»»  Communications, internet, phones, mail

• Is it expensive to make an international phone call from Cuba?
• What number do you dial in Cuba for directory inquiries?
• Cell phones in Cuba?

International calls from a hotel in Cuba will cost $20 - $25 for 3-4 minutes. The best way to make an international call is to buy a prepaid ETECSA (Cuba's telephone company) phone card for $10 or $20, and use a public phone. You can buy the phone card in any souvenir store or information office. These stores are not open at night so buy your cards during the day time. You have to dial 119 before the country code and the number of the party you wish to call.

Update (July 19, 2005): There are two kinds of prepaid cards in Cuba. "Chip" cards and "Propia" cards. The first can only be used in public phones but the Propia can be used in public phones as well on any other phones (such as the phone installed in the casa particular where you are staying).

That is possible because the Propia card has different system. Every card has a unique number on it. You have to first dial a local number, then a recording will tell you to enter the card number and then you will be able to make your international call. Another benefit is that international calls made using Propia are a little cheaper.