Here are the addresses of our special casas in Cuba. We do not recommend them all, so please read the “our opinion” section at the bottom of each casa. To learn more about casas particulares, how to find them, how it works, read our guide here. Havana: CASA CRISTO 461 Address : Calle Teniente Rey (Brasil) , Number 461, Entre Calles: Cristo y Bernaza Habana Vieja, CubaPropietario:Nancy y FidelTelefono:(+53) 7 8628227Movil: (+53) 5 249 5549Price :35CUC/night, doubleroomPossiblereservationvia :http://www.casahavanaparticular.com/havana-casa-particular-old-havana-habana-vieja-cristo-461.htmPaiement on site. Our opinion: Central location, hot water, nice view from our private balcony. English speaking owner. But owner not very friendly (or shy?). We have to ring every time to enter.…

Cuba is among the top 5 of our favorite countries around the world. However, with the economic difficulties linked to the American embargo, the locals see tourists as a gold mine. In all the countries we went to, we paid the “tourist price” willingly. But where we usually pay 1.5, 2 or 3 times more, it isn’t uncommon in Cuba to pay 10 or 20 times more than the local rate. Even for “rich Europeans”, this quickly represents substantial amounts. Fortunately, Cuba has other charms to compensate for the inconveniences Here I will list the most popular “scams” in Cuba (some of them aren’t really “scams” but things to watch…

What currencies should I take before going to Cuba? The euro, the pound sterling, the Canadian dollar… but not the US dollar which suffers a 10% penalty when exchanging. Americans are still hated here. Besides, American tourists say they are Canadian. Are credit/debit cards accepted? Yes in some restaurants, especially in Havana, but not in the special casas that will represent a big part of your budget in Cuba. Distributors are more and more numerous, especially in Havana. The exchange rate for distributors is the same as that applied in exchange offices. I withdrew money once in Cuba (and had a heart attack because the screen stayed unchanged for 20…

How to find accommodation in Cuba? If the hotels exist, they aren’t numerous and are very expensive On a trip to Cuba, it is best, like everyone else, to go to special casas, which are like hotels, but run by private individuals. For the moment, apart from hotels and special casas, the government does not allow other types of accommodation (couchsurfing, home exchange etc.) There is no site that lists all the casas in Cuba. To find good casas, you can : Buy the Lonely Planet guide for Cuba Go to TripAdvisor and look at the top rated accommodations in the city Read blogs/travel diaries of other travelers. Among others,…

Having lived in Vietnam at the time of communism, when every family had a food book, I thought that in Cuba we also risked starving to death. But no! I offer you this guide in the form of Questions/Answers to reassure even the most greedy among you. Will I starve to death? Gone are the days when each person is entitled to x bananas and x apples. If food is still not plentiful, it can be bought at the supermarket or on the street, where vegetable vendors park their carts full of fruit/salad/onions. Cuba now has the right to import food and medicine. One can even drink Coca-Cola imported from…