Cuba - Lonely Planet [373]
Culture & Dance
Dance classes are available all over Cuba, although Havana and Santiago are your best bets. Institutions to try include the Casa del Caribe (Map; 22-64-22-85; Calle 13 No 154, Vista Alegre, 90100 Santiago de Cuba), the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional (Map; 7-830-3060; Calle 4 No 103, btwn Calzada & Calle 5, Vedado, Havana) and the Centro Andaluz (Map; 7-863-6745; fax 7-66-69-01; Paseo de Martí No 104 btwn Genios & Refugio, Centro Habana). See the individual chapters for details.
Art & Film
Courses for foreigners can be arranged throughout the year by the Oficina de Relaciones Internacionales of the Instituto Superior de Arte (Map; 7-208-0017; isa@cubarte.cult.cu, www.isa.cult.cu; Calle 120 No 1110, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 11600). Courses in percussion and dance are available almost anytime, but other subjects, such as the visual arts, music, theater and aesthetics, are offered when professors are available.
Courses usually involve four hours of classes a week and cost between CUC$10 and CUC$15 per hour. Prospective students must apply in the last week of August for the fall semester or the last three weeks of January for spring. The school is closed for holidays throughout July and until the third week in August. The institute also accepts graduate students for its regular winter courses, and an entire year of study here (beginning in September) as part of the regular five-year program costs CUC$2500. Accommodation in student dormitories can be arranged.
The Escuela Internacional de Cine, Televisión y Video ( 47-38-22-46, 47-38-23-68; Apartado Aéreo 4041, San Antonio de los Baños, Provincia de La Habana) educates broadcasting professionals from all over the world (especially developing countries). Under the patronage of novelist Gabriel García Márquez, it’s run by the foundation that also organizes the annual film festival in Havana. The campus is at Finca San Tranquilino, Carretera de Vereda Nueva, 5km northwest of San Antonio de los Baños. Prospective filmmaking students should apply in writing in advance (personal inquiries at the gate are not welcome).
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CUSTOMS
Cuban customs regulations are complicated. For the full scoop see www.aduana.co.cu. Travelers are allowed to bring in personal belongings (including photography equipment, binoculars, musical instrument, tape recorder, radio, personal computer, tent, fishing rod, bicycle, canoe and other sporting gear), and gifts up to CUC$50.
Items that do not fit into the categories mentioned above are subject to a 100% customs duty to a maximum of CUC$1000.
Items prohibited entry into Cuba include narcotics, explosives, pornography, electrical appliances broadly defined, global positioning systems, prerecorded video cassettes and ‘any item attempting against the security and internal order of the country,’ including some books. Canned, processed and dried food are no problem, nor are pets.
Exporting undocumented art and items of cultural patrimony is restricted and involves fees. If you didn’t get an official certificate at point of sale, you’ll need to obtain one from the Registro Nacional de Bienes Culturales (Map; Calle 17 No 1009 btwn Calles 10 & 12, Vedado, Havana; 9am-noon Mon-Fri). Bring the objects here for inspection; fill in a form; pay a fee of between CUC$10 and CUC$30, which covers from one to five pieces of artwork; and return 24 hours later to pick up the certificate.
You are allowed to export 50 boxed cigars duty-free (or 23 singles), US$5000 (or equivalent) in cash and only CUC$200.
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DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Cuba is generally safer than most countries, and violent attacks are extremely rare. Petty theft (eg rifled luggage in hotel rooms or unattended shoes disappearing from the beach) is common, but preventative measures work wonders. Pickpocketing is preventable: wear your bag in front of you on crowded buses and at busy markets, and only take what money you’ll need to the disco.
Begging is more widespread and is exacerbated by tourists who amuse