Taste of Cuba on 22 January

I am also on the Cuba trip in Jan. I have never been to cuba so I can't be much help with advice, but friends who have been there before say to take a lot of bug spray, especially out in the evening. The food is also supposed to be more expensive than you would expect.

Have you been on a trip with exodus before?

Claire xx

I am also on this trip but have neither been on a trip to Cuba or with Exodus before.  I have heard that sand flies after 4pm are a problem.

 One concern is money, not keen on taking all my cash with me for safety reasons (i.e. carry it round all the time) but not sure there is an alternative due to lack of banks. 

Also heard your not allowed to take internet enabled phones with you, is this true? My phone is internet enabled but will need it prior to departure and on return!

 James

I don't think there is a lot of options regarding the money situation. I would not want to rely on trying to find a bank once we leave Havana.

I don't believe there is a problem with mobile phones. It is more of an issue with GPS equipment. Fom what I have read you are allowed to take mobile phones with GPS as long as they are for personal use. If you have more than one they may ask you to explain why. You are not allowed to take stand alone GPS devices or walkie talkies for some reason without a prior permit. If you are concerned maybe contact exodus I am sure they will know if there have been problems before.

Claire xx

Hi,

Why Cuba?

I'm thinking about doing this trip and joining you in Jan but I'm not sure, so any comments would be welcome to help me decide. One of my friends has been there and loved it.

Dan

Hi, I'm also on this trip and really looking forward to it! A friend of mine went to Cuba a few weeks ago and she also advised that cash is definitely the best option. She didn't say anything about phones, but i can double check with her and let you know.

Are you all London based or do you have to take regional flights? I have to get the flight from Aberdeen first, but travelling down the day before to allow for any issues with snow.  

Britta

I am flying down from Manchester the night before also to allow for snow delays, flight was cheap but I haven't sorted out a hotel yet.

Hi - I am doing the Cuba La Isla Grande leaving on the same date.  No doubt will see you all at the airport as we will probably all go out on the same plane. 

I've done quite a few Exodus trips and have enjoyed them all. 

Sue

Also im quite interested in how much cash will be necessary for the trip since we have to lug it round with us, I have no idea as to the cost of things in Cuba for tourists considering we need to pay for some meals food & drink and the options such as Catamaran trip etc?

Hi, I found the trip notes really useful, they give you a good overview of the costs of the optional excursions and also how much you might spend on food, drinks, etc. Hope that's useful

 Britta

I am coming from the Bristol area. Also travelling up the day before so I don'thave to worry about getting delayed. I managed to get a room at the Premier Inn Gatwick Royal Manor for £30.

The trip notes are a good indication of how much money you will need for basics. I was planning to take around £500, maybe a tad more just in case. I am hoping it will be possible to change it gradually though so I don't get left with a load of Cuban money at the end. Remember there is a departure tax (25) so you might want to keep that seperate so you don't spend it by accident as well as the tip for the guide (30). Thats 50 pounds already, so I think its best to take more than you plan to spend to be on the safe side.

Claire xx

Hi,

I'm coming down from Colchester on the day of the flight weather pending.

Looking forward to it as another friend said I would enjoy it.

Money wise, I will stay with the advice in the trip notes and read up on various sources like the Rough Guide to give an indication of costs. However typically on a trip like this, I budget about £20 a day for food.

See you soon.

Dan

Just to confirm, people are taking Sterling to convert when there right? Am I right in thinking people are not taking any Cuban currency of either kind with them (is it possible?)  

Your right you can't get Cuban currency outside of Cuba. Either take Sterling or Euros to change when we get there.

Claire xx

 

Haven't been on for a while and glad to see a few fellow travellers have appeared now. Not that long till the trip now. I can't see having phones is an issue. I need mine for work as will need to access e-mails on it at some time when away. I'm just going to take UK£. Don't think we have that many other options do we? First time with Exodus but done similar trips with similar companies to Morocco and Egypt before.

This will be my first trip with Exodus, getting excited now that Christmas is out of the way..:-)

I will be travelling from Glasgow the evening before and staying in a Premier Inn at the airport.

Look forward to meeting you all - don't laugh at my salsa moves!

Jen

Hi Jen, I am also staying at the Premier Inn, the same one as Claire. If you are staying at the same one, maybe we can all get together on Saturday evening for some food? Not long to go..

Hi Britta, nice idea to meet up but not sure it would work out for me - I'm staying at the Premier Inn Gatwick Central and don't arrive until 9.45pm.  See you soon though...

I'm staying over at Gatwick Airport South on the Saturday.

Hi Britta, I have a table booked at the resteraunt at the hotel (probably a beefeater as its priemier inn) for 7:00 if you wanted to meet up for a quick bite to eat. Anyone else in the area is also more than welcome.

Claire xx

Hi Claire, that sounds good, will see you there at 7pm. Have a good trip to London.

Britta

Lovely, 4 days to go !!

Claire xx