I just returned from Cuba - AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that the Cuban real estate market is itching for American buyers and that many properties are being offered for peanuts. Did you notice anything along these lines? Are Americans being targeted for their relatively deep pockets in other ways?

You heard wrong. Foreigners can't legally own real estate in Cuba. You would have to put the property in a Cuban citizen's name which is insane unless you've a close Cuban relative.

I didn't hear wrong- I heard exactly the same thing that you did, that people use a Cuban go-between.

[Anonymous]

Where did you eat? What tours or sights were your favorite?

[Anonymous]

Did you visit any hospitals? Were they the envy of the world? Is the healthcare system perfectly wonderful or did the overexcited lefties in college mislead me?

[Anonymous]

Why on earth would you travel to a place that has food rations for their citizens??? Why give the dictatorship and supporters more money while their citizens live in poverty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so proud, OP? You spent money in a country that oppresses its people. The locals will never see that money.

Untrue. The service people were all well tipped by us and encourage tourism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you just go? Or do you have to go with an organized your company?

You cannot wander around Cuba. You have to submit your itinerary to the government for a Visa. We used a travel agency and had tour guides and drivers but more of the other Americans we saw were on an organized tour or visiting relatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you tip in the restaurants, cabs, etc., like we do here?

I speak no Spanish at all. My "hola" doesn't even sound right and that's the only word I know. Do Cubans speak English or will I be lost?

I am prissy and can't handle heat or bugs or rundown motel-like conditions. Would there be a hotel for me there?

Yes, you tip everyone for everything as it is their livelihood. Very few people we encountered spoke English so that might be a problem without a Spanish speaking tour guide. The hotels were quite lovely - just bare bones but very clean and well-maintained with adequate AC in March (still considered winter). I hate hot weather and was very comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Are the cigars still good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that the Cuban real estate market is itching for American buyers and that many properties are being offered for peanuts. Did you notice anything along these lines? Are Americans being targeted for their relatively deep pockets in other ways?

Foreigners cannot buy property in Cuba. You have to be married to a Cuban to buy property. And while so many properties are vacant and derelict, they are all still owned by the government. I did not feel targeted in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're thinking of going to Cuba this year - time in Havana and also time at an all inclusive in Varadero. We're Canadian and have never been, partly because we keep hearing how awful the food is. You found good food though? Can you suggest a guide book or website for research? (I'm using tripadvisor.)

The previous Canadian poster doesn't come across as very Canadian, lol. Sorry she's a jerk!

The food is amazing and plentiful for tourists. Seriously, the best food I have eaten in a very, very long time. It is the locals who have ration books and have a terrible time trying to get food. We went to privately owned restaurants and always had reservations (a must) and only saw other tourists in the restaurants.

We had a tour guide so I didn;t do any research on my own. I can list the restaurants we went to in Havanna and Trinidad if you like but you will need to make reservations in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am dying to go, OP. We could easily sail there as soon as it's allowed. We sail back and forth to the Bahamas from our Florida home at least once a year. It's an easy sail to Cuba. We can't go till my DH retires due to his job, but that's only a few years away. Watching this thread with interest!

Did you feel the food and water was safe?
Did you feel safe in general?

The food was amazing and very safe. I only drank bottled water. There is very little crime in Cuba and I felt safer walking around there than I do here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the cigars still good?

I don;t smoke but we brought some back as gifts - I'll let you know what the smokers think when they tell me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that the Cuban real estate market is itching for American buyers and that many properties are being offered for peanuts. Did you notice anything along these lines? Are Americans being targeted for their relatively deep pockets in other ways?

You heard wrong. Foreigners can't legally own real estate in Cuba. You would have to put the property in a Cuban citizen's name which is insane unless you've a close Cuban relative.

I didn't hear wrong- I heard exactly the same thing that you did, that people use a Cuban go-between.

There is no "go-between". You have to be married to a Cuban to buy property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where did you eat? What tours or sights were your favorite?

We ate in all private restaurants. I can give you a list if you are really interested. Amazing food! I loved Havanna and Trinidad and another day trip to the mountains near Havanna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you travel to a place that has food rations for their citizens??? Why give the dictatorship and supporters more money while their citizens live in poverty?

No one lives in poverty. It is a communist country. The problem is that people cannot get ahead but no one is destitute. There are no homeless people and no sick or crazy people begging for money or food like they do here. Not one person asked us for money.

Maybe Cuba is not your cup of tea.