Americas - Cuba
Messages: 23,958 - Threads: 1,851
Los Desaparecidos
Please use this as a place to post any useful information (you know, the kind that used to be the bedrock of TTF)
you posted to threads that subsequently disappeared.
Just info that would be useful to other Cuba travelers; PLEASE, no arguments, accusations, bigotry, bile, insults, condemnation, blasphemy, appeals to a higher power, direct connections between the spleen and the mouth...... and defiantly no weapons on the premises.
I.E., nothing that will attract the WRATH OF THE MODS.
MUCHAS GRACIAS, COMPAÑEROS
Canadian Businessman on trial today for "bribery, tax evasion, etc
while rival has now been held, without charge, for 21 months.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/05/22/cuba_diplomats_in_courtroom_as_canadian_businessmans_corruption_trial_begins.html
New Bug
In the last three days, have noticed that, even though I am already signed in, the system is demanding that I sign in again, each time I post a comment.
May 22, 2013 10:31 AM
Realmccoyone
last reply
May 23, 2013 8:17 AM
jconchie
7 replies
273 views
Roads - Pilon - Granma
TERRIBLE - BOTH PILON CITY AND AREA.
Travel to Thailand
My step-daughter is a Cuban permanent resident in Canada for 3 years--NOT a Canadian citizen. She wants to travel from Vancouver to Bangkok to visit her boyfriend there. When I check ticket prices, all the most economical flights have routing through either Seattle, and/or San Francisco-with stop-overs there for short periods. Can she--as a Cuban citizen--take such flights? Thanks for your help.
May 22, 2013 2:31 AM
windward_passage
last reply
May 23, 2013 12:54 AM
windward_passage
5 replies
152 views
Day 1 - Havana or Matanzas
First time into Cuba with very limited Spanish. I'm trying to decide if I should head straight to Havana, spend a day or two at Matanzas on my way back to Varadero airport if I have time, or if I should make Matanzas my first stop. I figured there are two factors to consider (below), so any input or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
1. Flight gets to Varadero at 2-ish pm. According to the Viazul schedules, I could catch the 4pm bus or the 6:30pm runs. I arrive on June 1. If I don't book ahead online, how likely am I to be able to get on the 4pm or the 6:30pm Viazul without an advance booking? If this doesn't work out, are there alternatives besides a cab ride (out of budget) or the Conectando (I think its last bus leaves at 2:50pm). Or would it be safer to book a casa particular in Matanzas? At least a cab ride there would be more affordable.
2. Snorkelling at [Pl...
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No more San Jose CR-Havana flights
Avianca/Taca has abruptly cancelled its SJO-HAV route. Seems to be part of a large downsizing of their operations at San Jose. They'll continue to serve Havana from San Salvador, Lima and Bogota.
The Sad State of the Hotel Riviera (and others)
Hello from Havana,
Over the weekend we had some clients who want us to help plan their wedding here for this fall. Their #1 choice was the famous Hotel Riviera - until they actually took a good look at the place.
The wedding theme they had hoped for was 1950's jet-aged retro-kitsch, with a wedding by the pool and their 40 or so invited guests all staying in the hotel. On the surface the hotel is certainly a well preserved historical site. (It was gangster Meyer Lansky's Xanadu and undoing - re-watch The Godfather Part II, you'll get the broad strokes of the story.) Once you scratch below the (filthy) surface, though, the place is a (filthy) dump. I live here full-time, and am probably too-accustomed to La Habana's grittiness, and the couple is very hip and has visited here several times as our clients, so no-one was expecting the Georges V in Paris, but what confronted us wa...
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Viazul - Havana to Trinidad - Getting Tickets
I will be on a tight schedule in Cuba and need to know if this is possible.
I arrive in Cuba at 2-3PM on a Sunday. I want to catch the 8AM bus out of Havana to Trinidad. This trip will be in early July. How hard is it to get tickets the day before the trip in the evening? Also, I live in the US, so I cannot book through their website anyways.
Other recommendations on this?
Transit countries
FYI and because I might forget in my upcoming trip report, as I was leaving Havana last week I ask both TACA and Cuban immigrations that if a Cuban had a visa to say, Guatemala or Colombia and was just connecting through El Sal if there would be a problem. In both cases the answer was no. El Sal is a hub for TACA and you can fly direct to many countries from there.
May 17, 2013 8:13 PM
johnabbotsford
last reply
May 23, 2013 12:59 AM
johnabbotsford
10 replies
281 views
Cubana Flight Bookings
There were few posts recently from USAers reporting that bookings on the Cubana website
http://www.cubana.cu/home/?lang=en
now allowed them to pay using a US credit card. This was good news for those wanting to fly from Cancun from which Cubana is often the only alrline available.
Having just booked an internal Cubana flight I can now report that ALL Cubana flight payments are being processed via http://www.travelsandiscoverytours.com .
In the past Cubana processed non-USA credit cards direct to Cubana.
The new process provides a charge listed on card statement as Travels & Discovery S.A
Note this website also allows for hotel, tours and hire car bookings all of which presumedly may be paid via credit cards - including those from the land of the free?
more »
May 17, 2013 8:57 AM
anillos_de_satu...
last reply
May 17, 2013 5:48 PM
chefhagan
1 replies
103 views
Cubana will resume flights from Havana to Sao Paulo (Brazil) on July 10th
It seems it's already confirmed. Flights'll be once a week. More info here.
May 16, 2013 2:59 PM
lasnakyd
last reply
May 17, 2013 8:26 AM
spa_trip_is_on_me
3 replies
159 views
Titanium VISA from Moneymart
There are a number of posts on here inquiring which cards will work in ATMs in Cuba. I've read here that the Titanium Visa from Moneymart will not work, yet I hadn't read of anyone who actually tried. I tried mine last week at an ATM in Varadero and can confirm that IT DOES IN FACT WORK. I was able to withdraw funds on several occasions. CUC on par with USD plus a small surcharge. All in all it worked out to be about the same as one would receive converting CAD to CUC at the airport cadecas. Given that the Cuban ATM system is national, I'd venture to guess that it would also work in Havana and ATMs in other cities. I will be travelling to Havana tomorrow and will post once I confirm that it works there as well. I think this might be a very handy option for travellers.
Rancho San Vicente closed for repairs
I always liked this place in Vinales. Nice for a romantic getaway!
Cuba Landmark Hotel Rancho San Vicente Gets under Restoration
HAVANA, Cuba, May 16 (acn) The old and symbolic hotel Rancho San Vicente, close to the famous Vi€ ¢Ã±ales Valley, in western Pinar del Rio province, will be submitted to capital restoration this year in an effort to provide more options as part of the Health Tourism modality.
Cuban tourist executives told reporters that the reconstruction process is aimed at increasing the number of rooms in the old complex, which also counts on 53 cabins around its areas.
Important restoration actions will target the pool and the bath of medicinal waters that are very famous in the western territory, said hotel manager Odalys Acosta.
The hotel was built in 1901 next to the € ¢â’ ’¼Cueva del Indio€ ¢â’ ’½ (The Indian€ ¢Â´s Cave), a major attraction site offe...
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May 16, 2013 10:32 AM
frautinalein
last reply
May 21, 2013 6:46 PM
emagicmtman
4 replies
227 views
honeymoon all inclusive affordable remote
hello,
my partner and I are looking for a honeymoon destination. we are really flexible as to where to go: costa rica, mexico, dominican republic etc etc etc....
we are tempted by the idea of having all meals provided, or an affordable restaurant really close (given breakfast is provided) and therefore all-inclusive fits the purpose of this trip (we really only want to be together, not worry about food etc).
We do not like really touristy places and big resorts.
We are rather in nature in a remote place (at least not crowded).
and yes...we are on a budget....meaning those really fancy resorts that are completely in nature but where you pay hundreds of $ a night are out of our league.
basic-nice-nature-all meals provided- affordable. any hints????
thank you soo much
tina
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