Free Wifi in Havana

Yes, read that again: Free WiFi in Havana! The internet in Cuba Cuba has slowly opened up the Internet. First, there was the problem that all Internet communication should go via satellite and that made it slow and costly. Consequently, Internet access was slow and expensive. Fiber optics Then, in 2011 the optic fibre cable […]

How to book a Casa Particular in Cuba

Last update 02/2020 Do Book a Casa Particular! The best way to discover Cuba is book a Casa Particular. Sometimes this is confused with ‘staying at the home of real Cubans’ but you have to realize that most Casa owners are the elite Cubans because they have access to hard currency. The ‘real’ Cubans would […]

10 do’s and don’ts for Americans in Cuba

Americans in Cuba Yes… I know this page is full of prejudice :-)… It’s fun to write with a bias for a change! Until 3 or 4 years ago I was very impressed with the Americans I met in Cuba. They were civilized, spoke some Spanish (or even very good), adapted to local culture and […]

Cuban absurdities

Just a few short stories to show that Cuba does not fit our reference frame: Rum on an AA terrace. Driving around with a friend we spot a beautiful terrace and decide we want to have a rum there. That’s just something we do. We stop and sit down. 4 waitresses are chatting with two […]

Gifts for Cubans

What are appreciated gifts for Cubans? Update August ’18 Why gifts and for whom? If you want to take some gifts for Cubans with you to thank them or just to make them happy, you should consider a few things: Who do you want to make happy? The owners of you casa particular is not […]

14 things to do in Cuba

Here are 14 of the beaten track things to do in Cuba that make you come home with a different story than your friends: 1 Give people a lift Your car rental company tells you not to, but this is very safe and fun. Don’t take two men or a man alone. Go for couples, […]

10 things about Cuba

Here are 10 things about Cuba your travel agent hides but you should know 1 Moneda Nacional. Everybody, including you as a tourist, is allowed to pay for stuff in Pesos. CUC is not tourist money, it is the Cuban equivalent of hard currency. You can buy Moneda Nacional at the Cadeca where you go […]

Reviews CubaConga

Here are some reviews about CubaConga   We are beginning to reap the benefits of positive reviews. HotelsCheap interviewed me. You can read it here. CubaBookingRoom is also very happy with our book. Cuba-Junky has put us on the front page! Yes, on the bottom of the front page, but still… the front page! We […]

Cuba Alternative Travel guide

Welcome to the alternative travel guide to Cuba. If you want to know which church to visit in Havana or how to get from Havana to Camaguey by bus, we refer you to the Lonely Planet. This guide is an alternative travel guide that will show you the ropes of life as a tourist in […]

Cuba Customs

Cuba customs Passing Cuban customs Your first introduction to Cuba is the long waiting line at customs.  A whole battery of austere looking custom officials checks every passenger thoroughly.  Until he or she is satisfied the gray door to Cuba remains locked.  You have to take your glasses off, put them back on and take […]