you definitely should not how to dance to the beat of the music ;) if you don't they'll teach you pretty quickly. ;) Cigars and rum... be a connoisseur so that you know what you are getting yourself into. some are strong and some aren't. ;) beaches and the listening to the waves crashing... if you can appreciate that, then you are set to go. places to see: Havana, the Pina Del rio region (where the Cohiba Cigars come from), Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba - Beach wise... the island of Cayo Largo has the best beaches in Cuba as well as the best diving in Cuba.

most important: take your time, let the magic catch you! pure pragmatic: always carry both currencies, sometimes you can / should pay with the local.

Make friends with the locals - especially if you stay in a bed & breakfast. We did this the whole way around Cuba and saw a side to it rarely seen by the average tourist. Try and get into a nightclub and learn to dance Cuban Salsa! There' just nothing like it :)

get your money converted at the airport or the hotel Nacional.

instead of going in big hotels, try living at somme people's place (en una casa, chez l'habitant). A lot of them offer rooms and breakfast for a really cheap price, it's a good way to learn a little spanish and they can give you good hints about where to go, what to do, away from the big touristic places. And it's always a good thing to have discussions with the locals, they're very friendly in general.

not to enter in blackmagic things nor to go on a place with babalows nor santeras. can be dangerous for the howl rest of your life

US dollars are no longer in use in Cuba; they've been replaced by the Peso Convertible. If you travel by car I have 2 tips for you: if you get lost just pick up a local who's looking for a ride (they're everywhere) and buy gas at every gas station you encounter as many gas stations are out of gas!

They're crazy about tips and also perceive a tax in order to allow you to leave the country.

- Take lodgings with privte houeses instead of hotels - Tourists pay with Cuban Tourist dollars (not a US dollar) for 'luxury' products. Cubans have their normal currency for 'basic' products. The only way for Cubans to get luxury products is by acquiring tourist dollars. It helps to understand them. - Go to Cuba for the salsa and meeting the people. Enjoy the nature (mountains, waterfalls and beaches), but don't expect dramatic nature highlights, except for Pinar del Rio region. - Read up on the history, and watch the Che movies (with Del Torro). It helps to appreciate the historical places that ended up being battlegrounds: such as Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, and the mountain regons in between. - Cubans are the most expressive peope I've met so far... Mexicans appear reserved against them. - Because of the high demand for tourist dollars, some Cubans may offer you all sorts of stuff that is supposed to be illegal: lobsters, turtles (threatened with extinction), cigars that fell from the shelf, sex. Better to know beforehand where you stand on each of these things, because the gradual 'anything goes' feeling may alter your behavour - Most Cubans are (a) very curious to get to know you, and many Cubans are (b) interested to better their lives. It's not always (a) OR (b), but it can be both at the same time. - Normally Cubans are not allowed to be in the company of tourists, unless their work permits them too (private lodging, guides, salsa schools, etc). It can be quite shocking when the Cuban you met a couple of hours ago, and who invited you at their home to have dinner (that you sponsored), ended up being picked up by the police. On the other hand, the police also knows who are touters or not. Enjoy it, experience it, and make up your mind beforehand on what you're willing to get into.

mm nice. So they accept both currencies but it's usually more expensive in US Dollars... Is it?

i did not like the fact that tourists pay only in us dollars which is triple price of the original one

-Your passport will NOT be stamped. -You will be 'watched' be overall ALL locals are friendly. -At the airport upon leaving/entering...lines may be 15 min to 2hrs...you may be searched ...maybe not... It's all random. -Do not export more than 3 boxes of cigars. -U.S. State Dept. may fine you if trip isn't legal. -You'll have a more indigenous experience if you stay in a home of a local. -Dress/act local NOT as tourist...you'll repell beggars and see more than normal. -Carry toilet paper with you at all times, there is NONE in public places. More tips on request (I've traveled 8 times)