Traveling to Cuba

[bluemangroup]

My university is sponsoring an alternative spring break trip to Cuba; I was wondering if anyone here on this forum has ever been to Cuba? If so, what was your experience? Did you leave with a positive or negative view of Cuba?

I'm eager to go as I want to see the place for myself, as I'm deeply interested in Cuban revolutionary history (Castro, Che Guevara, the 26th of July Movement, etc.).

I'm rusty on my Spanish (I only know a few key phrases), but IMHO it'll be a worthwhile trip.

Comments, feedback, advice?

[Igor]

the boss has on several occasions written about his travels in cuba so try shooting him a pm?

anyways i'm a bit surprised that a university in the united states is sponsoring a spring break trip to cuba, doesn't your government still restrict travel there?

[Red_Banner]

I haven't been there but an uncle of mine has.


He didn't find it bad, but wasn't impressed either.

[bluemangroup]

we have to fill out paperwork for us to legally travel to Cuba (unfortunately)

What areas of Cuba would you all recommend? What cities/towns/etc. to visit?

The Pope roughly a few years back once cut on Cuba for practicing Marxism (which displeased the Pope).

Would you all consider Cuba a revolutionary state or not?

[Dave B]

I went there a couple of years ago for two weeks and had a really good time traveling around and finding our own accommodation etc.

They didn’t speak as much English as I expected which was a bit of a problem for me but the others could get by on limited Spanish.

You can get a bit badgered by street cigar sellers etc.

Havana was good and not too expensive as was the town Trinidad.

The people were friendly and seem to like having a good time, hardly saw any police, there are internet café’s but no English newspapers.

We were there at the time of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and didn’t know anything about until we got back.

Felt quite ‘safe’ wandering around late at night etc etc.

Seemed to be a lot of flights coming in and out to Canada so maybe that is what Americans do unless they were all Canadians.

We met two separate groups of Canadians when we were over there.

getting basic pharmaceuticals was a bit of a problem; one us got bitten my mosquitos's, which in fact aren't much of a problem there but getting some anti-histamines from the local pharmacies was a problem.

But apparently they have them in the 5 star hotels etc .