This talk of dollars and convertible pesos being taken as 1:1--Can I assume these are Canadian dollars? So if we are talking about a box of smokes being 350 dollars, its Canadian and not US?
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This talk of dollars and convertible pesos being taken as 1:1--Can I assume these are Canadian dollars? So if we are talking about a box of smokes being 350 dollars, its Canadian and not US?
Hi Umgman,
ONE "Peso Convertible" is equal to ONE US-Dollar.
If Cubans are talking about Dollars it is always about US-Dollars.
scorpio
OK--despite all the doomsayers advice to the contrary, I am making a trip to Havana next week.
I have some very specific questions, and yes, I did peruse the previous posts--seemed a bit ambiguous, so---
1) Can anyone give contact info for a very nice private apt IN HAVANA that has private entrance, private bath, AC, and is CHICA FRIENDLY
2) Are there any hotels at all in HAVANA that allow chicas with tourists?
3)I have read that one can still rent casas in Havana, although not necessarily in other cities. True? Oops, I see this was addressed a couple posts down. Mea culpa.
4) If any one will be around Havana next week and wants a buddy to smoke some stogies, guzzle some Cristal, and indulge in some Cuban 'tang, drop a note, although I'm not sure how to contact each other on this board.
All info greatly appreciated.
By the way, does anyone have experience with the Amigo travel card?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CalienteDelNort
[i]John Dough
Casas owners will ask to see your passport.
They need it for their income report.
The rest of the time you should keep it under lock.
Carry a photocopy just in case.
Caliente [/i][/QUOTE]
I disagree.
I can only recommend NOT to carry just a copy, especially, when possibly in company of a local girl. I had the misfortune some years ago, that 3 of them jumped into my car instead of the one I actally chose. Of course, we got held up. It took an eternity and 50$ bribe (the police wouldnīt take nicely to my idea "I can pay the fine now and in cash..." - mainly because he didnīt understand english, and the bills waived in his face didnīt help but of course because of the onlookers. My god, was I p***ed with these 3 beauties in front of everybody - normally I am not exceeding my limits in this way).
Anyway a "bystander" was helpful in manoevering the $ to the cop, so I was released.
All in all, a very unpleasant experience until that particular point in time, afterwards it got better :-)
The chicks are still laughing anyway. Probably as much as the one I had in my car when a tyre blew on av. 5 and I went to ask police for a tool (because it seemed to be the best way to be straightforward, than just to wait for him to get suspicious).
Ok, hereīs my 2c worth: Take your passport with you. All cubans have to have their carnet on them anytime, and nobody understands if you donīt have your identification on you.
snark
I am planning my first trip to Havana. I purchased my RT Cancun ticket today. My question is - do I need to wait until I arrive at CUN and go to the counter to purchase my RT to HAV? I thought I could just do it online at Mexicana's website - no can do. Can I pay for the ticket with my US credit card, or do I need to pay for that in cash? Do I need to ask that customs does not stamp my passport, or will they just know not to as soon as they see my US passport? Also, my spanish is awful, are there a few phrases anyone can reccomend that would help me out?
Thanks in advance for reply.
Tickalor - You can purchase your ticket to Havana in Cancun. You should make a reservation by calling either Aero Caribe or Cubana in Cancun. Their phone numbers are in their websites. You can use your credit card in Mexico to pay for the ticket.
Upon landing in Havana ask the immigration official not to stamp your passport - por favor, no estampa mi passaporte. They will not take a bribe. I recommend that you make the same request upon your return to Mexico, so that your passport doesn't show that you arrived in Mexico the same day you returned to the US. Mexican immigration officials will gladly comply for $5.
Just a few details in addition to El Colorado...
"No sello por favor" is correct for please do not stamp (my passport).
They will not stamp your passport. El Colorado has a good point. Do not attempt to bribe the Cuban customs agent.
When are you going to Havana? I will be there in August.
In8
Hi all!
Did anybody travel to Cuba by sea (boat or ferry) from Dominican Republic? These two islands are pretty close.
Thanx for suggestions in advance.
El Colorado -
When I 'offer' the US$5 to the Mexican immigration - do I just fold up the bill and put in the first page of my passport? Do I do this both when I depart and arrive from Cancun?
Thanks to everyone who's posted such great info - it really does help the first timmers to Cuba!
[blue]You don't need to give those fuckers a god damn penny.
Jackson[/blue]
My $.02
Exactly!
Place the $5 in the page of your passport which the agent would normally stamp, and say "no sello por favor"
Only on you rway home, they do not stamp on the way out of the country.
In8
Micro,
No I have not travelled to Cuba by boat, only plane. Time is so valuable and money is not in such short supply, that if I were in D.R. I would still fly to Cuba just for the extra time saved that could be spent with chicas.
Now 8 years ago I when I had mucho tiempo (much time) on my hands and little money, a boat would have been apealing.
In8
I've landed by boat in Havana, Marina Acua (Hemingway), and Marina Naranjo at Guardalavaca, 3 seperate trips, and have NEVER had a problem with them wanting to stamp my passport, in fact I'm fairly sure they have instructions not to stamp US passports.
Difference in time spent should not be that much! Considering going to airport, waiting there an hour or so, than flight itself, formalities, trip from airport, cab and so on. Boat trip from the Nothern part of DR to Cuba should be not longer than 3-4 hours. And you arrive not to Havana with all the stupid things of the capital and turist center but to a non-spoiled by tourists coastal area. If anybody is willing to take a little risk and to make a company I would try. In September. I speak some Spanish.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by In8
[i]Micro,
No I have not travelled to Cuba by boat, only plane. Time is so valuable and money is not in such short supply, that if I were in D.R. I would still fly to Cuba just for the extra time saved that could be spent with chicas.
Now 8 years ago I when I had mucho tiempo (much time) on my hands and little money, a boat would have been apealing.
In8 [/i][/QUOTE]
In8,
I will be in Havana August 5 to the 19. I got my tickets today.
Why don't you send me your email and we can make arrangements to party together.
I am in the process of looking for an English speaking driver and negotiating with a few casa particular owners. The posts on WSG have been invaluable. I look forward to a fun time.
I speak very little Spanish...but it didn't seem to be much of an obstacle while visiting Puerta Vallarta. Mexico recently and Costa Rica a few years back.
Also, a tip of the hat to Jackson. You are "da man".