Want to learn about Cuban Coffee? 🇨🇺☕ I just released a comprehensive course breaking down the history of coffee on Cuba, where it’s cultivated, the four variations, and how you can make each variation yourself. 🧠 Expand your knowledge of the culture of Cuba by enrolling here: www.udemy.com/course/cubancoffee/?referralCode=961B166FD359ED5A3E53
Tip: take gifts to bless a random person each day w/hard to get items we take for granted like feminine hygene, fishing line/lures, matches or even kids toys.
I've rented a car in Cuba and throughly enjoyed the empty roads and the feeling of independence. There were zero scams or other safety issues, only many friendly beggars. Thank you Romina for this great content and the nice vibe in the video.
Oh yes, driving around in Cuba is a blast! But some people might not like the more unpaved roads, or the sometimes aggressive driving (depending on where you are visiting from). I myself think it's great to just get a car and go! Of course, renting a car in another country brings its own issues, like if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere... it might be scary! Happened to me in Cuba at 3am LOL thanks for watching!!
Just back from Havana this morning and cabs are the way to go. You can get a driver for $75 a day or less while rentals are $250/day. Also, no signage! Driving around looking, for say a restaurant, in Cuba is almost impossible unless you know where you're going. As there are no bus. or residential districts, businesses look unassuming and are run out of and next to homes. Tip: take gifts and bless a random person each day w/hard to get items we take for granted like feminine hygene, fishing line/lures, matches or even old used dvds.
Few more tips: 1. Budget for dancing lessons. Don't do the lessons at some tourist trap either. Find local places where you can receive instruction. I paid $10 per person in Trinidad for an hour of instruction. May have even been able to get it cheaper. But it's worth it for experiencing the nightlife. 2. Stay away from branded cigars. While a cigar shop offers amazing varieties, they are way more expensive and you are better off going to Vinales to get your cigars. They actually mention on the tour that all the makers get their tobacco from the same farms, so unbranded cigars are the better choice. They are actually quite good. 3. Negotiate taxi prices. I hated having to do it to my own people but motherf***ers will try to hike the price if they think you a fool. I had good fortune with my driver to Trinidad from Havana. I got him to lower his price a bit but he actually went out of his way to take me to the Benny More statue in Cienfuegos and rolled me through the back way into the city and showed me some of Escambray on the way while giving me a historical tour. I ended up tipping him very well because he went out of his way. But not everyone will do this for you, certainly not at a reduced cost. Be mindful of it. 4. Mojitos are WAY stronger there. Don't go there thinking you can down a few easy. I have a pretty good tolerance and one of those left me light on my feet for half the day. 5. Find out where the locals eat and drink. Touristy places are nice, but home cooked or closest to it is the way to go. You may have to pay $5 or $6 for a beer at a restaurant for tourists but in the local spots where there are little to no tourists you may be paying $1.50 for the same one. And try their pizza. I thought i was going to dislike the pizza they make but ended up really liking it. 6. Make sure you figure out if breakfast is included with your casa, should you use one. Some will do it, but others won't tell you if they are charging you until after you have eaten. Breakfast is not expensive in the casa's and is actually worth it, particularly the bread they fresh bake every morning, but just make sure you know ahead of time. 7. There are alot more tips i can give, like knowing where to buy internet cards and where to access the internet, but the biggest one i will give is this. Avoid heavy tourist areas if you want real culture. Try to go off the beaten path a bit. Like Romina stated, the country is very safe and most people will actually give you the shirt off their back if they see you struggling. However, the true culture of the island resides in the cut away from the heavy tourism. I visited family in Cerro while in Havana and every time i went there were parties and things going on with locals. Talk with the people and get to know them. It's easy to make extended family in that country despite the political hardships.
10 days. Stayed in Havana for the first 4 days because Carnaval was going on (I stayed in central Havana not Old Havana). Then went to Trinidad for 2 days then Santa Clara for two days then back to Havana for the last two days. I did visit Pinar Del Rio in the first few days. That's where i bought my cigars.
You’re super charismatic and very informative... Eres dulce y sencilla. Muchas gracias por tu honestidad cuando hablas de Cuba. You are so understanding of how Cuba is, and you do an excellent job at explaining that! Thank you
True about the public transportation. I did both public and private drivers. I think you could rent a car. Its totaly safe in Cuba. There are NO guns. Check with your phone plan and find out how much it will cost you to use your smart phone. Definitely a fortune. Get Euros and exchange them for CUCs at the airport. An amazing country!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I only used my phone while at my airbnb because it was next to one of those wifi parks. Otherwise, no phone for me!
In Cuba you can pay with credit and debit cards and pay hotels, rental cars etc Except if they are issued by any American Banks in the USA, Travellers from other countries can easily use them, and also withdrawal money from ATMs
Romina yes I know u are Cubana I’m cubano too I live in New Zealand so with my bank cards was easy and safely for me to travel there My American credits cards didn’t work there I’m glad u had a great time I Love your videos!!!
Hello, thanks for talking so well about Cuba and actually is true all that you said. I'm Cuban and I know perfectly well all our disadvantages but despite all that we are very friendly and do not take advantage of foreign people. I hope that with all your videos more people decide to expend their vacations in our country. Thanks again
I have been to Cuba three times and this is very accurate. I definitely would not recommend driving in Cuba because there are also no street signs or navigation.
Great tips. Interesting you mentioned people not bringing enough money, I know a guy from NYC who did that and had to rely on his casa to pay for him for an entire week. He did somehow get them the money, but that's probably the #1 thing Americans need to know about.
+Here Be Barr scary!! But that's great that they were able to help pay for his expenses while there and that he paid them back. They usually don't have many resources.
+RuinerMatt this is an average. Meaning it's in between expensive and shoestring budgets. My budget was a shoestring budget. I did not stay at an all inclusive, but a very very modest Airbnb. I ended up spending almost that much. Cuba is not incredibly cheap. What makes it expensive is having to bring cash instead of relying on credit cards. I'd rather suggest to bring more than to bring less. I've known friends who have gotten stranded there because of this.
a good room will go for $30 per night and can sleep up to 4 people. Breakfast for $5 per person. Dinners from $7 - $15 per person. Drinks and other misc on top of that. So if 2 people share a room, it will cost you $40 per night including breakfast for the 2 of you.
@@redromina I'm just going from Monday afternoon to Thursday morning and won't be jumping around a lot since it'll be my first time. Hope 600 will be enough, hotel already paid for
I really dont understand how you can tell ppl to bring anywhere from 800 usd to 1500usd / WEEK! Potato jet spent 260ish usd in 5 days, and you give him as in example...From what you are saying, you would need at least 3200usd/month to travel to Cuba, which it doesnt make any sense :)
+BackPackYourLife Like I said, it really depends on your type of travel. I would rather bid high than go to low and have people tell me they ran out of money in a foreign country. Potato Jet really breaks down the price better than I which is precisely why I listed his video as an example. (;
Were you including the hotel/Airbnb in your $800-1500 per week? I think most people pay for those in advance so that shouldn't be included in the amount of money to bring Also @BackPack, Jet didn't do any day trips to Vinales, Varadero, Trinidad which cost 100-150 CUC each
It's not insane if you are doing a lot of activities. If you are going to stay in Cuba for a month, it will cost A LOT less than that. My estimates were if you are traveling for 1 week or less and want to do the most possible. I took day trips almost every day and participated in a lot of activities. I left the apartment at 6AM and got back at 11AM. That's a lot of food, snacks, cafes, activities, tours, gasoline, drivers, taxis, etc. All of those things add up. If you are just going and casually doing things every day then the cost will be lower. The longer you stay in a place, the less you will spend overall.
Having been there myself i can tell you, it's NOT cheap in Cuba. If you go there and JUST stay in old Havana and eat and drink each day with no real activities, then yes, you can get away with spending less money. However, if you are actually traveling around the country and doing things, a couple hundred buck WON'T cut it. Half of that $260 you mentioned is a day excursion to Pinar Del Rio. Imagine trying to do two excursions in 5 days on that budget. You'd be broke. Or, you can save all that money and do virtually nothing in the country and barely experience the culture. Your choice...
They can't probably afford a blockhead like you in their island. You westeners (mainly Yankees) think you monopolose freedom like you did in Iraq in recent past. Leave it to Cuban people to decide for themselves what they want. Stupid arrogant colonists....
I was going to say 800-1500 seems pretty high but i just budgeted my tours and it’s around 300 and my spending cash was going to be around 500-600.... knowing that Airbnb visa and flight are already taken care of... i guess your correct on cost factoring everything in.
Like I said in other comments, my cost was based off doing the most possible every single day for a week. That includes day trips, food, attractions, etc. It adds up. Thanks for watching!! (:
Public bus viazul is reliable, cheap & best way to get around. Don't use the trains. hiring a car is fine i've done it 3 times & if you are careful it's ok. Avoid driving at night in the country because of the bad road conditions & there's no street lights & very easy to get lost. Private driver is good because they know where to go & you can go off the beaten track away from tourist areas.
I am a Canadian living part time in Vinales, Cuba and would like to correct a few of your mistakes here. For the most part you have good info, but please read on. Money: I have met Americans whom have opened up Canadian bank accounts and have Canadian credit cards. You can then use the many ATM's through out the island with your non American affiliated cc. They do have modern ways of paying, but the American Government blocks this. I usually suggest $100 to $150 per day. As for your comment that you stayed at a Airbnb and not a Casa Particular. Yes you did stay at a Casa Particular. You just happened to book your Casa Particular through the Agency Airbnb. This is a term that many Americans label their accommodations with. FYI you can book your Casa Particular through many other reputable agencies as well, some do not charge fees. They are safe, reliable, and a much better experience than hotels. In Vinales the breakfasts are amaziing and usually to much to eat. Public Transportation: The Viazul intercity bus company does work on a very strict schedule and is very reliable. I suggest bringing something warm to wear as they like to crank up the aircon. Some examples of prices are, Havana to Vinales $12, Varadero to Havana $10. You should also book your bus tickets online asap as they sell out fast. You can see the "strict schedules" and buy tickets here: www.viazul.com/. If you can't get a bus ticket, you can accept an offer from one of the many colectivo taxi drivers at the bus stations. They will offer you a shared ride with other travellers for about twice the price of the bus ticket. Don't be afraid to haggle the price down a bit. I also would not recommend renting a car, but not because the roads aren't paved. The roads are for the most part fine, but because you have to rent for a minimum of 3 days and the cost is expensive. Is it safe in Cuba? You answer is correct. Yes it is 100% safe. In the last 10 years I have only heard of two people that I know had the purses stolen, and that is because they did not use common sense. you don't leave a purse on the table in a crowded night club and go dancing for 1/2 hr and tlhink that no one will touch it. As for scams, I recommend asking the person offering a service if the price is for the group or per person. I hope this helps somewhat. For more info: facebook.com/TheAgencyRio/
+Casa Arcoiris they are not mistakes. They're facts based on my personal experience, so they can't be mistakes. (: Casa particular CAN be the same as an Airbnb. In my case, I did not stay in a casa particular in the sense of the phrase. Where people expect breakfast and a service. Most people expect a bed & breakfast kind of experience with casa particular. You do not always get that via an Airbnb. Mine was literally like a hotel room and nothing like staying at a casa particular. None of the people I spoke to, including locals, have had that experience with the bus. Guess you've just been lucky! I saw 0 ATM machines when I went to Cuba. Either way I planned ahead and brought cash so I had no issues!
First off, please don't get offended. My intention is to help other travelers with clear information. Like I said before, Airbnb is just an agency where you can book your Casa Particular. Definition: A Casa Particular is a private residence that is licensed to rent out to tourists. Some are apartments, just rooms, or entire homes, even mansions in the higher end areas of Havana. Some offer meals, but are always a separate cost above the cost of the accommodation. Long before Airbnb arrived on the scene all these places were already being offered on sites such as Cubajunky.com or casaparticular.com, and many others, and they still are. As for the buses, very few Cubans ride on the Viazul, they ride on the Astro buses. To back up my claim on the reliability of Viazul please check this Lonely Planet page: www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/transport/getting-around/bus When did you go to Cuba, because there have been ATM's for the last 2 or 3 years now. The two banks in Vinales have 4 ATM'S between them. The banks and shoping mall in Varadero have them, and pretty much every Banco Metropolitano in Havana have them. In fact the Banco Metropolitano on the corner of Linea and Paseo has 5 of them. I don't know how good this info is, but check out this banks claim to be the only operating American Bank in Cuba: www.bankrate.com/financing/banking/what-its-like-being-the-only-u-s-bank-in-cuba/. I hope this has helped somewhat, and remember we all make mistankes.
+Casa Arcoiris I was not offended. I was merely correcting minor terminologies. Since it wasn't a mistake. Because everything I said in the video is based on facts according to my personal experiences which only I and the people who went with me can account for. That is not a mistake, just a different experience from yours. Like I said in the previous comment, people expect an experience with that nowadays. I am Cuban so I understand that yes, the literal translation for "casa particular" is someone's private home so technically any Airbnb can be considered a casa particular in that sense, but the phrase when it comes to Cuban tourism is closer to a bed and breakfast or hostel at this point which is why I try to make them distinct. I am aware that casa particulares has been a thing long before Airbnb and that the lines are blurred. (: Again, I was just saying what my experience was. They are facts based on my trip! Everybody does make mistakes, but I don't think that is the correct word to use here. We just had different experiences going to Cuba. (; I don't get offended by people on the internet haha
Romina, i just watch your video... Thank you very much for your comments on the people that have "casas particulares" to rent. That's the most comprehensive comment that i have ever seen in a TH-cam "travel to Cuba" video. Thank you so much, from a cuban away from home :) .
I loved this video. I think it is very nice. You sound very sensible! I have never been to Cuba but I plan to go there maybe just with my wife or maybe even with our little daughter and some other people sometime but it's not planned yet. I love your tips and your vision. Thanks.!
Thank you! I hope you get to visit at some point. I will say that right now Cuba isn’t doing so well and I would recommend not bringing a child on the trip. Personally, I would not. It’s safe, but getting clean water is near impossible and it might not be good for a kid. Otherwise I say go for it. The people of Cuba are very kind and love helping visitors. (:
I'm going to Cuba in August (my son is getting married there), the hotel and flights are all booked and we'll be flying from the UK. I've been told I'll only need about £300 at the most as we're staying in a resort all inclusive. As much as I would love to travel around in taxis (I don't even do that at home) so it'll be either public transport or walking. £1000-£1500 isn't realistic on my budget I'm afraid, so the cafes and restaurants are out also as I'll be there for 14 days.
hi i like your videos and found interesting.... but can you tell how much it cost from India to cuba and cuba to india for 15 days.... airport name. everything i want to know
I'd do a combo. I have one of those hidden wallet pouches I zip around my waist under my clothes to put some important cash and docs in there. I take that pouch with me no matter what country I go to. Always a good idea to diversify where the cash is kept!
Depends on how many activities you do. Sure if you just stay at the hotel most of the time and just go to the beach, then you won’t be spending 1/4 of that!!
Hi Romania, Thank you for so much info. Sounds fantastic but surprisingly expensive. I live in western Europe and in a position where I generally escape grey skies from mid December to first week in Jan. I was thinking about joining one of the many tours that go to Cuba. However, I really love independent travel, but there is the 'hassle' of sorting out accommodation, onward travel in Cuba and possibly arranging in Location tours. I plan to go for about 23 days. What would your advice be about doing it independently with a private to take me through the following destinations versus just paying for a tour that includes accommodation, breakfasts and onward travel (excludes international flights): Day 1: HAVANA Day 2: CIENFUEGOS Day 3-5: TRINIDAD Day 6-7: CAMAGUEY Day 8-9: SANTIAGO DE CUBA Day 10-12: BARACOA Day 13-15: HAVANA Day 16-17: VINALES Day 18: LAS TERRAZAS VIA SOROA Day 19-20: HAVANA The inclusive tour accommodation is Cuban B&B's/ Casa Particulares. I guess my other idea about the tour is that I will have the light company of other travellers over the Xmas and New Year period. Thank you in advance for your advice :-)
Romina, you do not bite the anón (sugar apple or custard apple) the way you did on this video. You cut it in half and then use a spoon or a fork to eat it. Also, you can pull it apart using your hands and eat it with no utensils or silverware. BUT DON'T BITE IT!
Los cubanos no queremos que nadie coma el anón usando el método incorrecto y que después digan que Romina nos embarco. I do enjoy your videos very much. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the useful video Romina! Next month I am going by myself to Cuba to shoot a travel video of the country. I am a little worried about leaving my camera gear (a few thousand dollars) behind in a Casa particulara when going out to have dinner or something. Do you think it's safe to do that?
I left my laptop and gear at my casa particulares, but because they had a secure place to put them or I had a room I could lock with a key. I just felt safe. I think you’ll have to play it by ear and feel the energy out for yourself!
Hi, is there a duty free in the Varadero airport where I can use my credit card? About the budget, you said 800 to 1500, that is including the rent I assume, I already paid for my stay in Varadero in a Hostal through airbnb, so for expenses a minimum of 1000 dollars would be recommended? thank you for the info, I am landing in Varadero in March 2018.
Yes I was including the hotel. I don’t know anything about the Varadero airport as I have never been there. Yes minimum of 1K is okay. If you can afford more then obviously better safe than sorry. Just make sure you budget while you are there and don’t spend too much on food! 😉
The riding the bus task is not a hard one. It's only hard if you are not fluent in Spanish and/or not knowing where you are going. The cost to ride is less than 1 CUC one way. I believe it may break down to 20cents.
I suppose it would depend what you were looking to buy and the risks involved in getting it to you... Not to mention, the scammers who have deals with corrupt police to entrap and extort money out of you in exchange for "turning a blind eye to your crime" Sooo I guess it's like anywhere else "worth it, as long as what you are buying is worth the cost and risks to you"
hey thank you so much for watching!! Actually the man who was my driver is a pretty good tour guide too. If he isn't able to provie what you want, then maybe he can point you in the write direction. His info is in the description of the video. Contact him! (:
Hi Romina, I have been told that getting a private driver is the best option for transportation in Cuba- which you mentioned. Can you please tell me the best way to organize that? I'm 1 of the couple guys in my group helping organize this trip in January 2018. You mentioned trip advisor but I have no idea where to even start when going to the trip advisor site. I have never used trip advisor besides for reading reviews... Thanks in advance.
Hey Romina, just saw a few of your videos about Cuba. I'll be there in April. Im interested in your Private Driver situation. How did you search it and what was the cost like? I'm staying in havana but I want to go to Varadero as well. Its a large group of 12 ppl. So if we can book 3 private drivers for our stay that would be amazing. Just need some general pricing and how to find one
Thanks for watching! I wish you the best on your trip. I would contact my driver. I put his info in the description of this video. He will be able to answer your questions.
I have been wanting to go to Cuba for 3 years. I am finally going there on the 12th of Decemeber for 2 weeks with my housemate who speaks spanish. Tbh your videos were very raw and you are so honest...it helped me get a better understanding of what to expect. So thank you for taking the time to make these videos :)
You don't need 800 dollars for a week in Cuba. It depends on how fine food and hotels you visit. 300 dollars is more than enough for a week, drinking, eating well and going out every night.
I’m not only talking about that... I am talking about taking advantage of your time and doing everything possible. Taking day trips, not just staying in one or two towns. Doing attractions. Those things add up! (:
IKR? My wife has never been to any of those places. I was stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany and I've worked at Dutch Harbor Alaska and have also been all over the mainland of AK but I've never been to Cuba so we may end up there, hopefully, lol.
ahahha I laughed so much at the fruit that you were eating... I think u are supposed to eat the inside only yup... ahah and you can make really good shakes with that....
LoL they don't like usd cost them to much to exchange. Also yes they do have credit cards machines. They just don't accept American credit cards. I didn't hear you talk about the departure tax. Public busses cost $5 CUC per person and the ticket stub can be used to return to your hotel. The exchange rate is high so is you have credit cards that are not American I suggest you use those.
I took a lot of day trips so my price will not be very useful. But I can tell you that you can find a driver from anywhere between 20-50 a day. Then if you want to take day trips somewhere they usually have flat fees and gas. That’s something you’d have to negotiate with the driver. But they can take you 2 or 3 hours away from Havana or wherever you are staying for day trips. My driver’s info should be in the description of the video. You can contact him for more specific info and let him know you found his info through me! (: Hope that helps!
+psulionz87 I am! My visa was to reconnect with relatives there! I just don't remember how long it took, which was your question. I don't remember it taking me very long.
when you go to the airport they will hand you a paper with the 12 reasons that you can visit Cuba. Tick anyone that suits your fancy. I am Canadian, but flew out of NY last Feb. So I had to fill out the same document as Americans. I just said eeny meeny miny mo and ticked one off. The woman at the counter just rolled her eyes, laughed it off and accepted my completed form.
The bus system is not reliable. The bus I was to take from Playa Giron to Havana was full, so I had to wait all day for the evening. Again the bus was full, but the driver seeing I was desperate kindly let me sit on the floor. My ass was killing me!
+Sandy Hurtado that’s hard to say. If they say they have wireless they probably mean that you can buy it by the hour. That’s pretty customary in Cuba. But I don’t know how the bigger hotels work since I didn’t stay at any.
Wow that’s great! I’m really not sure. Like I said in the video, with my experience I wasn’t able to use cards. Some other people commenting on this video have said that it depends on the country you come from. I’ve had some Canadians say they haven’t had any issue. I always travel with cash when I travel no matter where I go and try to use it as much as possible instead of any card. But that’s just me!
No sir if you can, convert your currency to Euro here and take with you... any type of card will not work even if you use the bank machine... Take cash
do not take American $. You will be charge 10% on top of the 3% exchange rate. Change your money into Euros, Mex pesos, or Can $. Whateve works best for you.
Everyone travels differently. I did a lot of things in my time in Cuba and those trips cost money. I added a little bit than what I paid. I usually leave the hotel at 6AM and get back at 11PM. That’s eating out every day multiple times a day, excursions, attractions, transportations. I don’t want to claim everyone can do the cheapest because not everyone can. So I’d rather go higher than have someone come back and tell me it wasn’t enough! (:
did you book the driver online before going to cuba , which company did you use? I am going to Cuba next week - any replies would be much appreciated THANKS :)
+1shasha use trip advisor, like I said in the video. I was referred by a friend so I directly booked through them but my driver is also on trip advisor.
I just want to comment and say thank you for the video but I have to defend my favorite fruit that you ate at 2:01. It probably tasted weird because you ate the skin which you're not supposed to. You only should suck the jelly off the seeds and then it'll be more enjoyable lol
Thanks for the tips , coming from your friends video. I hope this is not improper : you have this beautiful dark eyes, it’s pretty unusual ; do they come from part of your ancestry ? I have seen something similar on some but not all of the Roma’s people. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
You can go with a special visa. You can’t just go like on vacation. They have visas for different things. The most popular for tourists is called People to People.
you were advising to take along cash but another option is to "overpay" your credit card...check with your bank for details. This is especially useful if you have a long stay in Cuba and don't want to carry around large amount of cash..Great advise on local transportation; definitely my experience was very good with private taxis despite the sometimes mechanical difficulties they had with their cars....I did take some outward trips that way....though I was more adventurous at the time and had other friends with me. I did rent a car for couple of days and while interesting driving myself it was very very expensive way to take a trip. I also had experience with taking a public bus from Havana to Santiago de Cuba on my own after initial arrival which was quite interesting with minimal spanish knwledge and 2 heavy suitcases...I would say that the Cubans at the station were more startled than I and I did stand out ...hahha....despite the sometimes deplorable toilet conditions in Cuba it has been best experience of my life meeting Cubans and staying at a Casa particular and meeting regular Cuban people on a daily basis as well as the other visitors in my group from other countries (me from Canada, 1 from US and the rest from Eastern Europe)...You definitely have a good understanding of how things work there a deep respect for their people. Again a brilliant adventure for a then 50+ yr old going on 30...hahaha. thanks again!
The reason I said cash is because when I went, I could not use any credit cards while in Cuba at all and have heard that others have had the same issue. It might be a US thing? I am not sure... Canadians and others have reported no issues on that front.
I am Canadian Romina so this may be different(also I stayed there in a casa P for one month) and my experience was in 2009. thank you for your reply and vid.!
Want to learn about Cuban Coffee? 🇨🇺☕ I just released a comprehensive course breaking down the history of coffee on Cuba, where it’s cultivated, the four variations, and how you can make each variation yourself. 🧠 Expand your knowledge of the culture of Cuba by enrolling here: www.udemy.com/course/cubancoffee/?referralCode=961B166FD359ED5A3E53
Hey Romina, I presume you visited Cuba 🇨🇺 via Canada 🇨🇦, Mexico 🇲🇽 or the Bahamas 🇧🇸??
Tip: take gifts to bless a random person each day w/hard to get items we take for granted like feminine hygene, fishing line/lures, matches or even kids toys.
Great tip! (:
Love it ❤️❤️
I've rented a car in Cuba and throughly enjoyed the empty roads and the feeling of independence. There were zero scams or other safety issues, only many friendly beggars. Thank you Romina for this great content and the nice vibe in the video.
Oh yes, driving around in Cuba is a blast! But some people might not like the more unpaved roads, or the sometimes aggressive driving (depending on where you are visiting from). I myself think it's great to just get a car and go! Of course, renting a car in another country brings its own issues, like if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere... it might be scary! Happened to me in Cuba at 3am LOL thanks for watching!!
Looking at the comments on cuban renting companies on Google, it does seem like your advice of not renting a car is shared by many.
Just back from Havana this morning and cabs are the way to go. You can get a driver for $75 a day or less while rentals are $250/day. Also, no signage! Driving around looking, for say a restaurant, in Cuba is almost impossible unless you know where you're going. As there are no bus. or residential districts, businesses look unassuming and are run out of and next to homes. Tip: take gifts and bless a random person each day w/hard to get items we take for granted like feminine hygene, fishing line/lures, matches or even old used dvds.
Few more tips:
1. Budget for dancing lessons. Don't do the lessons at some tourist trap either. Find local places where you can receive instruction. I paid $10 per person in Trinidad for an hour of instruction. May have even been able to get it cheaper. But it's worth it for experiencing the nightlife.
2. Stay away from branded cigars. While a cigar shop offers amazing varieties, they are way more expensive and you are better off going to Vinales to get your cigars. They actually mention on the tour that all the makers get their tobacco from the same farms, so unbranded cigars are the better choice. They are actually quite good.
3. Negotiate taxi prices. I hated having to do it to my own people but motherf***ers will try to hike the price if they think you a fool. I had good fortune with my driver to Trinidad from Havana. I got him to lower his price a bit but he actually went out of his way to take me to the Benny More statue in Cienfuegos and rolled me through the back way into the city and showed me some of Escambray on the way while giving me a historical tour. I ended up tipping him very well because he went out of his way. But not everyone will do this for you, certainly not at a reduced cost. Be mindful of it.
4. Mojitos are WAY stronger there. Don't go there thinking you can down a few easy. I have a pretty good tolerance and one of those left me light on my feet for half the day.
5. Find out where the locals eat and drink. Touristy places are nice, but home cooked or closest to it is the way to go. You may have to pay $5 or $6 for a beer at a restaurant for tourists but in the local spots where there are little to no tourists you may be paying $1.50 for the same one. And try their pizza. I thought i was going to dislike the pizza they make but ended up really liking it.
6. Make sure you figure out if breakfast is included with your casa, should you use one. Some will do it, but others won't tell you if they are charging you until after you have eaten. Breakfast is not expensive in the casa's and is actually worth it, particularly the bread they fresh bake every morning, but just make sure you know ahead of time.
7. There are alot more tips i can give, like knowing where to buy internet cards and where to access the internet, but the biggest one i will give is this. Avoid heavy tourist areas if you want real culture. Try to go off the beaten path a bit. Like Romina stated, the country is very safe and most people will actually give you the shirt off their back if they see you struggling. However, the true culture of the island resides in the cut away from the heavy tourism. I visited family in Cerro while in Havana and every time i went there were parties and things going on with locals. Talk with the people and get to know them. It's easy to make extended family in that country despite the political hardships.
Really fantastic tips and advice! Thank you so much for sharing. How long were you in Cuba for?
10 days. Stayed in Havana for the first 4 days because Carnaval was going on (I stayed in central Havana not Old Havana). Then went to Trinidad for 2 days then Santa Clara for two days then back to Havana for the last two days. I did visit Pinar Del Rio in the first few days. That's where i bought my cigars.
You’re super charismatic and very informative... Eres dulce y sencilla. Muchas gracias por tu honestidad cuando hablas de Cuba. You are so understanding of how Cuba is, and you do an excellent job at explaining that! Thank you
Thank you so much!
True about the public transportation. I did both public and private drivers. I think you could rent a car. Its totaly safe in Cuba. There are NO guns. Check with your phone plan and find out how much it will cost you to use your smart phone. Definitely a fortune. Get Euros and exchange them for CUCs at the airport. An amazing country!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I only used my phone while at my airbnb because it was next to one of those wifi parks. Otherwise, no phone for me!
I was born from a cuban dad and a Salvadoran mom I would love to visit Cuba and El Salvador someday that would cool.
In Cuba you can pay with credit and debit cards and pay hotels, rental cars etc
Except if they are issued by any American Banks in the USA,
Travellers from other countries can easily use them, and also withdrawal money from ATMs
Yes this is true as other commenters have stated. When I went, there was no mention of this. Also I am from the US.
Romina yes I know u are Cubana
I’m cubano too
I live in New Zealand so with my bank cards was easy and safely for me to travel there
My American credits cards didn’t work there
I’m glad u had a great time
I
Love your videos!!!
Dope. I need to go to NZ. thanks for watching mate 💙🖖
Romina you will be very welcome !!
Aotearoa is waiting for you!!
Hello, thanks for talking so well about Cuba and actually is true all that you said. I'm Cuban and I know perfectly well all our disadvantages but despite all that we are very friendly and do not take advantage of foreign people. I hope that with all your videos more people decide to expend their vacations in our country. Thanks again
Thank you so much! I hope the same.
Hey girlie! My hubby and I are thinking of going to Cuba and this video will be a big help to us...
Girl! If you have any questions you let me know. (: I’ll be happy to help however I can.
I have been to Cuba three times and this is very accurate. I definitely would not recommend driving in Cuba because there are also no street signs or navigation.
Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you’ve liked it enough to repeat. Anything else you recommend for newbies? (:
Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you’ve liked it enough to repeat. Anything else you recommend for newbies? (:
Great tips. Interesting you mentioned people not bringing enough money, I know a guy from NYC who did that and had to rely on his casa to pay for him for an entire week. He did somehow get them the money, but that's probably the #1 thing Americans need to know about.
+Here Be Barr scary!! But that's great that they were able to help pay for his expenses while there and that he paid them back. They usually don't have many resources.
$1500 US per week? Wouldn't that would be 4 star all inclusive in Veradero
+RuinerMatt this is an average. Meaning it's in between expensive and shoestring budgets. My budget was a shoestring budget. I did not stay at an all inclusive, but a very very modest Airbnb. I ended up spending almost that much. Cuba is not incredibly cheap. What makes it expensive is having to bring cash instead of relying on credit cards. I'd rather suggest to bring more than to bring less. I've known friends who have gotten stranded there because of this.
a good room will go for $30 per night and can sleep up to 4 people. Breakfast for $5 per person. Dinners from $7 - $15 per person. Drinks and other misc on top of that. So if 2 people share a room, it will cost you $40 per night including breakfast for the 2 of you.
@@redromina I'm just going from Monday afternoon to Thursday morning and won't be jumping around a lot since it'll be my first time. Hope 600 will be enough, hotel already paid for
Check out Sunwing you can get a 4* all inclusive for 1300 or cheaper. When I stay at resorts I bring maybe 400$ spending cash Canadian.
Thanks for those excellent videos ! I love them !
Left in love with Cuba
It’s great! Thanks for watching 💙🖖
I really dont understand how you can tell ppl to bring anywhere from 800 usd to 1500usd / WEEK! Potato jet spent 260ish usd in 5 days, and you give him as in example...From what you are saying, you would need at least 3200usd/month to travel to Cuba, which it doesnt make any sense :)
+BackPackYourLife Like I said, it really depends on your type of travel. I would rather bid high than go to low and have people tell me they ran out of money in a foreign country. Potato Jet really breaks down the price better than I which is precisely why I listed his video as an example. (;
Were you including the hotel/Airbnb in your $800-1500 per week? I think most people pay for those in advance so that shouldn't be included in the amount of money to bring
Also @BackPack, Jet didn't do any day trips to Vinales, Varadero, Trinidad which cost 100-150 CUC each
That number is completely insane.
It's not insane if you are doing a lot of activities. If you are going to stay in Cuba for a month, it will cost A LOT less than that. My estimates were if you are traveling for 1 week or less and want to do the most possible. I took day trips almost every day and participated in a lot of activities. I left the apartment at 6AM and got back at 11AM. That's a lot of food, snacks, cafes, activities, tours, gasoline, drivers, taxis, etc. All of those things add up. If you are just going and casually doing things every day then the cost will be lower. The longer you stay in a place, the less you will spend overall.
Having been there myself i can tell you, it's NOT cheap in Cuba. If you go there and JUST stay in old Havana and eat and drink each day with no real activities, then yes, you can get away with spending less money. However, if you are actually traveling around the country and doing things, a couple hundred buck WON'T cut it. Half of that $260 you mentioned is a day excursion to Pinar Del Rio. Imagine trying to do two excursions in 5 days on that budget. You'd be broke. Or, you can save all that money and do virtually nothing in the country and barely experience the culture. Your choice...
Awesome tips! And thanks for the mention Romina! :D
+Potato Jet thank you for watching! And of course!
They can't probably afford a blockhead like you in their island. You westeners (mainly Yankees) think you monopolose freedom like you did in Iraq in recent past. Leave it to Cuban people to decide for themselves what they want. Stupid arrogant colonists....
What are you even talking about? 🙄
I was going to say 800-1500 seems pretty high but i just budgeted my tours and it’s around 300 and my spending cash was going to be around 500-600.... knowing that Airbnb visa and flight are already taken care of... i guess your correct on cost factoring everything in.
Like I said in other comments, my cost was based off doing the most possible every single day for a week. That includes day trips, food, attractions, etc. It adds up. Thanks for watching!! (:
@@redromina how much do people typically spend on food a day?
wow the coolest cuba vid super informativ
Great information, thank you , much appreciated
Great video! We have watched your videos to plan our trip to Cuba and now we have made our own travel vlogs about Cuba!! 😄👏🏼
That’s great! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing !
Thank you for watching!
Thank you Great video.
We've been enjoying the content Romina. Nice way of commentating.
Thank you!
Outstanding video!
Well done 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thanks!
You have the sweetest smile!
Thanks!
Public bus viazul is reliable, cheap & best way to get around. Don't use the trains. hiring a car is fine i've done it 3 times & if you are careful it's ok. Avoid driving at night in the country because of the bad road conditions & there's no street lights & very easy to get lost.
Private driver is good because they know where to go & you can go off the beaten track away from tourist areas.
I am a Canadian living part time in Vinales, Cuba and would like to correct a few of your mistakes here. For the most part you have good info, but please read on. Money: I have met Americans whom have opened up Canadian bank accounts and have Canadian credit cards. You can then use the many ATM's through out the island with your non American affiliated cc. They do have modern ways of paying, but the American Government blocks this. I usually suggest $100 to $150 per day. As for your comment that you stayed at a Airbnb and not a Casa Particular. Yes you did stay at a Casa Particular. You just happened to book your Casa Particular through the Agency Airbnb. This is a term that many Americans label their accommodations with. FYI you can book your Casa Particular through many other reputable agencies as well, some do not charge fees. They are safe, reliable, and a much better experience than hotels. In Vinales the breakfasts are amaziing and usually to much to eat. Public Transportation: The Viazul intercity bus company does work on a very strict schedule and is very reliable. I suggest bringing something warm to wear as they like to crank up the aircon. Some examples of prices are, Havana to Vinales $12, Varadero to Havana $10. You should also book your bus tickets online asap as they sell out fast. You can see the "strict schedules" and buy tickets here: www.viazul.com/. If you can't get a bus ticket, you can accept an offer from one of the many colectivo taxi drivers at the bus stations. They will offer you a shared ride with other travellers for about twice the price of the bus ticket. Don't be afraid to haggle the price down a bit. I also would not recommend renting a car, but not because the roads aren't paved. The roads are for the most part fine, but because you have to rent for a minimum of 3 days and the cost is expensive.
Is it safe in Cuba? You answer is correct. Yes it is 100% safe. In the last 10 years I have only heard of two people that I know had the purses stolen, and that is because they did not use common sense. you don't leave a purse on the table in a crowded night club and go dancing for 1/2 hr and tlhink that no one will touch it. As for scams, I recommend asking the person offering a service if the price is for the group or per person. I hope this helps somewhat. For more info: facebook.com/TheAgencyRio/
+Casa Arcoiris they are not mistakes. They're facts based on my personal experience, so they can't be mistakes. (:
Casa particular CAN be the same as an Airbnb. In my case, I did not stay in a casa particular in the sense of the phrase. Where people expect breakfast and a service. Most people expect a bed & breakfast kind of experience with casa particular. You do not always get that via an Airbnb. Mine was literally like a hotel room and nothing like staying at a casa particular.
None of the people I spoke to, including locals, have had that experience with the bus. Guess you've just been lucky!
I saw 0 ATM machines when I went to Cuba. Either way I planned ahead and brought cash so I had no issues!
First off, please don't get offended. My intention is to help other travelers with clear information. Like I said before, Airbnb is just an agency where you can book your Casa Particular. Definition: A Casa Particular is a private residence that is licensed to rent out to tourists. Some are apartments, just rooms, or entire homes, even mansions in the higher end areas of Havana. Some offer meals, but are always a separate cost above the cost of the accommodation. Long before Airbnb arrived on the scene all these places were already being offered on sites such as Cubajunky.com or casaparticular.com, and many others, and they still are.
As for the buses, very few Cubans ride on the Viazul, they ride on the Astro buses. To back up my claim on the reliability of Viazul please check this Lonely Planet page: www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/transport/getting-around/bus
When did you go to Cuba, because there have been ATM's for the last 2 or 3 years now. The two banks in Vinales have 4 ATM'S between them. The banks and shoping mall in Varadero have them, and pretty much every Banco Metropolitano in Havana have them. In fact the Banco Metropolitano on the corner of Linea and Paseo has 5 of them.
I don't know how good this info is, but check out this banks claim to be the only operating American Bank in Cuba: www.bankrate.com/financing/banking/what-its-like-being-the-only-u-s-bank-in-cuba/.
I hope this has helped somewhat, and remember we all make mistankes.
+Casa Arcoiris I was not offended. I was merely correcting minor terminologies. Since it wasn't a mistake. Because everything I said in the video is based on facts according to my personal experiences which only I and the people who went with me can account for. That is not a mistake, just a different experience from yours.
Like I said in the previous comment, people expect an experience with that nowadays. I am Cuban so I understand that yes, the literal translation for "casa particular" is someone's private home so technically any Airbnb can be considered a casa particular in that sense, but the phrase when it comes to Cuban tourism is closer to a bed and breakfast or hostel at this point which is why I try to make them distinct. I am aware that casa particulares has been a thing long before Airbnb and that the lines are blurred. (:
Again, I was just saying what my experience was. They are facts based on my trip! Everybody does make mistakes, but I don't think that is the correct word to use here. We just had different experiences going to Cuba. (;
I don't get offended by people on the internet haha
Romina, i just watch your video... Thank you very much for your comments on the people that have "casas particulares" to rent. That's the most comprehensive comment that i have ever seen in a TH-cam "travel to Cuba" video. Thank you so much, from a cuban away from home :) .
Thats so great. Thank you so much for watching. I am very happy that you liked my video! 💙🖖🇨🇺
Cuba is the best, great culture! ;)
I loved this video. I think it is very nice. You sound very sensible! I have never been to Cuba but I plan to go there maybe just with my wife or maybe even with our little daughter and some other people sometime but it's not planned yet. I love your tips and your vision. Thanks.!
Thank you! I hope you get to visit at some point. I will say that right now Cuba isn’t doing so well and I would recommend not bringing a child on the trip. Personally, I would not. It’s safe, but getting clean water is near impossible and it might not be good for a kid. Otherwise I say go for it. The people of Cuba are very kind and love helping visitors. (:
Very helpful. I grew up half my life in PR so language is not a barrier but the money tip and casas info was very helpful❤
+Jacinthia Marie thanks for watching! That's good it was helpful. Let me know if you have other questions (:
I'm going to Cuba in August (my son is getting married there), the hotel and flights are all booked and we'll be flying from the UK. I've been told I'll only need about £300 at the most as we're staying in a resort all inclusive. As much as I would love to travel around in taxis (I don't even do that at home) so it'll be either public transport or walking. £1000-£1500 isn't realistic on my budget I'm afraid, so the cafes and restaurants are out also as I'll be there for 14 days.
You do you. (:
Really enjoyed this. :)
Thanks!
Great video! Flying to Cuba in a month and found this very helpful 🙂
Love the video!!
Thanks!
hi i like your videos and found interesting.... but can you tell how much it cost from India to cuba and cuba to india for 15 days.... airport name. everything i want to know
Una bella ciudad para visitar es Trinidad. No se lo pierdan! Hermoso trabajo chica
Gracias! Si tango videos de Trinidad saliendo en unas semanas!! No se lo pierda!
Amo esa ciudad. Es mucha historia de nuestros antepasados. Lindo trabajo el tuyo. Esperaré ansiosa por el próximo vídeo.
I want to see your video on travel on a low budget
I don’t know if I’m very good at that! There’s def others who are better. I get some deals, but I’m def not as cheap 😅
@@redromina lol
Great video. Where should I keep all of my $ while in Cuba? (Should I carry it around with me or hide it in my room etc?)
I'd do a combo. I have one of those hidden wallet pouches I zip around my waist under my clothes to put some important cash and docs in there. I take that pouch with me no matter what country I go to. Always a good idea to diversify where the cash is kept!
Thank you so much 👍
Thank you!
I can tell you that if you bring 800-1500usd per week, you will be living like a real king !
Depends on how many activities you do. Sure if you just stay at the hotel most of the time and just go to the beach, then you won’t be spending 1/4 of that!!
Cool. Video. Lemme know if you come to Saigon. I'll show you around.
thanks for watching!
You remind me of the lead singer from paramore ! So pretty
Haha I’ve only gotten that a couple times in my life and I still don’t see it!! But thank you so much 💙🖖
Ur awesome ❤️
I just subscribed cuz you deserve it !
thank you!!
Hi Romania, Thank you for so much info. Sounds fantastic but surprisingly expensive. I live in western Europe and in a position where I generally escape grey skies from mid December to first week in Jan. I was thinking about joining one of the many tours that go to Cuba.
However, I really love independent travel, but there is the 'hassle' of sorting out accommodation, onward travel in Cuba and possibly arranging in Location tours. I plan to go for about 23 days.
What would your advice be about doing it independently with a private to take me through the following destinations versus just paying for a tour that includes accommodation, breakfasts and onward travel (excludes international flights):
Day 1: HAVANA
Day 2: CIENFUEGOS
Day 3-5: TRINIDAD
Day 6-7: CAMAGUEY
Day 8-9: SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Day 10-12: BARACOA
Day 13-15: HAVANA
Day 16-17: VINALES
Day 18: LAS TERRAZAS VIA SOROA
Day 19-20: HAVANA
The inclusive tour accommodation is Cuban B&B's/ Casa Particulares.
I guess my other idea about the tour is that I will have the light company of other travellers over the Xmas and New Year period.
Thank you in advance for your advice :-)
I've learned that I suck at budgeting and always bring twice the recommended amount because somehow my money disappears when I travel XD
+Psych IRL haha well that's good thinking!! Maybe I should make a video about budgeting... 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
1500 dollars is 1100 pounds is it including the accommodation~?
I'm going to Havana at the end of July 2018 so I found your videos very helpful - especially about bringing cash! Thanks alot!
Thank you so much! I hope you have a nice time. 🖖💙
I'm going August Sixth!
did you love it?! i’m going at the end of the month and can’t wait
I will get one of those little cars haha thank u romine for the videos
Thank you for watching!
Romina, you do not bite the anón (sugar apple or custard apple) the way you did on this video. You cut it in half and then use a spoon or a fork to eat it. Also, you can pull it apart using your hands and eat it with no utensils or silverware. BUT DON'T BITE IT!
Yes I know. It was just for the comedy. 😂 but thanks for your concern!
Los cubanos no queremos que nadie coma el anón usando el método incorrecto y que después digan que Romina nos embarco. I do enjoy your videos very much. Keep up the good work.
😂😂😂😂 pero seria comico 😅
Thank you!!!!! 💙🖖
Do you plan on going anytime soon? I’m going next week
Thanks for the useful video Romina!
Next month I am going by myself to Cuba to shoot a travel video of the country. I am a little worried about leaving my camera gear (a few thousand dollars) behind in a Casa particulara when going out to have dinner or something. Do you think it's safe to do that?
I left my laptop and gear at my casa particulares, but because they had a secure place to put them or I had a room I could lock with a key. I just felt safe. I think you’ll have to play it by ear and feel the energy out for yourself!
@@redromina Sounds perfect. Thanks again :)
Good video & tips Romina, I like the way you talk about my Cuba, nice heard about it & great that you enjoy the trip😀
+Portal Coabana that's great! Thank you. What part of Cuba are you from?
I'm from Havana, so always welcome to Havana Romina😀
Hi, is there a duty free in the Varadero airport where I can use my credit card? About the budget, you said 800 to 1500, that is including the rent I assume, I already paid for my stay in Varadero in a Hostal through airbnb, so for expenses a minimum of 1000 dollars would be recommended? thank you for the info, I am landing in Varadero in March 2018.
Yes I was including the hotel. I don’t know anything about the Varadero airport as I have never been there. Yes minimum of 1K is okay. If you can afford more then obviously better safe than sorry. Just make sure you budget while you are there and don’t spend too much on food! 😉
Thank you!
Great video Romina, but what do you do with all the cash money when they’re no safety in CASA Particulares, ?
That's up to you! But you should have a money belt for money on your travels!
You actually went to my hometown in Cuba, that made me so happy omg, how did you even get there?
Which is your hometown??
Romina Quivican
My mother is from there! Maybe you know her or her family. Here is the full video of Quivican: th-cam.com/video/-BhIYR79Xyk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the tips.
+Jorge G Ruiz, Sr. Thanks for watching! Glad it was useful!
The riding the bus task is not a hard one. It's only hard if you are not fluent in Spanish and/or not knowing where you are going. The cost to ride is less than 1 CUC one way. I believe it may break down to 20cents.
I’m sure it isn’t hard. But I’ve heard it’s not the most reliable. Even my relatives there agreed.
How is the black market over there?
I suppose it would depend what you were looking to buy and the risks involved in getting it to you...
Not to mention, the scammers who have deals with corrupt police to entrap and extort money out of you in exchange for "turning a blind eye to your crime"
Sooo I guess it's like anywhere else "worth it, as long as what you are buying is worth the cost and risks to you"
+CZsWorld what do you mean? Which black market
You know, if I wanted to sell some corpses and stuff?
If you try you might end up in jail, but I don't know anything about that 😂
What about expenses in Holguin??? I am going there this August
Great video, thanks for the tips and advice. What is the fruit you were eating at the 2.04min mark?
thanks for watching! glad it's useful. the fruit is anon: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar-apple
Yep it’s a sugar apple. A fruit grown across the Caribbean. Very sweet and custardy
Hi, did you happen to mention what category of authorized travel you used? Family? Did you have to provide proof at customs?
Hello, first timer here and thank you for the video . can you recommend a tour guide too.
hey thank you so much for watching!! Actually the man who was my driver is a pretty good tour guide too. If he isn't able to provie what you want, then maybe he can point you in the write direction. His info is in the description of the video. Contact him! (:
def. will and will mention your name too.
yes, let him know you're coming from me.
Hi Romina, I have been told that getting a private driver is the best option for transportation in Cuba- which you mentioned. Can you please tell me the best way to organize that? I'm 1 of the couple guys in my group helping organize this trip in January 2018. You mentioned trip advisor but I have no idea where to even start when going to the trip advisor site. I have never used trip advisor besides for reading reviews... Thanks in advance.
You can get a private driver for about $150 per day. It really depends on how many in your group and how much travelling you will do.
Hey, thanks for your tips, i'm planning to go there in a few months. btw, nice pajama you wear 😉 love you
thanks!! I am not wearing pajamas though... lol
Hey Romina, just saw a few of your videos about Cuba. I'll be there in April. Im interested in your Private Driver situation. How did you search it and what was the cost like? I'm staying in havana but I want to go to Varadero as well. Its a large group of 12 ppl. So if we can book 3 private drivers for our stay that would be amazing. Just need some general pricing and how to find one
Thanks for watching! I wish you the best on your trip. I would contact my driver. I put his info in the description of this video. He will be able to answer your questions.
awesome! Thank you so much
Thank you for making this video; it is so useful
+Omar Harran thanks for watching! Glad you liked it. Do you think you’re going soon?
I have been wanting to go to Cuba for 3 years. I am finally going there on the 12th of Decemeber for 2 weeks with my housemate who speaks spanish. Tbh your videos were very raw and you are so honest...it helped me get a better understanding of what to expect. So thank you for taking the time to make these videos :)
+Omar Harran fantastic! Thanks for watching. I’m happy you liked the videos. I hope you have a nice time there and get to learn about the real Cuba.
You don't need 800 dollars for a week in Cuba. It depends on how fine food and hotels you visit. 300 dollars is more than enough for a week, drinking, eating well and going out every night.
I’m not only talking about that... I am talking about taking advantage of your time and doing everything possible. Taking day trips, not just staying in one or two towns. Doing attractions. Those things add up! (:
You can use ATMs in Cuba unless you're American. Canadian debit and credit works fine at banks in Cuba. Any US based credit card will be declined.
Cool thanks for specifying that. I was speaking as a US citizen and should have mentioned that in the video.
Very informative. Thanks for posting.
+INFIDEL thanks for watching! Are you going to Cuba soon?
Not sure yet. Just trying to plan something for next year. It's going to be Cuba, Germany or Alaska.
+INFIDEL all of those options sound amazing! All very different.
IKR? My wife has never been to any of those places. I was stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany and I've worked at Dutch Harbor Alaska and have also been all over the mainland of AK but I've never been to Cuba so we may end up there, hopefully, lol.
INFIDEL if you know the other two then you should definitely go to Cuba!! Alaska is the only state I haven't visited out of the 50!
ahahha I laughed so much at the fruit that you were eating... I think u are supposed to eat the inside only yup... ahah and you can make really good shakes with that....
+Jssy A. Rafa Art 😆 it's definitely ok to eat both, but I was not a huge fan of the inside anyway
Couldn't disagree with your travel trips at all. In my three times in Cuba Viazul has always left bang on time.
Thank you for the video!!!!
Thanks for video .
Thanks for watching!
LoL they don't like usd cost them to much to exchange. Also yes they do have credit cards machines. They just don't accept American credit cards. I didn't hear you talk about the departure tax. Public busses cost $5 CUC per person and the ticket stub can be used to return to your hotel. The exchange rate is high so is you have credit cards that are not American I suggest you use those.
Travel with Manuela they prefer Euros.
Hello from Azerbaijan
Are you going back soon? I wanna go when I get back from this deployment on space A! I need a travel buddy!
+Jacob Hodge you should definitely go! It's well worth the visit. Not sure when I will be going again!
🍬Ypu have idea abut dental clinic in Cuba abut the cualety and the cost of service?? 😘😘😘
no
Hi Romina, if you don't mind me asking approximately how much did you spend for the private driver? Thank you!
I took a lot of day trips so my price will not be very useful. But I can tell you that you can find a driver from anywhere between 20-50 a day. Then if you want to take day trips somewhere they usually have flat fees and gas. That’s something you’d have to negotiate with the driver. But they can take you 2 or 3 hours away from Havana or wherever you are staying for day trips. My driver’s info should be in the description of the video. You can contact him for more specific info and let him know you found his info through me! (: Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the info
QUESTION; how can I stay with a Cuban family instead of going to a hotel? Will it be saved with them?
What is the cost?
There are many "casa particulares" or airbnbs in Cuba. Go to airbnb and search for rentals in Cuba.
How can I travel to Cuba from Los Angeles? Planning of going in March
You’ll have to research airlines and see which ones will take you there.
Do you know the AVG time to hear back about a general license (Support for Cuban People) for Cuba, for United States Citizens?
+psulionz87 I'm not sure about that sorry!
Well, how did you get your general license (12 reasons why visiting Cuba), at the airport? Or are you not from the USA?
+psulionz87 I am! My visa was to reconnect with relatives there! I just don't remember how long it took, which was your question. I don't remember it taking me very long.
thanks
when you go to the airport they will hand you a paper with the 12 reasons that you can visit Cuba. Tick anyone that suits your fancy. I am Canadian, but flew out of NY last Feb. So I had to fill out the same document as Americans. I just said eeny meeny miny mo and ticked one off. The woman at the counter just rolled her eyes, laughed it off and accepted my completed form.
Good tips but let me correct you: most cuban roads have pot holes but not all of othem of unpaved.
Thanks! Not sure what to correct? Point is the roads are not perfectly paved lol
The bus system is not reliable. The bus I was to take from Playa Giron to Havana was full, so I had to wait all day for the evening. Again the bus was full, but the driver seeing I was desperate kindly let me sit on the floor. My ass was killing me!
This is exactly what I have heard, which is why I thought it was important to mention in the video even though I personally didn't experience it.
Is their internet that is reliable in Cuba? Meaning if it states that is has wireless internet does it actually work?
+Sandy Hurtado that’s hard to say. If they say they have wireless they probably mean that you can buy it by the hour. That’s pretty customary in Cuba. But I don’t know how the bigger hotels work since I didn’t stay at any.
This is super helpful! Loving your videos! Super insightful! OoOO private driver? oKay, good to know!!!! Also, loveee the lighting in this video!
+WhatWouldKarlaSay thank youuuu 💙✌️
Your good Thanks...Owen
+Owen Charles thanks!
Gracias Romina
Gracias! 💙✌️
Thank you
I am going to Cuba this summer for 16 days... Instead of cash, can i pay with my bankcard? (not creditcard)
Wow that’s great! I’m really not sure. Like I said in the video, with my experience I wasn’t able to use cards. Some other people commenting on this video have said that it depends on the country you come from. I’ve had some Canadians say they haven’t had any issue. I always travel with cash when I travel no matter where I go and try to use it as much as possible instead of any card. But that’s just me!
No sir if you can, convert your currency to Euro here and take with you... any type of card will not work even if you use the bank machine... Take cash
Do we need to convert our money before going?
+bec2reality convert some to have always, but convert there for a better rate.
do not take American $. You will be charge 10% on top of the 3% exchange rate. Change your money into Euros, Mex pesos, or Can $. Whateve works best for you.
Potato jet's spending made no sense in reference to your 800-1500 window . He was under 250
Everyone travels differently. I did a lot of things in my time in Cuba and those trips cost money. I added a little bit than what I paid. I usually leave the hotel at 6AM and get back at 11PM. That’s eating out every day multiple times a day, excursions, attractions, transportations. I don’t want to claim everyone can do the cheapest because not everyone can. So I’d rather go higher than have someone come back and tell me it wasn’t enough! (:
did you book the driver online before going to cuba , which company did you use? I am going to Cuba next week - any replies would be much appreciated THANKS :)
+1shasha use trip advisor, like I said in the video. I was referred by a friend so I directly booked through them but my driver is also on trip advisor.
Romina did you travel solo?
I just want to comment and say thank you for the video but I have to defend my favorite fruit that you ate at 2:01. It probably tasted weird because you ate the skin which you're not supposed to. You only should suck the jelly off the seeds and then it'll be more enjoyable lol
Lol it was meant to be funny...
Haven't been to your chan in a couple weeks been busy doing my own thing!!! Red your awesome :))))
+Ghalaxtic Mehses thanks! You be you ✌️
Thanks for the tips , coming from your friends video. I hope this is not improper : you have this beautiful dark eyes, it’s pretty unusual ; do they come from part of your ancestry ? I have seen something similar on some but not all of the Roma’s people. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for watching! Glad you liked the video. The eyes are my grandmother’s!
How were you able to travel to Cuba I read American tourists are not allowed?
You can go with a special visa. You can’t just go like on vacation. They have visas for different things. The most popular for tourists is called People to People.
Great info. Please visit Pakistan ☺️🙏
you were advising to take along cash but another option is to "overpay" your credit card...check with your bank for details. This is especially useful if you have a long stay in Cuba and don't want to carry around large amount of cash..Great advise on local transportation; definitely my experience was very good with private taxis despite the sometimes mechanical difficulties they had with their cars....I did take some outward trips that way....though I was more adventurous at the time and had other friends with me. I did rent a car for couple of days and while interesting driving myself it was very very expensive way to take a trip. I also had experience with taking a public bus from Havana to Santiago de Cuba on my own after initial arrival which was quite interesting with minimal spanish knwledge and 2 heavy suitcases...I would say that the Cubans at the station were more startled than I and I did stand out ...hahha....despite the sometimes deplorable toilet conditions in Cuba it has been best experience of my life meeting Cubans and staying at a Casa particular and meeting regular Cuban people on a daily basis as well as the other visitors in my group from other countries (me from Canada, 1 from US and the rest from Eastern Europe)...You definitely have a good understanding of how things work there a deep respect for their people. Again a brilliant adventure for a then 50+ yr old going on 30...hahaha. thanks again!
The reason I said cash is because when I went, I could not use any credit cards while in Cuba at all and have heard that others have had the same issue. It might be a US thing? I am not sure... Canadians and others have reported no issues on that front.
I am Canadian Romina so this may be different(also I stayed there in a casa P for one month) and my experience was in 2009. thank you for your reply and vid.!
Of course! Thank you for watching! Yes our experience will have been different. Also the longer you stay the cheaper it will be! (:
wow where is that restaurant