Cuba Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

Vaccination needed receipt required
yellow fever 1
cholera [2]
Typhoid & Polio 3
Eat Drink 4
malaria no

Overview

Medical care in Cuba does not correspond to Western European standards. Above all, the technical equipment, the hygienic conditions and the supply of medicines in Cuban clinics leave a lot to be desired. This also applies to the few special clinics intended for foreigners, in which high treatment costs can nevertheless arise. Taking out travel health insurance with emergency repatriation is recommended. Check indexdotcom for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] Yellow fever vaccination may be required for travelers arriving within 6 days from a WHO designated yellow fever endemic area. [2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but there is a risk of infection. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before you travel. [3] Typhoid occurs, poliomyelitis does not. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. [2, 4] Because of the risk of possible intestinal infections, careful drinking water and food hygiene must be ensured. Outside of Havana, water should generally be used before drinking, Brushing teeth and making ice cubes can either be boiled or otherwise sterilized or bought pre-packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Warnings are given against consuming food from cheap street restaurants and markets. that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Warnings are given against consuming food from cheap street restaurants and markets. that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Warnings are given against consuming food from cheap street restaurants and markets.

Other risks

Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs nationwide. An effective insect repellent is recommended, also in the cities. There is an increased risk of the viral disease during the summer rainy season, which always lasts until October. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Rabies occurs nationwide. The main carriers are dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.

Health certificate

Foreigners who want to stay longer or work in the country must show an HIV test in Spanish.

Money

Currency

1 Cuban peso = 100 centavos. Currency code: ₱ / $, CUP (ISO code). Bills come in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5, $3, and $1. Coins are in denominations of $3 and $1, and denominations of 20, 5, 2 and 1¢. Coins worth less than $1 are rarely in circulation. In some tourist areas (Varadero, Jardines del Rey, Santa Lucia, Playa Covarrubias and the coastal areas around Holguín) you can pay in euros and in US dollars. However, change will be given in local currency.

Credit cards

Mastercard and Visa are accepted in all major hotels and restaurants (warning: high fees), but not credit cards from US institutions (American Express, Diners Club) or credit cards issued by subsidiaries of US institutions. Note: Before traveling, you should check with the issuer of the credit card in question whether it can be used in Cuba. Withdrawals are generally settled in the converted US dollar exchange rate. Especially with Visa, withdrawals are possible at ATMs of the Banco Financiero Internacional and the Banco Metropolitano.

ATMs

Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. Attention: Bank customer cards cannot usually be used at ATMs in Cuba. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Note: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.

Travelers cheques

Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers checks are not accepted in Cuba.

Bank opening hours

Mon-Fri 08.30-12.00 and 13.30-16.00 (partly continuously), Sat 08.30-12.00.

Foreign exchange regulations

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, online declaration is required for amounts equivalent to US$5,000 or more (including checks and securities). Export of foreign currency up to the amount declared upon entry; higher amounts must be approved by the President of the Central Bank of Cuba. Attention: Since January 1st, 2022, travelers must submit the online form “Advance Information on the Traveler” (Declaración Jurada de Salud) via the “D’Viajeros” system within 72 hours before departure for Cuba. Travelers provide information in advance about personal data and their state of health and make a customs declaration, to speed up immigration procedures. After filling in the form, the travelers will receive a QR code via e-mail, which must be presented upon arrival either in printed form or electronically. The electronic preliminary information about the traveler replaces the three following documents that were previously required in printed versions: the International Boarding and Disembarkation Pass, the customs declaration and the health declaration. Among other things, higher sums of money from an equivalent value of US$ 5,000 are declared via the “advance information about the traveler”.

Currency Exchange

Due to the high circulation of counterfeit money, foreign currencies should only be exchanged at official institutions such as all Cuban banks, in the state exchange offices (CADECA) and at hotel receptions at the prevailing exchange rate.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
CUC CUC$ 1 EUR = 1.11 CUC$
1 CHF = 1.53 CUC$
1 USD = 1.00 CUC$

Cuba Money