Has anyone been to Cuba?

Question

Im going o Cuba in 4 weeks time. I was just wondering if anyone had been recently and advice on things to do and places to go? Also a rough idea of how much spending money im going to need for 16 nights all inclusive?

Answer 1

You won't need a lot.. but again it depends on what you want to do! Some of the excursions are very cheap, others are more expensive. Where are you going? That will give us more ideas on what you'll have to do. We usually tried to do something every 2nd or 3rd day and lazed on the beach on the other times. If you're going to Varadero, you can get great cheap massages, sometimes in the hotels, sometimes on the beach.. and that's my little luxury.. I usually get several :)

We normally stay in a less expensive resort so that if we want to do overnight trips to Havana or Trinidad or Cienfuegas or wherever we don't feel like we're 'wasting' expensive prepaid accommodations and meals. Dining out in Cuba is quite inexpensive so if you want to escape your hotel occasionally it won't break the bank. Most restaurants don't even mind you bringing your own wine!

If you're going with a reasonable sized group, one thing you might want to consider is a customized tour that will take you where you want to go, on your own schedule. You can get anything from a van to a 40 passenger bus.. talk to your tour rep and ask what they can do for you! Last time we went we had a group of 'repeaters' who didn't want to do the 'by the numbers package tours'.. so we did our own that actually reversed the Pinar Del Rio tour and Havana overnight so we could also attend a ballet in Havana.. just a wonderful experience!

Scooters! A great way to toodle around town.. they rent for about $25 for 24 hours.. you can get better deals for more days. Rent them around 3.. that gives you a long evening and most of the next day so almost 2 days for the price of one!

There is not a whole lot to buy in Cuba so you won't go bankrupt on souvenirs.. unless of course you're into Cigars! And the airport stores are as cheap as any so don't knock yourself out looking for bargains :) They are adding a surcharge onto credit card purchases.. higher than that charged to cash a travellers check at your hotel or bank, so try to limit what you charge.

If you want to call home, don't do it from the hotel! Buy a phone card down there.. your foreign calling card will not work and you can't call collect either. Internet kiosks are reasonable enough :)

Have a great time! Depending on how much lazing and how much running around you do...should be fine with $100 a day. That should give you a good cushion and you can always take it home with you! Tours range from $15 to $89 (the catamaran tour out to swim with the dolphins is worth it!), overnight tours cost more. Cabs are cheap... tips are cheap.. bring some STUFF that they can't get there easily.. it's greatly appreciated! I always take a whole suitcase full of giveaways.. then I have an empty one to lug miscellaneous stuff back in (banana hats anyone?).

Reading material! If you like to read on the beach or before bed, make sure to bring plenty..you're not going to find anything in Cuba! I have no idea what they read for fun, besides Hemingway! Again English.. or any, actually.. magazines and books are really appreciated by the locals, so give them away after your group has passed them around.

Ohh! Bring a STAINLESS STEEL THERMAL MUG!!! Keeps drinks cold and sand out... and are much admired by the locals! You can't get a thermal mug there.. promise to leave yours to your favourite bartender or maid or whatever and you'll get great service :) I traded one for a massage on my last day... now I bring extras :)

Oh shoot I think I better plan another trip....

Answer 2

Cuba is not cheap. We found prices on par with Europe/US. But if you are all inclusive then that will cut down on the food bills.
Trinidad has colonial splendour but was a little disappointing. Santa Clara is good for some history of the revolution and to see the horse drawn cabs that they have instead of local buses.
The buildings in Old Havana are stunning and worth a look.

Everyone will want to talk to you to practice their English and probably to sell you something, mostly Cigars which are cheap but may be of dubious quality though mine were okay.

Have fun and listen to the music.

Answer 3

I've been a few times and loved it! If you are going all inclusive you will only need money for tips,(if you want to tip) which are greatly received as they are all on poor wages, or if you want to go on any trips.It depends which part of Cuba you are going to as to the cost of trips and what is available from your resort.
Havana is well worth seeing and trips to there from hotels include transport and lunch so you would only need money to buy off the market.It is mainly souvenir stuff and nothing is very expensive( but take toilet roll with you if you go as you have to pay for it! )If you have a credit card I would use that for booking trips as you get a better exchange rate.
Check your brochure for availability and cost of trips you fancy then you know what you need for them, tips at most £3 a day(if you want to) and £100 should easily cover Havana if you go on the one day trip,if you do the overnight one it is expensive.Enjoy.

Answer 4

No, but my MOM and ALL her relatives are from Cuba and all I can tell you is that Cuba is Communist AND WHEN YOU GO THERE, YOU ARE SUPPORTING COMMUNISM since you are giving them your probably American $$$$$. Cuba is a wasteland compared to how it use to look, so if you people that responded before me think that Cuba is beautiful then you are only fooling yourself. Oh and to note, Cubans aren't allowed to approach the Tourist areas, like hotels, restaurants beaches and areas around it. Just to let you people know, Cuba is a prison for Cubans. All Cubans are designated to stay at certain locations or else they will either be brought their back by force or taken to prison. All of my Cuban relatives have been trying their best to come to America because all of the horrible things that are happening in Cuba. You people that have visited Cuba and gave them your money and supported them should be ashamed of yourselves. Did you know that ALL CUBAN CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT TO HATE ALL AMERICANS? WELL??? I have seen videos of marches where thousands of children were ranting of how much they hate America, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT US!!!!!!!!! They don't have newspapers or TVs or computers ANYWHERE that talk about ANYTHING else outside of Cuba. To them it's "PLANET CUBA".

I haven't even scratched the surface yet on why Cuba is bad and you people shouldn't visit there.

JJ, because it's universal!!!

JJ, you are sooooooooooooo COMMUNIST!!!!!! You must be related to Fidel Castro or something, LOL

Answer 5

Yes. Cuba is gorgeous. Make sure you male a visit to Havana to get the real feel of Cuba and also swim with the dolphins-great experience.

Answer 6

where about in cuba are you going ? most hotels do trips which are not to expensive and you can go sea fishing .Some hotels have bikes that you can use free ,as for spending money @ £500 should be plenty ,but you can take a cedit card just in case

Answer 7

Unfortunately, I've never been to Cuba, but I have met someone who has been there two times. All I know is that you need to bring sunblock/tanning lotion. For two weeks, I'd say up to $2,000.00 to be safe.

Answer 8

not sure on how much $$ you should take, but i have been to cuba. havana is a really neat town you should check out. also, something i did was snorkelling. ask at your resort about some snorkelling excursions, because some can be really fun.

Answer 9

i went to Cuba but i really don't remember the expenses all i can tell you is that it is beautiful
enjoy !!!

Answer 10

Why is person above posting the exact same answer to another question?


Universally Moronic? A stupid answer to one question is also a stupid answer to another question.