Whenever someone has asked me about some tips they should know before their trip to Cuba or, let's say, to Havana as a first destination, I have certainly felt a bit overwhelmed. Havana can be wonderful, and also very intricate for any visitor. I suppose this is naturally true of any city in the world, but of course each has its own characteristics.
For the newcomer it's normal to feel... more overwhelmed than me, the person who is going to give you some advice, 😁 for the fact that as soon as you arrive you will begin to experience some realities that do not offer only linear paths.
Ladies and gentlemen, the culture, customs, idiosyncrasies and the socio-economic situation of a country will be decisive here. That is why I have decided to write some tips or, let's say, a practical guide that you can always check against the information available on the Internet.
On currency. A thorny issue.
Right now we have two main currencies: the CUP (Cuban peso) and the MLC (freely convertible currency). The first currency can be held both physically and virtually, while the second is only held on magnetic cards.
Other currencies exchanged here and their exchange rates can be consulted on the website of the entity dedicated to these matters: CADECA.
Why is this a thorny issue?
It turns out that there is an informal currency exchange market in Cuba, which you can consult on this page (https://en.eltoque.com/).
The government will be glad to buy the visitor's currency at the official rate, but has restricted nationals from buying foreign currency at this low official rate compared to the informal exchange rate. It is a complex and time-consuming process that requires reservations and long lines to obtain a specific amount per person. No idea what it is. But I'm guessing you won't be able to buy all the currency you might need.
The pros and cons
Legally exchanging your money at the Bank or Cadeca will cause you to lose purchasing power because inflation in Cuba is rampant. However, it is risky to exchange your money in the street with anyone because you could be the victim of some kind of scam. That's why you should be careful and get help from people such as the owners of the accommodation you are staying in or people highly recommended by them, such as drivers or guides who will accompany you.
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Another crucial information
Make sure you travel with cash and notes of different denominations, because if you bring a card linked to an American bank, you won't be able to withdraw money here.
You won't be allowed to take out the dollars on your card here either, but only our CUP currency at the official exchange rate.
I think the amount of cash you can bring into Cuba is 5000 USD or other currency. And if it is more it must be declared at Customs.
Transport
On this subject, I can recommend official car rental websites, as well as some considerations on the use of taxis in the city.
https://www.rentcarcuba.com/en
https://www.transtur.com/
If you wish to travel by taxi, you will have options for getting directly to your accommodation as soon as you leave the airport. Prices vary and can be around 30-40 USD right now.
In the city you can, of course, use public transport, which is very cheap. I mean the buses (when they appear), they can be crowded with people too... it's an adventure here, almost an odyssey. And the so-called Almendrones (classic cars) that cover specific routes in the city and whose prices range between 100 and 150 CUP (remember to calculate according to the informal exchange rate).
We also have some Apps to hire taxi pick-up services and they calculate the price according to the route you want.
For example, I have used La Nave (https://lanave.app/).
This opens up another important issue for your stay here and that is communications.
Mobile telephony
Here we have only one Telecommunications Company and that is ETECSA. In this link you can find out about contracting the telephone service, something you will have to resolve as soon as you arrive.
https://www.etecsa.cu/en/visitors/cubacel-mobile-line
Accommodation
As for accommodation, you have the option of renting houses, flats, hostels... or any hotel in the city. When I asked, two people recommended the Meliá Habana.
Anyway, on the Tripadvisor site (https://www.tripadvisor.com) you can research many things related to accommodation.
Airbnb.com can also help and who knows if a Cuban Hiver reading here leaves his or her contact to offer this accommodation service and you can even pay in HBD.
What to do in Havana?
This deserves a separate post, with my own recommendations! There are many pages on the Internet that suggest the most emblematic places in Havana, those experiences that all visitors must have, almost obligatory visits.
This is an official website: https://infotur.cu/en/destinos/havana
It really is a bit bland. 🙄
This link from TripAdvisor provides other places of interest. And this other site (https://www.tripcuba.org/havana) also has a lot of information about what to do and see in Havana.
🙃
I think that's enough for today. This post is already quite long. If you are Cuban and want to leave a recommendation for someone who will soon visit us, I'll be waiting for you in the comments section.
I think that's enough for today. This post is already quite long. If you are Cuban and want to leave a recommendation for someone who will soon visit us, I'll be waiting for you in the comments section.
{edited}
These are some of the businesses that accept HBD in Cuba and can be found at https://www.hivecuba.com/negocios-comunidad-hive.
There are services there for currency exchange. Check them out.
Original content by 
Photographs taken in a restaurant called Habana Retro in 2016.