Visiting Cuba pt 2. + more cars !

 

(Missed pt 1 ?….. https://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/visiting-cuba)

 

Getting about in Cuba varies dramatically.

In the populated areas they have regular buses. Out in the countryside you’ll have to take a taxi or go on an organised tour.

 

Road conditions range from good to very poor. You’ll never travel as fast as you do at home. Cows, goats and dogs will often take a walk on the road. Bicycles everywhere and horses and carts plodding along. Farmers going to work on horseback and motor bikes with a sidecar – full of the family.  

 

You need to get a feel of Cuba before you even consider renting a car. You can get a Taxi and Driver for $100 a day. 8 hours. Or a mini van with 12 seats and share the cost for $200.  You can pre-book through your hotel. Of course they’ll add a good slice onto your charge. Or the locals who work in the hotel can arrange it for you. The locals have recently started using cell phones and will arrange something on the spot – for as soon as tomorrow!

 

The tourist hotels are located near the beach areas around the island. They all have excellent facilities. Most are All Inclusive. Entertainment. Pools. Bars and Restaurants. Rooms and most with AirCon and TV. Similar to Dominican Republic.  

 

There’s little to buy in Cuba – and food is rationed. For my first trip I’d go with a tour group and take something that they have on offer. They will choose a good tourist restaurant for lunch. Most visit nearby towns and leave you to explore for an hour or two. Churches, art, old sugar plantation railways, cigar factories, schools, museums and local history interest.  

 

Cans of soda or cold beer are available on the street. Sealed bottled water is excellent and safe. A dollar each. Younger folks will want to guide you around for a tip. 1 tourist Peso (CUC) / $1 is a good days wages so no more!

 

THE PEOPLE  

 Cuban people are very well educated. Many speak 5 languages in tourist spots. They are well-mannered and respond well to tourists. If you speak English they don’t know what country you come from.

 

Don’t show them your pictures of the big house you have. The 3 cars and the boat. Cubans are very poor and its not good to upset them. The Cuban Government have asked tourists not to do this. Cubans watch a lot of US Satellite TV (Florida). They already know what you have at home.

 

Cuba has a similar climate to south Florida. I’ve been at all times of the year – and there is NO dry season. Expect LESS rain in the winter. In the summer months you may get a thunderstorm every afternoon. But – like Florida – the sun comes out again in 1 or 2 hours. Very hot in summer. June – Sept. Perfect in winter – average 25c/77f – with a cool breeze in the evening.

 

If you want to buy Cuban Cigars buy them at a Government-recognised Cigar Store.

They all have a hologram. If you buy from a cigar maker in your Hotel you’ll need a receipt. 

 

You can get cigars from the Hotel Staff and they’ll all be very good. But you wont be paying Tax on them – so beware ! If you take some home they’ll all be checked before you leave Cuba. If you want them back off Customs then you’ll need to tell the name of the person you bought them from. And he’ll get a long vacation at Senor Castro’s pleasure.

Or you can have them confiscated.

 

You can buy all the top quality liquor in the bars.

Most All Inclusive Hotels serve it. 

 

In all the times I’ve been (15 +) I’ve never seen any trouble. No crime. I’ve never spoken to a Cuban policeman. I’ve never been unwell. 

Don’t compare it to what you get in other Caribbean resorts. Cuba is a least 50 years behind the times. But Cuba does have the world’s best beaches. No contest !

 

Any questions so far ?