Cuba

[AlfieMoon]

Visiting Cuba in May and looking to see if there's any useful tips from anyone that's been before.

I've only booked flights and looking to stay in Havana so could do with some info on booking a Casa Particular (B& as we're not wanting to stay in any of the tourist resorts or big hotels.

Will be basing ourselves in Havana but open to ideas of where else to go as we're there for 8 nights although I've heard that there's plenty to do in and around Havana itself.

Any advice is welcome!

[Baz]

We went to Cuba for our honeymoon a couple of years ago.

We stayed in Varadero but went to Havana for 2 days/1 night. If you look around the Havana forum on tripadvisor you will see a few people offering casas and tours.

You can't really find too many places to book in advance online and the Cuban's insist on you having an address on your tourist card when you land so you may need to book in to one of the bigger hotels for the first night at least.

As far as Havana goes its a great city for tourists, we felt perfectly safe, got a bit of the usual chancers trying to sell us cigars or take us on special tours but on the whole the people were lovely and generally just wanted to chat.

Outside of the main touristy areas we found it very cheap, be prepared to see prices in Cuban Peso's and not Convertable Pesos (CUC's) - 24 Peso's to 1 CUC. We bought Churro's from a stand in one of the squares for 1 CUC, A second round the corner the same thing was 1 peso.

The revolution museum was worth a visit although it wasn't cheap in comparison to others. It was interesting to see although be prepared for the usual Communist propaganda though.

La Bodeguita del Medio is worth a visit but if you are a Mojito fan you will be disappointed, be prepared to queue to get in if you go at busy times. El Floridita is also worthy of a visit for a Daquari, all be it the most expensive ones in cuba. Almost all the bars are government owned so prices are fairly high but also very consistent.

Be prepared to pay for the toilets, everywhere!

I've covered quite a lot but could go on and on. If you have any questions give me a shout.

[AlfieMoon]

We went to Cuba for our honeymoon a couple of years ago.

We stayed in Varadero but went to Havana for 2 days/1 night. If you look around the Havana forum on tripadvisor you will see a few people offering casas and tours.

You can't really find too many places to book in advance online and the Cuban's insist on you having an address on your tourist card when you land so you may need to book in to one of the bigger hotels for the first night at least.

As far as Havana goes its a great city for tourists, we felt perfectly safe, got a bit of the usual chancers trying to sell us cigars or take us on special tours but on the whole the people were lovely and generally just wanted to chat.

Outside of the main touristy areas we found it very cheap, be prepared to see prices in Cuban Peso's and not Convertable Pesos (CUC's) - 24 Peso's to 1 CUC. We bought Churro's from a stand in one of the squares for 1 CUC, A second round the corner the same thing was 1 peso.

The revolution museum was worth a visit although it wasn't cheap in comparison to others. It was interesting to see although be prepared for the usual Communist propaganda though.

La Bodeguita del Medio is worth a visit but if you are a Mojito fan you will be disappointed, be prepared to queue to get in if you go at busy times. El Floridita is also worthy of a visit for a Daquari, all be it the most expensive ones in cuba. Almost all the bars are government owned so prices are fairly high but also very consistent.

Be prepared to pay for the toilets, everywhere!

I've covered quite a lot but could go on and on. If you have any questions give me a shout.

Cheers Baz!