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Essentials

Cuba Essentials

Entry & Exit Requirement

 
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  • Visa Requirements: US Travel to Cuba remains prohibited, unless you obtain a license from the Department of Treasure OR your travel falls into 1 of 12 authorized travel categories. Consult with Department of Treasury or Travel Agent.

  • Passport Validity: Must be valid at the time of entry

  • Blank Passport Pages: At least two (2) blank pages

  • The export of Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) is strictly prohibited, regardless of the amount.

Time Zone

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  • CDT (Cuban Daylight Time)

  • Daylight savings time is observed

  • Time Zone Difference

    • New York: No time difference

    • Houston: CST + 1 hour

    • Los Angeles: PST + 3 hours

Currency

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  • Cuban peso (CUP) and Cuban convertible peso (CUC)

  • All currencies have a 3% exchange fee. USD has an additional 10% tax upon exchange. Tip: Before leaving the US, convert USD to Canadian Dollars to avoid the additional 10% tax on USD conversion.

  • U.S credit and debit cards are not accepted.

  • Bring enough cash to cover ALL expenses during your stay.

Language

 

  • Spanish

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Health, Safety & Security

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  • Emergency Number: 106 (Police Department) & 105 (Fire Department)

  • Security Environment: Relatively stable and with a strong military and police presence.

  • Crime: Increased property and violent crimes against tourists, which are opportunistic. Tourists should stay vigilant.

  • Air Pollution: Classified as serious due primarily to emissions from trucks, buses and automobiles built before 1959.

  • Health: Diarrhea is common among travelers. Travelers are advised to wash hands, drink bottled water and avoid uncooked street foods.

Food & Water

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  • Is water is safe to drink? No

  • Food Do’s:  

    • Eat food that is well done and served hot

    • Eat fruits, nuts and vegetables you can peel

  • Food Don’ts:

    • Eat raw, uncooked, or cold meats, poultry, fish, seafood or eggs

    • Eat bush or game meat

Transportation

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  • Colectivos/Almendrones/Shared Taxis

  • Private Taxi

  • Bici Bus

  • Intercity Bus

Accessibility

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  • Cuba has limited accessibility

India Essentials

Entry & Exit Requirement

 
 
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  • Visa Requirements: For U.S. Citizens, planning to stay no longer than sixty (60) days, apply for an electronic travel authorization at least four (4) days prior to arrival in lieu of applying for a tourist visa at an Indian embassy or consulate.

  • Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens:

    • Valid for at least six (6) months beyond date of visa application.

    • At least two (2) blank passport pages.

  • Other Requirements:

    • Possession of satellite phones is prohibited

    • Currency in excess of USD $5,000 must be declared

Time Zone

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  • IST (Indian Standard Time)

  • Daylight savings time is NOT observed

  • Time Zone Difference

    • New York: EST + 9 hours and 30 minutes

    • Houston: CST + 10 hours and 30 minutes

    • Los Angeles: PST + 12 hours and 30 minutes

Currency

 
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  • Indian Rupee

  • USD is NOT accepted

  • Cash is more widely accepted

  • In larger cities like Dehli and Mumbai it is more common to find retailers that accept debit and credit cards. With Visa and Mastercard being more widely accepted. Larger retailers, hotels and restaurants may accept American Express and Discover.

Language

 

  • Hindi (majority)

  • Bengali (minority)

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Health, Safety & Security

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  • Emergency Number: 100

  • Tourists crimes are opportunistic and occur mostly in the major cities of Dehli, Mumbai and Bangalore.

  • India has 21 of the world’s 30 cities with worst air pollution.

Food & Water

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  • Is water is safe to drink? No

  • Food:  

    • Eat street food with caution. Only eat piping hot food from street vendors

    • Beware of any sauces as they can be made with tap water and may be sitting out for a while.

    • Stick to well populated eateries

Transportation

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  • Train & Bus

  • Ubar & Ola, think Uber

  • Metered Taxi (Radio Taxi)

  • Private Transfers

  • Motorbikes & Scooters

  • Rickshaws (Tuk-Tuks)

Accessibility

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  • Moderately accessible; however, the people are very kind and will often offer assistance .

Electricity

 
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  • India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. 

  • Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). 

  • The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins.

Hong Kong Essentials

Entry & Exit Requirement

 
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  • Visa Requirements: For U.S. Citizens, a tourist visa is not required for stays under 90 days.

  • Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens:

    • Valid for at least one (1) month beyond stay

    • At least one blank passport page for entry stamp

  • Other Requirements:

    • Adequate funds to cover stay

    • Evidence of outbound transport

Time Zone

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  • HKT (Hong Kong Time)

  • Daylight savings time is NOT observed

  • Time Zone Difference

    • New York: -12 hours

    • Houston: -13 hours

    • Los Angeles: -15 hours

Currency

 
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  • Hong Kong Dollar (HK$)

  • USD rarely accepted

  • Credit & Debit Cards are widely accepted at major tourist attractions.

  • At smaller stores, restaurants, and hotels, only cash is accepted.

  • ATMs typically provide the best exchange rates

Language

 

  • Cantonese (majority)

  • English (minority)

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Health, Safety & Security

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  • Emergency Number: 999

  • Low crime rate

  • Mace, pepper spray, stun guns and other self-protective weapons are ILLEGAL

  • Air pollution is a visible concern on most days of the year 

Food & Water

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  • Is water is safe to drink? Yes

  • Food:  

    • Only eat piping hot food from street vendors

    • Avoid buffets

    • Stick to well populated eateries

Transportation

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  • Land transport comprises the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), taxis, buses, minibuses and tramways (only on Hong Kong Island).

  • Water transport comprises ferry services between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and to the Outlying Islands.

Accessibility

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  • Barrier-free travel is now widely available in Hong Kong.

  • There are a range of accessible accommodations, activities, attractions and services, as well as other convenient ways to travel.