'Illegal' Casas and Restaurants in Cuba

Elmin says on Apr 29, 2009, 07:15:

wouldnt you think Pinar Del Rio is just for a day or 2 at most Morphus? Id find it boring any longer then that.

I don't think Cuba is a real low budget destination due to the high taxes on all the legal accommodation for the tourists. Traveling around by going to the illegal casas is pretty much impossible if you are lacking in Spanish i reckon.

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babygirl says on Apr 30, 2009, 00:51:

Agree with Morphus re: the budget. Your budget is too tight for Cuba.

sebjac: How long are you going for? Where are you flying from? You'll get some great deals on packages in October from Canada and in addition to the agency Morphus mentioned, there are tons of Canadian discount travel agencies that book Cuba. Also another thing you have to consider, you're going to have to provide Cuban customs with an address of where you're staying upon entry, so scouting around after you land for an illegal casa might not be a great idea, at least for the first night you're there.

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babygirl says on Apr 30, 2009, 01:41:

OH MY LORD! I just took a read through the link posted. It's just embarrassing. I have no problem with budget travel, so don't get me wrong. But are you kidding me?

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sebjac says on Apr 30, 2009, 02:03:

Hey

Since posting - I've also read a few comments left by people, for example on Thorntree, and I'm less keen on the illegal casas as before.
Well why? Maybe I guess a lot of people were against for the risk it poses to the residents, and the little money saved.

Going for 3 weeks. Hopefully leaving early November. Departing most likely from Bogota. We're an Australian couple traveling around South America, and eager to see Cuba.

What about these package tours? I have little interest in resorts or seeing beaches - plenty at home or in cheap places like SE asia.

Hoping to have budget of about $80 for two people. What do you think?
If thats not possible I'll probably go for shorter, or just get more in debt!

Seb

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babygirl says on Apr 30, 2009, 18:03:

Well I have no clue about package tours from Bogota as I've only done it from Canada. If I had to hazard a guess they'd only be short term packages from Colombia anyway. I've always done a package as it costs pretty much the same to book just the flight then it does to book a package for a week. I use the resort as a home base and explored from there. Air Cubana flies out of Bogota and that's my favourite airline because they give you free Crystal beer on it haha.
If you're staying in casas I think $80 is totally doable. Street pizza's cheap, some casas have kitchens you can use to cook too. I personally think the transportation is expensive there. I'm pretty sure there is another class of bus there (sorry can't remember the name right now) that is cheaper than Viazul.
Have fun!

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babygirl says on Apr 30, 2009, 18:12:

seb

PS: so glad you changed your mind about the illegal casa thing. I've taken illegal car rides before but (transportation is a HUGE problem in Cuba), having to worry about getting caught, even though I wouldn't be the one to get in trouble, was just ridiculous. Not a good feeling at all. I couldn't imagine hiding in bushes like the guy that posted his tale of Cuba hahaha. I'm also thinking that's a good way to get yourself shot too haha.

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babygirl says on May 1, 2009, 18:45:

Yes yes! I knew it started with an "A"! Thanks Morphus.

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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RowBro says on Jun 27, 2009, 11:11:

you can find people who will rent a room to you at around 10cuc/night, i think i paid 15cuc/night sharing a room at a legal joint.

CUC is the tourist currency, of worth only in Cuba, rated at slightly more than the US$, Moneda Nacional - mn - is the local currency and if i remember right it was 24mn to $1AU, and that was when the AU$ was shit against the US$. DONT EXCHANGE IT ONE THE STREET, the actual CADECA's (Casa De Cambio) will do it for you even though its technically illegal.

eat on the street with the moneda nacional and get the rice and chicken dishes for cheap, the coffee for 1mn, pizzas for 7mmn, sandwiches for 5 etc etc.

yes there are cheaper bus companies but these are hard to find sometimes. Cubans wont point you in the right direction so be prepared to look for a while.

getting around town catch the bus not a cab, bus costs only 1mn everytime you get on. and you can, if you're super stingy just drop in like 20 mn cents.

Talk to locals and they become more easy going and often will cut you a deal. We got a room for 3 in Vinales (technically illegal) and got a tour for 5cuc each also illegal, our guide was just the coolest though, we sat with him and an old farmer and rolled cigars, then smoked them. best cigar taste ever.

I was there for 10 days and spent less than AU$100, including my airport departure tax. i went to vinales, trinidad and the beach, and saw a lot of habana. just be prepared to rough it.

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RowBro says on Jun 27, 2009, 11:14:

oh yeah and the other bus alternative when you're out of habana is to look for a local whose job it is to return renta cars to Habana. We got one for less than the bus ticket and it was far more comfy etc.

And dont think of violence. It does not exist really in Cuba, it doesn't work with communism. I never once felt threatened there, even when this huge black guy was walking around the city with me trying to find ATMs that worked with my card, which none did, SO TAKE CASH. just not US$.

Canadian or pounds worked the best.

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