Cuba - Travel Essentials: Camera, Carry-on and Cash
It was nearly impossible to contain the excitement of stepping off of the plane at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. Delta Airlines began commercial flights to Cuba December 1, 2016. The long anticipated two hour non-stop route from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Havana was simply too convienient to resist. After confirming a flight reservation for two on December 2nd and finalizing a hotel room reservation at the Melia Habana Libre Hotel (presumed to be paid for and secured with my American Express.....more to come about this later), we were prepared for a week of cultural exchange and exploration starting mid-morning December 25th.
This brings me to the visa process. Travel to Cuba for Americans is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of State. Certification is required by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department which administers and enforces trade sanctions. This certification requires that American citizens traveling to Cuba do so under one of the twelve categories authorized by OFAC. Fortunately, we arrived two hours early for our flight and was able to complete this process and receive our Cuba travel visa (which also serves as temporary medical insurance during our stay in Cuba). The fee for the tourist visa to Cuba and health insurance was $50.
Exiting the plane in Havana was like walking through the looking glass in Alice in Wonderland entering a completely mesmerizing world. After spending more than an hour in the baggage claim area, I vowed to warn future travelers that checked bags should certainly be avoided. Traveling with a carry-on suitcase would have saved precious time and frustration upon arrival to Havana.
The customs and immigration process in Cuba was efficient and seamless. The immigration officers were professional and pleasant --- capable of communicating in nearly every language.
Under the false belief that my hotel room was paid in full and secured on-line, my thought was that $500 US and $500 euros would be more than enough money for gifts, incidentals and meals. I had thoroughly research Cuban travel and felt comfortable with plans of converting $500 euros to CUC (Cuban convertible pesos), leaving the extra $500US for emergency funds.
Taking a taxi from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana to Melia Habana Libre Hotel was stress-free and efficient. We simply bypassed the money conversion booth, hailed a cab and negotiated an agreed upon $40US with our English speaking, curious and professional taxi driver to deliver us to the highly rated resort in the heart of Habana.
We arrived at the Habana Libre hotel bypassing the lobby check-in desk to be escorted to the 20th floor executive reception area complete with a panoramic view of this spectacular city. It was here that our trip to Cuba took a dramatic twist --- we discovered that our $2200 payment via on-line credit card hotel reservation via Melia website did not apply to US citizens making reservation in Cuba. It was explained that we would be required to pay for the hotel in cash using Cuban convertible pesos! We only had in our possession $1000 US total.....which upon conversion would only give us approximately $870 CUC. Needless to say, we were in a very precarious position....
Please follow this series to read about what happens next......the upcoming blog, "There is no ATM at the US Embassy in Cuba"