All-inclusive:

All the Cayo Largo hotels offer an all-inclusive package (meals, drinks, entertainment, water sports, etc.). Although there are 3 different hotel chains at Cayo Largo, it is possible for the customers of the Gran Caribe hotels to have dinner in one of the restaurants of the Sol Melia hotels, but it is then necessary to make a reservation and to pay for the meals.

  Safety deposit box:

There is a safety box in all rooms, and they are free of charge. They are large enough to put, as needed, travel documents, cash, camera, CD-Player, jewels, etc. It opens using your room magnetic card. Be cautious not to leave your card unattented!

There are four of the highest importance articles you should put in your safety deposit box upon your arrival and always stay there during your stay. These articles are...

It is recommended to bring a photocopy of your passport for rentals. Keep the original in your room's safety deposit box.

Pools and beaches:

Every hotel, except Villa Soledad, has a swimming pool (salt water). It is generally permitted to use them 24 hours a day. There are no private beaches in Cayo Largo. It is not polite to use chairs and umbrellas from other hotels. If you absolutely need shade and chairs, you will have to be on the beach in the morning or bring your umbrealla.

Beach towels:

In Gran Caribe hotels, cleaned beach towels are put in your room everyday, they are exchanged for the ones from the day before. At Sol Pelicano, Sol Cayo Largo and Barcelo hotels, you get and exchange them at the Club House near the pool. It is included in your all-inclusive plan.

If you loose or do not bring back your beach towel at the end of your stay, you will be charged 20 CUC. Do not leave your beach towel unattented on the beaches.

Medical services:

You may contact the hotel lobby and the doctor will come to your room. It is also possible to see a doctor directly at the mini-clinic of certain Hotels or at the polyclinic in the village. Doctors are available 24 hours a day. Cost will vary depending on the time of the day and care received. Do not forget to ask for a receipt, it is possible those fees will be refunded by your insurance company (only if it is an emergency).

It is strongly suggested to buy a medical insurance before you leave. Most of the credit cards do have travel insurance included (Gold or Platinum cards) but only if you have purchased your trip with the same card. Consult their websites to know more.

Website of Blue Cross insurance (recommended):
http://www.bluecross.ca/default.html

Before leaving, you should visit a Traveler's clinic to be informed of vaccines recommended in the country you will visit. In Cuba, no vaccin is mandatory but the Twinrix (Hepatitis A + B) is good to have.

Traveler's clinic website:
http://www.cliniqueduvoyageur.com/en/Index.htm

The Buffets:

Every hotel, except Villa Soledad has a buffet restaurant. Breakfast is served from 07h30 to 10h30, lunch is served from 13h00 to 14h45 and dinner from 19h30 to 22h00. Wines and beers are included but do not except too much from wine in Cuba!

Beach Grill (Ranchón):

The Ranchons are very popular at lunch time. There is a beach Ranchon at hotel Sol Cayo Largo, Sol Pelicano, Villa Lindamar and Barcelo. It is possible to eat lobsters (20 CUC) or large shrimps (15 CUC) on demand.

Snack bars:

There is a snack bar beside the pool bar at Sol Cayo Largo (snack bar Sol Azul), Sol Pelicano (bar ZunZun), Barceló (snack bar Opalino) and Isla del Sur (bar Medusa) where they make pizza during lunch time.

« A la carte » restos (dinner only):

The restaurants « A la carte » at dinner time :

For all « A la carte » restaurants, you need to make a reservation (dress code). They will give you a coupon to present at the door. All these restaurants are also part of the all-inclusive package. You may buy better wines than the one included in most restaurants.

Please note: During the low season (May to November), some restaurants may be closed.

Other restaurants & bars:

The following places are not part of the all-inclusive package, but you can eat and drink there for very reasonable prices.

La Movita is located in the village near the museum. Open from 11PM until 2AM (Beer 1 CUC and drinks 2 CUC). The perfect place to meet the hotels employees. Tourists and Cubans love that place to meet and dance all night long. Salsa lovers... this is YOUR place!

Beauty parlor:

There are beauty parlors at Cayo Largo. They are often located in the same building of gym and spa facilities:

  Massage:

Sol Cayo Largo, Sol Pelicano, Isla del Sur and Barceló hotels offers professional massages. Some hotels offer massage on the beach (small shelter) and near the pool.

  Internet:

You can access the Internet at the following hotels (24/24):

The fee is 10 cents per minute (1 CUC for 10 minutes). The connection speed is rather slow and the keyboard layout is in Spanish, so be patient and buy more minutes than you think of.

Phones:

To phone to Cayo Largo from Canada, you must dial:

If you want to call Cayo Largo from Canada, dial 011 then the area and phone number. From Cayo Largo to Canada, dial 119 followed by the area and phone number. Collect calls are impossible at Cayo Largo. You can buy prepaid cards at the stores or lobbies. It is very expensive, 2.50 CUC per minute.

Roads:

There is only one main paved road, connecting the hotels with the airport and the village (marina). It is obviously impossible to get lost in Cayo Largo! There is very few traffic and driving is on the right side. Other roads are small sandy trails, so take care if you rent a scooter!

Be cautious. Do not drive scooter or Jeep if you are drunk! You will be held responsible for injuries. This is very serious.

Clothings:

Luggages:

Few tips about your luggages:

Here is an impressive list of items to bring in vacation (in French by Sylvie. Great work!): http://www.forumcayolargo.net/truc-voyage.htm

  Medical facilities:

There is no hospital at Cayo Largo. In the village there is a clinic for minor injuries ($) and basic treatments. There is also a dental clinic. In case of serious injuries, you will be transported rapidly to Havana to receive proper cares.

Distance (km):

With the help of the Internet tool Google Earth, I was able to evaluate the distance between the hotels, beaches and some particular places (might be good for your long walk on the beaches):

The distance between the Barcelo hotel to the west beaches (approximation of the entry point to the hotels beach):

  Water:

The water in the hotels is drinkable but do not have a good taste. It is suggested to buy bottled water at the stores. You get a refill at the bars (for free) as they use purified water for ice and cocktails.

If you like snorkeling, you may use a small bottle to fill it up with bread. You will have many friends during your dive, and it prevents fishes from bitten your fingers when you feed them.

Mail:

It takes about 6 to 8 weeks for a postal card or a letter to arrive home and there is a good possibility you may never receive it!

If you have letters, small packages or other items for a friend at Cayo Largo, you may use the safest method which is to post a message in our bulletin board dedicated to Cayo Largo. It is often used to send items by a tourist going there soon. If you ask for a package, be polite to allow the tourist to see the content for security reasons.

Passport:

It is suggested to bring a photocopy of your passport during your vacation. You leave the original in the safety deposit box in the room. You may use the copy for Jeep and scooter rentals.

Always bring with you a document to identify yourself in case of problems. It can be your photocopy of passport, driver licence, etc.

The website to get a new passport (province of Quebec): http://www.ppt.gc.ca

Convertible Peso:

Since November 8th, 2004 the US dollar is no longer accepted in Cuba. It is not illegal but the government will charge you a fee of 10% for exchanging US currency into Convertible Peso.

You may change you currency for CUC at the hotel lobby or the bank located in the village (be patient!). Traveler checks are also accepted. They charge a fee of 3 to 5% to exchange money, so only change what you really need because you will have to pay a fee to change back your extra CUC in your local currency.

The Convertible Peso (CUC) only exists in Cuba. You cannot have CUC if you go to your local bank.

There is no ATM at Cayo Largo. You may get money from your credit card at the bank. American Express is not accepted as well as credit card from US bank. MBNA is not accepted.

Jeep and scooter rentals, medical services and departure tax can only be paid in CUC. Excursions and certain items in boutiques can be paid by credit card.

Be careful with the bills you bring from home, they might refuse bills with scratches, drawings, cut or any other damages.

  Electircity at Cuba:

110 and 220 Volts are used in the hotels in Cuba. New hotels used 220 Volts and the old ones 110 Volts. The reason is most of the management of new hotels are from European countries. You will always find 110 Volts in the bathroom but the wattage is low (enough for a battery chargers). The two types of plugs are used... rounded and flat.

We always bring with us an adaptor for foreign countries power outlets with a surge protector. It is small and protect your battery charger in case of power surges. The Swiss Travel Company Products make one very useful.

For saving electricity do not let conditioning air working all day in your room. They are powerful enough to lower the temperature in your room in about 30 minutes. Some rooms are equipped with a power saving feature where you need to insert your room card in it to activate lights, electricity, air conditioning, etc. Be careful the key card is the same to open your safety deposit box!

Tips & gifts:

They are, of course, at your discretion. Barman and bus drivers have a small tips basket. For the maid, it is recommended to leave it on the pillow. For the restaurant waiters and waitresses, you give their tips directly to them.

At Cayo Largo, the common tip seems to be 1 CUC for most services, so be sure to have a good provision of one CUC bills (or coins). Generally, people leave 1 CUC per day for the maid, 1 CUC every couple of drinks for the barman (not for each cocktail served), and also 1 CUC for table service (restaurant). Small gifts, toiletries, medicine (such as Aspirin, Tylenol, cold syrup... ), clothes, baseball cap, vitamins, nylon stocking, school supplies, toys, hair pins and elastics, etc... are also very much appreciated. Furthermore, of course, accompanied by a nice Muchas Gracias and a big smile! :-)

Here is a list of suggested gifts made by Sophie. The list is about Cayo Largo and Cuba in general (in French): http://www.forumcayolargo.net/cadeaux.htm

IMPORTANT: give the tips in CUC not in your currency, it will be a problem for them to exchange it in Pesos.

Shopping:

Cayo Largo is really not a shopping paradise. There is a small boutique at every hotel (except Soledad) and in the village. They are called Caracol and have similar merchandises (rum, souvenirs, postcards, a few clothes, toiletries, drinks, snacks, bottled water, etc.). At Hotel Pelicano, Sol Cayo Largo, Isla del Sur and Barcelo you will find also a cigars shop.

At the hotel Sol Cayo Largo, there is also a small handicrafts boutique. At some hotels, usually in the evening, you may find tables near the restaurant or bar where people sell local handicrafts.

Do not forget to keep a 25 CUC for your departure tax!

Wedding in Cuba:

Cayo Largo is a paradise and people are often tempted to get a romantic wedding or honeymoon. There are many packages available. Consult your travel agent or the Cuban embassy in your country to know all the details.

Many papers are required. The Melia hotels are the expert in wedding at Cuba. They will help through the details for this unforgettable event.

  Rum and Coffee:

The most well known rum at Cuba is the Havana Club. The price is around 12 CUC for a 750 ml bottle 7 years old.

There is also a very delicious drink called Guyabita del Pinar. Available in dry (Seca) and sweet (Dulce). Inexpensive, less than 5 CUC per bottle. Unfortunately, it is hard to find Guyabita del Pinar at Cayo largo.

About the coffee, the Cubita is excellent and well known throughout Cuba. There are two versions of this coffee available... beans or ground. Both are very good.

Customs and black market:

Cigars bought on the black market and sea shells or corals found in your luggage, when leaving Cuba, may be subject to a 250-500 CUC fine.

If you buy more than 25 cigars, you MUST show the receipt at the custom (Cuba). Be smart and consult the website about the new regulations (Oct. 8th, 2003) before going to Cuba. In Canada, (18 years old +) you can import to a maximum of 50 cigars.

Canadian customs allow 1.14 liters of alcohol (18 years old +) per person. Two bottles of 750 ml are accepted. If you bring more, you need to pay customs and taxes.

The price of cigars may differ from one store to another. The famous brands are Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Monte Cristo, etc.

Drugs:

The Cuban laws on the illicit substances are very severe. At the airport, the customs officers check the doubtful luggage with the helps of dogs. If you are taken in drug possession, your vacation of dream will become a nightmare.

Do not forget the odor a « joint » smoked the night before can impregnate in your clothing. At the airport, the dogs will detect this particular odor, and immediately you will be searched and will waste time there. Do not take the risk to miss your holidays! The laws in foreign countries can be much less permissive.

Visit the Canadian website of the consular affairs. It contains a lot of informations about this subject: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/drugs_travel-en.asp

Not to bring items:

Certain items are not allowed in Cuba (or restricted access) like the GPS, iron, literatures against the communist party, pornography, etc. Walked-Talkie is newly allowed at Cuba.

All the restricted items are listed in the Cuban custom website. You may also contact your local Cuban tourism agency to know more about the latest development: http://www.aduana.co.cu/regula.htm

Cellular phones are no longer forbidden at Cuba but there is good chance it will not work. Consult your cellular provider about your phone and services.

Since August 2006, liquids in cabin luggage are controlled and cannot exceed 100 ml per bottle.

Maximal weight of luggages:

You have to be careful with the weight of your luggage. People travelling to Cuba have to follow luggage weight restriction according to the airlines they travelling with. You may have to pay extra if they are overweight:

Cubana Airlines
Carry-on : max 5 kg
Checked baggage : max 23 kg (30 kg in Tropical Class)
Warning: if you bring an umbrealla, Cubana will charge you $35 because it represents an extra item even if the total weight of your checked luggages is less than 23 kg.
Website: http://www.cubana.cu

Air Transat
Carry-on : max 10 kg (20kg in Club Transat)
Checked baggage : max 20 kg (40 kg in Club Transat)
Extra weight: 20$ per extra kg
Website: http://www.airtransat.ca

SunWing
Carry-on : max 5 kg
Checked baggage : max 20 kg
Extra weight: 20$ per extra kg
Website: http://www.flysunwing.com

Air Canada
Carry-on : max 10 kg (2 items)
Checked baggage : max 23 kg (32kg Super Elite)
Extra weight: 100$ per extra bag
Website: http://www.aircanada.com

West Jet
Carry-on : max 10 kg
Checked baggage : max 23 kg
Extra weight: 40$ per extra bag
Website: http://www.westjet.com

Canjet
Carry-on : max 10 kg
Checked baggage : max 20 kg
Extra weight: 40$ up to 45 kg max.
Website: http://www.canjet.com

Skyservice
Carry-on : max 5 kg
Checked baggage : max 20 kg
Extra weight: 20$ per extra kg
Website: http://www.skyserviceairlines.com

People sensible to sun:

For people who prefer to stay in the shade while on the beach, please note that there are beach umbrellas (palapas) only in front of the hotels, and they go fast during high seasons! On the other beaches there is no natural shade during all day as most beaches face south. This is why some people prefer to bring a small beach umbrella with their luggages.

Sunscreen lotions of a minimum of 15 (30 better) is recommended for sensitive skin, especially on virgin beaches for lack of natural shade and aboard catamaran. Always be cautious when mixing sun and cocktails! You might get what people called « turista » which is likely to be a digestive system problem.

Naturism and topless:

Officially, nudism (naturism) is forbidden in Cuba but it is tolerated on certain beaches. Here is a list of places where you can enjoy to be « Au Naturel » in Cuba. As always, be respectful to other persons who are not comfortable to see naked people and do not stay in front beach hotels (look for quieter remote places):

There are probably other deserted places where you can be nude on the beach. Always keep in mind it is tolerated, not legal.

Please note there is no naturist hotel (club) in Cuba like St-Martin or Guadeloupe. At Cayo Largo, it is on the beach only not on the hotel zone.

Topless is well accepted and common on the beaches of Cuba. Sometimes you may encounter topless women in the pool area.

  Mosquitoes:

At certain times, especially during the summer, mosquitos may be present. They usually appear only after sunset, not during the day. There can be only a few but sometimes lots of them. It depends on the climatic conditions (rain, humidity), direction of the wind, time of the year, etc... As a preventive measure they fog the hotels surroundings every night. However, it is still very much recommended to bring a good insect spray repellent (DEET Based), just in case.

We always bring with us a very good insect repellent in cream called Bizzz Bizzz (or Watkins). These creams are allowed aboard the aircraft.

  Dolphins, sharks and barracudas:

At Cayo Largo, like everywhere in the Caribbean, you may see dolphins in their natural habitat. However, in this part of Cuba you have to be lucky to see them. In our many visits, we never see dolphins! Usually it is during the catamaran excursion.

About sharks, yes there are sharks but not the dangerous ones, more likely nursed-sharks. We saw sharks during the catamaran excursion hidden in the coral reef.

Barracudas are common at Cayo Largo. It is a carnivorous fish who do not hesitate to attack fished in danger. This fish can be up to 2 metres long. Usually you will find them among sardines. In rare occasions it can attack human if you wear jewels under water. They are curious and might think it is a fish the reflection of light caused by a ring or neckless. Always keep a distance to this fish and be cautious.

  Sea Lice / Sea-Bathers Eruption:

What is sea-bathers eruption? Seabather eruption (also known as sea lice) is a form of dermatitis that appears on covered areas of the skin (under bathing suits, shirts, and long hair), rather than on exposed areas as with swimmers itch, and is associated with bathing in coastal waters.

Episodes reported in Long Island waters are believed to be caused by the larval form of the sea anemone (Edwardsiella lineata). A similar condition that occurs regularly off the coast of Florida (also termed "seabather eruption") is caused by the larval form of the thimble jellyfish (linuche unquiculata), locally referred to as sea-lice. In either case, the dermatitis results when the tiny larval forms (the size of a pin head) are trapped underneath bathing suits or in the hair of the bather. Each larvae is equipped with a number of nematocysts (stinging cells), that can be triggered by simple mechanical pressure or by osmotic changes that occur with evaporation or when rinsing off with freshwater.

What are the symptoms of sea-bathers eruption? The dermatitis that results from the nematocyst sting appears within a matter of hours, and can be intensely pruritic (itchy). As with swimmers itch, the rash usually subsides within a week, depending on its severity and the individuals sensitivity. Treatment of sea-bathers eruption is the same as with swimmers itch. If itching is severe, contact your health care provider who may prescribe lotion or creams to lessen your symptoms.

Visit this website to learn and be prepared (Cancún Travel Guide): http://www.cancun.bz/information/sealice.php

Tour Operator at destination:

Each Tour Operator has his(her) representative at destination. Usually this person will greet you at the airport and guide you to the next steps including a briefing the day after your arrival. After the briefing, you can buy excursion from his(her), and you can also buy excursions from local Tour Operators which usually sell the same excursions. The prices are quite similar.

They have a weekly schedule if you want to meet the representative. The schedule is located at the front desk. Do not hesitate to ask them questions or anything you might need. Do not be shy, they are used to this!

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