Americas - Cuba
Messages: 24,078 - Threads: 1,858
air conditioning in Havana
Sometimes I need to be somewhere with good air conditioning desperately. If there is anyplace to go in Havana that has good air conditioning in a non-smoking environment and is open to the public 24/7, please let me know.
May 10, 2013 10:23 AM
brotherXII
last reply
May 17, 2013 8:22 AM
spa_trip_is_on_me
45 replies
1,725 views
Honest jinetero found in Havana
Hustlers seem to be getting a bad rap lately so here's a good news story. My friend and I were sitting in a certain havana place of entertainment recently when a nice fellow offered to get us a couple good cigars . Before I could stop him my friend handed over 20 CUC and the guy vanished as if by magic . Ha Ha ! I had a good time ribbing him all night about when we would get those stogies but the joke was on me when our new pal showed up just as we were leaving with 2 cigars..and the change ! just goes to show not all jineteros are crooks ,and the cigars werent half bad either !
With Frens Like These… A Couple of Jinetero Scams
Hello from Havana,
I had beers yesterday with a couple Jinetero "Frens" who work the Rampa area. (I bought - of course.) They're entertaining idiots. Though I disapprove, it's a guilty pleasure of mine to enjoy their bragging about the scams they pull. And while they know that I disapprove, they can't resist regaling me with their latest exploits. There are two that I thought I'd pass along:
False Etecsa Mobile Recharge Cards: They collect pristine used $5 CUC cards, repaint the scratch-off area obscuring the recharge code number, and resell them for $2 CUC. They can only do this with the $5 CUC cards since the $10 CUC cards come in cellophane wrapping. They showed me one, which looked obviously fake to me, but I guess they're convincing enough to someone who has never bought one before… Advice: Buy your recharge cards only from reliable sources: Etecsa TelePunto, or at...
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Another security reminder - in reverse
I have been going to Cuba for several years and have learned to some extent to speak and understand a Cuban dialect. But never have I reached a sufficient knowledge to understand all Cubans, at any time. I speak sufficient Cuban to keep a proper conversation even for hours with my girlfriend, and some few other people. But once she turns to other Cubans in a quick exchange of comments or hilarious conversation, I am lost. I get on reasonably well language wise in daily life but realize that I miss out a lot. Street language, jokes or reading Granma is tiresome, let alone what Cubans say between them.
Rosa’s incident and her visit to the police station makes me think that her language knowledge is well above average, if not perfect, and made or capable of vivid observation and participation.
I wonder how many of the regular tourists to Cuba, who have Cuban as a second language, w...
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May 8, 2013 3:14 PM
PaulCuba
last reply
May 13, 2013 6:24 PM
johnabbotsford
21 replies
1,184 views
Trip Report - 22 Nights in Cuba - West, East, & Beach
My wife and I recently returned from a 22-night first-time trip to Cuba. I wanted to share some thoughts given I received much advice from this forum prior to our departure.
A common planning query concerns recommended itineraries and suggested timeframes. For a typical first-time trip of 2 to 3 weeks, many recommend visiting one half of the country only (i.e. either the West or the East).
I have posted our itinerary below as we decided (somewhat reluctantly - reasoning to follow) not to heed this advice and instead spent 17 nights travelling across the country (from West to East), before spending 5 nights relaxing on the beach in Varadero.
I would have the following comments/observations based on our experiences:
1. In no way do I regret having "packed" so much into our time in Cuba. For Northern Europeans with limited holiday resources (both time and money), Cuba is n...
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Request for reviews dance lessons given by the Conjunto Folklorico Nac Cuba
Hello everybody, I read at the Lonely Planet Guide of Cuba that twice a year the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba gives a 2 week folklore laboratory. Has someone participated in this lessons? Is it worth it the 500 cuc?
Thanks in advances for the reviews.
Security Reminder
Those of us who travel frequently generally regard Cuba as one of the safest countries, but are fully aware of the fact that no place is 100% safe. We are also aware the the crime rate in Cuba, especially theft, has greatly increased in recent years. I, who consider myself an experienced street-smart traveler, let my guard down on a recent trip to Havana and it cost me dearly. Embarrassing as it is to admit that I failed to take precautions that I knew very well I should take, I post this experience as a reminder to others of what everybody knows, which is that carelessness can be costly. The situation I encountered occurred about a mile from the airport, an area which is the new hot spot for thieves who watch for rental cars and, if entry is possible, grab whatever is accessible.
"If entry is possible" essentially means that you fail--as I did--to lock the car doors. I was stoppe...
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May 6, 2013 10:42 PM
Happiestwhenlost
last reply
May 17, 2013 8:41 AM
Happiestwhenlost
19 replies
836 views
Is my itinerary realistic?
Hello fellow travellers,
My friend and I have well-worn passports (just added pages), and this will be our first trip to Cuba.
We are planning our itinerary, and would like a little validation that we have our expectations in check.
May 21 --- Arrive in Havana 10pm
May 22--- Havana
May 23--- Havana
May 24--- Havana
May 25--- Havana
May 26---Flex day
May 27---Early morning flight to Cayo Coco (6am)
May 28- Cayo Coco
May 29-- Flex day
May 30- Trinidad
May 31- Trinidad
June 1- Santa Clara ---Return to Toronto 2pm
Any can't miss highlights we should try to fit in-between?
Our ideal travel style is "bohemian comfort." We prefer less-urban destinations and highly rated smaller more intimate accommodations. Our budget is not strict, but leans higher end. We don't mind spending more $$ for richer & more intimate contact with locals and the culture, and also na...
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Tradesman - Welder - Bayamo area
I am looking for reliable tradesman local to Bayamo that works welding for a living and can do the Rowbar type security enclosures around windows of a house as well doors etc....
May 6, 2013 5:25 PM
Tomas2013
last reply
May 14, 2013 5:39 PM
johnabbotsford
3 replies
241 views
Internet Cafe for tourists, Holguin and/or Bayamo area
Looking for where I could find an internet cafe (pay as you go type) in Holguin and Bayamo area. Don't need to surf the net on vacation but do want to check emails once a week.
May 6, 2013 11:17 AM
cyclistaken
last reply
May 6, 2013 12:06 PM
SimonHill
1 replies
182 views
A bicycle on cubana -baggage charges from Cancun ?
Hey all
I know most of this (weight charges etc) is on their website,but I can find no reference to bicycle in a box.
Can you take in box or in bag only?
Any info out there in the Forum ?
Thanks
May 5, 2013 10:39 AM
chappers50
last reply
May 8, 2013 11:39 AM
Rickie_01
5 replies
324 views
Direct Flights Vacouver Cuba
Hi
I'm thinking of visiting Cuba next Jan and would prefer to get a direct flight from Vancouver to Havana or Varadero, likely staying 2 1/2 weeks, I've seen a couple of places that say they exist but if they do I can't find them. If not what is the best, as in cheapest/fastest way to get to Cuba from Vancouver without going via Toronto.
Thanks for any help
Cheers
Chappers
"job contract" for travel
Hi venerable and erudite PL members. We just got a request from a friend, not 'fren', in Cuba who is requesting for us to offer a 'job contract' so that her mother can join her husband in the U.S.A. She assures us that money is not a problem as she has the funds and that she needs the job offer soon for the embassy to get a travel permit. Now, I'm sure many of you have 'hands on' experience re this subject. Apart from ultimate liability if things go sideways, could someone please give advice as to advisability and the procedure. We were thinking of offering an invitation to visit, but as yet no reply on that offer . We intrinsically trust the daughter's intentions.We have stayed at their casa 3 times for many days, and the owners are some of the most sincere and honest Cubans we know.
Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Maurice
Canadian passport issue
When I first travelled to Cuba in 2000, you used to have to have a valid passport with an expiry date 6 months after your planned departure date from Cuba. And, they used to ask to see your return ticket so they had a date for your departure. That hasn't happened to me for a few years now. Besides, some people may not know exactly when they will leave when they arrive. My question and concern is, my current passport will expire in late May 2014 and I plan to stay in Cuba next winter until the end of March. I'd rather not renew it until I get home next year but if I get to Cuba and they tell me I have to leave 6 months before the expiry date I'd have to come home in November. Anyone out there who can tell me what the rules on this are? Thanks for your help.
May 5, 2013 6:36 AM
trapisondista
last reply
May 11, 2013 10:40 AM
ttjpdo
5 replies
345 views
casa particular for rent
I had posted some interesting info yesterday, but as in the days of the very uptight Comstock and Hays codes in the US during
the 30s and 40s, seems someone is sitting in a censor's chair at TT with very provintial censurious eyes. I will give it one more shot.
There is a room available in Vedado, the owner being in Spain till Sept. On Calle A, Large room, next to bathroom, with kitchen privileges. 22 CUC/day. The owner only wishes to rent to a girl. Give me a message if interested. rsfock5@gmail.com
The Presidente Hotel is the place for internet these days, since many of the hotels near Parque Central are offering
no internet tarjetas, since weeks ago. Cost at the Pres, Hotel is the usual 6 CUC/hr. A superior environment here also, compared to the Inglaterra and Plaze Hotels. Computers are very fast. The hotel is on G and 7th Ave. Vedado.
Caleta Buena now days very popular, ...
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