1st trip to Havana - Trip Report.

[gmoney]

First off a huge thanks to Rob and everyone who provided with some get tips and guidance for this rookie.  With that being said it took me a day to really hit my stride and get a feel for the city and how it works.   

My trip was fairly last minute as I tagged along with two friends that where already booked and planned to go.  Both gents are not cigar smokers interestingly.     

We flew out of Atlanta direct on Delta, at the gate I was able to fill out a form and self- authorize my trip to Cuba.  I was also able to buy my cuba tourist visa for $50.  Flying there was as easy as any other destination. 

We were staying at a "casa particular" found on Airbnb about two blocks away from hotel national.  The host had a car waiting for us but we didnt find it so hired a  cab and paid $40 US to get to our apartment.  We would later discover that all cab rides to and from the airport should cost $25CUC.

Once we Checked in we were out the door it was about 4pm and starting walking down 23 ave which is pretty busy with people and stores. About 10 mins later stumbled upon the Hotel Libre and that's were I made my 1st LCDH purchase.  Like a kid in the candy store.  One thing to note none of us had any cell service and wifi could be purchased via cards for $3 cuc an hour.  Wifi only worked on certain street conners as it was very limited.  It was fast enough to check social media and even upload photos and small video files.  

The first night consisted of hanging out at hotel national and walking around a lot getting a feel for the area.  Was pretty low key and was over by 1am.

That night we made the most important discovery (we didn't realize at the time. But did the next day)   We meet Danny  a local Cuban who like most was grinding it out to supplement his $10CUC a month salary as an English teacher for high school.  A quick observation.  I found there are two types of hussle.  The first is locals trying to scam you on fake cigars or recommending places to eat and drink we they get kickbacks to take you.  The second were honest locals like Danny that was banking on getting tips by giving honest factual information on places to eat, bars, clubs, etc.

The second day we flagged down a classic American car convertible.  Hired him for 3 hours to take us around.  Saw the fort, the military base with artifacts from the Cuban middle crisis and then found ourselves in old havana for the 1st time .  We cut the cab loose half way though the rented time and started exploring that area ourselves, stopping at several LCDH, eating , drinking and just walking around that area past the capital until we finally cab back to the apartment.

They night we ran into Danny again, this is where we discovered his value.  With that in mind the 1st great tip from him is the  Polynesian which is located down the street from hotel Libre on 23 has happy hour every night from 4-8pm 1CUC for all drinks. Huge score.  So of course we invited him with us to drink and of course he took us up on our offer.  Tried to get him to hang out with us the rest of the night but he gets up at 6am to take a bus to teach, plus he is in school getting a degree as well (sharp kid) we were all very impressed with his work ethic.  We picked his brain for hours on everything from defecting on a boat to the government to life in Cuba. Just fascinating information.  Although he didn't go out with us that night he gave us info on what clubs to go to and planned on going out the next night with us .  Based on his recommendations we got home at 8:30am the next morning and finally understood what the term "Havana Nights" is all about.  

We got about 4 hours of sleep and where back at it  this time cab to marimar section of town   We ate at VistaMar its right on the water. Just absolutely beautiful and great food as well.  From there walked to LCDH 5y16.  They had the best selection for boxes from all the stores I visited.  (Libre had the best section of single sticks).

That night we found Danny, went to dinner and he took us to a rooftop terrace bar that had a great vibe where we smoked and drink and just chilled.  Being that we were wiped out from the previous night we called it around 1am. Gave him $100US for  everything he did for us.  Next day we woke up and flew out.  

My thoughts on Cuba

1. If you're American and haven't gone go as soon as you can.  

2 . If you're going and want the contact info of a local who will provide you with InSite PM me.  Just promise to take care of the kid.  He's good people.

3 . Finally a few photos and the cigars i brought back home.  No issues in US customs at all.

I hope this report makes someone who's been wanting to go make the trip   I'll be back there in 60 days or less   I'm hooked!

Cheers!!!

 

[OZCUBAN]

Thanks for posting gmoney

sounds like you had a blast hope to make there one day my self "it's on the bucket list "Glad you had a good time and your right you have to look after the good people 

Cheers 

[Philc2001]

Great report, thanks! Looks like you had a great time. The ISOM is a mystical place, wish I get a chance to see it one day.

 

[Jnewt64]

Great report. thanks for sharing

[bnasse9900]

Thanks for sharing.  A few questions...

- "..go as soon as possible." - For any specific reasons?

- Thinking of trying to swing Cuba as a honeymoon destination.  Any ammo/advice you have to strengthen my argument would be helpful.

- Who is the Steelers fan? 

Best,

Brody

[Mr.T]

Nice write up and thanks for sharing!!


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[clutch5150]

Great post, thank you for sharing your great trip!

[gmoney]

18 minutes ago, bnasse9900 said:

Thanks for sharing.  A few questions...

- "..go as soon as possible." - For any specific reasons?

- Thinking of trying to swing Cuba as a honeymoon destination.  Any ammo/advice you have to strengthen my argument would be helpful.

- Who is the Steelers fan? 

Best,

Brody

Hi Brody!

Both of us in the photo are Steeler fans.  Shout out to my friend Bill who brought his TT.  Could not get the Cuban official to crack a smile, but he was very gracious to pose and hold up the towel for the photo  

I say go ASAP bc in my opinion Havana needs to be enjoyed before there is a McDonalds on the  corner and things of that nature.  Also speaking with the locals and a gent I met on the return flight who had been traveling there the past 12 years said a few things.  

1. They city doesn't have the infrastructure to support a massive amount of tourists.  We saw one cruise shipped dock. Imainage if there's 10 or 12. Where are there going to put them, feed them, house them, etc

2. Costs there were  relatively cheap.  You can find a nice place on Airbnb for $30 a night.  Food and drinks were cheap.  But the law of supply and demand dictates as the number of tourists increases(and it is increasing) all the costs associated with that will increase as well.  

3.  I was told things were even cheaper 5 years ago when hotels and such were constantly half empty. 

4.  We were only there for 3 nights so only spent time in Havana.  But there are beautiful beaches to be enjoyed as well so on a longer trip there is more to see than just Havana.  

Hope that answered your question. 

Honestly it's an amazing place with amazing people. 

[jschrader510]

Sounds like you had a hell of a time! I'm trying to get there and your post just reinforces that. The girlfriend doesn't want to go, so it may just need to be a boys trip (would be way more fun anyway).

[JohnInCleveland]

I'm not so sure the tourism boom is coming.  What they need desperately is infrastructure and cooperation with foreign investors and governments, which can only come about by creating a positive climate for foreign investment.  I went to Cuba because I was fascinated and I think that is part of the allure right now, but ultimately that will fade, and if they are going to compete long-term with other tourism areas, it will require...

 

1. Infrastructure investments in the BILLIONS, I'm talking roads, plumbing, street lights, electrical, internet, buildings, etc.

2. Hotel capacity.  Right now, there are a handful of resorts in Havana that are even competitive with comparable resorts in the Caribbean.  Even Melia Habana, where I spent a week, was average by Caribbean tourism standards.  I could've stayed somewhere much nicer for much less money elsewhere. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE fan of Cuba and I intend to return as soon as circumstances allow, but much like how most of the folks on FOH aren't indicative of the average cigar smoker, we also aren't indicative of the average vacationer.  Your average vacationer doesn't want to stay in someone's house for $30 a night.  They want a resort with amenities and conveniences, not pay internet cards.  It is going to take major shifts in attitudes of the Cuban government in order to attract foreign investment, which is unlikely to change until there are assurances that Cuba will respect property rights and allow foreigners to own land, which they don't have a great history of. 

[JohnInCleveland]

Also thanks for sharing your experiences gmoney, with the exception of the Terrible Towel.

[gmoney]

20 minutes ago, JohnInCleveland said:

Also thanks for sharing your experiences gmoney, with the exception of the Terrible Towel.

Haha Thanks John!!

I whole heartedly agree with the infrastructure needs and it's a different type of vacation/Travel then the avg person takes.  

 

Speaking of property rights I was in awe of house after house build with beautiful architecture just run down and vacant.  With so many of them sitting on the coast just waiting to be remolded.  

Ive always said I won't get married again. I joked while in Cuba that maybe I'll marry a Cuban girl so I can buy and remodeld one of those fantastic houses.  Then you all would have a place to stay when you come visit me  ?

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, gmoney said:

won't get married again. I joked while in Cuba that maybe I'll marry a Cuban girl so I can buy and remodeld one of those fantastic houses.  Then you all would have a place to stay when you come visit me  ?

She will certainly end up with a beautiful house 

 

Thanks for a great trip report! 

[Fuzz]

Fantastic report! Thanks for sharing.

[luv2fly]

Great report.  Felt like I was there.  Someday hopefully.

[SignalJoe]

Thanks for the insight.  I am planning on heading there later in the year and appreciate the information. 

[gmoney]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

She will certainly end up with a beautiful house 

 

Thanks for a great trip report! 

Hahaha.  It's one of those things where the fantasy is probably better than the reality. ?

[Coolio]

Some great info, thanks very much for sharing. I'm going in June for 8 days. Looking forward to it immensely!

[NorCalAaron]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us, it seems I need to get my arse over there ASAP. 

[QuaiDorkay]

Love this report.  Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us.  

[oliverdst]

On 08/02/2017 at 3:14 PM, bnasse9900 said:

Thanks for sharing.  A few questions...

- "..go as soon as possible." - For any specific reasons?

- Thinking of trying to swing Cuba as a honeymoon destination.  Any ammo/advice you have to strengthen my argument would be helpful.

- Who is the Steelers fan? 

Best,

Brody

If you spend your honeymoon there try to go to Cayo Largo.

[jrusso14]

I just got back from a trip of my own. I won't hijack the thread from @gmoney but would like to echo many of the things that he said. Overall, I had a great experience. The city of Havana has a certain charm to it but the people that you meet are the highlight. Amazing to see the outlook some of the people have despite their current situation.

I took a trip to Vinales and it was amazing. I can't recommend it enough.Got to visit a plantation, curing barn, sorting factory and got to chat with a local farmer. A great experience all around.

If anyone has specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Sunsmoke]

thanks for sharing, can't wait to go back one day!

[stogieluver]

Cuba as a honeymoon destination is a little "iffy" unless your bride is very adventuresome and open minded.  My wife, who is adventuresome, didn't quite appreciate the two days in the hotel with no hot water, a day and night with no a/c and no window or fan to help the situation, very spotty food quality.  On top of that, she came back with a parasite we named Jose who stayed with her for the better part of three weeks.

Me, I'm going back as soon as I can, but she won't be with me.

[madandana]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had fun.