A sense of Cuba
Cuba in many respects is still caught in a time warp of the 1950s. There are no McDonalds or Starbucks in Cuba, unless you have access to Guantanamo Bay.
While modernisation has meant that many western amenities are now available within Cuba, there are still a few hurdles that might catch the unprepared traveller by surprise. Many foreigners, especially Americans, see Cuba as an exotic destination that’s challenging to travel, mostly because of its communist history, restricted flight access and the language barrier. Some of our observations may help you to surmount some of these barriers.
Our observations and tips from our trip to Cuba
One of the most important things to know before visiting Cuba is to figure out your Visa situation. Overall, it was not a painful process, but definitely something to be aware of before going to Cuba. Most nationalities require a visa for Cuba called a “Cuba Tourist Card” to enter.
Cuba also requires visitors to have their own health insurance. They do spot checks at Customs and if you can’t produce policy documentation, they make you buy insurance there.
When you fly to Cuba, if you can, go with cabin luggage only, travel as light as possible. If you do, you will have no worries about losing your stuff or about it getting damaged or stolen airside.
The Cuban government require departing travellers to pay an exit tax of 25CUC$. Also, standard sales tax in Cuba is 20%.
Cuba’s dual-currency system seems to cause a bit of confusion with some travellers. The official currency that locals use is the Cuban Peso (CUP), however Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is the new “tourist” currency that most foreign visitors use.
Cuban currency is not available in any foreign markets. You cannot pre-buy Cuban currency before your visit. You can only purchase Cuban currency on the island.
You should change your currency at the airport where rates are government regulated.
For the most part, cash is preferred when you are travelling in Cuba. Generally, you can pay by card in the large cities. Many Cuban banks do not accept foreign credit and debit cards.
Euro, Pounds Sterling and Canadian Dollars are the most common currencies to exchange in Cuba.
Cash is king in Cuba. Best not to rely on credit or debit cards at all while you are in Cuba.
Tipping in Cuba will improve your level of service. We recommend 5 -10% tipping. Always check in restaurants if there is a gratuity of 10% or more already added to your bill.
Tap water in Cuba is not drinkable. Bottled water can be purchased very cheaply at most restaurants and stores.
Hand soap is not standard in many Cuban bathrooms. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser with you just to be sure.
If you want to bring gifts or do some bartering while there, then clothing with American brands on it is popular as is anything to do with baseball.
It’s a good idea to tell your bank that you are going to Cuba, as you should do every time you leave your country anyway, but one of our top Cuba travel tips it that it’s even more important for this destination.
We obviously took all the normal precautions, but in general, we felt very safe walking around Havana.
Due to restrictions, food can be bland in Cuba. Take some salt and pepper or the sauce of your choice with you on your trip.
If you need any travel documents while you’re in Cuba or for your next destination, print them before flying to Havana. Tech is really hard to come by during travel in Cuba.
Cuban airports can often be chaotic and overcrowded. It is advisable to get to the airport three hours early for international flights to Cuba and at least two hours early for domestic.
We spent 4 days Havana and 10 days in Varadero, Cuba in the Caribbean Islands sampling their capital city and a wonderful beach resort break in Varadero about 80 miles east of Havana.
Youtube link to the Cuba stills image video:-
Link to our How to Sail for beginners video, made in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.
Our suggestions about how to fill a typical day in any all-inclusive resort during your stay in the Caribbean Islands.
Cuba
It was our first time in the Caribbean and we did not know what to expect.
We visited in August immediately after a heavy rain storm had hit the Island and we left 2 weeks later just as hurricane Charlie was expected to hit, in hindsight we were blessed in out timing.
In our experience, based on our fifteen visits to various Caribbean islands since, staying at the all-inclusive Sandals Resort hotels is the most comfortable and enjoyable way to experience the Caribbean Islands. Sandals have sixteen adult only resorts and three Beaches (Family) resorts dotted all over the Caribbean. At the time we visited Cuba, Sandals had a resort in Varadero, ( in 50/50 joint venture with the Government ) at which we stayed.
At the time we visited the Cuban Sandals resort, it was the cheapest Sandals on offer throughout the group of its hotels.
All onsite facilities were included in the package and these include all water sports, sailing, diving (if qualified), snorkelling, golf. The Cuban Sandals was unique in that, at the time you did not have to be qualified to go diving. This allowed us to try diving for the first time and from then on we were bitten by the diving bug, leading to us getting Open Water PADi certification the following year.
All trips outside of the resorts were offered at extra cost by the hotel tours advisors.
Guided tours via coach transportation around all of the Island, were available. For the silver surfer adrenalin junkies you can do zip-lining, Segway tours, Island buggies, boat cruises or cycle and hill walk.
Sense of Cuba
The official currency in Cuba is the Cuban Peso. If you do as we did and stay all-inclusive at Sandal resort, you will be currency free as all of on-site facilities are free, along with a no tipping policy.
Most of all, it is the people of Cuba that make any vacation there memorable.
Cubans are proud of their distinctive Caribbean culture, good fun and friendly.
Cuba has long been a popular vacation destination for Canadians and Europeans looking for an affordable sunny island escape. However, most tourists stick to resort areas with little opportunity to interact with local Cubans beyond their hotel staff. In fact, up until 1997, it was actually illegal for locals to mingle with international tourists. Now that the five-decade embargo with the United States is starting to thaw, Americans are beginning to put Cuba on their travel radar again. It’s only a matter of time before relations normalise and a wave of curious tourism flocks to this unique “time warp” island. In the meantime, there is a lot of confusion and misinformation about the dos and don’ts of travelling to Cuba.
Do not drink un-bottled water. This is not unique to Cuba. It’s good advice when traveling in many developing nations. Hydrate yourself with sealed bottle water, and use it to brush your teeth.
Recommendations for Cuba
Cuba’s dual-currency system seems to cause a bit of confusion with some travellers. The official currency that locals use is the Cuban Peso (CUP), however Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is the new “tourist” currency that most foreign visitors use. The American Dollars used to be widely accepted in tourist hotels, restaurants and services, but that stopped on November 8, 2004. If you want to exchange US Dollars for CUC, there is both a tax and a commission charged, resulting in about a 20% devaluation of your greenbacks (by the way, the US is the only currency that get’s hit with an extra 10% penalty). For that reason, you’re better off bringing euros, Canadian dollars or pounds Sterling with you. Money should only be changed at a bank or official Cadeca Casa de Cambio (exchange bureau), but there are plenty of people offering to exchange with you on the streets. Be careful, as they might try to rip you off.
This is one place where you should leave home without your American Express card. In fact, any card issued by a US Bank is a no go here. Other countries’ Visas and MasterCards are accepted, but there will be an 11% commission added to the transaction. Note, that this US-card ban may be changing as relations improve. Apparently, as of March 1, 2015, American-issued MasterCards are now being accepted in Cuba, however it’s not yet a widespread practice. This is mostly a cash society, so you should have plenty of small bills on hand and a few back-up non American bank cards just in case.
Beyond the veneer of the glitzy resorts, Cuba is a relatively impoverished nation. From the small villages to the streets of Havana, you can see evidence of this economic struggle. The average Cuban salary is the equivalent of about $20 per month. However, many living expenses are subsidised, so you have to put that alarming figure into perspective. People aren’t necessarily homeless and starving in Cuba, but they’re not consumers flush with cash. Therefore, tourists walking around with dazzling jewellery, designer watches, slick smart phones and iPod buds in their ears are asking for trouble. Leave your Bling at home. One of the unfortunate realities of a Cuba’s decades of economic challenges is that many locals have resorted to street hustling to make some extra money. Some of this is just the help-the-tourist kind of services where a seemingly friendly local suddenly charges you for assistance you didn’t really ask for. Some besiege you with hard-luck stories to guilt you into paying more money. It can be off-putting when someone you think is being authentically friendly is really only in it for the money.
Up until recently, travellers to Cuba were advised to keep 25 CUP aside to pay as an airport departure tax when leaving the country. Since March 2015, this fee is now bundled up and prepaid into the airline ticket price. Remember to check with your travel agent.
Although not enforced rigidly, It’s actually illegal to take a photograph of any military, police or airport personnel in Cuba.
There is a language barrier, if you only speak English. If you are a water bunny then Cuba is for you, with sailing, surfing, diving, snorkelling, fishing, paddle boarding and just tagging along as an observer on any of these activities.
The coral is healthy and vibrant with wonderful fish life and as good if not better than we have seen anywhere else in the world.
Our must see recommendation for a trip to Cuba:-
(1) Our visit to the capital Havana was the highlight of our trip.
(2) Our second choice would be the beach resort of Varadero and learning to sail, windsurf and scuba dive at the resort sports centre.
The cost of this type of holiday is €1.5k per person/per week, inclusive of flights (economy fare).
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
To view the PDF format aide to memory, made daily during the visit:-
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