8 Things To Expect When Visiting Cuba
8 Things To Expect When Visiting Cuba
02/02/2017 03:53 pm ET | Updated 4 hours ago
Cuba is the new hotspot destination for American travelers. Many say they want to “get there before it gets ruined by mass tourism,” or before the political situation in America affects the recently-relaxed relations between the two countries. Though Americans have been finding their way around visa restrictions for years, it’s never been easier to travel to Cuba. If a Cuban adventure is in your 2017 travel plans, here are a few things you can expect.
8 Things to Expect on Your First Visit to Cuba
1. Your High School-Level Spanish Probably Won’t Cut It
Unless you’re staying at five-star hotels and resorts, most travelers to Cuba will be staying in casa particulares. These are bed-and-breakfast-like accommodations that are run out of the apartments of everyday Cubans. It’s a fantastic (and fantastically cheap) option that gives you first-hand access to the local people. However, in some casas there is very little, or no, English spoken or understood. You can make do with a basic phrasebook and some creative sign language, but don’t expect communication to be easy!
2. Cash is King
If you’re hoping to earn a bunch of credit card rewards points in Cuba, you may want to rethink your strategy. Especially if your credit card comes from an American-based bank. Even the high-end resorts can’t run an American credit or debit card, and no bank can issue cash from a debit card tied to an American bank (as of right now). Foreign credit cards issued from Canada, Australia, and Europe may work, but it’s a crapshoot. Your best bet is to withdraw all the cash you’re going to need for your trip and bring it with you. Scary, yes, but not as scary as having no money in a foreign country! Bringing Euros will also save you the price-gouging 10% fee that Cuban banks charge to change US Dollars, so consider buying these from your bank before you leave.
More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/8-things-to-expect-when-visiting-cuba_us_58938bd7e4b0985224db534f?section=us_travel
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