Traveler's Tips:
Cuban socialist currency is literally two (2) fold (Duel Currency): (1) Cuban Convertible Peso commonly called CUC used by foreign tourists. Exchange from US dollars, which are not accepted, Commission penalty is 10% + 3% surcharge when converting to CUC. Example: $100 US=.87 CUC's. The CUC is paired to the US dollar and worth 25 times more than the CUP. Consumers goods, merchandise are paid in CUC...A bit daunting for us! You can exchange money at the "Cadeca" Money Exchange Bureau, airport, hotels,even some cruise ship ports. Exchange rates are the same at every exchange. American credit cards, Debit cards, Travelers Checks are NOT accepted! Bring your $US Dollars! Canadian Money, Euros better exchange rates. Pay backs a dog!...The Embargo curse? LOL (2) Cuban Peso currency:commonly called CUP most Cubans are paid in CUP. 25 CUPS-1 CUC. Tourists can also pay for taxi rides, street food, and in some shops with CUPs. Both pesos are legal currencies. Leave tips in CUCs.
* Watch out for the "Cucaracha" cockroaches, they are big enough to saddle up and ride! not really but they are big! |
Viva La Vida Cuba!...Que Bola Asere?-
I recently traveled to Cuba...72 African Americans from Michigan, Ohio, Texas, & other US states under the "People To People Educational Activity Program"(P2P) which was started by Insight Cuba and the only way for Americans to go there...authorized & legally! Special connections were made for my group to experience the culture, history, community art projects, music, food and face to face with the locals. The US Department of Treasure, Office of Foreign Assets Control under the direction of President Barak Obama regulates travel to Cuba pursuant to the US embargo against Cuba over 50 years ago. The P2P does not include engaging in beach bumming, getting drunk on rum & cigars, vacationing without a purpose. Educational lectures are an essential part of this program. " A Thaw From the Cold War Relationships": US President Obama visited Havana, Cuba March 22-23, 2016 with First lady, Michelle Obama and daughters. He meet with Raul Castro and gave a moving speech to a massive crowd of Cuban people who came out in the pouring rain!...Talking face to face with many Cubans in shops and on the streets...They love him and the effort to re-establish ties with their country after 50 years of embargo imposed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. People 2 People: Santiago de Cuba seaside city (Atlantic Ocean) 2nd largest city in Cuba, often referred to as the root of Cuba revolution and the capital of the carribean.
Yet, the people remain resilient and slow progress in noted in major cities there. During my visit, although I saw many crumbling dilapidated buildings, I couldn't help but admire elegant architecture everywhere. I also saw reconstructing and new construction projects underway. Cubans are starting to enjoy free enterprise which will ultimately offer them a better way of life. NEWS FLASH: UPDATE! TRAVEL TO CUBA: American Airlines approved by the US to fly direct non-stop flights from Miami to Cuba beginning September 7, 2016....Havana is not on their list yet. Jet Blue approved earlier, has also strengthened it's position to travel to Cuba beginning July 3, 2016 out of New York's Kennedy Airport to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. Both airlines have teamed up with charter companies licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Cruise Ships: The Carnival Cruise ship "Fathom" "Adonia" which they termed their " Maiden Voyage" and claiming to be the first American cruise ship company to sail there. They set sail in May, 2016 carrying most Cuban-born passengers from US who had not seen their family members or homeland since the U.S. Embargo.( A law relaxed by Cuba). Other cruise lines i.e., Mediterranean Shipping Company,(MSC) An Italian based company & the Celestyal Crystal (Cyprus/Greek owned) have always sailed to Cuba from other parts of the world. Tourism is not allowed at this time. However, according to the OFAC, there are at least 12 acceptable reasons to travel legally. i listed a few here and link to U.S. Treasury site below:
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US President; Barak Obama
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Vintage Cars: Havana, CubaAwe struck by the beautiful vintage cars all over Cuba...A step back in automotive history. Time stood still after the embargo. The cars really are straight out of the 1950's!
Some were taxis, some were personally owned, some for rental and in my case tourist rides on the Malecon seafront road in Havana. Beautifully maintained for years. Brightly colored., all makes and models. Shout out to the innovative, creative ways used by the owners/mechanics to reconstruct, resurrect them for all to marvel at! A classic car collector's dream likened to our Michigan Annual"Dream Cruise" every year down Woodward avenue. Tribute to Fidel Castro (1926-2016)
Symbol of Revolution |
Netflix/YouTube Media Resources (Movies/Documentaries):
1. Cuba Libre 2. Che |
Since my visit to Cuba in April, 2016, the Cuban people has since lost their beloved leader...fearless revolutionary Fidel Castro (born Fidel Ruz) at the age of 90. I am one to honor him for his bravery, tenacity as he and others who join with him in the fight for freedom, justice & human rights from a nefarious dictator leader back in1959. He made his transition on November, 25, 2016. Perhaps his good friend who fought along beside him during those years: Ernesto Che Guevarra is welcoming him with open arms into heavens spiritual plane. "Liz" |
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