Travel Adaptor - Cuba?

bingo_bango · 3 March 2008 at 9:47PM

I can't seem to find a definitive answer to this one.

All answers so far seem to say that a normal european adaptor will work, but does anyone know exactly what works?

pavlovs_dog · 3 March 2008 at 9:56PM

we took a round pin adaptor in september and had no problems.

we encountered several different types of socket. round two pin sockets where the holes were side by side, others where they were one above the over (just turn the plug on its side and use as normal), and a rather funky one which was a combination of round and flat 2 pin sockets!

be warned that they are on a lower current than us, so things take longer to charge, and energy hungry item - batteries for the camera for example - would never fully charge no matter how long we left them.

power cuts are also fairly common, so it may be an idea to take a small torch. our room was pitch black when the power went... and i was in the shower covered in soap suds the first time it happened :eek:

bingo_bango · 3 March 2008 at 10:00PM

Cheers for that P_D.

I know the outages are common in Havana, but I'm told Varadero is more reliable. Mind you, I expect to be taking most of my pics in Havana :rolleyes:

pavlovs_dog · 3 March 2008 at 10:04PM

to be fair, most of the time when it was down, it was never down for long. we were mostly based in guardalavaca, but headed up to havana for a few days. the posh hotel we stayed in there had a generator, which kicked in almost immediately after the power failed. the funniest incident was the day we flew home. the weather was awful, and the powere was up and down like a yo-yo. watching them trying to get people through the scanners at the airport was comical!

is it your first time to cuba? im happy to try and answer any questions you may have if you are unsure about anything

tiamaria · 4 March 2008 at 12:05AM

Just back from Varadero, we took a 2 round pin adaptor and a 2 flat pin adaptor, our hotel's plug socket took both-sounds like the funky one you describe!

We found our camera charged up Ok.

We had 2 power cuts while we were there, the 2nd was on our last morning so we had breakfast in the dark!

Cuba's just great though:D

bingo_bango · 4 March 2008 at 12:11AM

First time in Cuba, but I think I've read every post on TripAdvisor, and all the info on cuba-junky.com.

Just have to figure out if it's worth converting my cash to Euro before I go, and how many packs of cheap Tesco pills I can fit in my suitcase to give away when I get there

EDIT: Actually....taking sterling, as I'll be about 1% better off - which should cover a few meals & mojitos in Havana!

tiamaria · 4 March 2008 at 1:06AM

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.

mrs_moneyspinner · 4 March 2008 at 7:55AM

we took sterling and changed at hotel bank in Cuba.

we took wipe clean writing boards and 'magic' pens, the kids outside were very pleased with them and also with any clothing unwanted after the holiday.

Our plugs took the rounded 2 pin adaptors.

bingo_bango · 4 March 2008 at 10:14AM

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?

pavlovs_dog · 4 March 2008 at 11:08AM

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?

we took £1600 for a fortnight. spent around £800 on trips (did one every other day), around £400 on rum, presents, more rum

and tips, and brought the rest home. there really isnt much to buy there in the way of souveniers. well in away thats not strictly true, but what there is to buy is much of a muchness, so if that doesnt appeal, there there isnt a huge amount to spend your cash on.

a cuba libre (rum and coke) or a bottle of water will cost you around 2 pesos a time (slightly more in havana). a big bottle of rum will cost 6-12 pesos. it really is dirt cheap.

SweetPea73 · 4 March 2008 at 11:16AM

hi

I went to Varadero 3 years ago. no problem with the adapters, however we had a [private bungalow on the hotel grounds , the only thing that would not work was the stereo we took, (not to play loud music but something light for we drank lots of rum and played around;) (honeymoon, iykwim)

Enjoyed everything, i left lots of clothes for the girls and lots of tips, ....if you are going to tip , make you put it in the hand of the waiter as you shake it to say thanks, otherwise they might not any of it.

Although we were all inc, we ate out most nights, 3 course meal with Lobster was about 10 dollars, oh and that included a coctail.

Everyone is very attentive and will make you feel very welcome. Have a wonderful time, i would go back anytime.

enjoy those coctails..Moita, and cubre libre . yummy.......is it too early for one

it was dollars when i went in 2004, and take lots of toothpaste and plasters.... to give to people, the faces lit up when i handed over something we take for granted

Travel Adaptor - Cuba?

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