American headed to cuba. Please help

I am an American citizen who will be in Cancun for a week and i want to make a small trip to Cuba. I have never been to Cuba and have virtialy no information on how to get there or where to stay. Is it safe for Americans. Where to go? What to do? Should i even go? Currency exchange? How reliable is the transportation services to and from ? Any information will be helpful. This will be a once in a life time adventure and I dont want it to end in a disaster.

travelling to cuba in june

Hi,

i'm hoping to travel throughout cuba in june and it would be great to find people also travelling there from anywhere and get any advice on where to go, what to do etc :)

Thanks!

Christmas in Havana

Which is mostly a non-event, although we did follow a parade of clergy and the Madonna being carried in a glass case to the Cathedral where throngs lined the streets. Things are a-changing. We stayed in a B & B in Vedado with a lovely family who included us in their family for breakfast. We liked this residential area very much - lovely restaurants, John Lennon Park and the Necropolis all within walking distance. It was about 6 km to Centro, which we walked the first day to "get a feel" for the place. Otherwise it was a 5 cuc. taxi ride. My friend had been there 10 years ago and now was most impressed with the restoration work which is being carried out. There are some beautiful hotels restored to their former glory and many great statues. The sidewalks and roads are atrocious but continually being swept clean of garbage. We had some good meals and great pina coladas! Thanks to all f... more »

Open Water Course in Trinidad/Playa Ancón

Hi all,

from March 15 on I will be 3 weeks in Cuba (first time).
I am thinking about doing the Open Water Course there. As I will be stuck at one place during the course and do not want to stay in a tourist resort, the only option that ocurred to me is staying in a casa particular in La Boca and doing the course in Playa Ancón.

Has somebody of you done this course in Playa Ancón done before and can tell me his/her experiences?

Also I'm completely open to other suggestions where to do the course.
My travelling plan till now will be:

Havanna
Cienfuegos
Trinidad
Santa Clara
Camaguey
Santiago de Cuba
Baracoa
(Havanna)
Viñales
Havanna, flight back home

I will be travelling alone and am not planning to rent a car, so not all diving places will be reachable fot me.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Cheers
Irina more »

No more Tarjeta de Turista?

Would like to share this experience with travellers going to Cuba.

I went to Cuba during New Year 2011. I got the Trajeta de Turista in Cuba Embassy in Buenos Aires. When I arrived Havana the immigration officer did not check the trajeta. I kept it with me throughout my journey anyway. When I left Havana the immigration officer did not collect it. I asked her why. She said it was no need. I asked again to confirm "So next time when I come I do not need to apply it?" She said "No you don't."

Then this new year I met 2 people who got the Trajeta de Turista in Cuba Embassy in Hong Kong where I live But when they arrived Havana again the trajeta was not collected. They complained the HK travel agency of not aware of it and made them wasting time to apply for the trajeta.

Can I conclude that the trajeta de turista is no use now? But funny is that Cuba Embassies do not notice and... more »

Which Type Are You?

Apologies if you have already read this, but this is something I came across online and thought it deserved a repost..

1)NEO: First time in Cuba, decided to visit Cuba on a last minute basis, 20 - 40 years of age. Armed with Lonely Planet Guide and couple of suggestions from friends and thinks he already knows Cuba. He wears Ray-Ban Glasses and Dresses Dolce and Gabbana summer collection, from hat to Sandals.
They usually travel in groups always accompanied by Cuban Guide who will explain everything from Cigars to Girls. Returns home happy and thinks he conquered Planet Cuba, maybe in love with Yosmelis (his little chica)
Brings home fake Cigars and brags to his friends on how much he paid. because his Cuban friend at the beach offered him a great discount.

2)MULTIPLE: 45 years of age, travels alone or in small group of the same species, with one thing in mind: to score a... more »

Going to Cuba for 3 months: What vaccination do I need to get?

Going to Cuba for 3 months: What vaccination do I need to get?

Thanks,