I'm off to Cuba!

[motion]

Finally!

As most of you know, American carriers are already scheduling flights into Cuba. I booked a Delta flight ex-LAX into Havana for Jan 5th. Gonna go with a buddy and take the city in as much as we can. Hoping to score a couple of scooters and make it out into the countryside, too. We only have 3 days on the island, so we will be busy!

I really don't have many expectations... I know the infrastructure is pretty much non-existent. Some decent food, good photos and a bit of interaction with the locals will be just great.

Anyone else heading over?

[HardDrive]

I was there in the mid 90s. Stayed at the Melia Cohiba. Had a fantastic time. Enjoyed just walking and talking to locals.

[billybek]

Have a great time!
Don't drink their draft beer.
Maybe the food will be better now that restrictions have been lifted.

[matt930s]

I've been to Gitmo multiple times.....but that just ain't the same...lol...


MattR

[LakeCleElum]

Have several Canadian and Mexican friends that have been in the past 10 years.....All say to not expect good food at all......I want to go one of these days....Have only seen the coast from a cruise ship so far........Enjoy......

[LEAKYSEALS951]

As a dumb american, I assume all Cuban music is this awesome. If so, please post videos! (warning- classic car content)

[jorian]

Do yourself a favour and do all 3 days in Havana. The tourist beach towns are a poor representation of Cuba. Varadero felt like a Club Med on the verge of bankruptcy.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by motion

Finally!

As most of you know, American carriers are already scheduling flights into Cuba. I booked a Delta flight ex-LAX into Havana for Jan 5th. Gonna go with a buddy and take the city in as much as we can. Hoping to score a couple of scooters and make it out into the countryside, too. We only have 3 days on the island, so we will be busy!

I really don't have many expectations... I know the infrastructure is pretty much non-existent. Some decent food, good photos and a bit of interaction with the locals will be just great.

Anyone else heading over?

Watch out for them commies!

[tevake]

A friend is planning a trip there soon, and is gathering up small 50s car parts to take along.
His car club is hooking him up with those in Cuba. Should make for a fun visit.

Hope you have a fun trip Richard.
Looking forward to pics and stories.

Cheers Richard

[wayner]

Yes, it's an island, but it is huge!

You won't see much of it. Also, they have an interesting currency situation.

You can't buy local pesos. Only the citizens can.
For you they will have what they call convertible pesos. You can spend those but the locals can't

Convertible pesos are on par with the US dollar 1:1

The way it works is you convert your dollars once you arrive ( most hotels and banks, although you might get a black market deal on them from the people roaming the airport who buy from those leaving and sell to those arriving.

(The official app booths are at the airport as well)

Since everyone in Cuba is supposed to have the same relative lifestyle, if someone is enterprising they can make a few extra pesos from you by being entrerpreneurial ( you can't kill capitalism)

The rub is that they then have to take convertible pesos and trade them in for real pesos that they can spend. The conversation rate they pay essentially accounts for a gov tax so they can spread the wealth. Apparently the little bit the entrepreneur gets to keep still makes it worth it to them.

This explains why they prefer products as tips rather than pesos.
There is a huge market in the selling of products to other Cubans.
Those who sell them become wealthy enough to then be able to help out their other relatives with a few extra pesos raising the standard for everyone ( either through gov wealth spreading or family wealth spreading.)

Interestingly, the propaganda has been such that many younger Cubans believe that Castro was a great man for protecting them from the Americans all those years.

As a Canadian it left me wondering about US vs Cuban propaganda

[aread]

I've been 2 twice in the last four years. Like others have said, it is a large country. With only three days I would keep your focus to Havana and it's surroundings. You could do 3 days in the Habana Vieja district alone (which I would encourage you check out).

If you'd like to see beaches and some rural scenery, there are a few beach villages along the Via Blanca west toward Matanzas with some great diving and snorkeling spots.

Interested to hear your opinion of the culture since the recent US diplomacy changes.

PM me if you need any reccomendations

[Charles Freeborn]

I'm jealous. Really really jealous. Would love to see the architecture, culture, food, music.... really jealous....

[sand_man]

Lucky bastad! Have fun!

[SCadaddle]

I watched a video recently that had the scoop on the underground free market system going on in Cuba. Taxi drivers making more money than the physicians etc. seemed everybody had a "side job" the government didn't know about in order to make ends meet. Cuisine was hard to come by other than you can find a ham sandwich just about anywhere. Wish I could find that video again...

[wayner]

When we were there our tour guide said he used to be a doctor.

The guy I bought a license plate from at the market used to be a high school VP

Education is free but everyone gets a similar wage.

Working with tourist provided a chance to make more through tips etc.

Entrepreneurial isn't discouraged, you just have to share the wealth ( as guaranteed by the convertible peso

[wayner]

Motion, for fun you should watch the movie motorcycle diaries before you go

[TonyGO]

Send our regards to Fidel & Raul!

[stealthn]

Whatever you do don't hit a cow on the road...

[imcarthur]

I just ran across your post . . .

3 days it's not a lot for Cuba. A few years back I was thinking of combining Havana with a drive into the Pinar del Rio area staying in Casas Particulares - which are homes stays - often with dinner & breakfast available. Lots of sites to search on Google. They are safe & certainly local.

Things are changing fast so ask on the Trip Advisor>Cuba forum for up to date currency info. But best to go prepared to pay cash (Cuban CUC) & don't assume your cell will work as a GPS either, so take a paper map for the hinterlands if you do go driving. The Guia Carretera map is the best if you can find one. I may have one here somewhere if you need it, you are welcome to it. The roads aren't well marked but they are scenic & not busy away from cities.

A customer of mine was there last week on his annual cigar tour & he posted pics on FB with his new buddy - Ernesto Guevara (Che's son) who lives in Havana. If you want an intro . . .

And don't buy street cigars. They are ALL fakes!

Ian

[targa911S]

you're going on my birthday so smoke a birthday cigar for me...