Travel Questions and Advice

[Mondo707]

I was there in Havana the last week of February and couldn't tell any difference coming back to the States. When you buy your plane ticket be sure to check one of the categories that doesn't require you to travel with a guided tour group, I always travel under the Journalism category, since I already have hundreds of pics and video from former trips to Cuba.

Immigration and Customs didn't ask for any paperwork, other than my Passport, and the particular officer who questioned me was upset I didn't bring him a Cigar back from Cuba, it's all just a horse and pony show.

No worries, enjoy Cuba.

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.

[Ty Down]

Hi,

I visited Cuba about two years ago, but since travel requirements have changed. Can anyone share any latest info for travelers from the USA? I heard that support for the Cuban people is the category that most people apply for. Do you have present any paperwork to support your trip when you come back at the airport? Any help would be greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

I was there in Havana the last week of February and couldn't tell any difference coming back to the States. When you buy your plane ticket be sure to check one of the categories that doesn't require you to travel with a guided tour group, I always travel under the Journalism category, since I already have hundreds of pics and video from former trips to Cuba.

Immigration and Customs didn't ask for any paperwork, other than my Passport, and the particular officer who questioned me was upset I didn't bring him a Cigar back from Cuba, it's all just a horse and pony show.

No worries, enjoy Cuba.

[Capichon2010]

Hi,

I visited Cuba about two years ago, but since travel requirements have changed. Can anyone share any latest info for travelers from the USA? I heard that support for the Cuban people is the category that most people apply for. Do you have present any paperwork to support your trip when you come back at the airport? Any help would be greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Sammytheman]

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?

Yes it is indeed a pretty city but chicas are limited. Also I could not find a casa that lets chicas in without registration. Your best option is the casa de la musica and the cave nightclub. Go to the cdlm early and grab a table, buy a bottle of rum and invite a Cuban to join you and I'm sure he'll find you someone.

[Uncle Volodya]

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?

[EshuTheGreat8]

Any tips on what to look for in a casa particular and how to find girl friendly ones? I know private entrance is ideal.

[Mondo707]

So 100 $/ day for a Kia Sedan. Good to know cars are available at the airport, without any reservation. I tried to book a car 2 months in advance, and no cars were available! (www.rex.cu, and many other sites). Even Infinite Visa and Amex Platinum concierges were not able to find one, so useless to try next time. The Cat. E Mercedes at 170 $/ day was found by a friend living there, who has connection at REX.

To anyone willing to rent a car in Cuba, you MUST rent it at a car rental agency (REX, which is the government owned), and NEVER rent a private car. PLUS make sure you take ALL insurances. Your bank card, whatever it is, does not cover everything (especially LIA and PAI).

Hey Nam,

Yeah, the same thing happened to me. Before heading to Cuba I tried for about 3 weeks with all the sites that are online and each and every one had nada available.

It's my guess since the car I got was brand new (literally) had 47 km on the odometer, that it's by coincidence that cars were available at the time. Nonetheless, just a heads up to all mongers here interested in renting a car that if you are not able to rent one online, give it a shot once you get out of the terminal like we did before getting on a taxi.

Mondo.

[NamasteParis]

Hey Nam,

What I said I rented a Kia sedan with room for 4 passengers. There were 2 of us and dollar wise it came out around $50 each a day.

Mondo.

So 100 $/ day for a Kia Sedan. Good to know cars are available at the airport, without any reservation. I tried to book a car 2 months in advance, and no cars were available! (www.rex.cu, and many other sites). Even Infinite Visa and Amex Platinum concierges were not able to find one, so useless to try next time. The Cat. E Mercedes at 170 $/ day was found by a friend living there, who has connection at REX.

To anyone willing to rent a car in Cuba, you MUST rent it at a car rental agency (REX, which is the government owned), and NEVER rent a private car. PLUS make sure you take ALL insurances. Your bank card, whatever it is, does not cover everything (especially LIA and PAI).

[Mondo707]

You said you were 4 passengers. Which means $200/ day for a small KIA (picanto I presume)? Wow! Last month, I was quoted $170/ day for a Mercedes 200 (Cat. E), all insurances included.

Hey Nam,

What I said I rented a Kia sedan with room for 4 passengers. There were 2 of us and dollar wise it came out around $50 each a day.

Mondo.

[NamasteParis]

Cost wise it came to around $50 for each of us daily.

You said you were 4 passengers. Which means $200/ day for a small KIA (picanto I presume)? Wow! Last month, I was quoted $170/ day for a Mercedes 200 (Cat. E), all insurances included.

[Mondo707]

Hey,

Thought I post this info since it might be useful to some of you here.

I've been to Cuba many times and the one thing I hate the most is the haggling with the taxis and them always trying to rip me off.

A bunch of times in the past I've rented cars and it was all a breeze for me getting around not to mention picking up chicas hitchhiking or just walking.

So, the last couple of times with the influx of tourists since Obama / Raul normalized relations it's been pretty difficult to rent out one not to mentioned the costs that have risen compare to before.

Since I mentioned in another post another bud came along this time I asked him to split cost on the rental letting him know the issues with taking taxis and moving around in Cuba.

3 weeks before the trip I tried to book a car online to no avail, so landed in Habana and just before we were to take a cab to our destination I walked across to the rental agencies there and lo and behold, YES, WE HAVE CARS FOR RENT! Walked over to my bud and headed back and rented a small Kia, 4 passenger sedan, auto trans with air and brand new.

For me the difference having a car vs taxis is like night and day. Anyways, we went to Viñales, Varadero on day trips no sweat at all and with the GPS apps on my phone I was able to navigate la Habana also. Cost wise it came to around $50 for each of us daily.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

Mondo,

Strange, I just completed a transaction. $1000 worth of Loonies, no transaction charge and delivered to my door. Google AAA and currency transactions. You can do it online or by phone.

Hey Ivy,

Just wonder where do you live? I live in Socal (Southern California) Let me know since it seems like maybe there might be different options for different folks depending where the AAA is located.

While writing this post I again went to the AAA website and lo & behold the exchange seemed to be up and running again so went ahead and filled in the info BUT when time to check out came it DID NOT go thru.

It has a 516 area code # to call for further info. Don't know what's going on, like I said in a previous post, yesterday I went to the main office here in town and was told this service was no longer available.

Again, let us know where you are located at and if you have any other suggestion.

Mondo.

[IvyTown]

Hey Ivy,

Just confirmed today and in person at a AAA location here in town. Currency exchange is NO LONGER available thru AAA.

I thought maybe this was a TGTBT thing, nonetheless I gave it a go thinking it's a way to cut down on the 10% gravamen Cuba imposes on the USD exchange.

So, a heads up to everyone here who thought as I did to go this route exchanging USD to either Euros or Loonies to cut down on that 10%.

Mondo.

Mondo,

Strange, I just completed a transaction. $1000 worth of Loonies, no transaction charge and delivered to my door. Google AAA and currency transactions. You can do it online or by phone.

[John Corey]

Support for the Cuban people. There is another bit of information I left out of my report. Smoking is permitted in restaurants in Cuba. That is an irritant for me, just something else to weigh in favor of never returning to Cuba. There is also a correction I need to make to my report. Don Quijota, the ripoff restaurant, is on Calle 23 near Calle H, not 33.

Thank you.

[Mondo707]

So, I just found one other way to increase the yield of CUCS. A member of AAA can buy Canadian dollars at the rate of 1.18 without a fee if the transaction is at least $1000. After doing the arithmetic, I see that would yield 922 CUCs in Havana instead of 870 for a USD transaction. That's a savings of $52.

BTW, I believe the penalty in Cuba is 10 percent not 20 percent, according several credible sources.

Hey Ivy,

Just confirmed today and in person at a AAA location here in town. Currency exchange is NO LONGER available thru AAA.

I thought maybe this was a TGTBT thing, nonetheless I gave it a go thinking it's a way to cut down on the 10% gravamen Cuba imposes on the USD exchange.

So, a heads up to everyone here who thought as I did to go this route exchanging USD to either Euros or Loonies to cut down on that 10%.

Mondo.