Going to Cuba, any advice??

[9Doorz]

i'm going to cuba for spring break where staying in veradero, just wondering if anyone knows what i should avoid going to or doing? plus any advice about what i should do while i'm there!

thanks

[Geese_Howard]

I went with my buddies a while back, greatest time ever, friendly people beautiful weather and too much fun, take alot of american $1 bills, also if u have some old sports hats or shirts, people go crazy for them over there also if u want I know of some people who took soap and stuff and they were extatic, dont be scared we went clubbing EVERY night and didnt meet 1 rude person BTW we stayed at varadero

you WILL love it take my word for it

only downside was the food, not horrible but defintley not great

[Geese_Howard]

just out of curiosity where are u staying, i stayed at arenas blancas

[el_cheepo]

i'm going to cuba for spring break where staying in veradero, just wondering if anyone knows what i should avoid going to or doing? plus any advice about what i should do while i'm there!

thanks
i had a great time there. I stayed at Villa Cuba. the beach was AMAZING! but the food was pretty bad. Yes, bring lots of small bills for tips. NEVER buy cigars from locals lol. Bring soaps/toothpaste/pens/markers as tips for your maid. Rent a scooter and cruise downtown Varadero. get out of the resort, and party. enjoy yourself!

[aquariaguy]

Bring back A LOT of cigars. Don't be scared by the soldiers at the airport. It's just a fake threat.

[el_cheepo]

i forgot to mention, take a trip to Havana! well worth it

[Geese_Howard]

yah good point DONT buy cigard from locals cause they make it from Banana leafs and YOU can taste the difference

Oh and ur going to be there with alot of canadians so make some more friends and go to clubs in packs of 15 or 20 and believe me it will be the time of ur life, leave your girlfriend at home, believe me

[Sgt_Strider]

American money is no longer used in Cuba, so you gotta exchange and get Cuban currency. You're not allowed to smoke in public places due to a new law that took effect couple of weeks ago. Make sure you don't insult Fidel Castro. Remember to wave the Cuban flag when you see any Cuban Nationalists. Buy a "Learning to speak Spanish for dummies" book. Carry a gun/knife. Am I missing anything else?

[alkaseltzer01]

Good choice..

no annoying, loudmouth amercians there.

[bluetroll]

American money is no longer used in Cuba, so you gotta exchange and get Cuban currency.

you honestly don't think they'll take american money if you give it to them??? SURE. there's absolutely no way a country as poor as cuba that their people will NOT take US money given to them... and the fact that US money is the most wanted currency... they probably won't take the US money in the resorts.... but for tips and buying souveniers outside the resort... US money will be accepted.

[canrocks]

I just finished a project on Cuba and I've been there three times!

They do need money, but because of the embargo, they need hard goods just as much. Bring stuff like old t-shirts, school supplies, painkillers, cleaning supplies. They'll really appreciate it.

It is a beautiful place, and it is a lot nicer because it isn't overrun by Americans. If you're staying in Varadero, you have to take a short trip to Havana. The atmosphere is just . . . wow. The food is not going to be good wherever you go, but they're doing the best with what they have (because of the embargo).

Have fun!

[canrocks]

you honestly don't think they'll take american money if you give it to them??? SURE. there's absolutely no way a country as poor as cuba that their people will NOT take US money given to them... and the fact that US money is the most wanted currency... they probably won't take the US money in the resorts.... but for tips and buying souveniers outside the resort... US money will be accepted.
To convert USD to currency they can use, they are charged 10%. Why risk bringing money that no one will accept? Bring Canadian dollars or Euro.

[pfdude]

Save your money and go somewhere else.

I've been to most islands in the Caribbean and would have to say that Cuba scores very low.

CONS
-Food is horrible. I'd rather eat war rations.. seriously.
-If you don't speak Spanish you get ripped off wherever you go.
-If you're going to Varadero you might as well go to Florida cause you won't get to see any of Cuba. It's a tourist compound.
-If you actually make it out of the compound, you'll find how little there is to see and do in Cuba compared to other islands in the carribean.

PROS
-The beaches are ok
-It's cheap (for a reason)

Since you've been to most islands in the Caribbean then you must know that once you're going, you definitely can't switch your destination.

Sure the food is horrible and I agree with some of the things you say, but don't put down his trip before he has left for it.

[cheukiecfu]

i just went to Cuba for 9 days during Christmas.. for the whole trip, stayed in Havana and joined Cubatur to Pinar del Río Province for a day..
was gonna go to the Varadero.. but that week was a bit chilly for the beach.. so didn't go at the end...
learn to speak a few words of Spanish if you can (Gracias, Si, Non, etc..)
most pplz there are very friendly.. BUT a lot of pplz would ask you for money.. once, we were at a museum and this local came to us and started talking to us.. then he toured us around the museum and translated every single word in the museum from spanish to english.. we were in a hurry and got kinda annoyed. He was just too friendly.. at the end, he asked for tips..
we had encountered this kind of incident several times in the trip.. we didn't ask for help and they would just come up and start following u.. the worst one was following us for lunch, he ended up eating lunch with us and we had to pay for it.. I guess this is how the poor locals earn their money.. tourism is big in Cuba..

Cubans love music.. when you go to eat.. very often there are musicians playing.. it's great if it's a big and busy restaurant.. but if it's a quiet restaurant, they would just come up to you and start playing in front of your table.. we can't even hear among ourselves and ended up we have to pay tips (way to tell them to go away).. you WILL spend a lot of money in tipping..(for locals, musicians, hotel maids, etc) even if you don't want to..

if you are not a smoker, then you will have a hard time there.. cuz pplz in Cuba smoke a LOT.. everywhere you go, you can get second-hand smoke.. and their car fuel are bad quality.. so the air pollution from car exhaust is quite bad... advise you to watch out if you have respiratory problem...

[canook]

Cuba's great - I loved Varadero. There are a few other threads from way back about going to Cuba, I recommend doing a search to pull up some useful tidbits.

A few tips (both from my trip and from friends who have gone:)

- don't bring U.S. currency anymore
- change money at the airport, as you can't always count on the banks being open when it's convenient for you (the tourist currency is "Convertible Pesos" which are equal to one U.S. dollar
- Don't buy cigars from the locals
- DEFINITELY take the trip into Havana. You won't regret it.
- On the eastern edge of Varadero is a little shop called "Casa del Ron".
Go there. Enjoy the samples. Buy Legendario Elixir de Cuba. If you live
anywhere near Manitoba, bring me a bottle too. :) It's incredible.
- Bring t-shirts, toothbrushes, soaps, shampoos, pens, pencils, baseball
caps, etc. for giving to people (or for trading at the many markets). I
have heard that old "Reader's Digests" are much appreciated as well.
- The people are very warm and friendly, but remember they are being
watched by secret police all the time. Don't try to get someone to say
something bad about the regime.
- Keep an open mind, Cuba is a developing country. There have been a lot of
positive changes lately, and continued investment from countries like
Canada is a part of that.
- There is a small park on the eastern edge of the peninsula between some
of the big hotels. They have paths and will sell you a very bad map which is
sure to get you lost. It's a blast! Cactus trees that kill themselves with
their own spines, caves, and more.

That's it for now - I'd love to get back to Varadero, though. It's an amazing place. For those above who didn't like it, I can't imagine what they must have been doing the whole time!

[cheukiecfu]

you have to pretty much rely on taxi for transportation...
they have retro-american cars.. actually they are quite comfy and funky inside... it's fun to give it a try...

If you wanta save some money.. try to go to the local restaurant.. and you can save a lot... I went once and had a roasted half chicken for $1USD.. while a restaurant for tourists may cost $12USD..
also, if you go to restaurant, CHECK the bills.. very often they will charge you more intentionally..if they do, just don't tip them or pay the right amount and leave.. if you go to family-own restaurant, make sure they have a written menu.. last time we went, the waiter just gave us the menu verbally.. ended up they charged us a different amount for the food.. but you have no way to argue with them.. cuz there is no written menu, he can say whatever he wants...

final word of advice, ALWAYS walk together.. WATCH OUT for pplz on bike or around you.. a lot of them are thieves!!! My sister got her digital camera robbed.. a group of 4-5 pplz just came behind her, pushed her to the ground, took the camera from her hands and ran... the police couldn't help us at all..
a digital camera is worth years of salary to them.. considered that $1USD can buy a full dinner... so take it out only when there are a lot of tourists around.. just be careful..

In general, food are not too bad.. but certainly not good neither.. below Canadian standard..
if you need the internet, go to the larger ones.. they usually have faster computers with broadband connection.. it's better to pay $1-2 more to use a broadband instead of a dial-up.. usually it's $3-5 for 30minutes

Tour book from the Lonely Planet is a very good one for Cuba
http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/search_products.cfm?affil=lpdp&searchfor=Cuba

[Kazaam]

Cuba is fantastic. Yea the food isnt the best, but hey, they are also trying to cater to european tastes as well. Most of the stuff is half decent, but if all fails just chow down on fresh local fruits (pinapple, bananas, mango)

As for tipping, I used good old greenbacks (this was before the convertible pesos came in effect) for tipping random people. For hotel maids I left nice scented soaps. She would always leave fantastic things made out of our towels. Yah, and make sure you drink and bring back lots of Crystales, that beer will grow on you. And dont forget to bring back a big bottle of Havana Club.

[yatko]

Hah. I stayed in Villa Cuba and Arenas Blancas when I was on Varadero on two seperare trips.Talk about coincedence.

They have this pirates cave bar/club, it is nice, try it. $6 cab ride $10 entrance (all you can drink) Cueva del Pirata

Another place is Mambo Club. They have some sort of staged dance show from 50's. If you are into this kinda stuff worth a shot.

Havana Club is also a disco, lot's of Europeans.

[9Doorz]

thanks for the response guys, um where staying at a place called "SOL PALMERAS AL"- 4 star hotel. I heard that american money is no good there and that you should use canadian and get it exchange there?

[yatko]

Also do a look-up on Tripadvisor.com for the resort you will be staying. Worth being prepared in advance to what to expect.

[mlc2000]

Good choice..

no annoying, loudmouth amercians there.


Ahhh....you're forgetting about the Americans of Europe....the Germans.

and we can't forget the Americans of Canada...Calgarians!!

[canrocks]

and we can't forget the Americans of Canada...Calgarians!!
:D That made me lol for real :lol:

[mlc2000]

Save your money and go somewhere else.

I've been to most islands in the Caribbean and would have to say that Cuba scores very low.

I've been to 10+ islands too, pal. Cuba is beautiful.


CONS
-Food is horrible. I'd rather eat war rations.. seriously.

Uh, I stayed at Beaches Varadero and Sandals Royal Hiacacos
food was awesome. Like I said, I've been to many islands/resorts so I think I have a qualified opion.



-If you're going to Varadero you might as well go to Florida cause you won't get to see any of Cuba. It's a tourist compound.
-If you actually make it out of the compound, you'll find how little there is to see and do in Cuba compared to other islands in the carribean.

Tell me the difference between Nassau and Cuba? Theres dick all to do in Nassau, unless you include visitting The Atlantis. Same with Aruba. And Antigua. And St. Lucia. and St. Thomas. Or maybe you don't need to be entertained....maybe u just go for the beach...

I took an all day trip to Havana, had dinner in a small restarant, mingled with the locals in the downtown, popped into a few pubs, watched the Tropicana show. I had a great time.




PROS
-The beaches are ok
-It's cheap (for a reason)

Like I said, I've been on most of the popular islands. The beach in Varadero is very nice. The sand is as soft as flour. The water is super clear. Its not as nice as Bermuda for beach scenery, but then again it doesn't cost $18USD for a hamburger and beer (like in Bermuda)


Its cheap because there's no Americans in there. Dominican republic is the same price, with Americans. To me, that makes Cuba the better deal.

[Umbearto]

Ahhh....you're forgetting about the Americans of Europe....the Germans.

and we can't forget the Americans of Canada...Calgarians!!
Hahaha..! Rick Mercer's new show "Talking to Calgarians"

On topic, what's so bad about Cuban Food..? Are rice, beans, fresh fruit and fish hard to come by? I've been to the Dominican, Trinidad etc and have always found good eats with plenty of Chile-Pepper Zing. I never miss Kentucky Fried Buzzard, or Quarter-Pounders with Processed Cheeze-Food. A little Gallo Pinto for breakfast never hurt anyone. :)

[canrocks]

Hahaha..! Rick Mercer's new show "Talking to Calgarians"

On topic, what's so bad about Cuban Food..? Are rice, beans, fresh fruit and fish hard to come by? I've been to the Dominican, Trinidad etc and have always found good eats with plenty of Chile-Pepper Zing. I never miss Kentucky Fried Buzzard, or Quarter-Pounders with Processed Cheeze-Food. A little Gallo Pinto for breakfast never hurt anyone. :)
The fruit is great because they can grow their own. Everything else is bland though because their trade is really limited. They can't do business with american copmanies because of the embargo. They have most of the food we have it'll just be that much blander (ie. coffee is weaker, breakfast cereal has less chocolate, worse cuts of meat etc. . .)

It isn't really a problem unless you can't stand bland food.

[canook]

The fruit is great because they can grow their own. Everything else is bland though because their trade is really limited. They can't do business with american copmanies because of the embargo. They have most of the food we have it'll just be that much blander (ie. coffee is weaker, breakfast cereal has less chocolate, worse cuts of meat etc. . .)

It isn't really a problem unless you can't stand bland food.

I didn't find the food particularly bland. As for weaker coffee... you do realize that Cuba grows their own coffee, and they serve it quite strong?

And spices don't come from the U.S., either. :)

EDIT: Mmmm. Gallo Pinto.... yummy. But isn't that Costa Rican?

[Umbearto]

Yep, Gallo Pinto is as Costa Rican as it gets. Some people may find the rice & bean staple not to their liking; but I make it on occasion even now, many years after I left CR. I'm guessing Cuba has similar cultural favourites, and this conversation has got me thinking I need to get down there and find out for myself. Any ideas on last-minute deals; maybe a good place on the web to look for a bargain excursion..?

Btw: I was really spoiled in Costa Rica, their Coffee is the bomb. I'd like to know how Cuba's compares. I'm into Light-Roast, whole bean, but don't mind a late-evening dark roast at a small cafe soaking in Latin Rhythms :)

[canook]

Yep, Gallo Pinto is as Costa Rican as it gets. Some people may find the rice & bean staple not to their liking; but I make it on occasion even now, many years after I left CR. I'm guessing Cuba has similar cultural favourites, and this conversation has got me thinking I need to get down there and find out for myself. Any ideas on last-minute deals; maybe a good place on the web to look for a bargain excursion..?

Btw: I was really spoiled in Costa Rica, their Coffee is the bomb. I'd like to know how Cuba's compares. I'm into Light-Roast, whole bean, but don't mind a late-evening dark roast at a small cafe soaking in Latin Rhythms :)

Great place for last minute deals: http://www.sunseekers.ca (bear in mind there are a bunch of Canadian sites with the same pricing, they connect to a central network and resell the deals. Thomas Cook does the same, but increases the charges). I also recommend going through Blue Cross for your insurance, it's a fraction of the cost of the insurance sold by the travel agent.

I do remember having rice with a nice black bean sauce in a restaurant in Havana, but I don't remember beans and rice as being as much of a staple there as in Costa Rica. The food at the resort in Varadero seemed to be catering to tourists' tastes. It wasn't fantastic, but nowhere near as bad as people seem to make out.

Since I found a Canadian online retailer for Salsa Lizano... Gallo Pinto all the time. Mmmmmm. I could live on that stuff.

P.S. - Afraid I'm not a coffee drinker, so I can't give you any real details on how the coffees compare between CR and Cuba, but family members who were with me in both places loved the coffee in both places but couldn't pick a clear favourite. Either is a cut above what you'll find in our supermarkets, though, I am told.

[webdoctors]

are there a bunch of poor homeless ppl or ppl living in ghetto living conditions outside the resorts? cause that kinda gets me depressed.

I;ve wanted to vacation in the Carribean or Cuba, but worried I'll get just as depressed as I am when I tour the Toronto downtown Eaton Centre area...

for veterans of those areas, any areas wid decent standards of living?

[Bob_123]

I've been to Havana ... it's very poor, so tourists get asked for a lot from beggers.

So stay in one of those all inclusive resorts.

[chickenbones]

All inclusive resorts is the way to go.

and be sure NOT TO BRING AMERICAN DOLLAR. They have implemented a new "tax" on U.S.D. 10% extra on all transactions with U.S. Dollar, except through credit cards.

And don't go walking around outside of your resort on the street, unless you know your way.

[canook]

And don't go walking around outside of your resort on the street, unless you know your way.

Why do you figure?

I felt very safe in Cuba. Certainly more so than downtown in any Canadian city!

[webdoctors]

ya when I looked at tour packages lately, I decided to look at solely the resort and not the city they are close to. Unlike what the prev posters have mentioned U should take for the poor cubans, this is suppose to be a vacation, not a humanitiarian aid mission :lol:

But concerned if I stay on da resorts all da hotties from da gehtto cities won't be able to mingle wid me :cry:

[9Doorz]

i was thinking about bring my digi cam and video camera, do you think it will get robed? and what about the hotel safe, i heard they can still break into them and steal you stuff?....and cool they started a travel thread.

[el_cheepo]

I was never once worried about being robbed or having things stolen....yes, it can happen, but I don't think the chances are any greater over there. I left cash and jewelry in the safe all the time, and always had a camera with me. I even left my wallet and camera on my chair while I took a dip in the ocean 50 metres away...in sight of course.


i was thinking about bring my digi cam and video camera, do you think it will get robed? and what about the hotel safe, i heard they can still break into them and steal you stuff?....and cool they started a travel thread.

[mlc2000]

are there a bunch of poor homeless ppl or ppl living in ghetto living conditions outside the resorts? cause that kinda gets me depressed.

I;ve wanted to vacation in the Carribean or Cuba, but worried I'll get just as depressed as I am when I tour the Toronto downtown Eaton Centre area...

for veterans of those areas, any areas wid decent standards of living?

I've got news for ya pal....there's poverty outside of nearly every resort on every island I've been to, including

Nassau
Mayan Riviera (not an island but generally considered as an option when booking the caribbean)
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Varadero,Cuba
Antigua
St. Lucia
Aruba
Curacao
St. Maartin
St. Thomas (not as obvious)

The 'difference' between the haves and the have nots is especially thrown out of whack when you are at some opulent resort and the houses down the street are made of wood and corrugated steel.

[Umbearto]

Great place for last minute deals: http://www.sunseekers.ca (bear in mind there are a bunch of Canadian sites with the same pricing, they connect to a central network and resell the deals. Thomas Cook does the same, but increases the charges). I also recommend going through Blue Cross for your insurance, it's a fraction of the cost of the insurance sold by the travel agent.

I do remember having rice with a nice black bean sauce in a restaurant in Havana, but I don't remember beans and rice as being as much of a staple there as in Costa Rica. The food at the resort in Varadero seemed to be catering to tourists' tastes. It wasn't fantastic, but nowhere near as bad as people seem to make out.

Since I found a Canadian online retailer for Salsa Lizano... Gallo Pinto all the time. Mmmmmm. I could live on that stuff.
Thanks for the heads-up on Sunseekers; looks like nothing doing until March. Oh well, more time for spending on RFD deals.

Blue Cross is definitely the way to go; AMA runs a really good program for members too, esp for extended stays in the USA for Snowbirds.

I like Lizano with any kind of egg dishes, but prefer something with more kick. Not stupid-hot, but hotter than that tabasco-like sauce you find at the table. Mmmm...Lizano with Pork...

[canook]

I like Lizano with any kind of egg dishes, but prefer something with more kick. Not stupid-hot, but hotter than that tabasco-like sauce you find at the table. Mmmm...Lizano with Pork...

Hmm, I'll have to try some more egg-type things with Lizano.

One thing I've found is that a bit of Scotch Bonnet sauce really livens up a plate of Gallo Pinto. It doesn't have a lot of flavour, mostly just heat, so it mixes well with the Lizano's mild heat but strong flavour.

[Umbearto]

One thing I've found is that a bit of Scotch Bonnet sauce really livens up a plate of Gallo Pinto. It doesn't have a lot of flavour, mostly just heat, so it mixes well with the Lizano's mild heat but strong flavour.
I couldn't agree more! Habaneros/Scotch Bonnets are some of my favourite peppers and Havana is reputed to be the Birthplace of the first.

Making Hot-Sauce is a hobby of mine, and any visit to Cuba would include time at the Market looking for exotic peppers to extend my seed collection.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Are there lots of crabs?

[SurrealCivic]

are there a bunch of poor homeless ppl or ppl living in ghetto living conditions outside the resorts? cause that kinda gets me depressed.

I;ve wanted to vacation in the Carribean or Cuba, but worried I'll get just as depressed as I am when I tour the Toronto downtown Eaton Centre area...

for veterans of those areas, any areas wid decent standards of living?

wherever you go you will see poor homeless people asking for money.. no matter if it Havana, Downtown Toronto, Downtown Detroit, Amsterdam, Downtown London UK, etc etc..

[canrocks]

wherever you go you will see poor homeless people asking for money.. no matter if it Havana, Downtown Toronto, Downtown Detroit, Amsterdam, Downtown London UK, etc etc..
There is a difference in Cuba. You will only see poor people, no homeless. And they all will have perfect teeth and a good education. There are so many phds that you can make more as a taxi driver then as a surgeon.

[Canadianpsycho]

Are there lots of crabs?

Depends on the girls you hook up with.

[dg_sch]

Depends on the girls you hook up with.


LOL ... first thing I though too! Gotta be careful.

[ash101]

I know US$ is not used in Cuba anymore. Anyone knows how much CAD$1 equals Cuban cents?

[canook]

I know US$ is not used in Cuba anymore. Anyone knows how much CAD$1 equals Cuban cents?

I think that information appears higher up in this thread, but I'll recap... Cuba's currency is the peso. You won't see any. I don't think tourists are even allowed to have them. The tourist currency is the convertible peso. Convertible, because it converts evenly to $US.

So, $1US = 1 Convertible Peso (which is worthless outside of Cuba).

Convertible pesos existed before they scratched the U.S. dollar, and you could expect convertible pesos as change when making purchases in $US in Cuba. Now they've just switched everything over completely. Still the same prices and costs, just more hassle to convert.

Hope this helps.

[9Doorz]

my trip was awsome, here's what i learned.

1.bring canadian money and exchange it as you need it. IF you have left over moeny get it changed to american money and then change the american money here in canada. that way you don't lose as much.

2.take a trip to havana, but don't go with your hotel. talk to the entertainment staff at your hotel and feel them out. they are usally around 23-32 so if your young they will want to hang out with you. they can get you deals on renting a car and take you around havana for les then half the price, plus they stop where ever you want. and they have hook up for cigar factors and rum factors. Our guide took us to havana which was a 2 hour drive for 200 bucks that was for 10 people! we got to go to a cigar factor and a rum factor for free.

3. the staff also has have hook up for cuban cigars, yes you need a cirtificate, but if you have less than 25 cigars you don't have to claim it. thus our hook up suggested we test the cigars by having 2 of them and then take the rest home with us. we got montie cristos #4 for 30 bucks. he said because cubans can buy cigars for less but they don't get a cirtificate? (not sure if thats true, but hey i smoke the 2 never got sick and brought thme home for friends without a problem.)

4. Rum and cigars the cuban people get for less than what we pay for so, they can turn around and sell them for a lot less. Plus i don't think they keep very good inventor of things like rum and ciagrs.

5. Make friends with the bartenders at the hotel they can trade you for rum, the good **** like havana 7 years and stuff. they like basball caps and sports shirts.

6. in town the women really like trading for makup (eyeliner) and other female products.

7. Rent scooters...24 dollars for 24 hours, you can travell all over and there so much fun.

8. And go exploring i wnet into veradero many times and never felt scared. even had to go to the hospital with a friend (drunken scooter accident) at 2:00am in town and it was fine. the hospital was a little gettho, but whatever?

anyway have fun while in cuba is was the BEST trip ever for me! if you have nay question about cuba just ask, and thanks guys this tread helped me a lot

[Umbearto]

Thanks for the feedback-report. Glad you had a great time..!
How was the food..? Did you eat at the Hotel mostly, or get local eats in Veradero..?

[mma]

- Bring t-shirts, toothbrushes, soaps, shampoos, pens, pencils, baseball
caps, etc. for giving to people (or for trading at the many markets). I
have heard that old "Reader's Digests" are much appreciated as well.

wow, i've always heard about giving the locals stuff like this as tips. do they prefer $ or goods?? i have a ton of old readers digests, are you sure they like those??

[9Doorz]

Thanks for the feedback-report. Glad you had a great time..!
How was the food..? Did you eat at the Hotel mostly, or get local eats in Veradero..?


i ate most of the time at the hotel, just b/c your paying for all inclusive so might as well take advantage of it. Cuban found is kind of bland, casue they don't cook with spices, but its still very good. Especially if your hotel has specialty resturants so you don't have to eat at the buffet all the time

[9Doorz]

wow, i've always heard about giving the locals stuff like this as tips. do they prefer $ or goods?? i have a ton of old readers digests, are you sure they like those??

i would say they like to trade for stuff, but they rather have money for tips if your going to tip them. i would say just take the read digest for them(rather then trade or tip them for it). BUt then again a lot of people can't read english so i'm not sure how a english magazine will be that great?

[canook]

wow, i've always heard about giving the locals stuff like this as tips. do they prefer $ or goods?? i have a ton of old readers digests, are you sure they like those??

Like 9doorz said, a little of both. I wouldn't go straight goods and no $ tips, but giving goods as gifts to people you meet is very much appreciated. No matter how much money they get, there are some thing that simply can't be found in Cuba.

[mma]

leaving in 3 days.....how much money should i bring??

[Umbearto]

How much have you got..?

[TyeTronics]

I am planning to go back to Cuba soon. I stayed in Caya Coco and think I will return to the same area.

The biggest thing I learned last time was bring a LARGE TRAVEL MUG or thermos. The little cups at the bar are smallish and you end up making lots of trips to the bar. 2 pints at a time of crytal are more my style. Too bad it increases the trips to the banyo :-)

[lame23]

how is the nightlife in caya coco??

[Tekkan]

I am planning to go back to Cuba soon. I stayed in Caya Coco and think I will return to the same area.

The biggest thing I learned last time was bring a LARGE TRAVEL MUG or thermos. The little cups at the bar are smallish and you end up making lots of trips to the bar. 2 pints at a time of crytal are more my style. Too bad it increases the trips to the banyo :-)

Heh, I went to the same place 2 years ago. Too bad we didnt venture out of the resort. I kind of wanted to visit the city of Moròn. :)

I guess that is my tip. Go visit the near by cities. You will regret it if you don't. Just don't go alone...try and get the entertainers or guides to take a group of you. I think if my resort had organized something like that I would have definitely gone.

[nepean19]

Eat Before You Go.

[matdwyer]

if you fly out of varadero pay the money to upgrade to "VIP" at the airport. best 20 bucks to pass the 2 hour lines, free bar, food, air conditioning, etc. I get so angry in line ups that long, and we litterally got walked to our own private check in, got walked through the delegates custom booth where they didn't do ANYTHING, and then got walked through security where I set a bunch of things off with change, belt, etc, and they just waved me through (which is scary as hell). Right into an airconditioned private room with A/C, power to charge laptop, open bar. Can't beat that!

My g/f and I spent the $100 on the havana tour and it was WELL worth it... including tropicana... amazing things to see. We also went to varadero (we were in the middle) on a shopping trip. I'd say $200 a person is good to spend there if you want to leave the resort and do stuff.

[squall458]

Might be heading to Cuba (St. Lucia) in a few weeks. So to clarify, I just need to take canadian money to Cuba and convert it there at the airport? Is the exchange better than if I do that at a bank here?

[zappre]

Yes, bring Canadian money and exchange it at the airport. The exchange at the hotel is often worse. As far as I know, you can't get CUC at a Canadian bank. I'm leaving for Santa Lucia Friday. Hope you enjoy it.

[squall458]

Yes, bring Canadian money and exchange it at the airport. The exchange at the hotel is often worse. As far as I know, you can't get CUC at a Canadian bank. I'm leaving for Santa Lucia Friday. Hope you enjoy it.

Awesome!!!! Let me know how it went when you come back. I am going April 19. Hope the weather is nice for you and me!

[spm24]

Just wondering for the people who said they were going in April . How was it ,weather/activity wise i have 2 weeks off in july and was hoping to go to Cuba since Mexico don't seem like a logical place to go with all the violence towards Canadians in the past couple years.

[jg123]

is varadero close to havana?

[matdwyer]

is varadero close to havana?

hour and a half to 2 hours

[squall458]

Just wondering for the people who said they were going in April . How was it ,weather/activity wise i have 2 weeks off in july and was hoping to go to Cuba since Mexico don't seem like a logical place to go with all the violence towards Canadians in the past couple years.


It was awesome! I had more fun this time than last time 4 years ago. It was low season so it wasnt busy. The weather was perfect. Sunny but not too hot.