Americas - Cuba
Messages: 24,826 - Threads: 1,901
May 17, 2013 8:13 PM
johnabbotsford
last reply
Jun 3, 2013 5:25 PM
chefhagan
14 replies
559 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
169 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
219 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
341 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
Trip report
Not in any chronological order. Flew WestJet out of Toronto to Varadero. From take-off to landing it was 3 hours and on the return flight the captain apologized for landing in Toronto 15 minutes early. Some new changes with WestJet. In the past they allowed 2 carry-on bags plus a computer bag or purse. That has been changed to 1 carry-on bag in line with the other carriers. The check-in luggage remains the same 1 bag of 50 lbs, extra charge for second bag. Another change is the first 4 rolls are now called Premium Class available at extra cost. No free meals and only one serving of coffee compared to the past they served coffee twice on the flight. No movies on the new planes but you can rent a I-Pad to watch a movie. I think the washrooms are still free.
The plane was 70% full with most passengers going to the AI resorts in Varadero. I went with a frien...
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American traveling to Cuba
Hello all, I'm planning a trip to Cuba and wanted to get input on a couple things, preferably from someone who has done a similar trip.
My itinerary in a nutshell: 1 1/2 weeks in Puerto Escondido, Mexico surfing and studying Spanish, 1 1/2 weeks in Cuba, 1 1/2 weeks in Cabarete, Dominican Republic kite boarding and studying Spanish. This may seem like a lot of moving around but I find a week and half in a city is usually enough time to get a feel for it and I usually end up doing multiple short trips to the same countries due to my limited time off. If you have any advice on Mexico or the DR, I am open to all information.
My first concern regarding Cuba: Money. I've done a fair amount of reading on the subject and it seems that for such a short visit my best bet is cash. The Caribbean Transfer Card seems like the only other viable alternative as an American but unnecessary for m...
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May 15, 2013 8:15 PM
teamflames
last reply
May 23, 2013 12:54 PM
PaulCuba
13 replies
664 views
trip report - april (sun) in cuba
Hey guys,
thanks to all of you for your help with our enquiries on the best ways to enjoy our time in Cuba. As promised here is our report/thoughts.
We had visited Havana 5 years before for 4 days and we consider it one of the best travel experiences we have ever had and so were looking forward on this trip to seeing more of Cuba.
As we have been travelling around south america we took a flight from Cartagena Colombia to Havana via Panama on COPA. We bought our TC on check-in Cartagena for 40,000 COP which was 22.50usd equivalent. As we were unsure on our bank cards we decided to take a lot of cash with us, luckily for us changing our USD to COP to EUR in Colombia gave us an effective rate of .99CUC for our USD as the EUR was sold to us well below the official rate in Colombia.
Before leaving we had contacted Horacio at Casa Antigua who we stayed with on our previous trip and res...
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May 14, 2013 6:12 PM
bobmichaels
last reply
May 16, 2013 4:25 PM
rob01
25 replies
995 views
campismo in Jibacoa, any thoughts? ideas what to bring from US?
I will be in Cuba 22 May to 3 June. My novia has suggested we spend a few days at the campismo in Jibacoa. She knows I dislike resorts and come to Cuba for the Cuban people, not the typical tourists. She says she loved going to the campismos in the east when she was younger. On-line information about the Jibacoa campismo is sketchy other than it being one of the nicest of all of them.
We are a bit limited with what we can bring from her apartment since there will still be others there and they only have one of everything. I always remember that whatever I bring to Cuba has potential for only making a one way trip.
I read on Trip Advisor that someone suggested bringing your own toilet paper, so I got to wondering what else to bring. I know I will bring something to make coffee with since my body & brain does not function in the AM before coffee.
I am open to thoughts, sugg...
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Visa issue for a British citizen flying from Colombia
Hi, I´m currently in Colombia. I have been traveling round South America the past 4 months. I plan to spend one more month before heading to Cuba to finish off my trip. I did not plan on a visit to Cuba so I never looked into Visa´s before setting off.
Could anyone please give me any info as to how I should get a valid ´tourist visa´?
Any help would be great.
Many thanks
Robby
May 13, 2013 1:14 PM
migvel1
last reply
Jun 15, 2013 11:40 PM
AugustusXX
5 replies
452 views
cuba 29th june-13th July 2013 anyone recommend interesting things to do?
Hi Im going by myself to Cuba above dates Im from Spain living in London.
Anyone recommend a good itinerary for traveling to Havana and other places?
Also any other people on same dates from Europe around?
looking forward to some suggestions.
take care.
Miguel
May 11, 2013 4:34 PM
StripeG1
last reply
May 15, 2013 1:14 PM
spa_trip_is_on_me
20 replies
1,167 views
Green Screen
Just curious how long GS has been gone & what caused it's demise?
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
1,978 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 !
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