[Mario]

in reply to: Electric outlets #22044

Hi James,

The vast majority (99%) of the outlets in Cuba are standard 2 prong outlets like you will find in north america. Here is a photo.

In older casas and hotels, they will be ungrounded (2 slot plugs).

In newer casas and hotels they will be grounded (the extra hole below the slots).

Usually casas have a mix of ungrounded and grounded. So, if you have a computer you can almost always find a place to plug it in. (Most computer power cords have the third hole and will not fit into ungrounded plugs.

Anyway, the plugs are almost always not an issue if you come from North America.

The power in Cuba is sometimes 110v and sometimes 220v. Usually in rental casas it is 110v. Some special outlets, usually located near the air conditioner units are 220v and these will almost always be marked with a red marker beside the outlet – stating 220v

In USA it is usually 110v.

Either way, for most modern electronics it is usually not a problem. Cell phones and computer cords and other electronics can automatically use 220 or 110. Just look on the plugs. You will almost always notice a tiny sticker that says 100-240v (or something similar). This means that the device can use any voltage within this range. It automatically takes whatever voltage… you dont need to do anything.

Some blow dryers have a little switch on the handle to go from 110 to 220v. For curling irons, just check on the side to see which voltage they use.

As I said, most casas have 110v. Large hotels use 220v, but again, modern electronic charging cables can take it automatically.

I would not purchase a voltage converter. I’ve never once needed one and I’ve brought blow dryers, televisions, cell phones, computers, blenders, toasters, etc. I never had a single problem.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Mario.

[Mario]

in reply to: Exchange Rates #21785

Hi, most Americans just bring USD. Once you factor in the 10% exchange penalty on converting USD to CUC, plus the 3% exchange fee, basically 100 USD = 87 CUC. This never changes. Most Americans just take the hit and don’t mind.

You can bring Euros or Canadian dollars, but you might not end up saving much money in the end. It depends on what your local bank (in the USA) will charge to exchange your USD to Euros or Canadian Dollars. Most American banks charge like 5 to 7% to do this exchange. So you lose 5 to 7% before getting to Cuba. Then in Cuba, when you change Euro or Canadian Dollars to CUC, there is the standard 3% exchange fee, so you lose that. In the end, you can usually save like 3 to 4 % by bringing Euros or Canadian dollars. It’s not a huge savings. That’s why most Americans don’t bother.

You can find more info here: https://www.reddit.com/r/cuba/comments/469nr7/money_exchange_for_americans_visiting_cuba/

Just ask if you have more questions.
Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: NCAA Tournament #21706

Hi, American sports are shown on television. But you would probably have to go to a sports bar to have a chance at seeing the games. The regular state television channels show only Cuban, Latina American and some European sports. Sports bars sometimes have international signals and show American sports. Maybe try the sports bar on the mezzanine level in the Hotel Nacional. I’ve seen some football there. You would have to ask the bartender to check the channels for you.

Specifically about the NCAA tournament, honestly, basketball is not big in Cuba. If there is any soccer or baseball game at that time, you can be sure the tv will be tuned to the soccer or baseball. But, it doesn’t hurt to ask the bartender to check or play the basketball, if they have it.

But in general, I would put the chance of you actually being able to watch a tournament game in Havana at less than 25%. Good luck!

Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: Being asked why visiting Cuba #21705

Hi Justine,

The best answer in 99% of the cases is just to tell the truth. I assume you are coming from the USA?

1) Americans are allowed to visit Cuba under 12 categories of travel. There is no verification of these categories. You simply sign a form and give it to your airline, stating that you are visiting under 1 of the 12 categories. The most common is “support for the Cuban people”. Just check that category on the form, sign it and you are done. If anybody from the US side asks you why you are going to Cuba, just say “support for the Cuban people”. To my knowledge, nobody has ever had any problems by just following those steps.

2) Will the Cuban customs officers ask you anything? Maybe, maybe not. The customs officer might just casually ask you why you are coming to Cuba. But they won’t grill you for answers. Just say, “pleasure.” (In spanish, it’s “placer.”) Or simply say “vacation”. The Cubans don’t care why you are coming to Cuba. They have no law prohibiting anyone from entering. If it was up to Cuba, they would have a million American tourists per day entering the country to spend money in Cuba. I’ve never been asked why I am coming to Cuba. Nobody cares. Cuba just wants your tourist dollars.

Do not ever say you are going to Cuba for research. If you are legally traveling with a university group or business to do authorized research, sure, tell the truth. But if you are going for vacation, never say you are going for research. You would need a different visa to enter Cuba for research or journalism or business or school.

When in doubt, just say vacation, which is also most likely the truth.

take care,

Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: Taxi Service #21441

Hi, for a trip like this I think you would be best off using the services of a taxi specialist like http://www.taxivinalescuba.com/. They will be best suited to help you.

My assistant can organize this, but it will be easier if you contact the website directly, I think.

take care,

Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: Itinerary question #21203

Hi, for a 16 year old, you will have trouble getting into some bars or discos. And honestly, even if you managed to get into the clubs, I would not recommend going.

For Cuban salsa you can have fun in Old Havana. There are usually music players in the bars and restaurants during the day. The squares usually have some musicians as well.

For some cheap rock shows, there is the Submarino Amarillo bar, in Vedado. I think they will let 16 year olds in. It’s a pretty fun place, but it’s not really Cuban themed. It’s Beatles themed and is more for rock and roll.

Or else, I find the most fun is just going walking or sitting on the Malecon sea wall on a weekend evening. Musicians walk around playing music and the locals join in with the singing. It’s nice.

There are organized venues and theaters as well. Karl Marx Theater, Mella Theater, Bertolt Brecht Theater, etc. These have musical guests and shows. But you would have to check the marquees in front of the theaters for show times and prices. This info is not usually online anywhere.

Have a great time.

[Mario]

in reply to: Buying shoes in Cuba #21200

Hi, Cuban shoes! Did you know that Cuba has a budding shoe manufacturing sector? Yes. Most of the shoes are Nike knock offs. There are also some loafers and dress shoes. The quality is rather low, but so is the price. Honestly, I like Cuban shoes. They look good and buying the shoes is certainly a way to help the local economy.

I have purchased shoes at the Tulipan market in the Plaza neighborhood. Many markets in Havana also sell shoes. If you are in Old Havana then there are many flea markets and handicraft markets beside the Capitolio building. Sheck this map for the exact locations. https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/Havana_Shoe_Stores/uSDMhxa5Dl

The prices for the shoes range from about 100mn to 200mn – So 4cuc to 8cuc ($4 USD to $8 USD). The prices are not usually negotiable, since the margins are low (too much competition), but usually if you buy more than one pair of shoes you can get a small discount.

Have fun!

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Mario.

[Mario]

in reply to: Transportation from Havana airport to Guanabo #21199

Hi, Guanabo should be fun. The thing with Guanabo is that there are many rental units and many of the casas have more than one room for rent. If it was me, and if I did not have much luggage to drag around, I would just get to Guanabo and walk up and down a street and find a nice casa, ring the door and ask if there is a vacancy. Even if the house is fully booked, the owners will usually call neighbors and find you a place.

Alternately, if you want something planned, you can just contact my assistant at casas.bestcubaguide@gmail.com and she can find and reserve you a good casa in Guanabo. You can see a couple of great places for rent here: https://bestcubaguide.com/casas-particulares-in-guanabo-cuba/

take care!

[Mario]

in reply to: Best way to get visa for US citizens? #20962

Hi, all airlines offering flights to Cuba, must, by law, also offer you a chance to buy the visa. There are usually terminals at the airport which will sell you the visas, or the airlines themselves will sell the visas at the check in gate.

The catch is that if you call the airlines you will be put in contact with a customer service rep who is usually totally lost and has no idea about any of this.

My best advice would be to go to the airport and ask at the counter where yoi can buy the visas. Then ask what the price is.

But I warn you, the airline companies are getting away with charging an arm and a leg for the visas because they know the competition is low. So AA might actually charge you more than CTS.

I dont know all the prices, but in general for an america to Cuba visa, most airlines charge around 70 to 80$. And some as much as 120$. Crazy.

 

Good luck

[Mario]

in reply to: Book your casa particular online! #20959

Hi, the plan is very good. Simple and you get to see many things. I believe you are working out the details with my assistant. I notice that it is going well. If you have any other questions just ask me. Take care,

Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: Itinerary question #20957

Hi, your plan is good. You can do it exactly as you have written. It is not too ambitious, actually it is a very common route. You spend enough time in each area to see everything. And you have enough time in vinales and Trinidad to see all the attractions nearby such as the beaches and mountains. I think you will really enjoy the trip.

1500$ will be enough. If it was me I would bring a but extra, just to be sure. Maybe 1800$ just to be sure. That will certainly be enough.

As for finding rides to share, my beat advice is to go to the viazul terminals the day before you plan to leave. You can talk with the drivers and tell them that you want to travel as a colectivo. This means that you travel with other passengers. The drivers will find the other drivers and they can pick you up at your house. The cost will be low and the service is good. Get the drivers phone number in case you have to change plans.

I hope this helps.

Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: Casa Myrna Question #20955

Hi, sorry for the delay. But I just checked and all seems well and you are booked. Have a great stay.

[Mario]

in reply to: Americans traveling to Cuba #20746

james, I’m in Cuba now and my internet sucks, so I will keep this brief. The Obama regulations are still in effect and thousands of tourists are coming daily from the USA to Cuba. Just book and flight and a casa and check off the people to people box, and then come to Cuba and do whatever you want. No trip tracking or anything. Most Americans just relax in Havana and smoke cigars and drink.mojitos all day. dont worry about it at all.

[Mario]

in reply to: What to do with your cash #20392

Hi, you cannot rent a safe anywhere.

I would just leave the money in the casa. You will see that the casas have bars on all the windows and door and are surrounded by a gate. Its very safe. And since Cuba is a cash society, I’m sure that landlord has her life savings in the house. The casas are very safe. I would leave the cash in the house. You are much more likely to lose it if you carry it with you.

Take care,

Mario

[Mario]

in reply to: Beaches near Havana #19972

Hi, sorry for the late reply. I thought I had replied, but it seems that it never posted. Anyway, here is the answer:

In Guanabo, almost all the taxis going west along the main road (5th ave) will be going to Havana. So to get a taxi, just stand on the side of the street closes to the water (the west bound lane) and hail a taxi. It might take you a few tries, but eventually you will hit a taxi that is going to Havana. Just make sure they are collectivo taxis. If they have other passengers in them, confirm that the price is 2cuc (50mn) and then get on. The taxi will take you to Havana and the drop off point is beside the Capitolio. If you want to go directly to your end destination, offer to give he taxi a couple bucks more and he will drop you off wherever you need to go.

There are no taxi depot areas in Guanabo, so you just have to hail a taxi. But it won’t be hard at all. Always confirm the price because is the taxi is empty and the driver sees you are a tourist, he might just take you to Havana alone and then say the price is 12cuc.

There are also yellow car taxis in Guanabo and they will do the trip to Havana for about 15cuc. If you leave late at night, this might be your only option.

Also there are buses. Most of the buses on the road (the modern ones) will be going to Havana. The trip costs 0.4 mn, but if you dont have the change just give the driver 1 peso MN. But the bus is slow and often crowded. Taxi is better.

take care and have a great time,

Mario

[Author]

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