What is the minimum amount of money you can take with you to Cuba? How much money to take with you

Russian tourists have long begun to master the rest in Cuba. Average annual temperature in that " paradise- 24 degrees Celsius. From May to October in Cuba is the "monsoon season", and precipitation occurs more often than the rest of the time.

But the weather is the weather, and "you always want to eat."

Food prices in Cuba in 2017

The national currency of the Cuban state is the peso, the exchange rate to the Russian ruble: one peso - 2.69 rubles. All catering outlets accept US dollars and euros.

In practice, relaxing on Cuban beaches is no different from spending time at any other resort: in order to have a hearty meal, you don’t need to go somewhere and stand in lines, as was the case in the USSR.

For example: a hearty meal for two on the beach (lobster + side dish) costs up to $15. Considering that many Russian tourists saw a lobster only in a picture or on TV, then such a price for a delicacy is “not a price at all.”

The population of Cuba survives with the help of tourists. Therefore, private catering points are always in the field of view of people with money.

Local chefs will offer national dishes:

• Creole ajiaco: coarsely chopped pork with a varied amount of vegetables. One person to eat such a portion - you have to try. The cost of a dish is up to $10;
• Tasaho - minced pork, vegetables and many other ingredients that give the dish a peculiar taste (you definitely don’t eat this here). The cost of a serving is up to $ 9;
• Crocodile meat with a variety of vegetables. The cost of a dish is up to $17;

Many restaurants and cafes offer dishes with the meat of local animals and sea creatures: chicken stewed according to a special recipe, boiled lobsters with lemon, turtle eggs and much more. Prices are completely "democratic".

Prices for food in Cuba in public stores (in US dollars per kg)

• Tomatoes - 0.8;
• Cucumbers - 0.7;
• Pork - up to 7:
• Potato - 0.7;
• Pineapple - 0.7 (piece);
• 10 eggs - 0.8;
• A loaf of white bread - 0.8.

How much is rum in Cuba in 2017

For lovers of "relax in Russian" we inform you that there are no restrictions on the use of alcoholic beverages on the "Island of Freedom". The only sad information is that more than two liters of rum cannot be exported from Cuba - it is forbidden by the authorities.

You can buy the "drink of the gods" on the island at a price of $8. The price of alcohol depends on the brand, the aging period of the rum ... and where you buy it (everything is like in your native Russia).

You can buy beer at all public catering outlets: local beer costs up to $0.5, imported beer - from $1.

Rum-based restaurants and cafes offer a variety of cocktails that are not much inferior to the "drink of the gods" in the fortress.

How much do cigars cost in Cuba in 2017

Cuban cigars are the same brand as Mercedes, Coca-Cola or Dolce Gabbana. In the United States, at a time when relations with Cuba were strained, the cost of one Cuban cigar reached $100. And the Americans will not pay that kind of money for a bad product.

There are brands of Cuban cigars: Bolivar, Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Punch, Ramon Allones, Sancho Panza, X. Upmann", "Romeo and Juliet" and "Trinidad".

You can buy a Cuban cigar already at the airport and it will be offered to you by private traders at a price several times lower than in company stores.

In Cuba, tobacco workers receive part of their salary in goods, which they then sell to tourists. But you need to be careful, because scammers are everywhere.

In stores, cigars are sold in boxes of 25 pieces. Here are some prices ($):

• Bolivar Royal Corona - 108;
• Juan Lopez Selection - 118;
• Montecristo - 120.

You can export cigars without restrictions, provided that they are in sealed boxes. 23 cigars can be exported in printed form.

There are two types of currency in circulation in Cuba - the regular peso and the convertible peso. The first is used by local residents, and the second was invented for foreign tourists. On the price tags, both of these currencies are indicated by the American dollar sign. One convertible peso is equal to 24 Cuban pesos, which can be exchanged at one of the local banks. For Cuban pesos, you can not buy almost anything worthwhile, except for freshly squeezed juices, which will cost you one peso, a cup of coffee - 30 centavos, or fruits or vegetables that can be bought almost for nothing: pineapples, bananas, papayas and other fruits are sold here for 5 pesos per pound. A giant papaya will cost you 15 Cuban pesos. We do not recommend taking dollars with you to Cuba, since they are changed on the Island of Freedom with a commission of 10%. If you are going to spend your vacation in this colorful country, expect an approximate cost of about $100 per day. Flights to Latin America or Cuba can be found profitably through the online ticket search engine.

Taxi prices in Cuba

by the most economical option a taxi is considered a pantaxi - yellow or white Zhiguli, which will take you from the capital of the Island of Freedom to the airport for 15 cookies, from Vedado to Old Havana - for 5 cookies, from Old Havana to the fortress through the tunnel under the harbor - for 2-3 cookies , from central Havana to Playa Santa Maria del Mar, which is located 15 km from the city - for a maximum of 15 cookies, from central Havana to the bus station - for 5 cookies. All pantaxis have meters, so when you get into the car, immediately offer to drive on it - usually it turns out even cheaper. The OK tourist taxi, which takes its customers in beautiful new cars, will cost you much more, both metered and unmetered. Cycle rickshaws, although they were forbidden to carry foreign tourists, will still incredibly persistently offer you their services for 1-3 cookies, it all depends on the duration of the trip. In this case, the tourist will have absolutely no problems, but the rickshaw may have serious problems with the police. Also popular in Cuba are scooters with small yellow cabins that can accommodate two - "Coco Taxi", trains on which you can bargain for a tempting price.

Food prices

Beer Cristal (light) in an aluminum can of 0.3 ml costs about 1 cookie, in a glass can - 1.5 cookies. A stronger beer "Bucanero" will cost you one and a half cookies. Draft beer is sold in a tavern on Plaza Vieja in the old town - you will have to pay 2 cookies for a glass.

Cocktails almost everywhere cost 2.5 Cuc, but in some places prices range from 1.5 Cuc for a glass of "cube libre" (rum and cola), two cookies for a mojito (rum, lime, soda, mint and sugar) to 2, 25 for pina colada - rum, pineapple juice and milk. Coffee costs 1-1.5 kuk per mug. Prices for hot meals in mid-range restaurants start from 5 CUC for chicken or pork, 5 to 8 CUC for fish or beef, 6 to 8 CUC for shrimp or lobster. Ask for bread, because usually they do not bring it without prior order, and it is priced at one cookie. On average, for dinner you will have to pay from 8 to 12 cookies, but be careful and do not overdo it, because the portions in Cuba are gigantic. When visiting Cuban cafes and restaurants, be careful and remember that tourists are always trying to deceive and cheat. Commission for the service in the amount of 10 to 20% must be indicated in the invoice. Tips are very welcome - you can just round up the bill or leave change.

Rum "Havana Club Añejo Blanco" in the store costs 3.5 cookies per bottle of 0.7 liters and 5.2 cookies per liter. Delicious aged rum "Havana Club Reserve" or "Santiago" will cost you 8-9 cookies per 0.7 liters. Carbonated drinks in aluminum cans cost a cookie per can. Local Coca-Cola in a one and a half liter bottle in the store - 1.5 cookies. Juice in a package - 2.1 cookies per 1 liter.

Enough necessary question that requires thoroughness, is the question of how much money you need to have in your pocket in order to conduct vacation in a "non-native" country.

Often, people plan to take enough money for vacation so that they do not have to save on everything, but also so much that they do not spend anything extra. Quite a popular and demanded country, which tourists are happy to go to, is Cuba. In order to accurately calculate required amount funds, it is necessary to take into account all the details and nuances.

The first moment is the calculation quantity people who go on vacation. Next, you need to clearly establish the period for which you planning prolong your vacation. Further starts calculation of all associated costs. A very important question in any vacation is the question food and residence.

On average, lunch for one person, in dependencies from the area of ​​​​residence, will cost you from ten to thirty Cuban pesos. What concerns accommodation, then it is not considered separately, since its cost is included in the ticket. Souvenirs that are a must have to buy, will cost up to ten pesos. Various excursions will cost an average of one hundred pesos per person, but at the same time taken into account food for the day.

All in all, Can summarize say that for a holiday in Cuba you will need about a thousand euros for ten days, and you will not you will deny yourself nothing.

On rest unplanned health surprises often happen. Stomach Russian people are not always ready for new food, especially in large quantities. Stock up on medicines for poisoning, indigestion, heartburn. Also put in the first aid kit painkillers and antipyretic. Band-aid, bandage, cotton wool, thermometer - that's another thing you need not to forget. Not interfere brilliant green and hydrogen peroxide. It is advisable to have ear and eye drops in the first aid kit, especially if you go on vacation with children.

No matter how much money you take, it will never be enough. If we proceed from the most necessary, then 500 euros will be enough for one person to visit several excursions, buy a couple of souvenirs and eat a hearty meal in local restaurants once a day. If the meal includes only breakfast and you also have to dine outside the hotel, 100 euros must be added to this amount.

Do you want to bring quality gifts of rum and cigars? Add a little more. Traditional Cuban rum costs from 4 euros per bottle, prices for cigars start from one euro and run out hundreds - it all depends on how many pieces are in the box and where to buy them. In street shops cheaper, but there is a risk of buying low-quality goods.

Do not forget Also take with you to Cuba repellents. importunate insects in the evening make themselves felt. Umbrellas can be left at home: rain if and starts, it doesn't take long. And, of course, a camera with a charger, so that the impressions about it heavenly the island remained not only in their heads, but also on memory cards!

Going on a trip, I read a lot of reviews on the Internet, which really helped organize my stay in Cuba. As a sign of gratitude, I decided to make my own contribution to the preparation of a "savage" holiday on the island of freedom. So the information below is not an ironic amateur description of their adventures, but a series of practical information that may be useful to amateurs. self rest. For those who prefer organized tourism"all inclusive" in Varadero with multi-colored bracelets on their hands is unlikely to find this reading entertaining.

1. Season, off season

In Cuba, the most favorable season for recreation is considered to be the end of November - the beginning of April. It is mild and warm (in our opinion so hot) weather with quite tolerable humidity. May-October is the season of rains and summer stuffiness. In October - November there are also hurricanes. However, having visited Cuba in October and having previously made sure on gismeteo.ru that water will ooze from the sky for two weeks, I responsibly report: tropical rain almost always starts unexpectedly, ends in 10 minutes and after another 5 minutes the sun is already actively shining. For all two weeks of stay, the umbrella had to be taken out once, and the raincoats bought in advance remained untouched at the bottom of the suitcase. So do not be afraid of the rains, but it does not hurt to prepare for them. But in the season (especially December-January), you may have to wade through the multilingual crowds of tourists who flee south from domestic cold weather, as well as overpay for food, housing and entertainment (the price tag grows significantly). All prices below are valid for October 2007.

2. Entering Cuba

For citizens of Russia and Belarus (unlike, for example, from Ukraine), visa-free regime with a stay in Cuba of up to 30 days. To enter the island of freedom officially requires a valid passport, return air ticket and hotel booking confirmation (or tourist voucher). In reality, the lovely woman in the green uniform at José San Martí Airport did not ask for a ticket or confirmation of an online booking that had been carefully printed out in triplicate. Judging by the reviews of other "savages", this is not an oversight of an individual official, but a normal practice. In addition to the passport, for entry you need to fill out an immigration card, which is usually distributed on the plane or you can ask women in the form before passport control. It indicates the hotel in which the tourist booked a room. No one bothers to write in this card any hotel you know in Havana, for example, Nacional, Parque Central, Inglatera, Sevillia or any other. This will be enough. The entry stamp is not placed in the passport (so that later there are no problems with obtaining an American visa), but on this very immigration card, half of which must be kept for exit.

From the airport to the capital can only be reached by taxi. The upper bar, which is declared immediately upon exiting the terminal, is 25 convertible pesos. Quite quickly they drop it to 20. But we firmly stood at 15. As a result, the taxi driver's mafia gave up, and after a three-minute wait, the tourists, who were suffering from a date with Havana, were put in a taxi to some economical Swede, who, apparently, refused to pay more than a gold piece. By the way, in order to immediately close the topic of the cost of a taxi from / to the airport, Pantaxi (a local economical taxi on domestic Zhiguli) usually asks 15 convertible pesos from the city, but according to the meter from the center of Havana it will be exactly 10 (of course more from the Vedado area). Checked on own experience. So if you can use hypnosis or strong suggestion to get a poor Cuban to go that far on the meter, then you can save five.

3. Money

There are two in circulation in Cuba monetary units: the regular peso (often called the "cuban peso" by locals) used by mere mortals and the convertible peso (CUC, "convertible" or sometimes "fuerte peso"), invented specifically for foreign tourists. Something like the Soviet foreign currency ruble. On the price tags, both regular and convertible pesos are denoted by a dollar sign $.

One convertible peso can be exchanged in Cadeca banks for 24 regular pesos. These Cuban pesos are used to pay wages to workers of the socialist industry (12-16 dollars a month) and they use them to buy cereals, sugar, soap and other essentials at ridiculously subsidized prices using cards in special state shops. These stores with empty shelves painfully resemble a general store from the period of the collapse of the union. Judging by the guidebooks (Lonely Planet), there are allegedly good restaurants in Cuba where you can pay with these pesos. I confess, I have not seen such, except for the terrible type of eateries and cafeterias, where they offered sandwiches with cheese and ham (5 Cuban pesos) and no less frightening pizza (10 - 15 pesos). Cubans are happy to consume this fast food, and if suddenly you had to stay on the island of freedom completely without money or are drawn to the exotic (if you have a plentiful supply of imodium, chloramphenicol, or at least smecta), then you can try. In addition, at remote hiking trails on the streets for these outcast pesos, you can buy freshly squeezed juices (1-2 pesos per glass), ice cream (1-3 pesos) or coffee (30 centavos! for a small cup). The real value of local pesos can also be obtained at agricultural markets, where the party and government have allowed rural workers to sell their surplus products. Here is where to roam! Pineapples, papaya (called “fruit bomba” in Cuba), guava, bananas, etc. are sold almost for free. Prices from 3 to 5 pesos per pound. One really huge papaya will cost about 15 Cuban pesos (i.e. just over half of one convertible peso). Take a folding penknife with you in your luggage to peel and cut fruit.

Convertible pesos (notes with the inscription pesos convertibles) are changed (October 2007) at the airport and in banks at the rate of 1.25 - 1.26 pesos for 1 euro. Those. for 100 euros you will be given between 125 and 126 convertibles. It is better not to take dollars with you to Cuba, as they are exchanged with a 10% commission and for 100 bucks you can only get 89 cookies. The owner of the treasured foreign currency rubles in Cuba has access to a taxi, good restaurants, hotels and normal shops with a limited, but still incomparable selection of goods with distribution shops.

Money can also be withdrawn from a card (but not issued by American banks), but apparently for a fairly substantial commission. So the cash is the head of everything, and save the card in case of an unforeseen financial disaster.

4. Prices

Taxi
Pantaxi (Yellow or white checkered Zhiguli - the most economical option) from Havana to José San Marti airport - 15 cookies, from the Vedado area to Old Havana - up to 5 cookies, from Old Havana through the tunnel under the harbor to the fortress with a lighthouse - 2- 3 cookies, from the center of Havana to Santa Maria Del Mar beach (15 km from the city) - no more than 15 cookies, from the center of Havana (Capitol) to the Viazul bus station - 5 cookies. Pantaxi has meters and you can offer to ride on it, which is usually cheaper. Tourist taxi OK on good new cars with air conditioning costs significantly more, both metered and unmetered. Cycle rickshaws are not formally allowed to carry foreign tourists, but they will very strongly offer their services for 1-3 cookies, depending on the duration of the trip. This does not threaten a tourist, but rickshaws with law enforcement officers may have problems. There are also scooters in Cuba with yellow cabins for two people - Coco taxi, which can sometimes be bargained at an affordable price, but rather for a fan. I am silent about the pleasure carriages. It all depends on the season and your perseverance.

Food in restaurants and cafes
Beer Cristal (light) in an aluminum can 0.35 ml - 1 cookie, in a glass can - 1.5, Bukanero (stronger) - 1.5 cookies. Draft beer (by the way, very good) was found in one place - in a tavern on Plaza Vieja in Old Havana - 2 cookies per glass. Austrian brewing equipment - Salm Brau. Anyone who has been to Vienna will understand what I mean.

Cocktails almost everywhere cost 2.5 Cuc, but there are places where the price starts from 1.5 Cuc for a glass of "cube libre" (rum with cola), 2 Cuc for a "mojito" (rum with lemon, soda, mint and sugar) and up to 2.25 for " piña colada (rum with pineapple juice and coconut milk).
Coffee - 1 - 1.5 cookies per cup.

The price for a hot dish in normal restaurants starts from 4-5 CUC (chicken or pork), 5-7 CUC (fish, beef), 6-8 CUC (shrimp or lobster tail). Side dish (rice, rice with beans or fried potatoes) - about 1 cookie. Soups 1.5 - 3 cookies. Although there are establishments (for example, I ended up in such a very decent place in Varadero), where at lunch the price tag for hot starts at 2.5 cookies, and in some advanced restaurant in Old Havana in the evening it can start with a gold piece and reach more than twenty for a lobster . Ask for bread, because it is usually not brought without an order and is “appreciated” at 1 cookie. On average, for a normal dinner, you need to lay out 8-12 cookies. Portions in Cuba are huge, so don't overdo it. For those who will be in Havana, I highly recommend the decent restaurant El Coquito at Malecon 107 (the second floor of the Asturian Sociedad, on the first floor there is some kind of bar and billiard tables). Very tasty cuisine affordable prices, high-level service and a balcony overlooking the ocean and the Havana promenade. Unfortunately there is no sign, but the number on the house has not yet fallen off.

When visiting Cuban restaurants, pay attention to the fact that, firstly, they like to cheat tourists, and secondly, in a number of places a commission for service from 10 to 20% is added to the bill (this will definitely be written on the menu). Tips are very welcome. At a minimum, you can round the bill up and leave a "trifle" or, if you really liked it, give one or two cookies on top. Tea is always collected by musicians who play music in cafes and restaurants. It will be enough to leave them 0.5 -1 cookies. You can immediately buy a disc of the group you like for 10 cookies (a little expensive, in tourist shop good drives start with 6 cookies).

Sandwiches and pizzas for convertible pesos - from 1 to 3 cookies. For example, in a fairly common fast food chain El Rapido.

Rum? Rum... Rum! Havana Club Añejo Blanco (the cheapest one, it is added to cocktails) in the store - 3.50 cu for a 0.7 liter bottle. and 5.2 cookies per litre. A three-year aged rum is a little more expensive, although you probably won’t feel much difference in taste. Excellent aged rum Havana Club Reserve or Santiago cost around 7.5-8 cookies per 0.7 liter. They are drunk separately, without mixing with cola and without ice. The taste and softness - like a good cognac. The top bar is Havana Club seven years old. Options for a cheap and “tasty” drink: buy a mixture of pineapple juice and coconut milk in a bag (called a piña colada and costs 4.20 cu), rum and make cocktails yourself (believe me, cocktails are made from the same bag in restaurants). The same with cola. Carbonated drinks in aluminum cans in cafes and restaurants, discos - 1 cookie per can. Cola (local of course) in one and a half liters in the store - 1.5 cookies. Packaged juices - 2.1 cookies per liter.

Entrance to museums from 3 cookies (Capitol, climbing to the upper observation deck of the Jose San Marti memorial tower on Revolution Square, the house of the Spanish Governor General in Old Havana - I highly recommend), 5 cookies (Museum of the Revolution - a terrible boring thing, the Granma yacht, exhibited in glass pavilion, visible from the street), up to 10 convertible pesos (tour of the Partagas tobacco factory - do not spare the money, it's worth it).

Entrance to the disco - 3-5 cookies, usually one drink is included. Going to local discos is a must. How Cubans dance salsa... Even 70-year-old old men light up on the dance floor, to say nothing about young people.

Shrezlong or umbrella on the beach 1-2 cookies (unless you live in a hotel that is adjacent to the beach and charges this fee), entry to the beach is almost everywhere free.

Gasoline - 0.75-0.85 cookies per liter.
Water in the store for a one and a half liter bottle is 0.7 -1 kuk, in a cafe it usually costs 2 kuk, and for a half liter - kuk.
Airport tax when leaving Cuba - 25 cookies.

5. Housing

Hotels can be booked via the Internet (unless, of course, you buy a package with flights and accommodation from a travel agency). Quite interesting rates are sometimes offered by www.venere.com The cost starts from 30-35 euros per night with breakfast in a grubby three-star hotel out of season. The upper ceiling is lost in the clouds. From cheap options in Havana, I recommend Hotel Deuville on the Malecon (intersection with Avenue Italia). Don't expect a palace and scraping staff for pennies. The house is rather shabby both outside and inside. But on the plus side: location (on foot to the Prado 5 minutes, to the Capitol 10-15 minutes, to Old Havana half an hour), a hearty breakfast, clean linen and towels, a tolerable pool on the 6th floor overlooking central Havana and the ocean, bar 24 hours a day, as well as a daily disco (except Tuesday), where hotel residents are allowed free of charge. The guests are mostly middle-class, unpretentious foreigners from the most different countries world (from Australia to Poland). To Varadero good option that lives up to its three stars is the Hotel Aquasul. Quite tidy both outside and inside, it is located 200-300 meters from the municipal beach.

"Casa Particular", i.e. private rooms, which the good Fidel allowed the Cubans to rent to foreigners in their homes, so as not to die of hunger. This is a real opportunity to communicate with Cubans (even if you do not speak Spanish), look at their life from the inside, get a lot of useful information and help in planning trips around the country. Casas can vary greatly in location, level of decor and friendliness of the hosts, but they do not differ much in price. 25-35 CUC per night per room (two people can share it) in Havana and 20-25 CUC in the provinces. In the capital, rooms in the Old Havana area or the Center of Havana (closer to the waterfront - Malecon) are preferable if you want to be in the thick of things and not far from attractions and nightlife. However, central Havana at first glance does not make a very rosy impression - beautiful but crumbling houses, sometimes dark and dirty streets, dubious subjects around. This option is good for night adventurers who are ready for hardships, although there are also very decent cash desks. The Vedado area is a quieter green area with villas where it is good to stay with a family. It's a bit far from Old Havana, though, so stock up on at least 10 cookies a day for taxis, unless you're a marathon runner or sport walker. I can recommend the house at Prado 20 (Avenue José San Marti), which has already been glowing more than once on the net. Rooms for rent on almost every floor, great view and location, terraces are brilliant (sorry for Ellochka Cannibal's dictionary), but the place is popular, so there may not be places. By the way, a person with a suitcase on the street is immediately grabbed by the hand with a proposal to show “casa particular” or “abitasien” (room). If there are no other options, then you can go for Susanin. You may have to go through several apartments until you like one and the kasa becomes at least 5 cookies more expensive for you, since the owners will pay a commission to the conductor. Another possibility, if it was not possible to stock up on addresses from forums or specialized sites in advance (enter casa particular Habana in Google), is to focus on A5 size white labels pasted at the doors of houses with a blue or green triangle and the inscription arendator divisia. This means that the room(s) are for rent. IN apartment building the magic word “casa” or “abitasien” will be gladly answered by an elevator operator who will show you what is available and where.

The hosts often prepare kas for guests. A breakfast of sandwiches, scrambled eggs, fruit, coffee and freshly squeezed juice will cost 3 CUC (up to 5 in Havana). Dinner per person - from 7-8 for chicken or meat to 8-10 for seafood. Very good option - tasty and very satisfying. The main course is usually accompanied by a salad (cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocados, etc.) and fruit. They can also indulge in Cuban wine (in the store it costs 2.5 cookies for a bottle of red or white "rusk").

Digression on the topic of sex.

Living in a box office, in addition to the advantages listed above, in some (but not all) cases makes it possible to bring guests, including overnight guests. In such, I repeat few, casas, the owners either do not live in the apartment and leave for the night, or give the guests the key to the entrance locks, while they themselves sleep behind the locked bedroom door. Officially, of course, bringing any guests of Cubans by tourists to the box office is strictly prohibited, and envious neighbors, watchmen and guards at night parking shamelessly knock on the police. So, if the owners do not give the entrance key (they will open the door by knocking themselves at any hour of the night) or frantically wave their hands, saying “NO MUCHACHA”, then you won’t have to arrange a brothel. However, there are those rooms that the owners provide (unofficially, of course, and at great risk to themselves, but not to the tourist) for short meetings of those who are thirsty for affection. foreign citizens and citizens with local Juanites or Pedro (do not be surprised, for the Spanish women of Cuba, as for the faithful and reliable Russian women of Turkey). Such a room usually costs 20 cookies, regardless of the duration of the meeting. The address of the nearest brothel will probably know the Cuban or Cuban you like. Take care of your pockets - they are VERY likely to be carefully cleaned. By the way, to close the topic of sex tourism, I’ll add that in a few middle-class hotels, guards sometimes work as pimps (the same top twenty for services), priestesses of love (30 cookies) are very persistent in their desire to get a client and concentrate in Havana near the Malecon embankment . Acquaintance even with an ordinary girl still implies either free drinks at a bar, or a gift (Gobseks, don’t think that savages live on the island of freedom who have never seen a ballpoint pen or a mirror), or money “for a taxi”. Free love in Cuba is a rarity and this is due to the general poor of the population. Protective and personal hygiene products must be taken with you and in in large numbers. It is difficult to find them in Cuba, if you do not use them, give them to the locals as a contribution to the health of the Cuban nation.

6. Transport around the country

Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about car rental, except that it’s not only possible, but also wonderful. Of the minuses - signs on the roads are rare, you will have to pay a lot for a car.

Intercity buses are of two types Astro and Viasul. Both are new, air-conditioned cars with sedate drivers and conductors dressed in uniform (Viazul is still more comfortable, but do not forget about something warm from clothes: air conditioners work at full capacity). The difference is that Astros are designed for ordinary Cubans and carry them around the country for ridiculous money. Therefore, the buses are full, without knowing Spanish, buying tickets for them can be a little difficult (but quite possible). On each flight, a certain number of seats are reserved and sold for convertible pesos to tourists. Viazul are specially designed buses for foreigners, tickets are sold only for convertible pesos and cost an average of 5 cookies more than the "tourist" places in Astro. They run strictly on schedule. Reliable and generally inexpensive. Havana - Cienfuegos - 20 cookies, Havana-Trinidad - 25 cookies, Havana-Santiago de Cuba - 55 cookies. Places must be booked in advance (arrive at the station and sign up for a journal), especially in tourist season from December to March. Probably, there is a reservation by phone (oh, I wish I knew Spanish - maybe the owners of the ticket office will help) and supposedly on the Internet (I definitely DO NOT BELIEVE this). In the off-season, buses run half-empty and tickets are sold without problems half an hour before departure. Stations near Astro and Viazul are most often shared (waiting rooms and ticket purchases are different), only in Havana Viazul has its own small station, located quite far from the center. Tell the taxi driver "omnibus Viazul" and he will take you there. Pantaxi will cost no more than 5-6 cookies from almost any area of ​​the city. Be careful with luggage. It is accepted for transportation (just like on an airplane), they are given tags, carefully placed in the belly of the bus, but ... they are still gutted from time to time. A closed combination lock will be enough to save property and mood. When issuing and loading luggage, sometimes they ask for a tip of 25-50 centavos (of course, convertible).

7. Security

Cuba is probably one of the safest countries Latin America. That's where the notorious "order", which is so lacking for the fans of Joseph Vissarionovich. The police are at every turn, both in uniform and in civilian clothes. A tourist is a “sacred cow”, so you can only have a conversation with law enforcement officers if they begin to advise you not to carry a camera or women's handbag carelessly, joyfully waving it in the air while walking. But the locals have a hard time. Contacts of Cubans and especially Cubans with foreigners are not very welcome, so, having seen a local foreign tourist in society, the police can check his documents and, in their absence, take a Cuban citizen to the station. At the same time, they will not say a word to you and will not explain anything. And despite this, in Cuba there is a big problem with molesters on the streets. You have to be mentally prepared for this and endure it stoically. Every 5 minutes in Havana (especially Old Havana) and a little less often, but still often in the provinces, a person will approach you and joyfully shout in broken Russian: “hello, comrade” or “Russo!” or just "how are you, where are you from, do you remember me?" They immediately begin to get to know each other persistently, report some important news (“Don’t miss it, today is the first day of the salsa festival, let’s go and show it,” they told us every day for two weeks of our stay), call your hotel (sometimes even the name found out at the reception) and so on. In 99 cases out of 100, the goals of the acquaintance are transparent:

Guide (will be with varying degrees professionalism to drive you around the various nooks and crannies of the city, and then demand money for life and for work);
- sell fake cigars (at the same time, he will present a pass card to the cigar factory and tell a tearful story about how they have to be stolen in order to feed his family. See below about cigars);
- just ask for money for life (uncles, give me ten kopecks) or for milk for children (in Cuba, children have enough milk, the Cubans themselves talked about this);
- to propose a girl (“chika caliente”, “faki faki”, “muchach”);
- sell cocaine (strongly do not recommend);
- to breed a foreigner for money (after such a nice conversation, a Spaniard I know did not have watches, glasses, phone and money left, although no one hit him in the head, did not threaten with a knife, he does not understand how this happened);
- exchange currency favorable exchange rate(the result is a "doll" with fewer denominations, or regular Cuban pesos instead of convertible ones).

So the best answer to the pesterers is: “but comprendo” (I don’t understand) the calm continuation of the walk, without stopping and not turning around to hail or persistent “excus mi”, etc. It is worth giving up slack, stopping and starting a conversation and getting rid of it will be much more difficult.

Pickpocketing (especially by passionate Cuban women) and the banal gop-stop are still possible and happen, especially with drunks in dark alleys far from the tourist trails. So don't carry all your money, documents or tickets with you. It is better to rent a safe at the hotel and store them there or, if you are staying at the ticket office, hide them in the bottom of a suitcase that closes with a combination or padlock. If there is no lock, then there is a high probability (especially in a hotel) that someone's caring hand will run through the suitcase. It would be good to have some kind of inner pocket on the clothes, with a small slit and fastened with a safety pin and a button. Unattended things are stolen on the beaches, so be on the lookout.

By the way, there is also such a category of barkers who offer to go to their restaurant (bar, cafe) and enjoy music and food. If he is standing right at the entrance to the institution, then you should not be scared and it is quite possible to look in and check what is on the menu and what is the price tag. You can find a good place to your liking and affordable. But if you need to go somewhere, “it’s literally 100 meters around the corner”, etc., then decide for yourself (see above).

Medications (aspirin, iodine or streptocide, immodium and levomecin, activated charcoal, etc.) must be taken with you. Passing repeatedly past the local "pharmaceuticals" I did not understand what they were selling. Some rare jars and boxes on half-empty shelves. Be sure to take sunscreen with a good degree of protection. You will not find it in Cuba, and burn the skin to blisters. Allegedly, the first visit to the doctor is free. I do not know, thank God, did not check.

8. Cigars

How is it with Mayakovsky: We say Cuba, we mean cigars, we say cigars, we mean Cuba. It is surprising that even non-smokers want to buy real Havana cigars in Cuba on the cheap. There are many types of Cuban cigars from the most elite Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo and Juliet at a price of 3 to 10 or more cookies per piece, to machine-rolled Guantaramer for 1-1.5 cookies. Each type has different sizes (most often 4 main ones) and different thicknesses. The price depends on it. Cigars are sold both individually and in cardboard boxes (3.5 pieces) and in boxes (10.25 pieces). Official stores are everywhere, you can walk around and ask the price. If you are planning to buy cigars as a gift for someone who is at least a little versed in them, but are far from the world of tobacco, then it is better not to take risks and buy a smaller box, but in an official store. And there will be no problems with customs. As for the cigars offered on the streets, they can sell a frank awl, which is right there on Malaya Arnautskaya Street and is twisted from no one knows what material.

If you nevertheless decided to take such a step and understand cigars so much that you can determine by eye or after smoking, what is being slipped to you, I’ll tell you. A nimble merchant dragged us into some apartment in Trinidad under the pretext that he would show a cigar store (he caught foreign tourists loitering near a closed outlet). We pass into the back rooms, behind the back the front door is locked with a padlock. Well, everyone got stuck. Nothing like that, it's police smugglers fear. Boxes are dumped on the table: you can open everything, look, smell and even smoke (if you like it, pay for the whole box, including the smoked cigar, if not, then theoretically you can pay nothing, but it’s unlikely that they will let you leave so easily - at least a couple cookies for a cigar will have to be paid or argued for a long time, threatening the police). The price tag for cigars that are really stolen from the factory is from 25 to 40% of the store price. There are holographic stickers on the boxes, a numbered green tag with the coat of arms and the inscription made in Cuba, etc. Still, for testing, they bought one box of 10 cigars for 17 cookies (they asked for 20, its real price is about 50). At home, they lit up a large company, including "experts". The conclusion is this: the cigars were unanimously recognized as real, they didn’t let us down in taste, smell and “smokyness”, only they were very dry (apparently they were dragged in a bag for a long time until the client was found). According to various sources, the customs in Cuba allows from 23 to 50 cigars to be exported (even in the official store we were confirmed that the new rules increased the number to 50). So lottery lovers can try to save or lose a couple of dozen convertibles.

9. Beaches

It's not true that best beaches Cuba in Varadero. Cuba has many great beaches. Very good place - Playa Del Este 15 km. east of Havana. White sand, palm trees, ocean. There are no beaches in Havana itself (there is some similarity in the west of the city, but obviously not the Bounty). Playa del Este is quite a long line of beaches, the most famous and beautiful of them is Santa Maria Del Mar. You can get there by taxi for 15 convertibles. Some city bus goes there, but we did not dare to look for it, especially since one of the reviews found on the net told about a three-hour wait (!) for boarding this ill-fated bus. It is easier to find fellow travelers and divide the taxi into four people. There are hotels in Santa Maria Del Mar, sun loungers, umbrellas, police, beer and coconut milk sold right on the beach and all the other small joys of a lover to bask on the sand. Riding on a banana. I saw a jet ski in the distance. Very beautiful beaches on the Caribbean Sea in the Trinidad area (by taxi from the city 5-6 cookies). Spreading trees grow right in the sand big trees, in the shade of which you can comfortably sit down without fear of sunburn. The locals do it. You can ride a catamaran for an hour to the diving site with a mask and fins for 10 cookies per bow. There are still excellent beaches on the islands, and everywhere on the island. In developed resorts, deep-sea fishing and boating / catamaran trips, etc. are organized. entertainment. So great sea ​​vacation guaranteed in Cuba.

HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY, CUBA O MUERTE!

Pages 1

4,8 /5 (151 )

24 comments

levometsitin not levometsitsin!
Advice about levometsitin, which is an antibiotic and is prescribed for admission not by oneself, but only by a doctor, I think is bad. Only Russians will be able to take advantage of your advice, in civilized countries all antibiotics are strictly according to prescriptions. Do you swallow it from all misfortunes? Beware of allergies in this case.

levomecetin
to bon a savoir: Sorry, in a hurry I got confused, and there are many other similar errors in the text: hotels DeAuville, AquaZul, Nacional de Cuba, InglaterRa, etc. According to levomecithin: this is a strong antibiotic, which is known for its side effects, in no case should it be taken at every opportunity. Of course, ideally - only on prescription. But every time I take it with me as an NZ - if he already grabs the hellish, but there is no doctor, then I have to self-medicate at my own peril and risk, everything is better than bending over in the tropics

REMINDER for those leaving for Cuba

Traveler's guide to Cuba

You need to arrive at the airport in advance: to Domodedovo - 3 hours, and to Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo - 2 hours.
Do not forget to take your passport with you and, if your minor child travels with one of the parents, do not forget to grab documents confirming kinship and power of attorney. If your child is entered in your passport without a photo and he is already 6 years old, you must paste a photo.

If all Required documents in your hands, you independently pass the passport, customs control and check-in, which ends 40 minutes before departure.

Package of documents:

• international passport
• voucher
• insurance policy
• air ticket
• if necessary, a power of attorney for the child and a birth certificate
• bank statement (when exporting more than $3,000 per person)

For questions about crossing state border Russian Federation, you can contact the Fund for Assistance to Border Guards of the Russian Federation.
Consultations are paid. Phones in Moscow: 208-11-08, 208-47-30, 923-83-60, 208-66-79, 208-06-24.

Visa

In an Aeroport

When departing from Cuba, you will have to pay an "airport" fee of 25 pesos per ticket, including children (set aside this money in advance).
The time of departure from the hotel to the airport will be reported to you by the TEZ TOUR employee. Keep in mind that it is advisable to arrive at the airport for check-in three hours before departure. The road from Varadero to the airport is 2-2.5 hours, from Havana to the airport - 30 minutes.
The airline has the right not to allow persons who are in a state of intoxication to fly!

customs control

Currency
For the amount of currency exported from the Russian Federation (Russian and / or foreign currencies) exceeding the equivalent of 3,000 US dollars, a written customs declaration is filled out.
If the amount of currency (Russian and/or foreign currency) being exported from the Russian Federation is from 3,001 to 10,000 US dollars (inclusive), it is required to provide documents confirming the import or purchase of this currency (currencies) into the Russian Federation.
Import and export from Cuba of foreign currency is not limited, as well as national.

Food and drink
The importation of foodstuffs into Cuba is prohibited.
Rum: it is allowed to export up to 2 liters (3 bottles of 750 g each), this rule applies to Russian customs.
Coffee: unlimited.

Souvenirs
The export of stuffed animals from Cuba is prohibited, except for stuffed crocodiles (a certificate from the store where the stuffed animal was bought is required).
It is allowed to export paintings sized 30x30 cm, with a certificate of purchase.
Cigars: You can take out 23 pieces without a certificate of purchase. On large quantity you need to have a certificate. The total cost of cigars must not exceed $2000.
Corals: it is forbidden to export in its pure form. White coral products do not require a certificate, but black coral products require a certificate.

In a hotel

Hotel check-in
Please note that check-in on the day of arrival in Cuban hotels is carried out no earlier than 16.00. If you arrive earlier, you can check in your luggage at the luggage room and walk around the city.

Check out from the hotel
You must take care of the check-out time in advance. Officially, you must check out before 12.00. If you are leaving later, you will be asked to transfer your luggage to the luggage room and spend the rest of the day on the beach, in a restaurant, walking around the city. Behind additional fee in some hotels it is possible to extend the stay.

Hotel code of conduct
It is forbidden to invite strangers (i.e. not staying at the hotel) to your room.
The hotel has the right to evict a guest for drunkenness, hooligan antics, immoral or defiant behavior. As a rule, no other hotel accepts such a guest, and the immigration service deports him from the country. After that, he is blacklisted and cannot re-enter the territory of Cuba.

Number
Voltage electrical network in most buildings in Cuba - 110V (60 Hz), be careful. Some hotels have 220V voltage. However, it will be useful to get an adapter from 110V to 220V. We draw your attention to the fact that in hotels in Cuba sockets are designed only for flat plugs; if you have electrical appliances with round plugs, bring an appropriate adapter (or a regular tee with a flat plug) with you.

Payment for services

Currency
In Cuba, the free circulation of any currency is prohibited. According to the resolution of the Central Bank of Cuba, convertible Cuban pesos will be accepted instead of the dollar in local currency shops. These banknotes, which differ from the usual Cuban peso in their value (and their multicolor), are printed on the island and have no value outside of it. Also, you cannot pay with euros, pounds sterling, etc.
Cash dollars are exchanged for convertible pesos at the rate of 1:1, and in this transaction are charged 20% commission, and for other convertible currencies - euro, pound sterling, etc., in the amount of 8%.

Credit cards
This the best option for Cuba (in 2nd place - cash euros).
Cuba accepts major international cards: VISA, MASTER, DINERS CLUB. The only restriction is that they must not be issued by American banks, this operation will also be charged a commission in the amount of 1.1124% .

Tips
In Cuba, it is customary to pay a tip of 5-15% of the cost of services. The porter, the maid at the hotel are given 1 peso. Keep in mind that tips given in front of witnesses will be transferred to the general cash desk and then will be shared by the staff of the entire hotel or restaurant.
The guide on the tour is also recommended to tip (3-5 pesos) or at least say: "Thank you very much!"

National cuisine

The basis of Cuban cuisine is pork, chicken and a variety of seasonings from local plants. Sea products are also very popular: lobsters and camaron shrimp.

Excursions

We recommend that you book excursions only with representatives of TEZ TOUR in Cuba. TEZ TOUR cannot be held responsible for the quality of excursions booked in another way. Excursions with air travel: TEZ TOUR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AIRLINE DELAYS.

note that military equipment, military personnel, industrial enterprises photography is prohibited. locals On the contrary, they love to be photographed. True, before that you need to ask their permission. At shows and performances, photography and video shooting may be prohibited or allowed only for an additional fee.

Health and safety

Cuba - safe country, but, nevertheless, it is necessary to be careful, especially in the old part of Havana at night and in the evening. Bites of dangerous insects and animals in Cuba practically do not threaten you. But please note that swimming on an unequipped beach is dangerous for your health. The bottom of the sea wild beaches strewn with sharp corals and sea urchins. In addition, moray eels often hide among the corals. Of particular danger can be the "Portuguese boat" jellyfish, which are sometimes beaten by the wind in shallow water in summer.
Sharks and other big fish don't threaten you as the beaches are protected coral reefs impassable for large fish.
The most serious danger in Cuba is the sun. Severe sunburns can be easily obtained even in cloudy weather, so it is MANDATORY TO USE PROTECTIVE CREAMS with a high protection factor (UV>15).
You should not drink water from the tap, even in a hotel. Buy mineral or drinking water.
In state restaurants or in restaurants at hotels, you can not be afraid of any poisoning, however, in private restaurants, with quite low prices the quality of the products may also be low.

Medical insurance

Medicine in Cuba is at the highest level, despite the fact that the cost of medical services is low. But do not forget that in case of contacting medical institution or calling a doctor, you must immediately call one of the telephone numbers indicated in your insurance policy, and notify the insurance company that you are using medical services. If your illness is an insured event (see insurance policy), you will be compensated for the costs in accordance with the invoices you paid. Be sure to take not only checks for doctor's services, but also checks for telephone conversations with an insurance company.
If your illness is not too serious (low temperature, cold, cut, etc.), we recommend that you pay the doctor's services in cash and take a check. Upon returning to Russia, these costs will be compensated to you by the insurance company (if they are recognized as an insured event). This will be faster than calling the insurance company and waiting for confirmation, which can take a whole day.
Please also take into account that no insurance company covers the costs of treating sexually transmitted diseases and diseases caused by alcohol poisoning.

Transport

You should not use public transport in Cuba. First of all, because it is simply impossible to find it, but even if you find it, the quality of services will be extremely poor. However, this remark applies mainly to Havana. For example, on Varadero, a double-decker city bus will be the best means of transportation. A ticket in it costs 5 pesos, but it is valid for the whole day, and you can see the whole island.
For tourists in Cuba, there are so-called tourist taxis. These are always modern luxury cars. Taxis can be ordered from any hotel. At the same time, the movement of tourist taxis is constantly monitored, which ensures your safety.