Cuba Notes

Notes:

• Cubans Speak Spanish (Duh?)
• Must have Travel Health insurance to Enter Cuba!
• Be careful filling out the Cuban Customs Form! You will have to pay $16 CAD for a replacement!
• Download Google Maps in "Offline" Mode
• Wifi is at most hotels
• Carry a Photocopy of your Passport
• For more authentic experience stay in some casas particulares (people's personal homes). Home cooked food is amazing!!
• Consider checking out the music scene. Even little bars in small towns have amazing music, don't need to go to a big show
• Bars are open till 5am
• Cuba has very weird addresses. Some Places have Numbers, Some Don't.
• The main CellPhone Provider is ETECSA. Buy a SIM Card at "Teleponto" Store.
Coverage only really works in Big Cities.
• Weather: August: Hot+Humid in. June-Nov-Annual hurricane season
• Havana to Varadero is 145km (2.5 hours)
• Friends that have visited Cuba: AmandaB, RyanZ, ChristineR, KristyH, BrandonR, KatieG, StephenB, JesseL, RoseR, SandraR, AinaM, JoannaP, TracyW, PhilS, KirstenY

Money:

• 1 CUC = 1 USD (Bills have MONUMENTS on them)
• 1 CUP = 4 Cents (Bills have FACES / People on them!)
• Just remember, twenty-four men equal one monument.
• Always barter for anything you buy from the locals!
• Exchanging USD for CUC carries a 20% tax! (USD is the only currency that has an extra 10% penalty).
• You will get the same rate of exchange at the front desk at the resort, or the airport.
• Bring Euros, CAD or Pounds. Only Exchange at a bank or official Cadeca Casa de Cambio (exchange bureau).
• Cuba is mostly a cash society! Don't Bring American Express or other US Issued Credit Cards
• Tipping: Carry small bills. Most people expect tips. They prefer the $1CUC. Cubans hate change. Never give them $USD.
• Do not bring ripped, taped, or bills with any bank stamps or handwriting on them. They will be rejected by the Hotel staff due to Cuban government directives.
• You will not be able to use your debit cards. Only Canadian Credit Cards are honoured. Cannot Use: Amex, Capital One, MBNA and other US based cards.
• People sell stuff everywhere. Use common sense on the beach or street
• Stores are much-more trustworthy then street-vendor. No one with a fixed address is likely to rip you off.
• You Cannot Buy/Sell your CUC or CUP Home to Canada! Exchange before leaving!

Taxis:

• Taxis are cheap, BUT always negotiate a price ahead of time if they don't have a meter!
• 10CUC should get anywhere in Havana. Classic car cabs seem more trustworthy.
• Vintage Car Taxis Cost a bit more. Make sure they turn on the Meter!
• Three-wheeled yellow coco taxis and pedal cabs are fun for short distances, but agree on a rate in advance

Imports & Cigars:

• All Booze / Cigars must have a Sticker to be brought home!
• Do not open Booze / Cigars, or you will have problems with Customs
• Communist Country, Cigars, Booze all come from the Government. So they are all the same price.
• Phil wants Cigars. Montecristo No 2. 25 to a box (~$600USD). NOT the Petite!
• Humidors at the markets are ~$20 CUC. Smell the inside--They should smell like Wood, not urethane.
• Canadians are allowed to bring back 20 duty-free Cuban cigars without documentation, and up to 50 as long as they're in a sealed box and you have a receipt.

To Do:

• Al Capone's house in Varadero
• Catamaran Tour. Lobster. Snorkel on Reef/
• Bay of Pigs Tour
• Tour of Havana
• Saturno Cave- Swimming!(30km from Varadero)
• Bellamar Caves (44km from Varadero)
• Dancing Show!
• Bay of Pigs Tour

To Bring

• Bug spray with DEET
• Sunscreen!! It isn't cheap in Cuba
• Travel Adapter (Electrical)
• Toiletries
• Medications (Gravol, Imodium, Tylenol)
• **Real** Coca Cola!
• Snacks / Cheezies
• Condiments!

Warnings:

• Don't Drink (Tap) Water!
• In Havana, local Street Jockeys or "jineteros" will hound tourists on the street.
• Refrain from using the word "papaya" anywhere in Cuba, as it's actually vulgar slang for vagina!!!
• It is very rude to blow your nose or spit in public!
• Watch for the street kids & dogs. They may beg, borrow and steal. They are pesky and persistent, but bolt at the sign of cops or military.
• Be mentally-prepared to see street people with missing limbs
• The old buildings in Havana were beautiful, but are covered in old black soot.

Food

• Cuba has very bland Food.
• Street food is Safe, and Dirt Cheap
• Stick to Paladars, rather than state-run restaurants, and you should eat well.
• Don't eat Fruit that hasn't been peeled
• Pasta is made with just Ketchup
• Coffee is good if you order an Americano. Drip coffee is usually pretty watered down.
• Drink Pop, beer, etc. out of glass, not from the can. Contamination.
• Fruity Drinks: Make sure you specify booze, or it may not come with it.
• Try: Plantain Chips, Lobster, Crab, Alligator

Gifts:

Any Humanitarian Aid is greatly appreciated. Some Airlines let you bring it for FREE. Things we take for granted are in High demand there!

• Good pair of used running shoes
• Patent medicines- A.S.A., Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen.
• Ladies in particular appreciate cosmetics– hair colouring, nail polish etc.
• School supplies- crayons, pencils, pens
• Wristwatches
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby and Youth clothing
• Stationary
• Guitar / bass strings and accessories will make you new musician friends.

Havana Bars / Restaurants (and their Signature Drinks):
Name	Address	Notes
Casa de Al	Varadero, Cuba	(Lobster) Dinner
El Floridita	La Esquina, Aguacate	(Daiquiri) Very Popular! Statue of Ernest Hemingway, Music
La Bogedita	Empedrado	(Mojito) Very Popular!
Bar Dos Hermanos	Av. Del Puerto, La Habana	(Cuba Libre)
Polinesio@Hotel Habana	Habana Vista, 51 Calle 13	(Tiki bar)
La Guardia	418 Concordia	(great food + rooftop cocktail bar
Chef Ivan Justo	La Esquina, Aguacate	(food)
Asociacion Canaria de Cuba	Calle Montserrate, 258	(2nd Floor food Pavel Fernandez--Great Bartender )
La Cueva Del Pirata	Varadero, Cuba	(Nightclub in a CAVE!!)
--Help me Add more!--

Havana Stuff

• Morro Castle. Just over the Bridge
• Castillo de la Real Fuerza
• Look at your resort's restaurant choices(Make Reservation now)

Varadero:

The tourist-only area-- it is nice, but NOT representative of Cuba! Too manicured, mega-resorts, full of consumerism and snobby rich people sitting on the beach.
You would just be a resort-monkey.
Varadero is a tiny, narrow peninsula cut off from the cut of the island by a security checkpoint.
You could be anywhere in the world with a pretty beach, these are nice, but nothing special.
I toured the whole west side of the island on a bicycle tour, and saw real Cuba. It was awesome!
Then I went to the resort for 3 days at the end.
After 1 day of being pampered I felt so spoiled and sorry for the real Cubans.
At a very minimum, spend 3 days in Havana or somewhere else off-resort.
Stay in a "Casa Particular" like a bed and breakfast--I am a very picky eater, and LOVED the food!

Pics

Links

• Scooter Rentals
• My Bike Tour
• Crime in Cuba
• Do Not in Cuba
• Free to Bring Humanitarian Aid!!
• Reasons to Pedal around Cuba

Questions

• Mom: Do you have a Travel Adapter (electrical)? Ride to Airport? Room for a few things to donate. Hotel in Calgary? I will be bringing $CAD800 Cash to convert to CUC at the airport, to lend to you till part way through the trip

Listing looking for Friends:

Hello Cuba!

Who's up for meeting a Random Canadian?
I'm looking to find some outgoing people to meet up with and tour Havana!
(April 8-13th) I'm staying at the "Iberostar" in Varadero.
(April 1- 7th) I'm doing a bike tour with my Mom+Friends(Viñales & Soroa)

A little about me:

I'm a very social 35 year old Man. Tall Blonde 6'5" (1.96m).
I love adventure (Ziplines, Motorcycles), drinking / nightlife, Dogs etc.
Really anything I can check off my Bucketlist would be amazing!
I don't speak too much Spanish, but was fluent in French 10 years ago. So it would be nice to meet you halfway between.

Want to Meet up?

Tell me about Yourself.
The cool things you suggest we do.
Your availability.
A Picture of yourself.

Few videos of my paradise back In Canada. I'm so excited to see yours!

Videos:

Phil Rums

• Havana Club 15 Year. 700ml.($CUC 150.00)
• Havana Club 7 Year. 700ml.($CUC 16.90)
• Havana Club 7 Year. 1000ml.($CUC 19.85)
• Havana Club 3 Year. 700ml.($CUC 6.95)
• Havana Club 3 Year. 700ml.($CUC 6.60)
• Havana Club Maestro.($CUC 40.00)
• Santiago de Cuba ($?? CUC)
• Ron de Cuba ($?? CUC)
• Blanco/especial/Ritual ($10 CUC)
• Seleccion de Maestros ($40 CUC)
• 15 year old ($150 CUC)
• Union ($350 CUC)
• Maximo ($1500 CUC)