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visit Cuba


 

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How to visit Cuba by mrsmojorisin

How I did it: Went with a school group on behalf of a "Jewish humanitarian group", so we gave away clothes and medicine and visited a synagogue one day...our professor took care of the visas and stuff, but we went through ABC charters, flying through Miami.

Lessons & tips:

  • I felt guity being a tourist there. They arranged for us to get tourist deals at really nice restaurants, which fed us a lot (too much) food. This one night we were each served a big plate of pasta and a whole pizza, and I felt really guilty eating it when I knew there were people starving outside. Seeing how much better off tourists lived seemed to defeat the purpose of socialism.
  • The people there don't have much, and we got begged a lot for things as small as a pencil. Most of the people seemed well-intentioned, but some were really persistent and, especially when I didn't have anything to give, it made me uncomfortable.
  • People make commissions bringing tourists into bars, so the first night we got talked into going to a bar, and the guy who took us there ordered overpriced drinks for us, himself, and for his girlfriend and then expected us to pay. So watch out.
  • That said, almost everyone was really friendly and high-spirited.
  • The beaches are beautiful.


1 person found this helpful
 

Mar 23, 02:35PM PDT | 0 comments



More "How I Did It" stories

debbiebruna is reading the Sunday Paper

It took me
6 months
It made me
Happy

How I did it: Lots of red tape.  We went through ABC Charters and they helped us and let us know what paperwork we had to have.  We had to request permission to go legally from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) with the Treasury Department.  Then a Visa must be obtained from Cuba to enter their country.  We had to line up our Casa Particular in advance and provide that info on the license request.  Read how I did it…

Oct 26, 2008, 08:24AM PDT | 0 comments


lilingenue

It took me
8 days
It made me
so happy

How I did it: From Hong Kong, I flew to New York, then to Cuba via Cancun on Mexicana Air.  I arrived in Havana, and spent three days there before taking a 5-hour Viazul bus trip to Trinidad, where I spent another three days.  My last one and a half days were spent traveling back to Havana and exploring more of the city.  On my next trip back, I'd definitely fly via Canada instead as it will shorten travel time by almost ten hours, and f… Read how I did it…

Oct 03, 2008, 01:11AM PDT | 0 comments


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    veidraz is exploring 43 things

    Greatest trip of my life 11 months ago

    We drove a car from Vilnius to Frankfurt (1600 km) then flew from Frankfurt to Varadero (10 hrs). The trip was great we chilled a bit in Varadero then rented a car and went to Santa Clara and Cienfuegos. Also a trip to Havana by bus with visit to Tropicana included. We had a great time there. Very beautiful country. I admire the how cubans can relax and stay calm even if their life quality is not so good.

    Nov 17, 2008, 06:03PM PST | 0 comments


    lilingenue

    Only A Week To Go 15 months ago

    Finally, after much planning, I am headed to Cuba. I can’t believe that it’s almost here!

    Aug 02, 2008, 09:03AM PDT | 0 comments


    sabfan81

    VISIT CUBA 17 months ago

    WHITE SANDY BEACHES, FREE BOOZE, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN … A MUST (MAYBE WITH DAYLI)

    Jun 12, 2008, 10:24AM PDT | 0 comments


    nonprofit

    My Church is Traveling to Cuba - June 2008 (Legally) 18 months ago

    Cuba AyUUda Project
    ... connects US travelers with Cubans and Cuban life resulting in transformation and friendships through service.

    WOW.. big surprise to me

    We are collecting donations medical, art and money, to deliver. Seems we’ve been supporting the coffee growers and are taking steps to make sure the materials get down to the people, not just payed out to government officials.

    May 12, 2008, 08:53AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    luckyview

    Soon... 18 months ago

    I would love to go to Cuba soon! I have to do a little more research to find out how to get myself over there. Also, I was thinking of traveling by myself, but I don’t know if it would be safe to travel by myself.

    Apr 26, 2008, 11:56PM PDT | 2 cheers | 1 comment


    hexe8 is chillin' in and chillin' out

    La Habana 18 months ago

    I went to La Habana and stayed there for three days. Before i went there i was expecting a more lively and exciting city but it was not like what i thought. When you walk in the streets people may wanna sell you something or wanna take you to a restaurant or a bar for a tip in return. Even if you say you dont want any assistance they may not leave you alone. In Cuba they dont accept American (issued in America) credit cards (at least when i was there) and the currency for US dollar is low so try not to have US dollars in your wallet. Bringing Canadian dollar or Euro may be a good idea. Dont forget to smoke the authentic cigars.

    Apr 25, 2008, 01:24PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    inrainbows

    Untitled 20 months ago

    I know it’s not legal, but I think that’s ridiculous. And I’d like to learn more about this country and it’s people. The best way to do that is go there, see it, talk to the people. So, someday, I’ll go.

    Feb 19, 2008, 08:01PM PST | 0 comments


    Str1der

    Aftab 22 months ago

    One of my destinations this year …

    Jan 06, 2008, 02:43AM PST | 0 comments


    barrybarnstable

    Done 23 months ago

    Just got back from Cuba – had a brilliant time!
    Varadero is good but a bit empty of people….lovely beach but could be any Caribbean Island, what really made the trip was Havana! As long as you dont get stressed out by all the people begging or constantly asking if you want a trip in their taxi/cart/bike etc then you’ll love it. Spent a couple of days here which was great walking round taking in the atmosphere and drinking

    Dec 05, 2007, 01:43PM PST | 2 comments


    mgriff06

    Cuba 23 months ago

    Would love to visit Cuba and visit the cigar factories.

    Nov 29, 2007, 10:45AM PST | 0 comments


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