Thorn Tree travel forum

Cuba Branch FAQ

This branch covers: Cuba

The contents of this FAQ thread are being kept simple in order to avoid confusion and provide basic information about Cuba and links to information sources. Use the subject lines of each post below to find what you're looking for.

Here are some simple tips about looking for information:

1. Research before asking a question. It will help you get better, more detailed and useful answers from the community if you've already done some homework. It's also polite. The community is here to help, but we're not your personal search engine. Invest some preliminary time and we'll help you fill in the gaps.

2. Explore Lonely Planet's Destinations online, which has a wealth of key info and tips.

3. Have a good look around the Thorn Tree before asking your question - quite often your question (or one very sim... more »

Tours of Cuba?

As a newbie traveler to Cuba, I could use some advice. I plan to travel over the holidays and spend about 2 weeks in Cuba. Being American, I'll probably be flying through Cancun (cheapest). I speak little Spanish, so was considering a tour with English speaking guides. Would I be able to find tour companies in Havana that could arrange a multi-city trip or should I arrange something before I leave? I've found one that sounds interesting, through Cuba Adventures, that sounds suitable for me. Does anyone have experience with this company, or suggestions on how I might proceed? I'll appreciate any advice from you that have done this before.

Carlos Varela Cuban singer-songwriter in USA 2-22 Dec

In case this is of interest to my yank cousins.......

From: sstephens@democracyinamericas.org
To: sstephens@democracyinamericas.org
Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:28:50 -0500
Subject: SAVE THE DATE: Carlos Varela in town, direct from Cuba, at last!

Dear Friends,

Carlos Varela, the renowned Cuban singer-songwriter and our dear friend, has finally gotten a visa from the U.S. government to visit the United States!

His trip is happening now; he will be in the States from December 2-22.

CDA got Carlos his visa, with help from American University, so he could come to our country and continue the conversations he started with so many of us in Havana about his country’s future, about U.S.-Cuba relations, about the bridges we’ve all tried to build over these years, so that someday all Cubans and all Americans can enjoy each other’s company freely without asking... more »

Havana airport to Trinidad.

I have a friend arriving at 1.30PM. (I don't know the day, but in the next week) He wants to know the likely cost he can negotiate for getting a cab to Trindad. If he took Viazul it would require a night in Havana, which he would rather avoid, and cost to Havana as well as bus ticket. He could save all that with a cab, and might find another traveller to share the cost on the same plane from Toronto. Anyone done that recently? Thanks.

Che Historical Institute in Havana?

Does anyone know of a historical institute in Havana for Che Guevara? I see the Museo de la Comandancia de Che in the Moon guide - anyone know if there is something else in Havana? Thanks.

Another shopping service opens up in Cuba

Talk about timing

Right after I posted info about CT, I got an email from Caribbean Transfers about a new service they are starting to offer, similar to the "MallHabana" shopping model.

They have an extensive catalogue of items but not many pictures to accompany them. What they do have currently can be found here

http://www.caribbeantransfers.com/app/data/s_combos.aspx

Manuel assures me more will be forthcoming shortly and I will post them as they become available

Kool and the Gang confirmed for cuba concerts

hola everyone. seems its official - 4 dates by Kool and the Gang in Cuba

Dec 19-22

Venues not confirmed, but rumor here is that the 19th is at the Tribuna AntiImperialista, Malecón

Celebrate good times!

http://www.koolandthegang.com/concerts.shtml

Fishing in Cuba - advice?

Hey all,

First post to this section of TT - I'm going to be in Cuba from 5/12 to 27/12 (flying in and out of Habana) and would like to do some fishing. I've tried a few specialist websites but they tend to be very techy so I'm going to try to keep this as simple as possible:

Given the season, where would be the best place to do some fishing and what can I expect to be fishing for? We're going to be moving around Cuba so it doesn't necessarily have to be that close to Habana.

LP suggests that boat hire is around 300 CUP per day. Is it possible to join a one-day excursion that includes equipment hire, some lunch, few drinks, and fishing with some a few other people? Am I more likely to find this in one place than another?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

VLR