I just returned from Cuba - AMA

[Anonymous]

I couldn't find anyone who had been to Cuba before I traveled there so I thought I'd start a thread to answer any questions anyone might have.

I will check back every day or so since this forum isn't quite as popular.

[Anonymous]

I have heard the people are very welcoming to Americans, and that the accommodations are below what Americans would expect/ want. True?
(Just FYI, I'm American, dying to go to Cuba, and not particularly fussy.)

[Anonymous]

Big deal. I'm Canadian. I have been six times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big deal. I'm Canadian. I have been six times.

Then OP probably isn't talking to you, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard the people are very welcoming to Americans, and that the accommodations are below what Americans would expect/ want. True?
(Just FYI, I'm American, dying to go to Cuba, and not particularly fussy.)

Americans are very welcome and appreciated. We stayed in private hotels, usually converted homes - in both Havanna and Trinidad. Clean, lovely and both with air conditioning (although not fantastic AC but certainly enough). Nothing close to four star but truly comfortable.

And we ate in paladars which are private restaurants (you need reservations). Food is rationed for the locals and the locals use a different form of currency than the tourists but the food is plentiful for tourists (so unfair, I know).

Go, PP, and go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and I wanted to get there before McDonald's did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big deal. I'm Canadian. I have been six times.

Then why didn't you respond to my many questions about Cuba before I left?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard the people are very welcoming to Americans, and that the accommodations are below what Americans would expect/ want. True?
(Just FYI, I'm American, dying to go to Cuba, and not particularly fussy.)

Americans are very welcome and appreciated. We stayed in private hotels, usually converted homes - in both Havanna and Trinidad. Clean, lovely and both with air conditioning (although not fantastic AC but certainly enough). Nothing close to four star but truly comfortable.

And we ate in paladars which are private restaurants (you need reservations). Food is rationed for the locals and the locals use a different form of currency than the tourists but the food is plentiful for tourists (so unfair, I know).

Go, PP, and go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and I wanted to get there before McDonald's did.

I'm PP- thanks! Yes, my line is that I want to go before Starbucks does.

When I go I may repost here and ask where you stayed. How did you find the hotels/ know where to start? I said I'm not fussy (I can deal with bugs, lack of amenities, etc) but one thing I cannot deal with is no a/c in my room. Maybe I am fussy after all..

[Anonymous]

Would you travel there with young kids? (Under 10?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you travel there with young kids? (Under 10?)

We took a 15 month old so my answer is yes! Lots of farms and beaches - great food and great music in nearly every restaurant - and very sweet and friendly Cuban kids. Our private tour guide even had us over to his house to have my DD play with his son!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard the people are very welcoming to Americans, and that the accommodations are below what Americans would expect/ want. True?
(Just FYI, I'm American, dying to go to Cuba, and not particularly fussy.)

Americans are very welcome and appreciated. We stayed in private hotels, usually converted homes - in both Havanna and Trinidad. Clean, lovely and both with air conditioning (although not fantastic AC but certainly enough). Nothing close to four star but truly comfortable.

And we ate in paladars which are private restaurants (you need reservations). Food is rationed for the locals and the locals use a different form of currency than the tourists but the food is plentiful for tourists (so unfair, I know).

Go, PP, and go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and I wanted to get there before McDonald's did.

I'm PP- thanks! Yes, my line is that I want to go before Starbucks does.

When I go I may repost here and ask where you stayed. How did you find the hotels/ know where to start? I said I'm not fussy (I can deal with bugs, lack of amenities, etc) but one thing I cannot deal with is no a/c in my room. Maybe I am fussy after all..

Happy to give recommendations, PP. But you need to remember that we still cannot travel freely in Cuba. You have to have a tour guide (or family member) and a detailed itinerary of where you will be staying, visiting and eating before you can go. Americans can't wander around Cuba.

[Anonymous]

There's a cruise leaving from Florida to Cuba soon. FYI

[Anonymous]

How did you find your tour guide? I would LOVE to go but am a little intimidated by planning the trip.

[Anonymous]

Even my high school kid went on a school trip to Cuba before you. This is like saying, "I pickle veggies AMA."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even my high school kid went on a school trip to Cuba before you. This is like saying, "I pickle veggies AMA."

Stop embarrassing yourself, PP. Try not posting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did you find your tour guide? I would LOVE to go but am a little intimidated by planning the trip.

We went thru GoLatin. They were great. I can give you the name of our tour guide when you are ready. GoLatin planned and prepaid everything for us.