Havana

[Zeos1]

May be a good thing. Allegedly the Cuban government is keeping portions of the money, that people are sending to their families. For example, the USD to CUC is $1 = 1. 70 CUC, if you send $100 to someone down there, they should get 170 CUC, well the government is only giving them 100 CUC, and keeping the other 70 for themselves. Very messed up!

Don't think it quite works that way. The black market (street) exchanges at whatever rate is determined on the black market. The government exchanges at the official rate. The only way they would get the black market rate would be to sell their dollars on the black market. Doubt they are doing that because they need the dollars to pay for imports. Getting CUC's would not help the government. They need dollars. They can print all the CUC's they want, but can't (as far as we know) print dollars. There is no trade in CUC's on the world market, so outside of Cuba they are useless.

There is a possibility though that the street market is really an alternative market being exploited by the government. They can buy dollars for whatever they have to pay, since they print CUC's. Since they can print CUC's there is no real cost to them. Just that over time it creates inflation and so they have to pay more and more for the limited dollars.

[Ty Down]

I just read in the news that the government of Cuba is closing all Western Unions. I hope I'm wrong, but that's terrible for the country.

Western Union has been closed for awhile now outside of Havana. So lately, I've been recharging my girls phone once a month and she can trade out phone credits to her friends and family for food or cash. But now, the Cuban government is cheating them out of their phone recharges. It's getting crazy down in Cuba.

[Chris H]

USD1=CUC1. 50 nowadays in the black market. The official exchange rate is USD1=CUC1 done at the bank, cadeca or money transfers for businesses.

Ok, Simon was telling me 1 USD= 1. 70 CUC, maybe through the people we deal with on the streets.

[DiavelLoco]

May be a good thing. Allegedly the Cuban government is keeping portions of the money, that people are sending to their families. For example, the USD to CUC is $1 = 1. 70 CUC, if you send $100 to someone down there, they should get 170 CUC, well the government is only giving them 100 CUC, and keeping the other 70 for themselves. Very messed up!

USD1=CUC1. 50 nowadays in the black market. The official exchange rate is USD1=CUC1 done at the bank, cadeca or money transfers for businesses.

[Chris H]

I just read in the news that the government of Cuba is closing all Western Unions. I hope I'm wrong, but that's terrible for the country.

May be a good thing. Allegedly the Cuban government is keeping portions of the money, that people are sending to their families. For example, the USD to CUC is $1 = 1. 70 CUC, if you send $100 to someone down there, they should get 170 CUC, well the government is only giving them 100 CUC, and keeping the other 70 for themselves. Very messed up!

[Gringo Trooper]

So frustrating trying to hear news about Havana officially opening? And if Americans will be allowed to visit and if we can stay in private casas? Anyone on the ground there since curfew was lifted?

I just read in the news that the government of Cuba is closing all Western Unions. I hope I'm wrong, but that's terrible for the country.

[Ty Down]

So. Did my search. What it looks like is that they are opening "resorts" all over Cuba, except in Havana. This will have a big impact for Canadians and some Europeans, but not so much for Americans as Americans generally cannot go to these resorts, at least directly. But the charter flights out of Toronto, Montreal, etc. Will be filling the skies shortly. A lot of pent up demand for those all inclusive one week getaways to Cuba.

What the articles did not say was if those tourists would be allowed to leave the resorts and resort areas (such as Varadero). These resorts, and there are hundreds of them, are mostly on keys or areas that can be isolated, as was the case when they were first built. For those that just want their week at the resort it makes no difference, except the optional bus tours to Havana won't be happening. But for anyone that wants to go into the cities, or mix with the people they may be out of luck.

That sounds about right. From what I understand, when tourists fly into Cuba, you will tested for covid at the airport. If you test negative, you will then be placed on a bus and bussed directly to the resort and dropped off. You will be confined to the resort for the duration of your "vacation". Havana and the rest of Cuba is off limits.

I don't think there is a problem with Americans visiting Cuba, at least not with the Cubans, it's the US government giving the Americans grief about visiting Cuba.

For the local Cubans, their movements around the country has been severely curtailed as well. For example, my regular chica lives down in the province of Ciego de Avila. Everyone in that province are confined to that province, they cannot leave. So for now, she can't come to Havana. I'll be glad when all this shit is over.

[DiavelLoco]

So. Did my search. What it looks like is that they are opening "resorts" all over Cuba, except in Havana. This will have a big impact for Canadians and some Europeans, but not so much for Americans as Americans generally cannot go to these resorts, at least directly. But the charter flights out of Toronto, Montreal, etc. Will be filling the skies shortly. A lot of pent up demand for those all inclusive one week getaways to Cuba.

What the articles did not say was if those tourists would be allowed to leave the resorts and resort areas (such as Varadero). These resorts, and there are hundreds of them, are mostly on keys or areas that can be isolated, as was the case when they were first built. For those that just want their week at the resort it makes no difference, except the optional bus tours to Havana won't be happening. But for anyone that wants to go into the cities, or mix with the people they may be out of luck.

Havana is still closed at the moment but its just a matter of time. Probably one or two weeks away. From the islands / resorts area, you can leave the place anytime you want, after passing the negative PCR test which takes 2-3 days. Even the locals can go to these places now. They change regulations all the time and that's the latest.

[Zeos1]

News today was that Cuba was opening, but not including Havana. I'm going to search for more info on that.

So. Did my search. What it looks like is that they are opening "resorts" all over Cuba, except in Havana. This will have a big impact for Canadians and some Europeans, but not so much for Americans as Americans generally cannot go to these resorts, at least directly. But the charter flights out of Toronto, Montreal, etc. Will be filling the skies shortly. A lot of pent up demand for those all inclusive one week getaways to Cuba.

What the articles did not say was if those tourists would be allowed to leave the resorts and resort areas (such as Varadero). These resorts, and there are hundreds of them, are mostly on keys or areas that can be isolated, as was the case when they were first built. For those that just want their week at the resort it makes no difference, except the optional bus tours to Havana won't be happening. But for anyone that wants to go into the cities, or mix with the people they may be out of luck.

[Zeos1]

So frustrating trying to hear news about Havana officially opening? And if Americans will be allowed to visit and if we can stay in private casas? Anyone on the ground there since curfew was lifted?

News today was that Cuba was opening, but not including Havana. I'm going to search for more info on that.

[SmotPoker]

Hey,

Thought I post about the prices for upcoming flights from the East coast to Cuba. I guess with all the family trips from Cuban@s who have not been able to travel since the C-19 started is the main culprit.

For those who live on the West coast there is an alternative going thru Panama City, I've already booked my trip this way and it turns out to be quite less expensive than going round trip from Miami!

Mondo.

With those prices, looking like early / mid December makes more sense for planning trip.

[Mondo707]

Hey,

Thought I post about the prices for upcoming flights from the East coast to Cuba. I guess with all the family trips from Cuban@s who have not been able to travel since the C-19 started is the main culprit.

For those who live on the West coast there is an alternative going thru Panama City, I've already booked my trip this way and it turns out to be quite less expensive than going round trip from Miami!

Mondo.

[SmotPoker]

They are open for sure. I have been to a few for the past few months for a short time use. I am sure if you look hard enough, you will find some that are willing to take your booking.

So frustrating trying to hear news about Havana officially opening? And if Americans will be allowed to visit and if we can stay in private casas? Anyone on the ground there since curfew was lifted?

[JohnReter335]

As much as I like to smoke. I wouldn't dare take or try to get any drugs in Cuba.

Yeah and it's good for you.

[GrownMan1]

Nope! Do not bring edibles with THC, CBD. If the Cuban authorities catch you with edibles you are truly screwed.

As much as I like to smoke. I wouldn't dare take or try to get any drugs in Cuba.