Cuba Larry's No BS Travel Tips

The real deal from the beach to the bar.
Not sponsored. Not sugar-coated.

MONEY & EXCHANGE

Money in Cuba isn’t just currency—it’s survival. And the smart move? Bring U.S. dollars. Clean, crisp, no coffee stains, no dog-eared edges. This isn’t the time to empty your junk drawer of crumpled bills. Euros and Canadian dollars are tolerated, sure—but they’re the backup singers, not the headliners. And for the love of God, leave your coins at home. Loonies and Toonies? Worthless. You may as well try tipping with poker chips. Don’t even think about getting pesos at a hotel or bank unless you enjoy losing 30% to the system. Want a fair rate? Skip the front desk and ask someone who works there—the bartender, the maid, the guy sweeping the lobby. They know who to talk to. This is Cuba. You don’t wait in line—you ask around.

Transportation Tips (Taxis & Tours: Know the Hustle)

Getting around in Cuba is a hustle—charming, chaotic, and sometimes a little greasy. Taxis? They’ll see you coming. So don’t be a rookie—agree on the price, the currency, and whether it's per person or for the whole carbefore you slide into that worn vinyl seat. No surprises that way. And if the hotel guard offers to call one for you, understand this: it’s gonna cost more. He’s not doing it out of kindness—he’s getting his slice. As for the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, it’s actually a decent move—$15 for the whole day, great views, and it hits all the right spots. But here’s the rub: they won’t take U.S. bank cards, so bring something Canadian, European, or just stick to cash. Cuba rewards the prepared and eats the naïve for breakfast.

Airport VIP Lounge

VIP Lounge: Worth Every Damn Penny

Let’s be honest—Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport isn’t exactly Heathrow. It's humid, chaotic, and smells vaguely like sweat and duty-free rum. It’s about 30 minutes outside of Varadero, give or take a pothole or two. And if you’re flying home with a sunburn, a hangover, and the patience of a lit fuse, there’s only one move that makes sense: the VIP Lounge.

For $35 USD, you skip the airport circus. No lines at check-in, no lines at security, just a cool breeze, a comfortable chair, and a bartender who actually gives a damn. There’s top-shelf liquor, cold beer, decent snacks, and the kind of quiet you forgot existed in Cuba. It’s the only place in the airport where you can smoke without getting side-eyed or fined, and someone even lets you know when your plane’s boarding. No gate stampede, no overhead bin warfare—just a civilized goodbye to the island.

But don’t screw around—you need to book it ahead of time through your tour rep. Space is limited, and once it’s full, you’re back in the wild with the rest of the cattle. And trust me—you want no part of that.

ck to cash. Cuba rewards the prepared and eats the naïve for breakfast.

Hotel Tips - Villa Cuba

Villa Cuba Survival Guide

Villa Cuba isn’t trying to be a five-star resort—and that’s part of its charm. It’s a little worn, a little loud, and totally unpretentious. But if you know how to play the game, it delivers. The rooms in the main building—“Standard Rooms”—are where you want to be. Bigger. Better. Closer to the action. Don’t get seduced by the cheaper “Super Saver” or “Garden View” options unless you enjoy staring at a wall and wondering where it all went wrong. And no, you’re not getting a free upgrade—they don’t play that game.

If something’s broken, tell the front desk right away. This isn’t Vegas—they’ll actually try to fix it, and they usually do. And here’s the real sleeper hit: snorkeling and Hobie Cat rides? Totally free. No upcharges, no gimmicks. Just show up, ask, and tip the guy when he takes you out on the water. Most people miss it. Don’t be most people.

Tipping Guide

Don’t Be Cheap: Tip Like a Decent Human

Let’s get this straight—Cuba runs on tips. The guy pouring your rum, the maid folding your towel into a swan, the cook sweating over a hot grill for your third plate of pork—they all survive on what you leave behind. This isn’t a place where 15% is calculated on an app. It’s simpler, more personal. A dollar here actually means something. So don’t stiff the bartender because the beer was warm or assume the maid doesn’t notice you skipped her three days in a row. A buck a day for your room, another at the bar, maybe more at the à la carte dinner—it’s not just appreciated, it’s expected. And if you’re not tipping? You’re doing it wrong.

Bonus Tips

Eat, Drink, and Don’t Ask for a Menu

Cuba’s not about chasing stars on TripAdvisor—it’s about stumbling into something unforgettable with rum on your breath and sand in your shoes. Want the best piña colada in Varadero? Skip the fancy joints and head to La Floridita, where it’s blended with love and a heavy hand. Salsa Suárez serves up a lobster feast that could make grown men cry—lobster, rice, cocktails, and enough dipping sauce to drown in, all for around $55. For something rich and Italian, Nona Tina’s lasagna is pure comfort, especially with three glasses of red for $23. Want cheap and cheerful? Don Alex brings the heat with a loaded pizza and four beers for 6000 CUP. Feeling loud? Kiki’s Club is a local riot—pizza, drinks, and no apologies. And if you want to feel like a kid again, Parque Josone’s tiny train tour costs less than a dollar and reminds you that joy doesn’t always come with a price tag.

Important Notes

Cuba Doesn’t Care If You Forgot Your Charger

Cuba isn’t built for tourists who show up unprepared—and it certainly doesn’t care if your Chase Visa doesn’t work. U.S. credit cards are useless here. Bring a card from a Canadian or European bank, or better yet, bring cash. WiFi? It exists, technically. But unless you’re buying a scratch-off card and standing near the right hotel, consider it a digital detox. You’ll survive. Most bathrooms? Let’s just say if you’re not packing toilet paper and hand sanitizer, you’re rolling the dice. Add sunscreen (the sun doesn’t joke around here), sunglasses, a portable fan, and plenty of small bills to your arsenal. Tipping matters, and having change can mean the difference between a smile and a shrug. And for the love of all things rum-soaked, print your travel docs—because once the signal drops, it’s just you, the heat, and whatever you bothered to bring.

Hotel Villa Cuba

42200 Reparto La Torre Ave Las Americas

Varadero

Phone: 53 45 668280

Email: [email protected]