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 »

Hostelworld terminates bussiness with casas particulares in Cuba

Today - the biggest global reservation side for bed and breakfast houses all over the world - Hostelworld - www.hostelworld.com informed that it terminates all bussines with bed and breakfast operators in Cuba. Hostelworld was recentely sold to american investment company Hellman and Friedman. Because of american embargo against Cuba Hostelworld was forced to delist all bed and breakfast houses casas particulares from its Web Site and discontinue all business affiliations.
Here is the letter that was sent by Hostelworld to most of the casa operators in Cuba today - November 20, 2009

Estimado/a propietario/a

Como usted sabe Hostelworld.com ha sido recientemente adquirida por una firma de Inversión Privada, Hellman y Friedman. Como resultado de la adquisición, Hostelworld tiene obligaciones legales que cumplir, lo que significa que deberemos terminar nuestra relación de traba... more »

Travelling by bicycle in Cuba

Hi,
I'm thinking of travelling through the island by bicycle, from Havana all the way to the east coast.
1. Has anyone done something similar (blog, etc., I could look at on-line)?
2. Any ideas what bike tools to bring, or what stretches of road would be the most difficult?
3. Any idea if it is possible to sling a hammock between a couple trees by the side of the road and sleep there overnight?
4. Any other tips?
Thanks,
Blair

USA Citizens and Mexican Immigration - Cancun from Havana.

During our recent 13 weeks in Cuba we mercifully rarely heard a north american accent and then most often was of the canadian variety.
However luck runs out eventually and on the Mexicana flight from Havana last Sunday there were a gaggle from the USA. On the bus ferrying passengers to the terminal they loudly(I know this is tautological) swapped stories of the drama of being behind enemy lines and getting home safely. One of the 7 or so then proceeded to instruct the others how to avoid the Mexican immigration stamp and hence problems with USA authorities.

It was along the lines I have read here sometimes - place 20USD in the passport and the the official will take you to the bathroom, accept the money and not stamp your passport. I couldn't resist and asked the yank where she had learnt this information?... From the Lonely Planet website was the response! I didn't bother te... more »

Something out of the Odinary for this site......

Most of you do not know (if you are Old enough) where you were 44 years ago Today, November 19, 1965. On a day like today 44 years ago My Mother and me (I was 5 years old at the Time) were in Varadero Airport getting ready to travel to Miami, Florida. When we got there, both of us though we were going to take the flight to Miami the same day. I will never forget as long as live the look on my Mother face when she was told that our flight was schedule for the 20th of November. The officials told her that everybody is told to be there one date, but the date is one day early from the departure date. My mother was frantic because she told the officials that she never made any provisions for us sleeping the night in an Airport. But we made the best of it and I slept on the floor with my Mother. The airport was so packed that not even one more fly go get in. The next morning we got lucky be... more »

Know an American who has visited Cuba legally? How did it go?

I barely qualify for a general license but I don't look Cuban in the slightest. My worry is that customs or immigration is going to take one look at me and expect me to prove that I just visited my second cousin in Cuba. I can prove that my grandfather was born there, but I don't see how anyone could prove or disprove that I am related to the second cousin I would like to visit. Any thoughts on this problem?

Can anyone recommend a company that does charter flights from NY, DC or Miami? The only one I have found is expensive as hell.

Are Americans coming back from Cuba (legally or illegally) getting hassled, fined or jailed any less now that Obama has loosened restrictions?

Satellite Dish Through Customs?

Hello,

I would like to take a 30in. satellite dish/parabolic reflector into Cuba for a friend. It is too large to fit in a conventional
suitcase (in fact I might just cut it in two).

On the Cuban Customs Site I see that such equipment would require a license or previous permission from the Ministry of Communications,

1) Is it possible to attain such a license for a private dish
2) How would I go about getting it.

Also, lets say, for the sake of argument that if I am able to get the dish out of baggage claim in plain sight (see Plato's critique of Homer)
what would be the consequences if they found the dish. A fine? Prison!?!?

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

HOUSE RECOMMENDATION VIÑALES (CUBA): VILLA EL MOJITO

I was also in Villa El Mojito for 2 months ... My stay was long, so I highly recommend this house.
Its population is friendly, pleasant, talkative, and trust and treat you like one family.
You have two rooms with separate entrance, you get the key without any problem ...
The rooms each with private bathroom hot water and cold towels.
They have air conditioning and fan ...
The meals are very good and very cheap prices, and served as a patio-style outdoor areas. The garden has a barbecue and bar, which serves the best mojitos in the province, prepared by the expert hands of Johnny, a bartender experience over 30 years.
I recommend it, especially if you're going to be a success in all areas ... And a great experience!
I leave your site:

http://villaelmojito.webcindario.com
villaelmojito@ya.com

Gemma more »