Points Summary April 14, After my 12 hour layover in Mexico City , I spent one night in the capital city of Quito, Ecuador and then flew to Guayaquil and spent 12 hours in the city. I had read that going forward all US passports would be stamped. By being in the departures level, you also avoid being hassled by the taxi cab mafia at HAV airport.
Some of them will also try to sell you fake cigars and bother males for prostitutes and hookers. Most of it is referrals from Jineteros, hotel staff or girls just simply hanging around the streets in skimpy outfits with their pimps watching from afar.
Never get a restaurant recommendation from a Jinetero β Like I mentioned earlier in 7, Jineteros give a bad rap to Cuba and a lot of them want to make a quick sleazy buck. Needless to say, it was empty and we were given a menu with outrageous prices with each main dish being priced at a 17 CUC minimum. It was not even a top Paladar in Havana! Yes, I got scammed and learned my lesson. Always take a picture of the menu with your phone before they take the menu away so you can tally up the costs and estimate if your bill is correct.
If in doubt, ask the server and he will verbally tell you how much each item costs. The other Cuban beer is Bucanero Fuerte which has a high 5. Beer is really inexpensive in Cuba β Bottled and canned beer costs CUCs max at most bars, restaurants, and even hotels. There are no open container laws in Cuba β You can drink your mojito or beer right on the streets just like in Brazil and Las Vegas.
I wish more places in the world would have an open carry policy. Instead, the salad will be mostly cucumbers and tomatoes. The tomatoes are actually quite tasty in Cuba. You get to meet their families and kids with full interaction. There are many illegal Casa Particulares β There are actually many casa owners who are renting to foreigners and paying no monthly fee to the Cuban government.
