vinsanity339

Hello. We will be in Havana for one day at the beginning of March on the Holland America Veendam. I am not wild about any of the tours offered by the cruise line. I much prefer to take a private tour from a local vendor, but am concerned about being able to get off the ship in time to meet any such tour.

 

 

 

I'd like to experience the people, food, rum, and smoke a cigar :-) I would love to hear people's experience and any tours or companies you would recommend.

 

 

 

Thank you so much!

I️ just got back on a cruise on empress of the seas . We did a private tour with Havana journeys . The cost is 100. Cucs for 2 . We had a tour with Ana and a driver in a 56 Ford she spoke perfect English . The tour was well worth it and Cuba is perfectly safe . We were very Skeptical at first . I️ have a new respect for Cubans now. Any questions I️ would be happy to answer.

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Cuba charges you a flat fee of 3% on top of current exchange rate. They than charge a 10% fee for USD. Going to get Euro's or other currency in the USA, the exchange rate fees are greater than 3% and could approach 10%. Basically exchanging to Euro's than to CUC is not worth it like you said. Now if you travel to Europe a lot, than you can exchange a larger amount of money and take some to Cuba, you would get a better deal.

There seems to be different opinions on currency exchange .Does anyone know if it’s worth exchanging US into Canadian ? . The exchange rate of US vs Canadian is around 1.20 . Can you buy Cucs in Cuba in Canadian without a 10 percent penalty ?

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We just got back on Saturday. I was surprised how many people explored on their own. I heard one amazing trip a group took with an English- speaking taxi driver. It may be uncommon to find that though. On the other hand, our Carnival excursion was mediocre.

 

It's an amazing place. See the tourist spots, tour neighborhoods, definitely find real artisans. Have lots of single bills to give everyone, you'll need coins for the bathrooms, and bring your own tp and water.

Hi we just booked a private tour for nov 1 and nov 2 . I see you said bring lots of singles to give everyone . What is customary there for tipping on tours and etc . ?

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Change money when you dock and ask the cashier for lots of small bills. Cubans don't really want dollars like in other Caribbean countries as they have to pay the same 10% penalty as you do to exchange. Everything is priced in CUC. Locals use CUP for busses, etc. but you wont be anywhere that will need CUP. Note that a CUC is roughly equal to $1, where as a CUP is approx $.04.

Would we be better off the exchange US money into Canadian money to avoid fees prior to buying CUC ? Do you think a private tour is ok ? Also can you bring back souvenirs ?

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It’s ok right now to go on a certain type cruises with just a birth certificate . If you ever had a emergency and had to get back to the states you can only get back by boat . You would not be able to fly back and that goes the same with the card. It could be a gamble .

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