Travel Questions and Advice

[CherryPoprGang]

Just got back. I will get something up in HAvana soon.

Can someone on the ground or recently returned PM me some current advise on the mood in the city and any current hot spots I should visit? Thanks in advance!

Steve, would you mind messaging me too? (I'm a new member so I don't think I can PM yet) but I'm strongly considering Cuba and would like to hear recent info about the above.

Lmk thanks!

[Steve 99]

After 10 years I'll be returning to Havana for a week. Can someone on the ground or recently returned PM me some current advise on the mood in the city and any current hot spots I should visit? Thanks in advance!

Just got back. I will get something up in HAvana soon.

[Jazzy Daddy]

After 10 years I'll be returning to Havana for a week. Can someone on the ground or recently returned PM me some current advise on the mood in the city and any current hot spots I should visit? Thanks in advance!

[Mondo707]

Does anybody know how much is the taxi from Holguin's airport to Las Tunas?

Hey HS,

I think your best bet would be to take the bus (Viazul), below is the link for the fares for the trip you mentioned.

Search for the place from to the place you're going on their website.

Mondo.

https://www.viazul.com/index.php?m=search

[HSendatsu]

Does anybody know how much is the taxi from Holguin's airport to Las Tunas?

[Mr Gogo]

Hey guys how is Cuba for week of New Years? Airfare is a lot cheaper to Havana than most places.

For 3 years straight I brought New years in at Sofias and had a ball. I was with a regular so can't comment on the availability of girls.

[Havana927]

Hey guys how is Cuba for week of New Years? Airfare is a lot cheaper to Havana than most places.

[Koki9290]

Can anyone tell me if Cubana airline is still in business.

I recall all flights being canceled after the 2018 crash in Havana.

I've never seen such an inefficient website.

I was in Jose Marti two days ago and they seemed to operating. As he said, no way I'm getting on one of those airplanes and I've flown Biman Air back in the day.

[Rebel Monger]

Can anyone tell me if Cubana airline is still in business.

I recall all flights being canceled after the 2018 crash in Havana.

I've never seen such an inefficient website.

They seem to be still operating: https://www.cubana.cu/ I wouldn't flight with them even for free.

[Adinga]

Can anyone tell me if Cubana airline is still in business.

I recall all flights being canceled after the 2018 crash in Havana.

I've never seen such an inefficient website.

[Ty Down]

I'm trying to see if: (1) 10 days is too long, and (2) what are the necessary items to bring. I'm traveling light (just a carryon backpack). I can also bring a checked-in luggage but I would need to pay extra for it (not sure if it's worth it to pay extra).

Most airlines will allow you to bring a small / medium backpack and a carry on, no need to check luggage if you are traveling light, which I highly recommend. Every Casa I have stayed at has a laundry service.

[Ty Down]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have read up on Forex (will bring euros) and scams to avoid. Flashlight, water filter are on my to bring list. No need to search for water and it's environmentally friendly.

I wouldn't worry about bringing a water filter, there's plenty of good water in Cuba.

I would suggest bringing a bag full of chocolate sweets along, the Chica's and the casa cleaning lady will be very grateful, they love them! I always bring a few packs of cigarettes as well, they love American Cigarettes.

Personally, I just bring US Dollars to Cuba, you can exchange Dollars on the streets, usually the private Taxi drivers can handle that for you, In my case, I know a couple Chicas who can get 95 CUC's per 100 USD, but, that's up to you. Here's a little tip. When you arrive at the airport, and you need some Taxi CUC's, there are two places at the airport to exchange money, one at the "Arrivals" (downstairs) and one at the "Departures" (upstairs). There's always a LONG line at the Arrivals Exchange, simply walk upstairs to the Departures Exchange where there will be no waiting, get your money exchanged then walk outside and catch a Taxi as they drop off travelers, thus avoiding the chaos of the Arrivals area.

The best time of year to travel to Cuba is between late October. March. The weather is more or less perfect during these months, the rest of the year is hotter than the surface of the Sun!

Have fun!!

[Bleble]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have read up on Forex (will bring euros) and scams to avoid. Flashlight, water filter are on my to bring list. No need to search for water and it's environmentally friendly.

Hey Bleble,

I go with a carry-on (21 incher) and garment bag. No issues since I tend to wear shorts (Bermuda) during the day with T-shirts and tennis shoes or slides and when going to clubs usually wear some decent shirts / pants and shoes. Take some sandals and most importantly some tennis shoes you are comfortable in since a lots of sidewalks are in bad shape. I also take a small flashlight in case lights go out or you go walking at night outside the main areas.

I usually go in January and seems the sweet spot for me is 15 days. So, I'd say 10 days will be good for you to explore (I take it this is your 1st time).

Also, if you have access to Euros exchange your $'s for them since if you take USD you'll be hit with a 10% gravamen (tax) when you exchange them to the local currency (CUC) I exchange mine here and get charged 3% and another 3% in Cuba for a total of 6%. If you take USD the hit will be in the order of 13%. So, if you do the math your exchange rate will be 94 CUC for 100 USD (when exchanged before), on the other hand if you take USD (not exchanged) you'll end up with 87 CUC for 100 USD.

[Mondo707]

I'm trying to see if: (1) 10 days is too long, and (2) what are the necessary items to bring. I'm traveling light (just a carryon backpack). I can also bring a checked-in luggage but I would need to pay extra for it (not sure if it's worth it to pay extra).

Hey Bleble,

I go with a carry-on (21 incher) and garment bag. No issues since I tend to wear shorts (Bermuda) during the day with T-shirts and tennis shoes or slides and when going to clubs usually wear some decent shirts / pants and shoes. Take some sandals and most importantly some tennis shoes you are comfortable in since a lots of sidewalks are in bad shape. I also take a small flashlight in case lights go out or you go walking at night outside the main areas.

I usually go in January and seems the sweet spot for me is 15 days. So, I'd say 10 days will be good for you to explore (I take it this is your 1st time).

Also, if you have access to Euros exchange your $'s for them since if you take USD you'll be hit with a 10% gravamen (tax) when you exchange them to the local currency (CUC) I exchange mine here and get charged 3% and another 3% in Cuba for a total of 6%. If you take USD the hit will be in the order of 13%. So, if you do the math your exchange rate will be 94 CUC for 100 USD (when exchanged before), on the other hand if you take USD (not exchanged) you'll end up with 87 CUC for 100 USD.
One last thing about the Euro bills for you and everyone else here, make sure the bills you take are brand new and have no markings or any other form of damage. I learned this the hard way last time I was there this past January. I had a couple of 100 bills with some writing on it and the bank/cadeca refused to exchange them for me and had to go to a specific bank to get the notes exchanged into CUC, on top of that they charged me something extra for this service!

Mondo

ps Btw, since you mentioned you're going in November, it happens that throughout the year La Habana is celebrating its 500 anniversary! actually the date is on November 19. So, in case you are there on that date you'll be in luck since there are prolly tons of celebrations going on throughout the month.

[QCpekno]

All new fresh member here. I travel some but I got to admit Cuba is puzzling me. It's about the money. I was talking to a colleague about that I'm leaving soon for Cuba and as I was talking about taking currency at the airport before taking off, he explained to me that you can only get the CUC in the country itself. As I understood, the national pesos would be better for buying food at a convenient store or a beer, or also stands for souvenirs and drinks into clubs and bars. I guess I will figure out quickly as soon as I arrive. !If someone could give me some pointers on that it would be really appreciated.

But here's my main important question: What do the hookers prefer over there?

National pesos (need the cuc to convert into the national one, right?) or it's better to keep US / CA $ for sex transaction?

Thanks in advance a lot folks.