HOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT CONCERTS IN CUBA

GOING TO CONCERTS IN CUBA

We had heard about the Buena Fe concert back in Trinidad, my friend’s daughter had told us about it, she probably heard about it from a friend, who maybe heard about it on the radio.

When I’m in Trinidad, I limit my visits to ETECSA, so I don’t rely on internet sources or online magazines to find out what is happening in Cuba while I am there.  You can download monthly ‘what’s on’ guides from Cuba Absolutely before you go.  These are informative and helpful guides to have on your smart phone or ipod.  But I went to Cuba at the end of February 2014, so unfortunately I was not able to download the March guide before I left.  Anyway, I tend to rely on word of mouth or visit places like Cuba Libro, where you can hang out, drink ice-tea and find out what’s happening in Havana.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY CONCERT TICKETS IN HAVANA?

As soon as we arrived we were determined to find out how to get tickets to the Buena Fe concert that night at the Karl Marx Theatre in Havana.  We asked at the casa, we called the Karl Mark Theatre box office, we asked the staff at the local cafeteria…the general consensus was that we could go to the box office on the night and buy our tickets.  However, they did warn us, tickets could already have been sold out; Buena Fe is very popular in Cuba.   In which case we could see if anyone was selling unwanted tickets on the street. 

It’s not something I had thought of…….Would it work?  What time does the ticket office open? Will we find tickets on the street? What time should we get there?  Should we go? We looked at each other for the answers, neither of us had a clue how it worked in Havana, but that didn’t stop us from taking a chance.  This was the first time we had been to Havana together.  She had left the family and kids back home in Trinidad, so we wanted to make the most of our weekend in the city. 

HOW DO YOU GET TO THE KARL MARX THEATRE FROM VEDADO?

We had nothing to lose, we got ready to go, not prepared to walk all the way or pay for a taxi, we headed to Linea, we flagged down an almendron and told the driver where we wanted to get dropped off.  I had given my friend the instructions and got her to do the talking.  Even though people could tell a mile off that neither of us where from Havana, at least with her Cuban accent we were less likely to get ripped off.  It surprised her that I could find my way around the city and knew how to use the shared taxi system in Havana; the almendrones.  She thought it ironic that she was the tourist in her own country, and I was her guide. 

  

Knowing how to use the almendrones took some practice but people are happy to explain to you how they work as it’s no longer illegal for tourists to use them.  The almendrones are cheaper than taxis, they work certain routes, so it’s good to know which routes they work so you can work out which is your best pick up and drop off point.  They may not always take you directly to where you want to go, so be prepared to walk a few blocks.

A couple of the popular routes include: 

Calle 23 to San Lázaro & El Prado (Vedado to Centro Habana)

Linea to Sán Lazaro & El Prado (Vedado to Centro Habana)

Neptuno to Calle L (Centro Habana to Vedado)

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO GET OUT OF AN ALMENDRON?

If like me, you don’t like to carry a map around with you wherever you go, you can try to mentally remember which streets are just before your drop off point so you can calculate where to get off.  You can sometimes rely on the driver to remember where you want to get off.  I knew we wanted to get off somewhere around Calle 8, so as we got closer to Calle 8, I began to think that the driver had forgotten where we wanted to go so I asked him to stop and he looked at me and said, ‘but didn’t you want to go to 5^th avenue and Calle 8?’.  I had forgotten that the route comes off Linea and goes down 5^th Avenue after the tunnel!  What did we know?  The Guajira and the Turista, I paid the 20 pesos Cubanos for the 2 of us, thanked the driver and we laughed to ourselves as we walked down the unlit calle to 1^st avenue.

CAN YOU BUY CONCERT TICKETS ON THE STREET?

Before we had even arrived at the theatre, a young man on the street asked us if we wanted tickets to the show.  Misle taking the lead, began to ask questions, I let her do the talking once again.  He was selling tickets for 25 pesos or 1 CUC.  I thought I had misheard him, the young staff at the cafeteria had told us that we should expect to pay at least 5 CUC.  Misle wanted to know if they were good seats, close to the stage, if they were genuine tickets etc.  He showed them to us but how would we know, neither of us had ever been to the Karl Marx Theatre before.  We had no idea what the tickets looked like, but we had street cred to maintain so we pretended we knew what we were doing.  To be honest they were pretty nondescript……and anyway were there really counterfeit tickets circulating the streets of Havana?  Somehow I didn’t think so.  

Happy with ourselves, newly purchased tickets in our hands, I couldn’t quite believe how easy and quick it had been, we headed to the box office to see whether they were selling tickets.  They still had tickets for sale and ours looked like the real thing.  We got into the theatre no problem; we had nothing to worry about.  Admittedly we would have liked to have been closer to the stage, but I was happy to be there with my friend from Trinidad.

AND AS FOR THE CONCERT…..?

Buena Fe were brilliant, singing about real issues in Cuba, forever reaching out to their audience; they make you feel like they are talking directly to you.  They dedicated the concert to the launch of their new website and to the promotion of internet for all in Cuba. 

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Buena Fe at the Karl Marx Theatre - Havana

Misle & I - Buena Fe Concert - Havana

WHERE TO EAT OUT AT AN AWARD WINNING RESTAURANT IN TRINIDAD CUBA

SABOR A MI

In the Plaza de San Francisco de Assis in Trinidad, Cuba, a new restaurant opened at the end of 2013, offering elegant service and delicious food in a peaceful setting with a perfect view of the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos.

Sabor a Mí, is run by identical twin sisters Lisvet and Liset.  If you run into one of them on the street you will always be in doubt as to which one of their friendly and welcoming faces you are about to greet. 

Lisvet and Liset, both equally charming and partners in everything they do.  They decided to name their restaurant as a tribute to Álvaro Carrillo Alarcón; the Mexican composer and songwriter who wrote the beautiful bolero, ‘Sabor a Mí’.  For them it is a romantic metaphor which represents their love for Trinidad.  They are proud to be part of Trinidad and to be part of the important changes that Trinidad has seen of late.  As they say with a smile on their face, “sabor a Trinidad”, because of its beautiful mountainous landscape, its impressive historical architecture, it’s intriguing history with signs of modernity creeping through and it’s divine beaches.

They have worked hard, they are believers of paying attention to the signs that life brings them and when the opportunity arose to rent out what once was a gallery selling paintings, they took a chance and spent months renovating the place.  They take pride in everything they do, and have carefully created a space which combines the past and the present.  They have decorated using black and white keeping in with their love for elegance and simplicity. It’s important for them that people feel at home in their restaurant and enjoy their superb meals.

The first thing I noticed were the words of the song written on the menu as well as on part of the wall outside in the patio.   I have to admit I wasn’t sure if I knew the song, so Misleydis started to sing it for me; still not sure, I assured her I would look it up on youtube!

We were greeted by smart and professional waiters able to answer all our questions.  I was instantly intrigued by the Mariachi Fish on the menu and decided to take a chance on something new.  It was made with tequila and cayenne pepper and very tasty.  Gustavo and Misleydis also chose fish and they had the Trinidad 1514 and the Trinidad 2014; names chosen in honour of the recent 500^th anniversary of Trinidad.  Our meals came with warm bread and balls of butter floating in cold water to keep it fresh and cool, a plate of salad each and cream of pumpkin soup. 

Mariachi Fish

As part of the 500^th anniversary celebrations, Trinidad held El Primero Festival Culineario de Trinidad, the 1^st Culinary Festival of Trinidad.  Sabor a Mí won an award for the ‘Trinidad 1514’ dish, an important achievement for them.  Firstly because at the time they had only been open a short amount of time and secondly because it was an important time for everyone being the 500^th anniversary of Trinidad.  They intend to continue inventing new dishes and hope to win more awards and recognition in the future.

Sabor a Mí is open from 9.30am – 11.30pm (or until the last person leaves) and has a live Cuban band playing at various times throughout the day.  If you want a taste of something special, a taste of the Trinitarian soul, don’t hesitate to pay a visit to Sabor a Mí. 

Address – Fernándo Hernández Echerri (Cristo) #62 e/ Ciro Redondo (San José) y Piro Guinart (Boca), Trinidad, Cuba.

www.facebook.com/saboramitrinidad

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Sabor a Mi Restaurant - Trinidad

Sabor a Mi Restaurant - Trinidad

Lisvet - Sabor a  Mi Restaurant - Trinidad

SHOULD I GO HORSEBACK RIDING IN TRINIDAD CUBA?

HORSEBACK RIDING IN TRINIDAD

By Kristin Kallweit, Spanish student, Trinidad, January 2014

Beautiful Trinidad.... when I planned my trip to Cuba to learn Spanish, I knew I wanted to go horseback riding. At home I often don’t have as much time as I would like to, so every time I go on holidays I try to use the opportunity. I have been riding in Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Argentina. I think it´s a wonderful way to explore nature, spend some time outside and visit areas that you can’t often visit with a bus or a car.

I did some research online and found some interesting looking websites but ultimately decided to just book something when I got to Trinidad. Therefore I just asked “my family“ if they knew someone they could recommend.

Gustavo told me he knew a guy who is a trained Veterinarian; something that immediately appealed to me. I had the experience when travelling through Central and South America a few years ago that some people and companies that offer tours are not very well trained, often the horses looked pretty malnourished and had infected hooves. And the good treatment of animals is something that is very important to me. So a trained Vet as a guide is a definite plus. 

I ended up doing 4 tours with Maikel and his colleagues… I got the chance to meet some great people from different countries on the tours and experience the beautiful countryside in and around Trinidad that I would have missed out on otherwise. For example the “Valle de los Ingenios”, rivers and beaches and swimming in natural pools. The horses are well trained and quiet and seem to be used to tourists with different levels of experience. You can trot more slowly if you want to relax and take photos but for the more experienced it’s possible to gallop, too.

The tours vary in length but there is always an opportunity for a lunch break. Usually in restaurants on "farms" where you just sit outside. I have eaten in 3 different places during the tours and they all had vegetarian dishes available, like salads, vegetable soups, pasta, eggs and rice.

Maikel is able to speak English as well, because he spent a few months in Australia. It was easy to talk to him and tell him what I was interested in and plan different routes and tours.

It was a wonderful experience and looking at the photos now makes me want to book my next trip!

Thanks to Kristin for sharing her expereinces in Cuba.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Horseback Riding - Trinidad, Cuba

Enjoying the countryside - Trinidad, Cuba

Natural Pool - Trinidad, Cuba

Horseback Riding - Trinidad, Cuba

Local beach - Trinidad, Cuba

Sierra Escambray - Trinidad, Cuba

Nature - Trinidad, Cuba

Photos by Kristin Kallweit, January 2014.

IS IT EASY TO FIND VEGETARIAN FOOD IN CUBA?

VEGETARIAN FOOD IN CUBA

Being a vegetarian in Cuba isn’t easy.  The first thing many families in Casas offer you is rice and beans, tostones or chicharitas which are nice but maybe you fancy a bit of variety while visiting Cuba. 

Misleydis has a Casa Particular in Trinidad where many of our students stay when they come to study Spanish or take Salsa, Music, Painting or Pottery lessons in Cuba.  She enjoys cooking and most of all likes to offer delicious meals in her Casa Particular.  Vegetarians that I have introduced to Misle have left her home more than happy with their meals often saying it is the best food they have eaten in the whole of Cuba.....some have even said she should open her own restaurant!  During my last visit to Cuba I decided to speak to Misle to see what she thinks about vegetarian food in Cuba.....

Rena - Have you received many vegetarians in your Casa in Trinidad?

Misle - I can’t tell you how many vegetarians have come to my home but there have been quite a few, some vegetarians eat fish whilst others just eat vegetables, everyone is different.

Rena - Do you like cooking vegetarian food?

Misle - I enjoy cooking and I like inventing new dishes but cooking vegetarian food can be quite a challenge in Cuba.  It is difficult finding ingredients and offering a varied menu, especially if I have Spanish students staying in my Casa for a few weeks.  But I try my best to vary the menu as much as possible.

Rena - What do you think of Vegetarian food in Cuba?

Misle – I’m not a vegetarian and I have never been to a vegetarian restaurant so I can’t really say but I know many people have told me that they usually get rice and beans with salad for dinner at most Casa Particulares.  I want to try and offer people something different so they can see that Cuba isn’t only about rice and beans.

Rena - What is your inspiration?

Misle - I want people to feel happy in my home and to enjoy the meals that I carefully prepare for them.  Even though I have a vegetarian cookbook, I cannot find most of the herbs and spices in Cuba listed in the ingredients so I have to re-invent and experiment with what I can find here in Cuba.  You can mostly find onions, peppers and tomatoes in Cuba but when vegetables like carrots or cabbages are available I try to make the most of them and use them in my dishes as much as possible.

Rena - What are the most popular vegetarian dishes that you have made?

Misle - I have made things like spaghetti with stir fried vegetables, arroz pilaf (pilaf rice) made with butter, onion, sometimes with peanuts,  fresh oregano or basil leaves to add a little extra aroma, all depending on whether I can find them.  I sometimes make something like fried dumplings with vegetables and a boiled egg or Tambor de Papa, a Cuban dish usually made with meat, but I make it with mash potato and vegetables, cream of pumpkin or cream of potato soup.  I have also made my own version of an enchilada, inspired by you when you brought me a bag of flour tortillas from Costa Rica once.  I can’t find tortilla’s in Cuba so I make my own version, I fill them with cooked vegetables, I roll them and sprinkle cheese and a tomato sauce on top.  I know it was a favourite of one of our students, she was studying Spanish in Trinidad and she stayed with us a couple of weeks and she said she liked it very much.

Rena - Do you think people are happy with your food?

Misle - I think they are generally happy with my food, they always give me compliments, at least I hope they like my food.

Rena - Is there any ingredient you wish you could have but can’t get in Cuba?

Misle – That’s a difficult question as we don’t get many foods in Cuba.  We sometimes get aubergine (eggplant) in Cuba but not very often.  I would like to cook with aubergine more.  Or maybe vine leaves, I like it when you make me stuffed vine leaves with rice.  When are you going to make it for me again?

Rena –jijijijij....well first we need the vine leaves, but if we can’t get vine leaves, you know we can make stuffed tomatoes instead, it’s a good dish you can make for vegetarians too.  Are there any vegetarian restaurants in Trinidad?

Misle – Many new restaurants have opened in Trinidad, but there are no vegetarian restaurants in Trinidad. 

Rena – Maybe you should open a vegetarian restaurant in Trinidad?

Misle – Maybe one day I will open a vegetarian restaurant in Trinidad, but for now I welcome anyone who is staying in Trinidad to my Casa and try out one of my vegetarian dishes....even if they are not staying in my casa.  I would be happy to hear from any traveller craving something different.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Misle & Rena - Trinidad, Cuba

HOW TO GET A CUBAN TOURIST CARD

I have been visiting Cuba regularly since 2003.  Below are some of my experiences of obtaining Cuban Tourist Cards from various countries and the experiences of some of our students / friends that have visited us in Cuba.

CAN ANYONE APPLY FOR A CUBAN TOURIST CARD?

It doesn’t matter where you are from or what passport you have, if you plan to visit Cuba as a Tourist, you will need to get a Cuban Tourist Card / Tourist Visa.  The application process is usually quick and simple.

CAN U.S. CITIZENS BUY A CUBAN TOURIST CARD?

Yes, they can.  Airlines, travel agencies and Cuban Consulates outside of the U.S. will sell the Cuban Tourist Card to any nationality.  If a U.S citizen arrives into Cuba with a Cuban Tourist Card they will not be turned away by the Cuban government; Cuba has no problem allowing U.S. citizens into Cuba. However, according to U.S. law, U.S. citizens cannot visit Cuba simply by obtaining a Cuban Tourist Card.  U.S. citizens need to obtain a special license to visit Cuba or travel with an organisation that has obtained a license to offer educational programs to promote people-to-people contact in Cuba.  All details can be found on the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN CUBA FOR?

The Cuban Tourist Card allows you to stay in Cuba for 90 days.  If you plan to stay longer than 90 days in Cuba you can extend your Cuban Tourist Card at Immigration in Cuba for another 90 days at a cost of $25.  The maximum length of stay in Cuba with a Tourist Card is 180 days, so you can extend your Cuba Tourist Card twice. 

Cuban Tourist Card

WHERE CAN I BUY A CUBAN TOURIST CARD FROM?

I have bought Cuban Tourist Cards from various countries, either from the Cuban Consulate, at the airport or at a Travel Agency and I’ve never had any problems.  It’s not rocket science, you don’t have to answer a hundred and one questions or prove that you have enough money to fund your trip. It’s purely a bureaucratic process which all of us have to go through in order to visit Cuba as a Tourist. 

CAN I BUY A CUBAN TOURIST CARD FROM THE AIRPORT?

Yes, it is possible to buy a Cuban Tourist Card at many airports, especially if you are flying from Central America or flying with TACA or COPA airlines, as they usually sell the Cuban Tourist Visas at the airport. 

I have bought Cuban Tourist Cards from Gatwick Airport in the U.K., from Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica and from Cancún International airport in Mexico.

At Gatwick Airport, you can buy a Cuban Tourist Card from Virgin representatives at the Sales / Customer Service Desk.  It costs around £30 GBP, it takes about 5 minutes, no questions asked.

At Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica, I paid $15 USD for a Cuban Tourist Card when I checked in with TACA airlines.  

At Cancún International airport in Mexico I bought the visa from the MexicanaClick Sales / Customer Service Desk, before checking in, I paid around $15 USD.

I have transited at both Tocumen International Airport in Panama City and at Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City and at the boarding gates of both of these airports the airlines made announcements informing passengers that they can buy a Tourist Visa for Cuba at the gate before boarding.  I already had my Tourist Visa on these occasions so I am not sure about the price but I would say it costs around $15-20 USD.

Nevertheless, if you are not travelling from or not taking a connection from one of these airports and you are not sure what to do, I would recommend that you check with the airline you are travelling with to see if they sell the Cuban Tourist Card from your departure airport.

CAN I BUY A CUBAN TOURIST CARD UPON ARRIVAL AT JOSÉ MARTÍ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

A colleague of mine told me that she always buys her Cuban Tourist Card upon arrival at José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba.  But to be honest I have never taken the chance, I always make sure I have a Tourist Card before arriving into Cuba.  I have never seen anyone selling Tourist Cards in Cuba and I have never asked anyone at José Martí International Airport if they can be bought.  But according to this Havana Airport website Cuban Tourist Cards can be purchased at immigration.

DO TRAVEL AGENCIES SELL CUBAN TOURIST CARDS?

My only experience of buying a Cuban Tourist Visa at a travel agency is at Agencía Sol y Son in San Jose, Costa Rica.  I was able to go to the travel agency, buy a Tourist Visa for Cuba without having to buy an airline ticket.  It was quick and easy and cost around $20 USD.

In Cancún, Mexico, there are a number of travel agencies offering cheap flight / hotel packages to Cuba which include the Tourist Visa, travel insurance and hotel transfers.

Trailfinders in the UK does have a visa department where you can buy a Tourist Visa for Cuba. The Cuban Tourist Card is £15 GBP, but Trailfinders add a service charge of £50 GBP; the service charge is reduced to £30 GBP if you have booked your trip with Trailfinders, this is based on British Citizen passport holders. 

ARE CUBAN TOURIST CARDS INCLUDED WITH THE AIR TICKET?

No, not necessarily. You should always check this out with the airline when buying your ticket. I understand that some holiday companies that offer package deals to Cuba include the Cuban Tourist Card, but if you are like me and want to buy just a flight to Cuba you will probably have to buy your Cuban Tourist Card separately. 

One of our students from the U.K. booked her ticket to Cuba with Trailfinders in the U.K.  Her flight was with Air Canada via Toronto, the Tourist Visa was included in the price of her ticket and it was given to her on her connecting flight from Canada to Cuba.  In fact, many of our Canadian students have confirmed that their Cuban Tourist Card was included in the price of their air ticket and similarly it was given to them on board the plane.  

Hence, the following airlines travel between Canada and Cuba and include the price of the Tourist Card ($16 CAD) within the taxes, fees and surcharges section:

• Sunwing

• Westjet

• Air Canada

• Canjet

CAN I GET MY CUBAN TOURIST CARD FROM THE CUBAN CONSULATE?

It is possible to visit any Cuban Consulate around the world and obtain a Cuban Tourist Card on the same day. I have been to the Cuban Consulate in Nicaragua and Uruguay with my passport, ticket confirmation and travel insurance details and obtained a Tourist Card for around $20 USD within around 15-20 minutes.

I have never applied for the Cuban Tourist Card in person at the Cuban Consulate in London; I have always preferred to apply for it by post.  The last time I got a Cuban Tourist Card from the Cuban Consulate in the UK was in 2006.  It was simple, I printed the online application form, I sent them a cheque, a photocopy of my passport, a stamped addressed envelope and I received the Cuban Tourist Card through the post within a couple of days. Update in 2022, you can now apply for the Cuba Tourist Card online.

The price of a Cuban Tourist Card from the Cuban Consulate in the U.K. is £27 GBP plus postage.

A couple of our students from Germany have confirmed that they were able to obtain their Cuban Tourist Card in person at the Cuban Consulate in Berlin, Germany.  

“It was super easy to get the Visa. I just went to the Cuban Consulate in Berlin with my passport plus a copy of my passport, a declaration from the Insurance Company that I have Health Insurance Coverage and I had to fill out a form. I think it cost about 25 Euros. Had to wait for 20-30 minutes and I got the Visa.”

You can also apply for the Tourist Card from the Cuban Consulate in Germany by post.

A couple of friends of mine from Australia got their Cuban Tourist Card from the Cuban Consulate in Sydney, Australia and paid around $110 AUS!!!!!  Frankly, I was shocked that they had to pay that much.  Before going to Cuba they had been in London and could have got it there for around £15-35 GBP.  Their flight from London was via Venezuela and they were selling it at the boarding gate for around $15 USD.  So if you are from Australia and are planning to go to Cuba, you are more than likely going to fly via another country so I would try to find out if you can buy the Cuban Tourist Card while in Transit.

CAN I BUY A CUBAN TOURIST CARD ONLINE? 

A couple of our students from the U.K. have bought their Tourist Visa online with VisaCuba. They told me that it was fairly safe and easy, it was delivered by royal mail and it cost around £15 GBP plus a £10 GBP service charge.

WHAT’S YOUR EXPERIENCE?

If you want to share your experience of buying a Cuban Tourist Card, then please feel free to email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com and I will update my post.  

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Havana Balconies

Habana Libre Hotel

Plaza de la Dignidad

IS TRINIDAD CUBA A GOOD PLACE TO LEARN SPANISH?

MY VISIT TO CUBA

Hola Rena, Misleidys y Gustavo

I can’t thank you enough for arranging my visit to Cuba and making my stay there an absolute joy.

Misleidys and Gustavo are spectacular hosts. The whole family welcomed me into their lives and made me feel at home right away. Misleidys is a marvelous cook and Gustavo is the master fixer of all things – including my bicycle. Our many conversations about life in Cuba offered a priceless glimpse into this beautiful and complex country – “es complicado”. 

My three weeks of Spanish classes with Juani were wonderful. She is a great, patient teacher, and is very happy to share her wealth of experience with her students. 

Trinidad is a great place to kick back and spend some time. The town is big enough to keep you entertained with all the arts and cultural activities, but small enough to be very safe and welcoming. The setting is spectacular – close to both the beach and the mountains.

I can’t recommend this experience any more highly. You will fall in love with this family and with Cuba. I can’t wait to go back.

¡Te extraño mucho!

Thanks very much to Barbara from Canada for her wonderful review and pictures of the Casa in Trinidad.

Casa in Trinidad, Cuba

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

FELIZ NAVIDAD 2013

Experience The Real Cuba

Felices Fiestas to everyone.  Wishing you all the best for 2014!

9 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CUBA AND MONEY EXCHANGE

SHOULD I TAKE CASH OR CREDIT CARDS TO CUBA?

If you are planning a trip to Cuba and you are confused about what you should or shouldn´t bring to Cuba with regards to currency and credit cards, then my advice would be to take a step back and think about what you would feel most comfortable with.  Personally, I’m quite happy to travel with cash only, and take a credit card in case of an emergency, but not everyone feels the same.

1. What is the currency of Cuba?
   
   
   There are 2 currencies in Cuba; the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) and the Cuban Peso (CUP). The difference in value is around 1:24.  In order to avoid an expensive mistake, make sure you know what the CUC and the CUP coins and notes look like and learn how to differentiate between them.
   
   
2. Which currency can I use as a tourist in Cuba?
   
   
   You will use the CUC to pay for most things i.e. Casas, hotels, taxis, restaurants, bars, souvenir shopping, transport, tours etc.  The CUP is the weaker currency.  Most Cubans who have government jobs are paid with the CUP.  It is not always obvious when you can use the CUP; if you are unsure then speak with your Casa.  You can buy CUP at the CADECA or by receiving change from street vendors when paying with CUC. Generally there are fewer opportunities for you to pay for things with the CUP but it is possible to buy things from peso shops, fruit & veg on the streets and markets, eat at some restaurants and buy sandwiches and other food from street vendors.
   
   
3. Can I buy CUC from my home country?
   
   
   No, it is not possible to buy CUC outside of Cuba, you will have to buy it at the airport upon arrival at a CADECA exchange bureau or by withdrawing money from an ATM. Check out my "10 Tips About Buying Cuban Currency Before you Travel to Cuba".
   
   
4. Which currency should I bring to Cuba?
   
   
   Well that depends on where you live and which currencies you have access to.  Whatever currency you bring you will have to exchange it into CUC, so check out the latest exchange rates in Cuba before you travel so you can make an informed choice.  When you are checking out the exchange rates, remember to look at the column that says ‘compra’, because you want to buy CUC and if you are looking to buy using GBP or Euros then multiply instead of divide the rate shown. 
   
   
   Being originally from the UK, I have always taken GBP and I’ve noticed over the years that you get more for your money when you exchange GBP. But now that I’m no longer based in the UK it’s not always possible to buy GBP so my second choice of currency is the Euro.  Canadian Dollars are also a good currency to take.  Whilst other currencies are accepted, they are often weaker so you should check out what is best for you.  I would not advise taking US Dollars as you will lose 10% in commission.
   
   
5. Is it safe to carry lots of cash in Cuba?
   
   
   The first time I went to Cuba I didn’t know what to expect so I was super cautious and I took traveller’s cheques, cash and a credit card.  But since then I have felt comfortable and safe carrying cash in Cuba. Luckily for me, I´ve never had any problems, I usually exchange enough money at the CADECA at the airport to see me through at least a few days in Havana and then when I get to Trinidad I tend to exchange enough money to last me for the rest of my stay in Cuba.  I prefer exchanging the bulk of my money at the bank in Trinidad as it is a relaxed town and you tend to get served quickly; they can tell you are a tourist and usually deal with you straight away.   When I get to the Casa I usually lock my money in my suitcase or I sometimes carry a Safepac, where I keep my money and passport.  In any case, I find that staying in a Casa is safe, I have never had money go missing from my room and I don’t tend to carry lots of money around with me on the streets, I just take what I need and leave the rest behind at the casa.
   
   
6. Where is the best place to exchange money in Cuba?
   
   
   The best place for me to exchange money is the place that has the smallest queue.  It doesn’t really make a difference if you exchange money at the bank or at the CADECA, there is very little difference in the exchange rate, so there is no point in wasting your day trying to get the best rate, just do it where it is most convenient for you.  The only places I tend to avoid, if possible, are the hotels, as I find that their rates are lower than the bank or CADECA.  But if this is your only option then exchange what you need at the hotel until you can find a CADECA or a bank.
   
   
7. Can I use Credit Cards in Cuba?
   
   
   Many UK / European credit cards affiliated to US banks are still not accepted in Cuba i.e. Citi Bank, Capital One, Maestro, MBNA, AMX, any Mastercard from a Canadian Credit Union, Diners, Egg, Santander/RBS, Marks & Spenser, Alliance & Leicester, etc.  So you should contact your credit card supplier to confirm whether their credit cards are accepted in Cuba and to confirm what charges they will apply if used in Cuba.
   
   
   The following UK / European global debit and credit cards can be used in Cuba; Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide, Post Office, Yorkshire, Tesco, HSBC, Halifax, Natwest, Starling, Monzo.
   
   
   If you are traveling from Canada you are able to use credit cards from the following credit card companies; Royal Bank, TD / Canada Trust, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, PC Financial and Canadian Tire mastercard, as well as Quebec’s National Bank mastercard and Desjardins visa.
   
   
8. Can I use ATM machines in Cuba?
   
   
   Don’t expect to find ATM machines on every street corner in Cuba.  Cuba is not like back at home. Off course, you can find ATMs but they are few and far between, especially outside of Havana, so I wouldn’t rely on just my credit card when travelling around Cuba.  If you do want to take your credit card with you, I would suggest that you withdraw money when you find an ATM, do not leave it until the last minute as you may not be able to find one when you desperately want one.  Also it might be better to take out large sums of money each time you make a withdrawal rather than taking out small amounts every couple of days; to save you money on the transaction charges from your credit card provider.  
   
   
   Hence, if your credit card is accepted in Cuba, you should be able to use your credit card to withdraw money from an ATM machine in Cuba.  Most reports I’ve read on the lonely planet forum have been good, it appears that most people have been able to make withdrawals, unless the machine is out of money.  In any case, you should check with your credit card provider before you travel to see if it is accepted in Cuba and to find out how much their transaction fees are.  If you experience problems with using an ATM machine in Cuba, then your other option would be to go inside the bank and ask them for a cash advance.
   
   
9. Where can I find more information about Cuba and money exchange?
   
   
   Check out the following article on the Lonely Planet forum.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

CADECA Havana

Queuing up at CADECA

Street Vendors Havana

Paying with CUP in Havana

Eating Ice-Cream at Coppelia, Havana