Recent Cuba Trip

[moy71]

Just got back from my very first visit to Cuba.  Spent a short 2 days there as a side-trip whilst on a family holiday in Orlando.

Here are some notes that I took, I hope it helps others...

 

• bought a round-trip airfare from Orlando-Havana-Orlando
• a Cuban visa was offered to me by the Jetblue counter for USD50. It was just a piece of paper.  I was not asked why I was visiting
• flight time was just over an hour
• on arrival, all the customs immigration officers were young females.  all were drop-dead gorgeous!
• all bags and people were x-rayed on arrival
• after the immigration, as I was walking out to the exit doors,  i was approached by one officer. she asked where's my luggage.  i explained i only have a backpack because i was visiting for ony 2 days
• the officer took my passport and showed it to her supervisor several steps away.  it was returned to me after a minute and i was on my way
• a few steps away from the arrival hall,  on the right were several foreign exchange ATMs.   No queues.  I walked in and exchanged my Euros to CUC.  It took several attempts as some notes were not recognised by the machine so some bills had to be re-inserted twice/thrice.
• the exchange rate using the ATM was not the best but for my purpose,  for a simple 2 days it was fine (EUR480 = CUC503)
• a man holding my name was at the arrival hall.  I had organised a taxi with the casa i was staying in.  my taxi was a gorgeous blue car straight out of a movie scene. CUC25 one way (+tip)
• luckily the casa i stayed in did not have a prior guest so i was able to check-in even at 10.40am 
• my australian phone (vodafone) did not have a signal whatsover
• instead i bought several internet cards and relied on those for communication to the outside world
• i bought the internet card at hotel inglaterra for CUC1 for 60mins.  for the 2 days, i used 5 cards
• the mojitos i had there were strong. tasty but strong.  my head was spinning halfway thru the glass.  served with banana chips
• my plan was to visit the new partagas factory and get a tour.  however i changed my mind when i visited the old factory and there was an old lady already rolling cigars right in front of me
• scored a Cuban release Punch La Isla 10 box cigars and a few custom rolls from Conde Villanueva 
• food was a big surprise.  for CUC10-15, you could get awesome seafood.  i had the lobster at an Italian place called Vitola
• CUC was accepted everywhere i went.  only once did i see any prices in CUP
• walking was my mode of transport.  from my casa (near the capitolio) to plaza vieja is only 20min or so.  lots of bike-taxis about but i did not use that
• most hotels had their own cigar shops at the lobby. good source of single cigars and accessories.  
• lots of rooftop bars to enjoy
• on my way back, i spent leftover CUCs at the small number of shops at the airport just prior to the customs.  after you pass customs,  only USD allowed.  
• the small number of shops prior to the customs have a variety of goods from cigars, shirts, caps, chocolates etc
• a third day would have been nicer, but all in all 2 days was a great experience as a solo traveller

[DSegal]

Nice set of notes. Agree with the food comment--am always surprised when I read comments that the food in Cuba is uninteresting or just bad. I don't know what those people are eating, or where. 

[Thirds]

The food was a big surprise to me upon arrival.  Incredible efforts made by the owners to provide a first world dining experience.  

[Derboesekoenig]

6 hours ago, DSegal said:

Nice set of notes. Agree with the food comment--am always surprised when I read comments that the food in Cuba is uninteresting or just bad. I don't know what those people are eating, or where. 

I either have terrible food or fantastic food. Doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Same goes for service. At least this has been my experience

[TheMonk]

9 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I either have terrible food or fantastic food. Doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Same goes for service. At least this has been my experience

Same.

[Monocle]

8 hours ago, TheMonk said:

Same.

+1. Santy and Al Carbon were among the best meals I've had in a long time, while I dared not even take a bite of a fish fillet I received at a random paladar we wandered into. 

[madandana]

Thanks for the report. Sounds great.

[StogieSteve23]

Just reading this forum.  Looks like you had a great time! What a wonderful place Havana is. 

[Monterey]

11 hours ago, AlexanderOgden said:

Hi guys, me and my wife where in cuba 5 months ago for the first time and did a ton of research prior to our visit. We wanted to make sure everything went smoothly since we don't like to stress while on vacation. To ensure your visit to Cuba goes as smooth as ours did, here are some simple steps to take for preparation:

• Book Things Early
• Exchange US Dollars to Euros
• Purchase Traveler's Insurance
• Learn Some Spanish Phrases
• Print Out All Your Materials (cause wifi is poor there)
• Arrive Early At the Airport to Obtain Your Visa
• Purchase Water Bottles at the Airport (Bottled water is a little hard to find there)

Buying euros used to be a thing.  Dollars are king now.  1:1 ratio or better

[BubbaLew]

Cuba needs a total sewer system overhaul. If they lift the embargo, plumbers can do a huge business! They tell you not to flush toilet paper because it clogs the pipes. Crazy. But, all in all a great experience and the Cuban people are so nice. 

[Tbone20]

Awesome summary and photos! Seems like you had an action packed 2 days. I wanted to go in 2017, but didn't end up making it out there. It's been a dream of mine to visit! I'd love to see the beautiful cigar culture and brand histories, such a unique experience. Thanks for sharing!