Americans can purchase a visa (also called a tourist card) at the connecting airport before your flight to Cuba. We purchased ours at the gate in FLL. If you are traveling as a tourist, choose “Support for the Cuban People” as your official reason for travel. Then, once you arrive in Cuba, stay in casa particulars or Airbnb’s ( not hotels owned by the govt.), spend your money in privately owned restaurants, and shop at independent markets. Basically, make sure your money is going to the Cuban people and not the government. Some of your money will probably still find its way in to the government’s hands, but try your best to support the people directly, and keep your receipts to prove it. We never had to prove anything upon returning to the US. They simply asked us if we had a good time, and we said yes. I would highly recommend going, even for the extra hassle for Americans. There’s no other place like it!
On the topic of money. If you know someone in the island on a personal level, chances are they know someone who will exchange it for you and you get a better exchange rate than at the airport or exchange locations. I've gotten $100 exchange to $95+ . The more you exchange the more you get per hundred. Exchanging $1000 will get you about $98 per every hundred.
At least by August 2022 the currency situation has changed again as the peso is worthless. Most shops and restaurants are NOT accepting the CUP. Only hard currency via a debit or Visa card (NON American banks). Tourists can put there money onto an MLC card (basically a pre-paid card).
I just spent 13 days in Cuba, most locals would rather take USD for a 1:1 conversion rather than CUC when you avoid the higher end tourist shops. At least that was my experience in western Cuba
Thank you for all your great information on travel to Cuba. Been wanting to go for some time now. I appreciate the time and effort you put into the video.
Thank you so much for the interesting tips.. I almost decided to go this week to Cuba.. and had to travel from Havana to the middle of Cuba to Ciego De Avila.. to spend Christmas with my Cuban friend... But she wasn't 100% positive about any of it too... so by that reply.. 1 week wasn't going to be long enough When the Cuban people don't know.... then plan it carefully as I didn't want to be stuck in some town for 2 days waiting on transport... As the transportation situation there is terrible... But thinking again flights from A to B within cuba maybe less of a line of people waiting... cause the average Cuban cannot afford it but the information I found seem very conflicting... So I thought well plan advance for another time maybe... I found away around the money exchange situation... but this idea only applies if you have someone you really trust as I do... Thank you for the heads up on the drone... cause I was planning to take mine... What about camera gear... I do a little photography... is it accepted do they frown upon it ?
Hiya, always very informative, a good video, :) That is shocking about the drone situation, what is going on there they do not want people to see,, makes you think lol,
A drone is on my Christmas list .... geez, if that one guy got 2 weeks of hard time for flying his, I wonder if you would have had to spend any time in the slammer just for bringing one into the country if they had discovered yours (!) ... yikesa .... Loved watching your footage, btw, of all those cool old cars in mint condition, with great paint jobs. The adventure continues in Mexico - will of course be watching....
From what i read, they just confiscate it off you and make you pay a fine and then you pick it up before you head back home. So I was basically accepting that was going to happen since i couldn't store it anywhere but fortunately they didn't even find it
I'm American and planning a trip to Cuba for this fall. Thank God I watched your video. With the 10% tax on US dollar. Would it work if I exchanged US dollar for Euro at the Airport before leaving?
Por favor me tira uma dúvida Tenho os dois passaportes, brasileiro e americano. Se eu entrar com um passaporte brasileiro e na volta aos EUA entrar com o americano eu teria problemas? O que aconteceu na sua viagem já que você usou seu passaporte brasileiro tambem?
Born in Manchester but left 11 years ago. Lived in Rio for 6 years and then Houston Texas for 4 years so my accent has gone weird haha. Normally people from England can still hear something northern in there though
Health insurance thats valid in the country that you are traveling too, it can sometimes cover cancelled flights e.t.c depending on what coverage you get
Yeah i think many people would benefit from doing a tour of the island so you don't have to plan anything, and should also not have to deal with many scams that way
Better don’t go! 🇨🇦 Juste came back from Cuba, Cuba is getting bad, in 3 star hotel I stay in Varadaro, they didn’t clean my room for 6 day and I have to do my garbage 🗑 by itself. It was no clean beach towels no glass to drink juice in breakfasts, staff was arrogant. I went to Cayos, Varadero and Havana, very limited night life nothing, I been in Cuba 🇨🇺 many times before but this time is different, terrible food no veggies 🍅 No wander number of tourists in Cuba is down this year, hotel’s workers are spoiled, not good time for winter vacation this year.
Wlodek Better to stay in Casa Particulars, stay with a local family, much better food and way more friendly, I had a great time there, forget the hotels bad deal. Imo
Thank you for all the advice! I hope to go next month! As soon as I heard you like to travel spontaneously, I had to sub because I too like to travel on the edge. In all seriousness, thank you for the advice.
It’s funny how I ended up in your channel... long story but it includes Belize! Anyways, I kept watching all your videos and I kinda liked them for some reason! They make me smile :)! But...Chris, you need to show CAROL MORE LOVE my dude! In other videos you let her get unto rough places by herself, dont open the door for her, let her sit on a boat by herself, keep a distance from her when in the water! Lesgo ma bwai, show more care and hug her!! You could tell she gets really happy when you actually talk to her, not just for the video etc! But dont stop your videos! I like them :) Also, Carol 🌷 please make a video how you guys met lol. PS: DONT LET ME DOWN CHRIS!!
Yes all our videos are quoted in dollars, not going to change it just for this one. 1 cuc = 1 usd, they match it to the dollar. I also don't spend dollars in many other countries, doesn't mean i can't say what the price is in dollar. For example i am in brazil right now, telling an international audience the price of everything in the brazilian real will be less beneficial than telling them the price in dollar, since many people know what their own currencies rate is against the dollar without having to look it up. the large majority of our audience are americans too
Really sketchy taking your drone Chris, a couple of vloggers just got caught in Iran and are facing 10 years in jail! Highly recommend being more careful in countries like that buddy!
Yeah! I had read that all they would do it confiscate it at the airport and make you pay a fine so i was willing to do that.. Luckily they didnt even see it. They would let you collect it again from the airport on your way out.
I got till one quarter of the video and couldn’t watch further. Reason?.. I felt seasick 😳🤦♂️ He is floating the camera all the time. And it felt like in sea. I never had this experience before. Why can’t you put cam on solid and still place? 🙆♂️🙄🤦♂️ Because of that - thumbs down 👎
Man, I'm USA going to Cuba in March. I've watched tons of videos. Jeez, I gotta admit, I like the ones with those hot women. They are beautiful I'd give them my entire $ 300 K USD bank account for a week with one of them. I hate to say it, but you are not fine like they are. But you do give one of the best, most to-the-point videos I've seen. I took a page of notes. Thank you sir. From a US Navy Officer.
Americans can purchase a visa (also called a tourist card) at the connecting airport before your flight to Cuba. We purchased ours at the gate in FLL. If you are traveling as a tourist, choose “Support for the Cuban People” as your official reason for travel. Then, once you arrive in Cuba, stay in casa particulars or Airbnb’s ( not hotels owned by the govt.), spend your money in privately owned restaurants, and shop at independent markets. Basically, make sure your money is going to the Cuban people and not the government. Some of your money will probably still find its way in to the government’s hands, but try your best to support the people directly, and keep your receipts to prove it. We never had to prove anything upon returning to the US. They simply asked us if we had a good time, and we said yes. I would highly recommend going, even for the extra hassle for Americans. There’s no other place like it!
Thanks! That didn’t make it sound too hard really, I figured it would be a longer process to get the visa
Ruth Estes how did you exchange US currency?
I would love to stay in a casa particular with a family...how does one do that?
@@sshannon1948 Airbnb
@@tenille2529 go to ur bank and ask them to change it to Euro for you
On the topic of money. If you know someone in the island on a personal level, chances are they know someone who will exchange it for you and you get a better exchange rate than at the airport or exchange locations. I've gotten $100 exchange to $95+ . The more you exchange the more you get per hundred. Exchanging $1000 will get you about $98 per every hundred.
At least by August 2022 the currency situation has changed again as the peso is worthless. Most shops and restaurants are NOT accepting the CUP. Only hard currency via a debit or Visa card (NON American banks). Tourists can put there money onto an MLC card (basically a pre-paid card).
I just spent 13 days in Cuba, most locals would rather take USD for a 1:1 conversion rather than CUC when you avoid the higher end tourist shops. At least that was my experience in western Cuba
Thank you for all your great information on travel to Cuba. Been wanting to go for some time now. I appreciate the time and effort you put into the video.
Me and my parents have been to Cuba three times on holiday, and we had 1 and half days in Cuba on a cruise
I love the real take on your experience, thank you
Amazing view 1:23
Is there a way to get prior permission to bring a drone as I'm planning an extended trip thought latin america and a drone will be awesome !
Good info Chris we almost went there in 2017 but we cancel the trip we cruise to Caribbean instead
You make great videos and give great advice, thanks very much Chris !
thanks for sharing it with us
Thank you so much for the interesting tips..
I almost decided to go this week to Cuba.. and had to travel from Havana to the middle of Cuba to Ciego De Avila..
to spend Christmas with my Cuban friend... But she wasn't 100% positive about any of it too... so by that reply.. 1 week wasn't going to be long enough
When the Cuban people don't know.... then plan it carefully as I didn't want to be stuck in some town for 2 days waiting on transport...
As the transportation situation there is terrible...
But thinking again flights from A to B within cuba maybe less of a line of people waiting... cause the average Cuban cannot afford it
but the information I found seem very conflicting... So I thought well plan advance for another time maybe...
I found away around the money exchange situation... but this idea only applies if you have someone you really trust as I do...
Thank you for the heads up on the drone... cause I was planning to take mine...
What about camera gear... I do a little photography... is it accepted do they frown upon it ?
Went to Varadero. 2 years ago. Sight seeing Tour bus that runs all around Varadero cost only 5 pesos ..😄
I went and stayed in varadero, but took a day trip down to Havana and was 100% worth it. Next time I go I want to stay there
Download Google translate and on that the Spanish dictionary. It was a God send in Havana at our Airbnb
Enjoying your videos a lot! Question, in Cuba did you book your Casa Particulares before arrival, or did you find them on the spot? Thx!
Hey there, booked them all on airbnb👍
Great question I was wondering about it too.
I like going to varadaro it is much safer and has better water
Thankyou so much this has been so helpful!
Thank you! This was so helpful! 😍
Ya lo de la internet cambió, ahora tiene casi todo el mundo por paquetes de datos, solo es comparar una tarjeta sim local.
Hiya, always very informative, a good video, :) That is shocking about the drone situation, what is going on there they do not want people to see,, makes you think lol,
A drone is on my Christmas list .... geez, if that one guy got 2 weeks of hard time for flying his, I wonder if you would have had to spend any time in the slammer just for bringing one into the country if they had discovered yours (!) ... yikesa .... Loved watching your footage, btw, of all those cool old cars in mint condition, with great paint jobs. The adventure continues in Mexico - will of course be watching....
From what i read, they just confiscate it off you and make you pay a fine and then you pick it up before you head back home. So I was basically accepting that was going to happen since i couldn't store it anywhere but fortunately they didn't even find it
Bring your own loo paper if you go to Cuba, trust me !!
how is transport from Havana to other city to city? any updates is it really so bad? what is price for taxi?
I'm American and planning a trip to Cuba for this fall. Thank God I watched your video. With the 10% tax on US dollar. Would it work if I exchanged US dollar for Euro at the Airport before leaving?
I really enjoyed this Cuba series 👌👌😎
It was interesting! Mexico coming next😁
@@JumpingPlaces Looking forward to MEXICO 😎
Hi. I’m from the US. Can you please cut tell me more about travel insurance when travel to Cuba?
😊😊😊😊 Great video. Thank you
So, did you fly your drone in Cuba?
No way lol, if you get caught there you are screwed
Por favor me tira uma dúvida
Tenho os dois passaportes, brasileiro e americano. Se eu entrar com um passaporte brasileiro e na volta aos EUA entrar com o americano eu teria problemas? O que aconteceu na sua viagem já que você usou seu passaporte brasileiro tambem?
thanks bro for info
I am planning trip to cuba
Thank you. Invaluable advice.
Glad it was helpful!
Great tips! Thanks
This was helpful, thank you!
Hey how much spending money did you need for 10 days in Cuba? I will be bringing Euros !
Thank you so much for this video
Movimiento Clandestinos
Cuba Libre
Wha about using a visa in restaurant ?
Thanks for the tips. Where are you from mate, Bolton? America? Scandinavia? Brazil?
Born in Manchester but left 11 years ago. Lived in Rio for 6 years and then Houston Texas for 4 years so my accent has gone weird haha. Normally people from England can still hear something northern in there though
hmm, great tips for travelers 👍💕
Cheers mate
Have you ever done a multiday or week tour before?
I haven’t but Cuba might be a good place to do that if they organize everything for you
Cool video, thank you!
How do you travel so much lol how much money to I need for a cheap trip to Cuba from Jamaica 🇯🇲
What about rental cars?
Thanks for the tip on your trip to Cuba!
You are welcome!
Always take the passport when you leave United States!
Haha bruh..
this may be a silly question but what is Traveler's Insurance?
Health insurance thats valid in the country that you are traveling too, it can sometimes cover cancelled flights e.t.c depending on what coverage you get
How can i get visa in Cuba ?
Im enjoying it
Always use a Visa?
of course!
Great info!
to complicated , maybe a week on Varadero + free Time on Havana
with some cheap Travel agency is enough so
Yeah i think many people would benefit from doing a tour of the island so you don't have to plan anything, and should also not have to deal with many scams that way
You said you're doing travel tips for Cuba?
Yeah!
Dennis Daniels here is Dennis with all his questions! So funny
Bom. Dia tò sem muito tempo pra ver os video das pessoa que sigo mais fiquem tra quilo que assim que poder vejo bjs da bahia brasil pra vcs casal ❤❤❤
Obrigado, bjs 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
where did you get travel insurance from?
We used some Brazilian site since me and my wife have Brazilian passports
Do you travel through booking agencies?
Hey there, never have done so far no
The cuc has now since been in removal.
Hey there, you mean they are discontinuing the cuc?
Extremely useful information Chris, cheers.
Cheers mate!
You said having cash is better?
Yeah!
Better don’t go! 🇨🇦 Juste came back from Cuba, Cuba is getting bad, in 3 star hotel I stay in Varadaro, they didn’t clean my room for 6 day and I have to do my garbage 🗑 by itself. It was no clean beach towels
no glass to drink juice in breakfasts, staff was arrogant. I went to Cayos, Varadero and Havana, very limited night life nothing, I been in Cuba 🇨🇺 many times before but this time is different, terrible food no veggies 🍅 No wander number of tourists in Cuba is down this year, hotel’s workers are spoiled, not good time for winter vacation this year.
Wlodek Better to stay in Casa Particulars, stay with a local family, much better food and way more friendly, I had a great time there, forget the hotels bad deal. Imo
Very informative and helpful to us viewers 😍
Thank you for all the advice! I hope to go next month! As soon as I heard you like to travel spontaneously, I had to sub because I too like to travel on the edge. In all seriousness, thank you for the advice.
You still in Mexico rn?
Yeah! Next vids will be from mexico :D We were at a friends wedding here.
Love from Hardanger.vest Norway and My Cuba nabours
It’s funny how I ended up in your channel... long story but it includes Belize! Anyways, I kept watching all your videos and I kinda liked them for some reason! They make me smile :)! But...Chris, you need to show CAROL MORE LOVE my dude! In other videos you let her get unto rough places by herself, dont open the door for her, let her sit on a boat by herself, keep a distance from her when in the water! Lesgo ma bwai, show more care and hug her!! You could tell she gets really happy when you actually talk to her, not just for the video etc! But dont stop your videos! I like them :)
Also, Carol 🌷 please make a video how you guys met lol.
PS: DONT LET ME DOWN CHRIS!!
Always easy to watch....lol
Cheers!
Why does he say Cuba like that 😭 he’s saying it right just he need a the accent (cou-ba)
Lol
he's pronouncing it correctly.
That's how it's pronounced in Spanish
You said not to bring dollars, yet you quote all prices paid in dollars???
Yes all our videos are quoted in dollars, not going to change it just for this one. 1 cuc = 1 usd, they match it to the dollar. I also don't spend dollars in many other countries, doesn't mean i can't say what the price is in dollar. For example i am in brazil right now, telling an international audience the price of everything in the brazilian real will be less beneficial than telling them the price in dollar, since many people know what their own currencies rate is against the dollar without having to look it up. the large majority of our audience are americans too
Your lady is super beautiful!
Really sketchy taking your drone Chris, a couple of vloggers just got caught in Iran and are facing 10 years in jail! Highly recommend being more careful in countries like that buddy!
Yeah! I had read that all they would do it confiscate it at the airport and make you pay a fine so i was willing to do that.. Luckily they didnt even see it. They would let you collect it again from the airport on your way out.
@@JumpingPlacesFair enough, just don't do it in Iran!
Lol who exchanges money at any airport, you always get a bad deal.
The stupidities thing you can do in ANY country is to change all your money in airport.
I got till one quarter of the video and couldn’t watch further. Reason?.. I felt seasick 😳🤦♂️
He is floating the camera all the time. And it felt like in sea. I never had this experience before. Why can’t you put cam on solid and still place? 🙆♂️🙄🤦♂️
Because of that - thumbs down 👎
Lol sea sickness!
Anyway nowhere to put the camera at a good height in the hotel room
canadian dont need visa
Unfortunately I'm american lol
Yeah I think you can still go its just a trickier process from what i read
Lots of negative things :\
Man, I'm USA going to Cuba in March. I've watched tons of videos. Jeez, I gotta admit, I like the ones with those hot women. They are beautiful I'd give them my entire $ 300 K USD bank account for a week with one of them. I hate to say it, but you are not fine like they are. But you do give one of the best, most to-the-point videos I've seen. I took a page of notes. Thank you sir. From a US Navy Officer.