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Food and Drinks Varadero
3 Reviews One thing you really don't want to eat when you're in Cuba is a hamburger. They are, seriously, the most disgusting things I have ever eaten. Don't be sucked in by the 1CUC price, they are nasty,...
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Hustlers Santiago de Cuba
1 Review When you arrive at the via azul terminal in santiago, you are either in a hurry to buy a ticket or just leave after long trip from habana. please be careful as there are many people who are watching...
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Mopeds Holguín
1 Review MOPEDS!!! Please be careful when renting a moped... I've been to Cuba many times and have sort of gotten acustomed to this kind of transportation. Anyhow, I try to be extra careful regarless. I...
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Cuban cigars Varadero
3 Reviews Everyone allegedly has a relative or best friend working in a cigar factory in cuba. A cigar addict myself, I know they are fake for sure. The only time I would buy a box off the street is if I was...
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Robberies Santiago de Cuba
1 Review How to avoid crime and delinquency in Cuba: this comes at a price, but having been robbed rwice in the last one year at palces where tourists gather, I have decided to avoid such places...
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Sun protection Holguín
1 Review Holguin is very dry!! You will not feel the heat and therefore, please wear suntan lotion...or you will burn like me! Don't forget your feet and your LIPS!
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Hustlers / Jineteros Varadero
2 Reviews psssyt pssyt where you from? its not a friendly start of conversation. Probably they will be trying sell you something or give you directions (even you dont need them) expecting a tip back. Simply say...
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Drugs Santiago de Cuba
1 Review Do not, under any circumstances, carry dope or deal with anyone on the subject. This is something the authorities take very seriously, and you may not see the light of day for a while if caught. Stick...
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Jellyfish Varadero
2 Reviews These look like blown up blue condoms and will float on the water. If you see one on the beach (theres lots) give them a wide berth as the trailers (the long stringy things with the stingers, yes that...
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Bad deal reviews Santiago de Cuba
1 Review This is addressed to all you other Brits out there. If you want to take a chopper ride to S.D.C. then you will have to book it directly with Gaviotatours as your normal holiday rep. will not be...
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Scooter Rentals Varadero
1 Review Remember that these scooters are driven hard and not a lot of money for repairs. We drove 70K into the countryside and one scooter had mechanical troubles. We limped it back Varadero and it died....
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Sun Protection Varadero
1 Review When you first get to the Cuba sun, please wear sunscreen. We got burned the first day and it's not the best experience for the rest of the trip. Also remember to wear shoes or flipflops when you walk...
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Locals told us that Cuban men and women look for people to marry to get out of the country. We saw one example of an elderly white man and a young cuban girl being very friendly at our resort. It doesn't matter if they are attracted to the person or not, they are just looking for a way out.
At the time of our visit to Cuba in November 2011, all passengers leaving the country were faced with a 25 CUC (15 GBP) departure tax.This is payable at the airport after checking in for your flight, before proceeding through airport security, and must be paid in local currency (Cuban Convertible Pesos).We knew about this in advance and ensured that we put the necessary currency in our passports in order that we didn't spend it. There are exchange desks at Holguin airport (and presumably all other international airports in Cuba) where you can obtain pesos if you require them.Upon paying the tax, your boarding pass will be stamped with a sticker (as per the attached photographs) and you can make your way through security.
It is legal for Americans to go to Cuba. However, it is illegal for American to have transactions (spend money) in Cuba under most circumstances. What this means is that visitors to Cuba cannot use a credit card that was issued by a US bank or a US travelers check while visiting. Also, Americans cannot secure a room at a hotel before arriving with a US issued credit card. Americans can spend US currency in Cuba- but only if they are authorized to do so with a specific license issued by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC). According to OFAC, “Applying for a specific license: Persons wishing to travel to Cuba under a specific license should send a letter specifying the details of the proposed travel, including any accompanying documentation, to Chief of Licensing, OFAC MiamiU.S. Department of the Treasury909 S.E. 1st Avenue, Room 736Miami, FL 33131"OFAC is reportedly cracking down...
While renting a car is by far the only way to see a lot of Cuba in a short time, be sure to understand that it has its dangers. Just drive slowly and carefully. Understand that if you are involved in an accident involving injury or death, you can be detained in the country until the matter is settled in court (i.e. a long time), and you will be footing the bill for your accomodations while you wait.Be aware of rules....i.e. seat belts are the law. It is also the law to slow down at a police control point, even slower than the speed limit. "It is a matter of respect", I have been told. Note too, that you can get a ticket for a "dobla passa", that is passing two vehicles at the same time - EVEN IF ONE IS A HORSE. I know all this from experience. The tickets for such offences range in price, and are simply added to your rental contract, so you can't leave the country without paying.Most...
I've never been bitten during our trip there, but it doesn't mean they are not there. On the contrary, mosquitoes are everywhere in Cuba, and they seem to be active lately. There is actually a dengue fever outbreak, but it seems that the problem has been under control through massive educational campaigns and increased fumigation measures. Make sure you avoid stagnating water anywhere and make sure to bring an insect repellent while you're there. Note: Tip based on my Cuba travel forum response on October 13th 2009.
The economic sanction on Cuba that disallows American citizens from traveling and simultaneously spending their dollars there has not been lifted as of yet, so it remains illegal to do so at this time. Although the recently-passed bill of 2009 has allowed Cuban Americans the freedom to travel there, the travel restrictions remain applicable to the rest of the American population. Though don't despair, there are now congressional bills (in the works) that will hopefully make travel to Cuba a reality for all Americans in the near future. For now, these warnings are applicable, and they are based on a forum entry that I responded to in April of 2008: 1.) Regarding the issue of US citizens traveling to Cuba: It remains illegal and it is sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury. This travel sanction is based on the premise of the economic blockade that forbids travel to Cuba due to the...
Men will lurk by the bureau de change at La Habana airport and chat to you in a friendly manner while you queue. They will then offer you help to find a taxi. Don't accept it - they know you have just changed a holidays worth of cash! There is a man with a walkie-talkie that stands just outside the main door shepherding people into taxis - these are the official taxis, don't take any other taxi!
If you are walking on el Prado (Paseo de Marti), the road that links the Parque Central (where the Hotel Inglaterra and the Capitolio is) to the Malecon, be careful with your bags, especially if you are a lady.I have witnessed a girl getting her camera bag snatched from her by 2 dudes that came beside and ripped it off her. So if you walk with the camera, make sure it is in front of you.The same applies to all Old Havana and Santiago.Cuba is for me the safest country that I have been in, but there are always rotten apples in every tree.
Although Cuba is a safe country ... where locals are poor you have to be carefull with your stuff and money.An old friend of mine used to say: "Never give a Cuban the opportunity to disappoint you"Besides this, read the crime page I wrote at Cuba-Junky ... theres alot of usefull warnings about crime in Cuba.Check out the link below
For those who may not know, there are two Cuban legal tenders: Moneda Nacional, or Cuban Peso which trades at 24 to 1 CUC or chavito for short. then almost everything a tourist would need has to be paid for by this artificial currency called CUC. they charge 11 percent to change the major currencies into cuc. so if today 1 euro is 1.56 usd, they will give you 1.49 cuc for each euro, since usd is not legal and is punished, when you change one us dollar you might end up getting 79 cents of the CUC.. only about 50 % of the Euro. Euro is the best currency for Cuba.. as it is in many parts of the world right now, but in toher countries because of the weak dollar..Money is changed in cambio kiosks called CADECAs or at major banks. Banks keep bankers hours but CADECA may be open until late, also there are CADECA offices at major hotels, like Nacional, Libre, Presidente etc
Villa Las Brujas Cuba
2 Reviews and 37 Opinions I could have chosen Okay but some problems, but I still think it falls too short to express how...
NH Parque Central Havana
8 Reviews and 1558 Opinions This is a jewel of a hotel, located just a block or two away from Old Havana, and the shops of Calle...
Iberostar Varadero Varadero
5 Reviews and 2055 Opinions This was our first trip to Cuba. We love this place. The service was exceptional, and the staff...
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