I (an American) just visited Havana, Cuba

[friedshrimp]

.....it technically is illegal to go to Cuba as an American as a tourist, so technically I was there on a "people to people" or "independent blogger" and had a fully documented agenda that left no free time to lounge around on the beach (wink-wink).

I 100% did NOT falsify any documents, however I wanted to visit Cuba as a Tourist, so I found the appropriate category to travel there and it is 100% legit.

Technically, I disagree based on the OP. :whoopie:

 

[taterhed]

I sincerely hope that Cuba can grow and prosper in this new era. Sadly, many of it's Caribbean siblings have not seen prosperity flow from tourism to the common people.

I also hope to see some of 'old Cuba' before they tear it down and put up a parking lot (or cruise port).

Strange times... but I'm sure many before us have said the same thing.

Thanks for the great insight.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Technically, I disagree based on the OP. :whoopie:

You are totally taking my post out of context.

First of all, I DID NOT visit the beach as it is about 45-60 minutes from Havana, although originally I wanted to and could have easily done that if I had more time or if it was a priority for me. I was only in Havana for three full days and did not want to wast any time doing people-to-people photographic research on the clarity of the ocean water or the cleanliness of the sand as I was BUSY visiting the museums and historical locations. I am not sure why lounging on the beach in Cuba is against the law, but currently those are the USA rules.

If I was in Cuba a week, I would need to visit the beach to rest my feet from all the walking and only the fresh saltwater and sand could provide a natural and therapeutic relief. Not only did I do a lot of walking, but Havana was super HOT and humid, seriously, like mega sweat for me. I can see why some countries take a siesta around 12-2 as that would have been a perfect time for a nap.

I can assure you and others that I had a fully documented schedule of events that meet or exceed what the USA requires for legal travel to Cuba. I am also being HONEST to admit that this trip was much more fun (if I can use that word as I sorta feel guilty for calling it fun when people there are suffering) that I expected. This trip was not fun in the same context as visiting Disney or places like that, but visiting Cuba for me has been a 20 year dream and I WISH I went sooner and can only express my opinion to anyone that is remotely interested to plan your trip NOW as currently is is very interesting, educational, and a very emotionally moving experience.

Please do not misinterpret my use of the word Tourist as I was not going to Cuba to rest and relax like every other citizen (other than the US) can do if they want to. I went there to experience the sights, sounds, food, people, historical locations, art, drinks, cigars, and the VIBE of Cuba and researched how I could legally do it as an American.

Again, I am HAPPY to share my experience with anyone here and I did a TON of research for my trip that will be valuable to anyone planning a trip. I also can understand that this may me a HOT topic and some people have very hard-lined opinions of visiting Cuba, but I really don't want to engage in those discussions and I would rather FOCUS on the positive experience I had and HELP other Americans that also want to visit Cuba for any reason they choose.

 

[LisaH]

@friedshrimp, give it a rest, would you?

 

[Beaglemom3]

@friedshrimp, give it a rest, would you?

+1. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



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[Sandy]

I totally agree. "Chill out" time is the phrase that comes to mind.

Friedshrimp, please realize that the OP complied with the restrictions according to the US guidelines. If you read through these, they include the very type of things that the OP did on his trip.

Any time we are in a different country, whether it is for missionary (hard) work, cultural exchanges, historical site visitations, educational site visitations, community service activities, or people-to-people exchanges, we engage with people and learn new things. These can all be fun activities. There is no limitation on "fun" and travel to Cuba provides a great example of how you can experience another culture so close to our home here in the US, and also have a good time.

A group of my friends recently went to Cuba for a legal conference. They had a wonderful time seeing the island and meeting the people. They did this within the confines of their permitted travel restrictions, but overwhelmingly they were positive. None thought that they were restricted in their movement around the island, as they engaged with the legal system and had "fun."

 

[PigsDad]

D&C: I'm sorry you have been forced to defend your trip, but I just wanted to say "thank you" for sharing your experience here. This thread has been very interesting and informative to me and I'm sure many others. It has definitely opened my eyes to the challenges and rewards awaiting me when/if I can plan a trip to Cuba.

Cheers!
Kurt

 

[Beaglemom3]

D&C: I'm sorry you have been forced to defend your trip, but I just wanted to say "thank you" for sharing your experience here. This thread has been very interesting and informative to me and I'm sure many others. It has definitely opened my eyes to the challenges and rewards awaiting me when/if I can plan a trip to Cuba.

Cheers!
Kurt

+1.

Well said, Kurt. Thanks !

ETA: I am looking into a "Road Scholar" group visit thanks to Dazed's post. Not ready to do the lone traveler visit, but the info is very helpful.
https://www.roadscholar.org/program...e=Cuba&ProgDesc=Adventure+Afloat+Study+Cruise

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[DazedandConfused]

D&C: I'm sorry you have been forced to defend your trip, but I just wanted to say "thank you" for sharing your experience here.

I really did not take too much offense, however I will repeat that I was 100% in compliance with current USA laws with my travel to Cuba and was "tempted" to visit a beach for pure hedonism, but decided against that.

ETA: I am looking into a "Road Scholar" group visit thanks to Dazed's post. Not ready to do the lone traveler visit, but the info is very helpful.
https://www.roadscholar.org/program...e=Cuba&ProgDesc=Adventure+Afloat+Study+Cruise

I think this is a fantastic way to travel to Cuba and I simply wanted to hack my own trip on my own and not follow a per-determined schedule and was very happy with my results.

I actually bumped into Mick Jagger twice in one day and almost again on another day and that would never have happened with a group tour.

 

[Ty1on]

Technically, I disagree based on the OP. :whoopie:

My new nickname for you is Church Lady.

 

[taterhed]

Well, isn't that special...


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[DazedandConfused]

Here are some notes

Iberostar Parque Central hotel was excellent, but needs 220 plug converter in addition to a 2 prong plug for electricity

Bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, wipies, battery backup for phones, ALARM CLOCK, and at least 2 shirts per day, sometimes 3 shirts

Van Dam StreetSmart Map was very good resource, but hotel has very good free maps

10% tips are standard

Bring Euros as US Dollar will get a 10% penalty

I personally kept all my cash in a zipper case that was not in my pocket and only kept about $10-15 in all $1 cuban pesos in my pocket.

Transportation options are many

Bicitaxi is fine to go a few blocks in Old Havana especially when it is hot and you are tired of walking

Cocotaxi is a lot of fun and can go anywhere much faster than a bike

Traditional yellow cabs with A/C are easy to get at all hotels

Classic car rides are $30 per hour and are a must to drive the Malecon with the top down, there are dozens of them at Parque central outside the hotel

Paseo del Prado is a nice walk to the ocean especially on Sunday with art vendors

Fabrica de Arte Cubano FAC – 8pm to 3am, lines after 10pm (Thursday to Sunday only) is Hip Nighttime variety of shows, music, dancing, drinks, design, theater and the IN PLACE to be at night

I did not see the Tropicana show but would have if I had more time in Cuba

Most museums are closed on monday

National Museum of Fine Arts was as good as any in the US and had A/C indoors

Museum of the Revolution and Granma Memoria was interesting, but all in Spanish and would be better with a guide. The lemonade in the cafe on the first floor that was made to order was incredible.

La Bodeguita del Medio - birthplace of the mojito is a must visit - make sure to write some graffiti on the wall - ask for a black pen

Calle Obispo is a super busy street with shops, restaurants and tons of locals

Floridita bar - home to the daiquiri and a must visit

Sloppy Joes is a super clean restaurant and bar and a safe choice

Plaza de Armas - super interesting outdoor flea market where you can buy some interesting things like cuban ration books, old pictures, casino chips, antique watches, art, Russian pins, cameras, etc.

 

[raygo123]

Did you feel you could go anywhere, safety, or curiosity?

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[DazedandConfused]

Old Square Plaza Vieja is a must see as it is really pretty

Camera obscura - awesome old fashioned imagery technique way before film cameras, great viewing platform

Museo del chocolate - another popular tourist spot, chocolate milk is good, the icre cream bars are excellent, and the actual hot chocolate and milk chocolate are pretty average (not as good as the US or Europe). Skip if this place is super crowded

El Museo del Ron Havana Club - the actual tour sucked and I would pass, but the bar with drinks is fantastic and the gift store is spectacular. Buy Havana Club glasses and rum here. They have everything from $2 bottle of rum to a $1,700 bottle that is limited and in a beautiful crystal vase that apparently gets bought mainly by the chinese for export to the upscale chinese bars

El Malecon is a must see at both daytime and night

El Morro is interesting, but I did not have time to go there

Hotel Nacional de Cuba is a must see, but not too exciting inside, but the outdoor bars are wonderful

Vedado is where the cool kids are hanging out and super interesting with galleries and modern activities.

Heladeria Coppelia at Parqe Coppelia – avenida 23 – 4 blocks west of hotel national is a classic location. There are 2 lines at Soderia Coppelia – a MEGA long line for Coppelia ice cream for locals (I would guess 200+ people in line) to pay in moneda nacional (CUP) and there’s a separate line where tourists can get the same ice cream in CUCs with exactly zero people in line. This is when you feel guilty for not being poor and on rations. The ice cream is good, but not as good as the US

Plaza del la Revolucion is another must see just to get pictures and thats all. There is really nothing here other than a huge parking lot with photo-ops of Che and Castro

Jose Marti Memorial tower - I did not take the elevator to top 300 foot tall structure, but wanted to

I also missed Fusterlandia and wanted to see the Tile mosaic artist village pretty far west of town about 30 minutes $30 cuc roundtrip, Try to avoid tour buses. Drive by Miramar and the Havana Forest if you go

Central Havana (Habana Centro) is worn out but very colorful and great for photos of decaying buildings

Miramar is upscale but nothing for tourists

 

[DazedandConfused]

Did you feel you could go anywhere, safety, or curiosity?

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Yes, yes, yes

I seriously felt safer in Cuba than walking the streets of Miami. I was a little nervous and even scared to venture outside at first as I have been brainwashed about Cuba and Communism since I can remember, but the locals are SUPER friendly and nice. I can not underestimate this and they are very happy to see Americans.

The only issue is that everyone will try to engage in conversation with you and mostly to try to get you to take a taxi or enter their little store, but it is not obnoxious, they are just desperate for customers and extra income. A polite no thank you is better than ignoring them and a buck tip for people that somehow attach themselves to you for too long offering all sorts of directions and advice is a nice way to escape them. Again, it is much worse in the ports of Nassau than Cuba in terms of the aggressive sales pitches.

I also did not push my luck and do anything stupid like insult Castro in front of a police office or national guard or take pics of the police. Cuba is not a Freedom of Speech location yet. In fact, NOBODY wants to discuss Castro and you are better off NOT even mentioning his name.

Lots of people asked me about American politics and who I think will be the next president and if Donald will win or not. They all seem to like Obama and definitely know who Donal trump and that was sorta strange. Several Cubans wanted to practice their English with me as ask me weird questions such what is the difference between two, too, and to and why do they sound the same.

 

[raygo123]

The names of the restaurants you mentioned English names, or did you translate the names? We have an ability to turn gems into a shopping mall. Like underground Atlanta.

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[DazedandConfused]

There are TONS of great restaurants to visit and the best ones are the Paladars as inside a private home or location that is not a government location. I obviously can only comment on the ones I visited but I really struck gold on dinners. The ratings are being manipulated on TripAvisor as they constantly change so use them with a grain of salt.

El Cocinero - directly next to FAC - Fábrica de Arte Cubano and a perfect place to go before hitting the club next door. This is the first restaurant I had dinner in Cuba and Mick Jagger was at the table next to me. Seriously the Rolling Stones. The lobster bisque was unreal, the grilled lobster at $15 was perfect, the drinks were great, and the desert was fantastic. I give it 5 stars all the way as this is a top choice in Cuba. The setting is a old smoke stack factory with a really cool roof top bar. Also, all the waitresses look like fashion models.

La Guarida - definitely my favorite restaurant in Havana and perhaps the most famous in town as ALL THE CELEBRITIES dine here. The restaurant is located in Centro Havana and it looks like you are going thru a slum to get there and there is a guard at the front door (mainly to keep out non-guests) as the restaurant is on floor 3 and 4 and floors 1 and 2 are where people live. the academy award nominated movie "strawberry and chocolate" was filmed here and I definitely advise watching the movie first. the first two floors are like walking into the Tower of Terror ride (but in a good way) and the food was incredible. Google this restaurant for more info and as I said - every celebrity dines here when they visit Cuba. You MUST have reservations. Make sure to visit the open roof top bar on the 4th floor.

San Cristobal Paladar - another solid choice that went way over the top for me and planed a special event dinner for me including a dozen roses, bottle of champagne, lots of wine, cuba libres, incredible Ox tail dinner, the BEST flan dessert in Cuba and incredible service all for a very reasonable price. Make sure to sit inside the a/c rooms instead of the open air atrium as a better location.

Sloppy Joe - great for a late night snack or lunch and the sloppy joe tacos and sandwich here was far superior to the Key West version.

Ivan Chef Justo - highly rated by TripAdvisor and outstanding watermelon mojito, and also a great vibe and service, but a little more pricey as compared to other choices, but it is in a very touristy area. No complaints, but just above average.

La Marina - near the Havana Club rum tour is decent and good if you are in the area, but not spectacular. The Guarapo - a fresh sugar cane squeezed drink with lime that is made to order was outstanding and worth the trip just for that.

 

[LisaH]

One quick question：can you bring gifts back to the States, such as Cuban Cigars?

 

[mav]

I really did not take too much offense, however I will repeat that I was 100% in compliance with current USA laws with my travel to Cuba and was "tempted" to visit a beach for pure hedonism, but decided against that.



I think this is a fantastic way to travel to Cuba and I simply wanted to hack my own trip on my own and not follow a per-determined schedule and was very happy with my results.

I actually bumped into Mick Jagger twice in one day and almost again on another day and that would never have happened with a group tour.

Sounds like it was a wonderful trip! I would have LOVED to see Mick! AAHHH, as a teenager in the 60's I was wild about him I'm not sure if it was the moves, the lips, the attitude, but WOW!! I still love to watch him strut his stuff .. LOL :whoopie:

 

[DazedandConfused]

One quick question：can you bring gifts back to the States, such as Cuban Cigars?

Yes, Americans traveling to Cuba will be allowed to bring back a small amount of now-banned cigars and rum. The new provisions allow Americans to bring back up to $400 worth of Cuban goods, of which only $100 can be alcohol and tobacco.

For my travel, upon return into Miami, nobody checked my bags, nobody asked how much I spent and I could have easily spent more than the above limit, but I did not.

I am super popular with my friends now as I gave real Cuban Cohibas as gifts to close friends and relatives.

Sounds like it was a wonderful trip! I would have LOVED to see Mick! AAHHH, as a teenager in the 60's I was wild about him I'm not sure if it was the moves, the lips, the attitude, but WOW!! I still love to watch him strut his stuff .. LOL :whoopie:

He was not there for a concert, he was a tourist (oops I mean on an educational tour) just like me. He was traveling with his family and none of the locals really knew who he was and the tourists like me did not bother him. I was able to snap a few bad pics of him but I did not bother him to get a selfie or use a flash. As I said, I was on my best behavior and did not want to do anything to make myself stand out. Also, TMZ was definitely not in Cuba as Mick seemed to be hitting the same restaurants and locations as I was.

 

[SMHarman]

He [Mick] was not there for a concert, he was a tourist (oops I mean on an educational tour) just like me. He was traveling with his family and none of the locals really knew who he was and the tourists like me did not bother him. I was able to snap a few bad pics of him but I did not bother him to get a selfie or use a flash. As I said, I was on my best behavior and did not want to do anything to make myself stand out. Also, TMZ was definitely not in Cuba as Mick seemed to be hitting the same restaurants and locations as I was.

Mick is a British Citizen, like the Canadians he has been able to travel freely to Cuba throughout his 72 years. 1961-1963 change in relations ('62 Kennedy trade ban, '63 travel and financial) did not impact the rest of the worlds travel arrangements with Cuba.

So Mick was a tourist no 'educational tour' needed for him to enter the country. Just the maroon book from her Maj requesting he travel without let Or hinderance.



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[Sandy]

Question about money:

When I went to Cuba in 2000 with an educational group, we all spent US dollars freely. This was a very large group of about 700 students, plus faculty, crew and staff from the Semester at Sea ship. Maybe 1000 people.

The Cubans loved getting dollars. No one exchanged into pesos.

Is this still true? Or has there been enforced restrictions on spending dollars?

 

[Beaglemom3]

Interesting for those with dual citizenship (US + other) with respect to traveling to Cuba.
It is reported that Mick holds dual citizenship, US-UK.
I read a blurb in the Guardian that he was reportedly scouting out a performance venue.
Now that would be a great concert to see.


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[DazedandConfused]

Question about money:

When I went to Cuba in 2000 with an educational group, we all spent US dollars freely. This was a very large group of about 700 students, plus faculty, crew and staff from the Semester at Sea ship. Maybe 1000 people.

The Cubans loved getting dollars. No one exchanged into pesos.

Is this still true? Or has there been enforced restrictions on spending dollars?

Interesting as nobody seemed to want US Dollars on my trip. In fact, they penalize the USD 10% with all exchanges so I did not bring very much USD with me and spent exactly $0 USD.

I took Euros and converted them into CUC (Cuban convertible peso) at the airport and hotel on a 1:1.14 basis and then converted $20 in CUP (Cuban Peso also national peso, moneda nacional - MN or Money National) on a 1:30 basis, but it was impossible for me to use CUP/MN as I tried several times at the local museums and was bluntly told no that is for locals only.

I ended up giving out $20 CUP bills to people that were nice to me and they really seemed to appreciate that. I absolutely do not look Cuban and got lots of strange looks when people saw me with CUP money. After a few unsuccessful tries, I sorta felt like I was insulting the locals so I used that money for tips.

 

[raygo123]

Cuc, vs cup, was the price for goods the same? A hat for say 20 cuc, would it be 20 cup forbit as well?

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