Too Cuba? Or not? I need your advice

[Dmex]

I've been to Cuba a few times, first in 2002, and the second/last time in 2009.  I've been thinking about going back recently.  I have this restless itch to return to the ISOM and smoke cigars all day, cruise around old Havana, enjoy the people and the culture, have some great mojitos and eat some great Cuban food.  

But most importantly I want to go to Pinar del Rio and visit the tobacco fincas, something I actually never did on my previous trips.  I have an acquaintance who is married to a Cuban lady here at home, and when I visit them and tell her that what I want to do, she tries hard to discourage me.  She says it's dangerous and miserable there.  I get that Cuba have had some tough years recently, and I have watched some POV videos on YouTube lately trying to figure out what I want to do.  

My question, my ask, for some of you that I'm sure have been there more recently than I, how bad is it?  It is still worth going?  I'm thinking of going in February, was thinking of planning to go for the Habanos festival, another thing I never did before, but I think I may not do that.... I don't think I'd want to be there when there is a surge or tourists hitting the island, so thinking of getting there a week or two before the festival.   Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, warnings?  Please let me know....  

[Dmex]

This doesn't look like it's going anywhere . 

I know some of you go often so any advice is welcome.  Some of the concerns I have are around electricity, safety, internet?

Where to stay?  Do you have any preferred AirBnB places, where else do you stay?  Any advice is welcome, if you prefer to shoot me a private message, please do.

Thanks again. 

[Uncle Lou]

When we went we stayed on a cruise ship, so I can’t help you with where to stay. Trips from the states aren’t really permitted unless you have family there. Your friends wife lived there and I am sure had a very different experience than a visitor would, as the people we talked with told us of many hardships living there. Not sure where you are from which can also make a difference in your travel experience. We enjoyed the trip, it was very different than what I expected. There are other factors who are you traveling with? Alone anywhere can have its share of problems, do you speak the language, my experience has been that the further you go out into the country the less likely you will be to find people who can  speak or will speak English, this is true in most other countries as well. Ultimately you can only plan so much then hope things go close to the plan and adjust where necessary. Whatever you decide to do I hope you find what you are looking for out of your journey.

[Dmex]

Hi Lou!  thanks for you response, really appreciated.  I am fluent in Spanish, so the language barrier is not an issue for me at all. 

Yes, my friends wife lived there, but now is living in the US, we are in CA.  She goes there often to visit family and she just says things are getting worse, which I believe, but there are other things that I'm not quire sure of, she can be a bit over-the-top.  I think she is afraid I will drag her husband with me, which I wouldn't lol.  I don't really want to go alone so I'm hoping to convince one of my other friends to come with me, but if things are really bad, I obviously don't want to take someone into a dangerous situation. 

I grew up in Los Angeles and I consider myself street smart, so I know my way around a tough place.  I'll keep you posted if I pull the trigger.

[Johnny-O!]

Internet...ha-ha-ha-ha you're a funny guy. It's 3G at best. If you stay in one of the bigger hotels you should have a signal while on the property. Have your NORD VPN set up, who knows what they will do with your information. You can buy a chip for your cel phone while there, and they have internet plans. Its inexpensive but connection is another thing. If you go to Pinar make it a day trip, once the sun sets the mosquitoes are heavy duty and power goes out there more than in Havana. The growing season is December-March. Safety is not an issue if you stay in groups and well known areas. Leave any expensive jewelry at home. Take down bug spray for the room you stay in, Deep Woods OFF for your skin and many swear by those bracelets. Dont wear black or dark clothes, they are attracted to that. In open air places mosquitos go to shaded areas. There are several mosquito related diseases that you dont want to come home with; Dengue, Chiconguya, Zika and theres another new one right now. Buy bottled water, don't drink anything from the tap. At FOH there was a thread a while ago about known drivers, houses and restaurants that most prefer to go. You might even find someone that has been to Pinar more recently. Don't expect quality service in any restaurant, there is hardly any tourism there. Carry both curencies, sometimes the local currency will give you a better deal. You should go and not have a concern about most things. John

[Dmex]

Thanks John, I appreciate your response.  When I went previously I just shut my phone off and didn't worry about internet until I got back home.  I had a buddy that wanted to go with me but he needs to be connected so I kind of threw out that question for him.  I typically look forward to being off the grid when I go.  That said, he probably not the person to take with me. lol.  I may end up taking my father in law, he the only dude who's wife is willing to let go lmao. 

Thanks for the mosquito advice, I will also look for that info on FOH.  I have also heard that currency exchange is a big market now?  Will likely have to talk to my buddy's wife and get connected with her family to get that done unless you know of anyone. 

Thank you.