Travel Questions and Advice

[MadisonGuy]

I was there last month, and used my VISA card (from Europe) without any pb at many ATM to get cash, and at very few places at La Habana that had a terminal. If a business has a card terminal, it should always work, unless the card is from USA. And assuming it works only at goverment owned places means it works everywhere :-)

No I meant my card won't work at government owned places. There's a list of places, mainly hotels and a few restaurants that the US state department blocks because it's owned by a communist country. Because my bank knows people have been down there I'm assuming other places have credit card machines also, or do it over the internet. I'm not really sure. That would change my plans and probably up the amount of cash I bring if I can't use a credit card anywhere.

[NamasteParis]

Are you sure it's everywhere, when was the last time you visited? I assumed it was only the government owned places, my bank said they've had many people visit Cuba and that my card will work there

I was there last month, and used my VISA card (from Europe) without any pb at many ATM to get cash, and at very few places at La Habana that had a terminal. If a business has a card terminal, it should always work, unless the card is from USA. And assuming it works only at goverment owned places means it works everywhere :-)

[MadisonGuy]

VISA and MC cards do work everywhere in Cuba. It just has not to be issued by USA. If you want to pay airbnb, bank cards should work. If you talk straight to the owner, or book a casa, cash is king (euros, not US dollars as they are being charged an indecent tax to be converted). Only very few business has bank card machine in Cuba. Mainly big hotels. Don't forget that these terminals of payment need internet. So you'll find them only at places where internet can be found (and work!)

Are you sure it's everywhere, when was the last time you visited? I assumed it was only the government owned places, my bank said they've had many people visit Cuba and that my card will work there. I know the conversion kind of sucks, but after looking into trading out to Euro or Loonies I'd end up getting hit with close to 10% anyway so it doesn't make a lot of sense to bring other currency with me.

[NamasteParis]

I'm guessing this place is on the US can't visit list since they don't take visa or MC.

VISA and MC cards do work everywhere in Cuba. It just has not to be issued by USA. If you want to pay airbnb, bank cards should work. If you talk straight to the owner, or book a casa, cash is king (euros, not US dollars as they are being charged an indecent tax to be converted). Only very few business has bank card machine in Cuba. Mainly big hotels. Don't forget that these terminals of payment need internet. So you'll find them only at places where internet can be found (and work!)

[Mondo707]

Google is your friend!

This is what I found: "The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. ".

So, if you come by land or ship, you'll be fine!

Hey Rebel,

Yeah, I know the saying, "google is your friend" and that's exactly were I read the info from. Only one thing stuck on my mind, when traveling to the Caribbean and coming back all you need is the passport card, guess I skipped over the part about flying.

Being here in Socal, a lot of us mongers have been using the P/C when coming back from Tijuana which is a lot better than the way it used to be by having to carry the P/B

BTW, don't buy into the hype of Google being your friend, if they didn't benefit from our searches no way it'd be free. Remember the old saying "there is no free lunch" LOL.

Mondo.

[MadisonGuy]

Well, you could still book at the Manzana. Cuba has also some 1300+ USD / night rooms.

https://www.kempinski.com/en/havana/...dential-lorca/

But there is one thing you should know. If you book a hotel, you won't be allowed any local guest, except if you checked-in together.

Damn that is nice! Finally found one. I think I have an airbnb that we are going to try on the ocean. This is a good fall back because we could do this and just have a hook up shack somewhere also. I'm guessing this place is on the US can't visit list since they don't take visa or MC. But this is closer to what I was hoping to find. Seems expensive for Cuba, but I guess supply and demand isn't helping me.

[NamasteParis]

Only bummer for us is we like really really nice hotels, in DR our hotel was $300/ night each. Hopefully we can get past the casa thing because I haven't really seen any I am like damn that's a pimp pad.

Well, you could still book at the Manzana. Cuba has also some 1300+ USD / night rooms.

https://www.kempinski.com/en/havana/...dential-lorca/

But there is one thing you should know. If you book a hotel, you won't be allowed any local guest, except if you checked-in together.

[Rebel Monger]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone here (from the USA) that's been to Cuba and back to the US has used the new passport card and did you have any issues when going thru customs?

I read somewhere, coming back from the Caribbean (and Cuba is in the Caribbean) a US citizen can use the card instead of the book. I know that coming back from T. J. It's a breeze with a card and it's so much more convenient than carrying the passport.

TIA.

Mondo.

Google is your friend!

This is what I found: "The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. ".

So, if you come by land or ship, you'll be fine!

[Ty Down]

I kind of thought that's what it might be. Unfortunately Cuba isn't the only place restrictive with more than 1 rule. I tried to bring 4 girls back to my hotel in DR last trip and security wasn't having it. Luckily there they have special hotels for those occasions. My buddy and I actually switched from Cuba to DR last trip because it was his first and I wanted a guaranteed great time, never being to Cuba before I didn't think it would be fair for him. Now that we got that out of the way we are going to Cuba in October to experience for ourselves. I think it will work great because we love going clubbing, we are a bit younger, and he's latin and I speak getting laid spanish so I'm hoping for a fantastic new place that's an hour flight from me and almost free. Only bummer for us is we like really really nice hotels, in DR our hotel was $300/ night each. Hopefully we can get past the casa thing because I haven't really seen any I am like damn that's a pimp pad.

There are a few super nice Casa's in Havana, we stayed at this one for a week, beautiful place.

https://www.havanacasablanca.com/

[MadisonGuy]

This Rule needs to be specified as Prostitution is illegal; BUT normally you can have any guest join you so its not an issue typically. If you meet someone at a club or wherever and want to spend some private time with them whose to say who they are? They will require an ID card though. One thing they do frown upon is having more than one guest in your room with you at one time; but if you're discrete then it can be done.

There's an old saying in Cuba; there are 3 woman in Cuba: Pros, those who were Pros and those who will be Pros.

I kind of thought that's what it might be. Unfortunately Cuba isn't the only place restrictive with more than 1 rule. I tried to bring 4 girls back to my hotel in DR last trip and security wasn't having it. Luckily there they have special hotels for those occasions. My buddy and I actually switched from Cuba to DR last trip because it was his first and I wanted a guaranteed great time, never being to Cuba before I didn't think it would be fair for him. Now that we got that out of the way we are going to Cuba in October to experience for ourselves. I think it will work great because we love going clubbing, we are a bit younger, and he's latin and I speak getting laid spanish so I'm hoping for a fantastic new place that's an hour flight from me and almost free. Only bummer for us is we like really really nice hotels, in DR our hotel was $300/ night each. Hopefully we can get past the casa thing because I haven't really seen any I am like damn that's a pimp pad.

[Tank Not Mt]

A lot of the Airbnb's have no prostitution in their rules. Is this something for show or do I avoid these places? It seems like the majority of them, or the higher end ones have this in their rules.

This Rule needs to be specified as Prostitution is illegal; BUT normally you can have any guest join you so its not an issue typically. If you meet someone at a club or wherever and want to spend some private time with them whose to say who they are? They will require an ID card though. One thing they do frown upon is having more than one guest in your room with you at one time; but if you're discrete then it can be done.

There's an old saying in Cuba; there are 3 woman in Cuba: Pros, those who were Pros and those who will be Pros.

[MadisonGuy]

A lot of the Airbnb's have no prostitution in their rules. Is this something for show or do I avoid these places? It seems like the majority of them, or the higher end ones have this in their rules.

[Mondo707]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone here (from the USA) that's been to Cuba and back to the US has used the new passport card and did you have any issues when going thru customs?

I read somewhere, coming back from the Caribbean (and Cuba is in the Caribbean) a US citizen can use the card instead of the book. I know that coming back from T. J. It's a breeze with a card and it's so much more convenient than carrying the passport.

TIA.

Mondo.

[NamasteParis]

I am thinking of mixing it up next trip and getting out of Havana. I heard Trinidad is a beautiful little town. But is there any action there? Worth spending the night? Should I just do it as a day trip?

Hi UV, as I said in my long report, Trinidad is the greatest place to stay with your novia, wife and kids (much better then Varadero): very peaceful, safe colonial city, great clean and quiet beach, pedestrian roads everywhere, no pollution and noise, except salsa bands and concerts all day long at very nice open air places. Good restaurants also. But don't go there to find your night sandwich. I first intended to stay 3 nights, but ended up staying 10 days, relaxing and enjoying.

[Capichon2010]

Just to add my 2 cents, I was there also at that time and when I came back thru customs (Miami) the agent asked me about fun times in La Habana, told him to get his ass over there. LOL.

Mondo.

I'm planing to visit a friend I have in Havana in December. I hope things stay the same then. Thank you guys.