Cuba Travel Forum

Hello,

I want to realize my Cuba dream that I postponed for years because of the high
flight costs, although I travel to many countries every summer, especially
before Castro passes away.

I searched, and the cheapest Istanbul-Havana return flight is Aeroflot from mid
July to 3rd August, 890 Euro, which is still very expensive for a person who
does not earn Euro from a developing country. I reserved it today and have only
one week to think and decide to buy it with that price.

1. Is there any possibility to fly cheaper?

2. The ones who have been and dear locals: I will highly appreciate any
info/tips to pass beyond the isolation between tourists and locals/local places
and prices.

3. Normally I travel one month to several neighboor countries every summer, but
since Cuba is an island and I don't want to pay for other flights, I plan to
make it 3 weeks. What do you think?

4. Do you think it worths for such an expensive ticket?

5. As a socialist believer, what can I take there to give locals (things those
are not expensive for me but valuable for them)?

6. Any recommendations to experience the real socialism there?

7. I speak no Spanish :(

Thanks a lot.
Alper

I ansewered to the post in the Turkey section...maybe you are just checking this one. Have fun.

Hi.
In my opinion the flight price is o.k, it is a long distance. Don´t worry for the long time in the island...there are LOTS of places to visit. Not speaking some spanish may be a problem, specialy if you want to deal with locals. Avoid hotels and go to "Casas". Those are legal, and most of them(80% in my experience) are friendly and wishing to help people. When we visited we carried the Lonely Planet guide and there is a list of authorized casas in each city. We tried to choose the well recomended ones in that guide and it was good. In case that "casa(House)" is full, the owners use to lead you to another one.

Don´t miss Trinidad. Beautifull village, close to the Caribean sea, and the bar "Casa de la Troba", great live music there every night.

Medicines were apreciated when we went there. But you should give them to someone responsable, so he/she uses it properly not to deal with them in the black market. Maybe if you are in a casa/house, and the owners are specially nice... I am sure you will know.

Enjoy!

Even though the airfare seems high, you need to account for the distance and the air mileage as well as the recent increase in oil prices that led to costlier airfares. I, personally, think it's worth it. Cuba is a beautiful country with lots to offer its visitors. The people are warm, genuine, and friendly. I hope you get to interact with locals during your stay there. As the other poster said, it may be cheaper to stay in "casas." So do that and save some money, money that is best spent on other travel-related needs, and gifts that you should bring (e.g.,school supplies, dental/medical supplies, etc.) for donation to a local school, orphanage, or a social service organization. You can do a lot and see most of Cuba in 3 weeks, so definitely enjoy your visit. Goodluck!

Yes, speaking no spanish may be a bit difficult. Sometimes the younger people know some English. Cuba is a wonderful place and worth every penny. It will be hot in the summertime. Staying in the casas is the best way to go. Sometimes you just don't feel like going out to eat and my experiences with the meals at the casas has been good. As for things to bring... reading glasses, soap, hair care. If you have samples of perfumes, cologne, etc., it's a special treat for them. The older people I know LOVE Tiger Balm for their aches and pains. Have a great time!

Hi,

Thanks for the replies!

I bought the cheapest ticket for 870 Euros: Aeroflot 14th July-3rd August.

It was a personal revolution for me as a person who had never bought even a pizza via Internet!

I grown up in a beach town ans swam 3 monthes every summer, therefore I don't want to spend my time for sun-beach-sea and want to see all the country.

I believe in communism and I am interested in 26th July Revolution celebrations, schools, universities, hospitals, local restaurants, people, stories, museums, towns, fields, factories, Castro, Che, Jose Marti, life of people. And bars and party every night!

I will definitelly saty in casa particulars, I heard they are from 15 to 35 Dolar per night.

I am also happy to go there in low season with extreme hot rain and storm season, because there will be less tourist.

What can ı take to people there as a help? As far as I heard by now: pen (or pencil?), soap, medicine, nail polish, tiger balm, shampoo, jeans. What else?

Each time I go to market for my regular needs I buy extra pen and soap :)

Please help! This will be the travel of my life!

Thanks a lot.
Alper from Istanbul

Glad to hear of this update.

When we went, I remember we brought a lot of "gifts" and visited social service organizations all over Cuba as well as schools, universities, collective/representative groups, cooperatives, clinics/hospitals, children's centers, etc. I learned a lot about the country, the culture, the people, and the Cuban struggle. And, I hope you learn as much as I have (and more) during your visit this summer.

As for gifts, it depends what agencies you are focusing on. When we went to schools, we gave school supplies (e.g., pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, watercolors, etc.). When we visited town clinics, we gave medical-related items (e.g., gauze/surgical pads, pain medicine, toothbrushes/toothpastes, bars of soap, condoms, etc.). I had contacts in Los Angeles who provided the latter items in above medical supplies inventory. These were deemed practical items by some of the clinics who had received it. The Cuban population are pragmatic and they use a lot of education to teach the population of relevant life matters when they can.

For directors of agencies/hospitals, etc. that you will get to meet, I suggest you bring some thoughtful personal gifts (not like above "gifts") such as perfume/cologne, a nice pen set, a nice memento from your country (perhaps, a souvenir shirt?), chocolates, etc.

I hope I have been of some help to you. Again, goodluck & enjoy beautiful Cuba!

Merhaba Alper

I will be in Cuba also sometime in mid July, let's get in touch...exec007@yahoo.com

ciao

'kola

You will enjoy Cuba. I found that people wanted soap. This I did not know so I did not take any. But I did take chocolates and this was a real treat. Maybe sweets from Turkey (which I love!!) will also be appreciated. Sometimes it is not only about the things people need but what they might even dream about! Good luck!