While cheaptravel options, such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, maketravel to Cuba affordable Americans must satisfy certain requirements tolegally travel to Cuba for the first time in 50 years.
After decades of isolation, Cubas crumbling infrastructureis not ready to handle the impending surge of tourists. Though this will not slow the number ofvisitors, it will make travel more challenging within the country.
The following are things you need to know if you areplanning a Cuban vacation, according to Will Ripley:
-
Americancitizens can legally enter Cuba if they use one of 12 travel exceptionsregulated by the U.S. State Department. While they no longer need to fill out paperwork, Americans need to beprepared to state their travel exception if asked.
-
Airtickets should be purchased well in advance of your travel. Flights from the United States are currentlylimited to Cuba charters that tend to fill up quickly.
-
Reserveyour hotel well in advance. Cuba has amajor hotel room shortage, particularly during the peak tourist season thatruns from mid-December to mid-March. Securing a last minute hotel room in Havana is highly unlikely. Many tourists are renting private rooms onAirbnb or other rental sites. Extremelylimited Internet access in Cuba delays confirmation of online books by severaldays.
-
Leaveyour digital devices at home since Cubas lack of Wi-Fi and mobile data meansthat such devices will not work in this country.
-
Bringcash for your entire stay. Cuba islargely a cash only economy. MostAmerican credit and debit cards will not work. Bring Euros or Canadian dollars to avoid the high taxes accessed to U.S.dollar transactions.
-
Foreignersare not allowed to pay for things in local Cuban pesos. Instead they have to use Convertible Pesos(CUCs) which are valued similar to the U.S. dollar. If you are American and check your bankaccount online from Cuba your assets will likely end up temporarily frozen.
-
Beprepared to tip for almost any service provided by a local Cuban even if it issimply to take a picture of whoever is traveling in your group.
-
Stateowned restaurants are often good, but many menu items may be unavailable due tolimited food supply.
-
Do notplan to return home with lots of cigars. While you are legally allowed to return with up to $400 in souvenirs,only $100 of that can be in rum and cigars.
-
It iseasier and safer hiring a taxi than driving around the country on yourown. Be certain to negotiate the priceof any ride before getting into a classic car. Cheaper local taxis are available, but they tend to avoid giving ridesto foreigners who do not speak Spanish.
-
Beprepared to take it easy while in Cuba whose slow pace of life catches somevisitors by surprise. Service inrestaurants, clubs, and hotels, often takes much longer than you are used toback home.
www.cheapfares.com