General Info

[Lucky2033]

Guys, I am thinking about visiting Cuba for the first time.

I'm wondering how much hassle it will be for me a US citizen. Will I have to go through Mexico? Tell me how it works.

Thanks

[cuerno]

Kiko,

I was aware about the flights to Havana if you mean the ones originating also from los angeles, new jersey etc. I wasn't sure if these were suspended or not but I guess they were. It's no big surprise these were used for business as well since the US and Cuba DO trade in agriculture (as long as Cuba pays cash). I'm dissapointed you were censored in the rest of your post as this is a supposedly "cuba politics" forum. I sincerely hope Kerry wins the election as he will at least lift the travel ban.

[Cosmo69]

Cuerno,

Right on! The mail really sounds suspicipous to say the least.
Anyway, did you know that there is ( at least was until July 2004 ) a scheduled semiweekly flight from Havana to Miami ( I think its even on AA ) for special people like Exil Cubans and others who do business with Cuba and have a special permit !!

[Political Commentary deleted by Admin]

Enjoy Life

Kiko

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[cuerno]

JoebCuba,

Yours is the most suspicious post I've seen in this forum. You sound like a federal agent looking for info on how US citizens sneak into cuba or ascertain if anyone is getting caught at customs. Please tell your agency to concentrate on terrorists and stop wasting taxpayers money detaining tourists.

[Joeb Cuba]

Hello,

I have been to Cuba several times in the past three years. Great time to say the least. I was ready to go again last month, but chickened out. I read the US feds are down in Cancun at the aipropt checking very carefully anyone coming out of Cuba. Can't afford to have my bank accounts closed and credit cards seized by uncle sam. Saw a guy in Cancun last january in trouble when he charged airline tickets to cuba on his visa card. Immediately his credit cards were closed along with his bank accounts. Don't know what happened to him after that. That would scare anyone. Anyway, have the urge to go back to Cuba, (there is nothing like Cuba). Have been throughout Europe, Colombia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina. Cuba is the best. Going to Brazil for the first time in November. Have any US citizens been to cuba since January. Any problems? What is your advice? Got to go back, maybe January. My fellow americans, please help me.

[Jacaré]

I have found an even better offer. I have found a one week all inclusive in Santiago de Cuba from Toronto for about 550 canadians for the last week of October.

I might take this one, right now, i'm pondering sa to whether go for one week at the end of this month to Cuba or wait till December and go for a month to Brasil. Tough choice if you ask me.

Jacaré.

[El Colorado]

LACSA is the Costa Rican Airline. After the plane stops in Cuba, it goes on to Costa Rica.

[Truth Seeker]

LASCA is a part of Gupo Taca, a partnerhsip of Central American countries and their airlines. Lasca is the Costa Rican partner. They fly Toronto, Havana and onwards to Central America. They use new A32O's. Onboard service is good.

[Dran Reb]

Jacaré,

I believe LASCA is a Costa Rican airline. I found that buying Air Canada tickets at Destina.ca is cheaper than buying directly from Air Canada.

You have to show Cuban customs that you have reservations for a place to stay in Cuba for at least 3 days. You need to show them a hotel reservation printout or a casa confirmation printout. They don't always ask but you still need to have some sort of destination to put on your tourist card. If you don't have one, the customs guy will think you are going to live in the jungle for free. All you need is 3 days accommodations to get you in. After that, you can move around every couple of days if you want. (Actually that's a good idea if you plan on having alot of girls).

Unfortunately I can't help you with the Brazil question. I've only done Havana. I will say though that you should definetly do it at least once and soon.

[Jacaré]

Well, the price I first quoted I got it from Air Canada for $580 Canadians. This morning, while checking the destina.ca site, I found an even better one at $555 Canadian including taxes and fees. It's with this airline LACSA. Which airline is that?

Don Rab,

When you say that customs asked you for your casa info, is that something new or does one absolutely need to have one to get through customs? What if I don't have yet and I get a casa once I get there?

I have not decided when to go, whether by the end of October of in December. My heart and head is hesitating between Cuba and Brasil. So which one would you suggest is best to have a blast?

Jacaré.

[Dran Reb]

Jacaré,

The airfare prices at Air Canada from Toronto to Havana have been great lately. How about that Canadian dollar value too. $580 is still a good price but you may save a little bit more at Destina.ca. By the way, Air Canada has a great schedule. You will get there in plenty of time to get settled in, and still have time to go out and get laid that night.

If you book a casa before you go they will email you a comfirmation form so you can get through Cuban customs to get into the country. They asked me for mine the last time I went through Cuban customs.

I am not rich. I plan my daily Havana budget at $100 US per day not including casa, including girls. I keep hearing guys talk about getting chicas for $20 US on this Cuba forum. I suspect these guys are young, charming and attractive getting these prices. I would at least plan on spending around $40 US for a girl. Note - I don't always spend $100 US a day, I just plan on it. Have a good trip.

[Petrolero]

Jacaré,

What airline is the price from? grupotaca.com, aircanada, or cubana? If that's when you want to go, hop on that price. The only time to price shop is when you can gamble on a last minute flight, such as to Varadero for $350 Canadian. I bought a ticket for less than $400 USD for October.

If you arrive during the day and your luggage is on wheels, pick an area, choose a street and take a look on the insides and over the balconies of the casas. Shoot for $15 a night if you are going to stay at the same casa for 2 weeks. Bargain at $1 increments, not $5 increments.

I paid $2 for entry of these discos.

From canalcubano.com
Tokío Club
This old club, located in Guanabo East Beaches, has regained its glory. It has different entertainment every day and, on weekends, it is crowded with Cuban people.
5ª avenida y 470, Guanabo

Scherezada
It is one of the oldest Havana clubs. Billard players stay outside; salsa music and many people almost every day inside. The ambience is not aristocratic.
M e/ 17 y 19, Vedado

Atelier
This is one of the most thriving night-clubs in Havana nights with a good ambience every day and much more weekends. People going there are mostly Cuban. Next to this club, there is the statue of John Lennon, inaugurated in december 2000.
17 esq. 6, Vedado
Tel: (7)306808

Club Tropical
This classic club in Havana is recovering its atmosphere, especially on weekends. The top floor is quieter and the main floor livlier.
Línea esq. F, Vedado.
Tel: (7)327361

Another was Turf Club in Vedado.

Paid $5 here a zillion years ago.
Cabaret Las Vegas
It is quite near El Malecón; a place with sigular ambience and a little destroyed. It closed late at night. Customers are mostly Cubans. The place offers salsa music; musical and humorous performances every day.
Infanta entre 25 y 27. La Habana

Went here about the same time ago, paid a couple of bucks.

Cabaret Palermo

This is an old cabaret located in the very centre of Havana. It is regained more and more ambience and people. There are performances of female singers whose age is difficult to guess. Then, it changes into a disco. For lovers of Havana kitsch.
Aramburo e/ San Rafael y San José, Centro Habana

Restaurants vary from .99 cents type menus to high end entries of $9-12 to $20, depending where you go.

I always take a lot more money than I need, or will spend. Never know if you'll run into a motorcycle sale from someone who is saying luego to paradise.

[Screwed Up]

Something else now.

Is it true that medical papers in Cuba are destroyed after a couple of years (like 5 or so) when the person doesn't frequent that hostpital anymore?

Sounds ridiculous to me.

[Organicgrowth]

AlLostInSpace13,

That sounds cool. In fact you will probably be able to use the fact that you are with a chica to get noticed by others there. Once you are “free” of your friend (I mean that in the nicest possibly way!) the chicas will be all over you as they will have seen you effectively leaving an attractive women… This double-play works.

Best wishes to you. Regards, Havanaman

[AlLostInSpace13]

Havanaman, I have a tiny bit of regret for asking my female friend to go with me. But I'm hoping that when I take her to a disco, we would both find a date and have a good time. She's quite attractive, so I doubt she would have any problem.