Havana

[Dolphin2007]

Thanks Cubiche,

Now I understand why my casa owner said to exchange to Euros or Pounds before I arrive. I'll definitely do that. I have to go to the bank anyway to get the large sum of $, so I'll do the exchange then. I'll check for the best exchange rate at the time to decide which one to pick.

Thanks!

Dolphin

Dolphin,

Be advise that in in Cuba since about 2002, there is a 10% tax (penalty) on the US dollar. No other currency is "taxed. " Prior to converting to CUC, the $1000 will be "taxed" 10% and then exchanged on the current rate at the time. That means that the 1000 becomes 900 USD then exchanged to CUC. At last week's rate, it would give you about 803 CUC.

You will get more for the "buck" if you buy another currency prior and exchange that. It takes a little effort on your part but for me I always find it beneficial. On my last trip, (Dec 07), an original 1000 USD convert to Canadian Dollars, netted 830 CUC. While 27 CUC is not much, multiply that by 4, it becomes an additional 108 CUC!

[Cubiche]

Dolphin,
Be advise that in in Cuba since about 2002, there is a 10% tax(penalty) on the US dollar. No other currency is "taxed." Prior to converting to CUC, the $1000 will be "taxed" 10% and then exchanged on the current rate at the time. That means that the 1000 becomes 900 USD then exchanged to CUC. At last week's rate, it would give you about 803 CUC.
You will get more for the "buck" if you buy another currency prior and exchange that. It takes a little effort on your part but for me I always find it beneficial. On my last trip, (Dec 07), an original 1000 USD convert to Canadian Dollars, netted 830 CUC. While 27 CUC is not much, multiply that by 4, it becomes an additional 108 CUC!!!

[Dolphin2007]

Thanks for the advice Cubanito.

I went to their website, and I see that Duales skims 20% off the top. So, if I send $1000, I'll only see $800. I think I rather carry the big bills.

I'm leaving the first week in March. It'll be my first time there, and everybody here has been extremely helpful!!

Cuidate,

Dolphin

----------------------------

Depending when you are leaving you may get yourself a Duales card. I personally send 80% pf my spending money in Cuba via Duales. The process quite simple and it is one of the most reliable compnaies as to sending money to Cuba for a relative, friend or even yourself (in our case). Here is the link to Duales: http://duales.com/eng/Content/home.asp

What VedadoFun said about having $100 dollars a day for spending money is correct. If you do not feel confortable with Duales, PM me and I will give you the name and address of a couple of Houses that are very, very trustworthy.

When are you leaving?

[El Cubanito]

I always bring cash with me. Take 100 dollar bills only and make sure they are in good condition or the banks won't exchange them. I exchange a small amount at the airport when I arrive and then exchange more as I need it at a bank. I only carry a very small amount of cash with me when walking around.
I keep my cash locked up in a suitcase at my casa and take a little out as I need it. I stay at the same casa all the time and have never had a problem. I trust my casa owner because I have stayed with her many times but I don't trust anyone else so I keep all my important stuff like laptop, camera gear and electronics locked in my suticases at all times. If you are planning to have vistors in your room lock up everything. Do not give anyone the opportunity to disappoint you.

Depending when you are leaving you may get yourself a Duales card. I personally send 80% pf my spending money in Cuba via Duales. The process quite simple and it is one of the most reliable compnaies as to sending money to Cuba for a relative, friend or even yourself (in our case). Here is the link to Duales: http://duales.com/eng/Content/home.asp

What VedadoFun said about having $100 dollars a day for spending money is correct. If you do not feel confortable with Duales, PM me and I will give you the name and address of a couple of Houses that are very, very trustworthy.

When are you leaving?

[Vedado Fun]

As an American, I can't use credit cards in Cuba. That means that I have to bring all my cash with me for 10 days. What is the best way to carry this/ store this? I hate to carry so much cash with me, but I don't know how happy I am about leaving it in the room either. What are your thoughts on this? Would it be safe in my casa particular?

Also, does it matter what currency I exchange my US $ to before I get there (Euros vs Pounds vs Canadian $, etc)? I thought a casa particular owner emailed me that Pounds gets a better exchange rate than Euros.

Thoughts and advice?

Thanks,

Dolphin

I always bring cash with me. Take 100 dollar bills only and make sure they are in good condition or the banks won't exchange them. I exchange a small amount at the airport when I arrive and then exchange more as I need it at a bank. I only carry a very small amount of cash with me when walking around.
I keep my cash locked up in a suitcase at my casa and take a little out as I need it. I stay at the same casa all the time and have never had a problem. I trust my casa owner because I have stayed with her many times but I don't trust anyone else so I keep all my important stuff like laptop, camera gear and electronics locked in my suticases at all times. If you are planning to have vistors in your room lock up everything. Do not give anyone the opportunity to disappoint you.

[Dolphin2007]

As an American, I can't use credit cards in Cuba. That means that I have to bring all my cash with me for 10 days. What is the best way to carry this/ store this? I hate to carry so much cash with me, but I don't know how happy I am about leaving it in the room either. What are your thoughts on this? Would it be safe in my casa particular?

Also, does it matter what currency I exchange my US $ to before I get there (Euros vs Pounds vs Canadian $, etc)? I thought a casa particular owner emailed me that Pounds gets a better exchange rate than Euros.

Thoughts and advice?

Thanks,

Dolphin

[El Cubanito]

Yeah,

I know where she lives, which one? Do you know how many Yohanna I have met in the number of times I have gone to Cuba?

The question is where did you meet this girl? Where does she say is she from? If she told you the truth.

How does she look? Blonde, Mulatta, Black, Skinny, Tall, short??

How does hse look.

[Mario Rossi 51]

Hi to everybody. I'm new here.

Any notices about a very beautiful girl in Havana, named Yohanna?

Thanks for any notice

[Barabbas2]

I had a bad experience with Nash Travel.

I, also, have had bad experiences with Nash Travel. My friends and I have used them many times. The Russian boss is all about making money and not keeping his word. They are a necessary evil only if you need a hotel.

[El Cubanito]

Hi,

I am travelling to Cuba during next week but realise after reading here that I am in dire need of some more information.

Does anyone have good tips and pointers to accomodation? I have checked the hotels but they are extremely expensive, at least as I can find out. How do I get a good room, or house in Havana?

I wanted to do some modest amount of travelling and therefor need a car, I am quite convinced that Avis or Hertz is not represented so pointers on where to get one and how much they would be.

I am not a native spanish speaker, my knowledge is limited to basic spanish and from what I can see on the boards this is a disadvantage for me, so I was wondering of places to be and places to avoid.

Send PM if you don't want to get the information public, thanks.

As far as Accomodation I could recommend a couple. But here is one that will not let you down. The owner name is lady by the name of Tomasa. The adrress is 558 Calle C, between 23 and 25, Vedado. She has two huge room with it own private bath. The place is very nice place to stay and the lady is a great lady. If she does not have room she will personally take you to another casa that will have room.

Car rental: The only place I rent from is Rex Car Rental (http://www.rex-rentacar.com/). I know that there rental is a little more but the car are worth it. Tell them you will be picking up the car from the Boyero Office and ask for Enesto, mention me and he will hook you with the best car in the yard. The Boyeros office is 5 minutes via taxi from The Jose Marti International Airport.

Chica Pick up: If you rent a car your Dick will not know what to do with all the pussy action is going to get.

Good luck with your travel next week.

El Cubanito

[BeersTerry]

holy fuck, just go and rent a car while there as needed. There are lots of car rental agencies. About 7 of them in Vedado. Use the Nash prices as a guide.

[Cuba Tourist]

I had a bad experience with Nash Travel.

[La Isla]

They want $187 + $10 a day insurance for a Hyundai Atos or similar. So $187 + 30= $217 / 3 days = $72 a day.
Nash travel has the same deal for $55 a day. Difference= $52. That'll get you one cute Cubana for the night.... http://www.nashtravel.com/carrental.html

For car rental I recommend vacacionartravel. They have a good reputation. I have used them 6 times for car rental.


http://vacacionartravel.com/SearchCars.aspx

[Dran Reb]

For car rental I recommend vacacionartravel. They have a good reputation. I have used them 6 times for car rental.


http://vacacionartravel.com/SearchCars.aspx

[BeersTerry]

Here is a start


www.casaparticular.info

Check Nash travel website for cars and prices. They have an incosnsistent reputation for service but the info is good