CUBA!! We Beat Mickey Dee's and Starbucks to Cuba Tour! Helpful Hints!

Cuba! Ahhh! Before I tell you about my fantastic Bucket List - We Beat Mickey Dee's and Starbucks to Cuba trip, I’ll give you a few helpful hints. See below.

1. Get a passport. You will not leave the U.S. or get in Cuba without one.
2. Go Legit. We flew on Copa Airlines from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport. Our layover was in Panama. It has been announced that American Airlines will be flying from the U.S. to Cuba. American citizens have been going to Cuba for years through the backdoor via Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Islands. I am not sure how they are doing it but I read it’s done. Since I wanted to return to the U.S. without issues, I preferred to visit using one of the legitimate ways suggested by the U.S. Embassy in Havana via an educational tour. I write children’s books and a blog. My trip was for research and educational purposes. There are many companies that offer educational tours. Google them. Click on the U.S. Embassy’s link here to learn more about travelling to Cuba. http://havana.usembassy.gov/travelling_cuba.html
3. Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with Travel.State.Gov at the U.S. Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Click on the link. https://step.state.gov/step/ Do not go out of the U.S. without doing it.
4. Get a visa. If you think you can get in or out without it, you will be sorry. I accidently spilled sunscreen on my papers and my visa was almost destroyed while in Cuba. Luckily, the guy at customs could read enough of it and my American accent convinced him that I was a U.S. citizen.
5. Place all important documents in clear plastic inserts. See 4. My visa was the only paper that was damaged because my other documents were in clear plastic inserts.
6. Take copies of your insurance card, I.D., driver’s license and passport in case something happens to your originals. Also, leave a copy of each item at home with someone. We stayed in five hotels and only one hotel’s safe worked. Take your original documents too. You will need proof of insurance or will have to buy insurance in Cuba. No free healthcare for you there. Don’t even try it.
7. Don’t be surprised if your hotel is more like a motel. Keep in mind that Cuba is not Paris.
8. American debit and credit cards – Don’t even bother to take them. They are not accepted at this time.
9. Take enough cash for your travels and emergencies. U.S. and other countries do not have Cuban money to exchange before you leave the U.S. The exchange rate can be high. Only exchange at a hotel, bank or legitimate exchange location. We exchanged at the hotels. You will be using Cuban CONVERTIBLE Peso (CUC) not the Cuban Peso. The convertible is equal 1 peso to 1 U.S. dollar. It’s better to bring money home than not have enough. I was able to purchase two paintings at the flea market using U.S. dollars (not all vendors accept) only because there was a money exchange booth at the market and it was cheaper for the vendor to exchange than me.
10. Make sure your cell phone carrier is available in Cuba. Mine was not. I had to use Wi-Fi.
11. Wi-Fi is VERY limited. Everyone has to purchase a card. The cards are relatively cheap, 2 CUC (equivalent to $2.00 U.S.) for 1 hour or prices/times may vary. The only locations you may be able to use them are at hotels. The Wi-Fi usually only works in the lobby area. You’ll see people standing near hotel windows accessing the Wi-Fi. We bought our cards at the hotels we stayed. Side Note: They are fully aware of the political and newsworthy issues in the U.S. They definitely know about Michael Jordan, rap music and other issues. They also Skype.
12. Buy old luggage at a thrift store. Do not take your new pretty luggage. We stayed in 5 hotels and 4 of them had bugs, mostly ants but one had roaches.
13. Take plenty of insect repellant. I sprayed my luggage with insect repellant. I also damaged the outside material of my luggage. However, no need in allowing a critter to hitch a ride.
14. Take tea tree oil. It is a natural insect repellant. I mixed into a spray bottle ¼ tea tree oil and ¾ water. I sprayed myself, clothes and beds with it. We went into the mountains and I was not bothered by bugs. I was bit by two mosquitoes on my ankle because I neglected to apply to my ankles and feet after coming out of a pool because I was previously wearing gym shoes and socks. I also used containers with Avon’s Skin So Soft to deter ants on our balcony at one of the hotels and in the bathroom.
15. Take sunscreen, hat, and an umbrella. You’ll need all three to protect yourself from the sun or rain. The Cubans do walk around with umbrellas if the sun is too hot. I bought a gorgeous one but had to leave it because of a language barrier at the airport.
16. DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER, AVOID ICE IN YOUR DRINKS OR EAT THE ICE. Even the Cubans drink bottled water. You should brush your teeth with bottled water too.
17. Watch what you eat and some places are not as nitpicky with sanitation as the U.S. I do not eat pork or beef. I accidently ate rice and beans with pork (It was good!) cooked in it. I was sick for 4 days.
18. Take diarrhea medication. See 16 and 17.
19. Take aspirin and all medications you may need. It can be expensive purchasing these items while in Cuba. I took my own but you may not know where to buy them or if you can. Don’t forget your toiletries!
20. Learn Spanish. I was mistaken my entire visit as a Cuban with the Cubans speaking Spanish to me.
21. Visit a museum. If you want to know about their history, learn it from them.
22. Do not take photos of military buildings, military or police, inside of some stores, definitely not grocery stores (learned that one the hard way), and a few factories.
23. Take two rolls of toilet paper, wipes, and hand sanitizer. When going into public bathrooms (restaurants included), there is an attendant usually located at the entrance. You will be required to “tip” before getting two strips of toilet paper. I believe one is to be used to dry your hands. If there is soap, you may not want to use it. I’m guessing the two strips of toilet paper are to avoid stopping up the toilets. I bought my own of everything mentioned above.
24. Tip. I noticed a few tourists not tipping. Most times, the tip was a measly coin. Just like in the U.S., the bathroom attendants rely on tips to subsidize their income. Tip them! Leave a tip for your hotel maid too. If you have a driver or guide, tip them too. We were told it was not necessary in restaurants because it was added to the bill.
25. If you do a tour and scuba diving is included, take your own equipment if you are concerned about sanitation of the equipment.
26. Do not ask about their economy or politics. It’s a No-No. I’m nosy and was told it’s not to be discussed. They really didn’t have to tell me twice.
27. At the moment, you can only bring back into the U.S. $100 US of cigars or rum and $400 US merchandise.
28. Take a garbage bag and empty sports bag for your dirty clothes and shoes. You can pack your souvenirs, clean clothes, and other purchases in your luggage and not be charged for two bags leaving the U.S., depending on the airline you use. 
29. Most hotels have mini fridges. However, they do not have microwaves - at least the ones we visited.
30. Iron your clothes and roll them before you leave the U.S. Consider yourself lucky if you have one in your room. Only one of the hotels we stayed in had an iron in the room. You may luck up and be able to borrow one from the lobby staff. My friend did and she had to nearly beg for it.
31. Take towels. You will get two bath towels per room. That's it. 
32. Take an outlet adapter. Although you can use the outlets in Cuba the same as in the U.S., you may need it.
33. Be a polite visitor. Do not go to Cuba (or any place not your home) behaving as if it’s yours. You are a guest in someone’s home. Behave as one and be respectful.
34. Enjoy the hospitality of the people. They were the most-friendliest people I have ever met. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, beaches, mountains, Iguana Island, cobbled streets, 1950’s cars, music (it’s everywhere), flea markets, old buildings, outside vendors, cigars, rum, stars, laid back atmosphere, etc.

 
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