HappyTrvlr

As an American, I was required to go to Cuba on a cultural exchange tour so didn't have the freedom to plan an itinerary as you do. However, two of my favorite places were Colonial towns on the southern coast, Trinidad and Cienfuegos. Don't miss Trinidad. We spent four nights in Havana too.

annhig

thanks for the tips about Trinidad and Cienfuegos, HappyTrvlr.

how long were you in Cuba overall? did you enjoy the cultural exchange part of the trip? did you find it worthwhile?

HappyTrvlr

My husband and I found the trip very worthwhile. We were there for a week and would have liked to extend independently but couldn't as we're from the US. The cultural exchanges were the major part of the trip and were required by US Govt, three or four a day and we enjoyed them a lot. I wish tours to other countries used that format. We visited artists, both professional and street artists, musicians of every type from small combos to a chamber orchestra, medical/dental clinic, school, met with a professor from U of Havana and a housing/restoration dept director to name a few. We also toured the university.I highly recommend a trip to Cuba.

annhig

that sounds like a great programme, HT. not sure if it's available to non-US citizens, ironically. Certainly they are the sort of things we'd like to do for part of the time.

time for more research!

Rohelio

Cuba is a very unique destination and being Canadian, I have seen a good part of it... something you will never forget, especially Havana! What does bother me is the RS trip for 6000.00 US. There is something seriously wrong with this picture... These tour companies have got to be laughing all the way to the bank. I am truly sorry and dont mean to spoil the fun here, but for 2 weeks at 6 grand US, I would most certainly go elswhere. What ever happened to Paris in the spring, or Rome or Venice... These trips are once in a life time. I just cannot see passing up these destinations for Cuba's 6000.00 2 week trip, eating porc and chiken with rum !

kybourbon

I don't think anyone is passing up Paris or Rome to go to Cuba. Most of us have been those places multiple times and continue to go. Yes, the US tours are way overpriced compared to what people from other countries can book for. I don't know if it's because of getting certification from the US government or the chartered flights most of them use to get there. It could be some type of contributions to the various cultural places visited also.

Eddwarm

Check out http://www.cubaexplorer.com as well as http://www.authenticubatours.com. Both are based in Canada and cater to US travelers to Cuba. The rates are mighty reasonable in terms of companies mentioned in this thread. I'm taking a tour next February/March with the former company! Much anticipation awaits me during the next six months.

HappyTrvlr

Yes, as kybourbon says, we do go to France, Italy and more. But we wanted to see Cuba and since we're from the US we have to pay these prices. Once the US lifts the embargo, Cuba will change.

adrienne

HappyTrvlr - which group did you go with? I didn't see that you mentioned the group name. I'm still wanting to go to Cuba and I'm getting closer to spending the money.

Odin (or anyone else) - on another thread you mentioned that converting USD is more expensive than converting Euros. Can you give an example? If I get a much better rate using Euros I'm going to bring back a bundle from my trip next month.

Ann - the £2000 [U$3000 ish] you mentioned above with Saga is a bargain. The trip I'm looking at is $7,000 for 2 weeks but that would include just about everything except pocket money. All trips from the US are very expensive.

Odin

You will incur a 10% penalty for changing USD to CUC on top of the 8% margin that every currency incurs.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/pra...on/money-costs

kybourbon

I've noticed the student tour companies are now starting to offer trips to Cuba also. I wouldn't book with one as they don't guarantee departures and can shift you to another tour (although many tour companies have that clause).

I assume other tour companies will start offering Cuba also. Perhaps that will bring prices down a tad.

adrienne

Thanks, Odin. It will only cost me 1% to take Euros from an ATM so I'll save 9%.

HappyTrvlr

We went with on a university tour run by GoNext , based in Minneapolis. The tour was well done.