Cuba

[the_real_wild1]

Has anyone been to Cuba in the last year. We just booked our trip in January to Varadero. I am wondering what are the must things to do and currancy. I have read different things about the cuc vs using canadian dollars. Looking for any info I can get.

 

[eclipse1966]

Has anyone been to Cuba in the last year. We just booked our trip in January to Varadero. I am wondering what are the must things to do and currancy. I have read different things about the cuc vs using canadian dollars. Looking for any info I can get.

we were there xmas 2009 in Varadero. I mentioned in a previous thread that Varadero is a nice place provided that the weather is nice. We had 3 days awesome weather with lots to do such as catamaran tours, swimming with dolphins and a BBQ on an island. But if weather is crappy which we had 3 days of, we had a hard time killing time as there isn't much to see (you can catch up on your rum drinking time though ) It is primarily a sun resort area. Havana is about 3 hrs away which we booked our own multi passenger van and did it all in one day. Wish we had more days there as there is lots to see. If I was to go back I would stay closer to Havana just in case the weather does not cooperate. As for currency, dont bring any US $ as they charge a fee for them. Canadian dollars can be exchanged anywhere including your hotel. The rate is more or less one to one.

Have fun!

 

[the_real_wild1]

Ok thanks. What is the cost of things there? We are at an all inclusive but wondering about other costs. Is everything pretty cheap?

 

[MATTIAC]

I was there in march. Flew to veradero rented a car drive half way across the island and surprised my best friend for his wedding. It's a very poor country. Things are not really cheaper for tourist. They have tourist money and locals mOney. To rent a little ch!t box car was 450 Canadian for a week

 

[Hillbilly64]

Ok thanks. What is the cost of things there? We are at an all inclusive but wondering about other costs. Is everything pretty cheap?

We have been there twice and plan to go again real soon. Prices are really cheap for most things. There is a large market in Havanna where you can get all of your tourist type gifts. There is a smaller market right in Varadero and you can go on your own without a guide. Don't worry about being safe, you can go anywhere in that country and not feel unsafe.You should plan to bring down some items to give away ( if you like ). Things like coloring books, crayons, baseballs, tooth paste and brushed, shampoo, you get the idea. If you leave these items on your bed for the maid, they will really appreciate it.
If you take the jeep tour out into the country side ( highly recommend you do ) take some stuff to give the kids that will be standing on the road side. Are you bringing kids? If so, I would really recommend the jeep tour, kids will get a whole new appreciation for what we have here in Canada.
The cattamaran tour is a must do, a little pricey but well worth it. If you golf, the Varadero course is awesome and the beer cart girl is always around.
Have a great trip, the place is awesome.

 

[gibsons]

we spent last christmas there, and the best part for me was swimming in the ocean. the water was so clear and warm it was incredible. we never made it to havana, but spent a day in veradero which got a little tireing. once you seen one fleamarket you know what all the rest will be like. catarmaran tour is a must.

 

[eclipse1966]

Ok thanks. What is the cost of things there? We are at an all inclusive but wondering about other costs. Is everything pretty cheap?

to be honest I did not find things "cheap" except for the rum and cigars. When we went to Havana we hired our own guide and bus driver with mini van. They took as to a local restaurant and the meal was a rip off. $22 bucks each for a meal that was pitiful. That reminds me, if you expect Cuba to have great cousine you will be disappointed. Very basic. Like hillbilly said, we also took some gifts with us such as school supplies. They really appreciated it!

 

[Bogger]

Varadero Cuba is my favorie place in the world... Varadero is 10x better than Havana, havana is cool to see but now that I've seen it no thanks, too many pan handlers and obvious poor....
Rum is basically free if you ask, cigars ar 1/8 the price they are here, carton of smokes for $18, beer in the pop machines for $0.95 for R&R it rocks.....

Touring Varadero is awesome, one block on the main drag grab a beer, one block on the beach, back to the main drag for another block more beer then back to the beach... and I thought the food was pretty good, had heard all the horror stories and even took down a bunch of spices, seasonings and condiments and never even opened them, ended up handing them off to the cook in the 24hr kitchen.

Traveling anywhere is 80% attitude and 20% location....

 

[mudd kitty]

I have Cuban Family so I've had the pleasure of going there a few times and just recently booked a trip for the man and I to Varadero for New Years! Pretty excited he has never been out of Canada. Food is not good at all LOL I live on eggs and pork whenever I visit. If ur comfortable enough I would rent a couple scooters and cruise the coast line there is some pretty amazing caves not far from Varadero (in the opposite direction from Santa Marta a small village right beside varadero) and a small family that owns a bar right inside them. This is my first all inclusive trip so I will find out how the food is in the Hotels :s And we always get really great service at Calle13 a small restaruant near the beach on the main tourist strip. Well it was 5 years ago anyways......
Hope you have a blast!! They Love Canadians!!

 

[Bogger]

You will need to use the CUC... for currency, canadian dollars will not be accepted in 90% of the places, Take a big Bubba mug from Canadian tire, there cups are puney and the bubba will stay cold forever, batteries cost a fortune so take extra, we took an MP3 player for our room, cool as the caribean music is, it's nice to get some of your own tunes playing from time to time...

We took a whole suitcase of give aways, toys, toiletries, candies, make-up, canada logo stuff etc, oh and if you take extra insulated mugs they are worth thier weight in gold down there, you can trade for just about anything, I got a bottle of rum, a hat and king like service for my extra bubba mug... then when we gave it away we had an empty suitcase to bring our souveniers home with us in...

 

[eclipse1966]

Varadero Cuba is my favorie place in the world... Varadero is 10x better than Havana, havana is cool to see but now that I've seen it no thanks, too many pan handlers and obvious poor....
Rum is basically free if you ask, cigars ar 1/8 the price they are here, carton of smokes for $18, beer in the pop machines for $0.95 for R&R it rocks.....

Touring Varadero is awesome, one block on the main drag grab a beer, one block on the beach, back to the main drag for another block more beer then back to the beach... and I thought the food was pretty good, had heard all the horror stories and even took down a bunch of spices, seasonings and condiments and never even opened them, ended up handing them off to the cook in the 24hr kitchen.

Traveling anywhere is 80% attitude and 20% location....

Great advice on the attitude! I agree 100% on this........but the food still needs help

 

[the_real_wild1]

Interesting. I never would have thought of brings things to trade. Might be a cheap way to get all my cigars.

 

[Bogger]

Tripadvisor.com is full of usefull info...

Interesting. I never would have thought of brings things to trade. Might be a cheap way to get all my cigars.

 

[frock]

Interesting. I never would have thought of brings things to trade. Might be a cheap way to get all my cigars.

If you're into cigars then the trip to Havana just to see the Partagus factory is worth it. If you're staying in Varadero don't take the tour down to Havana. We hired a taxi and a beauty from the hotel that spoke english (she was our interpreter) and went to Havana for the day. This allowed us to go where and when we wanted and was cheaper than the tour would have been for us. If you're gonna buy cigars there I highly recommend the Trinidad Fundadores, expensive but worth it.

 

[eclipse1966]

If you're into cigars then the trip to Havana just to see the Partagus factory is worth it. If you're staying in Varadero don't take the tour down to Havana. We hired a taxi and a beauty from the hotel that spoke english (she was our interpreter) and went to Havana for the day. This allowed us to go where and when we wanted and was cheaper than the tour would have been for us. If you're gonna buy cigars there I highly recommend the Trinidad Fundadores, expensive but worth it.

we did the exact same thing. Since there was 10 of us we rented a mini bus with driver and interpreter. Worked out great

 

[thump]

Went there 2 years ago, dont remember the name of the resort but it was the second from the end of the penninsula, adult only,,, nice, lots of entertainment. We brought school supplies and stuff like that for the maids, also had a new pair of mechanics gloves that I gave to a gardener, you would have thought he won the lottery he was very appreciative the week we were there. WE had complimentary scooters to use when ever we wanted,,be carefull around busses, they do not give you any room! Went to Havana for a day trip, would have liked to spend more time there as there is alot of history to see. Will go back some day.

 

[aaron_m]

Going to the Riu Veradero in Dec. Can't wait for spring break-up, need a fricken break now.
I agree, take some trinkets, and start trading. Bubba mug good idea. All those hats that you havn't worn, beer shirts still in the plastic, pkgs of pencils, pens, crayons, etc. We take that stuff for granted, these people not so much. Walk into the dollar store up here with a $20 spot, and go down to Cuba and make some poor guys fricken month!

 

[Bogger]

we bought some of those flashing canada flag pins, BIG hit they had never seen anything like that before....and they were 2/$1 at the dollar store

Going to the Riu Veradero in Dec. Can't wait for spring break-up, need a fricken break now.
I agree, take some trinkets, and start trading. Bubba mug good idea. All those hats that you havn't worn, beer shirts still in the plastic, pkgs of pencils, pens, crayons, etc. We take that stuff for granted, these people not so much. Walk into the dollar store up here with a $20 spot, and go down to Cuba and make some poor guys fricken month!

 

[the_real_wild1]

Buy shiney things. lol.

 

[shan]

trying to convince my daughter to go to Cuba with me and some of our friends (she wants to go to the Mayan), but she has heard stories about the food being unedible. I told her we can take spices and whatnot, but still unconvinced. She is 17 - so does anyone have anything to help me to convince her? Things for her and her friends to see and do etc....

I always say, the trip is only as good as you make it.