Take a chance on Cuba?
 

Will you be travelling to Cuba this winter considering all that has been happening (earthquakes. hurricanes, electricity blackouts, rising travel costs, the U.S. election, general shortages)

We are undecided for now.

Naw, none of those things that you have listed will keep me from going to Cuba but one will keep me from going to the USA.

:cocktail: :earth:

None of those would stop me, but I wasn't planning on going to Cuba anyway. I am happy with my vacations in Mexico.

We have done a compromise. Booked one week at the beach in Cienfuegos next month. and will be going to Mexico for a week in March.

It will be our first time to Cienfuegos and the beach is fairly close to the city. So at least we are getting one week in Cuba which is our favourite Caribbean destination despite all that they have been through.

Even if Cuba returns to its "new normal" of power outages between 4-16 hours a day, I will be taking a pass for the foreseeable future. I was there for 3 months earlier this year and it was frustrating to say the least. The biggest issue for me is food safety. Cuba has never had very high hygiene standards to begin with, so with all of the cuts to electricity, you really question anything you are served in a restaurant. Hopefully better times are ahead for our Cuban friends. This winter, I will be in Nicaragua.

Should have added that resort people won't face as many challenges as independent travellers. Many resorts may have shortages of certain foods and beverages, but the less picky ones will fare well. I would only consider travelling to Havana right now independently. Anywhere east power and food shortages are very serious.

We will be staying at the resort and only taking day trips to the city. It gets so hot there during the summer, I don’t know how people get by with hours long power cuts each day. Let’s hope they find a solution to that someday soon for everyone’s sake.

Cuba...that is on my bucket list. Would be fun to go there. It has been a few years since this posting. Wondering if there are still food and electricity shortages outside of Havana.

Where in Cuba are you planning on travelling to? Resorts are generally fine. As for the cities and towns, power outages are increasing in length again.

I will take a chance on Cienfuegos for a week. Not the beach, the city.

Even though Simon says Tough Times
I will be ready for anything with my flashlight and my bug bite ointment by my side.

A week spent in Trinidad went without any problems. We didn’t stay in the small city but at the beach therefore we were unaffected by any power outages. Food was decent at the resort and even better in town. Cuban cuisine can be quite good. A recommended place to visit in Cuba.

Wes, did you also visit La Boca on your trip or just Trinidad?

No, I didn’t know about La Boca.

We went into Trinidad 3 times and took a really good catamaran ride to an island. Mostly sat on the beach drinking cervesas.

When they ask me if I will be taking a chance on Cuba this winter, I will have one answer and one answer only...

Si !!!

La Habana en enero.
:sunny::palm::camera:((H)) 🇨🇺

Perfecta, amigo mio!! ((b)):):ok::palm::cactus::sun:

CubanWaters, as an independent traveler to Cuba too, what I always tell myself is that if THEY can endure those many hardships thrown at them daily, than certainly so can I. But let's get REAL. I visit temporarily - 3 to 4 weeks at a time at most, and of course, with far more money available to me as well. That makes the comparison to what many Cubans must do to survive each and every day year round - completely moot! For both you and me and for any other foreigner visiting Cuba away from the all inclusive resorts, ours is a a rather privileged existence when living there, and despite the mere inconveniences. Terry

In case I'm there at the same time CW, bring lots of cash. I'm not a cheap date.

Contrary to what is heard about food in Cuba, one of the reasons that I travel independently in Cuba is to eat well. So many great and affordable restaurants in the cities of Cuba. Well, affordable for me at least. Without a doubt dining out in Cuba is better than Canada for quality and price value… and don’t get me started on the affordable cervesa!

:beer:

Oh yes, we have had some good meals in Holguin, Trinidad and Havana cities. Not booked for Cuba this year but there is the possibility that we will go. We would have liked to visit Santiago but they need time to recover and still there are no CDN flights to Santiago or Camaguey. Decisions decisions.

If any of you ever make your way to Camaguey city, the absolute best restaurant there for the quality of the food, selection, ambiance, enormous bar, wine cellar, and vibe is Restaurante 1800. You can pay in street exchanged CUP there too, making everything highly affordable. Many celebs dine there as well. The last time we ate there, I noticed that the walls are covered in celebrity photos - the one that really caught my eye was El Chacal - Ramon Lavado Martinez. Now wouldn't that have been a hoot if he had been there when we were there too. My wife and I and our family posse will be dining there again soon over the coming holidays when the place will be all decked out again in Christmas decorations - including a 2 story high blow up Santa Claus outside. The place is wicked cool - a must do always when in Camaguey. Terry

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restauran...ince_Cuba.html

Well it's safe for travelling in 2025.