What to bring for new friends

[Just_Me]

Hola Everyone, now that the weather here in Canada is starting to get a little frosty there are more people heading to Cuba for the sun, surf and friendly people. The question that is asked most often is "What should we bring for the people we meet that could make life a little easier?" I know the standard things that everyone says but for those that are lucky enough to go to this beautiful place more often is there anything different that seems to be unavailable? We have heard about over the counter medicines, t-shirts, baby things and school supplies........just wondering if there is anything else. Thanks JM

[cubado]

hola jm * :) one thing i can never go without now...or my cuban friends would be *>:( >:( *those kool aid slushes! small and light ..easy to pack! with or without rum.... we all enjoy this cool treat! i bring a couple of big ziplock bags to make it in...using bottled water of course! not exactly answering your question...for surely this is not high on the cubana wish list...
but when we sit around and enjoy it... it is high on my cuban memory list! *:P :P and they now get some as gifts...and i hear they throw slush parties for the friends and neighbors!
i went back after 8 months and i was with my good friend carlito...he invited me in for something cool he said... it was the end of his ziplock of slush...he had saved it till i returned to share it with me! :D :'( ;D ;D

[Just_Me]

Hola Cubado, they sound great! but anything is good with 5 year old Cuban rum! What type of koolaid is it.....the stuff with sugar or the one that you add sugar to? What flavours mix the best with Cuban spirits? This one may go to the top of the list.......above chocolate....on our friends wish list! thanks for the idea JM

[Guest]

My husband and I just got back from our first trip to Cuba.
Things we will be taking for our friends on our next trip will
include soap and various kinds of candy. Pringles potato chips
sell for $3.60 USD per tin compared to our $1.69 CAD at Walmart.
Also, since the motels don't supply facecloths, a good thing to
do is to pick up 3 for a dollar at the Dollarama and leave them
behind. 8)

[zaragozana]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Just_Me]

Hola Zaragonzana, I think giving $$$$$$ to bartenders or waiters is fine but to give something that is hard or near impossible to get would be worth more. Coming from countries where very few things are hard to get it is hard to fathom some of the things people in Cuba could want or need. Some are just too obvious. The most common question asked by people going to Cuba is what should I bring? (besides $$$$$$) You are right in that you do need to bring some cash for tips and such. Got any other ideas? Thanks for your help. JM

[Guest]

Having just returned from Cuba and talking to my new friends I think some of the best things to take for them are toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap, skin lotions(their skin gets dry just like ours) they also like candles and perfumes. They are able to buy some of these things, but they are very expensive. Actually they will take anything that you have to offer,and are always very thankful.

[Guest]

Hola.....I yard sale all summer and pick up anything related to baseball...shirts, hats, and especially gloves. My husband plays ball with the locals in Chiverico near Santiago de Cuba when we are there. They are super ball players in spite of having no equipment...most play in their bare feet. They are so grateful for anything we can help them out with. :)

[JordT]

My friends in Cuba like when I bring them a tape of North American music, either from a cd, or even from the radio. They really enjoy it from the radio, 'cause it allows them to hear the "cool" new music, as well as it also helps them with their english. As for the girls, they like when I bring stuff like nail polish, makeup, perfume, and even wax. (pretty much stuff they can pamper themselves with) But, like everyone else already said, anything is much appreciated!!! :)

[Guest]

I know this is a serious matter, but this idea has both a practical and a fun purpose.

Bring Vicks Vapor Rub and Vicks Nyquil.

Not only do tourist workers get more than their fare share of Northern Winter coldes, etc.,

but it's also a real hoot to hear the Cubans say "Bickbapparoob"!

A gozar!

Morales_Lemus
http://www.greatrentals.com/cuba/2881.html

[Guest]

Bring them things like hard candy. Its very exspensive in Cuba. For the girls bring thong underware . They can't get it there. Also hair brushes and sented soaps. Lipsticks and nail polish. Cd's of house music and Techno. Bring clothes to wear that you have no problem giving away. Also tube socks. Have a great time.

[carlito]

Just_me, it is hard to me talk about this because i am cuban, but i need give you some ideas, believing that i know pretty wide what cuban people need, and apreciate when they have it.

Bring with you, hope, freedom and some money.
You can bring hope meeting a cuban family and getting to be its good friend... they will be fill with hope....when they can say that they have a foreing friend.
You can bring freedom if you share with cuban people, going to places that they cannot reach without a tourist.....
If you save the money that you would spend in gifts, and you give 10 or 5 dollars as many people as you are able, you are gonna make very very happy a lot of cuban ....... remember that salary of a common cuban worker, is a little bit more than 5 dollars, and much less than 10 dollars.....

Thanks for your interest in doing something about it....

Excuse my english, and correct me, i'll apreciate....

[Rick]

Carlito, nicely said. My Cuban friends have relatives in Miami sending money so they don't ask for anything. I agree with most of the items already listed here except the money. Tips, yes. However, there are things that are rare regardless of the cost:
For my close Cuban friends, Barbie dolls for the girls. Soccer ball and frisbee for the boys.If you're not that close to the Cubans than a $1 beach ball also gives the kids hours of fun. Baseball is #1 but a glove can't be shared with all the kids. Spices are also appreciated.

[Just_Me]

After our recent trip to Cuba I would like to add to the list of things to take to Cuba. We had the unfortunate experiance of spending three days in the hospital in Matanzas City. I think if you have room in your suitcase, bring over the counter medicines such as advil, tylenol or any other medicines you can think of or medicines that you have left after your holiday. Leave them at any clinic or hospital because even though Cuba has really great doctors, they have nothing to work with. We were on the tourist ward (which was scary enough) but the public ward was worse. They could use the pads of paper you bring for children and the pens as well. The ward charts in the hopital were done on paper cut to fit the clip board from any paper available. Just a suggestion.....thanks JM

[anat]

just wondering... ::) if I have a friend who is going to Cuba, and doesn't know anyone there...wouldn't it be strange..if he would bring gifts to people that he has just met?

Won't they feel like he's insulting them?
and....if he doesn't meet anyone there, can he leave the things that he brought somewhere? do they have a...place for things like this?

[Just_Me]

If you have room in your suit case and have stuff that you don't wear, or have a bit of money to buy some of the other stuff, pens, pencils, etc or asprin, tylenol etc you can leave the stuff at any church or clinic and the people there will make sure it gets to those that can use it. You can help someone you don't know and have a great holiday too. JM

[anat]

Thanks, I'll tell my friend to do it...and....

What about ...when he would meet new friends..if he would give them those things, will it be an insult? (cause they will see ehch other for the first time....) ??????

[beardo]

I don't think that Cubans are easily insulted (the opposite actually). I would guess that most will accept the gifts as givenwith good intentions, or decline them. (Some might ask him to bring special request next trip !)

Carlito is the best to respond on that point though.

[Xiao]

I read where a girl wallkihg with a tourist can be hasseled by the police. Would not, giving her gifts, ie; lipstick, thongs, etc. bring more suspicion on her from friends and relatives?

[Rick]

Well, Xiao, I am surprised at how much you have gleened from the previous posts here! Good for you in reading before asking! However, my Cuban male friends are not afraid to walk around with me in public. The female ones are constantly nervous with me in public and frequently walk several paces away from me. Why? I think it's because it's more than the fear of the "policia" but also fear of the secret policia and CDR (neighbourhood watch). All it takes is for someone to accuse you of being a jinetera and it's off to jail you go! No passing GO and no "get out of jail free" cards. :'( >:(
All the material items you mentioned can be bought (and more!) in the Cuban dollar stores so if someone is seen with them no one knows where they got the money to buy them. So seeing them with the articles does not raise suspicion after the fact. Feel free to ask more questions here. :D
Te estraño, mi amigo Sueño!

[Marley]

Wow, traveling from Canada (big generalisation) to Cuba is really a different experience to travelling from Australia. It sounds like you are all talking about going a short distance for a short time, that you have a lot of space in your luggage and you don't need to travel light.

The first thing I learnt about travelling was NOT to carry things like SOAP half way around the world as there is no-where I have been where you can't easily buy it as needed and in many places it is provided so you don't need to buy it at all.

I think face washers however is an excellent idea, as is baseball stuff - but there is no way I'm lugging that over - plus its not so popular here.

As far as making like easier there are some things that are very hard to get in Cuba, but not really suitable as gifts for strangers: contact lense solution and reasonable quality pads (for periods) are 2 things I couldn't buy in Cuba and will take lots of next time.

But back to the gifts that make life easier: I sent one of those heat packs (some kind of solution in a green plastic pouch with a metal disc which causes a heat producing chemical reaction when the disc is snapped) to my boyfriend as a joke in relation to his fear of the cold. These things are supposedly good for all sorts of ailments and he has asked me to bring lots of them on my next trip. (I presume they cannot be bought in Cuba.)
Another request has been for a VCR as they currently cannot be bought anywhere in Cuba, even though there are lots of electrical stores. (I tried to buy one when I was there but no stores had any). (Getting this through customs is a challenge I am yet to face.)
When someone does the "making the saint" ceremony as part of the popular Santeria religion they need to wear white clothes for a year - yet white clothing is surprisingly hard to find in Cuba, so that's another thing I'm bringing over.
Modern good quality underwear is also hard to get in Cuba and crop-top bras are popular.

A gift that does nothing to make like easier, but which is apparently a big fashion craze in Cuba, is coloured contact lenses. They apparently sell for $20US a pair in the street (which is cheaper that their cost here so I won't be bringing any over).

Another thing I have been asked to bring is attractive linen. I don't know what is available in the shops in Cuba but we sure have much better linen than what I've seen in any casa particular in Cuba.

That's just some of what I'm taking as gifts - for close friends and family however. I am not taking anything to give to strangers. Strangers I will be paying or tipping or buying drinks for and I think that is enough.

[Rick]

Well, Marley, some very good points since your perspective as an Aussie is quite different from ours up here in Canada. Depending on the airline we can bring anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds of luggage with us. I will be sharing your VCR experience myself next time. I have been through the airports at Havana, Santiago and Varadero and each one was a unique experience. :P I am hoping to make a dash for the exit this time around after I puck up my luggage and pleading ignorance if they stop me. BUT I am not recommending any of you kids out there try this at home! :o

[beardo]

I too often wonder at those who say bring soap. (Especially as one of the bifggest soap companies here is a joint venture with Unilever, who make most of the soap in the UK at least.)

On VCRs, I got the impression that there were guys coming round the streets selling them, the same as with hams and oranges !

[Doug]

What my girlfiend seemed to appreciate most was the individual pocket packs of Kleenex as most public toilets don't have paper. Chocolate was very welcome too. Other good things to bring are: viamins, over the counter meds, condoms, toothbrushes, clothing.

[bebevalerie]

Just to add something about the VCR. Last August I brought one through the airport at Ciego de Avila. They stopped me, had pulled my luggage containing th VCR aside and questionned me, finally giving me a couple of options. Leave the VCR at the airport to be picked up on the way back, bring it with me but sign a paper saying that they would check on my way back if I still had it with me and if not I would have to pay 40USD. Or finally just pay the 40USD up front and I could do whatever I wanted with the VCR (It was a gift for a friend). I chose the last option. However, like alot of the laws in Cuba, the extent of enforcement of this one probably varies according to the customs officer's mood. Good luck. :) :)

[CubaManiac]

bebev,

curious as to what Cuban laws you like? ???

[anat]

::) ::) ::) ::) ::) :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X

[cubaloverforlife]

:D

We often travel to resorts so we always leave our bathroom stuff for the maids but on top of this we always bring clothing we don't need, asprin, toothpast that kind of stuff. For close friends we have brought school bags and the swim shorts that dry fast for everyday use. ;D ;D

I have read alot of other good ideas and will take them into consideration next trip. As for the room issue we have the 3 of us going and like to take as much to give away as possible so that we have room on the way back of all the stuff we buy from the locals to give to friends and family at home.

[angie_canuck]

This thread has been a great help, I have been mulling this over for some time.
You guys think of everything!

[Rubia]

Clothing with LOGOS---NIKE, FUBU, POLO. All the men want razors or razor blades. Sneakers anything denim anything white Boots and sandals are also requested, but can be heavy to bring. For clothing,I buy brighter colors, since most of the people are brown or tan. I get half a dozen pairs of sunglasses at the dollar store, and lots of baseball hats and tshirts with good designs at church sales. I always bring tampax for the cunadas. Colorful bandannas.

Stores in Havana have lots of soap, shampoo, nailpolish and lipstick, all cheap

[doreen212]

makke-up, nail polish are great. Medicine always -- anti-diarrheals, aspirin, tylenol and VITAMINS of all sorts and for all ages.

On the more fun side -- pop rocks -- remember those candies? I had a blast with them and unsuspecting Cubans. Funky colored and sparkly stuff also goes over very well -- pencils like that, shine/sparkly little girl lipsticks, etc.

[Sharpone13]

Hey, Guys,
Just a small note in regards to " what to bring to Cuba.."
I have lived there for 3 solid years, and nothing is better then a simle nessesity items, such as shampoo and soap, simple grocery bags ( plastic are the best), perfumes ( cheap will go with a flag), non-real flowers for house decoration, shoes for small kids ( any kind will greatly apreciated), socks for all ages are considered the best gift. Also, anything from a dollar store will do a great job to make someo one happy in Cuba. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes for yourself. I know , it is more taxis in Cuba now-days, still, you will have to walk a lot! Sharpone13.

[Dixkot]

This is a great topic and exactly what I was looking for. My family and I are holidaying on Cayo Coco this July and I was wondering what items to bring, not for established friends but for the hotel maids etc. Having read through this topic I have a fair idea of what to bring. Remembering that space is of a premium the smaller, lighter items will be easier to carry. Thanks and please post anything else that you can think of. ;D

[greslogo]

Sharp.... soap and shampoo.

Come on now... you should know that soap and shampoo are available EVERYWHERE in Cuba.

If you MUST bring soap then bring expensive soap for the ladies.

Hotel staff.... seriously, I suggest the best gift is to leave a cash tip.

[fulcrum_29]

Been following this thread...

Here's what I have collected to take.

Chewing gum (sugarless juicy fruit)
Some bubble bath an ex-GF left me.
10 X disposible razors
2 X 16 packs of Crayola Crayons
10 pack of HB2 Pencils
Some fancy scented soap.
Nylons
Playing cards with a West Coast Native design.

I also plan on taking:
A BIG ass bottle of Generic Tylenol
Childrens plush toys from the dollar store.
New can of shave cream (to be left behind)
New bottle of shampoo (to be left behind)
New tube toothpaste (to be left behind)
Some New York Yankkee's SWAG.
Cheap Jewlery
Top 40 music on a burnt CD.

[greslogo]

Excellent list, imo.

I would leave the nylons behind. Bring those "low rider" type white sport socks instead.

I would also leave the bubble bath behind. Most Cubans don't have bathtubs and the ones that do never use them because they can't make enough hot water.

[amorsiempre]

I know cubanas like fashion-trendy but believe it or not nylons (pantyhose) are Huge! So in Cienfuegos I'm picking -up the g/f cousin at the nurses school/hospitol where they mostly wear skirts with white blouses. But you will see all sorts of apparel and combinations and some nurses had on pantyhose. And the temperature was hot. So I ask about it and the cousin says next trip bring some. As it turns out I ask a neighbour the best place to shop in Tornoto for pantyhose and the neighbour says stop.."I got plenty new and I will not be using them ". So I visit next trip armed with 22 pairs of every-flavor, sheer, grey, black, laced, patterned. seam-up-the-back, tigh-highs....well it was bedlum, 6 nursing girls were screeching, touching and comparing everyone..it was a huge hit.

[greslogo]

Have you returned to check out whether they still have them or have sold them.... jeje

Maybe it's a CFG or nurse thing...

[amorsiempre]

Well it is a nurse thing but you will also see numerous cubana office workers wearing them

I did see them wearing them, at least in the try-on stage Jeje.

If some were sold that is Ok, I know some have a-leg-up-on-me...jejeje.

[greslogo]

jeje

Maybe I should ask my wife if she wants some. She's never asked me for nylons. Then again she never asks me for anything, usually.

The socks are popular, if anything, because most Cuban floors are tiled and cold, especially after sunset.

[amorsiempre]

I sincerely hope that the NA trend of gal office workers who wear those white socks and white gym-shoes over pantyhose never reaches the shores of Cuba.

[greslogo]

As soon as they can afford to do so, they will...lol

[amorsiempre]

LOL

[fulcrum_29]

I had heard/read that Nylons are hard to come by in Cuba, that or they are expensive... thus I figure they would be a good gift to bring.

[jackd]

Last trip I brought a bag of pens and pencils, crayons, bandaids, antibiotic ointment and peroxide for a local school.

Brought mini first aid kits for friends, generic tylenol, bandaids and antibiotic ointment, also brought one for the Casa for other tourists, the lady of the house was very pleased with that.

The most popular thing I had was good quality electrical tape :o, second was the little short white sport socks :P.

[Cubano]

Above all for families with children pencils, paper, crayons are a welcome gift.
Aspirine, Tylenol, medicines are always appreciated as always in short supply.
Also brought some DIY stuff from nails to screws to hammer to electric drills etc.
Also brought some bedsheets (100% cotton) as most of what is available in Cuba is mixed Polyester/Cotton.
...problem was the excess luggage... :(

[mellisas]

vitamins for the kids
guitars strings
cosmetic
cloths
worming tabs for dogs
flea and tick treatment for dogs
schmackoes snacks[the doggys love them.]
undies for the ladies very popular.
next time l must take some music from aussie.
so many people asked if we had any.

[jackd]

Cubano, good point about the dyi stuff, the house I stayed at didn't have a screwdriver, let alone a hammer.

I had a Multi tool folding plyers thingy that I used around the house a couple of times to help Antonio, my drinking buddy/house handy man, he had never seen anything like it.

On our last night fiesta after copiuous quantities of food and drink, I pulled it out from behind his ear and gave it to him, he was one happy dude

[Cubano]

Jackd, Multitool, that's a good idea, does not take too much space/weight in the luggage.
Mellisas, you are right, music is always welcome.Am sometime amazed how up-to-date cubans are about top of the pops here in Europe.

[greslogo]

I try and not to bring the "heavy" stuff. It's a challenge to keep the suitcase under 70 lbs, as it is....lol

Hammers... buy one in Cuba. Drills, bits.... Buy them in Cuba, if you must.

Multi type tools.... ya, bring those.

For the cook in the house, buy those gaz stove starters. Similar to BBQ starters except they don't require a small cylinder of gas. They just throw a spark (piezo electric). About $3 at Canadian Tire. It will be used every day.

[jackd]

piezo gas stove lighters are an excellent item to bring, like greslogo said, "will be used everyday".

I had the pleasure of lighting the stove a few times with a bic (butane) lighter and it took 4 weeks for the hair to start to grown back on the back on my hand.

[greslogo]

That's what gave me the idea that there was a better way.... lol

[jackd]

Gives the old expression Live and Burn a certain reality lol

Or was that Live and Learn

[mellisas]

lorena brought some of those stove lighters.
she said they where very welcomed.
nylons for sure.
and easy to pack.

[jackd]

Light machine oil like 3 in 1 or penetrating oil like WD 40, these are great for just about anything that sticks or squeeks, door and cupboard hinges, door locks etc

[OCanada]

I just found this topic. It sure saves a lot of thinking for me. Great tips Maniacs ! [smiley=2thumbsup.gif] ;) I am not going to print this out until a month before my trip (January 2005) , right before I start shopping.. . So I hope many more ideas are posted. Thanks a bunch.

* I will pack a few flea collars as well. ;)

[candela]

Well...due to the increased costs of certain items...soap, detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, TAMPONS (for the women...you'd be amazed at some of the things they "try" to use *:o), toothbrushes (dollar store sells them for almost 3 USD per brush ::)), sewing thread, needles, RUBBER PANTS (any of the babies I have seen are still in cloth diapers...but with no "rubber pants" over them...anyone remember these ;D, makes less laundry for mom), tylenol, zantac (can't get it there anywhere), pencils, pens, papers, rulers, school supplies etc..., bed sheets, pantyhose for sure...candles for those frequent blackouts. If I can think of other items, I'll post again..

[greslogo]

Candles are readily available in Cuba. I wouldn't bother bringing those.

[mellisas]

torches and batteries maybe :)

[greslogo]

If you're going to one of the larger cities, you can buy a recharchagle flourescent light for around $20.

It uses a standard 20/22w tube, plugs into the wall, senses when the power goes off and turns itself on. It has a built in battery and charger.

Can easily light up a mid sized room, sufficiently for about 1.5 hrs.

HIGHLY recommended for a family that does not have one and lives in frequent blackout area.

[kdk]

how about a solar panel battery charger for "C" cells, batteries and some "C" battery lamps as available at wallmart?

[jackd]

Considering the price of a solar charger vs a regular charger and the fact that electricity is pennies a month I would go with a regular charger IMO

[aurora]

a few random things that I would bring:

- CD's (even burned CDs with popular music are fine), I found that Cubans love to stay current with music
- medications - i.e. tylenol, advil, pepto-bismol, cold medication, sunscreen
- gum, mints, candies
- batteries
- sunglasses - I gave away a few pairs to the gardeners at the hotel. They were so grateful because they're out in the sun all day with no protection.
- anything that says "Canada" on it! (or wherever you're from!). I bought a red & white baseball that said "Canada" at a dollar store before I left. Turns out that this was my friend's favourite gift, he just went crazy when he saw it! he has since accumulated a few Canadian souvenir items (hat, visor, keyring, playing cards)

and last but not least...
- letters from friends! I've heard it said on more than one occasion "this is worth more than material things" (a direct quote). :) :'( :)

[Vladimir Moscow]

Last time I brought there watches like Rolex etc. (there're a lot of fakes here in Moscow about 3 dollars for each), best gift for kids of cuban friends, sunglasses will good too. Baseball caps, some T-shirts, chokolate - good for gifts. Kids clothes unavailable there too. I guess anything will do.