Americas - Cuba
Messages: 24,805 - Threads: 1,900
Jan 22, 2013 4:45 PM
johnabbotsford
last reply
Jan 22, 2013 5:26 PM
johnabbotsford
2 replies
395 views
New Hotel In Gibara
Thanks to TA for this info.
When people rave about Baracoa I think of Gibara. Has many of the small seaside village features of Baracoa but a hell of a lot easier to get to. 40(?) minutes from Holguin. Some lovely casas and food options (again largely at caasas) and now a spanking new hotel on the site of what i remember as a 'bomb site'.
http://holidayplace.co.uk/news/details/109213/iconic-building-reopens-as-new-cuba-hotel-in-holguin
Jan 22, 2013 11:43 AM
rpspellissy
last reply
Jan 25, 2013 4:37 PM
jconchie
15 replies
858 views
Getting to Santiago de Cuba
Hi,
Is it possible to fly to Santiago de Cuba, from a European airport, without going to Havana? I have checked a few (big name) flight websites and Antonio de Maceo airport is not listed. I have already seen Havana and so want to spend as much time in the east of the country as possible. I would be traveling from Heathrow, London.
New Zealand (Australian) Credit Cards in Cuba
I'm interested to know if anyone has any recent information on which New Zealand credit cards work in Cuba (of course most NZ banks are Ozzie banks...)
Have heard that ANZ is no go in Cuba as is any MasterCard?
Any comments on NZ / Austr cards that work reliably? Or is it all a bit hit and miss?
Muchas Gracias
Jan 21, 2013 11:02 PM
mmmellowmama
last reply
Jan 22, 2013 7:46 AM
anillos_de_satu...
2 replies
665 views
Cubana and Cuballama
Cubana: Hard to believe this hasn't been asked yet, but is anything going on with Cubana (worth worrying about)? I'm pretty sure they are still offering flights from YUL and YYZ, but why did the options disappear from their website?
Cuballama: Does anyone call using the standard .50c line to a home phone with Cuballama? Every time I try, the line is extremely glitchy and have to call using the Premium line at .75c
There's also Keku with a 69.9 rate (from Canada), any better rate out there?
Thanks!
Jan 21, 2013 10:40 PM
carlan
last reply
Feb 25, 2013 4:22 PM
johnabbotsford
12 replies
637 views
Cuban visa for direct flights from the us
I have not taken one for some time and was wondering what the deal is on purchasing your Cuban visa. I and the kid are us citizens flying in to visit family. Can we just buy our visas in Havana or do we have to buy them from the charter companies here in the states. Bob, I know you do this often so maybe you could chime in. If I can buy one in Havana airport less than the $70 or something they say they charge with the charter flights that would be great. What's the scoop now?
Jan 21, 2013 7:00 AM
southamericansky
last reply
Feb 20, 2013 5:16 PM
sayeh
20 replies
1,689 views
Spanish phrases handy in Cuba
Could somebody tell me some Spanish phrases or sentences that might be particularly useful in Cuba?
I have rudimentary Spanish but I am looking for a few phrases with a Cuban flavour that I can memorise
Thanks
Jan 21, 2013 6:28 AM
AndrewFerrellMa...
last reply
Jan 21, 2013 3:22 PM
johnabbotsford
2 replies
386 views
Airlines via Sweden: Will They Deny a US Citizen?
I am a U.S. passport holder (citizen) living in Sweden as a Swedish permanent resident, with Swedish "greencard" attached to my U.S. passport.
Obviously, I will be flying to Cuba from Sweden.
Question 1: Will an airline, Swedish or otherwise, deny my boarding on a Cuban flight because of my American passport? I believe it to be an emphatic "no", but here I am, double-checking away anyway.
I will be needing a visa to satisfy the Cuban requirements, yes, but will I meet trouble from Swedish/European crossover points if I do not apply for and receive one of those nifty American tourist licenses? I am guessing another "no".
Question 2: I am covered by the Swedish government (through my employer) re: health insurance, as we all are over here. The Cuban proof-of-health-insurance mandate seems to affect U.S. passport holders. How to find harmony within this conundrum? Show them ...
more »
Jan 21, 2013 4:19 AM
southamericansky
last reply
Jan 28, 2013 11:40 PM
DebbyinVan
16 replies
758 views
I have read the FAQ but....
I am bringing Canadian cash. What is the best option for me , flying into Cuba for the first time to Varadero? In the FAQ that might be outdated, one writer suggests changing it right away in Varadero at the luggage carousel. Anyone agree/disagree? If I take that option, how much would be advisable given that I already have my hotel paid for in the first days? I don't want to get too much but I have to get to Varadero and from there to Havana from Varadero.
Do Cuban service providers accept Canadian dollars at all, or do they insist on Cuban money strictly?
Thanks for your help.
Jan 20, 2013 7:34 PM
smilecu
last reply
Jan 22, 2013 4:21 PM
johnabbotsford
16 replies
761 views
Censorship
To: The Thorntree Aussie Censors
Thanks for acting reasonable!
Jan 20, 2013 11:19 AM
mizcaz
last reply
Jan 21, 2013 3:58 PM
johnabbotsford
7 replies
493 views
Casa in Camaguey?
Back to Cuba again at the end of the month!
I'm travelling through Camaguey on my trip this time - just an overnight and a quick look-see. Any tips and can anyone suggest a friendly central casa please?
Thanks in advance,
Caz
Jan 20, 2013 6:05 AM
southamericansky
last reply
Jan 21, 2013 10:11 PM
dream_cuba
8 replies
689 views
Valuables left in casa partivulares
Hi folks
I read somewhere that one's valuables e.g. passports camera etc are not as safe in Cuban hotels perhaps as in other countries' hotels. Therefore, do most hotels in Cuba have safety deposit boxes?
What is the situation in casa particulares? I have heard they are safer in this respect.
Thanks
Jan 19, 2013 10:54 PM
DebbyinVan
last reply
Feb 7, 2013 6:58 PM
smilecu
22 replies
1,845 views
Is it safe to drink Mojitos in Cuba?
Hello everyone!
I'm going to Cuba for the first time in March and while I am very much looking forward to drinking mojitos, I know that drinking the tap water poses a risk. So, will drinking mojitos also pose a risk? Should I ask for them without ice?
On a side note, has anyone ever been to the Club Amigo Agua Azules in Varadaro? There are many mixed reviews online and would love to hear from someone here.
Thanks for the tips!
Visiting Cuba Before Westernization
Hola. We would like to visit Cuba before Mcdonald's and hoards of tourists descend on the Island. The current regulations and prices charged by the official group tours to US citizens is not appealing however. If you have been on on of the official tours can you pls provide insight into your experience. Is change coming fast to Cuba? Should it get there asap? Im thinking as long as Castro is alive it will be a very slow gradual change.Are there any particular agencies which provide maximum experience and exposure to locals for the $? Price isnt paramount if there is a true difference in what you get? Also, we are very outdoors oriented so would like to experience Cuba at this level. Prefer to backpack it if this is even possible? Thx in advance for your insight!!! Avsfan
Accommodation in Non Tourist Towns
I will be cycle touring in Cuba for a couple of months and am wondering about finding accommodation.
There seems to be plenty of accom in the tourist towns, but what about the non tourist towns? Can I expect to find a Casa or cheap hotel open to foreigners in most small to medium sized towns?
..................and if I am allowed a supplementary, is it usual to be supplied with a (bath) towel?
From Trinidad to Valle de los Ingenios?
Hello,
We are planning to visit Valle de los Ingenios as a trip from Trinidad. We will be there without our own car.
Does anybody have some good advice how to visit this place?
We prefer to go on our own and not with a tourist tour. Furthermore, the guide book mentions some train, but apparently it is unreliable.
I suppose hiring a cab is possible, but would that be expensive?
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
Neelke and Philip (the Netherlands)
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