Asking on behalf of a friend who is going to Cuba:
Is it ok to take a cell phone with a GPS tracking device to Cuba? Or will they confiscate it?
Any advice for a Havana Hotel name? Need it for 2 nights.
Should I take a sum of Canadian cash? American? Or just change it there? Thanks a bunch!

The phone is fine. Don’t take American take Canadian. Can’t help with the hotel sorry

The cell should be fine even though it says no gps device.
There's many hotels in havana, from garbage to luxury. Check the Transat last minute deal page, it will list a bunch. Or a google search, as always.
Bring Canadian and exchange there. (you cant exchange outside cuba anyways) US dollars has a 10% surcharge on top of exchange rate.

Is the Castro departure bribe/tax still a thing? If so, don't forget your 25 USD.

No more $25 charge

It’s added to your flight now, the airline pays it.

Cell is fine. Exchange funds at the airport there or at a bank in town. Just be prepared the banks in town share one internet line and usualky only have one teller that speaks some english.

We stayed at the National in Havana....

For hotel, loved Iberostar Parque Central. You’ll have to change your cash to CUCs there.

This is my dad’s airbnb it’s awesome and he and his Cuban family are amazing! https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/16533543?locale=en
AIRBNB.CA
CASA EL REMANSO - King Suite with Private Bath - Bed & Breakfasts for Rent in La Habana, La Habana, Cuba

Don’t do anything specially if your not Spanish they can make up some crap and take you in you will never leave Cuba
.

Cuba is very sensitive over many things immigration once you get their is an interview place they check you up and well let’s just say is not your regular visit as a tourist. Besides they have no internet network sucks and above all if they see you come with any such device they can really make a stinker over it unless you are a diplomat or work in oil base from their country

When's the last time you visited??? I had two phones, walked around with them all the time. They have multiple locations with Wi-Fi, all you need is the password or a time card.
Why would they make crap and keep someone in Cuba? Most of the money there is from Canadian tourists. They would not want to sour that relationship. Even most beef is for the tourists and not the locals.
What you describe above sounds a lot more like Mexico.

8 months ago saw a poor fella pulled on the side for a stupid phone

They arrested him for the phone.

Maybe he was taking pictures in the airport. There are signs all over saying not to do that.

Perhaps after that I travel often but don’t take my phone it was scary for me I was shocked

Sounds like an isolated incident. Their security and airport is pretty standard when arriving internationally. Internet sucks but is existent.

So just leave your phone and be a regular visitor

What on earth are you smoking? It’s a great place!

Melia Habana, in the Miramar district is fabulous. Hop on hop off bus right across the street...to the right. Breakfast across the street in the little plaza was only 1.80 , eggs, fresh baked croissants, toast, excellent coffee/lattes. Grocery store in the plaza shopping area next door for. rum, juices etc. great pool, ask for ocean view room, balcony. Google them for Room info.

Cell phone is fine but don’t expect good wifi. Do NOT take USD, Cuba didn’t even allow Americans until 2015. You will get charged like crazy converting back to CAD. You will have to order Cuban pesos from your bank or exchange at the airport or in Cuba. Look very hard on tripadvisor for hotels. If they say it’s a 5 Star it’s a 4 and so on.

Can we get pesos at the bank now? As far as I know it is illegal to have cuban money outside Cuba and you could not get money outside the country, so nothing at the banks in Canada.

You’re correct sorry. Cuban you can’t Mexican you can. I don’t think it’s illegal just not traded internationally

Reading on it right now and it seems you are still not allowed to take CUC out but CUP is fine. If you're Cuban or a foreign citizen. Not ssure about tourists. Quoting: "However, it is no longer permitted to take Convertible Pesos (CUC) out of the country"
I always hide mine a bit just in case. Looks like last time I hid it too good as I cannot find it anymore. lol?

We stayed at this airbnb last year - in Old Havana - great location, beautifully clean, awesome hosts, walking distance to everything! https://abnb.me/EVmg/o76JRia9lJ
No issues at all with using cell phones... you cannot legally take CUC out of the country - we accidentally did (long story) with no issues but it’s worth nothing in Canada - banks won’t take it... I gifted it to a friend who was visiting later...
ABNB.ME
Check out this great place to stay in La Habana

LOVED Havana by the way!