So I'm going to Cuba(Advice)

[Sainters7]

So considering what's gone on the past week, I've had to re-route my June trip from the Mayan Riviera to Cuba. Me and the girl just decided on this today after considering all the other countries in the Caribbean. I'm planning on doing a ton of reading about it to try and decide where to stay in the country, but for now I know basically nothing about the area. Any advice from people who have stayed there would be great.

Basically we're looking for a place which would give us a good feel for the culture there(like being close to Havana, although I dont want to sacrifice staying somewhere with a lousy beach for the sake of being in the city), and good snorkeling areas too. Oh and we're looking for all-inclusives. Thanks if you can help!

[Yeah_Baby]

Communist.


And I have nothing constructive to add.

[Sainters7]

Haha if it makes you feel better, I'm gonna have a REAL tough time tryin not to talk like Scarface every time I get sh*ttered when I'm there. Basically I plan on becoming circa 1994 Razor Ramon for a week.

[Kipper is King]

I'm envious. It will be great to see Cuba before the US embargo gets lifted! Where else can you ride around in 1950s cars?

[prarieboy]

I've been to Varadero. It was great. You can go to town to check out some local bars and restaraunts for some local feel and get away from your resort. Havanna is not too far away and should not be missed!!

Go to a 5 star so you get better food, other than that Cuba is fantastic.

[Sainters7]

^^^
Thanks, ya one of the reasons we chose Cuba is because, with a) Castro stepping down, and b) Obama reaching out the olive branch, I know its just a matter of time before it all turns into Cancun v2.0, and I really wanna experience it the way it is now. Believe me, I won't miss out on Havana, that's basically the main reason we're going.

Also, I've heard that before, about the 5-star hotels. I've been told that if you go down there, it is very much worth your while to stay in a 5-star, as everything below that is pretty sketchy in Cuba. Is this true?

I'm glad this trip is finally coming together, I've been draggin my ass around all week, sulking about my Mayan Riviera trip just getting blown up. Stupid Swine Flu...

[Thor]

I have so much more to say, but details, are you doing 1 week prepackaged or 2 weeks? Do you have the freedom to do your own thing?

[prarieboy]

Don't worry about missing out on the Mayan. I've been there as well.

The only black spot on a Cuban vacation is the food at the all inclusives. If you don't care too much about that you'll have a great time. I stayed at a 3.5 star and that was the only thing that I didn't rave about. We went to town for some dinners and they were great. Not to expensive and much better quality than the resort we were at.

Varadero has as much to offer as the Mayan riviera and the beaches are as good as Cancun

[wooohooo]

Oh I had a great time in Cuba. Probably my most favorite vacation there.

We stayed at an All Inclusive in the middle of Havana and Varadero. Free alcoholic drinks as well

Well anyways, getting to Havana we took a taxi and it's a pretty long drive ~30-40 minutes? So we asked him to show us around there, he took us to all the big sites, negotiated some deals on art for us... pretty much was our tour guide for the ENTIRE day. So at the end of the day he drives us back, we pay him his fare and give him like $40 extra for tips. He was blown away and gave back $30 and would not take more as he said it was way way way too much. Great guy, and I've heard others had great service like this as well.

Varadero was moreso beachy and the club scene and where the night life is. If I remember correctly... Havana, moreso the history and little shopping areas.

They also protect their tourists heavily, so the locals won't be harassing you for anything.

But weather, BEAUTIFUL, sand was pretty nice although I think Mexico's was a little nicer. For sure bring lots of sunscreen as it's HOT.

And lastly, for food - we ate at the hotel for about half the time and it got pretty bland after a while so we decided to go out to town and eat. Most Cuban places to me tasted pretty bland and the same but we were lazy and didn't feel like searching for crazy places with different food. It was dirt cheap though. Actually, the whole trip was very cheap. Great bang for your buck, and it's basically a pre-tourist crazy Mexico.

Have a great trip!!!

[normtwofinger]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

But weather, BEAUTIFUL, sand was pretty nice although I think Mexico's was a little nicer. For sure bring lots of sunscreen as it's HOT.

I really have to disagree. Cuba's beaches are way better than Mexico's. I've travelled all over the world, and Cuba's beaches are probably close to the best I've seen.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

I really have to disagree. Cuba's beaches are way better than Mexico's. I've travelled all over the world, and Cuba's beaches are probably close to the best I've seen.

Well I find Mexico's sand to be more fine in texture and Cuba's a little more course. Or maybe I'm confusing it with Hawaii... too many beaches to remember. But the sure thing I remember is scenery in Cuba is stunning... one of the best there is.

[normtwofinger]

I find it the exact opposite. The Mayan beach I was on was small brown pebbles, while the beach on Cayo Coco and near Varadero was fine white sand.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

I find it the exact opposite. The Mayan beach I was on was small brown pebbles, while the beach on Cayo Coco and near Varadero was fine white sand.

Okay, then you're right and Cuba had the fine white sand. It was beautiful either way. If I get married, Cuba will be one of my top picks for a honey moon.

[8 Ball]

I had a blast in Cuba. We stayed in Veradaro and did the day trip into Havana (all you need as Havana can be kinda scetchy) great beaches, comparable to the Maya). Check out the local food as it was really good when I was there.

[Locke]

Bring me back some Cigars.

[Sainters7]

Thanks for all the info guys! I went to bed after my last post in this thread last night, when this thread was kinda fizzling. When I checked it this morning I fully expected it to be on the 2nd page, it looks like the comments started flowin as soon as I logged off.

For the poster who mentioned he's stayed at All-Inclusives in both Havana and Varadero, which did you prefer? Also, I see someone else mentioned they took a trip from Varadero to Havana, how does that work? Seein as its an estimated 2hr drive, I'd imagine you'd have to stay overnight in Havana. Does that work through your hotels where you all stay together in the city and get picked up the next day, or are you basically on your own and just have to make sure you meet up with the bus the next day?

Also, how safe is Havana? Am I pretty looked after just wondering around snappin pictures, or is there alot of areas I need to stay away from? Oh and PS for the guy who was askin if I'm goin 1 week or 2, we're lookin at 1 week right now.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by prarieboy

Varadero has as much to offer as the Mayan riviera and the beaches are as good as Cancun

That's great to hear. The only thing I'm really disappointed about is the fact I won't get to see the Mayan ruins. I'm a huuuuuge ancient history buff and I've literally been countring the days until I could visit Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum. But I guess one way to look at it is that those ruins will always be there, whereas Cuba's current culture probably only has a shelf life of 5 years tops before it turns into Mexico v2.0. So it's best to experience Cuba before it becomes all Americanized and loaded with spring breakers.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

That's great to hear. The only thing I'm really disappointed about is the fact I won't get to see the Mayan ruins. I'm a huuuuuge ancient history buff and I've literally been countring the days until I could visit Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum. But I guess one way to look at it is that those ruins will always be there, whereas Cuba's current culture probably only has a shelf life of 5 years tops before it turns into Mexico v2.0. So it's best to experience Cuba before it becomes all Americanized and loaded with spring breakers.

So basically reverts back to its mob run Batista pre revolution days.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

So considering what's gone on the past week, I've had to re-route my June trip from the Mayan Riviera to Cuba. Me and the girl just decided on this today after considering all the other countries in the Caribbean. I'm planning on doing a ton of reading about it to try and decide where to stay in the country, but for now I know basically nothing about the area. Any advice from people who have stayed there would be great.

Basically we're looking for a place which would give us a good feel for the culture there(like being close to Havana, although I dont want to sacrifice staying somewhere with a lousy beach for the sake of being in the city), and good snorkeling areas too. Oh and we're looking for all-inclusives. Thanks if you can help!

Go to the Sandals Royal Hicacos in Varadero.(No kids at this resort and very sexy for you and the g/f)

It is a great place on a great Island. Close to Havana and has one of the best beaches in the world. Dont buy the food is terrible thing most people try to sell you...the food is very good, but not spicy in flavor as most countries of this nature are.






Sandals Site


This will also help you if you want to check out other resorts.

[Deelow]

If you actually want to see the Country do not go to Cayo Coco