Important Things to Know In Havana - Real Havana: Explore Cuba Like a Local and Save Money - page 156

Preparing For the Weekends
Most of the tips in this section could be applicable when visiting any country in the
world, but this reminder will be especially important and useful in saving you time
and hassle while in Havana.
I always suggest that you complete all errands during the week, preferably before
Thursday, as, during the weekend, stores, markets, banks and CADECAs will be
packed with people. Furthermore, the staff at these establishments is usually re-
duced on the weekends, and operating hours are shortened. If you only have a few
days to enjoy the city, you will certainly not want to spend 2 hours on a Saturday
morning waiting in line to exchange money.
Remember the following tips:
- Try to avoid exchanging money on the weekends, as the lineups will be huge.
- Markets will be overcrowded and the supply of some food items will dwindle by
noon. Shop at these places during the week or at least very early in the morning.
- If you do not already have a casa particular booked, do that before the weekend.
In Havana, the most popular day for foreigners to arrive is Saturday, and the best
casas will get booked quickly.
- If you need to top up your calling card or put credit on your Cuban cell phone, do
it during the week, to avoid huge weekend lines.
- The internet will be slow and lineups to use the computer terminals will be longer
on the weekends.
- For some very popular restaurants (mostly tourist ones) you may need to make a
reservation, or be prepared to wait in a long line if dining late on Friday or Saturday
nights.
- With the influx of weekend shoppers, even state stores and supermarkets some-
times run out of basic goods. Toilet paper is one item that can be very hard to find
on weekends. Be sure you have what you need to get through the weekend before
the weekend starts.