Cuba is a rewarding place to go on holiday. It has an amazing culture, colour and variety to it that is not replicated anywhere else in the world. Coupled with the sanctions imposed on it that have turned the country into a retro time capsule you have have an even more incredible and vibrant experience waiting for you. Cuba is not an easy place to travel independently in or be easily understood. It is an evolving country that requires patience because it is not like our world….this is what makes it such a great place to visit.
From our travel experiences through Cuba, these are our Top Travel Tips that will definitely make your life easier!
Navigating Cuba
Download Maps.me prior to going. This is an invaluable offline tool for navigation throughout the country as street signage and WIFI is near non existent.
Important– Make sure you download the Cuba maps at home, before you arrive.
Money
Cuban CUC can only be purchased in Cuba. Best exchange rate is with Euro and British Pounds. If you bring American dollars to exchange there will be an added minimum 10% surcharge. Cuba is a cash society, places are few and far between where you can use your credit card….and definitely no American Express is accepted.
Best place to exchange your money in bulk is at the airport on arrival. Money exchange offices throughout Cuba have patchy opening hours, long ques and sometimes no money! We exchanged all of our money in one transaction at the airport, 3,000 euros into Cuban CUCs. Yes, it was a stack of money, Yes, we felt a bit apprehensive carrying around so much but when you see and understand how the systems work here….you will be glad you did it. Rest assured throughout our time travelling around we never felt threatened or unsafe in any part of Cuba.
Language
Learn a little Spanish, we went old school and bought a small Lonely Planet phrasebook. You will get no help from online apps as there is no continuous Internet in the country. English speakers are few and far between and it was invaluable for the basics and genuinely appreciated by the locals. Check the reviews for your Casa on TripAdvisor before you book to see if the owner speaks English. They are the ones to help you book onward travel or local tours most of these service are not advertised and every Casa owner ‘knows someone who knows someone’.
Relax, dont get frustrated.
This is one of the most important things to remember. Don’t be impatient, chill…..and relax. You are on holiday and keep reminding yourself ‘this is Cuba’. Nothing happens quickly here, opening/closing hours vary heaps from advertised in guide books and the sights you want to see may be closed for no apparent reason. Be prepared to que and wait for services, sometimes a crazy long time…..cause this is how it is.
Internet
The government controls the Internet and it is only available in certain zones for tourists throughout towns and cities. These spots are nearly always the main squares and plazas. You will find them easy enough, its where tourists and locals congregate. To use the Internet you need to purchase internet usage cards that enable you to log on for the specified time you have purchased or part thereof.
TIP – you will need to que to buy these cards, bring your ID and purchase as many cards at one time as you think you might need for your stay….saves future queuing and time as you travel around.
Hygiene
Carry hand sanitiser and toilet paper in your day bag….you will thank me for that tip somewhere down the line.
Pack soap as well, it is not always supplied in all Casa Particulares.
Do not drink tap water, always buy bottled water. It seems to be common practice for the bars to use bottled water to make ice. Some will advertise this fact most don’t.
The plumbing in Havana and most other parts of Cuba is old and out dated. It cannot tolerate paper being flushed through the system. You know where I am going with this…..be prepared, every time you wipe you must dispose of your used paper in the bins to the side of the loo. Yes, even in restaurants!
Rosie and The Operator hope these tips will be helpful to you if you plan on visiting this wonderful island.
