Just back some comments on issues raised by other posters or myself recently:
- MONEY CHANGE AT HAV AIRPORT
The rate at the Cadeca in the arrival lounge is about 0.5% worse than at the Cadecas in town.
Best rates for Euros at Banco Metrolpolitano.
- MARINA HEMINGWAY
Access to the outer channel edge of the marina is now blocked.
They have a 'marine playground' next to 'Papa's Disco' at the end of the middle channel: you can swim, rent a (basic) double kayak, have a drink etc.; lots of Cubans around, did not see any foreigners (this was during the week); you've got to like latin music of all varieties, as this is blaring constantly; entrance CUC 3.- which includes a soft drink; beach chaiselongues are 2,- extra.
- CLUB HABANA
This (relatively) posh beach club about 1 mile east of Marina Hemingway was supposed to let in non-members for CUC 10.-/day; I had heard lots of positive comments and went, only to discover that the entrance guards make exceptions if you want to bring a cute cubana: suddenly it was 'members or their invitees only'.
- GOING OUT TO A DANCE CLUB WITH A CUBANA AND NO MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
I've heard from reliable sources that the 'LACRA' = virtue police (lol) is getting very aggressive in pursuing cubanas at place like the 2 casas de la musica, cafe cantante etc.; I've seen myself how they wheeled off one girl right from the table at which she was sitting with her novio. My sources advise all cubanas in this situation to dress conservatively (e.g. long pants, not too revealing tops etc.) to avoid being classified as jineteras; my girl did this and we did not encounter any problems.
- CALLING OUTSIDE
At the Melia Habana opposite the Centro Comercial in Miramar they sell phone cards in denominations of 5,- and 10,- CUC that allow you to call the US from any street/private/local phone at any time; cost about CUC 2,-/minute (more for Europe).
- INTERNET ACCESS
At the same hotel I found the fastest and most efficient internet access so far in La Habana + professional/courteous service; open 8:30 - 20:00; rates at CUC 3.-/30 min. - 5.-/hr were better than at the Isabela.
- STAYING AT A CP WITH A CUBANA
To protect your girl from the dangerous entry as an 'acompanante' into the official register, ask the casa owners to just note her details from her carta de identitad: in any case they want the information more for their own safety in case some item in the house should 'go missing'.
Thanks gray - useful up to date info. In terms of the differing exchange rates 0.5% is negligible unless you are changing millions which presumably you were not!
Cheers
john
The 0.5% difference in exchange reflected my own experience -- definitely making it not worth shopping around. Thanks for the great info.
Regarding Club Habana, can you provide more information on that? Where is that in relation to Vedado/Habana Centro? Is it on a sandy beach?
Thanks for the info.
John - by changing Euro 2000 at a downtown CadecaI saved about CUC 100, which I rather spend on a dinner in pleasant company than on subsidising the commies.
Sorry folks - just discovered my mistake, of course I saved only CUC 10,- - just woke up...
#3
Club Habana is a new developement directly on the beach with all amenities, incl. restaurants/gym/sauna/jacuzzis etc.
I just saw it from the outside as they didn't let me in, but it sure looked nice. My friends say it's really great, nice sand beach, clean and safe. It's in Siboney, about a 25 minute drive west on 5ta avenida from Vedado passing Miramar and actually not far from the commandante's compound.
As for your comment on "to protect your girl..........." My understanding is that as long as your girl hasn't shown up on the register with other yumas, there's no problem and I'd suggest if she's afraid to register with you its either because she doesn't feel you have a long term commitment and she doesn't want her name in the register with you because she won't be able to register with someone else in the future, or, she's already been registered with someone else and doesn' want to get picked up for jinitiendo. As for the casa owner, if he doesn't register your girl and immigration should drop by and catch him, at the very least he will lose his license.....I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend what you have suggested.
#7
You checked the exchange rate situation last October, I checked 5 days ago (on the same day of course) - no further comment.
Who said that it was my girl's idea not getting registered? I know Cuba since 96 and a thing or 2 about the idiosyncrasies of that place - it's always A LOT safer for a reputable (or any) girl to NOT get registered ANYWHERE as having been involved in ANYTHING having to do with foreigners. You're free to take my advice or discard it. While casa owners in all likelihood are better judges of any risks they're taking than you.
BTW, the word is 'jineteando' (free advice on how to improve your Cuban-Spanish).
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