Havana

[JinaWrangler]

Here you go bro, this form is the one I filled online when I last visited Cuba this past January (2023) Make a copy of it before you leave in case something goes wrong.

The link below explains what you need to do and how to go about it.

In case you don't do this online when you get to customs you'll need to do it before being able to exit customs, so it's a good idea to fill it out beforehand, that way when you hand out your passport they have all your info and it goes without saying will save you a bunch of time.

BTW, I'm traveling on the 17th, so in case you are still there, let me know and maybe we can exchange info.

Mondo.

https://cubaniatravel.com/stories/ho...s-travel-form/

I will be there through 1/22. Unfortunately this site only takes Bitcoin to enable PM's (eyeroll).

I'll post a report when I return, not that this pay site deserves my free content.

[Mondo707]

Thank you for the information. For some reason, I had neglected this step. I am not researching getting a Visa for the trip in early February. It appears as though people pay different prices depending upon where they get the Visa. I fly American and it looks like they will sell one just before the flight.

Yep, if you travel American they have a desk before departing where you pay for your visa. First, you pick the one category (usually support for the Cuban people) pay for it and go on to board the plane. Prices vary according which airline you fly. I think the cheapest is JetBlue which was going for $50, last time I checked, that's if you are flying with them.
As far as I know the issuer is an authorized agency not the airliner itself.

Mondo.

[WanderingMan]

Here you go bro, this form is the one I filled online when I last visited Cuba this past January (2023) Make a copy of it before you leave in case something goes wrong.

The link below explains what you need to do and how to go about it.

Mondo.

https://cubaniatravel.com/stories/ho...s-travel-form/

Thank you for the information. For some reason, I had neglected this step. I am not researching getting a Visa for the trip in early February. It appears as though people pay different prices depending upon where they get the Visa. I fly American and it looks like they will sell one just before the flight.

[Mondo707]

Most stores will take cash, if you push, but the government stores demand the card, and the hotels prefer the card to reduce theft (but I was able to pay in cash for drinks at the Grand Packard and at both the Parque Central cigar lounge and store). The MLC card is definitely worth buying, and it can be bought right outside the airport, like teller windows you walk up to at a bank. Last time I bought 2 $100 cards, and used them mostly in hotels and cigar stores and mercados. The problem is it's hard to check the balances, so keep track of what you spend. There is a store right across the street from the airport that sells bottled water (and they want the card!) and some other sundries like beer and rum, and another store that sells Cubacel SIMs and plans. I'm going to hit all three errands as soon as I grab my bags from the carousel, MLC, SIM, and some agua, before I even get in a cab. One stop shopping!

Does anyone know the real time frame you're supposed to fill out the Cuban government registration thingy? Last time I did it like 28 hours before, but I've seen different numbers, a minimum of 24 hours, a maximum of 48 hours, 72 hours, etc. Typical Cuban, no straight answers anywhere.

Anyway I'm going to Havana again next week. Wish me luck!

Here you go bro, this form is the one I filled online when I last visited Cuba this past January (2023) Make a copy of it before you leave in case something goes wrong.

The link below explains what you need to do and how to go about it.

In case you don't do this online when you get to customs you'll need to do it before being able to exit customs, so it's a good idea to fill it out beforehand, that way when you hand out your passport they have all your info and it goes without saying will save you a bunch of time.

BTW, I'm traveling on the 17th, so in case you are still there, let me know and maybe we can exchange info.

Mondo.

https://cubaniatravel.com/stories/ho...s-travel-form/

[Sangnyc21]

Most stores will take cash, if you push, but the government stores demand the card, and the hotels prefer the card to reduce theft (but I was able to pay in cash for drinks at the Grand Packard and at both the Parque Central cigar lounge and store). The MLC card is definitely worth buying, and it can be bought right outside the airport, like teller windows you walk up to at a bank. Last time I bought 2 $100 cards, and used them mostly in hotels and cigar stores and mercados. The problem is it's hard to check the balances, so keep track of what you spend. There is a store right across the street from the airport that sells bottled water (and they want the card!) and some other sundries like beer and rum, and another store that sells Cubacel SIMs and plans. I'm going to hit all three errands as soon as I grab my bags from the carousel, MLC, SIM, and some agua, before I even get in a cab. One stop shopping!

Does anyone know the real time frame you're supposed to fill out the Cuban government registration thingy? Last time I did it like 28 hours before, but I've seen different numbers, a minimum of 24 hours, a maximum of 48 hours, 72 hours, etc. Typical Cuban, no straight answers anywhere.

Anyway I'm going to Havana again next week. Wish me luck!

I'm going on the 31st so a trip report would be greatly appreciated. Seems like you can't get PMs.

[JinaWrangler]

Is it needed? I hear in order to shop at the big supermarkets or eat at fancy restaurants they only accept this form of payment. Is this true?? Since I also hear bottled water is scarce in the small street mercados.

Most stores will take cash, if you push, but the government stores demand the card, and the hotels prefer the card to reduce theft (but I was able to pay in cash for drinks at the Grand Packard and at both the Parque Central cigar lounge and store). The MLC card is definitely worth buying, and it can be bought right outside the airport, like teller windows you walk up to at a bank. Last time I bought 2 $100 cards, and used them mostly in hotels and cigar stores and mercados. The problem is it's hard to check the balances, so keep track of what you spend. There is a store right across the street from the airport that sells bottled water (and they want the card!) and some other sundries like beer and rum, and another store that sells Cubacel SIMs and plans. I'm going to hit all three errands as soon as I grab my bags from the carousel, MLC, SIM, and some agua, before I even get in a cab. One stop shopping!

Does anyone know the real time frame you're supposed to fill out the Cuban government registration thingy? Last time I did it like 28 hours before, but I've seen different numbers, a minimum of 24 hours, a maximum of 48 hours, 72 hours, etc. Typical Cuban, no straight answers anywhere.

Anyway I'm going to Havana again next week. Wish me luck!

[AmericanPi]

Why would you feel bad? $50 is a lot of money in Cuba.

For the reason you probably assume. Like I'll spend 500 bucks on a round trip ticket there, 90/ night for a nice airbnb / casa particular, eat at the nicest paladares, but then calculate how little I can pay these girls? It seems wrong. Like if I can give them 100 dollars or 20 k pesos it's no skin off of me. I won't notice it. But they will. I'm thinking I'll just offer incentives for particularly good dates.

[Combo]

I'm doing a little scouring on tinder, trying to set up dates for when I arrive. A couple of observations to share so we all have some intel.

Most of the girls are open to my suggesting pay for play. Even on a normal dating site.

I am offering 10,000 pesos. This seems so cheap of me since the market exchange rate seems to be 200 pesos per dollar. So 50 US dollars. They are snapping it up. I feel kind of bad about that. 50 bucks? I am considering just giving big bonus for extra good time so my guilt is assuaged.

I have not yet broached sleepovers. Specifically if girls can sleep over. In Mexico it's tough sometimes because girls live with their parents till they get married. Not always but often. I'm realizing I should have made clear that's what I want when I made my offers.

Why would you feel bad? $50 is a lot of money in Cuba.

[Sangnyc21]

Is it needed? I hear in order to shop at the big supermarkets or eat at fancy restaurants they only accept this form of payment. Is this true?? Since I also hear bottled water is scarce in the small street mercados.

[Mondo707]

Thanks for that and I would definitely will be doing a trip report when I get back.

Let me ask you a few things.

Where did you change money? I have been given advice that I should ask my Airbnb host. Which I will. But just in case they don't give me a good rate. Like if they're taking a cut. So I have a backup.

Bring what kind of chocolate? Nice stuff like Godiva or Sees, or just stuff like snickers and KitKat.

Since I go regualrly I have a couple of people that exchange for me. You prolly should 1st go with your Airbnb host and try him / her 1st. Make sure you find out what the street rate is that day (google havana street rate usd to cp) 2nd option is Obispo street in old Habana (this place is bustling with tourists, so plenty of people there to exchange with) just make sure not to go too far since there's always a possibility of getting jacked (very low possibility though).

Remember also that in Cuba everybody that will do a transaction for you will take a cut, so let's say the exchange rate that day is 270 to 1, they might tell you that they exchange it for you at 265 or 260 per 1 usd. If it's not that much I'd go with the host rather than do it on the street, but again that's just me. Also, this past January one of my contacts exchanged 100 usd for me, problem was I got all small bills (5's, 10's, 20 pesos bills) it's literally like getting to bricks, no kidding. So, try and get at least 50's, 100's and 500's pesos bills. I've heard it's difficult to get the 1000 notes. The point being a 500 peso bill is like less than 2 bucks.

As far as chocolate, I buy a few bars at Tj's (trader joes) they go for $1. 99 each but any thing you'd give her she'll love.

Mondo.

[Sangnyc21]

I'm doing a little scouring on tinder, trying to set up dates for when I arrive. A couple of observations to share so we all have some intel.

Most of the girls are open to my suggesting pay for play. Even on a normal dating site.

I am offering 10,000 pesos. This seems so cheap of me since the market exchange rate seems to be 200 pesos per dollar. So 50 US dollars. They are snapping it up. I feel kind of bad about that. 50 bucks? I am considering just giving big bonus for extra good time so my guilt is assuaged.

I have not yet broached sleepovers. Specifically if girls can sleep over. In Mexico it's tough sometimes because girls live with their parents till they get married. Not always but often. I'm realizing I should have made clear that's what I want when I made my offers.

Are you sure tinder has a lot of girls. I literally swiped 5 girls and ran out of girls in my area. What area are you looking. I put 20 mile radius of Havana.

[AmericanPi]

First let me tell it's not $50 USD for 10000 CP, it's morel like $40 USD. Today's exchange rate on the streets is like 265 to 270 CP to 1 USD.

As far as extra $'s for good time, that's up to you but a suggestion on my part, taking some sexy underwear to gift 'them is a good idea. Also, chocolate bars are big. Last thing in case you want to win her big time take a espresso coffee brick pack (I usually bring La Llave 10 oz) available at most Spanish grocery stores here in USA.

Hoping for good times and report when you come back.

Mondo.

Thanks for that and I would definitely will be doing a trip report when I get back.

Let me ask you a few things.

Where did you change money? I have been given advice that I should ask my Airbnb host. Which I will. But just in case they don't give me a good rate. Like if they're taking a cut. So I have a backup.

Bring what kind of chocolate? Nice stuff like Godiva or Sees, or just stuff like snickers and KitKat.

[Mondo707]

I'm doing a little scouring on tinder, trying to set up dates for when I arrive. A couple of observations to share so we all have some intel.

Most of the girls are open to my suggesting pay for play. Even on a normal dating site.

I am offering 10,000 pesos. This seems so cheap of me since the market exchange rate seems to be 200 pesos per dollar. So 50 US dollars. They are snapping it up. I feel kind of bad about that. 50 bucks? I am considering just giving big bonus for extra good time so my guilt is assuaged.

I have not yet broached sleepovers. Specifically if girls can sleep over. In Mexico it's tough sometimes because girls live with their parents till they get married. Not always but often. I'm realizing I should have made clear that's what I want when I made my offers.

First let me tell it's not $50 USD for 10000 CP, it's morel like $40 USD. Today's exchange rate on the streets is like 265 to 270 CP to 1 USD.

As far as extra $'s for good time, that's up to you but a suggestion on my part, taking some sexy underwear to gift 'them is a good idea. Also, chocolate bars are big. Last thing in case you want to win her big time take a espresso coffee brick pack (I usually bring La Llave 10 oz) available at most Spanish grocery stores here in USA.

Hoping for good times and report when you come back.

Mondo.

[AmericanPi]

I'm doing a little scouring on tinder, trying to set up dates for when I arrive. A couple of observations to share so we all have some intel.

Most of the girls are open to my suggesting pay for play. Even on a normal dating site.

I am offering 10,000 pesos. This seems so cheap of me since the market exchange rate seems to be 200 pesos per dollar. So 50 US dollars. They are snapping it up. I feel kind of bad about that. 50 bucks? I am considering just giving big bonus for extra good time so my guilt is assuaged.

I have not yet broached sleepovers. Specifically if girls can sleep over. In Mexico it's tough sometimes because girls live with their parents till they get married. Not always but often. I'm realizing I should have made clear that's what I want when I made my offers.

[Zeos1]

This is a copy / paste from my airline ticket (United) for my upcoming trip.

This is what you need to have on your phone if / when you need medical care in Cuba.

Notice the fees and one in particular for $25 which is "Cuba Government Health Insurance Charge: 2500).

Below a list of all the fees charged on a ticket purchase to Cuba.

This should clear up all questions relating to this subject matter.

Mondo.

p.s. The copy below is for your info, you should have a copy of the entire ticket on your phone and saved as a screenshot.



Method of payment: Visa ending in 5101.

Date of purchase: Fri, Jun 09,2023.

Airfare: 142.00.

USA Transportation Tax: 42.20.

September 11th Security Fee: 11.20.

Cuba Government Health Insurance Charge: 25.00.

Cuba Sanitary Tax: 30.00.

Cuba Passenger Services Airport Tax: 26.00.

USA Immigration User Fee: 7. 00.

USA Customs User Fee: 6. 52.

USA APHIS User Fee: 3. 83.

USA Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50.

Total Per Passenger: 307.25 USD.

Total:

I'm not disputing that is what your ticket from the USA has included. But that only applies to tickets from the USA, not from Canada or other places. So we have to take care of the insurance requirements in other ways. That was / is my only point. Don't assume it is included if you fly from Canada, Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, etc. Etc. Now if you are flying to a Cuban resort on a Canadian charter I expect there may be some insurance as part of your cost. But not for just regular flights.