Travel Questions and Advice

[Rodeo9112]

I've read the forum, but can't seem to find specifics on the easiest and legal way for a monger to get to and from Cuba.

1. Do I need a visa? If yes, do I just apply through the Cuban Embassy? Is there anything specific I need to say for my reason (one of the 12 approved US reasons)?

2. What will the airline I travel on ask me for as far as justification (if required) for my travel to Cuba? I noticed in Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue has a desk set up on the concourse for Cuba travel (what up with that?

3. Is there a website where I can sign up for say, a salsa class or something to be able to print a confirmation or justification for US purposes for my travel.

4. Do I need to carry any documents other than my passport / visa while in Cuba to prove I am authorized to be there (specific to the USA)?

Thanks in advance!

[WideRide]

Hey guys,

Question about touring Cuba. I have from Sunday till Monday in Cuba (9 days with the 9th being just travel) I booked 3 nights in Havana when I get in. After that I'm open to whatever. Someone gave me this advice.

Havana: 21, 22 & 23.

Vinales: 24 & 25.

Varadero: 26 & 27.

Although these destinations sound great what do you think of the locations as afar getting to them? I looked on a map and it looks like its all over the place as far as travel. Also how is the mongering for the beach towns like Trinidad or Varadero? My Spanish is like a 1st grader. So not sure how easy it will be to find the action. And if you can bring them back to your place. Guess apts are always better for that.

[Mondo707]

Mondo.

Thank you bro.

I finally booked an apartment through AirBnB in Miramar. My apartment host seems to be very friendly and helpful. We have exchanged e-mails and have been communicating back and forth. I asked her if it was better to bring Canadian dollars since most people recommend this, but she said that they pay you less. I don't know for sure, but she offered herself to change US dollars for CUCs. She said for each $100 she can give me 92 CUCs (in other words I'll lose $8 dollars for each $100). Do you see this as a good rate (I know she's getting her cut) or if you were me would you bring Euros instead? I know I will also need to buy some local currency (CUPS "moneda nacional") and I've read that people have done it upon arriving at the airport in Havana.

Hey Cap,

Just read your report and you prolly are being taken on the exchange rate. Try and negotiate at least to 94 CUC since they are taking a bigger commission. Still getting 92 beats 87 you'd get at the regular cadecas / banks.

As far as Miramar goes, the place is out of the way and unless you have a rental there is not much action in the area. Also, if you stay close to the river it's not too bad since there are a bunch of hotels in that area and some spots close by. I stayed once on 94th and 2nd ave and at the time I had rented a car so it's not an issue but I was always driving into Vedado and Habana Vieja for the action.

To exchange into CUP the only way to do it is by having CUC and this can be done at any cadeca or bank. Exchange rate is 24 CUP to 1 CUC, also some locals might do the same. I always go to the agro on 19th & be and buy lots of fruits and other stuff and they take either CUC or the equivalent in CUP. There is a cadeca there but if closes early so make sure you get there before it closes if you want to exchange into CUP.

CUP come in handy whenever you take an "almendron" those are the old mostly american cars that have set routes and charge 10 CUP per person, you have to flag them down, ask any local and they'll explain how it's done.

I would not take euros unless I lived in Europe cause there is an exchange commission you need to pay, usually 3%, sometimes higher. Then you have the 3% that Cuba puts when exchanging any currency and you are down to 94. On top of that the hassle factor and if you have any CUC left there is another commission to be paid. Remember when exchanging money at the airport if you have USD you'll be getting 87 CUC. So, if you end up staying at the place you mention I'd advise you to only exchange enough to pay the taxi or if you are being picked up by your host then you can have her pay for it and after settle with her at the agreed exchange rate.

Mondo.

[Mr Gogo]

Mondo.

Thank you bro.

I finally booked an apartment through AirBnB in Miramar. My apartment host seems to be very friendly and helpful. We have exchanged e-mails and have been communicating back and forth. I asked her if it was better to bring Canadian dollars since most people recommend this, but she said that they pay you less. I don't know for sure, but she offered herself to change US dollars for CUCs. She said for each $100 she can give me 92 CUCs (in other words I'll lose $8 dollars for each $100). Do you see this as a good rate (I know she's getting her cut) or if you were me would you bring Euros instead? I know I will also need to buy some local currency (CUPS "moneda nacional") and I've read that people have done it upon arriving at the airport in Havana.

All the info Mondo has been giving you is on point. One more thing; Crisp 100 dollar bills are premium over 20's and 50's. I get 96 for a 100 bill and if I have five 20's they will offer you 92 if you are lucky.

I really don't like the Miramar location but it's already done. On my first trip I went to "Dos Cardenas in Miramar", or some club. When I decided to leave there were no yellow taxis anywhere in sight and one old car taxi. I jumped in the old car taxi and five minutes later he ran out of gas. I didn't know if it was a setup or whatever, but I got out and just walked away. The area was middle class but I saw no people, no cars and definitely no taxis. It got weird like I was in a twilight zone. I'm walking not knowing where I'm walking. I walked about 15-20 minutes and I finally saw a yellow cab but he wasn't going my way. I just told him to take me where people hangout and I finally found my way to Vedado. My point is transportation could become an issue if you are staying in Miramar just keep a couple cabbies numbers for emergencies.

P.S. If the casa owner doesn't mind working the black market, they probably won't mind hooking you up and having a girl drop by to make a few dollars.

[Capichon2010]

As far as the visa goes I'm would say it's only good for one entry unless you are Cuban born in which case you have different options. However, I am not sure and I would call whatever airline you are using and they should provide you with the answer for sure.

As far as the exchange rate goes, it's 87 CUC for 100 USD at the cadecas throughout the city or banks. I just came back from la Habana and got 96 CUC for 100 USD, this was thru someone I've know for quite a few years so it's completely safe. I would not recommend doing this out on the streets as you may end up being hustled or even worse, robbed. As Vedado mentions sometimes you can luck out and do an exchange thru the casa owner or his / her connection. They'll prolly take a 1 or 2% to whatever they say you'll get for you USD, so you should be getting 93 or better at least for your 100 USD.

Mondo.

Here is a link for casas and a bunch of other stuff that I posted earlier.

http://conocecuba.com/

Mondo.

Thank you bro.

I finally booked an apartment through AirBnB in Miramar. My apartment host seems to be very friendly and helpful. We have exchanged e-mails and have been communicating back and forth. I asked her if it was better to bring Canadian dollars since most people recommend this, but she said that they pay you less. I don't know for sure, but she offered herself to change US dollars for CUCs. She said for each $100 she can give me 92 CUCs (in other words I'll lose $8 dollars for each $100). Do you see this as a good rate (I know she's getting her cut) or if you were me would you bring Euros instead? I know I will also need to buy some local currency (CUPS "moneda nacional") and I've read that people have done it upon arriving at the airport in Havana.

[Mondo707]

As far as the visa goes I'm would say it's only good for one entry unless you are Cuban born in which case you have different options. However, I am not sure and I would call whatever airline you are using and they should provide you with the answer for sure.

As far as the exchange rate goes, it's 87 CUC for 100 USD at the cadecas throughout the city or banks. I just came back from la Habana and got 96 CUC for 100 USD, this was thru someone I've know for quite a few years so it's completely safe. I would not recommend doing this out on the streets as you may end up being hustled or even worse, robbed. As Vedado mentions sometimes you can luck out and do an exchange thru the casa owner or his / her connection. They'll prolly take a 1 or 2% to whatever they say you'll get for you USD, so you should be getting 93 or better at least for your 100 USD.

Mondo.

Here is a link for casas and a bunch of other stuff that I posted earlier.

http://conocecuba.com/

[Vedado Fun]

I've been trying to find out the exact same thing, also do you know if the Cuba visa is one time use or multiple visits? Thanks.

Yes there is a 10% penalty when exchanging US dollars plus whatever the exchange rate is. A few days ago I noticed that the rate was. 97 CUC to $1 US so that would mean you would end of with. 87 CUC for $1 US. Maybe we have a recent visitor who can confirm this. Also you may be able to get. 95 or even. 97 CUC for $1 US from a casa owner or someone looking for US dollars. You could also switch your US to CDN and then change that in Cuba. The visa is for one trip only.

[BlueBalls23]

Can anyone inform on the current (2017) exchange rate from USA Dollars to CUCs? I read someone said that you lose 10% when you change your dollars into CUCs. Other people have recommended bringing Canadian dollars instead to avoid this loss during the exchange, but I spoke to a Cuban who said that you lose more when you bring Canadian currency. So, please any advice from people that have recently traveled. Thank you so much.

I've been trying to find out the exact same thing, also do you know if the Cuba visa is one time use or multiple visits? Thanks.

[Capichon2010]

Can anyone inform on the current (2017) exchange rate from USA Dollars to CUCs? I read someone said that you lose 10% when you change your dollars into CUCs. Other people have recommended bringing Canadian dollars instead to avoid this loss during the exchange, but I spoke to a Cuban who said that you lose more when you bring Canadian currency. So, please any advice from people that have recently traveled. Thank you so much.

[Mondo707]

Hi guys,

I have a doubt about the Cuban Visa Card. Do you have to buy it at the airline counter before you travel or when you land at the airport in Cuba? I want to travel through Jet Blue from JFK to Havana. By the way, does anyone know if the vaccines to enter Cuba are mandatory or not? Thank you.

Capichon.

Hey Cap2010,

I think that googling "Cuba visa card" will give all the info you are seeking. Also, since you are flying on Jetblue they might also be able to help you out.

As far as vaccines, no Cuba does not require vaccination to enter when you go from here (USA).

Here a USG website dealing with Cuba issues.

https://cu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen...-u-s-citizens/

Mondo.

[Capichon2010]

Hi guys,

I have a doubt about the Cuban Visa Card. Do you have to buy it at the airline counter before you travel or when you land at the airport in Cuba? I want to travel through Jet Blue from JFK to Havana. By the way, does anyone know if the vaccines to enter Cuba are mandatory or not? Thank you.

Capichon.

[Capichon2010]

Thank you for the tip bro, I also thought about the excuse of Salsa lessons or learning Spanish (even though it is my native language, LOL). I'm thinking in going in early March 2017.

Friend. I live near JFK too. January 2017 it is wide open $230 round trip. Go and take a salsa lesson and now it was an educational trip. Immigration does not care. Just don't lie about it.

[Misinformation]

Friend. I live near JFK too. January 2017 it is wide open $230 round trip. Go and take a salsa lesson and now it was an educational trip. Immigration does not care. Just don't lie about it.

I live close to JFK airport in New York, and I'm considering traveling next year in January or February. Please keep updating if this status changing.

Thank you.

.

[Misinformation]

I live in the USA. Land of the free. If I have a cold beer in the park I can be arrested for open container. Mention this to a Cuban (WTF??? You can't drink beer in a park???). Who is free???

I luv re your quote "living in the land freedom" cannot travel where you want to go and the only one of two countries in the world that you are taxed on your world wide income, the other being Japan, I thank some higher being that my great father from Rhode Island left there to go to Alberta Canada and become a whiskey trader in the late 1880's, and I was to born north of the 49th. We canadians read history books, we didn't have to ask the french " how did it for for you boys in french indochina, a disaster when you usa cowboys when in vietnam, the same with we didn't have to ask the ussr how did it go for you guys in Afghanistan, or ask again to the french how did your boys do in Libya. I almost forgot the Bay of Pigs, the story is the generals looked at fotos and thot it was a sandy beach, no thot to ask cuban exiles in Florida what the beach was, no full steam ahead and the landing crafts piled in the hidden rocks in the bay, then they sent fidel an exploding cigar and by then he had quit smoking, good intel from the cia.

[Misinformation]

Bad idea. You still have to say what countries you've been to. Better to just say you were in Cuba. You were studying anatomy.

It's a great card to have. Highly recommend. Yes, you beat the long customs and immigration lines. I use nexus which is the Canadian / American global entry. It uses retina scan to zip you through.

Highly recommended.