Havana Bound, Maybe

[kuma]

Thinking of gong during the Xmas holiday.  Number one has anyone been there during Xmas holiday, if so what is it like; jam packed or not.

Number two; Currently we our still in the month of Oct. is it possible to call a hotel and make a reservation from anywhere on the globe (US).

For americans can we just hop a plane say at JFK Int. New York and fly straight to Havana (3 hrs flt time) or do we have to do the Mexican hop.

Number Three; Do we just need a passport.  Number Four;  Money / credit card.  if it is money to be used and only money then

large biils (100 dollar bills) or smaller 50.00's 20.00's, etc, etc,....

Numer Five:  Where or where not to eat.  Friend / co-worker came back last month from Kuba and had gotten real sick from some food.

Number Six and this is a BIG ONE.  Buying smokes.  Buy at only famous hotels or sanctioned B+M's.

What about farm smokes, ok.  and where not to buy.  Thanks for any and all feed back.

 

 

 

[Lant63]

I think I'm getting old here. I haven't wanted to tell someone to use the search function until now.

I apologize as I am not trying to be rude. I just thought it was funny on my end.

A lot of these topics are covered in various other threads in the watering hole.

If you speak Spanish maybe a hostel or air b and b, if not I would recommend a hotel. I believe you can use visa on the island now, other cc I'm not sure. There are a lot of good places to eat in Havana follow the locals in my opinion. Don't drink the water. Don't buy any cigars accept at lcdh or the farms.


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[Habana Mike]

Most Havana flights on domestic airlines are starting up in December so you should be good with that, and yes you need a passport - and a visa!

[luv2fly]

Here is a link to help:    http://www.friendsof...howtopic=105449

[Ken Gargett]

didn't you explain to us all, in some detail, just last weekend how you had no interest in going there?

 

[AlohaStyle]

3 hours ago, kuma said:

Thinking of gong during the Xmas holiday.  Number one has anyone been there during Xmas holiday, if so what is it like; jam packed or not.

Number two; Currently we our still in the month of Oct. is it possible to call a hotel and make a reservation from anywhere on the globe (US).

For americans can we just hop a plane say at JFK Int. New York and fly straight to Havana (3 hrs flt time) or do we have to do the Mexican hop.

Number Three; Do we just need a passport.  Number Four;  Money / credit card.  if it is money to be used and only money then

large biils (100 dollar bills) or smaller 50.00's 20.00's, etc, etc,....

Numer Five:  Where or where not to eat.  Friend / co-worker came back last month from Kuba and had gotten real sick from some food.

Number Six and this is a BIG ONE.  Buying smokes.  Buy at only famous hotels or sanctioned B+M's.

What about farm smokes, ok.  and where not to buy.  Thanks for any and all feed back.

 

 

 

 

Yes you can book a hotel directly.  And yes you can stay at a Casa Particular to save a lot of money and you don't need to know Spanish.  It was a big part of the experience when I went.  Taking a flight direct?  Sure.  You still are required to go for one of the 12 legal reasons or take an approved people to people tour.  Many Americans just go, your call.  Credit card?  We don't know what you have and can't answer that, ask your card company.  Cash?  Up to you what you want to bring.  Eat?  Plenty of good places and as said above, referenced here many times or look online at places like Trip Advisor.  There are lots of good places to eat.  You can get sick from eating anywhere in the world. 

 

Go and enjoy your trip.  

[kuma]

Thanks all for the info.  And Ken not total "no interest" I held some in reserve because some of Kuba

does have an appeal to me in a few areas.  Could give a hoot about the beachs rather see the farms / farmers.

And when I last checked on the prices of smokes on the island they are the best and with airfare as cheap as it is and the

flight time (3 hrs as the duck flies) well  it became a "No Brainer" even for a guy like myself I must say.

Old cars are cool but just like and old house you got to take care of them as opposed to "NEW Car / New House"

everthing works as it should.  The culture roots are also interesting with the mix of Indian / Afro / latino DNA.

But Ken instead of an attempted smug bash job why don't you include something positive in your remarks

that could hold some interest to not only myself but be to the other members that have thoughts of going to

"cigar heaven" but have never been yet.

PS: Would still like to hear about the "pro.'s and con.'s" when it comes to Cuba / Havana and

other points of interest first hand.  Thanks and Cao

 

 

[PatrickEwing]

 

[kuma]

AlohaStyle true getting sick anywhere in the world I agree.  Not a slight on the food in Cuba just a thought with some vested interest

in eating there, maybe if I can get there in Dec.   By the way has anyone been there during the holiest day / week of the

year for Catholics.

[Fuzz]

1 hour ago, kuma said:

AlohaStyle true getting sick anywhere in the world I agree.  Not a slight on the food in Cuba just a thought with some vested interest

in eating there, maybe if I can get there in Dec.   By the way has anyone been there during the holiest day / week of the

year for Catholics.

You're going during Easter?

[Habana Mike]

26 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

You're going during Easter?

Cruel Fuzz. You in the states yet? You sound like a Yank already!!!!

[Ken Gargett]

they have a kiddyfiddling week in cuba?

[Fuzz]

4 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

Cruel Fuzz. You in the states yet? You sound like a Yank already!!!!

It is true, though.

US bound in 32 hrs.

[Habana Mike]

See you on the Malecon mate!

 

[helix]

Be in downtown Vedado on the eve of the 14th .