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Cuba
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Note: The Emigration requires you to go with your captain 72 hours before departure to the Imigration office to enrol you on the list of passengers. If you can't make it 72 hours before departure a little tip might do the trick as well.
== Wild Camping ==
When travelling through Cuba in late 2015, [[User:Bernhard|Bernhard]] thinks that wild camping is no problem at all. Many times all over the internet you will find that camping in the fields can't be done but don't mind those sites. Just like in any other country jump into the bushes when no one is looking. There are a few things to consider though:
- It can be quiet tricky since there are often plenty of people walking and cycling along the road, so watch out who is seeing you.
- Often the best hiding spots are fenced off with barb wire. If you climb over a fence make sure it is no military area! There are usually handwritten signs if it is.
- Watch out for this spiky plant which seems to grow all over Cuba. The spikes are massive and you will badly hurt yourself when not being careful. (For example putting a tent over a small branch which then penetrates tent floor, mattress, sleeping bag, skin. Ouch!)
- Do bring anti-mosquito spray. You're welcome.
- There are a lot of cowboys on horses out there browsing through the fields. So make sure your spot is cowboy-free (for example that there are no horse droppings around)
- Also people with machetes seem to wander around and cutting wood.
If you bring common sense you should be fine.
== Illegal casa particulares ==
Illegal casa particulares are all over Cuba. But what is it, and how to find it? Basically there are two types of casas. The one with the blue anchor logo and the orange one. The blue one holds a license to have foreigners which pay in CUC. Their houses are typically much nicer and well maintained. Often there is a sign outside with the name of the casa and a "Rent room" writing in English. You can book them in advance.
And then there is the other casa which can (officially) only have Cubans, which will pay in CUP. Their sign will only say "Hospedaje". Sometimes it includes "24h" and you pay by length in hours of your stay. (You can imagine what this is good for) Usually between 5 to 10 CUC. These rooms sometimes aren't as nice as the official casas though but still alright. Often there is a restaurant attached where you can get food for CUP and there is even lobster on the menu (which is generally only allowed for foreigners and available only in hotels). They may refuse you but often they don't care. Especially if there is no official casa in town. I doubt you can book them in advance since they have no contact details online.
Another type is the home of someone. Ask around in the streets ([[User:Bernhard|Bernhard]] did that usually at those little corner shops where they sell juice and pizza) if they know a casa particular or any other hospedaje available for the night. Sometimes you need to ask a few people but sooner or later there will someone approaching you and tell you to follow them. They bring you to some house where either someone else is living or the person himself. Prices are at around 20 CUC including food. It is save to do since they bring themselves in danger when this comes out since they have no license to offer a room. So if they steal stuff you would go to the police and this would mean the home owner is in bad trouble and could loose his house. Or at least this is what i kept telling myself when following people into small side streets. Do keep your voice down though and don't talk to anybody where you are staying. Speaking Spanish is almost a must and maybe get yourself a Cuban haircut.
== External links ==
