Varadero, Cuba excursion. Santa Marta Sunday market. Beny More Bar. Marina. $5. Tour Bus

[@elixis2847]

Omg bar beny looks great!!! Thanks were planning going back soon well check it out!!!!

[@DownMichael]

I love the Cuban people. They're even nicer than Canadians on average.

[@-.Jeffro.-]

Stayed at both Hotel SunBeach and Hotel Acuazul seen in this video, both hotels have elevators. Also been to Hotel Los Delfines. Last trip was 2020... time to get back...

[@laura-graceclarke3217]

I am enjoying your videos very much. Been to Varadero twice and am itching to go back. In this video you have shown that tourism is down. Pre Covid, we would have billboards all over the greater Montreal area advertising “Cuba Authentica “. Nothing like that now. I wonder why the Cuban government isn’t advertising tourism yet?

[@DownMichael]

They're broke. Local staff at my resort told me over a year ago something when I suggested that post Trump sanctions and Covid shutdown that the economy must be hurting the worst since the fall of the Soviet Union and their investing in Cuba. They called that time their "Special Period". She said it was worse. That time at least they had food. Biden is afraid to undo all of the over 200 new sanctions Trump put on Cuba too quickly for fear of losing votes at home. Trump declaring Cuba a "State sponsor of Terrorism" prevents many companies and countries from being able to do business with them. The real sponsor of terrorism is; you know who.

[@hectormederos355]

​@@DownMichaelyou don't have right to give opinions about the Cuban reality. Your stupid comment is a real disappointment ignoring 1052 cubans in jail just for claims his self freedom. You are far of the cubans reality, not is your place defend the dictators. Go Trump 2024. No more comunism. Freedom to all politics prissioners. Patria y Vida.

[@bernie2108]

FYI Last October Market overflowing with Pork and chicken all stalls taken. Veg was plentiful, unlike the hotels. lacking basics !

[@DownMichael]

One of my hopes with these videos is to show people in the hotels that for a few cents they can have bananas or whatever in their diet. My wife likes banana at breakfast every day.so I make sure we have them in our hotel room if the buffet is out.

[@DownMichael]

I mistakenly called the new hotel west of Varadero a Melia. Forgive me.

[@RR-xu5xk]

Great video. How much were the tomatoes and lettuce from the market? How much for the lobster tail? Could you pay in USD or CAD at the market for the veggies or did they want pesos? How much food do you bring with you on a trip to Cuba?

[@DownMichael]

I got 180 Cuban pesos to the Canadian dollar. Some got 150. Rarely 200. Change about $40 Canadian at a time. It's cheaper to pay at Kiki's or Sangria or other places in pesos if you can get a high exchange rate. Pesos at the market and vegetables are pennies, so to speak. We got the lobster tail from someone who'd been diving and was at the 13th St. Bar for 1000 pesos each for a 10 to 12 ounce tail. I bought a wallet with Cuba written on it. I asked how much? They said $10 American or $15 Canadian. I did the math and paid in U.S. I brought 8000 pesos home with me. But I know I'm going back and don't worry about it. I bring different food for myself. Last trip I took Caesar salad dressing and had 3 while we were there. I'm just trying to add a little more variety than you can get in Cuba. I tell people to pack for themselves first and Cuban gifts second. It's your vacation

[@RR-xu5xk]

@@DownMichael Thanks for the info. Where did you normally exchange pesos to get 180 to 1?

[@DownMichael]

@@RR-xu5xk I got that at the 15th St. Market, Varadero but I'm sure others will match if they can see you know the values.

[@vac33]

20 cuban pesos is 1.07 $ canadian

[@DownMichael]

A year ago the exchange rate at the cuban banks was 18 to 1 and now it is 85 approximately to 1 but everybody on the street will give you 100 or more to 1. So 100 pesos is 1 Canadian dollar.

[@elixis2847]

I went to the police station over there. Trust me itll be my LAST lol