ronichas Loc: Long Island

I was in Cuba in December. This was my second trip. It is a beautiful country with amazing architecture. I did feel the people were better off than when I was there 5 years ago. We were 13 people, 2 photographer guides and 2 travel agents. We stayed in private homes and were driven by a team of drivers' in the classic cars. The travel agents have been taking groups there for over 10 years.

We had total freedom to wander the streets of Havana, Trinidad and Vinales. We went to a few fishing villages, to an organic farm, a tobacco farm, among many other locations. There is now wifi in the parks around Havana, Trinidad and some in Vinales. Many Cubans have cell phones and now have wifi access. Some have it in the private homes.

The people of Cuba are so happy to see Americans. They are friendly, and kind people. I know there are mixed feelings about visiting because of the government, but I still feel it is a great place to visit and to give whatever we can to the people.

I will be co-leading a photography trip there next January.
Here are 2 of my images. The ballerina and the fishermen on the Malecon, was amazing. We had 2 young ballerinas who posed for us for over an hour. The second image is a small fishing village, outside of Havana.
I have more images on my website.
https://ronichas.zenfolio.com/p889391933

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Walk around Old Havana in the evening and be prepared to take low-light night scenes. A lot going on. We found a little cafe that had a flamenco group from Spain playing in it. There are beautiful parts of Cuba - the Pinar del Rio region and Vinales is a few hours West of Havana and is spectacular. Neat little towns with half of the vehicles on the road being of the horse-and buggy variety. This is where the primo tobacco is grown. Cuba is very safe - no one is going to steal your camera because they have no concept of its' value and they couldn't sell it if they wanted to. The women in our group felt very safe walking in Old Havana at night (although at least two at a time).

I do not have a problem with "supporting the dictatorship". The economic blockade did not change anything for many decades - it just allowed the Castros to stay in power. A free exchange of ideas will eventually bring freedom.

I stayed at a medium-quality hotel. We had a room with two old computers hooked to the internet - is was like the old dial-up, so you could send an email, but you could not send large image files or browse the internet. Your hotel may be different, but do not expect internet access as at home.

I keep hearing about restaurants opening up selling "Cuban food". I ate mostly at places the Cubans had access to. The food was terrible. In spite of what seems like lots of arable land, there is little availability of produce. We had black beans and rice, which I like, several times - but there was no seasoning - no pepper, no salsa. One of the members of my group who had been there before brought a bottle of Tabasco - he was very popular. I ordered a "vegetarian pizza" at a small restaurant - it had canned peas and carrots on top!

I traveled with a group of health care professionals - we were looking at the health care system in Cuba. We were not staying at a deluxe hotel. When we were met at the airport, our guide handed each of us a roll of toilet paper and said: 'this is yours - do not lose it. Toilet paper, being imported, is very precious".

Vinales panorama

(Download)

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I did not find that at all. The places we ate at were excellent. The food was great. Going outside of Havana, we went to an amazing organic farm. Watching the workers plant and water all the amazing produce was great. I watched a worker planting, mint in a circular pattern. So interesting to see.

In Vinales, walking early morning seeing the children going to school, the cowboys getting ready for the day and the workers in the fields was awesome to see and photograph.

RonH Loc: Shoreview MN

I have done two Cuba trips in the past 30 months. I'm a street/car photographer by interest. I have what I think is a pretty good knowledge base of what to and what not to do and how to do it including walking around Havana and it's neighborhoods at night.
Send me a private message and I'll give you my phone number if you like.
How or what did it take to arrange a private tour for two. I'm interested in going to the two car museums in Havana and that is the only way I can see to do that.
Thanks in advance, Ron H

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sounds like you have a private guide. If they don't know where to go you are wasting time, money and effort.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

I just returned from 10 days in Cuba. Before I went, I asked the same questions, and received the same negative comments.

Anyway, you did not indicate where you are going in Cuba, so I will throw out some general advice:

(1) Photo Equipment: Bring whatever you are comfortable with. Unless you are shooting military sites, no one will stop or question you (except maybe another tourist). A moderate zoom should be plenty, although I would try to favor wide angle (24mm). Lots of interesting interiors. We did not experience much natural scenery (but we were on a cultural exchange, not on a nature exploration).

(2) Cuba is very safe. We experienced no thievery, homelessness, or violence. Occasionally, we saw an older person asking for a handout, but less than in most American cities.

(3) Money: Cuba uses a 2 tiered money system. Tourists use the CUC, natives use the CUP. Money exchanges are available at the larger hotels. There is a 13% surcharge when converting US money. I converted Euros (3%). Note: Very few places accept crledit cards. NO PLACE ACCEPTS US CREDIT CARDS. There are a few cash machines in the larger cities, but not for US banks. Bring cash or go hungry!

(4) There are a lot of street events (fairs, women in traditional costumes, people offering to give you "free" cigars (remember, there is no free lunch), etc. Generally, taking pictures will cost you 1 CUC. Try to get to a school or after-school program. It is amazing what they do with little resources.

(5) Photo oportunities: About 20% of vehicles are old American cars. Some have been restored to factory condition, others are held together with duct tape. Many are used as cabs or for events. Rest of vehicles are current imports and old Ladas (Russian).

Due to embargo, gas is scarce, so tlhey also use a lot of horse-drawn carts, bici-taxis (a rickshaw with a bicycle front end) or Coco Cabs (a motorcycle front attached to a passenger cab). If you are going to use one, negotiate price before hand.

Havana was obviously a gem in its time. Architecture is impressive, but somewhat faded. Try to go to Hotel Nacional and Hemingway estate.

Cuba has amazing cultural scenarios. Try to go to the ballet (classical or folk)-- even rehersals, art exhibits, museums, etc.

(6) Cuba is short on EVERYTHING. We brought "gifts" of school supplies, cosmetics, and drugs (aspirin, bandaids, etc).

Hope that this helps you have a memorable trip.

Kalina54 Loc: Flagstaff, AZ

Hi, I just returned and it was wonderful. I tipped each person 50 cents when photographing them. They make about$40 a month so each dollar is greatly appreciated. There are cruise ships in port everyday so it is quite crowded. Bring good walking shoes as the streets are cobblestone. The people are wonderful and it is very safe. Have fun!

repleo Loc: Boston

The 'People to People' category is restricted to '...educational travel ....conducted under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact, and that such travelers be accompanied by a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction who is an employee, paid consultant, agent, or other representative of the sponsoring organization.....' (Federal Register) The OP is on a 'private tour'.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-24447.pdf?utm_campaign=pi%20subscription%20mailing%20list&utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Not the most helpful advice on where to photograph at all.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Deleting content.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

If you’re going with a guide you should have no difficulties. There is a strong police presence to protect both tourists and residents. Do not buy cigars from anyone on the street. Only from the retailer La Casa del Habano. The best location is on 5th street in Miramar at 13th. Great lounge, aged rum and a restaurant. If you want to see 2 books I have published - there is a link on my website www.fotomacher.ca

BJW

Thank you all for your extremely generous comments, all of which are so very helpful.
The critics and nay sayers are duly thanked and, ignored.
But all the others have raised my spirits and I am so looking forward to this, my first trip, to Cuba.
Thank you

Ben (BJW)

stuparr935 Loc: Dallas, Texas area

Just got back from Cuba about 36 hours ago. Most every where you go you will see many things to shoot, especially OLD CARS some in beautiful like new condition and some not so... we were told to be careful about shooting people, especially in costume as they will want money. As usual ask before if it’s OK to shoot them and how much it will cost. I Found one young lady with interesting hairdo tell me to take her picture and she said “no cost money, no money. Please take my picture”. So I did and I thanked her and off she went. They know that us tourest are warned about photoing Cubans on the streets!! Good luck and have fun. Coffee is weird and bacon is barely cooked and very greasy... mostly sunny, humid, and great clouds. We had one day a super monsoon rains while eating lunch under a thatched roof outdoor patio. We all got soaked.... a “war story” event to tell our grandkids... Cars and their way of life I found rather interesting....

Walkabout08

You’ll find Cuba to be very safe and a pleasant place to visit. I was there in 2016. The Cuban people love Americans. The 3 major plazas are all excellent locations for photography as is the Moro Castle and evenings along the sea wall at the Malacon. There are a number of pedestrian only shopping streets (name escapes me) with lots of activity and festive dancing. Near the Floridita bar made famous by Hemingway, which features a life size bronze statue of Papa. My next trip will be a 2 week auto trip from Havana to Santiago de Cuba.

D50 Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I might be interested in joining your group
Would interested in any details such as what state are you flying out of
Please let me know