After ten visits to Cuba, I suppose that makes me something of an expert. For the uninitiated, here’s a rundown on some Do’s and Don’ts:

DO’s

1. DO go. And go there soon. Since the restrictions on American travel were lessened in the last several months, visitor counts from the U.S. have surged exponentially. Everyone wants to get there, “before things change.” Hotels are full (overbooked, in fact). Streets are busy. Guides and buses in short supply. Prices are rising. It’ll get worse before it gets better. And the cruise ships WILL come.
2. DO wear sensible shoes. I probably sound like your mother, but I can’t stress this enough. And watch where you walk. Streets and sidewalks are treacherous. Obstacles abound: potholes, uneven surfaces, streets paved with slippery, round river rock . . . I know from personal (and painful) experience: I broke my arm in April when I slipped on the cobblestones of Trinidad and had another casualty this week when a woman in my group took a tumble and broke her elbow.
   

   The streets of Trinidad are paved with treacherous river rock. Beware!

3. DO bring more cash than you think you need. As of this writing, it’s not possible to use credit cards or withdraw currency from an ATM machine. Prices are still fairly reasonable, but it’s not the least expensive destination you’ll visit.
4. DO some homework before you go. Your journey will be enhanced if you learn about the fascinating and complicated history in the 50+ years since the revolution. One of my favorite resources is the Center for Democracy in the Americas  Other informative articles: What You Might Not Know About the Cuban Economy  Kerry’s Cuba Trip Should be a Wake Up Call for Congress
5. DO go exploring. Make sure you see some of the countryside. Get off of Obispo Street – Havana’s main (tourist) pedestrian street and walk the side streets and the back streets. Wander around the neighborhoods to see how the locals live and play. Cuba is one of the safest destinations you’ll ever visit. Go to the Malecon at dawn and/or at dusk when the clouds are pink to watch fishermen cast their lines as the surf splashes over the seawall.
   

   A local street scene like this – a bit dodgy in any other place, is non-threatening in Cuba.

6. DO try all the various means of available transportation. Vintage cars, banana-yellow cocotaxis, bicitaxis and horse-drawn buggies in the countryside.
   

   A vintage convertible – one of the most enjoyable ways to see the sights!

7. DO say “no” firmly and with authority. An unfortunate reality of the economic situation are the increasing numbers of panhandlers and street hustlers – they’re called Jinereros. Ladies will ask for soap or shampoo, and once you’ve been engaged they want money for their baby. Or, somebody will offer to help you find your way and then accompany you to the bar or restaurant and expect you to buy them drinks. It’s a tricky proposition because not everyone is an opportunist looking to exploit. But there are some who camp in front of the main hotels and tourist haunts, looking for an easy mark. If you want to support the locals, it’s better to transact with a hard-working vendor or artisan and purchase some locally-made handicrafts rather than support such hustlers.
8. DO choose to travel with a company who knows the challenges of operating in Cuba, and who hasn’t just joined the bandwagon. It’s like no place else … and the operational challenges are significant.

DONT’s

1. DON’T overpack. You’ll pay $2/pound if you exceed 40 pounds on the charter flight (including your carry-on). And (per point #2 above), you won’t need more than a couple of pairs of shoes. Temperature is tropical (think Miami). And it’s just a whole lot easier to navigate the world without a lot of stuff.
2. DON’T plan to stay connected. Electronic communications are still a challenge in Cuba. Although a few in my group were able to make and receive calls on their Verizon plans, the internet connectivity was less reliable than I remember from previous visits. Probably because of increased demand.
3. DON’T travel with your normal expectations. One of my oft-repeated expressions to my WOWees is, “This is Cuba!” Travel to Cuba is different than anywhere else, and that’s what makes it such a fascinating experience!

 

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I’m a couple of days late with this blog, since I had poor internet connectivity to post from Cuba. I wonder . . . did anybody notice?