Cuba practicalities

I'm unsure of the water quality.

Always drink bottled or treated water.

I've noticed that Southwest allows two checked bags. The extremely unusual luggage capacity generosity concerns me. I intended to stay in casas mostly. Should I assume that I'll be essentially camping during my trip?

You're allowed 2 checked bags up the 62 linear inches and 50 pounds each, plus the usual 10"x16"x24" carry-on. If you consider that camping then you really, really need to re-evaluate your packing list...

If I were to visit only two cities, I'd assume that Havana should be one of them. What would be a good second city?

For a rural setting Vinales. For an interesting small city Trinidad or Cienfuegos.

Have fun.

Cheers,
Terry

......................, #3 I'm a neurotic planner. I don't have to follow my plans I just have to make them.

Then Cuba will really frustrate you. Planning a trip, especially via the internet, will drive you batty with out of date information, no replies from Cuba, and lack of planning infrastructure. Fortunately, actual travel in Cuba quite simple so long as you do it their way and not yours.

................ I'm unsure of the water quality. ...................

Cuba is a large country and water quality varies quite a bit. As Cheers Terry said, drink bottled water if that is a concern.

If I were to visit only two cities, I'd assume that Havana should be one of them. What would be a good second city?

Totally dependent on which of the many varied experiences offered by Cuba matches up with your desires. It may be not Havana is not one of the best two places to visit for you. A guide book will give you an idea of the many different things offered by Cuba.

As the others say, stick to bottled water for drinking. But don't fret too much about the ice cubes.

I've noticed that Southwest allows two checked bags. The extremely unusual luggage capacity generosity concerns me.

Remember that most people on those flights will be Cuban-Americans, many with lots for their family. It may be that Southwest was trying to cater for that.

Alternatively, it may be that their flights are half empty.

The Southwest baggage allowance is very generous,Delta only allows one checked and one carry on after that you'll pay a $100 fee.

Why would you assume that you will be "essentially camping" during your time in Cuba? Do you consider staying in a B&B in the States to be "essentially camping"? I ask because casas in Cuba licensed to host foreign guests are the equivalent of our B&Bs. Except that, in my experience, in the majority of casa hosts tend to be more helpful to guests unfamiliar with their country. Bottled water is readily available. Most casas sell it for just slightly more than you would pay if you bought it in a shop. I agree that Vinales would be a good second place to visit, after Havana. Besides being a small town in a beautiful setting (a mountain valley, the lovely scenery is completely different from any landscape you'll see around Havana. Also, the drive there, which takes approximately 3 hours, a little longer by bus, is on good highways and takes you through pleasant rural scenery that includes both cane fields and as you approach Vinales, mountains. There are caves to explore, if you're into caves (Cueva del Indio is not worth it but the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas is), and two offshore islands barely more than an hour from Vinales--Cayo Juitas and Cayo Levisa; both with beautiful, almost-interchangeable beaches, but the latter having a villa (individual cottages) for overnight, whereas there is no lodging on Cayo Juitas so it would have to be a day trip. Also good hiking, biking, and horseback riding in the Vinales area--if you care for any of those. Your casa host can help you arrange any of the above.

I used a bag-style camping water filter for my January trip and freely consumed ice in drinks and rinsed foods. I didn't have any stomach issues. Antibiotics for a sour stomach should be in your basic supplies, though, to combat Murphy's Law.

The casas are definitely sufficient in comfort and security as they must pass a government standard to be offered to tourists. I run an inn in the US and very much appreciated the casa owners' personal warmth and touches. Cleaning was not quite to US standards but nothing was horribly dirty, either, and bugs weren't a regular problem.

Good luck with the planning. ;)

Planning has proven to be relatively straightforward given AirBNB, Google earth, and travel forums. The biggest issue thus far seems to be holding on to that much cash.

Do the power outlets in Casa's typically conform to US or European standards? I'm relatively practiced in following offline GPS maps and it seems that there are decently detailed ones for Cuba. Electricity is key.

How common are cell phones in Cuba? Will having one attract unwanted attention?

See FAQ 20 for alternatives to Airbnb.

Most of Cuba uses the North American system though some places have 220 volts.

Phones ? see - https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g670039-i12236-k10467928-Cell_Phones_as_Gifts-Cayo_Santa_Maria_Villa_Clara_Province_Cuba.html

Power outlets in Cuba are the same as in the US ,cell phones in Cuba are becoming very common and no you won't attract unwanted attention, you can unlock your own phone and buy a sim card,you can also use your own cell company's roaming if they provide roaming service in Cuba.