I (an American) just visited Havana, Cuba

[DazedandConfused]

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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99.9999% of all tourists use CUC and never touch CUP.

CUP prices were for food and items in the government stores and you may also need a ration card too. I went into a few of these stores, but is was sorta depressing and I did not want to disrespect anyone by taking photos.

In doing some online research I read a story of someone spending CUP for things like the national museums and street food. I really was interested in trying the street food offerings and they mainly take CUP, but everything is in Spanish so you have to be able to converse to get these rates. I pretty much stayed in the tourist areas and ventured into other non touristy areas out of curiosity, but often there were two lines CUC and CUP (long lines) and when it is hot, I chose the short tourist line.

One interesting observation was a shoe store that was selling Converse sneakers for something like $80 CUC and that is an obscene high price, but apparently they sell as they would be an instant status symbol to any local wearing them.

Here is a guide as to not confuse them

 

[Sandy]

Wow, how things have changed since 2000. I never even dealt with any Cuban currency. We walked throughout Old Havana (since our ship was docked at the port), went into private homes (where folks were selling things like Cigars) and visited the Hemingway House. Plus tons of educational site visitations. All in 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.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Here is a cheat sheet for Drinks in Havana (cost about $2 each) - if you like rum, you will love drinks in Cuba.

The traditional drinks of Cuba are the Cuba Libre, Mojito, and Daiquiri

Mojito = Havana Club rum 3 anejo, mint, lime, sugar - visit La Bodeguita Del Medio

Frozen Daiquiri = rum, lime, frozen ice - visit El Floridita

Cuba Libre = Anejo Especial, cola, lime - served everywhere

El Nacional = Anejo rum, apricot, pineapple, lime - at Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Canchanchara = Anejo 3 anos. Lime, honey

 

[SMHarman]

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.


-

With dual citizenship the key requirement is to enter your citizenship countries on the home passport. Beyond that, choose your favored passport.

So Cuba favors the British one. As would Brazil to avoid the visa costs.

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[DazedandConfused]

Here are some food tips for the most common food in Cuba

Carne de cerdo or puerco (pork)
pollo (chicken)
res (beef)
pargo (snapper)
cherna (grouper)
camarones (shrimp)
langosta (lobster) or langosta a la mariposa (grilled and served with lemon)

chicharrones de plátano (finely sliced and salted plantain chips, also known as mariquitas)

tostones (fried chunks of green plantain)

plátanos a puñetazos (literally, "punched plantains"; banana or plantain half cooked, taken out, placed under a cloth and hammered flat with a fist before being placed back in the pan to finish browning).

flan (caramel desert like thick pudding or sponge cake)

 

[DazedandConfused]

Tourist arrivals in Cuba totaled more than 2.6 million as of Sept. 30, with the island hitting the figure two months earlier than in 2014, the National Statistics and Information Office, or ONEI, said

The tourism boom coincides with the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States on July 20 after more than a half century of hostilities.

In the first seven months after President Barack Obama eased travel restrictions, about 88,900 Americans arrived in Cuba, a figure that was up 54 percent from 2014 and is expected to grow further by the end of the year.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Havana Cuba is really one of those places where any one on the earth would like to travel along with their friends and family but as if any one is unknown to that place and don't know about any traveling places. Then what should he do?

I am not 100% sure what you mean, but my simple reply is - People (especially Americans) should consider visiting Cuba NOW as it really is a fascinating place and time to explore this incredible country and I only scratched the surface with my 3 day trip to Havana.

 

[DeniseM]

Based on 7 nonsense posts, Samshaks is just setting up to spam TUG...

 

[RNCollins]

Trip to Cuba

Last February I took a tour to Cuba with Betchart Expeditions. It was a botanical-focused tour. We spent about 4-5 days in Havana, then travelled around the island to see botanical gardens, wetlands, orchid gardens, national parks. We even did some bird watching and visited a coffee plantation and an organic farm. We also visited Cienfuegos, and the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad. We also visited the Bay of Pigs museum.

I would definitely go back to visit. There are organized bird watching tours that I am interested in. And since the island has been relatively isolated for so many years, I'm dying to get in the water and snorkel, to see what is still healthy coral. And I would like to go to the beach town of Varadero. Cuba has some awesome beaches.

Until Americans are allowed to go to Cuba as "tourists", you could fly to Cuba from Mexico, Canada or the Cayman Islands.

 

[Ilene]

I just want to thank you for posting about your trip. I lived in Miami during the '80s and became enamored with Cuban people, their culture and food. I'm so excited that I'll be able to visit Cuba in the near future.

 

[CubaTravelExpert]

Cuba... go NOW, before it's too late!
Lots of changes happening.
If you have questions, I can try to help answer htem

 

[DazedandConfused]

I just want to thank you for posting about your trip. I lived in Miami during the '80s and became enamored with Cuban people, their culture and food. I'm so excited that I'll be able to visit Cuba in the near future.

I too lived in South Florida and it was always a forbidden fruit for Americans

Cuba... go NOW, before it's too late!
Lots of changes happening.
If you have questions, I can try to help answer htem

I agree to go now, but it will never be too late. Changes are good and Cuba is a huge island - it is 65% the size of Florida