I had the incredible opportunity recently to travel to and explore Cuba.
Nowhere in my travels, have I experienced anything like it.
The people of Cuba are some of the warmest, gentlest, and most caring people you will ever meet. They are as fascinated with you as you are with them.
With that being said they’re is a couple things to understand and realize, if you do plan on traveling to Cuba in the near future.
1. Cuban Currency
They’re is 2 different currencies in Cuba, the Cuban Peso which is what all the locals use and Cuban Convertible or the tourist currency.
The exchange rate on the tourist currency is almost one to one with the US dollar but the exchange rate with the Cuba Peso is $.15 for every Cuban Convertible.
The way you can get scammed is when local merchants sell you stuff like food and or souvenirs, they will charge $15 and what that means is its 15 cuban peso and not 15 convertibles. In reality, its under 2 Cuban convertibles.
You will then pay $15 and nobody will say a word.
2. US Dollars
If you are an American, do not bring dollars into the country. The embargo is still alive and well with that being said Cuba tax’s the exchange rate on all US dollars by 10%.
It is illegal according to US treasury to spend US dollars in Cuba even if you are there legally on a tour.
I would try exchanging your money for Euro’s and then exchanging Euro’s for Cuban convertibles when you reach Cuba.
3. Technology
They’re is no internet access, ATM machine’s, or common everyday use for credit card or debit cards. If you go to Cuba on a tourist trip you need not bring any plastic as it is virtually useless.
Do all your money exchanging at banks as this is where you will get the best exchange rate.
4. Shortage of Meat and Potatoes for locals.
When we went they’re, they’re was a shortage of meat and potatoes for locals but they’re were plenty of meat and potatoes available to tourists.
I feel like it is important to understand that eating these two foods and flaunting should be recommended
When i was there, I could see from their attitudes of the locals, that they were very envious in a lot of ways of the tourists visiting their country.
A lot of foods in Cuba are quite plentiful and cheap like lobster, churro’s, rum, and cigars.
5. Places To Stay
If you decide to travel to Cuba solo, then I would highly recommend not booking a hotel in advance. For most travelers, when they travel to Cuba they stay in people’s house’s and each house is marked with a symbol that shows.
In these situations most of the time you pay between $15-25 a night and they will also cook you lunch. They are very appreciative of having you and usually go over and beyond to make sure that you feel comfortable.
Plus, they also will usually cook you something special if your nice to them.
Overall, I had a great time in Cuba and would highly recommend it to anybody who wants to experience a new culture and a very unique way of life.
