Strong signals that the USA and Cuba to normalise relations.

[Fifa]

Happy to give advice based on my experiences in travelling to Havana 8 months ago

It's a deal!
Your stories have certainly encouraged me to think about visiting Cuba when I hadn't even considered it .

 

[sinetimore]

The europeans already have a very strong footing in there, so I don't think the americans will be able to overrun it all that much, unless they wish to take older hotels and redo them (which isn't really that bad of an idea). A fair bit of the European help has been with restorations, so in that sense, and health/medicine wise, normalising relations with America could very well be beneficial. Cuba manufacture their own soft drinks too, hence why you wouldn't see coca cola anywhere unless in European owned hotels and/or hotel minibars.

I was there last month - I think it was the exact time the remainder of the Cuban 5 came back - and previously around 12-13 years ago (happy to give advice too, + good tour guide/driver recommendation), and the change from that time was so dramatic but it was so much so for the better. A lot of things are more expensive now, but it's understandable as to why. There are a lot more American tourists there than you'd expect, but they just travel in huge groups by buses so they can be avoided fairly easily.

 

[get me outta here]

It's part of 77% of the world that Tripadvisor tells me I haven't visited yet, and it's been in the back of my mind for ages. Just a bit of info if you don't mind ...

I have lots of AA miles and am wondering how best to utilise them by geting to HAV from/via the US. Which way did you go, who with and how much of an add on was it?

The europeans already have a very strong footing in there, so I don't think the americans will be able to overrun it all that much, unless they wish to take older hotels and redo them (which isn't really that bad of an idea). A fair bit of the European help has been with restorations, so in that sense, and health/medicine wise, normalising relations with America could very well be beneficial. Cuba manufacture their own soft drinks too, hence why you wouldn't see coca cola anywhere unless in European owned hotels and/or hotel minibars.

I was there last month - I think it was the exact time the remainder of the Cuban 5 came back - and previously around 12-13 years ago (happy to give advice too, + good tour guide/driver recommendation), and the change from that time was so dramatic but it was so much so for the better. A lot of things are more expensive now, but it's understandable as to why. There are a lot more American tourists there than you'd expect, but they just travel in huge groups by buses so they can be avoided fairly easily.

 

[brzbnkr]

As already mentioned, the big European hotels have been there for quite a while - if you go to the "package holiday" destinations like Varadero [beach], it already well and truly feels like you're not in Cuba. In fact, I hated Varadero for exactly that reason - the beach was absolutely amazingly beautiful (it is the Caribbean!), but just felt like being in an American/European resort.
Havana is certainly somewhere you want to "see" before the Americans start rolling in. It is a true 3rd world country - amazing old colonial buildings crumbling in the middle of a bustling city.
Having said all of this, the Cuban people have a very hard life - the average income is around $15 per MONTH, so it is absolutely impossible for the vast majority of them to ever even think about leaving their country for even the shortest holiday. Life won't change overnight for the Cubans though - e.g. Apple are not going to start selling iPads, as their monthly income is not going to instantly jump from $15/mth to thousands... keep in mind it is a staunchly Communist country, so the government idealistically will not let a large percentage of the population be employed by private companies. They are also very much against consumerism in any form, so it will take a long time for "true retail" to make its way in.

As for travelling there, the two best ways I've heard of are as follows:
1. the expensive way - being the way I did it! Just book flights from Mexico (mostly either Mexico City or Cancun) with Cubana (the national airline). Book return as one-way flights are pretty much the same price as return. Also, make sure you book your hotels before you get there - organising ANYTHING whilst in Cuba is close to impossible. There is no internet, people are very friendly but generally have no idea what's going on and thus are rarely very helpful. Tripadvisor Australia/US/UK doesn't have Cuba - use the Canadian Tripadvisor.
2. the bargain way - book a package holiday from Canada. I was flabbergasted at how cheap the Canadians travel to Cuba! I met a Canadian family in Varadero who paid less for their return airfares and 7 nights all-inclusive, than what I paid just for 5 nights accommodation!! Just make sure you do more than a quick day-trip in Havana... you really can't get a good appreciation from it in a packaged bus day-tour. But that's my personal view - if you like sitting on the bus with all the other tourists, not really experiencing local places, go for it!

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, this thread has great info in it for beginners. I was aware that Canadians are posting more than others with info on TA etc, now I know why. I'll def follow up the Canadian angle IF it is HAV accommodation. It may even be easier to use the AA miles via Canada, but have not looked into that at all as yet.

Yep, it's Havana that interests me for all the reasons you state, and I have seen some great photos thanks to a kindly PM and they were very enticing.

As already mentioned, the big European hotels have been there for quite a while - if you go to the "package holiday" destinations like Varadero [beach], it already well and truly feels like you're not in Cuba. In fact, I hated Varadero for exactly that reason - the beach was absolutely amazingly beautiful (it is the Caribbean!), but just felt like being in an American/European resort.
Havana is certainly somewhere you want to "see" before the Americans start rolling in. It is a true 3rd world country - amazing old colonial buildings crumbling in the middle of a bustling city.
Having said all of this, the Cuban people have a very hard life - the average income is around $15 per MONTH, so it is absolutely impossible for the vast majority of them to ever even think about leaving their country for even the shortest holiday. Life won't change overnight for the Cubans though - e.g. Apple are not going to start selling iPads, as their monthly income is not going to instantly jump from $15/mth to thousands... keep in mind it is a staunchly Communist country, so the government idealistically will not let a large percentage of the population be employed by private companies. They are also very much against consumerism in any form, so it will take a long time for "true retail" to make its way in.

As for travelling there, the two best ways I've heard of are as follows:
1. the expensive way - being the way I did it! Just book flights from Mexico (mostly either Mexico City or Cancun) with Cubana (the national airline). Book return as one-way flights are pretty much the same price as return. Also, make sure you book your hotels before you get there - organising ANYTHING whilst in Cuba is close to impossible. There is no internet, people are very friendly but generally have no idea what's going on and thus are rarely very helpful. Tripadvisor Australia/US/UK doesn't have Cuba - use the Canadian Tripadvisor.
2. the bargain way - book a package holiday from Canada. I was flabbergasted at how cheap the Canadians travel to Cuba! I met a Canadian family in Varadero who paid less for their return airfares and 7 nights all-inclusive, than what I paid just for 5 nights accommodation!! Just make sure you do more than a quick day-trip in Havana... you really can't get a good appreciation from it in a packaged bus day-tour. But that's my personal view - if you like sitting on the bus with all the other tourists, not really experiencing local places, go for it!

 

[Musongman]

I travelled to Cuba way back in 1995. SYD/AKL/ onto Buenos Airies?, one night stopover, then,
Lima/Panama city/ La Havana. Coming back Havana to Cancun, back to Argentina then AKL, and SYD.
By accident, I went with a group of young Communists from Brunswick in Melbourne! Some Latin-American travel agent in Sydney CBD.
Saw far more than any tourist would see, including Guantanamo Bay. Cuban people were wonderful, they have hard lives, but everyone had work and they got monthly rations of staples. Well educated, good free healthcare.
I don't want to see things return to a Batista-like era, I hope the people's life will improve and their country flourish, but not turn into an outlet mall for Western greed.
I would like to think I can return some day, but it's unlikely as I have found my niche in Thailand.

 

[sinetimore]

I have lots of AA miles and am wondering how best to utilise them by geting to HAV from/via the US. Which way did you go, who with and how much of an add on was it?

I went QF to LAX, then Copa to PTY (met up with my parents there), then Copa to HAV, and back the same way. I really don't know much regarding costs and extras, I know we did pay for one QF leg entirely with FF points and it saved us a lot. You could go DFW-PTY or DFW-SJO with AA or another city that flies to HAV, instead of going through LAX. Copa wasn't too bad, the planes weren't always full, especially to Havana so you could move over to a window seat and see some beautiful views of the Caribbean (I remember seeing the Cayman Islands) on the way there. I was originally meant to go via Canada, but because I was meeting up with someone, we changed it around.

 

[kpc]

I went QF to LAX, then Copa to PTY (met up with my parents there), then Copa to HAV, and back the same way. I really don't know much regarding costs and extras, I know we did pay for one QF leg entirely with FF points and it saved us a lot. You could go DFW-PTY or DFW-SJO with AA or another city that flies to HAV, instead of going through LAX. Copa wasn't too bad, the planes weren't always full, especially to Havana so you could move over to a window seat and see some beautiful views of the Caribbean (I remember seeing the Cayman Islands) on the way there. I was originally meant to go via Canada, but because I was meeting up with someone, we changed it around.

By buying and using Avianca miles, you should be able to go Lax-Pty-Hav on one ticket (pnr) in J on Copa for not too much

edit just checked: 70000 Avianca miles + USD50 for return in J on Copa . If you can buy the 70K miles @USD 0.015 per mile during a promo, it comes to USD1100 return in J for Lax-Pty-Hav on Copa...not too bad

 

[Milboo]

I got into Cuba by going into LAX on VA from SYD (I had points seats). Connected to Mexico City on Delta but flight was operated by AeroMexico.

Overnighted in the airport Hilton (had to catch bus to other terminal) - might be an airport hotel but damn the margarita was good!

Next morning I went into Havana on Interjet. Was quite impressed with them as an airline.

Outbound I took Air Canada to Toronto before connecting to NYC as that was part 2 of my trip.

My tips for arriving in Havana:
- you need to fill out the form found in the arrivals hall (not that this is made known to you)
- once you leave arrivals, turn right and into departures and there is a cadeca and ATM in there to get cash which you'll need for the taxi.
- read up before you go about taxis from the airport - there are a number of different people trying to get your business.

For departing
- check in can be pretty slow especially if you're on a flight full of package tourists
- make sure you have the departure fee. I had used more of my cash than intended and did not have enough left. They had card facility but it was not working. Thankfully it did as otherwise I would have been a bit stuck!
- departure hall is a bit disorganised - in my case, departure gate had been changed but there was no signs or announcements.

I was looking back over my photos from my trip today and thinking back on what a great trip it was - and how vibrant the place was - in colour and energy!

 

[Danger]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/w...t-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

 

[Fifa]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/w...t-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

On no!
I'm going to have to make a decision about whether to go later this year.
And my +1 isn't interested so I'll have to find a travel buddy .

 

[kpc]

And my +1 isn't interested so I'll have to find a travel buddy .

What's wrong with him?? I thought you just normally book it anyway, and he only finds where he is going at the airport

 

[Fifa]

What's wrong with him?? I thought you just normally book it anyway, and he only finds where he is going at the airport

That's usually the case .
But he's getting sick of all the AA status runs. And I wouldn't forgive myself if I went to Cuba without fitting in a few AA F flights as well.

 

[kpc]

That's usually the case .
But he's getting sick of all the AA status runs. And I wouldn't forgive myself if I went to Cuba without fitting in a few AA F flights as well.

Since our Russian trip in September, I have been on 3 trips without +1...and I'm off to Adelaide tomorrow, back to Sydney on Sunday, and then off to Singapore on Mon...and she says she is happy to go to work instead..I just don't understand!

 

[spudseamus]

Since our Russian trip in September, I have been on 3 trips without +1...and I'm off to Adelaide tomorrow, back to Sydney on Sunday, and then off to Singapore on Mon...and she says she is happy to go to work instead..I just don't understand!

I concur ! I would carry bags for you to all those places !

 

[911tphil]

My brother has just moved to Havana to live. Despite the announcements, nothing much is changing yet. It will be interesting to get his reports from 'on the ground' there to hear whats really happening. But communications are still woeful with very slow internet and a very average phone system.

There is still plenty of the old Havana to see and experience if you know the right people to ask.

Am looking forward to visiting him some time soon. Will probably travel via Nassau rather than Mex City or Cancun.

 

[Foreigner]

Restoration of diplomatic ties soon:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/05/2...y-restore-diplomatic-ties.html?_r=0&referrer=

May help exports of Cuban rum and, to some extent, cigars.

 

[911tphil]

My brother emailed yesterday saying the first US flotilla of pleasure craft arrived at Hemmingway marina earlier this week. 60 boats in all including 5 x 16ft Hobie cats that sailed down in a race. Crazy sailors.

 

[Foreigner]

Cuba and the USA move closer to establishing full diplomatic relations:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ff-terror-list-paving-the-way-for-normal-ties

US has taken Cuba off list of terror states, inclusion was by (senile prez) Reagan.

 

[Alanslegal]

I guess its time to visit Cuba now before it changes and becomes American-ised and/or flooded with American tourists. In my spare time this week, I will have to plan a return visit ASAP before its too late.