Yep understand that John. Not a touring holiday per se, intention of three days in Havana then onto a beach for 11 days chillin. My daughter has been and waffles on and on how great it was, just wanted to get some other peoples views.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
My parents have been 3 times they love it. The people are poor but very proud of their country they offer a tour of the local schools which my parents found very interesting. They took exercise books ans colouring pencils to give as gifts for the children.
There were shows in the hotel every night and the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins great watersports too.
The down side was the length of flight as they stop in miami for an hour.
We went in 2008. Did a Thomas Cook Classic Cuba Tour. For one week we travelled around all the historic sites to the south then west to Havana for 3 days. It is a poor country but the tour guide(a Cuban) explained all there history, their oppression by America and how the state manages the economy, social welfare and education of the people.
Then internal flight back to Cayo Coco for a week beach holiday. That wasn't my favourite bit. In resort the choice of food was limited and the staff have come to expect constant tipping due to wealthier holiday makers thinking they are helping by giving things to the staff. At times it seemed a bit like begging.
But don't let that put you off but if you are interested in architecture and history I think more than 3 days in Havana are needed.
We stayed in the Holguin area (Guardalavaca) about 5 years ago and absolutely loved it, went with First Choice/Thomson and didnt have a stop over, flew direct. I found the Cubans extremely friendly people and eager to please, I certainly didnt find them constantly expecting tipping, in fact it was the opposite.
From what I have been told if you go to Varadero, or Cayo Coco areas you go through a "tourist gate" and locals dont actually live there, just work, whereas in the Guardalavaca area locals live up the road and you actually find yourself mingling with them. Indeed someone took out a bike from our hotel and got a puncture, altho they couldnt speak english an old boy came out and mended the tyre while his wife made them a cup of tea and some cake! Our security guard at our hotel took us to a Cuban night club, we checked with the rep that we were safe to go and he said 200% so off we went, there were only 4 english people in the whole nightclub but we chatted and danced with the locals and had an absolutely fantastic night, when we came out there was no taxi but a local stopped and went to a hotel to phone one for us and stayed with us until we were in it safely. Their hospitality showed no boundaries for us and for this reason I would definately return but I would return back to the same area.
Yes it is a very poor country but they are very happy people on the whole.
Thanks for the replies, our trip is 3 days Havana and 11 in Varadero. I realise it would be better if we were to see the real Cuba, but never been before so a package seems the way to go. After this trip and seeing what the real situation is like, we may go again and just book the flight, first night or two and see where we go from there.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
I have been doing some work with visitors to the Olympics and spent the day with a lad from Cuba who is living and working here. He said there were two ways of seeing Cuba, the touristic way with a package or independently, backpacking and staying with families.
He was absolutely enthusiastic about backpacking and as we usually do that for other countries we are considering it.
He advised the ever wonderful, informative, faithful Lonely Planet guide book. But it does depend on what kind of holiday or trip you are looking for as this would not be luxury but would give you a feel of the country.
All the people I know who have been have gone by tour company and said it was wonderful.
I have been a couple of times. I can't speak highly enough of it. Wonderful place, wonderful people. The "tourist" bit is Varadero which is a strip of land that sticks out from the island and on which all the big hotels are located. They are typical resort hotels and very nice. Havana itself is good although with the usual annoyance of panhandlers and people trying to sell you stuff everywhere. However, you get that anywhere really. Crime is very low and almost non-extistent.
Take dollars when you go. That is the only currency you'll need.
if you take us dollars,you will not get any currency , make sure your insurance is not affilated to any USA companys or that is worthless as well , no one from usa even allowed in , plenty of Canadians though , (check the web loads of usefull info )
US Dollars definately werent accepted when we went, we changed English money in the hotel to CUC (convertible cuban Peso's), you cant get them before you go. We were also told to make sure our credit and debit cards werent affiliated to a USA bank
We used the convertable cuban peso. No American money or credit Cards. The large hotel in Havana where we stayed wanted to charge 25% commission on a credit card payment for tickets to the Club Tropicana. luckily we had plenty of pesos left.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Cuba
