Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dorm-bed rates average $25 to $55 per night, including tax. Reservations are always a
good idea, especially in high season. Most hostels take reservations online or by phone.
Booking services like
www.hostels.com
,
www.hostelz.com
and
www.hostelworld.com
sometimes offer lower rates than the hostels directly.
Hotels & Motels
At midrange motels and hotels, expect clean, comfortable rooms with a private bathroom
and such standard amenities as a cable TV, telephone, coffeemaker and perhaps a mi-
crowave and mini fridge.
Top-end hotels and resorts offer more amenities and perhaps a scenic location, high
design or historical ambience. Pools, fitness rooms, business centers and full-service
restaurants and bars are all standard.
Rooms are often priced by the size and number of beds, rather than the number of occu-
pants. A room with one double or queen-size bed usually costs the same for one or two
people, while a room with a king-size bed or two double beds costs more.
There is often a small surcharge for the third and fourth adult, but children under a cer-
tain age (this varies) may stay free. Cribs or rollaway cots usually incur an additional fee.
Beware that suites or 'junior suites' may simply be oversized rooms; ask about the layout
when booking.
Recently renovated or larger rooms, or those with a view, are likely to cost more.
Descriptors like 'oceanfront' and 'oceanview' are liberally used, and may require a peri-
scope to spot the surf.
Rates may include breakfast, which could be just a stale doughnut and wimpy coffee, an
all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffet, or anything in between.
Some motels and hotels are now entirely smokefree, meaning you're not allowed to
smoke anywhere on the property, or even outdoors within a certain distance of entry-
ways.
Customs Regulations
Currently, non-US citizens and permanent residents may import the following:
1L of alcohol (if you're over 21 years old)
200 cigarettes (one carton) or 50 (non-Cuban) cigars (if you're over 18 years old)
$100 worth of gifts.
