COVID-19 regulations, house rules and cancellation policy

What are the currently valid COVID-19 regulations for travelers to Cuba?

- These are the current COVID-19 regulations, valid since October 2022:

• All travelers to Cuba must complete this online form: Online form Cuba

• Random Covid-19 PCR tests may be taken on arrival in Cuba. Travelers with positive test results might be sent to a health institution for further evaluation.
• Travelers to Cuba no longer need a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test, before starting their journey. 
• Nearly all touristic activities in Havana and tours through the whole island are allowed again. We nevertheless recommend you to always get updated information prior to booking your flights and reserving your stay. 

• Since the end of May 2022, the use of masks has no longer been required. On 19 July 2022, the Government however made face masks "mandatory" again on public transport and in healthcare settings and medical facilities, as well as for people with respiratory symptoms. Using face masks in all other settings is “recommended”.
• Local medical representatives will visit casas particulares. Guests with respiratory symptoms may be moved to a clinic or isolation center and will have to pay for PCR test(s) and medical services by credit card. Any travelling companion may be required to self-isolate in their accommodation pending a negative PCR test result.
• When coming to Cuba, you should pack masks, sanitary hand gel, handkerchiefs and other essential items that may prevent COVID-19 transmission, as these items are not always available in Cuba.
• You should also bring with you any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, as well as any sanitary products that you might need during your stay (and bring some extra in case you have to stay longer than planned).

What are the house rules in the Casa Sol y Salsa?

• Guests are welcome to meet Cuban friends on our terrace during the day, without any registration needs.
• Cuban visitors are however only permitted to enter a guest room after registration through our manager. Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter a bedroom.
• Smoking is only allowed in the open air areas on the second floor.
• Night parties are not allowed without prior permission by our manager.
• Consumption or possession of drugs are not allowed in the casa (and they are also prohibited anywhere else in Cuba).
• Children below 3 years and pets are not allowed as guests in the casa due to safety reasons.

What is the cancellation policy of the Casa Sol y Salsa?

• If the booking is cancelled less than 7 days before arrival, a charge equal to 50% of the stay applies.
• If the booking is cancelled less than 2 days before arrival, a charge equal to the full booking amount applies.
• In the event of a no show or booking reduction (after arrival date), the full cost of the booking will be charged.

Payment information

What are the payment options in the casa and in Cuba in general?

• The casa requires no deposit.
• Full booking balance is due on the day of arrival in cash. We currently only accept payments in Euros or USD. 
• If you prefer partial or full payment in advance, you can contact us to do a bank transfer.
• The airport pick-up service needs to be paid directly to the taxi driver in cash in Euros or USD at arrival at the casa.
• If you decide to take breakfast or dinner from time to time, we ask you to pay these meals, the items from the mini bar and the internet in cash and Euros or USD during the course of your stay (and the remaining part before your departure).
• For paying your daily purchases in shops, restaurants or for any services, we highly recommend bringing Euros in cash in small denominations. We suggest only changing a small amount into the local currency, the CUP (Cuban Peso). You will mainly use these CUP for paying for food and in some restaurants. Please also read the further information on 'Currencies, money exchange and credit card use' in the two paragraphs below. 

Can you explain more about currencies and money exchange in Cuba?

• The CUP (Cuban Peso = Peso Cubano, also called MN = Moneda Nacional) is currently the main currency in Cuba. However, there are also more and more stores that sell items in USD, but they only accept payments by credit card (no cash possible). 
• We recommend you to already exchange some money into Euros (or USD) in your home country (if this is not your currency), optimally in small denominations (best are 5, 10 and 20 Euros). You will need cash in Euros (or USD) for most transactions.
  Attention: You cannot change another currency to Euros (or USD) in Cuba, because the banks will not have enough Euros (or USD) for any conversion.
• You can exchange several internationally traded currencies into CUP at the airport, in banks and in 'Casas de Cambio' (CADECA). The best exchange rates are provided for Euros, Swiss Francs, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars and Japanese Yen. Since end of November 2021, USD are again accepted for money exchange to CUP, but only at the CADECA at the airport and only directly after arrival. The extra fee of 10% that existed for the exchange of USD in former times was abolished in mid 2020. Here you can find the current exchange rates to the CUP: www.cadeca.cu/en
• A 'historical' note: The CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) was one of the two currencies in use in Cuba and the main currency for tourists until December 2020. 1 CUC equaled approximately 1 USD. Payments at tourist establishments in Cuba were usually done in CUC until then. However, on January 1st, 2021, a money unification happened and the CUC was officially abolished and completely vanished end of June 2021.

 Can credit cards be used in Cuba?

• Credit cards only work if they are not issued by or using an American bank as an intermediary. VISA cards work for getting money directly with the ATM machines, while Mastercard can mainly be used inside the banks (although in some selected banks of Havana, Mastercard can now also be used with the ATM machines).
• In addition, you will be able to use your credit card for payments for the Viazul buses for journeys between the Cuban cities and also for the Transtur bus tours, e.g. with the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus in Havana or for a bus trip to the beaches of 'Playas del Este'. Moreover, your credit card will serve you if you need to pay for a PCR test or a treatment at one of the international clinics, It might also work for payments in selected hotels, restaurants or bars (e.g. in the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana). Most of the restaurants will however only accept payments in cash (in Euros or USD), so always take both enough cash and your credit card with you if you go out.
• There are also some shops where you could pay by international credit card. However, the queues in front of these shops (usually referred to 'tiendas en MLC' in Spanish) are usually long, although the product range is also very limited. We suggest you ask the manager of the casa for recommendations if you want to buy food or sanitary products. As tourists will probably not make much use of these shops, we propose taking most of your money to Cuba in cash and in Euros (or USD).