7 Things NOT to do in CUBA - MUST SEE BEFORE YOU GO

Cuba is a country seemingly lost in time, due in part from the 1960 embargo that was placed on them by the U.S. and from the seemingly autocratic rule of Fidel Castro. With so much complex and rich history, both on the world stage and at home, Cuba is a uniquely special place, with some of the nicest people and most stunning landscapes I've come across. However, the flip side to its amazing culture and complex past is that there are a few things to avoid when traveling here. So without further ado, here are 7 things not to do in Cuba. Don't be afraid to speak Spanish So like I said, Cubans are some of the nicest people in the world, and many of them are very eager to practice their English. That being said, you should definitely try and learn a few words before you go, because anything you pick up will go a long way there. Even if it's only a few words, it shows that you care enough about trying to understand their culture that you're willing to take the time to learn the language, and trust me, it'll be greatly appreciated. Don't confuse currencies Now Cuba is unique because they actually have two national currencies, and those are the CUC and the CUP. Now this is where it can get a bit confusing. Now the CUC, or Cuban Convertible Peso, is actually always equivalent to one US dollar. This is the currency that you're going to use a lot of the time in the tourism industry. Now the CUP on the other hand, or the Cuban Peso, fluctuates, although it's typically around 25 for one US dollar. And this is the currency that you'll use at local markets, street food, and giving out tips. Now it's important to identify between the two currencies, because if you mix them up, you could be giving someone 25 US dollars as opposed to what you thought was one US dollar. Next up, number three. Don't forget to tip Now this is a big one for me, and no matter what your personal beliefs or take on the tipping system is, throw all of that out the window when you go to Cuba, because the average monthly wage in Cuba is just under 500 pesos. That's around 18 US dollars, which probably sounds insane to a lot of you. So keep that in mind when you go to Cuba. Now this next one is a quick one, and it's don't drink the water. Now while you should have no problem brushing your teeth with tap water, it's generally not safe to drink it. You should always buy bottled water instead. Number five. Don't fall for tourist traps Now the most common way that people get scammed while in Cuba, as I mentioned before, is this CUC and CUP conversion. But even aside from that, you can still get ripped off by other things, like buying fake cigars and in public transport and taxis. Now this one's tricky, because it's less about me telling you exactly what you should do. This one's really just about how good a judged character you are. But I will say that while people have gotten scammed in Cuba, there's absolutely no reason not to be friendly with people, and you should definitely try and talk to the locals as much as possible. Number six. Departure fees Now this one can catch a lot of people by surprise, but to leave the country you actually have to pay a departure tax of 25 CUC, which is equivalent to 25 US dollars. And they won't let you leave the country if you don't pay that tax. So make sure you have a little bit of cash left over, so you don't get stuck at the airport. Now I've talked a lot about what not to do in Cuba, but I don't want to give you the impression that it's all bad. So for number seven, I'm just going to say make sure you enjoy Cuba. The food, the people, the place, it really has so much to offer. And I really recommend trying to get involved in the culture, as opposed to just looking from afar. Apart from that, I'm sure you'll have a great time in the country of Cuba. Before you go, I've partnered with a great new company called IndoHemp. They create really cool artistic hemp backpacks, and 10% of every sale goes to non-profits helping child poverty in Nepal. So go ahead and click the link in the description of the video, and use the code GOLOCAL to get 10% off of your order.