Has anyone been to Cuba to dive? I'm looking at doing a live-aboard next spring. Is Cuba American friendly? Any tips or recommendations for a female solo Traveler would be helpful. I am well-travelled, but have not been to a communist country.
Here's what I know so far. US dollars are not accepted. You cannot take Cuban money out of the country. You have to exchange for Cuban currency in the country. Travel outside of Havana is unsafe. There is no cell phone service.
And the most important question: Is the diving as great as I'm reading about? The travel challenges getting there need to have a grand payoff for me.
Thanks in advance for any tips
I've found Cuba very safe, but I would of course use the same precautions I would at home, especially as a female traveler.
Cuba is American friendly. The embargo is only from the US side. They've been having quite a few American visitors in the last 15 years (many via Canada).
The last that I went to Cuba in 2017 and prior in 2015, you could use either Canadian money or CUC's (convertible pesos). I never converted from my Canadian money and also got change in Canadian money. US money could be exchanged at banks or hotels with a 25% changing fee.
Beware of black market currency exchanges or all kinds of black market selling/buying. There is a big difference in haves and have nots now. The rations are barely enough to feed a family, and unfortunately there is a lot of prostitution, as well as some begging, especially in Havana. The women may come up to you and ask for money for milk for their baby, etc. Times have really changed.
It seems that the CUC is being phased out now and prices appear to be in US dollars, according to the Cuban Ministry of Tourism FB posts. If you follow the comments, you will see the discussion about US currency:
Ministry of Tourism of Cuba
"LATEST NEWS!!!!! For everyone planning to travel to Cuba, to visit their families, stay at a casa particular or to visit friends or just returning to Cuba, air-only is accepted to all airports except Cayo Coco, Havana and Trinidad (airports momentarily with restrictions due to Covid19 outbreaks in the province) (two luggages with 32kg each is accepted, but check with your airline for their own luggage regulations sometime fees are applied) Casas particulares will be following strict sanitized protocols , not all hotels will be open it depends on high demand and flight operations from tour operators. Excursions will be available following covid19 protocols no tourist zones will be applied with the exception of Cayo Coco. Transportation is normalized between provinces with the exception of Havana, Sancti Spiritus (Trinidad), Ciego de Avila (Cayo Coco)). Everyone will be covid19 PCR tested, you can check in and check out at the hotels with your phone , credit cards and debit cards from Canadian banks will be accepted most all prices will be in USD. WIFI will be wayyyy better, you can stay with your loved ones that live in Cuba at hotels in Cuba with the exception of Havana, Sancti Spiritus (Trinidad) Ciego de Avila (Cayo Coco) You can now travel to Cuba to visit your love ones, please be safe and respect protocols and social distancing CUBA IS WAITING FOR YOU!!!!!"