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CUBA 2000 - GUAJIMICO
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The dives are quite nice and perhaps you will see the famous manatee.
Unfortunately we didn’t have our submarine camera at that time.
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Anyway, keep a few days to visit and try to understand this culturally, historically and politically rich country. |  |
| One thing you must
be aware of is that traveling on your own in Cuba is quite expensive. Most
of the time you will have to pay what can be called a “touristic price”
and very rarely you will have access to the local prices. This is the rule
and you will have to accept it. Cuban people are very poor and it is important
to understand you are the “rich people”, no matter what is your position
in you own country. But travelling in Cuba is a fantastic experience and
we strongly recommand to read some of pages on the cuban history.
We hope these few advices will help you to have a better journey in Cuba…. |
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THE TRANSPORT
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| In the country
Transport is a real problem in Cuba. Moreover Hitchhiking will put you into a position to strongly compete with Cubans trying also to find their way to get from one place to another. Please, understand it is really tough for them to travel inside their own country and try to find another solution. If you have time and courage, the Cuban bus services to travel in the area of La Havana are for you. But very often, buses don’t even stop at the bus stop because they are already full. There is also a tacit rule : first arrived will leave first ! You will very commonly hear someone arriving at the bus stop asking “el ultimo?” (last one?). Then the last person arrived before him should then answer “yo” (me !). So everyone knows who is before the other one. Sounds like wonderfull discipline, don’t you think ?
Cuba has developped a special bus service for the tourists going to most of the touristic destinations. Of course, it is much more expensive (but still reasonable) but you will have a quite confortable bus (with a/c) and it will be faster. |
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However, for some regions, it is easier to hire a car (Vinales or Zappata for example). |  |
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The Cubans don’t drive very fast because of the state of their car (you should see that!). Anyhow, be careful with the tourist buses or the other hired car. Be aware that any kind of means of transport can be found on what they call the highway (cows, horses, bycicles, carts…) so watch out ! |
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What will give you some hard time in finding your way, is the total lack of road signs. Orientation will become hasardous, so don’t hesitate to ask your way several times (taking a hichhicker on board would help you both, you and them). |
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In some regions, Cubans often use the horse as a means of transport. It’s very picturesque but we must admit it is slow… |
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In the capital, it’s fun to take what they call the “colectivos”. It is something between a minibus and a taxi service and it is always an old American car of the 50’s. |
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In La Havana, the “guagua” is less expensive but sometimes it’s a hell to get one… |
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There are 3 currencies
: the Cuban peso, the “convertible peso” and… the dollar.
It’s always useful to have few cuban peso in your pocket in order to buy some things in the street. But most of the time, you will need dollars. Don’t change your dollars in convertible peso because it is completely useless and you won’t be able to change it back outside Cuba.You will learn very fast that dollar is THE currency. During your trip, if you see something you wish to buy, take it you now, because it’s not sure you will find it again later. |
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THE ACCOMMODATION
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The quality/price ratio in the hotels is very bad, soit is better to take a room in the guesthouses. It’s not too expensive and you will have the opportunity to discuss with the Cubans and understand their country. If you use the service of the young cuban trying to sell you “a very good address to stay at”, it will cost more (between 20 and 30% for the tip given by the guesthouse to him). |
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LA HAVANE
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Take the time to drink the famous "mojito" in old and luxurious hotels in La Havana Drinking in these places is a nice experience at a reasonable price. |
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Saying you will eat very well in Cuba is not really the truth but some places will offer very simple but good meals. The meals are generally prepared with chicken, rice and red beans. |
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The “paladares” ( very tiny restaurants held by families) are a good and economic way to discover cuban food (we won’t talk about gastronomy …). Try the addresses indicated in your guide book (LP or other) or ask the cubans themselves. |
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Even if we don’t want to push you into smoking, try to smoke a famous cuban cigar. (don’t swallow the smoke, just keep it a few seconds in your mouth and spit it). Anyway visiting a cigar factory is very interesting. |