Tips for travaling to cuba??

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Imaka

You have had excellent advice so far about money, etc. - except the one about the water - we drank the water during our weeks at Marina Hemingway and had no problem with it. We found that the water in Cuba at tourist places is safe. If you are worried take Twinrix before you go, and talk to a travel clinic.

If you are so inclined bring plenty of small items to give away - clothing, toiletries, baseballs, small toys, baby products, over the counter medications, used eyeglasses, anything you can think of. It will be very much appreciated. Pack them as if they are part of your personal effects, not things to give away.

Make sure you arrange at least a day trip to Havana. You can go to the beach anywhere, but there is only one Havana. Walk along the Malecon, visit the old buildings, go to the big open air market, eat a pizza for lunch sold from the door of someone's house. Watch a man doing a valve job on his old Buick while sitting on the curb, see the old lady with the cigar posing for photos, and get your picture taken with a very old box type camera. If you can, also arrange for a day trip with a vehicle and driver throughout the countryside and you will see lots of interesting things.

As others have said, be kind and courteous and generous, and remember that your tour guides, waiters, etc. are probably engineers, teachers, professionals, working in the tourist industry because it puts them in contact with foreigners and therefore with more money and with products they could not otherwise get. We have so much and they have so little.

Cuba is very safe, but always carry your visa with you. They will tell you that when you clear in. When walking in Havana be aware that there will be eyes watching you for various reasons - some to see if they can get something from you, others to make sure you do not give anything away, etc. If you go inside the old Catholic church in downtown Havana you are expected to be dressed respectfully.

Mainly, just enjoy your experience and be as helpful as possible while you are there. Cuba is a wonderful place with wonderful people.

delldude405

DONT!

irish_casey1981

Pack lightly!
Make sure you pack cotton, breezy clothes for it is hot there!
Pack similar colors- so they mix and match with every outfit! Your underwear, bras and socks- make sure you bring plenty of these as you might change often! Bring only one swimsuit. Bring two pairs of shoes only! Sandals or flip flops and sneakers or dress shoes.
Pack your usual medications if you take any. Also, pack tyenol or advil whichever you use- b/c it will be expensive to buy there!
Pack bug spray and aloe for sunburns and for nightime to not get bitten by bugs!
Bring toiletrees- toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, sanitary pads or tampons, anti-bacterial hand gel, bath wipes and wipes for after you use the bathroom as it gets very sticky and hot its good to use! The water quality in Cuba isn't that great and you CAN"T DRINK THEIR WATER!!! You will get sick from it! Trust me I know!! You will have a case of Traveller's Diarreaha!!
Also, bring a water bottle to fill up with filtered water when walking around and outside of hotel- you don't want to get dyharated!
Bing the Important things- Passport, Travel checks and or pesos and one or two credit cards.
Lastly, bring a digital camera- to catch all the wonderful things you see and do there!
Hope this helps and Have a Good Trip!!! :)

Richard K

Just take Canadian dollars which you can change into Convertible Pesos either at the airport when you arrive or at your resort. They have no value outside Cuba so you can either spend them all in Cuba or change the ones you have left back to Canadian when you are leaving. I like to keep a few for my next visit. when I arrive in my room I always put the 25 Pesos per person departure tax plus my tip for the housekeeper together with my passport and tourist card into the room safe so I'mnot short at the end. Please be generous with your tipping with the servers, beach guys and others who will ensure you have a wonderful time. It's nice to visit your neighborhood dollar store and load up with small items for the kids and also take down used but not abused t-shirts, running shoes, shorts, etc. for the Cubans you will meet. Safety is not a concern, Cubans will treat you like royalty, remember too your server may be an engineer or other professional but makes more money working in the hospitality industry. If possible be sure to go to Havana most tourists will say it's the highlight of their trip. If someone approaches you on the beach offering you a lobster dinner in their home don't be afraid to accept, you will enjoy it. Also if you are approached to buy cigars on the beach, that is illegal , the cigars may be inferior but the price will be much lower than in a shop and won't have the certificate required should you be checked when leaving the country.Cubans are very proud of their country and no doubt. if you go once, you will go back. Check the links below, they may help you. Have a great time.

Rackbar

I don't think you'll have much problems because Americans are welcome there ,I would imagine.Depends of course your accommodations and the area.I would be careful around the barrio sections though.Please be wary of the food and water.You could contract a horrible stomach infection because the food hygiene is not up to par with U.S. standards.

unionjackess

I haven't been - but friends of mine went there- be warned, there is a curfew. They found out the hard way.

Amanda W

hi well i have been to santa lucia apr last year and the beach was awful!!! the sand was okay but you could literally walk out into the ocean 50+yards and the water wouldnt be any deeper than your thighs,(im 5'7inches myself) you have to go so far for a proper swim and because its unfamiliar and we are usually scared of sharks and jellyfish we want to stay somewhat close to shore unless your on a catamaran or vessel of some sort,we didnt like the food, i have been all over cuba and the best food i had was in holguin at sol rio de luna y mares resort,the staff at brisas lucia though are great they make up for all the shortcomings,its says 4star more like 21/2, i hope you didnt overpay like we did

JULI I

hallo,
here are the customs requirements.
The following goods may be taken into Cuba by persons aged 18 years and over without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; three bottles of alcoholic beverages; gifts up to a value of US$50 (articles up to US$200 will be subject to customs duty payments); 10kg of medicines.
Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment and other items .
besides, visa is required for you, contact the embassy
http://cuba.visahq.com/embassy/Canada

Tropicales

You'll be closer to the locals at that resort. Santa Lucia is beautiful. Don't take too much so you'll have enough room in your case for souvenirs. Beautiful things there.
Travel with CAD money and don't change too much all at once. The tour operators will remind you to keep $25 CUC for departure tax.
Make sure you have good sunscreen and drink a lot of water. Even though they say the water in the hotel rooms are potable, it's still best to drink bottled water.
Tip generously...they need to make their living and they all work very very hard.
If you can bring a few toiletries and little 'gifts' like pens/pencils, paper, soaps, and the like, it would be greatly appreciated. Even if you have some clothing (in good condition of course) that you would like to give as a gift, they would so appreciate it too.
Be smart and don't go out anywhere alone. And don't go too far out in the water in case of any undercurrents (just a precaution, not to scare you...the water is beautiful and safe).
Oh, and do try to take the day trips and enjoy the activities provided. If you can get into Havana, go for it....and the towns around.
And just have a great time!

jeaxl

dont be an addict

Help is on the way

Brush up on your Spanish!

Justin

dont say "Fidel Castro sucks" or ull get sent to prison and maybe the death sentence/torture cuba has many spies so watch wat u say i heard they wire tap the phones =0

xx-cutekitty-xx

ummm check the weather there so u pack the right clothes

Jessica P

hide valuables or take on your carryon i haven't been but i hear customs is brutal and they'll steal your stuff!

lettucer

I sure hope you aren't an AmeriKan because they can't go there.

xpressnick

Put your money in many places..don't keep all your money in your handbag. There's a lot of pickpockets there.

Warm Regards
XpressNick
www.xpressnick.com

Ryu F

iono but u should buy a cigar and smoke it and take a picture and post it on myspace cuz its illegal in america

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