CUBA Trip Report

ELECTRA · 04-17-2006

CUBA

We took a side trip to Havana for a couple of days and stayed with a family about half an hour outside of Havana. The Jose Marti international airport is ok but they love to delay you in the customs. They will closely inspect your passport and ask you a series of questions. Once outside the airport and into the country the poverty will hit you like a pie to the face. Again, we were in the countryside mostly farmers etc. Cuban people are very proud and kind and if given the chance they will ask you where you are from and give you what little they have. The side road are filled with potholes and the going is very slow.
Havana
Havana is a must see. It is like a time-warp to see the old cars and buildings. A walk around old Havana will take you through markets and past historic buildings and cathedrals. Go into one of the restaruants and get a "Mojito" Ernest Hemingways favorite drink. Take a tour of one of the many cigar factories, the automobile museum, the museum of the americas etc. Keep in mind you have to use the "Converted Peso". We changed our US dollars in a bank right in old Havana and it took about 3 minutes. Only once was I asked for a peso. There are a few beggars but they are harmless. Tour the fort in the harbor "El Moro". From here there are spectacular views of Havana. There is a nice restaurant a "stones throw away" we walked over. It is 5 stars but it is worth every peso. The queen of Spain dined here during her visit. I had the seafood medley, Lobster, Jumbo Shrimps, fish filet, rice, veggies etc.

Cuba seems to be a popular biking destinations for many Europeans. We saw people with well equiped bikes obviously going long distances and staying several weeks. The country side is filled with natural wonders, water falls, caves, rivers, mountains etc. Those who lock themselfs in the all inclusives and never venture past the gates are really doing themselfs an injustice. Would I go again? A resounding YES.

lulabell · 04-17-2006

It sounds like a nice trip. I have always said that the minute we are allowed to travel there I want to go. Cuba has always held an attraction for me.Thanks for the info, now I know I can't wait to go.

Montego · 04-17-2006

any pics?

emc · 04-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsbosco

It sounds like a nice trip. I have always said that the minute we are allowed to travel there I want to go. Cuba has always held an attraction for me.Thanks for the info, now I know I can't wait to go.

I'm with you, I have always wanted to go to Cuba. Maybe it's the "forbidden thing". As soon as we are allowed, I'm there.

Lioness · 04-17-2006

Thank-you so much for the report!

Looks like hubby and I along with the kiddies are heading to Varadero the first week of July! Of course we wanted to go to Playa but we just got back and thought it might be nice to see another part of the world! My father is a Cuba addict and just returned a couple of weeks ago from Varadero with his buddy. They went for a day trip to the one bartenders house and my father was completely devistated to see where this man actually lived. He actually had tears in his eyes when he came home and told us about it. We will be staying at the same hotel as he did and taking along quite a bit of stuff with us to give him and his family and some of the other hard working staff at the hotel.

Hopefully Mom and Dad will make the trip with us. It really makes you feel good to give to people who need it the most.....

Ginger · 04-17-2006

Cuba is a place we'd also love to visit. We were talking about that at Easter dinner this weekend. My SIL was talking about how she'd like to go, and how they'd stay at one of the big AI resorts and there's so much to do in them because you can't leave your compound...

They'd never be able to keep us in!!

There is sooo much to see and do in Cuba, and it would be hard to determine where we'd want to stay geographically in the country, as there's so much we'd like to see. One day!

MaripositaII · 04-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsbosco

It sounds like a nice trip. I have always said that the minute we are allowed to travel there I want to go. Cuba has always held an attraction for me.Thanks for the info, now I know I can't wait to go.

It's ridiculous that we are not allowed to travel to Cuba, but I don't want to get too carried away about how much of a b.s. thing that is.
Anyway, who says you have to wait for the US to give you permission to visit Cuba? You can go there via Mexico. They won't even stamp your passport for these idiots here to see that you visited the forbidden land.

ELECTRA · 04-18-2006

As I am sure many of you (American passport holders) know, you can visit Cuba. As mentioned above you can do it from Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas etc.

A good introduction to the county would be to purchase one of the many travel guides ("Lets Go", Lonely Planet, Frommers etc). They give you a good insite on everything from culture, food, to places to stay, places to see, and even cycling.
If you do decide to stay at an All inclusive, do yourself a favor and do several excursions. We saw dozens of luxury buses in Old Havana unloading tourists who I am sure are staying in hotels as far away as Varadero, Pinar del Rio etc.

Do Cuba.

...

Rissask · 04-18-2006

Someday we want to go to Cuba- we have been hesitant to go because we normally go in winter, and the temps are not really hot in Jan/Feb., and the weather not really reliable if you only have a week. I think average 24 degrees C in those months?

Quote:

There is sooo much to see and do in Cuba, and it would be hard to determine where we'd want to stay geographically in the country, as there's so much we'd like to see. One day!

Signature (or Sunquest maybe?

) offers combined package tours where you can stay about 3 nights in Havana, and then the other 4 nights in Varadero.

They also have two week packages where you do that the first week and then go into the mountainous interior for a few days in the second week, then back to Varadero again I believe....would be great except I think you might be too tied down, at least on the travel days. But maybe good for people who don't want to be worried about logistics.

UGAplaya · 04-18-2006

Just curious...........maybe one of you guys can answer this. On TV here in the states we see protest in Cuba from time to time aimed at the US. Have you guys who visited ever noticed any hostility? I don't go around other countries with an American flag t-shirt on but obvious things such as voice accent and choice of foods, beverages, etc might give a US citizen away. I've only seen Cuba from a distance (cruise ship) but would like to visit one day.

ELECTRA · 04-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

Just curious...........maybe one of you guys can answer this. On TV here in the states we see protest in Cuba from time to time aimed at the US. Have you guys who visited ever noticed any hostility? I don't go around other countries with an American flag t-shirt on but obvious things such as voice accent and choice of foods, beverages, etc might give a US citizen away. I've only seen Cuba from a distance (cruise ship) but would like to visit one day.

I have not seen any hostility. There are so many tourist visiting Cuba that I don't think the average Cuban pays any mind as to where they are from. People you talk to for extended moments will want to know where you are from, just tell them, no big deal.
I don't get you "choice of foods, beverages..." Does what you eat place you geographically? Besides the average bar/restaurant in Old Havana has perhaps 4 items on the menu. If you eat, you will eat one of those items regardless of your origins.
"Voice accent".....if you decide to speak english in a non-english speaking country, you should do so slowly and clearly and eliminate any regionalisms or coloquialisms from your speech. They are not going to care if your accent is from Scottland or Alabama.

UGAplaya · 04-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELECTRA

"Voice accent".....if you decide to speak english in a non-english speaking country, you should do so slowly and clearly and eliminate any regionalisms or coloquialisms from your speech. They are not going to care if your accent is from Scottland or Alabama.

Oh I don't know.....when's the last time you tried to understand someone from Alabama?

krazy4playa · 04-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by emc

I'm with you, I have always wanted to go to Cuba. Maybe it's the "forbidden thing". As soon as we are allowed, I'm there.

We are allowed to travel to Cuba.
In 1963, the US attempted to ban travel to Cuba, but that was found to violate the U.S. Constitution. So there is no law against travel to Cuba. However, in 1982, the Reagan / Bush Administration, introduced regulations that prohibit the spending of money in Cuba. The Supreme Court upheld those regulations in a 5-4 vote, saying that Cuba might use the American tourists' money for subversive activities. Even if that were true in 1982, it is not true today! So why are these regulations still on the books (515.560 of the Trading with the Enemy Act)? Even the Pentagon said in May of 1999, that Cuba was no threat to the United States or any of their other neighbors.
Every American planning on traveling to Cuba should become aware of these laws. Knowledge is a very powerful tool when dealing with a government such as ours that for no sensible reason does not want you to travel to Cuba and discover the real truth for yourself.
Be an informed American.

beer_dude · 04-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazy4playa

W However, in 1982, the Reagan / Bush Administration, introduced regulations that prohibit the spending of money in Cuba.

If I could just figure out how to travel to cuba without spending money, I would have it made!

lulabell · 04-18-2006

Ditto

04-17-2006	#1 (permalink)
ELECTRA reposado Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA (unfortunately) Posts: 1,080	CUBA Trip Report CUBA We took a side trip to Havana for a couple of days and stayed with a family about half an hour outside of Havana. The Jose Marti international airport is ok but they love to delay you in the customs. They will closely inspect your passport and ask you a series of questions. Once outside the airport and into the country the poverty will hit you like a pie to the face. Again, we were in the countryside mostly farmers etc. Cuban people are very proud and kind and if given the chance they will ask you where you are from and give you what little they have. The side road are filled with potholes and the going is very slow. Havana Havana is a must see. It is like a time-warp to see the old cars and buildings. A walk around old Havana will take you through markets and past historic buildings and cathedrals. Go into one of the restaruants and get a "Mojito" Ernest Hemingways favorite drink. Take a tour of one of the many cigar factories, the automobile museum, the museum of the americas etc. Keep in mind you have to use the "Converted Peso". We changed our US dollars in a bank right in old Havana and it took about 3 minutes. Only once was I asked for a peso. There are a few beggars but they are harmless. Tour the fort in the harbor "El Moro". From here there are spectacular views of Havana. There is a nice restaurant a "stones throw away" we walked over. It is 5 stars but it is worth every peso. The queen of Spain dined here during her visit. I had the seafood medley, Lobster, Jumbo Shrimps, fish filet, rice, veggies etc. Cuba seems to be a popular biking destinations for many Europeans. We saw people with well equiped bikes obviously going long distances and staying several weeks. The country side is filled with natural wonders, water falls, caves, rivers, mountains etc. Those who lock themselfs in the all inclusives and never venture past the gates are really doing themselfs an injustice. Would I go again? A resounding YES.

04-17-2006	#2 (permalink)
lulabell way into it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The land of the longhorns Posts: 227	It sounds like a nice trip. I have always said that the minute we are allowed to travel there I want to go. Cuba has always held an attraction for me.Thanks for the info, now I know I can't wait to go.

04-17-2006	#3 (permalink)
Montego way into it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 230	any pics?

04-17-2006	#5 (permalink)
Lioness life=playa Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 706	Thank-you so much for the report! Looks like hubby and I along with the kiddies are heading to Varadero the first week of July! Of course we wanted to go to Playa but we just got back and thought it might be nice to see another part of the world! My father is a Cuba addict and just returned a couple of weeks ago from Varadero with his buddy. They went for a day trip to the one bartenders house and my father was completely devistated to see where this man actually lived. He actually had tears in his eyes when he came home and told us about it. We will be staying at the same hotel as he did and taking along quite a bit of stuff with us to give him and his family and some of the other hard working staff at the hotel. Hopefully Mom and Dad will make the trip with us. It really makes you feel good to give to people who need it the most.....

04-17-2006	#6 (permalink)
Ginger añejo Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 11,229	Cuba is a place we'd also love to visit. We were talking about that at Easter dinner this weekend. My SIL was talking about how she'd like to go, and how they'd stay at one of the big AI resorts and there's so much to do in them because you can't leave your compound... They'd never be able to keep us in!! There is sooo much to see and do in Cuba, and it would be hard to determine where we'd want to stay geographically in the country, as there's so much we'd like to see. One day!

04-18-2006	#8 (permalink)
ELECTRA reposado Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA (unfortunately) Posts: 1,080	As I am sure many of you (American passport holders) know, you can visit Cuba. As mentioned above you can do it from Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas etc. A good introduction to the county would be to purchase one of the many travel guides ("Lets Go", Lonely Planet, Frommers etc). They give you a good insite on everything from culture, food, to places to stay, places to see, and even cycling. If you do decide to stay at an All inclusive, do yourself a favor and do several excursions. We saw dozens of luxury buses in Old Havana unloading tourists who I am sure are staying in hotels as far away as Varadero, Pinar del Rio etc. Do Cuba. ...

04-18-2006	#10 (permalink)
UGAplaya añejo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Just a little south of Atlanta Posts: 3,288	Just curious...........maybe one of you guys can answer this. On TV here in the states we see protest in Cuba from time to time aimed at the US. Have you guys who visited ever noticed any hostility? I don't go around other countries with an American flag t-shirt on but obvious things such as voice accent and choice of foods, beverages, etc might give a US citizen away. I've only seen Cuba from a distance (cruise ship) but would like to visit one day.

04-18-2006	#15 (permalink)
lulabell way into it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The land of the longhorns Posts: 227	Ditto

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