Getting a car to the UK from Cuba

[PJW]

I plan to visit Cuba next year. Taking the husband. He' s keen on owning an American classic car. Is it possible to buy one out there and get it back to the UK without involving too much cost and red tape?

[Headtime]

I would personally doubt it very much, although I'm prepared to be corrected. As tourists in Cuba, you can't even hire the classic American cars - Just crappy Peugeots and the like at great expense ($90/day).

Also, having a Communist state controlled economy, I would suspect that even if it were possible, the red-tape and bureucracy would be a nightmare.

[PJW]

Any tips on what to do and see in Havana? Is it better to use cabs/public transport to get around?

[geofbob]

Almost everything in Havana is worth seeing, even the falling-down buildings, and especially the people. But the main sights are probably the Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas and surrounding historic buildings, the Malecon (sea front promenade), the Casablanca area across the bay and Ernest Hemingway's house just outside the city.Also, the Dos Ambos and Sevilla hotels; and the Bodeguita and Dos Hermanos bars are well worth visits. Other than the ferry, I don't recall getting any public transport - we walked in town itself, and got taxis (which often broke down) for longer journeys.

[PJW]

Thanks geofbob. If you have any further tips on Havana, please let me know. (PS Thanks also to Headtime re. previous response to car question).

[geofbob]

Thanks for your thanks! A couple of afterwords (having looked at the diary of our visit 5 yrs ago). Regla is another very interesting area across the water by ferry; it is a centre of Santeria, the local religion that combines Catholicism with the old African deities. If you have time, try to find, and eat in, Havana's Chinatown, which consists of about one street, but has an atmosphere all its own.

[PJW]

Are there any no go areas in Havana? Currency - better to buy in UK or over there?

[mikewith]

Sounds like you have quite enough reasons to visit Havana, so for your *next* holiday, if you're still interested in picking up an old US car, go to Uruguay. Scores of cars from 30's-60s all over the place, especially outside Montevideo. Many in good condition and for sale in the local papers (I checked, but chickened out of doing anything about it!) Exporting from Uruguay should not present any unreasonable obstacles.

[PJW]

Uruguay - maybe.

[mikewith]

Uruguay - exceptional people, few tourists, very friendly, beautiful beaches, decent quality of life, low prices, plenty of culture, great food, great music, great nightlife, old Yankee cars, not hard to get to (fly to Buenos Aires, which is 2 hours away by ferry), combinewith BA or even southern Brazil if you need variety, two top football teams if that's your scene, and you'll have been somewhere most other Brits haven't even considered. Honest - highly recommended. If you still need a reason, visit the city of Fray Bentos, where corned beef comes from.

[PJW]

Thank you - definitely food for thought.

[mikewith]

I feel like I'm stalking you now - but here's a page with pictures of some of the cars, to whet your appetite: http://www.ulwaf.com/ColoniaOldCarsPage/ (it's not just Colonia, but that's anice place to spend some time) and an old, reprinted newspaper article which includes details on exporting: http://www.cilicia.com/armo24_juan.html

[Headtime]

PJW, I don't think there are any no-go areas in Havana. I didn't once feel threatened in Cuba. Despite many Cubans living in hardship, they are incredibly warm and welcoming people.

Havana is a beautiful and fascinating city, I recommend an afternoon at the Necropolis de Colon - A huge cemetery with gorgeous mausoleums that stretches as far as the eye can see.

The best way to travel about Havana is by Taxi. You can get driven in the type of American cars your husband likes so much, scooter taxis or bike taxis.

Whilst a stunning city, I wouldn't want to stay there for the whole of my holiday. We rented a car and travelled around the island. As I said earlier, it is expensive though. Road signs and maps are almost non-existent, which can make driving difficult. So if you want to travel about tourist buses or Taxis are maybe a better option.

Definitely recommended is the town of Trinidad on the south coast. Stunning beaches, great architecture, bars, Paladares (unofficial restaurants that serve great lobster - Much of Cuban food isn't that great though).

I would also steer clear of the hotels. They are all state-run, and expensive. Much better is to stay in Casa Particulars, essentially B&B's in peoples homes. We were given a warm welcome & lots of privacy in the ones we stayed in, and they were all beautiful homes with courtyards and colonial decor.

Because of the American trade embargo, and the fact that the World Bank won't lend Cuba any money, they are desperate for hard currency -US Dollars. It's very difficult to spend Cuban pesos, as they are nearly worthless. We changed $80 worth and could only spend a fraction. So I would get US Dollars before you go, for tourists they are the standard currency.

above all you will have an amazing time. I have so many happy and intense memories that I will never forget. Enjoy yourself.

Ooo-err I seem to have gone on a bit!

[PJW]

Cheers everyone - much appreciated.

[archbishop]

As headtime says take US Dollars, but get as many $1s' as you can.