Anybody been to Cuba????
22 August 2010, 04:48 PM
#1
Anybody been to Cuba????
Going on holiday to Holguin in Cuba in a couple of weeks!!!! Anybody been, whats it like??? Also where did you change your currency as most travel agents etc wont change into Cuban currency and been told to change it into Euro's and get it changed when im over there!!!!
22 August 2010, 06:41 PM
#5
Cant wait, counting the days now!!!!
stevebt, I thought Cuba and America dont get on!!!! So taking dollars is a big no no
Ive been to other parts of the caribbean and they all love american dollars, but as Cuba and the amercians have had there trouble's in the past I thought that dollars where not accepted!!!
stevebt, I thought Cuba and America dont get on!!!! So taking dollars is a big no no
Ive been to other parts of the caribbean and they all love american dollars, but as Cuba and the amercians have had there trouble's in the past I thought that dollars where not accepted!!!
23 August 2010, 02:07 PM
#7
Take Euros or £s, anything but $s, You can take $s but they charge a levie on them as well as the usual tax. Have a look and see which is the best way to do it re the exchange rates. Change a few at the airport to cover your immidiate expensese then change the rest at your hotel (better rates than the air port). Enjoy 
Now thats gotta be worth a nice cigar
Now thats gotta be worth a nice cigar
Last edited by Glowplug; 23 August 2010 at 02:09 PM.
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23 August 2010, 02:48 PM
#8
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Cuba is amazing.
As above, re $ & £.
There are actually two currencies in Cuba - the "convertible pesos" and the "Cuban pesos".
The convertible pesos are issued to tourists and are used to buy luxuries - IE non-food & essentials.
The Cuban pesos is used for the basic stuff. The difference between the two (from memory) was 12 Cuban Pesos to one Tourist Pesos.
You are NOT allowed to take either currency out of the country - and you'll get a right bollocking if you do & are caught.
Despite what you will be allowed to see Cuba is actually a very poor country. The people are well educated and have good state healthcare - but that's about it. Anything which is deemed as a non-essential or luxury product is not available to joe public.
Tips:
- Take bloody good mossi repellant - 85% DEET as a minimum.
- Take room plugins for above.
- If you are all inclusive take a big plastic travel mug - to use for refills.
- Tips - Tip people 1/2 way through holiday, and then at the end, give them all your toiletries. Women go nuts for nail varnish, soap, shampoo etc. If you have any kids clothing / shoes spare - take that up too - it'll be much appreciated.
- Cigars - Loads on the black market at 1/3 the price to the "State sponsored" ones. Quality can be hit & miss - but try before you buy & don't get caught taking them out of the country!.
- Do not try and take any artwork / shells etc out as this is frowned upon - regardless of what the salesman is telling you. If you MUST HAVE a piece of art, you must buy an "export certificate" before you can legally take it out.
- Be VERY mindful of the baggage weight when leaving. Due to the humidity your clothing will be VERY heavy - this on top of you Havana Club may lead to trouble. Our cases were - 5KG over the pittiful 15kg limit - the check in clerk said "that will be $190 for extra baggage" then quietly "if you have any pesos's left you can tip me". Enough said.
Havana Club - avoid the white "bacardi like" stuff, drink the dark rum. It should be a crime to mix anything older than the 8 year stuff with any mixers. It REALLY is good. My fav tipple was a cuba libre. Mohito's are also good.
Cigar factory - Not worth a visit.
Havana - Worth a visit - two days only (whistle stop tour). Don't be shocked by poverty.
Rum factory - Worth a visit.
Strange laws:
1. It is illegal to buy or sell a car - then can only be handed down the family or granted from the government.
2. You are obliged to pick up hitch-hikers
3. If you happen to be wealthy enough to build a house, you can only have one floor. You must allow someone else to build above you.
Sorry for the brain dump
I'll answer any questions you have.
As above, re $ & £.
There are actually two currencies in Cuba - the "convertible pesos" and the "Cuban pesos".
The convertible pesos are issued to tourists and are used to buy luxuries - IE non-food & essentials.
The Cuban pesos is used for the basic stuff. The difference between the two (from memory) was 12 Cuban Pesos to one Tourist Pesos.
You are NOT allowed to take either currency out of the country - and you'll get a right bollocking if you do & are caught.
Despite what you will be allowed to see Cuba is actually a very poor country. The people are well educated and have good state healthcare - but that's about it. Anything which is deemed as a non-essential or luxury product is not available to joe public.
Tips:
- Take bloody good mossi repellant - 85% DEET as a minimum.
- Take room plugins for above.
- If you are all inclusive take a big plastic travel mug - to use for refills.
- Tips - Tip people 1/2 way through holiday, and then at the end, give them all your toiletries. Women go nuts for nail varnish, soap, shampoo etc. If you have any kids clothing / shoes spare - take that up too - it'll be much appreciated.
- Cigars - Loads on the black market at 1/3 the price to the "State sponsored" ones. Quality can be hit & miss - but try before you buy & don't get caught taking them out of the country!.
- Do not try and take any artwork / shells etc out as this is frowned upon - regardless of what the salesman is telling you. If you MUST HAVE a piece of art, you must buy an "export certificate" before you can legally take it out.
- Be VERY mindful of the baggage weight when leaving. Due to the humidity your clothing will be VERY heavy - this on top of you Havana Club may lead to trouble. Our cases were - 5KG over the pittiful 15kg limit - the check in clerk said "that will be $190 for extra baggage" then quietly "if you have any pesos's left you can tip me". Enough said.
Havana Club - avoid the white "bacardi like" stuff, drink the dark rum. It should be a crime to mix anything older than the 8 year stuff with any mixers. It REALLY is good. My fav tipple was a cuba libre. Mohito's are also good.
Cigar factory - Not worth a visit.
Havana - Worth a visit - two days only (whistle stop tour). Don't be shocked by poverty.
Rum factory - Worth a visit.
Strange laws:
1. It is illegal to buy or sell a car - then can only be handed down the family or granted from the government.
2. You are obliged to pick up hitch-hikers
3. If you happen to be wealthy enough to build a house, you can only have one floor. You must allow someone else to build above you.
Sorry for the brain dump
I'll answer any questions you have.
23 August 2010, 02:52 PM
#9
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Forgot to add:
- If you have any credit cards which are based around a US bank - leave them at home. They will not work.
- If you plan to go scuba diving, take your own dive computer. The rest of the equipment I saw was OK - but no depth gauges worked!!!
- If you have any credit cards which are based around a US bank - leave them at home. They will not work.
- If you plan to go scuba diving, take your own dive computer. The rest of the equipment I saw was OK - but no depth gauges worked!!!
23 August 2010, 06:33 PM
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Cuba is amazing.
As above, re $ & £.
There are actually two currencies in Cuba - the "convertible pesos" and the "Cuban pesos".
The convertible pesos are issued to tourists and are used to buy luxuries - IE non-food & essentials.
The Cuban pesos is used for the basic stuff. The difference between the two (from memory) was 12 Cuban Pesos to one Tourist Pesos.
You are NOT allowed to take either currency out of the country - and you'll get a right bollocking if you do & are caught.
Despite what you will be allowed to see Cuba is actually a very poor country. The people are well educated and have good state healthcare - but that's about it. Anything which is deemed as a non-essential or luxury product is not available to joe public.
Tips:
- Take bloody good mossi repellant - 85% DEET as a minimum.
- Take room plugins for above.
- If you are all inclusive take a big plastic travel mug - to use for refills.
- Tips - Tip people 1/2 way through holiday, and then at the end, give them all your toiletries. Women go nuts for nail varnish, soap, shampoo etc. If you have any kids clothing / shoes spare - take that up too - it'll be much appreciated.
- Cigars - Loads on the black market at 1/3 the price to the "State sponsored" ones. Quality can be hit & miss - but try before you buy & don't get caught taking them out of the country!.
- Do not try and take any artwork / shells etc out as this is frowned upon - regardless of what the salesman is telling you. If you MUST HAVE a piece of art, you must buy an "export certificate" before you can legally take it out.
- Be VERY mindful of the baggage weight when leaving. Due to the humidity your clothing will be VERY heavy - this on top of you Havana Club may lead to trouble. Our cases were - 5KG over the pittiful 15kg limit - the check in clerk said "that will be $190 for extra baggage" then quietly "if you have any pesos's left you can tip me". Enough said.
Havana Club - avoid the white "bacardi like" stuff, drink the dark rum. It should be a crime to mix anything older than the 8 year stuff with any mixers. It REALLY is good. My fav tipple was a cuba libre. Mohito's are also good.
Cigar factory - Not worth a visit.
Havana - Worth a visit - two days only (whistle stop tour). Don't be shocked by poverty.
Rum factory - Worth a visit.
Strange laws:
1. It is illegal to buy or sell a car - then can only be handed down the family or granted from the government.
2. You are obliged to pick up hitch-hikers
3. If you happen to be wealthy enough to build a house, you can only have one floor. You must allow someone else to build above you.
Sorry for the brain dump
I'll answer any questions you have.
As above, re $ & £.
There are actually two currencies in Cuba - the "convertible pesos" and the "Cuban pesos".
The convertible pesos are issued to tourists and are used to buy luxuries - IE non-food & essentials.
The Cuban pesos is used for the basic stuff. The difference between the two (from memory) was 12 Cuban Pesos to one Tourist Pesos.
You are NOT allowed to take either currency out of the country - and you'll get a right bollocking if you do & are caught.
Despite what you will be allowed to see Cuba is actually a very poor country. The people are well educated and have good state healthcare - but that's about it. Anything which is deemed as a non-essential or luxury product is not available to joe public.
Tips:
- Take bloody good mossi repellant - 85% DEET as a minimum.
- Take room plugins for above.
- If you are all inclusive take a big plastic travel mug - to use for refills.
- Tips - Tip people 1/2 way through holiday, and then at the end, give them all your toiletries. Women go nuts for nail varnish, soap, shampoo etc. If you have any kids clothing / shoes spare - take that up too - it'll be much appreciated.
- Cigars - Loads on the black market at 1/3 the price to the "State sponsored" ones. Quality can be hit & miss - but try before you buy & don't get caught taking them out of the country!.
- Do not try and take any artwork / shells etc out as this is frowned upon - regardless of what the salesman is telling you. If you MUST HAVE a piece of art, you must buy an "export certificate" before you can legally take it out.
- Be VERY mindful of the baggage weight when leaving. Due to the humidity your clothing will be VERY heavy - this on top of you Havana Club may lead to trouble. Our cases were - 5KG over the pittiful 15kg limit - the check in clerk said "that will be $190 for extra baggage" then quietly "if you have any pesos's left you can tip me". Enough said.
Havana Club - avoid the white "bacardi like" stuff, drink the dark rum. It should be a crime to mix anything older than the 8 year stuff with any mixers. It REALLY is good. My fav tipple was a cuba libre. Mohito's are also good.
Cigar factory - Not worth a visit.
Havana - Worth a visit - two days only (whistle stop tour). Don't be shocked by poverty.
Rum factory - Worth a visit.
Strange laws:
1. It is illegal to buy or sell a car - then can only be handed down the family or granted from the government.
2. You are obliged to pick up hitch-hikers
3. If you happen to be wealthy enough to build a house, you can only have one floor. You must allow someone else to build above you.
Sorry for the brain dump
I'll answer any questions you have.
Top info there and if/when i go to Cuba i'll be PM'ing you
23 August 2010, 09:49 PM
#11
Cuba is amazing.
As above, re $ & £.
There are actually two currencies in Cuba - the "convertible pesos" and the "Cuban pesos".
The convertible pesos are issued to tourists and are used to buy luxuries - IE non-food & essentials.
The Cuban pesos is used for the basic stuff. The difference between the two (from memory) was 12 Cuban Pesos to one Tourist Pesos.
You are NOT allowed to take either currency out of the country - and you'll get a right bollocking if you do & are caught.
Despite what you will be allowed to see Cuba is actually a very poor country. The people are well educated and have good state healthcare - but that's about it. Anything which is deemed as a non-essential or luxury product is not available to joe public.
Tips:
- Take bloody good mossi repellant - 85% DEET as a minimum.
- Take room plugins for above.
- If you are all inclusive take a big plastic travel mug - to use for refills.
- Tips - Tip people 1/2 way through holiday, and then at the end, give them all your toiletries. Women go nuts for nail varnish, soap, shampoo etc. If you have any kids clothing / shoes spare - take that up too - it'll be much appreciated.
- Cigars - Loads on the black market at 1/3 the price to the "State sponsored" ones. Quality can be hit & miss - but try before you buy & don't get caught taking them out of the country!.
- Do not try and take any artwork / shells etc out as this is frowned upon - regardless of what the salesman is telling you. If you MUST HAVE a piece of art, you must buy an "export certificate" before you can legally take it out.
- Be VERY mindful of the baggage weight when leaving. Due to the humidity your clothing will be VERY heavy - this on top of you Havana Club may lead to trouble. Our cases were - 5KG over the pittiful 15kg limit - the check in clerk said "that will be $190 for extra baggage" then quietly "if you have any pesos's left you can tip me". Enough said.
Havana Club - avoid the white "bacardi like" stuff, drink the dark rum. It should be a crime to mix anything older than the 8 year stuff with any mixers. It REALLY is good. My fav tipple was a cuba libre. Mohito's are also good.
Cigar factory - Not worth a visit.
Havana - Worth a visit - two days only (whistle stop tour). Don't be shocked by poverty.
Rum factory - Worth a visit.
Strange laws:
1. It is illegal to buy or sell a car - then can only be handed down the family or granted from the government.
2. You are obliged to pick up hitch-hikers
3. If you happen to be wealthy enough to build a house, you can only have one floor. You must allow someone else to build above you.
Sorry for the brain dump
I'll answer any questions you have.
As above, re $ & £.
There are actually two currencies in Cuba - the "convertible pesos" and the "Cuban pesos".
The convertible pesos are issued to tourists and are used to buy luxuries - IE non-food & essentials.
The Cuban pesos is used for the basic stuff. The difference between the two (from memory) was 12 Cuban Pesos to one Tourist Pesos.
You are NOT allowed to take either currency out of the country - and you'll get a right bollocking if you do & are caught.
Despite what you will be allowed to see Cuba is actually a very poor country. The people are well educated and have good state healthcare - but that's about it. Anything which is deemed as a non-essential or luxury product is not available to joe public.
Tips:
- Take bloody good mossi repellant - 85% DEET as a minimum.
- Take room plugins for above.
- If you are all inclusive take a big plastic travel mug - to use for refills.
- Tips - Tip people 1/2 way through holiday, and then at the end, give them all your toiletries. Women go nuts for nail varnish, soap, shampoo etc. If you have any kids clothing / shoes spare - take that up too - it'll be much appreciated.
- Cigars - Loads on the black market at 1/3 the price to the "State sponsored" ones. Quality can be hit & miss - but try before you buy & don't get caught taking them out of the country!.
- Do not try and take any artwork / shells etc out as this is frowned upon - regardless of what the salesman is telling you. If you MUST HAVE a piece of art, you must buy an "export certificate" before you can legally take it out.
- Be VERY mindful of the baggage weight when leaving. Due to the humidity your clothing will be VERY heavy - this on top of you Havana Club may lead to trouble. Our cases were - 5KG over the pittiful 15kg limit - the check in clerk said "that will be $190 for extra baggage" then quietly "if you have any pesos's left you can tip me". Enough said.
Havana Club - avoid the white "bacardi like" stuff, drink the dark rum. It should be a crime to mix anything older than the 8 year stuff with any mixers. It REALLY is good. My fav tipple was a cuba libre. Mohito's are also good.
Cigar factory - Not worth a visit.
Havana - Worth a visit - two days only (whistle stop tour). Don't be shocked by poverty.
Rum factory - Worth a visit.
Strange laws:
1. It is illegal to buy or sell a car - then can only be handed down the family or granted from the government.
2. You are obliged to pick up hitch-hikers
3. If you happen to be wealthy enough to build a house, you can only have one floor. You must allow someone else to build above you.
Sorry for the brain dump
I'll answer any questions you have.
Just one more question though, Holguin is supposed to be about 8 hours from Havanna
(cant go to Cuba without going to Havanna) I have heard you can catch a flight to Havanna for the day, Do you know if this can be done and how much would this cost!!! Where did you stay in Cuba????
23 August 2010, 11:01 PM
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I just came back from Cuba last week, what hotel are you staying at ?? we stayed at the Playa Sirenis whch was a decent 4 star, just dont bother with the 'oriental' restaurant. friends stayed in playa pesquero and really enjoyed it.. in fact they are on their way back tonight...
you need sterling which you change in the hotel.
guardlavaca beach is worth spending a day at, really beautiful white sand and crystal clear water good for snorkelling. There is an open top bus which will take you there from most of the hotels or a taxi is 25 pesos return. There is also a market there which changes stalls so somedays theres loads of wooden stuff and another more paintings. nothing was overpriced though, lots of knik-naks for kids..
the fishing is very good and i'd recommdend the 25peso trip to the Mangrove Fishing. you can also do deep sea fishing which is about 70 pesos. (when we were there last week, 100 pounds gave you 140 pesos)
and its bloody boiling at the moment!!! and really humid..
Hope you have a great trip.
you need sterling which you change in the hotel.
guardlavaca beach is worth spending a day at, really beautiful white sand and crystal clear water good for snorkelling. There is an open top bus which will take you there from most of the hotels or a taxi is 25 pesos return. There is also a market there which changes stalls so somedays theres loads of wooden stuff and another more paintings. nothing was overpriced though, lots of knik-naks for kids..
the fishing is very good and i'd recommdend the 25peso trip to the Mangrove Fishing. you can also do deep sea fishing which is about 70 pesos. (when we were there last week, 100 pounds gave you 140 pesos)
and its bloody boiling at the moment!!! and really humid..
Hope you have a great trip.
24 August 2010, 09:22 AM
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The trip from Holguin to Havana was about 3 hours by plane - DO NOT TAKE THE BUS.
Cuba is actually the size of the UK - but going east to West - rather than north to south. Roads are hit and miss.
Again, they operate two airlines - one tourist / business, the other domestic.
Main difference being the age of the plane used. . . . We were on something similar to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-24
/edit
It was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-114
Just don't read the news about air incidents in Cuba. . . .
We had a night flight going home and the electrical storms were amazing from the air.
From memory the 2/3 day trip was about $200.00 each
We also stayed in the playa pesquero - and it was the nuts.
Cuba is actually the size of the UK - but going east to West - rather than north to south. Roads are hit and miss.
Again, they operate two airlines - one tourist / business, the other domestic.
Main difference being the age of the plane used. . . . We were on something similar to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-24
/edit
It was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-114
Just don't read the news about air incidents in Cuba. . . .
We had a night flight going home and the electrical storms were amazing from the air.
From memory the 2/3 day trip was about $200.00 each
We also stayed in the playa pesquero - and it was the nuts.
Last edited by BlkKnight; 24 August 2010 at 09:29 AM.
24 August 2010, 11:52 AM
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I didn't get professionally involved
Cuba because of it's history does not have a "look". There are Caucasian, Hispanic, African and oriental Cubans.
Yes, many of them are attractive!
Cuba because of it's history does not have a "look". There are Caucasian, Hispanic, African and oriental Cubans.
Yes, many of them are attractive!
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