Cuban Vintage Cars : A pink vintage car in the streets of Cuba
Cuba is known for three things : cigars, rum and classic cars . How does Cuba have these beautiful vintage cars, even some 1950s models that you can’t find anywhere in the world? Here is some background explaining why, for all the history buffs out there:
Why Does Cuba Have So Many Classic American Cars?
The simple version of the story goes like this: Cuba was once ruled by a dictator named Fulgencio Batista. Many Cubans considered Batista to be nothing but an American stooge who catered only to rich Americans while the local people were getting poorer and suffering. Fed up with the corruption, the people of Cuba revolted against the dictator. In a historic event, the dictator was driven out of the country and the revolutionaries succeeded.
Cuba, which had been the playground of rich Americans soon turned into a communist regime as it grew closer to the USSR. In the time of The Cold War, the strengthening ties between Cuba and Soviet Union threatened the US. In the 1960s, the US found that Cuba was providing a military base for the Soviet Union. To punish Cuba, the US imposed a trade embargo. Cuba reciprocated by imposing a ban on imported goods such as cars from the US. Importing cars from other countries, which are geographically farther away, was very expensive. Therefore, no new cars entered Cuba from 1960 on-ward. When the cars broke down, the people who owned these cars patched them up with local parts.
In 2013, Cuba finally lifted the ban on car imports paving the way for new cars to enter the country. However, these patched up vintage cars have now taken on a life of their own. They have turned Cuba into a living classic car museum!
Cars In Cuba Pictures
Now that you know the history, feast your eyes on these vintage cars! Classic cars of Cuba
10 Things You Need To Pack For A Trip To Cuba.
Cuba is a beautiful winter destination. With temperatures ranging from high 20°C to low 30°C in winter, this is an ideal destination if you are looking to escape frigid winter temperatures on low-budget. However, traveling to Cuba poses a unique challenge when it comes to packing. There are some items, such as over the counter medicines, that you take for granted when traveling to other countries. However, these items may not be as easily available. Therefore, before you head to Cuba, make sure you have packed everything listed in my what to pack for Cuba checklist to make your holiday pleasurable and worry-free.
What To Pack For Cuba : 10 Essential Items For Your Travel Checklist
Click on the links to directly jump to the relevant section:
Please see: This section is geared mostly towards Canadians or Permanent residents of Canada.
If you are a Canadian and visiting Cuba for less than 30 days, you will need only your passport and a Tourist Card to enter the country. Make sure that your passport is valid well beyond (at least 1 month) the date of your departure from Cuba. If you are a permanent resident of Canada and not a citizen, then carry your PR card with you (you will have to carry your PR card with you when you leave Canada else you cannot re-enter…so, a moot point!). Permanent residents of Canada are also not required to get any additional visa apart from the Tourist Card.
If you are flying from Canada, you will get a Tourist Card at the check-in counter at the airport or in-flight which you will fill out and keep with you till the date of departure from Cuba (Don’t lose it else you will have to pay for it again). If you buy an all-inclusive vacation package to Cuba, usually the cost of the tourist card is included as part of the package. Most flights departing from Canada have the cost of the tourist card included in the airplane ticket price (check with your airline). Border security collects the tourist visa from you when you leave Cuba.
*Travel Tip: If you are a permanent resident and not a citizen of Canada, be ready to answer questions about employment, where you are staying, date and proof of departure.
2. Cash – What currency to take to Cuba
The Cuban Economy is heavily cash oriented. A few shops or hotels accept credit cards but these are hard to come by. Especially, Credit cards issued by US banks are not accepted in Cuba. So, make sure you bring adequate cash to cover all expenses for the length of your trip. If your debit card has a Visa or Mastercard enabled on it (and not issued by an US bank), you can withdraw cash from an ATM or bank. However, ATMs in Havana are few and usually have long lines. You can also change your money at the hotel/resort you are staying at but you will get a better rate at the bank.
Dual Economy?
Cuba has a dual economy system. This means that the locals and the tourists deal with different currencies. The local population uses the Cuban Peso (CUP) where as outsiders to the island have to use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). You will often see two prices listed for all items on sale, one in CUC and one in CUP. One CUC is 25 times that of CUP. Since there is a huge difference in the value of these currencies, sometimes locals try to scam you by giving you CUP when you don’t have exact change to pay for items. Be careful and double-check that the currency that you receive is CUC not CUP. Check for the word Pesos Convertibles on the currency bill.
What currency to take to Cuba?
As mentioned above, tourists in Cuba have to use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). This currency is only available in Cuba and cannot be exchanged in international market. So, bring cash in your country’s denomination and get it exchanged in Cuba. US dollars are subject to an extra 10% tax. So, you are better off bringing other currencies like Canadian dollar or Euros.
3. Medicines
Pharmacies in Cuba are few and not well stocked. Even, over the counter medications are hard to find. So make sure to bring pain relief and flu medications such as Tylenol or Advil, anti-allergy medications, medications for Travelers’ diarrhea and nausea. Buy an insect repellant or Mosquito repellant sprays as reported cases of Zika Virus are on the rise in Cuba. Carry some band-aids and ointments to soothe insect and mosquito bites. Purchasing an international travel kit or first-aid kit
which has all the medicines and first-aid items included is a good idea.
4. Sunglasses, hat and Sunscreen
The sun is intense in Cuba even in the winter months. So carry your sunglasses, hats and sunscreen to protect yourself from sun damage. Make sure that your sunscreen has a Sun Protection Factor of 50 and above.
5. Travel Insurance
As of May 2010, Cuba requires that visitors to Cuba should have travel insurance in place. If you don’t have travel insurance, you can buy it on arrival in the airport from Asistur S.A. The travel insurance from Asistur S.A. is affordable at 2.50 to 3.00 CUC per day with coverage as listed here. If you are a Canadian or resident of Canada, your provincial health insurance may be enough and you may not have to buy any additional travel insurance.
6. Plug Adapters and Voltage converters
If your appliances need 220 volts to run, you will have to buy a voltage converter as the power supply in Cuba is 110 volts. Most modern electronics can work with 220v and 110v so a voltage converter may not be required. Check the voltage need of your device before you plug-in to be safe.
Some resorts and hotels in Cuba have sockets with 220 volts and have sockets which can accommodate both flat pin and rounded European plugs. However, if you are going to stay at Casa Particulares (a bed and breakfast type of accommodation in Cuba), the sockets usually have two flat pin slots. In that case, you may have to buy a plug adapter. I prefer buying 2 to 3 Universal Plug adapters as I travel to different places around the world and I have a lot of electronics that need charging overnight.
7. Printed Maps and Cuba Travel Guide
Internet access in Cuba is very limited. Even in resorts, paid wi-fi connection is often just accessible from the lobby. So, plan to get printed maps (as shown below) and Cuba travel guides if you plan to explore Cuba on your own. The Lonely Planet Cuba 9th Edition is a good guide book and the most up-to-date guidebook to have (published in Oct 2017).
Also, If you are not well versed in Spanish, it is difficult to converse with the locals to get directions. When I visit a place where language is a barrier, I learn a few useful sentences like -“Where is this hotel”, “Can you please help me”, “Where is the bus stop” etc., in the local language. With Google Translate App, you can translate on the go. However, in Cuba since you will not have internet connection, download the spanish language package before you go so that you can use it offline. You can also download offline maps of Cuba as well. Look for “offline maps of cuba” in the your mobile appstore.
8. Backpack or Fanny Pack To Carry Important Items
Cuba is, relatively speaking, a safe place to visit. The overall crime rate is very low. Having said that, there are still minor thefts that take place. Canada’s travel advisory says that things have been reported missing even from checked-in luggage. Therefore I advise you not to take unnecessary expensive things to Cuba. Also, don’t leave your expensive items lying around in the tour bus or hotel rooms. Lock up all important documents in the locker provided by the hotel in your room before going out. If that is not available carry them with you in a backpack or better yet a fanny pack that is on you at all times.
9. Swim wear and Light Clothing
This is the most obvious item of the list. Most people visit Cuba to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Varadero, swim in the Saturno Caves or snorkel and scuba dive. Make sure you pack swim wear, sandals and clothes appropriate for warm weather such as shorts, sundresses etc. Don’t forget to pack a pair of full length pants in case of semi-formal dinning requirements in your resort.
10. Gifts for locals in Cuba
Some visitors like to bring gifts for the locals as some items that are commonly available in developed countries are not easily available in Cuba. Especially, if you are staying at a Casa (local bed and breakfast) and not a resort, these gifts are appropriate and well received.
What To Bring To Cuba For Locals
Pencils, Pens and other School Supplies
Fishing gear
Vitamins
Children’s clothing and toys
Tampons and sanitary napkins
Sunscreeen
Lotions, hair conditioners, shampoos and lip balms
Books (Spanish and English)
Deodarants
Bedsheets and Towels
Makeup items
I hope you find this extensive list helpful on your trip to Cuba. Comment and let me know where you are travelling to. If you are traveling to Havana, check out my post on Old Havana here.
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