Should i take gifts to cuba

I spoke to thomas cook about this, and the said they could arrange free 5kg well done them speek to them direct before booking to make sure.

Every thing is relevant. This will be my 3rd time to cuba and we will be bringing baseballs,gloves,cleats,baseball cards for kids. Tylenol nail polish,workgloves,tape measures, any sewing related items,tinted safety glasses. Sheet music is also coveted and easy to pack.

Anything written in Spanish the mother tongue they crave. My son boxes so we will be taking some boxing gear. Hand wraps,bag gloves, headgear ,etc. The Cubans really care about there self image so any personal grooming products are like gold.

Cologne, perfume, makeup. Pretty much all we take for granted they would love to have. The people are relly fantastic. This goes a long way. Get a air needle for filling soccer balls and basket balls they also allow you to defate them they are less than 2bucks.

I am a little confused, I am going to cuba and will only stay at the resort for the week just due to what we plan on doing, but i would love to bring items to give around to the maids, gardeners, etc.

Would that be weird or considered maybe rude to do.. When you give this stuff, who do you give it too. Hi there, everyday we put 2 gifts and a few dollars and a choc. Chocolate bars are always a hit as we buy the big pack at Costco and give them here and there as our chocolates are so good. I often buy t-shirts for the ground workers workers and give them a pack of gum. As there are lots who fish we do give a few items out.

I bought soccer balls at wallmart and deflated it with the blow up pin then bought a small pump to blow up when I went to cuba baseballs and gloves from Canadian tire then took a horse buggy ride into the country the driver was fantastic on were to go and handed stuff out also school supplies and coors light footballs they were also playing an old game of marbles which I will take some on the next trip and musical things like guitar strings and reeds I am taking 8 soccer balls down this time — i just bought inflated ones and deflated them for the trip and have brought hand pumps for all of them as well.

Buy a cheap hand pump with an inflation pin for the soccer balls. Deflate the the balls for travel then reflate them there. We usually give the pump with the last ball. Absolutely correct post!! They have totally free medical care, and a good one free university education, etc. What they do not have is spending money other than the monthly supplement provided to all by the Cuban government. They work their butts off to facilitate us! Have you seen their stores? The black market? We bring small luxuries, last time a large suitcase stuffed full with plush toys for kids.

We ent into the villages nearby and gave them out. You had to see the faces of these kids, priceless! We ALSO tip. Any suggestions of places not that far??? But understand one thing. They do not have access to stuff that we have access to. Simple things for us, they can not get or is too expensive. Yes they have free medicare… Getting a simple pair of reading glasses can take up to 6 months for them to get. Medication: they are limited or is too expensive to get tylenol or vitamens.

Yes money is good, but they love gifts. Last year they guy at the buffet wanted our sunglasses. The soap and shampoo are oderless, so when you give them a lovely scented bar of soap or shampoo or a simple smelly candle, then WOW you made their day! Also the rationed food they buy is only enough to supply them until mid month.

It may only be rice and sugar. Their stores have empty shelves most of the time. Heather, your post is very correct. Have some compassion…Cuban people are beautiful people, and most thankful, it is a humbling experience to give to them and then they turn around and also give back to you, it may be a slice of pineapple, or some other fruit, but it gives them a chance to show their appreciation, go and give…because you can!

Remember…walk a mile in their shoes! You absolutely right. I was raised in Soviet Union and I understand they system very well. For pair of jeans I paid 2 of my paychecks on black market.. Every time we go I bring extra suitcase of gifts.. I know Cuban people will give it to their friends and family and so on. They can exchange our cucs for cuban pesos.

The value of a cuc is much more. They can definitely exchange any other currency for there own. If you want to bring up something that is priceless in cuba bring a bunch mp3 players filled with raggaton and our music. I brought 4 up last year. Its the greatest gift I have ever given. Seeing them walk around bobbing there heads singing our music. You can buy them very cheaply in geek or eBay or amazon. It is true that they can exchange cucs for their own currency, the Cuban peso.

However, I was told by a Cuban friend that when they go to trade the cucs in, the government takes a huge percentage of that as a fee, so they end up with only a portion of what you intended them to have.

I have been to Cuba numerous times and I learned that some of the most coveted items are things like flashlights and batteries they suffer from many power outages and blackouts , Tylenol etc. We also tip with cash: the maid, food servers, bar servers, desk staff, gardeners who seem especially grateful!! If you leave money for a Cuban it has to be turned in. Cash is not a good idea. Their tooth paste they buy is very expensive and is like sand.

A bar of soap is luxury to them. The government does supply them with mandatory things, such as rice and eggs, milk is only given to families with children under 7. Spices are a big hit. Shoes and colorful things. Cubans love orange yellow pink. Sports clothing is a very special gift..

Hi, we went last April and are going again next week. Last year we took a ton of clothes, toiletries including toothbrushes, shampoos, soap and razors. This year I am taking clothes, clothes and more clothes. My full checked bag allowance is clothes which my kids have grown out of, but mostly gently used items from Salvation Army. Other than a towel, my personal toiletries and 2 changes of clothes in my suitcase, all my personal items are in my carry on so I can take as much as possible.

I will also load my daughter up to her weight limit after she finishes packing with toiletries again as they were so appreciated. I have been going to Cuba for 31 years now and I have always brought give-away items. I always try to pick one family and go from there.

Other items for children, socks, underwear, toys, etc. Last year, I brought butter knives, forks and spoons. Many Cubans only have spoons to eat with. Towels, bath size hand towels, dishcloths, both to wash and dry.

Many small items can be put in a wash basin for added room. As for tools, one screwdriver with different heads in the handle is best. Keep in mind that tools will be heavier than clothes. Candles are golden! I always book a first class seat which allows 2 checked bags. My first visit to Cuba was in so you can imagine I have seen many things. The only bribe you need give to the church official is a brand new pair of black shoes. Enjoy your trip and take it from me, Cuba is very safe.

During my travels I have been alone and have never had problems. I once was told if you are taking items for the people you are allowed an extra bag but must be for them. Does anyone know about this? Interesting question, Beth. Has anyone else heard of this? Curious to hear what others have to say, though! Humanitarian aid One piece of baggage may be permitted at no charge on flights departing from Canada only on a space-available basis. Humanitarian aid supplies will not be permitted on flights to Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago where a baggage restriction is in place.

Some countries have restrictions on the types of aid permitted. Baggage must not exceed the standard size and weight allowances and must be packed separately from your belongings. I just booked my trip to Cuba and asked my agent about this. She had never heard of it, but contacted the airline to request it for me. They warn, however, that there may possibly be a fee at Customs, even though transportation of these goods is free.

Should I be leaving these things in the room on my pillow, passing them out at the bars and leaving them on the table at the restaurants?? Last year I left bag loads of items for our maid, just because I did not know when to give them out otherwise. I did end up giving one of the entertainers female a bag of items on the last night, as she had been so good with my daughter…. I really did not have a lot for the men, which I have remedied this year.

My suggestion is to always have a few items with you in your beach bag, handbag, wherever. This way, you can give them away as and when you see people you want to give them to. The teacher that toured us through was almost crying with gratitude. Strike up conversations, find out a bit about your hosts, as give out accordingly. This time we leave tomorrow at 7am I want to ensure I give a little, to more, than just leaving the motherload for our maid who already gets a lot.

Think of people other than the maids, bartenders and servers who are likely to get tips. Locals you see on the beach or who you go to for that amazing lobster dinner, entertainment crew, gardeners, general cleaners, receptionists, the shop assistants, bus drivers, taxi drivers, horse and cart drivers.

All of these people also appreciate the generosity of tourists. Have a great trip! Leave some in the room as the chamber maids will collect during the week and then they will disperse among themselves according to their needs.

Your chamber maids gather everything together and every one who works there in that department will receive a share. That has been my experience as we asked our chamber maid the first time we went. The right opportunity always comes along. The best thing is to talk to the people and you will get a sense of what their life is like and what they could use. So take that tour and buy their merchandise at the small markets and leave a gift as well!

From my work in Sierra Leone, I saw that often donated gifts were sometimes horded and then sold on the side to other locals. Cuba may be different, but I would like to avoid this all the same. Can anyone shed some light on a if there are NGO groups we could coordinate with; and b whether there are central locations to bring supplies in non-tourist areas?

There are 15 of us so we could potentially bring a lot of supplies. Me and my family and friends have been Helping out Families in Cuba going on two years. We have been helping them by bringing them money ,clothing and other things they may need. Average person makes 20 Dollars a month that equals 12 cents per hour this is based on a hour month. This is crazy I will be holding a fundraiser in support of the cuban families for a better life in the next while.

I am looking for some donations for a flea market and other fundraisers. If interested in helping out please contact me though Facebook.

I have a meeting with the Festival Director of Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council august 14 Thank you very much is there anyone interested in donating anything help with a fundraiser.

Matazas is a very poor town compared to Veradaro. We sang for an orphanage there but they wanted any gifts we had for the children to be given to the head of the orphanage.. We walked around town and helped some of the local with gifts. We also went to the hospital and gave them wipes, tylenol ,band aids etc. Please do not use abbreviations — some of us do not know what they stand for!

Not helpful! Dianne: I understand your frustration. I am going to Havana this Thursday and was wondering where I could take baseballs, baseball pants, socks and maybe a glove or two? Also a bit of topic but where do I go for that fabulous lobster dinner.

Looking for a paladares. See on tripadvisor. Small so may need reservations. Can get front desk to call. I brought folding hand fans one year and they were a great hit amonst the ladies. Apparently they are very much appreciated during the hot summers. Locally they are very expensive about 10 covertable pesos. All the tips given were very good.. I have always brought down all the things people mention in the way of toiletries, colouring book etc.

The best reaction I ever got was when I brought down a couple of good quality baseball gloves my kids had outgrown. Even bartenders who are used to the daily tips were emotional when they received this. Just a thought. I stopped any time I saw people walking and distributed gifts for them. At some point I stopped in the village and gave some items i.

Barby dolls, calculators to people sitting in the center square. And there I was invited to their house for lunch! After that I stopped at the rural school, and gave plenty of school supplies to the teacher.

They called all kids to the school yard, and distributed this stuff equally…and I was treated as a celebrity in a very nice and humble way…My advice is to bring the bulk of your gifts to the people outside of the resort, they need them much more than maids or bartenders…btw.

And enjoy Cuban culture, music, and people, they re all great. Yes they may be the more wealthy of the jobs within Cuba. We could learn a lot from Cuba in terms of preventative medicine. Milk is not needed for the human body except for those lactating or about to and young children. The mucus produced by milk for all other humans makes it at best, non-beneficial. Remember also, calcium is added to milk, and can be found much more readily in leafy greens.

Though we spend billions in health care, our longevity rates are pretty similar in comparison to theirs. The children were thrilled when I took out bubbles, and dont forget the cats and dogs they are around and could use a treat. At the end of one excursion I had given everything away and at the end gave one lady the carry bag I had used to carry the gifts into the community. Fishing gear was a big hit as well as knee pads for working in gardens.

It was so much fun and they are so appreciative. That is so awesome Kathy! Great ideas for others to bring too. Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I have always loved striking up conversations with the local people wherever we travel and find it the most rewarding part of every one of my trips.

Any comments would be very helpful. Thanks for the advice guys! Great advice here — with regards to Not Just Tourists — they can often get a suitcase or backpack ready on very short notice at least here in Edmonton. Taking our suitcases to the hospital in Cardena about 45 from our hotel in Varadero was one of the highlights of our Vacation.

We will definitely do this again. NJT gives you a letter for the airlines explaining your mission and also translated into Spanish for the hospital.

If you print them off it would be useful for them. Tylenol is probably common but something like Imodium or Pepto might be new to them so knowing how to use it could be helpful. Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions regarding what to bring as gifts on my first vacation to Cuba. I remembered a Spanish teacher years ago advising us to bring gifts with us if we went traveling in countries like Cuba, and her advice has stuck with me all of these years; I fell on this forum while doing a search on what type of items to bring.

I make cloth diapers as it is useless to bring the. I make diapers for Canadian mothers also…so have seen the need for…I try to think beyond the lipstick and mascara and supply items that are useful beyond making one look pretty…I wish there was an organization that I could deliver this stuff to so that it would be evenly distributed. I am going to Jamaica next month. A friend of mine told me to bring little dollar store stuff with me to leave for the maid.

Dose anyone do that in Jamaica, or just Cuba? My experience in Jamaica is that they would accept whatever you bring them, but since they can get most things there, unlike Cuba, its best to give them tips cash.

Which is a lot easier and time consuming. Other items to consider: all kinds of tape — duct, electrical, scotch, etc. Also any all-weather adhesives or superglues, work gloves, small tools, scissors… anything they can use to repair what they have. Sequins, glitter glue, acrylics, fake feathers, coloured foam — many local artisans use these for the crafts they sell. If you choose to read the article listed by Shoo on March 18, , please read the comments that go along with it as well.

There are as many opinions on this issue as there are tourists. Personally, as a regular tourist to Cuba, I do tip and I do give gifts, and I have always been met with noting but sincere gratitude. To say that gifting encourages expectations can be true of ANY country.

I generally always tip in Canada, even when the service is not that great, and I have seen far less gratitude for a tip here not always, but some wait staff are very unappreciative than I have ever seen in Cuba. My bottom line is that I treat others how I would like to be treated — with kindness, respect, and appreciation. Give whatever makes you feel you have met that. I do not agree with the article about not gifting…I am going to Cuba in March next year because of a recommendation by friends that visited before.

I used to work in the service industry her in Canada, and like the people working on resorts, I relied on tips to feed my family! I will always tip weather in moneatry value or other when service is good! Are people forgetting the purpose of tipping? If some are so concerned about the money they make…. Working in service anywhere outside Cuba is different. I know it sounds strange but bring screws and tools they are very hard to come across, flashlights are a hit and sewing kits, buttons, modeling clay, pencil crayons markers dry out fast and crayons melt remember when you go how little clothing you actually use and bring as much as you can!

Please remember that the people who work in the hotels are the rich people. The real people are the ones who do without. Taking supplies to a school or a clinic makes much more sense if you want to spread it around. I do not understand your comment: Yes, those who work at the resorts, receive more money-if they receive tips, then those who do not work at the resorts.

So via your philosophy, hard work, and kissing up, should not be rewarded. Sounds like an old philosophy, even for Cuba! Please take a good long think on what you are doing. Stop and think about the people from other cultures who come to Canada and bring their own cultures with them.

We are slowly changing to become more like the culture they chose to flee from, and less the desirable place we were that they chose to run to in their escape. Giving too much garbage to a small island like Cuba is inviting larger plastic islands to form. Stop spreading the poisons from our culture and remember why you enjoy the idea of pristine beaches.

They are there because there are not extra flip flops everywhere. Toothbrushes that are expensive because they will last for many years are to be desired. Give all your tourist treasure allotment to Haiti et al.. Go through your church or find a charity that works in your country of choice. I am acquainted with several people who have worked with the poor in Guatemala for many years, and come home to Canada for 6 months to work for our big bucks, then go back with whatever the churches can round up for them.

Wondering if you know of any charitable organizations around the Guardalavaca area, Banes, Rafael Freyre sp? We passed a worker village cement apartment buildings and few houses coming back from Gibara cross-country by way of heavily rutted dirt roads.

It was an eye-opening experience. I read this, too. We are not seeing the world the way it is. We see it through our throw-away sunglasses and assume having one of each color flip flops is desirable. All you well-meaning people: STOP! Ye Haw! Some very helpful information there. A maid may make as much as CUC a month working at a resort. Now I am thinking twice about it. Thanks for the advice. I have been to Cuba many times and I always bring additional things to give.

We go out into the village and give out things. We found the school in town and brought pens and pencils they asked us to bring erasers, calculators, English dictionaries the next time we came as they are hard to get there.

These are some of the things I bring: reader glasses for all different distances, a friend of mine owns a eyeglass store clothing for kids and adults, tennis balls, tools, reusable grocery bags they are a hit , tylenol I go on the internet and translate into Spanish and put on the container, make up, pantyhose, socks.

A lot of the stuff I like to buy new to give out. We also found a small doctors office off the beaten track and gave her band aids, antiseptic cream, gauze, elastic bandages etc. They are very appreciate of anything you give them. Hope this helps — Sarah Jane.

Giving gifts to your new island friends is a wonderful and rewarding humanitarian overture. The explicit purpose of this policy is to hurt the Cuban people. Many of the items most needed can be purchased at dollar stores.

Toys for kids, jacks, pick up sticks, puzzles, frisbees, yo-yos, tops. Any and all kinds of art supplies. Musical instruments, guitar strings, reeds for wind instruments.

Metronomes, pitch pipes, tuning forks, sheet music. Theatre make-up, ballet slippers. Baseball bats, balls and gloves, footballs, sports helmets, and padding.

School supplies of all kinds, colored pencils, coloring books, note pads, crayons, coloring books, etc. Laptops and tablets, no more than four years old.

US flag buttons and lapel pins. Medical gloves and masks, medical thermometers. Therefore, most people I spoke to mentioned the need for pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, writing books, etc.

Have you booked your flight to Cuba yet? If not, What are you waiting for? Book your flight to Cuba now. There is always some questioning about giving away things as a traveler. Is it ok to hand out t-shirts to random people on the street or to visit a school in school hours to give out pencils and books? Absolutely not. But why? When people get used to that, you might find yourself being attacked by people wanting you to take off your t-shirt to give it to them the next time you travel to Cuba.

In fact, while in Trinidad, I experienced various people sitting by the street begging for clothes. If that person has kids, then give her some children clothes if you have some in your bag. If you see that the guy you are talking to has an old t-shirt, give him a new one. When I visited Cuba, I was encouraged by locals to visit schools and give pens, books, etc.

Would you like your kids to be disrupted in class by someone visiting? It takes a long time to get back your concentration again after being interrupted. This goes both for the teachers and the students.

The children need to concentrate on the topic while in class. Therefore, if you want to visit a school, try to organize a visit after school hours. However, it is probably best to give away those school utensils to someone you get to know that have kids at school.

Suggested reading: A complete guide to unique things to do in Cuba. Altogether, the main rule to make sure the locals get any benefit from your stay is to only use privately owned businesses when you travel in Cuba. These businesses have to pay high taxes to the government, but at least they get some of it and you help them improve their way of living. Casas Particulares are privately owned rooms or apartments for rent, usually in the same house as the owner lives. They often help with booking tours in the city and surroundings and you will always get help to find a taxi when you need one.

Most Casas Particulares include a private bathroom, though you have the odd place that offers dorm rooms with a shared bathroom for a cheaper price. Staying in Casas Particulares is a great way to connect with the locals and learn about the Cuban culture and way of living. It is extremely expensive to run a Casa Particular. A large percentage of what you pay for the night go straight to pay taxes.

Often, I looked at the house and thought they were quite wealthy for Cubans. Then I got to talk to them and learned all the years of hard work behind every little detail they had bought and all the personal offerings they had had to make to get there. I spoke to one couple that had got a divorce on paper to be able to build an extra room to rent out.

It had taken them 12 years from they started to build the first room. I asked how long that would normally take. Book your Casa Particular now. When you take a taxi somewhere, make sure it is a private one.

You distinguish them by not having the taxi sign on the car. They are usually just regular, old cars with a taxi sticker in the front window. Also, they are the only ones you can bargain on the price. If you ask in your Casa Particular to call for a private taxi, they usually have a friend that drives a taxi that they can call. For any longer distances, especially if you travel solo, you should get a private shared taxi. This way you pay for a seat, but there are more people in the car, usually going to the same place or somewhere on the way.

Note: The bus service in Cuba is government-owned. The vintage cars in Havana are all privately owned. They are inherited from generation to generation. Those lucky enough to have one in their family are now taking advantage of doing tours of Havana for tourists. The owners pay a license to drive a taxi as well as high taxes on their income.

However, it is a good way to support Cuban families in the capital city.