Traveling To Cuba From Argentina.

[germano]

Which resort did you stay in if you don't mind me asking? What did you use for currency? Am wondering if we are best (or indeed able!) to use Arg credit / debit cards or if we can change pesos to Cuban tourist money.

We stayed at the Be Live Las Morlas - mainly because our travel agent had a very good rate for this resort: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147275-d290690-Reviews-Hotel_Be_Live_Las_Morlas-Varadero_Matanzas_Province_Cuba.html
We enjoyed the time there and I think it was excellent value for the money. But there are of course nicer resorts.

Regarding the money: We had some dollars that were easy to exchange at the casas de cambio (there is one right in the airport to get your first pesos convertibles). Hotels also exchange dollars - but their rate is a lot worse. I had also used a Visa credit card issued by a German bank at the ATM's in Cuba. There seems to be a limit of 100 pesos convertibles/CUC (= 100 USD) per transaction, but you can just do multiple withdrawals to get more (withdrawal fee was ~3%). I don't think we ever used the Argentinian credit card in Cuba - so I cannot confirm if they work at ATM's there or not.

 

[germano]

This is slightly misleading/ not very useful information you are providing here. Yes, MN (moneda nacional) can be used to buy ice cream, what you are referring to as "pizza" and "roast pork sandwiches" and really nasty tobacco products/ beer.

... and why drink nasty beer when you can get a very decent brew like Bucanero for the price of 1.00-1.50 USD

 

[mariposa]

[background=rgb(252, 252, 252)]... and why drink nasty beer when you can get a very decent brew like Bucanero for the price of 1.00-1.50 USD[/background]

Funny, I never drank nasty beer but the local brew of wherever I was. The main point is to be able hang out in local joints with Cubans instead of always going to the tourist places where no Cubans are allowed (except for jineteras). THAT's the main point. Got it??

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

Horses for courses, live and let live.

 

[sleazemerchant]

Funny, I never drank nasty beer but the local brew of wherever I was. The main point is to be able hang out in local joints with Cubans instead of always going to the tourist places where no Cubans are allowed (except for jineteras). THAT's the main point. Got it??

This is more misleading/ almost useless information. As you stated in an earlier post, you haven't been to Cuba in 2.5 years; things have changed, and there is now a surprising amount of CUC cash sloshing around Havana (private restaurants/ house rentals/ guides/ government cronies/ remittances/ prostitutes/bartenders/ waiters/musicians). At this time there are many Cubans in the nice bars and nightclubs and they are all priced in CUC. The only Cuban brewed beers offered at any place worth going to are Cristal and Bucanero Fuerte. There are now numerous private restaurants in the Miramar/Playa area that are priced in CUC (albeit half the price of tourist-focused private restaurants in Havana Vieja) and
their customers are 90% monied locals.

In terms of what to eat while in Cuba, I strongly advise to stay away from any protein other than seafood (lobster, shrimp, fish, octopus) as it will almost surely be totally disgusting. Fresh fruit and vegetables (especially avocados) can be excellent.

As far as beach resorts, by far the best is the Melia on Cayo Guillermo; the beaches are top 10 in the world and the hotel/ food at hotel are excellent by Cuban standards (which of course is not saying much).

 

[Ceviche]

@ sleazemerchant, approximately how many us$ you spent in your last trip to Cuba ( excluding air fare), for how many days?

 

[mariposa]

sleazemerchant[background=rgb(230, 230, 230)], [/background]whoever you are, I really got to you, didn't I? Nothing you are saying is new to me. And by all means, stick to your "nice bars and nightclubs"....you obviously know all the places "worth going to" .... and I hope you have all your shots!! So - HAVE FUN!!! ;-)

and perhaps we can return this thread to the relevant questions?

 

[sleazemerchant]

@ sleazemerchant, approximately how many us$ you spent in your last trip to Cuba ( excluding air fare), for how many days?

I would estimate I spend 100 CUC day lodging, 40-50 CUC food (eating lobster/shrimp/ fish every meal except breakfast), 50 CUC transportation (rental car, driver), 40 CUC drinking/entrance fees. Add 40-80 CUC/day for "leisure activities" if that is your sort of thing. Keep in mind I split the house and rental vehicle three ways. The most recent trip was for three nights in late January 2013.

 

[germano]

sleazemerchant[background=rgb(230, 230, 230)], [/background]whoever you are, I really got to you, didn't I? Nothing you are saying is new to me. And by all means, stick to your "nice bars and nightclubs"....you obviously know all the places "worth going to" .... and I hope you have all your shots!! So - HAVE FUN!!! ;-)

I don't think this is about what is new to you or not - but to give useful advice to first time Cuba travelers. And I think sleazemerchant is right with his comment about the usage of CUC by locals and new businesses popping up ...

 

[Ceviche]

I would estimate I spend 100 CUC day lodging, 40-50 CUC food (eating lobster/shrimp/ fish every meal except breakfast), 50 CUC transportation (rental car, driver), 40 CUC drinking/entrance fees. Add 40-80 CUC/day for "leisure activities" if that is your sort of thing. Keep in mind I split the house and rental vehicle three ways. The most recent trip was for three nights in late January 2013.

SleazeMerchant,

It seems you spent 320 CUC a day , all inclusive.

I went to xe.xom and converted 320 CUC to US$, it comes out to just 12 us$. Is that correct? Or are their some hidden costs or some other conversion rates?

What do you mean, " I split the house and rental three ways?" do you mean, you just paid 1/3rd and you had two friends with you, sharing costs?Thanks.