Cuba – get there before it loses its old-world charm

Cuba was trapped in a time warp for many years. They are however busy opening up their borders, when they are fully open this will result in the world pouring in, so now is the best time to visit.

Did you know that it is the largest island in the Caribbean, with 109 884 square kilometers? June is the hottest & wettest month and January the coldest, so depending on your preference for heat and humidity you can choose the perfect time for you to visit.

The best currencies to take to Cuba are the Euro, British Pound or the Canadian Dollar as the US dollar is penalized when you convert to Cuban Peso. American bank cards are not welcome. You can use your Visa and Mastercard but they add a 11% commission so my recommendation is that you take small bills and most of your money in cash.

Up until now none of the international franchises have been allowed in, so all the restaurants are unique. There are many art cafes where you can enjoy great art with your coffee. Cuban food is a combination of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences so be sure to try everything.

It is still not possible for tourists to travel directly from America to Cuba, you need to fly via another country or visit Cuba on a cruise. There are cruises that spend a night or two in Cuba whilst giving you the opportunity to see other parts of the Caribbean or you can just cruise around Cuba. My recommendation is that you fly via Europe to Cuba and then stay on the island to get the full experience.

Some Tips to help you have a plesant stay: * Don’t wear all your bling, it is an impoverished county so wearing all your bling will make you a target for pick pockets. * Don’t speak ill of the Castro’s or communism. * It is illegal to take pictures of airports, police and military police. * It is rude to blow your nose in public. * It is illegal to ride in an unlicensed taxi so make use of licensed taxis, make sure they turn on the meter. There are some without meters so you need to negotiate the fare upfront to avoid being ripped off. You can take a tuk tuk for short distances.

Smoke that hand rolled cigar, admire the architecture, appreciate the art, taste the food, spend time with the locals and listen to the music. Make sure your trip gives you an all-round experience, I can help you to achieve this.

Contact me to plan a trip of a life time to Cuba