Cuba Libre

Lets just say that a couple of American citizens decide to travel somewhere that will allow him to go over to Cuba for a day or two. What kind of currency should they bring? Do they accept the US Dollar? Peso? Should these people change money ahead of time? <BR> <BR>Has anyone done this? How was it? <BR> <BR>

Merilee

I have read that American currency is preferred and remember that you will not find convenieces such as ATM's, etc. on the island.

Cuba Libre

One more thing -- would it be inadvisable to use credit cards? Should all transactions be in cash?

Phil

You can't use U.S. credit cards in Cuba. It is illegal for the bank that issue's a card to accept charges from Cuba and in fact there is no mechanism for them to receive the information. You must use cash. <BR> <BR>If someone goes, DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PASSPORT TO GET STAMPED IN CUBA. There have been several articles recently that have indicated that the Bush Administration is cracking down on Cuba travel. The fines can be several thousand if you are caught. <BR> <BR>U.S. customs is located in the Toronto ariport so it is possible for them to know who has come off a Cuba flight as they attempt to return to the U.S. It is a big Red Flag when someone with a tan and warm weather clothing comes through Toronto in the Fall or Winter. <BR> <BR>If someone were to leave, it would be better to go through Cancun. That way, you can explain the tan upon your return to the U.S. unless it is the summer time. <BR> <BR>Vaya con Dios, Comrade.

Cuba Libre

Thanks, Phil. The most likely departure/arrival point would be in the Bahamas. Is Merilee correct about using US Dollars? <BR> <BR>At a restaurant should I tip in spark plugs? <BR> <BR>

Merilee

Hola Cuba Libre...I am correct about using American currency....I thought you'd also like to know some other facts...eat at a paladar which is a licensed privately run "restaurant" in a private home...you'll get real home cooked Cuban food and the feel of a neighborhood and its people...Good hotel choices (Havana) are Hotel Comodoro, Hotel Copacabana, Melia Habana, Chateau Miramar, and EL Viejo y el Mar (The Old Man and the Sea)...Havana also has a Chinatown at Cuchillo Street...the restaurants are privately owned by families as opposed to many of the other restaurants that are government controlled...ASTRO is the national bus service which links you to other cities about once or twice a day...Hitchhiking is popular with Cubans (called hacer botella) and government vehicles are legally supposed to pick them up, but I don't think this would apply to tourists....Pick up a copy of La Cartelera for up to date info on the nightlife...Dos Gardenias is a club that has been revived due to the popularity of the Buena Vista Social Club...Cafe Cantante is in a basement that hosts top artists...Que la paser bien!

Cuba Libre

Thanks for the info.

Cuba Libre

<BR>Now...let's say one wants to book a hotel reservation at, say, the Copacabana. How would one do that? A simple phone call or need it be more involved, like, for example, a travel agent in Canada or elsewhere? If they were to wait until they got to the Bahamas they would probably get shut out, no?

Emmy

As a U.S. citizen you can legally go to Cuba. You just can't spend any U.S. money in Cuba. You have to pay a travel agent in Canada/Bahamas/Cancun/etc. for everything in advance. But who would know if the t-shirt you bought was through the travel program of from a street vendor.

dsmith

See article in business week 9/10/01 <BR>page 14. Persons arriving in toronto or the bahamas from cuba can expect to be fined $7,500/ person. <BR>I would never go as a US citizen due to the fact my name might show up on a cuban computer that the Feds probably can tap. <BR>If i were to go i would go from CAncun <BR>which has $99 round trip flights.YOu would want to take along a birth certificate in case they stamp your passport you can use the birth certificate to get out of Mexico.