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I have the same question about presents for kids as we'll be in cuba for christmas. Cuban website states no more than 2 toys and 2 games per child or tax must be paid ie the value of the goods. I can't get any information from Virgin (they're driving me mad) or the cuban authorities. Can anyone help? I don't want my DC to watch Santa's presents being unwrapped in front of them or any arguments with men with moustaches!
Thanks so much!

we'll be in cuba for christmas but does anyone know about taking toys for christmas presents into cuba? the customs site says children are allowed two toys each or else you have to pay import duty. I'm a bit worried santa's presents will get confiscated or unwrapped in front of the kids and an argument about paying duty might wreck christmas. Anyone have experience good or bad of this?

actually just checked and going to las brisas hotel in Guadalavaca for two week all inclusive over xmas and new year is 1245 including flights and transfers ect
Thats going on the 19th dec and with air tours all flights transfer and luggage ect
personally if your big on xmas i wouldnt want to spend it in cuba in a hostel
and £100 for flights seem to be extortinate
Depending on where your friends are located in Cuba you could fly to them or they could come to you internal flights are cheap

i would probably do an all inclusive holiday as base and then go out and meet with friends if possible at least that way you have a base, somewhere to sleep at night and food and drinks

its a shame its over xmas because if you can go in jan ( i.e. 2nd -3rd onwards you can get 3 weeks for 1200 all inc at las brisa in Guardalavaca and two weeks is under £1k including flights this is with air tours
i would also check what the prices are for xmas because its often cheaper than doing a flight ( unless you are staying with friends )

and while its cheap for certain things i wouldn't want to hostel it or do cheap b&bs and food because its not that easy to get can be expensive not crazy but expensive for cuba ( ifyswim )
we are going for 3 weeks in jan 16th and its 1249 each inc flights transfers ect

we went twice a few years ago and had a great time but its very poor and if your hosteling it ect it will work out more expensive than a all inc holiday even if you just used it as a base

Where in Cuba?

I was there for the Millenium in a B&B, it was nice, as in I liked it the hostess was extremely kind to me, but probably not "nice" like you mean. There is nothing in the UK which matches it.
I was in santiago. People are really poor, sometimes there is no food in the shops or restaurants (this doesn't happen in the big touristy hotels I guess). I also had to buy someone pads because they were out of stock everywhere. My friends also got robbed the day before I arrived. And we were boot out of a few places by the police.

It might have change since then, but Castro is still more or less here. And havana will be a bit more touristy.

I want it to be nice for Christmas. Can't decide if I'm over thinking it all! (I like my Christmases at home but this would be a good opportunity) this worry me, your expectation of what Xmas day is, will be to homey to enjoy cuba.

If I remember correctly Xmas is not really a big thing in Cuba (it has been banned for 30/40 years by castro), they celebrate more on NYE.

We have friends who will be in Cuba over Christmas and they have invited us out there. Flights are around £1k each, they haven't sorted out accommodation yet- possibly looking at hostels.

Does anyone have any recommendations on Cuba? We are in 2 minds at the min- can afford it, but will need to put other projects on hold.

Accommodation is a worry- I want it to be nice for Christmas. Can't decide if I'm over thinking it all! (I like my Christmases at home but this would be a good opportunity).