Havana, Cuba

Dan856 · #1 03-03-2019, 03:51 PM

Booked a last minute trip Havana for last week in March. My first time but always wanted to go - any advise from those that have been there previously? Should I bring cash/travelers cheques with me?

Thanks in advance!

hal53 · #2 03-03-2019, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan856

Booked a last minute trip Havana for last week in March. My first time but always wanted to go - any advise from those that have been there previously? Should I bring cash/travelers cheques with me?

Thanks in advance!

Canadian cash

Sundancefisher · #3 03-03-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan856

Booked a last minute trip Havana for last week in March. My first time but always wanted to go - any advise from those that have been there previously? Should I bring cash/travelers cheques with me?

Thanks in advance!

Interested in a day fishing trip for tarpon?

Grizzly Adams · #4 03-03-2019, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal53

Canadian cash

NO, US dollars. good as gold for a Cuban . Cuban pesos have to be gotten in country and don't bother bringing any back, they're worthless. There are ATMs that work with your Canadian credit cards.

Grizz

hal53 · #5 03-03-2019, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

NO, US dollars. good as gold for a Cuban . Cuban pesos have to be gotten in country and don't bother bringing any back, they're worthless. There are ATMs that work with your Canadian credit cards.

Grizz

Whatever you say...we've only been there 7 times , when you get cuban money from the hotel or wherever it's NOT the Cuban peso, its what they call the CUC.. and yes, "some" ATMs will take your card.. many won't

Grizzly Adams · #6 03-03-2019, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal53

Whatever you say...we've only been there 7 times , when you get cuban money from the hotel or wherever it's NOT the Cuban peso, its what they call the CUC.. and yes, "some" ATMs will take your card.. many won't

Coming out of the washroom at the airport, the mop lady held out her hand. All I had was a loonie. She was not happy. Sorry, I've only been there 3 times.

Grizz

357Maximum · #7 03-03-2019, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Coming out of the washroom at the airport, the mop lady held out her hand. All I had was a loonie. She was not happy. Sorry, I've only been there 3 times.

Grizz

The issue isn't Canadian currency in your case it's Canadian coins . Their banks won't handle or exchange foreign coins. I've exchanged Canadian paper currency for coins for Looney toonie in both Cuba and Mexico at face value. Most often approached at airports.

Try taking US coins to your local bank for exchange

Coiloil37 · #8 03-03-2019, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Coming out of the washroom at the airport, the mop lady held out her hand. All I had was a loonie. She was not happy. Sorry, I've only been there 3 times.

Grizz

Don’t pee on the floor, keep the mop lady happy. Simple isn’t it?

hal53 · #9 03-03-2019, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Coming out of the washroom at the airport, the mop lady held out her hand. All I had was a loonie. She was not happy. Sorry, I've only been there 3 times.

Grizz

Well, 3 weeks ago tomorrow at the airport the "mop lady" was asking for Canadian loonies in pretty clear English, first time I've had that happen

Dewey Cox · #10 03-03-2019, 07:22 PM

It was my understanding that there was an extra tax on converting us dollars that Canadian dollars weren't subject to.
(I've only been there once though.)

liar · #11 03-03-2019, 07:24 PM

when i hear people complain about cuba and/or mexico it is often because they go to a third world country expecting things to be " like home" .
my advise would be to go with an open mind . the food will will taste different , they handle and serve it differently than you are used to . the people are very friendly and appreciate any tips you can leave ( take your hat collection and hand them out ). pack toilet paper with you if you go off resort .
i just got back last week and would go back in an instant !!
have fun

Grizzly Adams · #12 03-03-2019, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liar

when i hear people complain about cuba and/or mexico it is often because they go to a third world country expecting things to be " like home" .
my advise would be to go with an open mind . the food will will taste different , they handle and serve it differently than you are used to . the people are very friendly and appreciate any tips you can leave ( take your hat collection and hand them out ). pack toilet paper with you if you go off resort .
i just got back last week and would go back in an instant !!
have fun

Thinking Havana right now, I could kill a week, just in that city, real easy.

Grizz

omega50 · #13 03-03-2019, 09:14 PM

Exiting our tour bus mobbed a few times in Havana by locals trying to sell back Canadian Coins for US dollars. They were not having any luck and were not happy.
Saw some getting thrown on the ground in frustration

Dan856 · #14 03-04-2019, 07:45 AM

Thanks guys! Any other do's / don't do info for down there in general?

Dewey Cox · #15 03-04-2019, 07:49 AM

They told me not to wear camouflage clothing. It's illegal down there.
I think walkie talkies are a no-no as well.
When you overthrow a government, you get a little jumpy about those kinds of things.

Grizzly Adams · #16 03-04-2019, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

They told me not to wear camouflage clothing. It's illegal down there.
I think walkie talkies are a no-no as well.
When you overthrow a government, you get a little jumpy about those kinds of things.

I think at one point they were touchy about GPS devices. Seems silly when you can count the tour buses in Havana on Google Earth.

Grizz

Albertacoyotecaller · #17 03-04-2019, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

Interested in a day fishing trip for tarpon?

If you guys are interested in fishing go with this guy that’s Sundancer recommends. I did with the kid and it was awesome.

Jayhad · #18 03-04-2019, 10:49 AM

I've been there 15 times, take Canadian cash and you will be fine, I typically use my RBC VISA when making purchases in store fronts.

KyleSS · #19 03-04-2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan856

Thanks guys! Any other do's / don't do info for down there in general?

Have proof of medical/dental/travel insurance. If they request proof and you don't have it, they will force you to buy their medical insurance before you're allowed entry.

I had my work coverage letter, and RBC infinite Avion insurance letter. They did ask, I provided both letters, they were satisfied.

Dan856 · #20 03-04-2019, 12:21 PM

Good feedback guys! So how much $ spending money for a week you think? Again single guy, first time there.

pinelakeperch · #21 03-04-2019, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

Interested in a day fishing trip for tarpon?

What does a day of tarpon fishing cost approximately?

bluetick · #22 03-04-2019, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan856

Thanks guys! Any other do's / don't do info for down there in general?

don't rent a vehicle or motorcycle .
If you are in or cause and accident you are automatically guilty and will be detained .
American cash is best , little trinkets and logo items of clothing are priceless to the locals.
There are so many items not allowed or for sale to the people there .
Do drink much and don't go to bed early.
Bugs are bad at night so cover up the legs and use bug stuff.
Do try the beach
Don't spend too much time in the swim up pool bar or drink the pool water .

Too often people just seem to be in there for hours and drink 20 beer and never leave to do a bathroom break. Know what i mean ?

R3illy · #23 03-04-2019, 01:07 PM

Why would you take American money into Cuba?? I've never seen this recommendation before... Wifes been to cuba 10 times now. I've been 5 or 6.

Grizzly Adams · #24 03-04-2019, 08:24 PM

Anybody know if you can still get an all day bus pass in Havana ? Site I found claims it's been discontinued.

Grizz

Etownpaul · #25 03-04-2019, 09:08 PM

Do: smoke lots of cigars, buy the 12 year rum

Don’t mix great rum with crappy generic cola, spring for actual Coca-Cola or drink it straight. Don’t eat lobster every night unless you want gout.

KyleSS · #26 03-05-2019, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Anybody know if you can still get an all day bus pass in Havana ? Site I found claims it's been discontinued.

Grizz

We were there over Christmas 2016 and it was $2 CUC for the all day bus pass. I may be remembering the price wrong, but I do remember it was an all day pass.

kingrat · #27 03-05-2019, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3illy

Why would you take American money into Cuba?? I've never seen this recommendation before... Wifes been to cuba 10 times now. I've been 5 or 6.

X2

wwbirds · #28 03-05-2019, 01:31 PM

Is going to be taken by housekeeping thinking it is a tip. We were getting ready to go to Havanna and take school supplies to a needy school. Backpacks coloring supplies pencil crayons t shirts left on bed to organize for next day were all gone when we went back to our room.
We traveled with US funds and had no problems while there. Tour guides approached us at airport when leaving trying to get rid of Canadian money as they have a tough time converting it to anything they can spend even the CUC is for tourists only so locals have a difficult time spending or converting them we were told. Went through over 100 in $1. USD bills as tips and had great service everywhere we went. Also took bags of mini chocolate bars and any server that had kids was thrilled we would give them chocolate for their children.

Arachnodisiac · #29 03-05-2019, 02:14 PM

Whatever you do, don't forget to bring a Hemingway with you.

Grizzly Adams · #30 03-05-2019, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arachnodisiac

Whatever you do, don't forget to bring a Hemingway with you.

I took a book about Che.

You can say what you like, but don't pick on him, he's a national hero.

Grizz