Leaving for Cuba tomorrow...any tips?
 

My lady and I are flying into Havana on Christmas Eve and will be in Cuba until Jan. 4. We don't have much of a plan at this point so any tips are welcome.

Have a happy holiday everyone!

Yes - Don't get your passport stamped.

1 Tip - Go to Hawaii instead :-)

Yes, leave your lady home!

Not to worry they wont stamp your passport.

BUT if you are American, DO NOT USE AN ATM OR CREDIT CARD!!!

Enjoy the sun and fun and TIP big.

Even as an Australian, since going to Cuba (been twice) I get shit from US Passport control, I didn't get my passport stamped, you don't need to.

Passport control is an experience. You will feel guilty about something even though you are totaly innocent. Don't take any american currency or bank cards, use euros or sterling.

Enjoy :D

dont buy brand name cigars on the street, they are all fakes:winkwink:

Sam you got some solid advice here. Also if you do decide to buy some local cigars, take the wrappers off, and then mail them.

Enjoy Cuba and Feliz Navidad!!!!

Near Trinidad is a park called El Cubano National Park. Within the park is the most beautiful waterfall I've ever seen. The trail to the park is postcard perfect every step of the way. There is a tribe of mountain people who still live the traditional lifestyle 3/4 along the way. Their barefoot kids can climb trees like Tarzans. Going for a swim in the pond surrounded by cliffs as Salto Javira creates a veil of water you can swim behind was magical. I highly recommend that hidden spot in paradise you won't find in any tour guide book.

Bring nutella and Heinz ketchup

... Will make the food somewhat decent

;)

If you dive go to the south mid section and see if you can get a boat to get even close to the queens garden.
It's probably the most pristine reef in the world.

Just don't do anything illegal while down there and you'll be fine..

What's with the passport and American currency issues? Someone care to elaborate?

don't drive with your arm out the window. people will chop off your hand to steal your watch.

Americans do not and cannot officially go to Cuba. They're lessening the rules now. I know the port in Fort Lauderdale is gearing up for future boat charters to Cuba but if I can recall, its just for Cubans to be able to travel to their homeland. May be wrong. There are airlines you can currently charter flights to Cuba on but they also have rules.

I think it has nothing to do with security and everything about the embargo and they don't want American money flowing into the country.

Certainly not an expert. Never been and never plan to. Just bits I think I've read or heard over the years.

edit: so the passport thing is since we can't go but Cuba doesn't care if we do come, they just make your trip off the books by not stamping your passport. It's like you were never there.

It's only the Americans that are anal about people going to Cuba. Cubans don't discriminate and will welcome Americans with open arms. Visa to Cuba is a tourist card, so regardless of what passport you bear, it will not be stamped or have anything glued in it. US cash is accepted, however heavy penalty is imposed on exchange from US dollars so you're much better off exchanging for Canadian dollars before arriving to Cuba.

http://www.cubatourism.ca/usa-cuba/u...uba-americans/

and

http://www.cubatourism.ca/usa-cuba/t...-problems-usa/

I see. Thanks for sharing.

Bring back 2 boxes of Cohibas..ballers do that sort of thing

Leave your CIA credentials at home....

Sleep in a resort

Don't vanish

My tip: don't go.

"April 29, 2010

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Cuba is a totalitarian police state which relies on repressive methods to maintain control. These methods include intense physical and electronic surveillance of both Cuban citizens and foreign visitors."
...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1097.html

Why do you want to be a rich person in a place where the average monthly wage is something like $20? Are you going to sing the Star Spangled Banner and wear a bullseye on your back?

Never pack a sandwich to a banquet. :thumbsup

They must have mixed the write ups up cause this is a spot on description of the USA :2 cents:

Ain't that the truth...

Watch out for these:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jyp_brFenW...52876%2529.jpg

They're all over the place :)

Hide the cigars carefully.

This, I take it you are leaving from canada, unless you have some sort of family ties lol. Watch them stamps, cuba migh not stamp your passport but canada can be a bitch lol, the us goverment is trying to be smart connecting the dots via canada lol. I went in 2010............... nothin too it. Its trippy how you can go 5 minutes out of the resort and be in the slums of cuba...........

*sigh*

fly into cuba from a neighboring island country
remove stamps/labels on any cigars purchased
yes street cigars are fakes
they will not stamp your passport
you will have a suspicious re entry stamp on your passport with no corresponding entry stamp. worse case scenario just get another passport reissued at a later date

one of the safest countrys to go for a holiday

US would not put an embargo on a country unless there is a damn good reason for it.

Hawaii is overrated. Try hiking at the Grand Canyon instead...

Have a Nice Trip Sam! ;) :pimp

Don't buy drugs down there.

Most cigars are going to be fake.

Don't drink unsealed water.

If your resort is like mine, where there are a few restuarants scattered around, and security guards every 100m or so, take care of the guards. THey work in the blistering sun all day, and can't take breaks. So while I was walking past em, I would ask if they'd like a drink from the bar. They're not supposed to take them, but probably won't turn down a water/soda, and will be thankful.

funny, usually only happens to me at US immigration


yeah, sure

Don't stick a paper clip in any electrical outlets.

It hurts.

Cuba is a wonderful country and safe...

As in any city be care in the streets and try not to buy anything other than nick nacs in the street.

They will not stamp your passport.

Try not to go the the popular tourist places they are very expensive and dont represent the real Cuba well.

The national park is wonderful.

Try to go to some of the pueblos or small towns. After a few days there you will start to get the feel for the place and then you will have a better idea of who to trust.

Most people are trying to make a buck off of the tourist, what new.

Dont get caught with a hooker, while the police look the other way prostitution is illegal and after the 3rd time the girl goes to jail.

There are lots of places to eat in private homes that are incredible.

On last thing, in Havana there is a large cathedral. Go, it is one of the few places on earth were you can actually feel the presence of an unseen power. Take it as you will but it is a really uplifting experience..

Good luck..

Nicest people in the world, try to find a place to eat that doubles as someones house, it may seem weird to us but the Gov allows some people to actually own their own business and they use their home during the day to double as a "restaurant" and will hands down be some of the best food you've ever ate in your life.

Also it's not like other countries, make sure you spend time leaving the tourist areas and wonder around off the beaten path and visit the side streets and neighborhoods

edit: BRING BACK PICTURES FOR US!

That`s Columbia ... not Cuba .

Rumors are that they have pile stocks of CMD ...

Yeah don't go. :2 cents:

Dammit...rookie mistake.

Yeah, I've read/heard that the food isn't why you go to Cuba.

I would apply for citizenship at once!

I actually just saw a special about it on 60 minutes the other night by chance. It seems like a chore to get there but it's on our list if we feel we have time. :thumbsup:thumbsup

We are primarily staying in Casas Particulares which are people's homes that they rent out like a bed and breakfast. We aren't staying in any resorts and typically don't when we travel. Sounds like you and I like to travel for the same reasons.

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