Travel Questions and Advice

[Mondo707]

I'm trying to plan a trip to Cuba in December and doubt I'll want to spend the whole 2 weeks in Havana.

Would any of you have suggestions for areas within a few hours travel of Havana that you feel are well worth a side trip for a day or a few days?

I'm interested in touristy / cultural stuff / scenery as much as the chicas. (I speak some Spanish but am by no means fluent.).

Also, I see recommendations not to book in advance through things like AirBnB, but what do you recommend for the night of arrival? (Hotel etc. ?) For that, at least, I like to have a reservation.

Money? I read lots of discussion about USD or not from American side but can any fellow Canucks chime in on this: I can get US dollars but is it worth the trouble when I'd have to pay exchange fees both ways?

Seems like finding a driver / guide / facilitator is the way to go: Any suggestions on how to find a good one?

Thanks! WS.

Hey WS,

I'll comment on the topics I know of.

First of, If you are Canadian, since you mention Canuck, I would recommend taking Loonies with you since they are not penalized like the greenback (US dollar) US dollar has a negative -10% versus other currencies. So, forget about exchanging Loonies for greenbacks.

When you exchange foreign currency they take a 3% fee, so for a 100 Loonies you get 97 CUC (the currency you use while in Cuba).

As far as getting a driver, I agree this would be your best bet to get more bang for your Loonie (no pun intended) since on your own you would be hard press to find things you're interested in doing or chicas on your own without paying your newbie dues first. I suggest you go try a few taxi rides and talk your way into the things you are interested in and follow your gut feeling so as not to be "taken for a ride", pun intended. I would suggest if you like cultural stuff I'd suggest la Cienega de Zapata, not that I've been there but for sure I will visit down the road. This place is a marvel as far as nature is concerned and completely unspoiled. This is the area where the US invasion in 1961 took place (Bay of Pigs).

One thing I would only go during winter time since mosquitoes will have a feast off of you (I think) in the summer time.

I think Habana Libre hotel (23rd & L) has many tours that they sell daily and usually they can help you pick & choose according to your interests.

These are the things I can suggest, maybe other mongers here can help you out too.

Mondo.

[Walk Softly]

I'm trying to plan a trip to Cuba in December and doubt I'll want to spend the whole 2 weeks in Havana.

Would any of you have suggestions for areas within a few hours travel of Havana that you feel are well worth a side trip for a day or a few days?

I'm interested in touristy / cultural stuff / scenery as much as the chicas. (I speak some Spanish but am by no means fluent.).

Also, I see recommendations not to book in advance through things like AirBnB, but what do you recommend for the night of arrival? (Hotel etc. ?) For that, at least, I like to have a reservation.

Money? I read lots of discussion about USD or not from American side but can any fellow Canucks chime in on this: I can get US dollars but is it worth the trouble when I'd have to pay exchange fees both ways?

Seems like finding a driver / guide / facilitator is the way to go: Any suggestions on how to find a good one?

Thanks! WS.

[Ozzie1451]

Getting ready for my adventure to Cuba. I'm seeing a lot of talk about visas. When I went to Cuba before I think we paid $25 in the Grand Cayman Islands. My partner who's also going said he paid $65 locally to obtain a Visa. American airline has said someone is going to call me about inquiring a Visa. However no one has yet to call. I'm wondering how the airlines are going to do this since I am now legally flying out of the USA. Does anyone have any insights on how to obtain a Visa other than paying $65. I've read online it's saying contact the embassy but that's in vain. No one picks up the phone and my time is getting closer. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

I bought my ticket from jetblue and it may be different than American Airlines. Latest information provided by jetblue at their website is that traveler buys the tourist visa for $50 at airport during check-in. I wonder if it is also required to make a hotel reservation at least for a night before arriving to Cuba?

[Mr Gogo]

Getting ready for my adventure to Cuba. I'm seeing a lot of talk about visas. When I went to Cuba before I think we paid $25 in the Grand Cayman Islands. My partner who's also going said he paid $65 locally to obtain a Visa. American airline has said someone is going to call me about inquiring a Visa. However no one has yet to call. I'm wondering how the airlines are going to do this since I am now legally flying out of the USA. Does anyone have any insights on how to obtain a Visa other than paying $65. I've read online it's saying contact the embassy but that's in vain. No one picks up the phone and my time is getting closer. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Here is the info I received from American Airlines:"card:

Most customers will need to purchase a travel card for your trip to Cuba. In the coming days you'll likely receive a call from Cuba Travel Services (CTS) to guide you through this process. You can also contact them by calling 305-204-9314 or 877-511-2822 (USA Toll-free).

You can get info about the tourist card and lodging. Have your American locator number handy so they can pull your reservation".

We paid I think it was 20 usd for the visa back in the days when we would go to to Havana at the counter in the Cayman Islands. For our upcoming trip I paid 65 at the local agency here in Florida.

Understand its Cuba charging for the visas to visit but the American companies are increasing the prices. Call the number above to have your visa sent to you. It takes seven working days for you to receive it so do it soon because our trip is coming fast.

[GrownMan1]

Getting ready for my adventure to Cuba. I'm seeing a lot of talk about visas. When I went to Cuba before I think we paid $25 in the Grand Cayman Islands. My partner who's also going said he paid $65 locally to obtain a Visa. American airline has said someone is going to call me about inquiring a Visa. However no one has yet to call. I'm wondering how the airlines are going to do this since I am now legally flying out of the USA. Does anyone have any insights on how to obtain a Visa other than paying $65. I've read online it's saying contact the embassy but that's in vain. No one picks up the phone and my time is getting closer. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[Dart13]

On my latest trip I've used OsmAnd navigator on my smartphone and it was a lifesaver for driving around Cuba. Even though the road signage has improved quite a bit since my last visit, in cities GPS still comes in handy. Especially cities like Santiago, Holguin or, in particular, the maze city of Camaguey.

Apparently Sygic app now has a map of Cuba too, but its a paid app. OsmAnd is free. Both are offline apps, so you don't need an internet connection to use those either just to look at, or as a satnav in a car.

[Mondo707]

For those of us who don't yet know their way around Cuba.

While doing early planning for a Winter trip I found "International Travel Maps and Books" out of Vancouver BC (Canada).

They have just put out a newly revised map of Western Cuba with a detailed map of Havana on the other side.

Available by mail order from their website.

Buen viaje!

Hey WS,

Also, you can download into your smart phone the app for Here maps.

I did just that on my last trip and it worked fine with my smartphone. What's really good is that you can use it offline, so as you'll know data plans are very expensive in Cuba and most of the time the internet sucks big time.

This app worked well in Havana for me and while is not able to equal Google maps it doesn't require a connection to the internet.

Mondo.

[Walk Softly]

For those of us who don't yet know their way around Cuba.

While doing early planning for a Winter trip I found "International Travel Maps and Books" out of Vancouver BC (Canada).

They have just put out a newly revised map of Western Cuba with a detailed map of Havana on the other side.

Available by mail order from their website.

Buen viaje!

[MrSoulo]

Hello Bart,

Sorry for delay. I will bring Euros and just in case some dollars that I have from previous trips. Thank you for the tip.

I am plan to stay in Vedado neighborhood for about 1 week have someone tips of best stops for hunting day / night? I also have 7 free days what do you suggest to do Other Cities / Beach with available girls.

Thanks in advance to you all.


Rock

Hey Rock,

Since you're staying in Vedado maybe you can help me out a bit. I'm looking for a nice clean, private, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Casa with a kitchen in Vedado. I'd like to stay as close as possible to Hotel Capri / Salon Rojos / Hotel National.

Please let me know if you can assist me, your help would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Mrsoulo

[RockRoll500]

I am not a Vedado fan, I like el centro the best, during the day check out the Prado, walk from the Inglaterra Hotel down to the Malecon, also west on San Rafael, the walking street by the Inglaterra, daytime and evenings, lots of good info on this site about Vedado as lots of guys prefer that area. I arrive tomorrow in Havana, last time I was in Havana was June 2015, hope I am not too shocked with the USA invasion, I was in Holguin in March 2016, saw no USA presence there, only euros, wish Obama had left things alone, as it was so good for us canucks and euros, apologies to my usa friends.

Thank you. Will research a little bit more. Enjoy your stay.

[Bart1]

Hello Bart,

Sorry for delay. I will bring Euros and just in case some dollars that I have from previous trips. Thank you for the tip.

I am plan to stay in Vedado neighborhood for about 1 week have someone tips of best stops for hunting day / night? I also have 7 free days what do you suggest to do Other Cities / Beach with available girls.

Thanks in advance to you all.


Rock

I am not a Vedado fan, I like el centro the best, during the day check out the Prado, walk from the Inglaterra Hotel down to the Malecon, also west on San Rafael, the walking street by the Inglaterra, daytime and evenings, lots of good info on this site about Vedado as lots of guys prefer that area. I arrive tomorrow in Havana, last time I was in Havana was June 2015, hope I am not too shocked with the USA invasion, I was in Holguin in March 2016, saw no USA presence there, only euros, wish Obama had left things alone, as it was so good for us canucks and euros, apologies to my usa friends.

[Mr Gogo]

Hey Mr. Gogo,

FYI, both Trump and Hillary have expressed their willingness to follow in Obama's footsteps regarding the Cuba issue. So, I think the embargo will go within the next couple of years if not sooner.

What I see bringing the end of the embargo is the willingness of both Republicans & Dems to do business with Cuba. Also, I've noticed a whole bunch of politicians from both parties going down to la Habana to test the waters, and as you and I know "money talks" and everyone of them want their constituencies getting some of the business when things open up.

Another important point is most Cuban-americanos now are in favor of normalizing relations, something that wasn't so in the past specially in Florida. One of the reasons Obama carried Florida last time out.

Hey BTW, yesterday la Habana got the recognition of being named one of the 7 new Wonder city of the World.

http://world.new7wonders.com/es/the-...s/havana-cuba/

Maybe next time we can meet down there and have a Bucanero or Cristal and toast la Habana.

Mondo.

I really hope it works out as you say but I'm not as confident in these two stubborn countries. And definitely about the beers, first round on me. Enjoy your weekend Sir.

[RockRoll500]

What currency are you carrying to Havana to from Brasil? If other than euros or Canadian $ you had better do some enquiring. Just a heads up from a Canuck Cuba vet.

Hello Bart,

Sorry for delay. I will bring Euros and just in case some dollars that I have from previous trips. Thank you for the tip.

I am plan to stay in Vedado neighborhood for about 1 week have someone tips of best stops for hunting day / night? I also have 7 free days what do you suggest to do Other Cities / Beach with available girls.

Thanks in advance to you all.


Rock

[Mondo707]

I had to go back to check my sources and the 10 percent fee for American dollars was supposed to be lifted in April after Cuba did two international transactions. Maybe there were problems with the international transactions so Cuba didn't proceed, I really don't know.

As far as lifting the embargo I don't see it happening. Obama was their best shot and he couldn't get it done. Neither Trump or Hillary are Cuba friendly. Any embargo ending will have to clear congress, which won't happen. I agree with you that international transactions will depend on the embargo ending. The Cuba old guard is stubborn and still entrenched in its leadership. The next US president will try to act tough and not cater to these old school revolutionaries. I think now might be as good as it gets as far as Cuba and US relations. Get ready for a crazy ride as the roller coaster has reached its peak and drops and turns now await. Just my opinion.

Hey Mr. Gogo,

FYI, both Trump and Hillary have expressed their willingness to follow in Obama's footsteps regarding the Cuba issue. So, I think the embargo will go within the next couple of years if not sooner.

What I see bringing the end of the embargo is the willingness of both Republicans & Dems to do business with Cuba. Also, I've noticed a whole bunch of politicians from both parties going down to la Habana to test the waters, and as you and I know "money talks" and everyone of them want their constituencies getting some of the business when things open up.

Another important point is most Cuban-americanos now are in favor of normalizing relations, something that wasn't so in the past specially in Florida. One of the reasons Obama carried Florida last time out.

Hey BTW, yesterday la Habana got the recognition of being named one of the 7 new Wonder city of the World.

http://world.new7wonders.com/es/the-...s/havana-cuba/

Maybe next time we can meet down there and have a Bucanero or Cristal and toast la Habana.

Mondo.

[Adinga]

The last 2 vacations I took this flight from Santo Domingo to Havana there was over a 8 hour delay! Can anybody tell me if Cubana has improved at all as far as on time arrivals.