Varadero, Cuba

[yao416]

any tips on getting a good deal for 7 days?

[dawgbone]

any tips on getting a good deal for 7 days?

Use the lowest price calendars...

http://www.tripcentral.ca/vacations-packages/?airpid=1

http://www.redtag.ca/lowest-price-calendar/

http://www.itravel2000.com/best-price-calendar.aspx

[rf134a]

The Iberostar Varadero, Paradisus Princesa del Mar and Paradisus Varadero are the only suitable hotels for ballers like Yao416. :razz: ;)

[yao416]

Riu Varadero hotel OK??

[yao416]

Should I bring Dslr or PS camera?

[mmhassa2]

The Iberostar Varadero, Paradisus Princesa del Mar and Paradisus Varadero are the only suitable hotels for ballers like Yao416. :razz: ;)

Dont know about the others, but that hotel is NOT for ballers, or people in their 20s/30s or simply anyone looks to have a good time. We were there this past year and it was a BORING, empty hotel and most of the resturants were closed, oh also the food was beyond bland.

[sandy_beach]

Just watch for deals. Try to avoid sun wing. Get a package through AC or air transat. Iberostar Laguna azul is a great resort by the way. Riu varadero isn't good from what others have told me, it was boring, lacked entertainment and food wasn't very good.

[vero95]

Riu Varadero hotel OK??

I saw it only from the gate. I did not like the architecture. it looks like a bunker
iberostar or paradisus are your only options. some people recommend blau
varadero is not the nicest area. I liked holguin more
but if you want to see havana, varadero is a good choice

[yao416]

What rums to buy. How much can you bring back

[HiClass]

If you want a deal, you just have to keep price watching. I remember Tripcentral.ca and Itravel2000. Tripcentral shows you the prices with taxes included. ITravel tends to update price drops 4-8 hours sooner than Tripcentral. Currently Air Canada has been price matching and beating competititve offers for rival companies, sunwing, nolitours, westjet for vacation packages mostly due to the problems they've been having lately.

Sunwing's prices are generally higher, but every couple of months or so they have a promo that slashes the taxes in half, so the final price is sometimes unbeatable. I would look out for that. Last wk, for the month of June there was 1 day in each week for June that had prices in the $530-590 area for Barcelo Solymar which is a very popular 4 star resort in Varadero, now this week rates have gone back up.

[sandy_beach]

What rums to buy. How much can you bring back

Get the Havana club in the black bottle. I wouldn't worry about how much you can bring back, you will be gone 7 days so you have a big exemption. As long as you don't try to bing back a case of rum you won't have any issues.

[HiClass]

Get the Havana club in the black bottle. I wouldn't worry about how much you can bring back, you will be gone 7 days so you have a big exemption. As long as you don't try to bing back a case of rum you won't have any issues.

2 26ers basically your allowed 2 bring back. Not that big of an exemption.

[Kuurgen]

Get the 7 year old rum. Delicious.

[chinaboy1021]

Lol the best rum is Santiago. Santiago much smoother than Havana Club Black.

[Madevilz]

My gf likes luxury and there are three hotels that could fit in our budget.

Cheapest is Iberostar Laguna Azul for around 950.

There are also two packages for Parasidius Varadero or Parasidius Del Mar for 1100. Are they worth $150 more? And which one would you take? Which one has the best food?

I have found another well rated hotel in the Dominican Republic for 1150, it is Iberostar Dominicana, would that be a better choice?

Thanks for your help!

[twoplustwo]

My gf likes luxury and there are three hotels that could fit in our budget.

Cheapest is Iberostar Laguna Azul for around 950.

There are also two packages for Parasidius Varadero or Parasidius Del Mar for 1100. Are they worth $150 more? And which one would you take? Which one has the best food?

I have found another well rated hotel in the Dominican Republic for 1150, it is Iberostar Dominicana, would that be a better choice?

Thanks for your help!

Stay on the "Royal Service" side of Parasidius Varadero. It's pretty much the best resort in Varadero.

[Madevilz]

Booked at Paradisus Varadero.

I was told to bring Canadian currency and exchange currency at the airport? Is that optimal?
Can I tip with CND currency and just use my Visa (canadian bank) for my expenses?

[MVP1]

Let us know how the trip goes, i'm planning on visiting Cuba sometime next year

[dawgbone]

Booked at Paradisus Varadero.

I was told to bring Canadian currency and exchange currency at the airport? Is that optimal?
Can I tip with CND currency and just use my Visa (canadian bank) for my expenses?

Yes that's optimal, simply because the CUC (the tourist peso) is the only thing the workers are allowed to trade in. You could give them Canadian, but then they'd have to find someone to trade it to (often at less value).

I'm not sure what other expenses you'd have... if it's on resort your visa should be fine, but off resort you'll want cash. And generally speaking, you'll get better rates on things using cash than you will visa (including excursions booked at the hotel).

On a side note, if you have any CUC's left on the way back to the airport, see if you can exchange them with your bus driver. He'll often have some CDN tips and you can get them at a reduced rate.

[Kris81]

"Luxary" and "Cuba" do not go together.


But +1 for the Iberostar's.

[kingofwale]

Riu Varadero hotel OK??

i went there once, it's pretty nice.

[Madevilz]

Let us know how the trip goes, i'm planning on visiting Cuba sometime next year

Had an awesome week at Paradisus Varadero. Sunny all week except the last 2 days.
Food was actually good which surprised me since Ive heard so much bad comments about Cuba's food. I did not book Royal Service, so I can't say it was a 5 stars experience, but the standard room and service was just fine.
If you have any questions, id be glad to answer :)

[twoplustwo]

Stay on the "Royal Service" side of Parasidius Varadero. It's pretty much the best resort in Varadero.


I did not book Royal Service, so I can't say it was a 5 stars experience

Tsk tsk. There's a reason I told you to say on the Royal Service side.. Sure, the "regular" side of Parasidius Varadero is fine, but it just does not compare to the Royal Service side. Glad you had a good time.

[Madevilz]

Tsk tsk. There's a reason I told you to say on the Royal Service side.. Sure, the "regular" side of Parasidius Varadero is fine, but it just does not compare to the Royal Service side. Glad you had a good time.

I know lol, heard good things about royal service, but budget didnt permit it. :(