cbob

I was assuming that someone would have posted about this "guide" but I just discovered it and have a few comments :

I've flown in and out of Jose Marti many times and I believe that your experience is not the norm.
???? Why? I see a number of folks (mainly European travelers?) doing this but in over a dozen years of travel to Cuba, I've never needed my bag "wrapped".
I can't agree. The big bar in the centre of the departure lounge has much better sandwiches, papas fritos and hamburguesas than the booths outside. Cold beer too!
Again, I'd suggest that your experience was unusual. All the "changing counters" that you describe has never been my experience over many departures and in any case, there is a large "Information" booth in the centre of the terminal where they have a list of all flights and check-in counters. If you don't instantly see your counter-just ask!
I've never been comped a VIP pass so must assume that your guess is correct. Normally you BUY a VIP pass ($20CUC)from the girl that circulates near the check-in counters. What you missed was that with a VIP pass, you simply give your BP and your $25CUC to the VIP rep who pays your fee for you and then conducts you through the VIP/Crew/Diplo line at Immigration. Sometimes your VIP pass will also mean priority at the security scan but that depends on volume. They won't ask about your cigars at Immigration but they WILL at Security IF you have boxes of cigars (which might be fakes) and if you have more than two boxes, you will be required to show a "factura" or receipt to prove that you bought them legally. A few cigars in your check-in won't be bothered with. Normally, if you DO have a large number of cigars, they will escort you "downstairs" to the secondary inspection room. This happens more often if the security area is busy. On my last exit (December) they simply had a guy at a desk behind the scanners.
I use the VIP facilities more often in Varadero than in Havana because:
1. There is often a humoungous lineup from bus shuttles from the resorts in Varadero clogging the VRA check-in so the VIP is worth the $20 CUC
2. There is a separate smoking section in the VIP lounge so it's a good place to catch a last cigar in Cuba.

BTW.
Flying INTO HAV has also changed quite a bit and if you have not visited a a couple of years, you will see many changes.
The high points:

1. No CADECAS in the baggage areas anymore. There used to be a booth to change money just to the left of the carousels and a better, less busy one at the far end. Gone.
2. Two baggage areas now-the one on the right as you enter from the ramp is normally the one you use from a North American flight.
3. Entering the main arrivals hall from either baggage pickup, there are now two large Banco/CADECA installations (one for each baggage exit-no waiting) so there is no problem getting tourist cash (CUC) for cabs etc. You can get LOCAL cash (CUP) there as well but don't change more than $3CUC.

I'd advise picking your own cab from the ranks in front, rather than dealing with the touts inside the terminal. You should TRY to INSIST that the driver uses his METER and it may be a fight because they ALL want to charge you $25 CUC into town. The fare ON THE METER from Jose Marti to the VIAZUL Bus terminal is $7.50!! To the Hotel Nacional or Habana Vieja it's barely twice that amount. Beware. Either negotiate a price or get a cab with a meter. Don't pay $25 CUC

Commander Bob
Cubanofilo