On the advice here I contacted Jorge for a quote for 2 couples, transport to from Jibacoa – Havana, day tour, Tropicana show, casa, next day morning tour and return. I had several questions about the quote and the answers raised some red flags so I am posting here to call on the experience and knowledge of fellow travelers.
He quoted 736 cuc. Does not include entrance fees, meals, drinks, tips. It included:
90 cuc transport to from Jibacoa-Havana return in a private car
105 cuc for a guide at 15 cuc hour (5 hours 70 cuc one day, 2 hours 30 cuc next day)
12 cuc for transport from private house to restaurant
9 cuc transport from restaurant to Tropicana show
15 cuc for transport Tropicana to casa
320 cuc for Tropicana show
40 cuc for private car used for 2 hour tour
100 cuc for 2 double standard rooms in a private house
20 cuc for casa breakfasts
15 cuc taxes
10 cuc administrative fee
I asked about reading here on TA the normal price of casa in Havana 30-35 cuc. Was told this is for backpacker style lodging, he provides mansions and because the breakfast (5 cuc each) were 5 star serving natural squeezed tropical juices. Ah?? Seems there may be some padding going on or a hidden commission?
I asked why the guide can work for 8 cuc per per hour when touring one person but twice that much (15 cuc) when touring 4. At first, it was because we pay only a quarter of that pp, so be happy. Then it was because the guide has to work 4 times as hard with 4 people then 1 and answer 4 times more questions. Ah??. Answers are no logical. Same tour, same time, same distance, same spiel. One inquisitive person could have 10 times the questions of 4 quiet people. And if he works 4 times as hard, using Jorge's logic, shouldn't the price be 4 times as much? Again, some inflated prices, or padding or hidden commissions going on here?
Asked about such a high rate for guiding (15 cuc hour) when salaries were that for most people for a whole month, not an hour, and it is more than we pay some people in England, with a much higher cost of living. Something about capitalist life versus socialist living. I accept the answer, what do I know? But still, it seems like these guys are making quite a handsome living off of tourists? At these rates, am I dealing with the Mercedes of the industry? Should I look for the Kia equivalent with more reasonable rates, or is this just the norm?
I didn’t know there were taxes (15 cuc) in Cuba. Turns out there are not, when asked, it is really what he changed to a handling fee for him booking official services like transfers, Tropicana, hotels, excursion. So what is the administration fee (10 cuc)? Anyway, the transport is private vehicles, it is not a hotel but a private house, the guides are private etc. Am I wrong in thinking the government gets little of this, mostly goes into someones pocket? Oh, and part for parking. Not sure why that part wasn't part of transport costs, not a tax.
Overall, some red flags here making me wonder if there are hidden commissions, some padding, and maybe, I do not know, some gouging going on here? No, gouging is too harsh. Lets use inflated prices for the unwary? I could easily be mistaken so I am requesting the opinions of fellow traveler more experienced than I before booking it.
Edward

