Travel Adaptor - Cuba?

blindman

bingo_bango wrote: »

Just as a last minute thing....how easy is it to spend money while there?

I'm B&B in Havana for first 3 nights, then AI in Varadero for 10. Only two of us, so how much do you reckon we could spend? Possibly will do one excursion, but no more than that.

Anyone spent an absolute fortune?

Take cash, but count your CUC's after you get them as they WILL defraud you, even in the banks!

It is only by 1CUC or so (50p!) so if you consider that as a tip then ignore it.

As pavlovs_dog says there is not much really to buy in Havana and the drinks and taxis are relatively cheap.
If you find the local bars (can you speak Spanish?) then drinks can be in Pesos, otherwise they'll be in CUC's (worth 24 times more!).
I didn't (nor do I) do AI :eek: but I would assume the tours would rip you off a bit.

Enjoy.

tiamaria

The only time I was ripped off was at the airport coming home, I bought some rum, tobacco, cigarettes and chocolate,I worked it out at about £80 sterling but she charged me £100. I thought it must have been my maths but when I checked later I was spot on. They don't give you a receipt either so you can't check it.

The only thing you'll need to have money for in varadero AI is tips or cash if you go on any more excursions, priced roughly from £50-£100 pp, as said before everything is amazingly cheap & everything in your AI hotel is already paid.

pavlovs_dog

ok well to give you an idea of how much things cost, here is the price list for Thomas cook excursions from our resort in guardalavaca. the ones in bold are the ones we did)

Havana overnight and Tropicana: A chance to see Havana and appreciate the
vibrant city. The first day is spent in new Havana stepping back in time to the 1940’s seeing old American cars driving by and the market. In the evening enjoy Cuba's most famous cabaret show the Tropicana dance show Stay in a four star hotel overnight.
Adult price: 325cuc Child price: N/A

Havana by day: A full day in the cosmopolitan capital and one of the world’s most famous cities. Visit new and old Havana with its amazing architecture and sites that have witnessed the making of history including revolution square, the Capitolio building, the Ernest Hemingway trail and much more.
Adult price: 199cuc Child price: 137cuc

Discovery jeep tour: travel through the countryside of Holguin and take in the sights of local Cuban life. Stop to take postcard view photos and unforgettable memories. Stops on route include Biran Castro the birth place of Fidel Castro and the picturesque waterfall in Pinares. After lunch you will visit some small plantations growing traditional fruits and flowers and get the chance to sample some traditional Cuban coffee.
Adult price: 99cuc Child price: N/A

Fantastica: the trip combines a trip to the ecological park Roca Azul, where you will see on horse back some ostriches, the farmer’s house and his plantation, and afternoon at the dolphinarium. To get to the dolphinarium you take a speed boat across the bay, once at the dolphinarium you receive a free drink and a band plays, then you will watch the dolphin and sea lion shows before you swim with the dolphins. The day is finished off with a meal in the restaurant with beautiful views over the bay.
Adult price: 130cuc Child price: 78cuc

Santiago Day: Cuba’s former capital and the most historic city is a 25 minute flight away. Visit the Moncada Garrison, attacked in 1953 by Fidel Castro and Revolution square. Admire the panoramic view of the Morro fortress on a boat ride across the bay.
Adult price: 149cuc Child price: 115cuc

Overnight trip also available and includes the famous Tropicana show
Adult price: 195cuc Child Price N/A

Cuba inside: the tour starts with a ride on an old steam train through the countryside and sugar cane fields. On arrival in Holguin you visit the cigar factory and find out how the worlds most famous cigars are made (no cameras allowed). Visit loma de al Cruz and view the whole city before having lunch at the restaurant. Then back into Holguin to visit cathedral square and spend some free time exploring the city.
Adult price 59cuc Child price: 36cuc

The great adventure: a day’s outdoor adventure packed with breath taking scenery and activities. By jeep you will explore the local countryside and visit the colonial fishing town of Gibara where you will be served lunch. You will ride horses through the ecological park and ride the waves on jet skis
Adult price: 74cuc Child price: 63cuc

Island paradise: you will ride on a catamaran to Cayo Saetia Island. Whilst there you will get the opportunity to go snorkelling and hire a jeep to take you around the island and see the wildlife (includes zebras, buffalo, antelope and camel?!). You will have dinner in the restaurant over looking the sea which includes buffalo, antelope and one drink. There is plenty of time to sunbathe before returning to the boat. The boat includes an open bar.
Adult price: 79cuc Child price: 48cuc

Ocean paradise catamaran: sail on a catamaran with lots of snorkelling stops to explore the coral reefs. Includes a lobster lunch and open bar onboard.
Adult price: 69cuc Child price: 29cuc

Boat adventure: Drive your own speed boat through the mangrove channels and out to sea.
Adult price: 35cuc Child price: 25cuc

Sport fishing: charter your own boat and be Ernest Hemingway for a day. Fish for marlin, tuna and snappers, whilst enjoying the open bar.
Price: 68cuc each (min 4) or 270cuc for the whole boat.

tiamaria

The jeep tour we did from Varadero was with 1st choice, it was the best day of the fortnight. It included powerboating down the river, snorkelling, cave swimming & visiting a ranch where you can horseride, bullride!, have lunch, be entertained by african dancers/singers & of course belting around the Cuban countryside in the jeep.

Oh, I am so missing Cuba...

kipperoon

tiamaria wrote: »

We took sterling, cash seems to be the best bet in Cuba.

We took as much soap,toothpaste, pens & pencils we could fit to give away,they really appreciate it, they are rationed over there.

This may seem like a really silly question but how do you go about giving these things to the locals?We are staying in Cayo Coco when we visit Cuba in November and have bought lots of supplies like you mentioned but don't know how to go about giving them out without causing offence!Hope you can help,thanks!

tiamaria

We stayed in a different part of Cuba than you, however when we went out and about to the different towns and villages we would just approach them and offer them, they were never offended, many were absolutely delighted to receive some cheap (to us) Tesco shower gel and soap!

If you go on any trips on a coach or jeep, give them out just before you get back on it or else you will be bombarded with people asking for things.

Out in the sticks they are a lot poorer than in the tourist resorts - if anyone approaches you rubbing their arms and hands, they are asking for soap.

On the jeep safaris, when they drive through the villages, the children run out of their homes when they hear the jeeps approaching in the hope of getting some sweets and pencils etc

stephb34

Hi how many cucs in a pound, so i can work out the price of the trips please, and can you take electrical goods into cuba or not, im confused i read somewhere you get your electrical items confiscated at the airport. Only my little girl takes her nintendo ds and portable dvd player on holiday with her and id hate to get there and they're taken off us.

tiamaria

1 cuc was about 58p when we were there early this year.

dm827430

The CUC is pegged to the US$, so just check that rate. I have always taken some dollar bills for tips, as low denomination CUC notes seem few and far between, or unless you like carrying a pocketful of change.
Electrical goods won't be confiscated as long as they are for personal use, and reasonable for your trip - I've travelled with PSP, laptop, dvd etc. Turn up with a 40" plasma TV, and that wouldn't be considered reasonable.
(and Sony were Japanese last time I checked:rolleyes:)

Becky_2

Thanks for sharing all the great tips about Cuba. I am travelling to Cuba in 2 weeks time and I cannot wait to go.

Today I have stocked up on soap etc to give out while I am there.

Thanks for the tip about bringing a torch, I have just added that to my shopping list.

Does anyone know if a UK mobile phone works in Cuba (I am with O2)?

Once back home again I will share any useful tips on this thread.

Becky