Questions about Cuba

[Cohiba Stevie]

Ok I've been having a read of the "ultimate visiting Cuba thread" and while its excellent, I think it may be have been neglected of late and had a few questions that I hope a few of you gents could shed some light on.

So I'm going to Cuba in two weeks time, and I must say I'm counting down the hours because I can't wait, 2 nights in Havana staying ate the parque central, then 5 nights in varadero staying at the Blau.

Here are my question...

1. Money, what do you folks usually do? I know I have to exchange my money when I arrive, but what do you do with it all? I don't want to be carrying a giant wad of cash around, but I also hear that theft from rooms is quite common so I would be weary of leaving it in the hotels. Any insight provided would be great.

2. Food, I am a very plain eater, and just like my cigar smoking I make no excuses for it and it's just the way I am, I have a pretty severe nut allergy so I naturally worry about trying new things, especially exotic food, are there many places to get a (not out of this world but decent) steak? Can you largely get some the standard foods we could get from standard restaurants.

3. Entering cuba, is there anything I need to know about arriving at Havana airport? Things I can't bring, things I should bring, documents etc. For example I know you cannot bring torch lighters in your luggage, so how do people light there cigars in cuba?

4. General tips: always welcome!

Thanks in advance for any input, I promise a full write up with plenty of pics when I return!!!

Stevie

[El Presidente]

Ok I've been having a read of the "ultimate visiting Cuba thread" and while its excellent, I think it may be have been neglected of late and had a few questions that I hope a few of you gents could shed some light on.

So I'm going to Cuba in two weeks time, and I must say I'm counting down the hours because I can't wait, 2 nights in Havana staying ate the parque central, then 5 nights in varadero staying at the Blau.

Here are my question...

1. Money, what do you folks usually do? I know I have to exchange my money when I arrive, but what do you do with it all? I don't want to be carrying a giant wad of cash around, but I also hear that theft from rooms is quite common so I would be weary of leaving it in the hotels. Any insight provided would be great.

I have never been robbed in Cuba nor had anything ever go missing from my hotel room or casa particular. I split my cash. Take a 1/3 with me + a CC + copy of passport. I leave balance in the room safe. If in a Casa without a safe I take half my cash with me and the rest I split in a shoe and inside the lining of my suitcase.

2. Food, I am a very plain eater, and just like my cigar smoking I make no excuses for it and it's just the way I am, I have a pretty severe nut allergy so I naturally worry about trying new things, especially exotic food, are there many places to get a (not out of this world but decent) steak? Can you largely get some the standard foods we could get from standard restaurants.

You need to print out Joses Hava Restaurant thread. http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=107714&st=0&p=254774&hl=+havana%20+restaurants&fromsearch=1entry254774

Plenty of Grills on that menu...Steak and Lobster.

3. Entering cuba, is there anything I need to know about arriving at Havana airport? Things I can't bring, things I should bring, documents etc. For example I know you cannot bring torch lighters in your luggage, so how do people light there cigars in cuba?

Matches and cheap Bic lighters.

Lay off the Satellite equipment going in.

Take a copy of your passport. Medication including meds for Castro Belly if it is your first time.

You will be fine.

4. General tips: always welcome!

Be humble, be patient, be firm, have fun!

Thanks in advance for any input, I promise a full write up with plenty of pics when I return!!!

Stevie

[Cohiba Stevie]

Thanks for the replies folks, definatley put my mind at ease, in regards to bringing in satelite equipment, are iphones ok? Because they do have gps recievers in them...

Thanks again.

[goalie204]

just watched a video about hotel room safes having a default code of all 0s even when your code is set, so check to make sure they don't have that first

[maverickdrinker]

Hi Stevie,

I put my answers in your questions below. have a great time in Cuba.

Ok I've been having a read of the "ultimate visiting Cuba thread" and while its excellent, I think it may be have been neglected of late and had a few questions that I hope a few of you gents could shed some light on.

So I'm going to Cuba in two weeks time, and I must say I'm counting down the hours because I can't wait, 2 nights in Havana staying ate the parque central, then 5 nights in varadero staying at the Blau.

Here are my question...

1. Money, what do you folks usually do? I know I have to exchange my money when I arrive, but what do you do with it all? I don't want to be carrying a giant wad of cash around, but I also hear that theft from rooms is quite common so I would be weary of leaving it in the hotels. Any insight provided would be great.

Keep it in a safe. Photocopy your passport and bring that around as ID. Leave your passport in the safe. If you are looking for custom rolls, you have to pay in cash, no credit cards.

2. Food, I am a very plain eater, and just like my cigar smoking I make no excuses for it and it's just the way I am, I have a pretty severe nut allergy so I naturally worry about trying new things, especially exotic food, are there many places to get a (not out of this world but decent) steak? Can you largely get some the standard foods we could get from standard restaurants.

There is a thread on the board on cuban restaurants. Print it off and take it with you.

3. Entering cuba, is there anything I need to know about arriving at Havana airport? Things I can't bring, things I should bring, documents etc. For example I know you cannot bring torch lighters in your luggage, so how do people light there cigars in cuba?

4. General tips: always welcome!

If you are going for cigars in Havana, visit Conde De Villanueva (Reynaldo), Partagas Factory (LA China) and RyJ factory (Hamlet) for the best selection and custom rolls.

Thanks in advance for any input, I promise a full write up with plenty of pics when I return!!!

Stevie

[nubchin]

Ill just say in general terms .

I consider Cuba as one of the safest country in the world if not the safest in the Americas including the USA , but if one seeks problems they will have them .

Although not many , but there are banks were you can pull out money if you have non-US banks and credit services so I usually bring half in cash for the entire trip or study , the other I will rely on banks .

Cuban food are Generally not exotic , meaning not spicy no exotic meat bugs etc, just pork rice beans chicken fish fruits and lobsters . So if you keep eating in kafes and restaurants home cooked meals then its all good .

As Rob says be humble and enjoy!!!

[bassman]

Thanks for the replies folks, definatley put my mind at ease, in regards to bringing in satelite equipment, are iphones ok? Because they do have gps recievers in them...

Thanks again.

Cuban custom will freak out over GPS equipment. Our charter flight was delayed 2 hours because a member of our group had GPS. They didn't notice it entering Cuba, but sure did when we were leaving & took our unfortunate member into a room for a "chat".

[Ryan]

Lots of good info here.

Satellite phones are a no-no.

I've never known iPhones to be a problem, I've flown in and out twice with one as did lots of people I was travelling with. More people I met there had them too, as did quite a few connected Cubans. I've never heard of anybody having a problem with them at the airport.

Food: Rob/Jose give good advice. El Templete does a good steak by the harbour, nice place. Doctor Cafe have a barbeque. The Parque Central has a steak restaurant with a good menu but it's a bit boring and not really Cuba.

The burger in the lobby of the Parque Central is generally good, ask for it well-done.

If you're in the Nacional, the mojito in the Churchill bar is much better than the rubbish they make on the terrace, you can still bring it out and it's the same price.

Bring travel packs of tissues, you won't always find bogroll.

Give them away when you're leaving.

I always brought euro cash with me, if you get stuck you can take out money on your credit card at the cadecas in the hotels.

As Rob said, be patient. Don't expect people serving you to be in a rush, they generally don't forget. Tip them.

If you need a torch lighter, lots of the LCDHs sell them for about 11 cuc, if you're lucky you'll get a few days out of one, you may not find a refill that easily. Cheap lighters and matches are the way to go.

Try not to fall in love.

[El Presidente]

are iphones ok?

The first Iphone I saw was in cuba. Hamlet had one a few days after they came out

[Cohiba Stevie]

All this info is really golden, Prez i know your extremeley busy at present and i appreciate you taking the time to answer some questions. To everybody else: a massive thankyou. I truly cannot wait now!

[compitaveggie]

Try not to fall in love.

HAHAHA..good advice too many people make this mistake.

I actually stayed at the Parque Central a week ago and visited Blau for a day. Both places seemed safe. I had large amounts of money because I am American so I had to have cash only. What I did was lift the little mat in the room safe and evenly spread my money on the bottom so that when you place the mat on top, it looks like there is no money there. I did place papers and confirmation and watched in the safe and had no problems. Another thing I did was in my suitcase I would put bigger camera equipment and laptops and locks those up with masterlock travel locks. I do this when I travel anywhere not just Cuba. I would also stash a little emergency money in my suitcase hidden pocket when I get to the hotel.

As for the passport as mentioned leave the originals in the hotel safe and have copies(color best) to carry. For cigar box purchases it is needed and for certain purchases.

By the way I have been taking these precautions because my mom had money and jewelry stolen from a lock room safe in France, so it can happen anywhere and opening rooms safes is easier than you think.