Any info on Cuba?

suzialwaysbroke

We are hoping to go to Cuba in Jan - dont know anyone else who has been so wondered if anyone here has words of wisdom for us?

Many thanks,

Suzi

JoeyEmma

We went to Havana a couple of years ago. A few tips include-
Take loads of your own tissues ( I found my allergies got bad and could not find tissues in ANY shops- they all use really cheap loo roll).
We stayed in a small hotel, and left a cash tip for the maid and also some of our branded stuff- Colgate toothpaste, some Tampax etc as they can not get anything like that over there.
Most people that work in tourism do so for the tips. A guide that we had through a nature reserve told us he used to be a university teacher but the state wage is so low you can't feed a family.
Also- the food was dreadful (my boyfriend wished he'd bought some cereal bars or something like that for snacks). If you stay in a big resorty place that won't really be an issue though.
Finally- drink lots of rum and dance lots!

suzialwaysbroke

Thanks for that - its the dancing I'm looking foward to!

Noted about tips - many thanks

turtle2k1

Hi Suzi, where abouts in Cuba are you going?

pavlovs_dog

we went in september. stayed in holguin but also visited havana and santiago. go with an open mind and you will have a wonderful time.

practical advice...

as has been mentioned, take plenty of tissue. toilet paper can be hard to come by.

power cuts are still quite common, you may wish to take a torch.

mossies are an issue in some areas. i only saw 2 the whole time we were there, other people got eaten alive.

plenty of suntan lotion, and anti itch cream in case you get bitten. aftersun lotion is also a good idea.

the voltage in cuba is lower than in the uk. items will charge, but not to the same capacity. you may wish to take extra batteries for your camera, as they just dont have the charge they would if you charged them in the uk.

cubans do expect to be tipped. but dont tip to any old tom, !!!!!! or harry, or you only add to the pressure on tourists to tip. tip for good service, just as you would here.

when it rains, boy does it rain! a brolly will be handy to keep you dry, but also to shelter from the sun.

the cuban hour is 90mins. the pace of life is much slower over there. kick back, relax and go with it. you're on holiday!

pavlovs_dog

knew i'd forgotten something!

dont drink the tap water. its not that its dirty or contaminated in any way, but it has a totally different mineral content to our water, and this will cause stomach upsets. water at the hotel/resort bar should be fine as it is filtered. off resort, stick to bottled water (readily available and very cheap) and be wary of ice in your drinks.

take snacky bits with you - cereal bars, crisps, chocolate. there is stuff available over there, but generally its not wat we're used to. their version of pringles are just as moreish though.

avoid dollars at all costs, you will get stung with the exchange rate. cash points are a rareity, so take plenty of cash. debit cards wont work, and you can only use credit cards that are not affiliated with american banks (so no capital one)


the cuba forums on tripadvisor are a patient, friendly mine of information

Saint_Chris

take a look on trip advisor you will get a lot os useful information on there.

itsarichmansworld

Hi!

I got married in Cuba 4 years ago and loved every minute of our fortnight we stayed at a sandals resort in Varadero lovely town and great people.

Loads to do Visit Havana see the real club tropicana The swap safari dolphinarium !

Loads of nice practical advice but dont forget mozzie spray I got eaten alive

Theres another hotel my friends stayed at the Villas Tortuga it was just as nice as ours but half the price!

Have a great time I'm headin back to the Carribean in January Jamacia this time!:j

navig8r

suzialwaysbroke wrote: »

We are hoping to go to Cuba in Jan - dont know anyone else who has been so wondered if anyone here has words of wisdom for us?

Many thanks,

Suzi

Don't take a GPS or a phone with an inbuilt GPS receiver as you will have it confiscated.

Dave

suzialwaysbroke

Thanks for all your posts, it's all been excellent advice, I am so excited, I can't wait (can you tell I don't really "do" holidays!!)

magic_pants

suzialwaysbroke wrote: »

Thanks for that - its the dancing I'm looking foward to!

Noted about tips - many thanks

If it's the dancing you want do the Club Tropicana in Havana. I stayed in the Melia Varadero a few years ago (not classic Cuba but very nice). Havana is full of panhandlers etc... which is par for the course most places these days but easy to brush them off. DON'T try and bring art/objects from the market home as they tend to confiscate things rather readily if they spot them. One thing to pay attention to....museum's are everywhere (almost as many as there are bars claiming to be Hemingway's local (!)) and it struck me as rather odd that they all seem to feature the same theme...rebels led by Castro attack Government troops, all rebels killed except Castro, castro escapes! After about the 100th version of this one starts to think either a) it's cobblers or b) Castro was either v. v. lucky or....

It's a fabulous place, loved it, you'll have a ball!!