Water:

Although water is potable, it did not taste very good.  It is suggested to buy bottled water sold in boutiques of the hotels. You will then be filled at various bars use purified water for cocktails and ice. There is no problem to use tap water in the room to brush your teeth or other personal hygiene.

Convertible Pesos:

The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP). This currency is not used by tourists.

Since November 2004, the Convertible Peso had replaced the U.S. dollar on the island.

Internet:

It is possible to access the Internet at the hotels (24/24).

The price can vary from 6 to 10 CUC for 1 hour. You buy time for internet at the lobby or directly to the clerk's office.

There is no WI-FI at Cayo Santa Maria.

Phone:

To phone Cuba from Canada, dial in order ...

  011 (to exit counrty) then ...
  53 (area code of Cuba) then ...
  42 (Cayo Santa Maria area code) then the phone number.

To phone Canada from Cuba, dial in order ...

  119 followed by the area code and phone number.

It is impossible to make a collect call from Cuba. The Canadian calling cards do not work in Cuba. You cannot join Canada Direct or use 1-800 numbers.

The best option is to buy calling card at Cuba.

Here are the communication fees at Cuba ...

  Local : 0.10 @ 0.60 CUC / minute
  National long-distance call : 0.70 @ 2.40 CUC / minute
  Inter. long-distance call (Canada) : 2.50 @ 3.50 CUC / minute
  Inter. long-distance call (South Amrica) : 4.50 @ 5.90 CUC / minute

Safety box:

There are safety deposit boxes in all rooms. They are free and large enough to store, travel documents, money, camera, MP3-CD player, jewelry, etc.. 

Safety deposit boxes work with a key (Sol) or an access code (Meliá and Meliá Las Dunas and Barceló).

Safety deposit box in the hotels ...

Sol	Meliá	Meliá Las Dunas	Barceló

Upon arrival, four very important items should be stored in your safety deposit box in your room, and stay there during your stay …

  PASSEPORT
  TOURIST VISA (the section that customs gave you at the airport)
  FLIGHT TICKET
  25 CUC / PERSONNE (cash only)

For Jeep, scooter or other rental, it is advisable to bring a photocopy of your passport and always bring your driver license.

Electricity:

220 Voltsin the rooms.  In the bathrooms, there is a socket (often combined with a hair dryer) which includes two types of voltage, 220 and 110 volt. The bathroom socket is only for low power (wattage) appliances such as electric razors, battery charger etc..

Electrical outlets can receive flat pins (North American) and round (European).

 The electrical outlets in the rooms ...

Sol	Meliá	Meliá Las Dunas	Barceló

Please note at the Barceló Santa Maria Beach, we found ten outlets in the room!

Most battery chargers are now dual voltage (110 to 240 Volts) and works well on 50 and 60 cycle (Hertz), but it is perhaps not the case for yours. Please check before to use!

We always bring a voltage protection which also serves as an adapter for different outlet in the world.  It is manufactured by the company Swiss Travel Products. Very convenient and  compact. There is a fuse protection (110V - max. 275W and 220V - max. 550W).
Cost: 25 €

You can also find this type of adapter at  The Source (formerly Radio Shack).
Cost: $ 10

We found on the web such adapter offering overloads protection. Perfect for any country in the world also with an indicator of voltage. A very useful item for any traveler wishing to avoid surprises at destination.

By saving electricity and be concerned for the environment, it is best not to let the air conditioner running when not in the room. Anyway, they are generally quite powerful to cool the room in about an hour.

Iron:

There are irons in the rooms of Meliá, Meliá Las Dunas and Barceló.  They operate on 220 volt current.

The irons in the rooms ...

Meliá	Meliá Las Dunas	Barceló

Do not bring your iron from home to Cuba.  This article uses a lot of currents and chances are that the custom's authorities seize your iron when entering the country.

The small voyage irons and butane are OK.

Hair dryer:

There are hairdryers in the bathroom of all hotels.  In the rooms of Meliá, Meliá Las Dunas and Barceló, you can connect a razor or a battery charger (low wattage).

The irons in the rooms ...

Sol	Meliá	Meliá Las Dunas	Barceló

Roads:

The  Pedraplen is paved so the roads to the hotels.  All other roads are  sandy trails. Driving a scooter (or Jeep) is possible, but with caution, especially on the road to get to the east beaches (Playa Perla Blanca).

At home like in Cuba, driving while intoxicated is a serious offense.  If you injure a Cuban, you will assume the hospital, and you cannot leave the country before the person has completed recovered. Beware!

Please note that there are fees of  2 CUC per car to cross the pedraplen. A gate is installed at the entrance of pedraplen (Caibarien) and will ask you to show a proof that you are staying at one of the hotels at Cayo Ensenachos or Cayo Santa Maria.