Taking unused clothes to cuba, good idea?

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Tropicales

You would not be insulting them at all. In fact, they would be very grateful for your kindness and generosity. They appreciate anything that we donÂ´t even think they would need. As long as the clothing or items are in good condition. Jeans are extremely expensive for most...so if you have jeans in good condition you can spare, that would put a smile on someone's face. T-shirts, handbags, hats/baseball caps, hair clips, running/athletic shoes are helpful. Pens/pencils, erasers, paper are great for them, (and for the children, too). They also love magazines!
For women, 'feminine' items are appreciated.
Bath toiletries are welcome. Makeup such as lipstick, eyeliner, shadow is something they really like. The last time I was there, some of the friends mentioned that they need extra sun protection (those who spend/work a lot of time in the sun). So even if you have extra sunscreen, that would be helpful too.
What is simple to us is important and very helpful for them. Many go to the dollar store to pick up some little items that go a long way for them.
If you like, you can place a note and a couple of toiletries some days for your roomkeeper instead of money. It's more personal, very useful, and they will be so very appreciative.

So basically, this is a list of things that would be useful for them. It's up to you to decide what you're able to do.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Cuba.

Imaka

Yes, it is a very good idea. My husband and I gave away literally a ton of stuff from our sailboat when we sailed to Cuba. We planned our trip with that in mind and had hundreds of pounds of all kinds of things to give away from clothing to bicycle parts to paint to kitchen items to toys to diabetic supplies. All clothing items are great - jeans, shirts, socks, children's clothing, jackets, even light gloves. One of the most popular items is ball caps, especially New York Yankees caps. Also, you will see kids playing baseball with a stuffed sock as a ball, so baseballs are very much appreciated. Toiletries, small toys, over the counter and prescription medications, sanitary products, detergent, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, baby products, used eyeglasses - just about anything you can think of will be very much appreciated. Just be careful going through customs. Make sure the things are packed to look like your personal items and not to be given away (even though many customs officials turn a blind eye, you cannot count on it). I will never forget what happened at Marina Hemingway the day we gave away so much stuff. It became quite obvious throughout the day that we were giving stuff away, even though you are not supposed to do that. After dark that night we heard a knock on the side of our boat, and when we went up to see who it was there stood a man in a customs uniform. We thought there was going to be trouble because of giving away so much stuff. But the man just held out his hand, shook my hand, and shook my husband's hand, and said, "You helped a lot of people today." I will never forget it. Bring and give away whatever you can. It will be appreciated.

cliffkatt

great idea i know someone who does this it will be apreciated there

MarshaMarsha

I always take stuff to Cuba to donate. I think it's a great idea. I usually take toothbrushes (they're light and not so easily available there); you can carry lots of them and give them to a church to distribute. If you have lots of space, take sanitary pads, bath soap, toothpaste. But don't overdo it!

â™¥deb bâ™¥

we visited cuba a couple of years ago (varadero), my husband gave loads of his t shirts to the hotel staff, they really appreciate it. In fact the hotel manager ended up with a Â£80 Hackett t shirt which he had his eye on for two weeks!. This is a great idea also they do need toiletries as they are very expensive over in cuba.

swimming star che che (:

ya it is

Amanda W

yes absolutely,i have been to cuba 8 times i have made a few comments on this site already,the hotel staff gets spoiled by all the tourists who stay there.....rent a moped and take a small bag and when you see people in there yard or on the street give them stuff,they dont take offence and will appreciate,they dont get the luxury of handmedowns from us rich canadians and europeans as the hotel staff do

warzone-traveler

I went to Cuba last year and gave all my clothes away I flew home with no bags. They love clothes, they need them. Bring jeans but, you just cant fly down there with bags of clothes so take tags off and come up with ways to pack them..... But thats a great idea

Richard K

Sure. do it. I always take used but not abused t-shirts, shorts, running shoes toiletries, ponchos, pencils, erasers, ball caps,and anything else I can get into my suit case. They are always appreciated. You can always find inexpensive items at your local dollar store .We take so much for granted and what we often discard is most welcome by the Cuban people who open their hearts to us when we visit.

a women

very good...when i went i gave this one girl all my make up

fbklepper

There are a lot of people right here in
America that need them and you won't have to load yourself down on your trip.

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