Cuba, holiday destination. Any thoughts?
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Bouncingoffthelocks
Well-Known Member
Not been myself but Mrs has, her opinion:
If you are a Spanish speaker makes off the beaten track much easier, its very safe and a beautiful country.
Food can be a bit hit or miss out of the resorts as you are in a country under an embargo, think beans, vegetables, scrawny chickens and fish. Red meat rare on special occasions only.
Make friends with someone who has a car and they will drive you to all the best spots - I can get some recommendations. - PM me
Music, people, nature supposed to be fantastic.
DO IT
Colombia also highly recommended, so much more than narcos.
If you are a Spanish speaker makes off the beaten track much easier, its very safe and a beautiful country.
Food can be a bit hit or miss out of the resorts as you are in a country under an embargo, think beans, vegetables, scrawny chickens and fish. Red meat rare on special occasions only.
Make friends with someone who has a car and they will drive you to all the best spots - I can get some recommendations. - PM me
Music, people, nature supposed to be fantastic.
DO IT
Colombia also highly recommended, so much more than narcos.
tackb
Well-Known Member
cuba is awesome , i did a few days in havana (got ****ed in hemingways floridita!) then went to varedero beach resort which i can honestly say is one of the best i have been to.
however , there was lots of info about staying with locals and it looked a great system but i sadly didn't try it , it's a safe place theres two currencys so the actual currency and tourist currency you cannot leave with their currency. traditional currencies talk well so take dollars etc
and if like me you are a cigar fan you will be in heaven!
enjoy !
however , there was lots of info about staying with locals and it looked a great system but i sadly didn't try it , it's a safe place theres two currencys so the actual currency and tourist currency you cannot leave with their currency. traditional currencies talk well so take dollars etc
and if like me you are a cigar fan you will be in heaven!
enjoy !
Skietindiekop
Well-Known Member
After watching a documentary about the Manic Street Preachers doing a concert there, it was definitely on my bucket list. Went in 2016 and was not disappointed.
We deliberately didn’t do Varadayo as it is specifically designed for tourists but had 6 days in Havana and 5 at Cayo Coca which was the indulgent bit for the other half. Lovely people and quite safe (I did get a bit of hassling from someone demanding money on a back street but nothing serious). The internal flights are a test of nerves though.
Local food shopping can be odd as it’s set up for residents with their currency with not a lot of choice but bars and restaurants are easy for tourists.
We deliberately didn’t do Varadayo as it is specifically designed for tourists but had 6 days in Havana and 5 at Cayo Coca which was the indulgent bit for the other half. Lovely people and quite safe (I did get a bit of hassling from someone demanding money on a back street but nothing serious). The internal flights are a test of nerves though.
Local food shopping can be odd as it’s set up for residents with their currency with not a lot of choice but bars and restaurants are easy for tourists.
oystercatcher87
Well-Known Member
As per above, I've heard amazing things about the fishing if you are interested...Tarpon, Bonefish...
Totally agreed, its meant to be the last unspoilt gem in the Caribbean, coral reefs, mountains & jungles, National parks & very friendly locals, my biggest problem will be language, google translate will be my best chance. Maybe get time to do some Sport Fishing, taking a travel spinning rod for the beach,as well as some of that Jazz in Havana, there is a strong African Cuban connection going on with the music, was fortunate enough to see AfroCubism a few years ago, Smokin Hot!.
Very interested, thanks
It’s not all Buena Vista Social Club
K
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nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
I went with my wife before we had kids and unfortunately only really did the tourist thing, staying Cayo Coca which was lovely and relaxing.
The best part was a day trip to the mainland with a guide in a car which was so informative. He talked non stop and taught us loads about the island and culture. What amazed me was the sense of community and camaraderie amongst the locals, the best being a complete sign language between drivers. As a driver you can request info from other drivers as you pass them or freely give information, such as police parked up ahead, traffic jams etc all with simple hand signals. Everyone does it and it's expected that you'll answer if someone does give you a signal asking for info.
Have been twice , really enjoyed it both times . We did the tourist thing as they were family holidays . My only regret was failing to see the Buena Vista Social Club .
It's worth noting they have two currencies, one for the tourists and one for them . The other thing is everyone is equal, equally poor so tip generously.
It's worth noting they have two currencies, one for the tourists and one for them . The other thing is everyone is equal, equally poor so tip generously.
We were going to Cuba back in the early 90’s but my wife insisted on cancelling as she refused to lay on a beach watching this:
www.theatlantic.com
K
20 Years After the 1994 Cuban Raft Exodus
In 1994, more than 35,000 people took the opportunity to leave, most heading to the United States. Men, women, and children packed into small boats and makeshift rafts and set off for Florida in the largest exodus from Cuba since the 1980 Mariel Boatlift.
www.theatlantic.com
K
I went to Cuba in April this year. It is a wonderful place. There are no "buts", however, there are a few things to bear in mind. You cannot fly there direct, I had to go via Madrid. I went to America later on this year, and they were not amused that I had been to Cuba. I had to attend the American Embassy in London personally and convince them I was not a communist spy before they would grant me a visa. If you want to do the USA as well, go there first.
I spent four days in Havana, and that was probably two days too many. I ignored tourist advice and went all over to get an authentic feel for the place. Local food is good. Drink is cheap. Their religion is Voodo, and I accidentally bumped into some of it. The number of dead chickens would make a fox very envious ! You need to experience it for yourself, it is like no other. The pollution from the Venezuelan petrol / diesel is really bad. I spent the other ten days at the coast in a rather good hotel. Magic. 30 degrees every day and lots of eating and drinking and sea stuff to do, including sailing and diving. Take dollars, not euros. Go and enjoy.
I spent four days in Havana, and that was probably two days too many. I ignored tourist advice and went all over to get an authentic feel for the place. Local food is good. Drink is cheap. Their religion is Voodo, and I accidentally bumped into some of it. The number of dead chickens would make a fox very envious ! You need to experience it for yourself, it is like no other. The pollution from the Venezuelan petrol / diesel is really bad. I spent the other ten days at the coast in a rather good hotel. Magic. 30 degrees every day and lots of eating and drinking and sea stuff to do, including sailing and diving. Take dollars, not euros. Go and enjoy.
From what I hear, US dollar & Euros both accepted equally;;y gratefully, dunno?. Voodoo is common throughout the Caribbean, as in Southern States, not all Voodoo is black magic. Chicken & Pork the main diet of meat. Cheers it sounds amazing. Probably flying via Switzerland, BA & Virgin having pulled out, thanks to Donald T.
K. Extreme Poverty is rife in Cuba, due in part to the American embargo. the average wage is a meagre 27-35 Dollars a month, a skilled Doctor works for maybe a little more, its a desperate situation, however, Cuba has a brilliant health service, & has a very low rate of crime, its agriculture is fairly organised, but barely copes with demand. Many women seek out tourists, to marry, in the hope that it will offer them a better life. Prostitutes in Havana can probably earn more in a month than a Female Doctor can earn in a year. A bit like Thailand in the eighties. There was a rumour that during the so called Cuban boat crisis, Castro opened the doors of the prisons & told them to go to America if they disliked Cuba so much. not all of these boat people were economic migrants, some were involved in criminality. Florida & Miami now has a huge problem with Drug Cartels etc. All of this is speculation & second hand, but will happily enlighten you on my return, & hopefully I will be enlightened too! My expectations are that it is indeed a beautiful country, with very many beautiful people there. Cheers.We were going to Cuba back in the early 90’s but my wife insisted on cancelling as she refused to lay on a beach watching this:
View attachment 334425
20 Years After the 1994 Cuban Raft Exodus
In 1994, more than 35,000 people took the opportunity to leave, most heading to the United States. Men, women, and children packed into small boats and makeshift rafts and set off for Florida in the largest exodus from Cuba since the 1980 Mariel Boatlift.
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Rob-E
Well-Known Member
I went in 2008 before Castros death.
I had both the worse and best meal of my life out there. I was mostly in Havana and do day trips out and about as required. From memory a beer was 17p and cigarettes were 28p. I got 15 Cuban cigars for £30. Amazing culture and fully recommend a visit.
I had both the worse and best meal of my life out there. I was mostly in Havana and do day trips out and about as required. From memory a beer was 17p and cigarettes were 28p. I got 15 Cuban cigars for £30. Amazing culture and fully recommend a visit.
