CUBA in 6 DAYS ....Any reccomendations?

[Kwamz]

So I just booked a ticket and 10 of us are going from Feb 16-Feb 23

I've never been there, but do you guys have any reccomendations on what I should do or where I should go?

If any of you guys are wondering, It cost me $1133 for a 4 start hotel and all inclusive.

[canook]

So I just booked a ticket and 10 of us are going from Feb 16-Feb 23

I've never been there, but do you guys have any reccomendations on what I should do or where I should go?

If any of you guys are wondering, It cost me $1133 for a 4 start hotel and all inclusive.

Wouldn't say you're getting a super deal, Cuba is pretty cheap.

Food is passable, but not remarkable (some say it's not even passable, but I didn't think it was that bad).

Try Legendario Elixir de Cuba (7yr old sweet rum). You won't regret it.

Visit Havana if you get the chance at all.

Can you elaborate on what part of Cuba you'll be in (eg, Varadero, Holguin, Cayo Coco, etc)?

[Kwamz]

Wouldn't say you're getting a super deal, Cuba is pretty cheap.

Food is passable, but not remarkable (some say it's not even passable, but I didn't think it was that bad).

Try Legendario Elixir de Cuba (7yr old sweet rum). You won't regret it.

Visit Havana if you get the chance at all.

Can you elaborate on what part of Cuba you'll be in (eg, Varadero, Holguin, Cayo Coco, etc)?

Yea
I know i'm not getting a super deal, but it's tough to get 10 ppl in the same place with only 7 days from the trip. Probably be easier if it was like 4 guys....Oh well....


Varadero is where i'll be

[Badger]

Yea
I know i'm not getting a super deal, but it's tough to get 10 ppl in the same place with only 7 days from the trip. Probably be easier if it was like 4 guys....Oh well....


Varadero is where i'll be

Varadero is pretty nice, you won't have to pay a single dime on most items unless you are buying souvenior. The Hotel I went to was Melia Las America, and it was pretty nice too. If they ask you to give them your credit card as a credit, just do it =)

They waived the charges for bottled waters and drinks for us =)

I went there in the summer, so it was cheaper, and I also got a sunburn in a few hours.

[The Shirker]

Yea
I know i'm not getting a super deal, but it's tough to get 10 ppl in the same place with only 7 days from the trip. Probably be easier if it was like 4 guys....Oh well....


Varadero is where i'll be

Veradero isn't that far from Havana. Definitely do a day trip there (there will be tours leaving from the hotel). As for the food, it's not so much bad as it is bland (lacks flavour - they don't use many seasonings).

[Badger]

Veradero isn't that far from Havana. Definitely do a day trip there (there will be tours leaving from the hotel). As for the food, it's not so much bad as it is bland (lacks flavour - they don't use many seasonings).

Speaking of Havana, it's worth going there, out of the 7 days in Cuba, I spent 3 days in Havana and 4 days in Varadero. Havana is an old old city, and parts of the town look really nice. I went to Havana without a tour guide. It was a freaky adventure, almost got lost and we cannot speak Spanish.

[canook]

Yea
I know i'm not getting a super deal, but it's tough to get 10 ppl in the same place with only 7 days from the trip. Probably be easier if it was like 4 guys....Oh well....


Varadero is where i'll be

Varadero is very nice - lots of new hotels, easily accessible town and quite a bit to do. As mentioned above, close to Havana so make sure you make it there - it's well worth it.

Casa del Ron is in the town of Varadero, one of the first stores if you're coming in from the hotels along the peninsula. It's a huge rum store - I've never seen so much rum - worth it just to see. Did I mention the free samples?

If you've got cool pens, pencils, notebooks, old magazines (like Readers Digest), soaps, shampoos (the list goes on and on - basically anything they can't get there) the maids love getting things like that as tips. You can also barter with some of those items in the local markets.

Also, if you want some "adventure" - there's a small park further east along the peninsula (I can't recall all the details) with a sort of nature walk. There's a hilarious and often inaccurate map you buy at the entrance. It's actually quite an interesting walk - giant thorn trees, cool rock formations, etc. Hard to believe you're just a short walk from tourist central. And you can even get lost if you trust the map too much. Well worth it if you can find it.

Hope you have a good time - I'd love to go back to Cuba for a week.

[mlc2000]

I must agree with others...a day trip to Havana is worth it.
I went a few years ago, for $100USD pp included transportation, tour thru Havana, dinner at a local restaurant (had Mondavi white wine....thought US had trade embargo with CUBA? - price comparable to here). Also included tickets to the Tropicana show. Hehe, each table got a free 26os of white and 4 cans of pop. After that, the pop was $5/can !!

I have some awesome memories and photos of Havana, you saved some money on the trip, no spend some $ on a trip to Havana. Its like a trip back in time, you won't regret it.

Have fun !!

I'll be at Sandals in Varadero March 25, but I've paid 2X your price.
The food at Sandals cannot be described as bland or flavourless, its actually very very good. But thats what you get for the $ in Varadero.

[markreda]

I'm also going to Varadero Cuba at the end of the month.
Because this'll be my first time in Cuba I'm not exactly sure what to expect.
I got a good deal through selloffvacations.com leaving mid week (instead of the weekend) saving me a $200.

If you're looking for reviews of hotels & resorts visit
www.tripadvisor.com
www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...uide-Cuba.html

From speaking to friends I hear that people usually bring stuff to tip like... toothpaste, tooth brushes, tampons, condoms, shampoo, soap, children's clothes.
You could probably pick up a bunch of stuff at your local dollar store or Wal-Mart/Zellers.

Friends have also said, if you like ketchup and maple syrup bring some from home

[gleberental]

my recommendation is that everyone in your party bring back their limit of cigars!
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/fa...velling-e.html

i didn't when i was there in 2000. and regretted it afterward when my S/O's brother said he could have easily moved them at the factory where he works (auto-workers, so lots of single guys with lots of disposable income!), for probably double what we paid for them... might have paid off a good part of the cost of the trip!

if i do go again, i reckon i'll load up on cigars.

...returns even better if you can figure out how to get them in to the States without getting caught

[Kwamz]

Sounds great guys

Thanks for everyones input, I will definitely check out Havana

[Badger]

Haha, Im not sure about Varadero airport, but the Custom counter in Havana is the first time I've seen. There is this wooden door that the custom officer that has a lock to it, after you are done, he'll push the button so the door gets unlocked. The door is a plain white door, you cannot see thru, seems like you are a criminal.

[OceanDrop]

suggestions for good things to pack:
-underwater camera
-waterproof sun lotion
-small bills for tips and/or canadian souvenirs (like from the dollar store) to leave for your maids, etc
-a big water bottle (ie nalgene) so you can bring drinks with you on the beach, on walking trips, etc

have fun! i'm sooo jealous

[Audiogenic]

Everything is expensive because they don't trade with the US there so stock up on $hit. Watch out for illegal cigar pan handlers. Try their Rum because it's excellent. Havana is worth a visit. For more information, go to www.tripadvisor.com and punch in your stay for many user opinions for more insight.

[chococrazy]

One thing I'll mention... We were warned not to rent a moped/car by our tour operator on my first trip to Varadero. We weren't really planning to, and didn't think much of the warning.

Last year during my second trip to Varadero, we were told that a couple who were going to be married that week at their resort had gotten into a car accident. The woman died, her husband-to-be was locked up in jail (he was driving). They were British citizens, I'm not sure what happened to him.

Before you plan any trip, it is advisable to read Travel Advisories from the Foreign Affairs site. The one for Cuba is here:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/reportP...?country=69000

Excerpt:

"Driving in Cuba is dangerous. Traffic accidents are one of the most frequent causes of the detention and trial of Canadians in Cuba, whether you are responsible for the accident or not. Accidents that result in death or injury are treated like crimes, and the onus is on the driver to prove innocence. Prison sentences can range from one to 10 years. Regardless of the nature of the crime or accident, it can take five months to a year for the case to go to trial. In most cases, you will not be allowed to leave Cuba until the trial has taken place."

So although it may look like fun, I would suggest that you avoid renting vehicles. Enjoy your trip.