Going to Cuba in a week... anyone have tips or warnings?

[CJ Tylers]

Hey folks,

I've booked a last minute trip to cuba in a week, and I'm scrambling to get a grip on the intricacies of the island before I leave. Any specific travel tips, suggestions for excursions or sight seeing, hot clubs (dance & music), or warnings about current crime rates/scams/bad mojo etc... would be greatly appreciated.

Money changing is still a bit up in the air for me, other than I need to find a CADECEA somewhere. A place with the best rates or chance for small bills would be greatly appreciated.

I know to ward off the Jineteros/eras, or else my bills anywhere will sky rocket.

There are some threads on this, but they are several years old... so some up to date info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[grusse]

make sure you have all the meds you might need.

I was there 4-5 yrs ago&Immodium could only be bought in a special pharmacy on the outskirts of Havana.

 

[summerbreeze]

Don't buy cigars if connecting through a US city on the way back. They will be confiscated.

 

[sdw]

Its been a decade since I was last there but IMHO its one of the safest world destinations that a tourist can go unless things have deteriorated rapidly.

I have a relative that was in Cuba last year, still one of the safer places to be a tourist. With the Castro brothers at the end of their reign, people should go soon. The culture will change when people have access to the consumer goods and electronics that are currently blocked.

 

[PuntMeister]

- Don't stay at less than 4 star places. Their stars about one star down from other countries, but the value is better so you can afford one star up.

- Watch out for fake knock-off cigars (buy from a reputable source if you need name brands). Even better, just enjoy a custom hand-rolled cigar from and ancient dude as you walk along the beach.

- Cuba has the best sugar and coffee in the world. Try them many times in many ways. Their local chocolate can be very interesting too.

- Some of their dairy products may not be pasteurized. Your body may need to adjust to this. The taste is different but it doesn't mean it's bad. Get in touch with what your ancestors used to eat like. The seafood can be fantastic. The local beer is OK. Punt recommends 20 per day max!

- Be a good Canadian; be respectful / not critical, and I find they respect you back. For instance, many people are more educated than they look, and surprise you with how many languages they can speak and what they know about the world.

- Enjoy the lack of fat Yankees (no-disrespect intended, just very few around) in the pool and bar. Bask in the international nature of the tourists there.

- Take shampoo and toiletress, towels, etc. and leave some for the people that take care of your room.

- Trade your western brand clothes with locals and see them smile when they get an old ill-fitting t-shirt that they couldn't get locally.

- Don't get fresh with the local ladies unless you want to meet their pimp. They may see you as husband bait.

- Assume you will get pick-pocketed in a disco. Don't take much $$ and enjoy the feel-up.

- Be pleasant and don't make jokes around people wearing fatigues at customs and security.

- Avoid political opinions about THEIR contry, but listed to their stories and seek to understand.

A great experience awaits.

-Punt.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

http://www.internationalsexguide.info/

 

[Summer-Love]

1) bring lots of sun screen. It's insanely expensive at the resorts.
2) be careful when snacking if they have a 24-hr burger/hotdog place. I went to a 5-star hotel and still got food poisoning.
3) don't get too close to stray dogs. Those things are vicious.
4) bring things like stationary, kids' toys, baby clothes, moisturizer, little things we take for granted to use as tips for the maids. Leave one daily, and leave money on your last day. The maids will be very grateful.
5) learn a couple of good Cuban Spanish phrases. It will help if you go off the resort.
6) have lots of fun and bring me back some rum!

Also I agree with Caped - their food is super bland and you'll be hard pressed to find salt and pepper around.

 

[Juno]

Enjoy the culture but like others have mentioned the food is pretty bland.

 

[ilikegurlz]

I agree...Definately bring some hot sauce or food seasoning...

Also gifts that would cost you next to nothing, toilletries, baby stuff, aspirin or advil, toothbrushes, toothpaste, first aid items, kids toys...

A good idea is to empty your closets and drawers of all the clothes you don't wear anymore, they can't get many american clothes...
give away all your old stuff, you are going to buy a bunch of t-shirts there anyway...

 

[Prairie_Guy]

I would have killed for some Heinz ketchup and some decent salad dressing while there. Make sure you don't forget to set aside the 25 CUC to pay to leave the country.

 

[CJ Tylers]

awesome, thanks for the tips.. keep them coming!

As heretical as it may sound, I'm actually planning on just going for the sights, sounds and culture... no getting "fresh" with the local ladies, as Punt put it. I'm well aware that most girls at the discos/dance halls will be professionals (they are the only ones that can reasonably afford to go every night) and also that foreigners of both sexes are often seen as a green card out or a wealthy bf/gf that's expected to help support them & raise their living standard in cuba etc.

Fall in love with Cuba, not a Cuban.

I'm sure there are plenty of good hearted Cubans, but the chances of meeting them on a short vacation & actually developing a meaningful relationship are practically nil.

I plan on being a good ambassador/traveler, for sure... hopefully I don't run afoul of anything too bad. I don't mind pickpocketing in clubs or transit, I've been all over Europe & I know the drill. So far, so good.

 

[Kimber]

Stay away from loud, belligerent Russians. They are all over the place especially Veradero. They act like they own the place. Maybe they do!

 

[badbadboy]

FYI, Contact a cigar shop here and see if they will purchase your legal allotment, it may help fund your trip.

No, No, No - PM BBB and he is definitely interested in whatever quantity Cubans are available for sale

 

[badbadboy]

awesome, thanks for the tips.. keep them coming!

As heretical as it may sound, I'm actually planning on just going for the sights, sounds and culture... no getting "fresh" with the local ladies, as Punt put it. I'm well aware that most girls at the discos/dance halls will be professionals (they are the only ones that can reasonably afford to go every night) and also that foreigners of both sexes are often seen as a green card out or a wealthy bf/gf that's expected to help support them & raise their living standard in cuba etc.

Fall in love with Cuba, not a Cuban.

I'm sure there are plenty of good hearted Cubans, but the chances of meeting them on a short vacation & actually developing a meaningful relationship are practically nil.

I plan on being a good ambassador/traveler, for sure... hopefully I don't run afoul of anything too bad. I don't mind pickpocketing in clubs or transit, I've been all over Europe & I know the drill. So far, so good.

Glad you clarified that point. I had assumed this was a pooning holiday.

I have friends who went down there because the live and breathe baseball. They took a couple of dozen baseballs with them and donated them to local teams. Before they knew it the were taken to games and really got to know some Cuban families at the park. Anything Baseball related is welcomed and they can not get it easily because of the US issue.

 

[CJ Tylers]

good to know! maybe I'll pick up some top deck packs?

 

[sdw]

Stay away from loud, belligerent Russians. They are all over the place especially Veradero. They act like they own the place. Maybe they do!

However it is good to be nearby when his girlfriend says "Пьяный русский Свинья, мне плевать на вас" and looks for a nice romantic Canadian to sooth her jangled feelings.

 

[CJ Tylers]

lol.. something to keep in mind Of course, I wouldn't want any loud, belligerent russians hunting me down for "consoling" their jilted girl friends

 

[haakon]

Havana is the best part of a trip to Cuba. So, if you're going to a resort like varadero, make sure you spend at least a couple days and nights in Havana. As for money, there are ATMs in Havana.

 

[ilikegurlz]

OOPS...Forgot about the Russians...The No American tourist is offset by the Russian tourist...about the same...

Rude...Loud...Obnoxious...Yes about the same...

Was in Vietnam last fall and witnessed the same behaviour...Assholes...

 

[CJ Tylers]

I'm actually staying in Havana.... no resorts for me. I had enough of those in Mexico.