Just booked for 19 days in Cuba. Now what?
#1
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Just booked for 19 days in Cuba. Now what?
Just booked for Cuba spurred by a certain announcement last month.
Will be flying into VRA and flying out of HOG 19 days later. Plan to spend most of a week in Havana and working our way east until we leave from HOG.
Since we're doing mainly cities, it'd appear that viazul would be the best way to get around.
Should we book accommodation now (at least the first few days in Havana?) or wait until we get there?
Will be flying into VRA and flying out of HOG 19 days later. Plan to spend most of a week in Havana and working our way east until we leave from HOG.
Since we're doing mainly cities, it'd appear that viazul would be the best way to get around.
Should we book accommodation now (at least the first few days in Havana?) or wait until we get there?
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I wonder how the differences between different Cuba Embassies affects the "need" for Cuban accommodation.
I have flights into/out of HAV booked for late April. I spoke with the Cuban embassy here in Doha last week and one of their requirements for a Cuban Tourist card (I am a Canadian) is confirmed accommodation in Cuba.
I wonder if that is a hard-and-fast rule or a rule particular to the embassy here in Doha.
I have flights into/out of HAV booked for late April. I spoke with the Cuban embassy here in Doha last week and one of their requirements for a Cuban Tourist card (I am a Canadian) is confirmed accommodation in Cuba.
I wonder if that is a hard-and-fast rule or a rule particular to the embassy here in Doha.
#4
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The tourism card issue is puzzling because there is no consistent answer between the various embassies as you've noted and also with the various tourism offices (at least in Canada and the U.K.)
I haven't as yet booked any accommodation so I will fin out soon enough.
I haven't as yet booked any accommodation so I will fin out soon enough.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I'm going to Cuba soon as well. Has anyone figured out the cell phone situation? I have an AT&T iphone 5, an unlocked (T-Mobile) iphone 6 plus, and an unlocked Amazon Fire (android phone that uses a micro sim card.). I am mostly interested in calling back to the U.S. The calls don't need to be super cheap, but I don't want to spend a fortune and I am not the most tech savvy person, so I am looking for something easy. I am having trouble figuring out what kind of sim cards are easily available there. Has anyone else dealt with this yet?
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
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My group included someone who worked for Verizon, and he investigated the cell phone situation before we left. In short, unless changes have been really fast since Obama's announcement, no U.S. carrier has service in Cuba.
European and Canadian phones will work, if I understand this article correctly:
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g14...re.You.Go.html
European and Canadian phones will work, if I understand this article correctly:
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g14...re.You.Go.html
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
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In checking things regarding the Tourist card, I will purchase mine in Panama from the COPA airline, before I take the COPA flight to Havana. No requirements for indicating reservations of hotels/casas. AND while the card in Doha costs 240 QAR, it costs maybe $20 in Panama. An obvious no-brainer...
#9
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Going to see the cities for history and architecture. Tentatively, looking at 1 Nt in Matanzas (due to time of arrival at VRA, going on to Havana for 4 nts. Planning to allocate 2 nights each to Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Carmaguey, Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, and 2 nights in a resort near HOG to wrap up the end.
Planning ti use Viazul due to the expensive price and reported poor quality of rental cars so extra time (pretty much a full day) pretty much being allocated to travel between distant cities.
Planning ti use Viazul due to the expensive price and reported poor quality of rental cars so extra time (pretty much a full day) pretty much being allocated to travel between distant cities.
#10
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Going to see the cities for history and architecture. Tentatively, looking at 1 Nt in Matanzas (due to time of arrival at VRA, going on to Havana for 4 nts. Planning to allocate 2 nights each to Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Carmaguey, Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, and 2 nights in a resort near HOG to wrap up the end.
Planning ti use Viazul due to the expensive price and reported poor quality of rental cars so extra time (pretty much a full day) pretty much being allocated to travel between distant cities.
Planning ti use Viazul due to the expensive price and reported poor quality of rental cars so extra time (pretty much a full day) pretty much being allocated to travel between distant cities.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Unless you are a real backpacker willing to sleep under a bridge you should consider to have at least the first night booked in a hotel. The Tryp Habana Libre should be available for 50 to 60 CUC.
I recommend to make reservations with Viazul in advance by internet.
I recommend to make reservations with Viazul in advance by internet.
#12
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I've decided to do a tour, especially after reading the other thread about the hassle in the country. Having been to plenty of places where one is just a walking dollar sign to the locals - I figured paying $80 a day to have all of your transport/hotels arranged ahead of time, and being part of a group was better than going at it independently.
It came down to http://locallysourcedcuba.com and http://www.cubagrouptour.com/tour/15day.html
It came down to http://locallysourcedcuba.com and http://www.cubagrouptour.com/tour/15day.html
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: exBER exBKK exLIS
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I've decided to do a tour, especially after reading the other thread about the hassle in the country. Having been to plenty of places where one is just a walking dollar sign to the locals - I figured paying $80 a day to have all of your transport/hotels arranged ahead of time, and being part of a group was better than going at it independently.
It came down to http://locallysourcedcuba.com and http://www.cubagrouptour.com/tour/15day.html
It came down to http://locallysourcedcuba.com and http://www.cubagrouptour.com/tour/15day.html
Excellent decision and very good recommendation.
US citizen should take an arranged tour unless they are really experienced travellers. To travel to Cuba is not like going to Las Vegas.
#14
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I have been to plenty of 'exotic' places independently, which I prefer. But I am not going to act holier than thou like some people and discard all tours, especially when some are a great value and allow you to see things in limited time.
Some of my best travel memories over the last 10 years of traveling have been organized trips with like-minded/aged people in their 20s and 30s.
#15
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After investigating modes of transportation, we found:
1) bus is cheap but limiting in where you can stop and frequency is very limiting between some towns
2) Car rental is very expensive and ridden with potential hassles
3) Tours can be economically efficient for solo travellers but economics don't compensate for being tied to a schedule of the group for 2 or more
4) Car rental with driver is appearing to be the best option - less than or about the same as a tour
1) bus is cheap but limiting in where you can stop and frequency is very limiting between some towns
2) Car rental is very expensive and ridden with potential hassles
3) Tours can be economically efficient for solo travellers but economics don't compensate for being tied to a schedule of the group for 2 or more
4) Car rental with driver is appearing to be the best option - less than or about the same as a tour