Havana is one of the coolest cities I've ever been to!
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Oh yes in my early 20's (in 1996), I traveled alone but was at a family and didn't really have the tourist experience... Stayed mostly in Havana but spent a day in Playas del Este, also visited Cienfuegos while staying a few days in Cumanayagua in the countryside at one of my pen pal's family home and he also took me to beautiful Trinidad one day
I love Cuba and really felt like at home, but my parents are spaniard so I speak the language and a lot of culture is quite similar, and I already had Cubans in my personal and professional background.
Varadero resort was purely created for tourism but the beach is impressive apparently. The country is beautiful and Cubans are lovely, easy-going and educated people.
The shortages began after the USSR dismantling obviously.
There was rationing and food shortage in the cities, even if you had the money to buy in the black market. I remember once accompanying my friend/lodger to the Havana farmers market and there was little meat because we went late. Food is generally simple and enough, but not much variety.
Same for the fuel, sometimes local buses were just canceled so you had to find solutions, as Cubans do. Once, as I didn't find any car ("illegal" taxis) available, I had to walk back from "Old Havana' to "Miramar", where I stayed, I just checked it's 7 km. I was young and fit lol but it rained and I still remember the blisters
When my lodgers' husband walked me to the bus station to go to Cienfuegos (227 km from Havana), it was an evening (dark), all buses were cancelled eventually but he found me a car going to Cienfuegos bus station with the driver and 3 other Cubans paying like me. Road was good and they stopped once at a local stall which looked like a beach "chiringuito" but I stayed in the car. Then I waited and slept at the Cienfuegos bus station until the morning bus to Cumanayagua. I wouldn't have done it where I live tbf (the car thing) but (unfortunatly like most dictatures) it's very safe. And people are friendly and speak easily with other people (like in Spain, especially in the countryside so I was at ease), with humour, not miserable at all despite the difficulties.
Anyway, sorry for all this blahblah
but yes, Cuba absolutely worths the visit !And staying in the tourism circuit, it should be perfectly alright.
Love hearing stuff like this! Cuba is a special place for sure.The shortages began after the USSR dismantling obviously.
There was rationing and food shortage in the cities, even if you had the money to buy in the black market. I remember once accompanying my friend/lodger to the Havana farmers market and there was little meat because we went late. Food is generally simple and enough, but not much variety.
Same for the fuel, sometimes local buses were just canceled so you had to find solutions, as Cubans do. Once, as I didn't find any car ("illegal" taxis) available, I had to walk back from "Old Havana' to "Miramar", where I stayed, I just checked it's 7 km. I was young and fit lol but it rained and I still remember the blisters
When my lodgers' husband walked me to the bus station to go to Cienfuegos (227 km from Havana), it was an evening (dark), all buses were cancelled eventually but he found me a car going to Cienfuegos bus station with the driver and 3 other Cubans paying like me. Road was good and they stopped once at a local stall which looked like a beach "chiringuito" but I stayed in the car. Then I waited and slept at the Cienfuegos bus station until the morning bus to Cumanayagua. I wouldn't have done it where I live tbf (the car thing) but (unfortunatly like most dictatures) it's very safe. And people are friendly and speak easily with other people (like in Spain, especially in the countryside so I was at ease), with humour, not miserable at all despite the difficulties.
Anyway, sorry for all this blahblah
And staying in the tourism circuit, it should be perfectly alright.
We went to Cuba with family in 2014 ( son 15 and daughter 17) we stayed in Varadero and unfortunately only visited Havana for the day ( barman at our hotel had a cousin with a taxi who showed us around!)
Wished we'd stayed a few more days in Havana as it's a truly beautiful city with wonderful architecture and music! ....everywhere we went in Havana there was music
The people were so welcoming , definitely a memorable holiday ...maybe avoid August however - never been somewhere so hot and humid!
I REALLY want to go to Havana. It would be a stretch for us. Is there a ‘more’ affordable way to book a holiday like this? (I know it’s not cheap whatever you do but clever ways to get a good deal). Two adults x
Ah yes, good point! bleeping Trump.
Here's an article about it:
Visas required for UK travellers to US who have visited Cuba | Travel Weekly
Rule applies to trips to island in last 11 years
travelweekly.co.uk
Although now reading more about it, it's as clear as mud what the rules are. Seems many have been fine with ESTA's, others not. Seems even the US embassy doesn't really know!
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I think it is (or was) just for USA citizens (or so I heard), certainly not Europeans (at least not EU citizens at all) and probably not even Canadians as Cuba has been one of their favourites holidays destination for decades now.
Nope it’s for everyone (US Citizens wouldn’t need a visa or esta anyway)
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Oh I read the article. I didn't know, it's quite recent. Probably a way to grab more money....Ah yes, good point! bleeping Trump.
Here's an article about it:
Visas required for UK travellers to US who have visited Cuba | Travel Weekly
Rule applies to trips to island in last 11 years
Although now reading more about it, it's as clear as mud what the rules are. Seems many have been fine with ESTA's, others not. Seems even the US embassy doesn't really know!
Nope, applies to everyone annoyingly! Although looks like as long as you visited before January 12 2021 you don't need a Visa, just an ESTA. After that date, you need a Visa. So basically you have to pay more and have an interview at the US embassy. Hopefully it gets lifted soon and this won't be necessary for much longer.
Yes, you’re right. It wasn't like that before.
I had to do ESTA once to go to Colombia as we had to change airplane in Miami and I had no problem, nor everyone I know.
I flew to and from Stansted two weeks ago and had no problems at all, got through security and passport control within minutes but
Obviously it depends on timings, my flight from was at 6am and I landed back in Stansted at 10pm
Can’t help you regarding the airport situation but if you’re an EU citizen remember that you now need a passport to enter the UK. Seems like lots of people aren’t aware and are being turned down at the airport
Didn't people always need passports? What were they travelling with before?
Identity card
Within the EU an ID is all that’s needed for travel.
Also in non EU but Schengen countries like Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein.
And other countries which have agreements, like Albania, Turkey...
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