Off the beaten path tourism – Beaches, Birds, and Battles – tour the Bay of Pigs, Cuba
Off the Beaten Path Tourism in Cuba
Millions of tourists travel to Cuba annually. Most of them are Canadian, European, and Mexican. Almost all of them stay at all-inclusive beach resorts in places like Varadero. They will go on a bus tour to Havana for a few hours, but that is about the extent of their exploration. They will spend most days on the beach and explore nearby towns catering to tourists and not typical Cuban towns. However, the only Cubans most of them will meet are their bartender and other resort employees.
Americans in Cuba
Under certain circumstances, American citizens can travel to Cuba, but it is not easy for them. First, they will require a visa, which is not required for Canadians or Mexicans.
U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Most tourists, both American and others, pay for their all-inclusive tour in advance with a credit card on the internet or with a travel agency. Drinks and other purchases can be paid for in American dollars. U.S. dollar amounts over $5,000 must be declared upon entering Cuba.
Americans must keep records of all their expenses in Cuba for five years in case the American government requests them.
For Americans to travel to Cuba, they must meet one of the 12 permissible categories as follows:
- You must arrange a tour with an American tour company. You cannot make your own travel arrangements or use a tour company not based in the USA.
- While in Cuba, you must be escorted and stay in your tour group. This means you cannot take off on your own to spend the afternoon lying on the beach.
- You need a reason to go. Simply, a desire to be a tourist is not allowed. Some of the permissible conditions are to study or teach, support for the Cuban people (not the government), public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, exhibitions, journalism or bloggers, humanitarian projects, religious activities, family visits with close relatives, and a few other exceptions for NGOs and government personal.
What Americans cannot do:
- No independent tourism, just to spend time at the beach.
- You cannot choose your hotel. You will stay at accommodations approved by the U.S. government.
- Do not bring back any cigars or rum.
During my two weeks in Cuba, the only Americans I saw were a single group at a famous bar/restaurant in Havana.
Secret tip for Americans
If you are American and want to travel to Cuba without permission from the U.S. government, first travel to Canada or Mexico and then go to Cuba from there. Just ensure that your flight does not stop in the USA and that the customs in Cuba do not stamp your passport.
For Australians and New Zealanders
Cuba does not receive very many tourists from Australia or New Zealand. For citizens of these counties there are some restrictions. For details click on the currency link below.
Visa or Tourist Card for other countries
Other than Americans, you will need a visa if you are from about 20 other countries. Except for Haiti, all of them are in Africa or Asia. If you are from Europe, Canada, Latin America, Australia or New Zealand, you need a tourist card, which is different from a visa and very easy to obtain. Visas must be obtained from a Cuban embassy or consulate. A tourist card, however, is a simple matter and can be arranged by your airline or tour company.
My trip to Cuba
My trip to Cuba was very different from that of the average tourist. First, I did not use a travel agent but made all my own arrangements. Second, I flew to Havana instead of the popular tourist destinations such as Verdejo. The price was much lower. Third, I arranged all my own accommodations. I did not stay in a single hotel or tourist resort.
In this post, I will tell you about my visit to the Bay of Pigs. You can read about the rest of my trip to Cuba by clicking on the links below. These other posts include a lot more information about travel to Cuba, such as dealing with Cuban currency and making accommodation arrangements.
Getting to the Bay of Pigs
Getting from Havana to the Bay of Pigs is easy. The buses in Cuba are modern and comfortable (made in China). Get a bus ticket to the town of Playa Larga.
What to see and do at the Bay of Pigs
People go to the Bay of Pigs for a couple of reasons. One is birding. The area is one of the best places in Cuba for bird watchers. The other reason is to tour the Bay of Pigs and the military museum. Also, it is a fabulous place to see what Cuba is really like, away from all the tourists.
Birding
The nearby Zapata swamp and the eastern shore of the Bay of Pigs are great for birding. You can look for the secretive Zapata Rail, the Cuban Pygmy Owl, the Bare-legged Owl, the Cuban Trogon, the Cuban Tody, and many others. The highlight would be to see the Bee Hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world.
For information on birding n Cuba, click here.
For a bird guide in Zapata National Park, Playa Larga or Bay of Pigs area, click here.
The Military Museum
To get to the military museum, take a bus from Playa Larga to Giron, which is about a 40-minute drive.
As you approach Giron, you will see billboards announcing communism’s victory over the invaders. Click on photos to enlarge.
A Czech 12.7 mm AA gun
The museum itself is small and not very interesting. Other than a couple of tanks, there are a few motors, an anti-aircraft gun, a few other Russian and Soviet weapons, and the remains of a small destroyed aircraft. The displays mainly discuss how socialism prevailed over the invaders.
Links to my other posts about Cuba
About Cuban currency and banks
Accommodation and planning a trip to Cuba for independent travel.