A Question (or two) about Cuba

[mel-world]

We are thinking of taking a week to 10 days to visit Cuba next April/May.
Questions:

1. Is this a good time (weather wise) to visit?
2. Any recommendations for places to see? We want to hear some jazz but open to any other suggestions.
3. Given that you cannot fly in/out from the US without some difficulty - how have you travelled to HAV? We are thinking to go in with AC from YYZ then out with Virgin to LGW.
4. Any tour companies you could recommend or is it easy to do it independently?
5. I see that Australians can get the visa at the border - what vaccinations are required?

Thanks in advance for your response. MEL-World

 

[Newk]

you might see my +1 and daughter. They would like the same questions answered

The flights took a bit of organising. I THINK they are going via Panama

 

[kpc]

View Profile: infinity - The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community has been to Cuba, and is going again this year. IIRC, he flew from Cancun to Havana

 

[Alanslegal]

I went to Cuba this past July, it was first time I flew via MEX with one way being with Air Cubana and the return on Aeromexico ... yes, it was to tick off the another two airlines off my list I did get my passport stamped even though I was heading to USA after Cuba but it caused no issues at US immigration

There is a wet and dry season, you need to google for that information, but I went in July as I was meeting up with a few friends who were already there and the weather was fantastic for the week I was there. I do know there is a dry/wet season so best to go when its nice and dry.

For jazz, gosh its pretty much everywhere. These are some suggestions to have a drink, salsa, dance your night away:- Floridita [enjoy a daiquiri at this famous bar], La Bodeguita [everyone goes here, there's even a replica La Bodeguita here in Sydney!], La Cecelia [outdoor music dancing], Salon Rosada Benny More [all day outdoor salsa dancing], 1830. [Recommend to get there just prior to sunset, then salsa all the way till morning - hopefully the weathers great as its also outdoors], Tryp Habana Libra Hotel [its actually a hotel and on a Friday night they have fantastic salsa dancing on their top floor. The roof also is retractable so when the weather is fine, it opens up and you are salsa'ring under the stars. Also enjoy the panoramic views of Havana below].

As we had friends there, I would say travelling around is quite easily. There is alot of bargaining prior to any taxi trips but the fantastic thing is, there are SOOOOO many classic cars that you can choose the ones you like. For example, airport to downtown 25CUC (25USD) or thereabouts. Usually 5 CUC from the city to most places, even 10 CUC at most. Yes its not alot of money to us, but it sure is ALOT of money to Cubans. Think average wage of $50-$100 per month.

I got my visa prior to leaving Australia. There is the consulate in Canberra. All you need to do is send a photocopy, yes photocopy only, of your passport, two photos, and the processing fee which I think is $60? and then they send back a Visa coupon, that you carry inside your passport.

Here's my favourite car that I was driven around whilst I was in Havana

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151118686431660.498277.710071659&type=1&l=22816d1043

 

[admin]

I actually just got back from Cuba on Friday! I did the 8 day Original Tour from Cuba Tours and then spent 3 days in Havana after the tour. Cuba is not an easy country to visit so I do recommend doing something organised for at least part of your stay.

I flew via Mexico on Air Cubana. They are "OK", don't expect too much. Also be aware that the flight to/from Cancun is often delayed - it was for me (by 4 hours) flying in and I missed the first organised dinner on the tour. The flights to/from Mexico City are supposed to be more reliable - that said, mine was delayed for 2 hours! Be aware that if you fly back via the US, technically you cannot "import" any Cuban purchases. You therefore could have your Cuban cigars and other purchases confiscated.

You can get a Cuban Visa at the airport in Mexico when checking in for your flight. Very easy - cost about $25. No photo required.

No vaccinations required when I travelled.

Be aware that you CANNOT use a Mastercard (such as the 28 Degree card) for ATM withdrawals, but you can use a Visa card in the very few ATMs. It is best to take cash and convert at the airport. Don't take US dollars as they attract a 10% surcharge when converting. I took Euros, Canadian dollars are also good.

Internet access is TERRIBLE. (Thanks again mods and support for keeping an eye on things while I was on AWOL!)

Cuba is a really interesting country to visit and certainly worth the effort and minor inconveniences.

 

[Alanslegal]

Just to add; as Admin experienced, none of my Mastercards worked either, so ended up using a Visa card. Most ATMs attract $1.50 fee per $100 withdrawn and is treated as a cash advance but to avoid the cash advance, go to a large hotel such as the Hotel Nacional where you can go to the hotel's money exchange place where they will charge your credit card (as a purchase rather than a cash advance) that also incur the same $1.50 / $100 fee, just bring your passport as proof of identity.

I also agree, internet is terrible. I had much cheaper, faster and more reliable connection two decades ago here than what they have in Cuba right now

And FWIW, it is technically not allowed to bring Cuban items via the USA, however my two boxes of cigar (one with my friend via SFO, and one box with myself via MIA) were both allowed through At MIA they really didn't care that I had been to Cuba even though I made it clear that I did, and at SFO my mate had a bit of a grilling but all of his items (cigars, cigarellos, paintings, t shirts etc) were allowed through. However as advice, YMMV.

 

[mel-world]

Many thanks to you all for your replies.

Gives me a basis to start planning.

Any further information gratefully received.

 

[Happy Dude]

I visited with the bride in January 2011. We flew Cubana and bought tickets in CUN. Visas on arrival and we needed to show proof of medical insurance. We didn't have a night booked anywhere but one of the C&I staff found us somewhere. IMO, Cuba is very straight forward for independant travel WRT transport, accommodation, food etc but if you prefer to know in advance where you'll be going and when, r if you want to cram heaps of places into 10 days, then book some kind of tour. It is slow to get around though if using buses so factor that into any itinerary. Foreigners tend to use the air-con intercity buses which are cheap by international standards. We didn't attempt the trains. The best info will come from your hosts in a casa particulare. They'll know someone in the next town too so that's what makes it easy. WRT places to see, well that depends. I enjoyed Cienfuegos as it was very laid back (nice yacht club bar there) and did trips to Rancho Luna. Trinidad was chockers with tourist-orientated bars and clubs. We did a day trip to an island off the coastline there (I forget the name but it had good snorkelling and iguanas everywhere. We also visited Cayo Largo for a few nights on an all-in package deal we organised from a tourist centre in a Havana hotel. Stunning beaches but beware the under-dressed, over-fed Europeans. Santa Clara was lovely too. We didn't bother with the internet at all.

 

[mel-world]

Happy Dude, thanks for your update - much appreciated.
I think we will do a package and your advice has convinced us to fly in from Washington via CUN and out to YYZ to continue our trip in Eastern Canada.
Good to know we will have to show medical insurance papers to get the visa and the earlier advice that we need to have Euro rather than USD for spending money.

 

[admin]

Regarding Travel Insurance: I was advised that not all Travel policies are acceptable in Cuba. In particular, policies underwritten by a US-based company (such as Amex) are not acceptable. Check with your insurance company to ensure it is valid in Cuba.

As I was using the Amex Travel Insurance, I got a special Cuban policy to cover the Cuban part of the trip through the Tour Company - it was only a couple of dollars per day.

I wasn't asked to produce the policy when getting a visa - I guess it depends on the individual on duty at the time!

Happy Dude, thanks for your update - much appreciated.
I think we will do a package and your advice has convinced us to fly in from Washington via CUN and out to YYZ to continue our trip in Eastern Canada.
Good to know we will have to show medical insurance papers to get the visa and the earlier advice that we need to have Euro rather than USD for spending money.

 

[LAH]

Be aware that you CANNOT use a Mastercard (such as the 28 Degree card) for ATM withdrawals, but you can use a Visa card in the very few ATMs. It is best to take cash and convert at the airport. Don't take US dollars as they attract a 10% surcharge when converting. I took Euros, Canadian dollars are also good.

Internet access is TERRIBLE. (Thanks again mods and support for keeping an eye on things while I was on AWOL!)

Cuba is a really interesting country to visit and certainly worth the effort and minor inconveniences.

Just an update : USD no longer attracts 10% surcharge! If anyone attempts to charge you this, challenge them! Exchanged USD just last week in Cuba without surcharge. Of course, things could change again.

Take some cash because even Visa doesn't work in ATM's sometimes. Always works at banks over counter.

Internet terrible, and sometimes phones can be down all over the island.

Have a great trip!

 

[LAH]

<<I wasn't asked to produce the policy when getting a visa - I guess it depends on the individual on duty at the time!>> but Immigration can ask you to produce upon arrival to Cuba, so be careful. Check any insurance policy that the underwriter is not an American company.