Cuba’s pharmacies are woefully void of pharmaceuticals, both prescription and over the counter. There are dollar only “Tourist Pharmacies”, but your best bet is to bring with you whatever you may even remotely THINK you may need. Even a small wound can quickly “fester” in a hot, tropical climate and get out of control very quickly. Get it cleaned and sanitized at once! Here’s what I bring:
• Aspirin – bring regular and acetaminophen-based (Tylenol) pain relievers with you. They’re invaluable in case you get a fever there also.
• Topical Anti-bacterial Cleanser – Betadyne is the hospital’s preferred choice.
• Topical Anti-bacterial Cream – Bacitracin or the equivalent is best.
• A prescription based oral antibiotic – Just to be sure, I always see my doctor for a quick check-up no matter where I travel. Also, I always have him prescribe me an antibiotic for self-medication.
• Anti-Itch medicine – Aluminium sulphite or Calamine Lotion. Those bugs, when they’re out, are big, bad and they bite!
• Anti-histamine – Benadryl works well for me.
• Sunglasses – The sun is deceivingly strong in Cuba. Make sure your glasses are 100% UV protective and better yet, make sure they’re polarized. Bring a back-up just in case, too.
• Suntan Lotion – I’m an easy tanning person with a good base tan…..and I still burned. Bring a high protection lotion with you.
• Batteries & Camera Film – This includes diskettes if you have a digital camera. They’re hard to find, expensive when you do and many times there’e out of date.
• Water Purification Tablets – Bottled water is plentiful and I hear the tap water is nowhere as contaminated as it is in Mexico and other Central and South American countries. However, they’re a good precaution just in case you get caught in a remote area with a dubious water source.
• BandAids – Once you get it clean, keep it covered.
• Rid-X – For those nasty critters: Intestinal Worms. Hey, shit happens!
• Pepto Bismol / Imodium Tablets – Speaking of shit, these will help alot if you get the “runs”.
• Anbesol – Tooth pain always sucks and this will help (so will lots of rum!).
What to bring for the Cuban people … Regalos
Do give but not money when Cubans do something nice for you. Giving money only encourages begging. The exception to the ‘no money’ rule would be for friends or if it’s legitimate business such as tipping a cab driver or a restaurant or bar server.
So bring small gifts with you before you fly to Cuba as they basically have
nothing by way of material possessions; anything that you can leave behind they will appreciate.
Toys for kids
Samples of perfume or after shave fragrances
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste
Leave clothes, shoes etc. that you don’t like anymore, in Cuba after your vacation
Children’s books (Spanish)
Magazines
Pens