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General
(misc, practical info)
Cuba info
(general info on Cuba, guidebooks, websites etc)
Places
Havana, other places
Itinerary |
General travel info
Cdn Air Transport Security website
"OneBag.com":
some practical travel info, packing, etc (plus luggage)
Money/Exchange etc - from Trip Advisor Forum
Two types of pesos:
Currency Exchange:
- The Banco Metropolitano in Cuba has
current buy & sell exchange rates. There's even a little calculator on
the right side of the page to help.
http://www.banco-metropolitano.com/mo...
It's in Spanish, but it's very easy to decipher. Here's how it works...
- The first column, "Compra"
(Purchase) is the rate they're charging you to BUY
Cuban Convertible Pesos, CUC.
- The second column, "Venta" (Sell)
is the rate they're charging you to SELL Cuban
Convertible Pesos, CUC.
- For example... if today's Compra/Sell
rate for Canadian Dollars, CAD, is 1.389251 that means if you give
the teller $100 CAD you divide by 1.389251 and receive 71.98 CUC.
- Where to exchange your foreign
currency:
1.) The best exchange rate is a Bank.
2.) The next best exchange rate as it
any Cadeca. A Cadeca (Casas de Cambio which means House of Exchange) is
a government exchange facility. They're located at many resorts and
hotels, and at locations all over the Island.
3.) The next best rate is at the
Airport Cadeca.
4.) The worst rate can potentially be
over-the-counter at any hotel or resort because the rate is not
regulated by the government.
- Always bring new(ish) bank notes, with
no rips, tears or markings. Large bills are fine.
- Very Important Note When Visiting the
Bank or Money Exchange: Always take a calculator with you so you
know the correct amount of CUC that should be coming to you. If you
don’t have a calculator do NOT accept any transaction that doesn't come
with a printed receipt. No printed receipt invariably means that you’re
being short-changed. Ripping off tourists during money exchange
transactions is not an uncommon occurrence.
Check the cashier's calculation, plus ask for a receipt and check the
money you receive carefully and make sure it tallies with the amount
shown on the receipt.
The exchange rates are always posted on
the window of the Cadeca so it's a good idea to work out exactly what
you should receive either on your mobile phone or calculator.
Always ask for a receipt and check your
money before leaving the window of the Cadeca.
- Getting rid of your Cuban
Convertible Pesos: You can exchange your
leftover CUC at the airport when you leave, but the exchange is a
rip-off.
A better way to handle it is to budget wisely during the last few days
of your trip so you don’t arrive at the airport loaded with useless CUC.
Bring 25 CUC (exact change, in cash) for the Airport Departure
Tax and spend the rest at the Duty Free, or save it for your next
trip.
Other:
- There is no extra fee for using
a credit card. This often repeated myth is due to the confusion
surrounding how credit card charges are calculated. The CUC cost
on the card is exchanged into USD (1 CUC = $1.08 USD) plus the
exchange fee (about 3%) gives you the impression the credit card company
charged a fee, but in actuality the exchange process is identical to
exchanging cash.
- North American debit cards are useless
- You can front-load your credit card
with cash (to avoid interest charges) and get a cash advance at any bank
or Cadeca.
- Always bring your Passport with
you when you visit a bank or Cadeca. It's not always required, but if
you're dealing with a credit card or a big pile of cash they'll
certainly ask for it.
Costs
Note: it does seem easy
to get a cash advance on a Visa card at any bank or Cadeca (money exchange).
Just be sure to have your passport & Visa card
Three TA forum posts
about estimated daily costs:
1
2
3. Some of these break down costs by category, but a recent post by
Steve_YYZ summarized his Havana costs as:
Over and above my Casa/hotel cost, in Havana I always budget $100 Cdn
per day. Now, I don't usually spend that amount each and every day, but
Havana has this wonderful way of sucking money out of you quite quickly.
And I sure hate to run short. Nothing wrong with bringing a little cash
back home. Also, I only convert some every couple of days so I don't
ever get stuck re-converting back to Canadian.
Now, if you're a couple, this would be less because you'd be sharing the
cost of a taxi when you need one.
In our case, we might
spend less per day outside Havana and save a bit through some
shared costs, but in using his guideline, and assuming slightly lower per
day costs at the all-inclusive, plus bus trips and departure tax, it works
out to just a bit under $2000 per person for the trip.
Practical (etc) info:
"Things
to know before you go"
Includes notes on vaccination. See also
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/cuba.aspx
TRAVEL INSURANCE -
Make sure your Insurance Provider WILL honour your policy
should you need medical treatment in Cuba, there was a recent case where
a lady needed medical treatment in Cuba but because her policy was from
an American affiliated provider they would not help her whilst she was
on Cuban soil. Fortunately, her injuries were not too serious to require
hospitalisation – ask your Insurance Provider to confirm in writing that
you are covered for everything whilst INSIDE of Cuba. (this is where a
Credit Card will always come in handy – any medical treatment MUST be
paid for before being allowed to leave Cuba ).
Also it is advisable to choose an Insurer
that has a ‘manned’ 24hr helpline – if you phone the helpline be sure to
have the number of your hotel so you can request they phone you back
immediately, telephone calls are very expensive in Cuba and you will end
up with a huge bill, especially if you are using a hotel phone. One
family that had a medical emergency and were unable to get hold of their
Insurers all weekend – they had to pay for all the hospital treatment
and xrays, ambulance service etc. themselves. They also ran up a huge
phonebill trying to get hold of their insurers….. that also had
to be paid out of their pockets. Always ensure you have a copy of your
policy and all emergency phone numbers with you.
Tipping (see also
forum post)
Some forum points by regular
travellers:
My two cents... give gifts to Cubans with
whom you've developed a personal relationship. Until that happens (if
ever) direct your much appreciated generosity through the proper
channels - charities churches, etc.
Simplified Cuban
Travel Parameters.....
Tip in CUC for Good Service
Gifts to Good Friends Only
Donate to Charity
One thing I've left dozens of behind (1
or 2 each trip) is a small English/Spanish pocket dictionary.
Electricity See also
this forum
Phones:
- Canadian cell phones, Cuban calling
cards:
Forum post
Misc tips:
-
You’re bound to be approached at least
once by a hustler, or jinetero, during your stay in Havana. They
are best dealt with firmly and politely.
-
What to take?
Very long TA post with suggestions for non-obvioous items. (Post
#298 on page 30 has a summary to that point)
Customs forms, etc
Bugs, mosquitos, etc.
TA post
Other:
Suggested Reading (see also links on left for Viewing, Internet
resources): Moon Guide
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