CUBA >>> Have you been to Cuba? I need some advice please.....

Bump.

What about anywhere else this time of year? Vietnam?

Haven't been to Cuba yet, but I imagine it's like the rest of the Caribbean.. it's rainy season but rainy season means some showers at random times throughout the day, still nice and sunny lots too. Not full cloudy days like here up north.

Btw, get a hotel on Varadero beach... I hear it's the hot spot. I'll probably make it down there early next year.

Here's a bump for you man, I've never been there before, but that's one country I want to visit soon.

Cuba is great this time of year ....if there is no Hurricane the weather is very nice. Varadero has an AMAZING beach ! Very safe and small little town with some cool little clubs and bars. The people are very friendly and as you can imagine pretty damn poor. Lots of great Cuban music on almost every corner if your into that......and lots of dancing.

You can rent Mopeds there and travel all over the place to check out some out some other small town around there. The moped will cost you about $20 for the whole day. I actually jumped on the mopeds with my best friend and went all the way to Havana ..... about 300Km LOL
If you want you there is a bus Tour that takes you to Havana and it's a nice ride through the country. Havana is very historical and has some GREAT spots if your into the History and architecture of the city. Good shopping there and again is pretty safe ( the locals are terrified of the law ...with good reason ) Some nice nice Hotels to stay there overnight if you want to do a few days in Havana. It's like your in the past with all the old cars from the 50's and 60's on the streets.

If you love Rum and Cigars ......Cuba is the place !
The biggest complaint people always have is the Food .....if thats a huge issue for you then try and stay at 4-5 star and i'm sure the food will good.

Havana rocks , Varadero is beautiful ( clean , safe little beach town )
Caya Coco is also another very nice spot in Cuba.

Varadero Beach

Cheers !

I have been to Cuba 5 times, and it is a great place to go. He is right on with everything he said, except I think the rentals of the scooters has gone up to about 40$. And gas is not cheap. You can rent a car for 75$ a day. Well worth it though.

If you are from the US, and plan to go, go thourgh the bahamas. Just fly there and then fly Cubana to Cuba. they have 1 flight a day, so dont miss it. And it often sells out.

Also if you are from the US. DO NOT TRY TO USE ANY US CREDIT CARDS. if you do, your passport will be taken, and ALL assets that you have will also be taken.

If you want more info, ICQ me.

Many thanks steveO, Tony and pornguy - really appreciate the detailed advice.

It looks like this is a go-er then . Ill just do some research on the hurricane situation. I'm a Brit so wont have any issues with pasports/CC's

And that also means the slightly cooler weather will still be hot as hell for me! And rain?!? Ill show em fucking rain man! Hee hee.

Will check out Varadero Beach and Caya Coco. Thanks again.

I was planning on going late November this year

I have never been there, anyway bump for you

I am sure Cuba has alot to offer, but..

For Americans, travel to Cuba is against the law.

Even if it were legal, I wouldn't go there anyway. I don't travel to countries where the citizens are repressed by their government.

I also don't travel to countries that are deemed unsafe for American tourists, but I honestly don't know how Cuba ranks on that criterion.

Here are the travel warnings from the US State Dept.:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...w/tw_1764.html

Here is what the US State Dept. says about Cuba:

"January 08, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Cuba is a totalitarian police state, which relies on repressive methods to maintain control. These methods, including intense physical and electronic surveillance of Cubans, are also extended to foreign travelers. Americans visiting Cuba should be aware that any encounter with a Cuban could be subject to surreptitious scrutiny by the Castro regime's secret police, the General Directorate for State Security (DGSE). Also, any interactions with average Cubans, regardless how well intentioned the American is, can subject that Cuban to harassment and/or detention, and other forms of repressive actions, by state security elements. The regime is strongly anti-American yet desperate for U.S. dollars to prop itself up. The United States does not have full diplomatic relations with Cuba, but provides consular and other services through the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. The U.S. Interests Section operates under the legal protection of the Swiss government but is not co-located with the Swiss Embassy. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Cuba for additional information."
...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1097.html

Thanks DH, but like i said im a Brit. Didn't think it was still illegal for you guys to travel there though.

In one way or another, that doesn't leave many countries to travel to in my book

I often hear Americans and Australians mentioning whether its safe to visit a certain country or not for them. I'm not even sure we have that kind of list in the UK.

I spent 2 weeks in Cuba in April and was there back in 2004 too. Beautiful country with great, kind people. Havana is nice for a day or 2 but the beaches aren't very close. I highly recommend Varadero Beach, I got married there. However Varadero Beach is not the "real" Cuba as I was told by some locals. If you want to check out a really nice town, see Trinidad, Cuba. I was only going to spend 2 days there, but ended up spending 4.
I'm not sure if you're into staying with the the locals, but in any town you can find a Casa Paticulars. This is a Cuban home that is catered to guests. They give you a room and food for about $35 per night. It was a great experience.

Hit me up on ICQ if you want any more info.

stay the fuck out of there:
http://www.xxxjay.com/index.php/2007...ust-read-blog/

Never been to Cuba.

Thank God

Cuba:

friendly people, beautiful beaches, nice weather and NO FUCKING AMERICANS!! What a place to go to

I remember reading that when you first posted it. It sounds like all your problems came from expecting to be able to use US debit cards and US money transfer services in the only country in the world the USA has banned from them.

A bit of research before you hopped on the plane would have saved you a lot of pain.

I totally agree

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