RECOMMENDATIONS Travel requirements Passaport Visa/Tourist Card No vaccines required Airport exit tax: 25 US dollars. Luggage Comfortable and light clothes, bathing suit, sun glasses, sun block cream, hats, insect repellent, camera, 110 volt plug adapter. Customs Personal effects in reasonable amounts like jewelry, video and photo cameras, radio, typewriting machine, camping tent and sports gear. Pornographic material, drugs or weapons (unless previously authorized hunting weapons) are not allowed to enter the country It is allowed up to 50 cigars without bill (but if the quantity is superior, the bill is necessary), and those works of art or antiques having the Fondo de Bienes Culturales authorization. Electric current 110 volts. Though you can find 220 volts in some hotels and houses. Water It is advisable, like anywhere else, to drink bottled water. Lodging There are hotels of different categories, but sometimes the rating does reflect the real level, so is convenient to check in advance. There are also some private homes that rent rooms, which are usually cheaper than hotels, but not as well provided. Restaurants There are a great number of restaurants in the main cities, although it is advisable to check first. There are also some private restaurants, with certain limitations, that Cubans call "Paladares"; nevertheless some of them are worth visiting. Telephones Any country can be reached by phone, but it is prudent to ask the price before making your call, because they are usually quite expensive. There is also communication worldwide from particular houses through operators, but always you must call "collect". Códigos telefónicos de algunas ciudades La Habana 7 Pinar del Río 82 Bayamo 23 Varadero 45 Viñales 8 Santa Clara 42 Matanzas 45 Cienfuegos 432 Trinidad 419 Cayo Coco 33 Cayo Largo 5 Santiago de Cuba 22 Camagüey 32 Guardalavaca 24 Baracoa 21 Las Tunas 31 Guantánamo 21 Holguín 24 Isla Juventud 61 Cayo Guillermo 33 Sancti Spíritus 41 Para llamar desde Cuba hay que marcar antes el 0. Mobile phones Cellular phones can be rented as long as needed in CUBACEL (Located on No. 510, 28 Street. Phone number: 8802222) Some foreign operators offer roaming service in Cuba, so you could use your own cell-phone; information in: C_COM (Calle 3ª A nº 9402; phone number 2041640). Currency Tourists should use the US dollar or the convertible peso, which is equal to dollar within the country. The Euro is only available in Varadero, Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. The Cuban peso is the currency the Cubans use, but if you need to exchange, the rate is 1 dollar = 20 Cuban pesos. Travelers' checks They are accepted, but its usage becomes somewhat complicated, that's why we do not recommend its use. Credit cards Most of them are accepted, except those issued by American banks. The most reliable is VISA. Tips It is advisable to tip waiters, except in those places where it is included in the bill. Means of transportation Taxis There are several companies offering the service, although prices do not differ much from each other. There are also private cars, called "Boteros", which are cheaper, but vehicles are not always in top conditions.. Car rental There is a goo number of car makes and companies offering this service. Its is prudent to rent the car in advanced, mainly in the high season, since it might become difficult to get one in this period. Buses Those offered by travel agencies in their tourist packages are very good and recommended, but those of public use are irregular. Trains Its service is very deficient, though it is improving nowadays; nevertheless they are still quite slow. Airlines CUBANA DE AVIACION and AEROCARIBBEAN offer regular service to the country's main cities of. The aircrafts are usually of small size.