramar), on Obispo nº. 534, in Guanabo (Avenida 5, between 468-470), etc.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Emergencies: 116. Telephone information: 113. Police: 106. Firefighters: 105. To place a call you have to dial 00, the country code (53), followed by the prefix for Havana (7) and then the number.
Internet
Connectivity is limited. Most hotels have paid Internet service. Outside the hotels it is more difficult, although there are Telepuntos where you can connect for 6 CUC per hour.