jorgeguide Jorge prices quote

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jorgeguide Jorge prices quote
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On the advice here I contacted Jorge for a quote for 2 couples, transport to from JibacoaHavana, 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

Picton, Canada
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1. Re: jorgeguide Jorge prices quote
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Interesting first post.

How much do you want to pay?

Calgary, Canada
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2. Re: jorgeguide Jorge prices quote
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Dear Edward,

Your post is straightforward and (thankfully) not the inarticulate rants that sometimes crop up here regarding prices in Cuba, but by-and-large you're overreacting.

I won't do a line-by-line explanation of your invoice, but here's my opinion:

1.) All the big numbers for transport and the Tropicana are fair and correct.

2.) The taxi and in-city transport is of course more expensive than you'd pay on your own, but you'll have dedicated cars/drivers assigned - you won't be out in the street trying to flag someone down. I bet the cars will be nice and the drivers top-notch.

3.) The casa particular was more expensive than the usual backpacker place, but I bet the accommodation will be very nice and (this is important) the reservation is confirmed. (Confirmed casa reservations in Havana for only one night is not something you can arrange yourself.)

4.) The 15 CUC/hour for the tour guide is the standard rate for groups that is charged by all the government tour agencies.

Unless there's an added fee for working out of a government travel agency that I'm not aware of, then yes, I agree it would have been less confusing to have the "taxes" and "administration fee" combined.

Bottom line: Yes, the quote is top dollar and a little more. That said, you'll get top-notch service in a country famous for horrible, undependable service made even more complicated by a crappy telecommunications infrastructure.

I think having everything go smoothly is worth every penny under these specific circumstances: 1.) A first time visitor. 2.) Who doesn't speak Spanish. 3.) Who has limited time. 4.) And wants a worry-free no hassle package that's handled by someone who will be there to support you the entire time.

All the best to you.

Cheers,

Terry

Calgary, Canada
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Hi Edward:

Questions and please don't take offense, I'm asking because I want to know your mindset and cull what you have read on the forum:

1. I assume this is the total price for 4 people? which is under $200 CUC per person?

2. Entrance fees for what? museums?

3. how do you know they make 8 CUC per hour?

4. Don't you think herding 4 people and conversing with them in your second or third language would be more difficult?

I can clarify a couple of things and whatever I get wrong, hopefully someone will correct me.

1. transport fees seem pretty reasonable and if you want to bring them down a bit you can try to get transport on your own, no guarantees that will do it though.

2. You can have dinner at the Tropicana prior to the show in the restaurant there...and many times in the theatre.

3. Casa prices are per person, so 25 to 35 CUC is accurate.

4. Casa meals are wonderful and these are standard prices for breakfast.

5. Not sure about the taxes.

6. Not sure about the administration fee, although if all of this is being set up for you in advance, obviously there is a lot of legwork involved reasonable.

7. there are ALWAYS hidden commissions.

8. don't always count on fresh squeezed OJ. they sure hope to have it, but there is an embargo and getting a steady supply of anything is a stretch for resorts, let alone casa owners.

9. Yes, they are making money off you - that is the point to owning a business that caters to tourists on this planet. It is not about gouging you, but about offering a service in modestly comparable prices to home. How much would this type of excursion cost in Mexico, Spain, UK, Canada? I can tell you that in Canada, something comparable would be over 400 CUC per person (excluding a guide).

Keep me posted

Ottawa, Canada
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While it is not the cheapest.. and I dont think you would want the quality of the cheapest ..

For 4 persons with the personal/professional services you are getting.. I think it is a good price..

Camaguey, Cuba
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5. Re: jorgeguide Jorge prices quote
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Tsanborna, casa particular prices are always for the room, weither you're one or two does not matter.

To the OP, I don't know the price for the Tropicana since I have never been. As for the other items mentionned, I think you will be able to find most at the same prices or for less expensive if you do it by yourself. But then, you will have to do it by yourself... In any country, it's always more expensive to have someone arrange everything for you than to do it yourself, but than you same time and energy, It's all about choices.

I personnaly would never pay that much because I know I can find it for less, but I speak Spanish and have been to Havana and Cuba many times before...

Calgary, Canada
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In my opinion a fairly experienced Havana traveller doing it completely on their own (and using a private guide who they knew in Havana) could only reasonably shave about 160 CUC off that bill. That's only 40 CUC/each for your group to buy a LOT of no-hassle convenience...

Cheers,

Terry

tsanbornca, casa prices are per room, not per person... the 5 CUC breakfast is not standard... there are not always hidden commissions between government travel agents and casa particulars (that where the separate administration fee comes into play)... you can't compare service industry prices in Cuba with anywhere else, especially not developed nations...

Edited: 10 years ago
Nova Scotia, Canada
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7. Re: jorgeguide Jorge prices quote
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Consider all of post # 2, plus the fact that you could do that trip as part of a tour group, and be shepherded along with 40 other people on a bus and off a bus and on a bus and off a bus, never being able to have any extra time to explore something that is of interest to you, let alone dedicated time with the guide. That would cost 680CUC for four people.

Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.

Nova Scotia
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Gengen..,thank you for that..,I thought Casas were for the room,not per person.

To the OP..,I believe that you might be able to cut your costs down a lot by not doing the Tropicana show..,or if you have your heart set on it,you could look into the Tropicana show in Mantazas. Personally I haven't done either the Havana or the Matanza shows ( not my bag) but I have heard that the Tropicana show in Matanza is still very good..,and at less the cost than the Havana show. Plus you get to see another Cuban city,and it is not all that far from Jibacoa.Just saying,as it might be something you might want to to look into.

Calgary, Canada
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Thanks for the corrections everyone, I knew you would pipe up.

I think for the hassle free aspect of this excursion...the price is great. I blew 800 CUC in 4 days, not including room, in Havana, most on taxi.

Calgary, Canada
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SWNova, all good points - if they want to see Havana too though, then another side trip will end up costing more in addition of travel costs, no?

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