Traveling To Cuba From Argentina.

[sleazemerchant]

thanks sleaze merchant. where do u stay in Havana. any links? recommendations?

I always stay in a casa particular, generally a three or four bedroom private house with pool depending upon how many people are meeting me in Havana. The houses are always in Siboney, Miramar, or right near the CIMEQ elite medical complex (all near each other, and also near the "Club Habana", the former Biltmore-Havana Yacht Club, which has a near first world gym if you are into that sort of thing). I originally used cubaccommodation.com but for subsequent trips always use a gentlemen by the name of Alejandro to find me the best house available (his contact info available by PM). In addition, I hire a 24 hour on call driver (almost always Alejandro's brother in law) for 50 CUC by day and I rent a car in HIS name so anything that happens is his problem.

 

[mariposa]

[background=rgb(252, 252, 252)]where do u stay in Havana. any links? recommendations?[/background]

I also always stay in casas particulares in Havana (google it) but never in houses with pools in the suburbs. I stay right smack in la Habana Vieja which is a wonderful part of the city, with walking distance to just about everything wou'll want to see and do. You can easily walk through all the old parts and along the wonderful malecon, take a ferry to Regla, walk through Centro to el Vedado and on to Miramar, all fascinating. I prefer getting to know the schoolteacher who lives next door, or the postman across the street, or the guy who runs the body shop at the corner. I don't need the pool or the expat clubs in the beach suburbs. But that's a matter of preference.

In any case, casas particulares are the way to go..

 

[germano]

We went to Cuba a couple of months ago (although not with US passports). I can confirm they do NOT stamp you passport. If you book a hotel in a travel agency here in Argentina they will get the tourist card for you (I think with a minimum stay of 3 nights). Upon entering Cuba you get the tourist card stamped and upon leaving the Cuba they keep the card. No traces in your passport
Our travel agent had a great deal on a package (Riviera in Havana and Las Morlas in Varadero). We flew with Copa and stayed a couple of nights in Panama as well (for shopping). Just remember that US debit and credit cards do not work anywhere in Cuba (thanks to US legislature).

 

[John.St]

When I visited Cuba a few years back, the visa stamps were on a separate piece of paper, not in the passport.

 

[mariposa]

The visa stamp is always on the tourist card, NOT on the passport, independent of your (foreign) nationality. You do not need to book through a travel agency to get the tourist card. When you book a flight to Cuba, you get the tourist card from the airline (any airline), usually at check-in or on the plane. The last couple of times we went, we flew Cubana. No complaints whatsoever.

 

[Ceviche]

what all do u do in havana, once there?

 

[mariposa]

[background=rgb(252, 252, 252)]what all do u do in havana, once there?[/background]

I love the city, plus we have traveled all over the island several times. (Except to the all-inclusive tourist beach resorts, which have nothing to do with Cuba) We collect Cuban art and have many artist and musician friends there. Can't wait to go again.

And, did I mention how wonderful the people are?

 

[Montauk_Project]

Went in 2002, am from the US, passport did not get stamped.
It is actually the most "American-friendly" Latin American country. In the words of one Cuban
"Europeans come for sex. Canadians come because its cheap. Northamericans come to learn about Cuba."
Very open, even about politics, probably more open now.
Bring soap, perfume, cosmetics as gifts.

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

We are going in August, few nights in Havanna and a week in one of those resorts! Am fine with that as I really don't intend to do much more than swim in that lovely sea and drink rum.

Am comfortable with whatever that makes me. Lazy at best i suspect.

 

[Rich One]

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I love the city, plus we have traveled all over the island several times. (Except to the all-inclusive tourist beach resorts, which have nothing to do with Cuba) We collect Cuban art and have many artist and musician friends there. Can't wait to go again.

And, did I mention how wonderful the people are?

Mariposa, So how do you handle the currency situation ,,, must take all cash, no USA CC can be used? Carry around the cash with you, or leave it in a rental family appt. without safe? Inside your shoes?