Cuba, 7 nights, where to stay.
Discussion
Considering an early. March week in Cuba' would like to go for longer but can't due to commitments.
So stay in Havana and take tours from there, stay in Varadero and go to Havana a couple of days, or another location ?
Havana and cigar factory are musts, would like to tour some civil war sites.
Actually any advice on things to see would be appreciated, it is just someplace I want to visit before the US embargo is lifted.
Ta
CT
So stay in Havana and take tours from there, stay in Varadero and go to Havana a couple of days, or another location ?
Havana and cigar factory are musts, would like to tour some civil war sites.
Actually any advice on things to see would be appreciated, it is just someplace I want to visit before the US embargo is lifted.
Ta
CT
7 nights isn't really enough to do Cuba justice, but here's some sights for you:
Plaza de la Revolucion (Havana)
Havana old town (including the Museo de la Revolucion, Rum museum, Havana Cathedral and a couple of the famous bars such as La Bodeguita and Floridita)
A couple of trips out:
Santa Clara - Memorial & Mausoleum of Che Guevara, the train carriages.
Bay of Pigs
(Stay overnight somewhere like Cienfuegos - French influence, lots to see here too)
Vinales - think of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay but without the water! Fantastic scenery, visit the Indian Caves (boat trip through the caves), go horse riding etc. From here could go up to a 'caye' for a night/time to relax on a beach (Cayo Levisa was lovely).
There's plenty more out there but with the travel you won't want to go much further (unless you fly to the other end of the island to see Guantanamo etc).
There's quite a few other threads about Cuba with lots of good advice...
Plaza de la Revolucion (Havana)
Havana old town (including the Museo de la Revolucion, Rum museum, Havana Cathedral and a couple of the famous bars such as La Bodeguita and Floridita)
A couple of trips out:
Santa Clara - Memorial & Mausoleum of Che Guevara, the train carriages.
Bay of Pigs
(Stay overnight somewhere like Cienfuegos - French influence, lots to see here too)
Vinales - think of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay but without the water! Fantastic scenery, visit the Indian Caves (boat trip through the caves), go horse riding etc. From here could go up to a 'caye' for a night/time to relax on a beach (Cayo Levisa was lovely).
There's plenty more out there but with the travel you won't want to go much further (unless you fly to the other end of the island to see Guantanamo etc).
There's quite a few other threads about Cuba with lots of good advice...
trickywoo said:
You won't get bored in Havana for a week. Get yourself a good guide an enjoy.
Hmmmm personally I found it hard going after three days. There is lots to see, but it is a very draining experience, especially if you stay in the city centre. Perhaps the larger hotels in the outskirts would be worth investigating.A ten day trip, if you can stretch that far, three nights in Havana then the rest in Varadero?
Martyboy84 said:
Havana is hard work, a lot of poverty and it is hard to relax at all... Go to Varedero, chill on the beach and do the 2 day tour of Havana and use the second day to see a cigar factory/ rum factory... We couldn't see a cigar factory as they were all close in august.
If all you are going to Cuba for is to chill on the beach you may as well go to Benidorm.Tip for you
http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/varadero/melia...
Stay here, all the 4 star hotels are really not much good.
There are government travel agents in all the hotel lobbies, they can book hotel rooms for half the price of going to the hotel directly.
http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/varadero/melia...
Stay here, all the 4 star hotels are really not much good.
There are government travel agents in all the hotel lobbies, they can book hotel rooms for half the price of going to the hotel directly.
trickywoo said:
Martyboy84 said:
Havana is hard work, a lot of poverty and it is hard to relax at all... Go to Varedero, chill on the beach and do the 2 day tour of Havana and use the second day to see a cigar factory/ rum factory... We couldn't see a cigar factory as they were all close in august.
If all you are going to Cuba for is to chill on the beach you may as well go to Benidorm.trickywoo said:
If all you are going to Cuba for is to chill on the beach you may as well go to Benidorm.
You could say exactly the same about Mexico ..Don't be put off going to Havana though, it's an amazing city, just be aware that everyone is either trying to rip you off, or has already ripped you off and you just haven't realised it yet
Whatever happens, a few montecristos washed down with some golden rum and coke and you will love it all..
Just felt like in Havana everyone wanted money from you, even away from the street.. Insisting on table service so they can stand over you until you tip, or a band popping up asking your table if you would like music, saying no, then them playing music up the back anyway, then after every song asking for change!!
Get a local cabby to drive you around and show you about, 2 days would give you a good idea, it was a great experience looking back on, but at the time.. Not so sure!
The beach we had was magical with warm water and was like something out of a novel. Amazing!!
Just felt like in Havana everyone wanted money from you, even away from the street.. Insisting on table service so they can stand over you until you tip, or a band popping up asking your table if you would like music, saying no, then them playing music up the back anyway, then after every song asking for change!!
Get a local cabby to drive you around and show you about, 2 days would give you a good idea, it was a great experience looking back on, but at the time.. Not so sure!
The beach we had was magical with warm water and was like something out of a novel. Amazing!!
Wife and I spent 2 weeks in Cuba for our honeymoon.
We spent the 1st 2 nights in Havana, we stayed in the Saratoga in the old town. Hotel was very nice and had a real old world luxury charm to it. Havana itself was amazing and that's coming from someone who struggles with being pestered by locals etc. Don't get me wrong, this happens a lot, but the town itself is enough to make up for it. One thing I can recommend is a horse and carriage ride, we may have been lucky but our guide Ricardo spoke perfect English and had a history degree (not uncommon apparently) so was able to really explain the sites and the history behind them. We also did a one day tour out to Vinales (definitely worth seeing); stopping at coffee, rum and cigar factories along the way.
We then spent 3 nights in Santiago de Cuba, it was an experience but not one we'd do again given the chance.
We then spent 7 nights at the Paradisus Rio de Oro in Holguin. The area is not as popular as either Varadero or Caya Coco but it is the best all inclusive beach resort we've ever been to. Can't think or a bad thing to say about it; staff, food and rooms were all fantastic. We were lightly lucky in that we left just before hurricane Sandy tore through the island.
We then had the remaining 2 nights back in Havana.
Whilst we did do some internal flights we did use local taxis to transfer from the airport to the towns (sometimes these were 4hr journeys) and it really was a great way to see the interior of the country. We found all the drivers very nice and more than willing to slow down/stop for photos etc.
It all depends on what type of holiday you want, but as a couple of other have said if you're only looking to lie by the pool or on the beach then there maybe cheaper options (although I'd probably say the Paradisus would be worth then journey and cost on its own). Although I was skeptical about Havana, I don't think I could recommend going to Cuba without spending a few nights there. Realistically if you're going to have a chance to see it properly I'd suggest at least 3 nights, and if you can justify it do it as part of a multi centre visit rather than as part of an organised tour from one of beach resorts.
Just noticed you mentioned about civil war locations, there is a large fort just outside Santiago de Cuba that is definitely worth visiting if that's what your looking for.
J
We spent the 1st 2 nights in Havana, we stayed in the Saratoga in the old town. Hotel was very nice and had a real old world luxury charm to it. Havana itself was amazing and that's coming from someone who struggles with being pestered by locals etc. Don't get me wrong, this happens a lot, but the town itself is enough to make up for it. One thing I can recommend is a horse and carriage ride, we may have been lucky but our guide Ricardo spoke perfect English and had a history degree (not uncommon apparently) so was able to really explain the sites and the history behind them. We also did a one day tour out to Vinales (definitely worth seeing); stopping at coffee, rum and cigar factories along the way.
We then spent 3 nights in Santiago de Cuba, it was an experience but not one we'd do again given the chance.
We then spent 7 nights at the Paradisus Rio de Oro in Holguin. The area is not as popular as either Varadero or Caya Coco but it is the best all inclusive beach resort we've ever been to. Can't think or a bad thing to say about it; staff, food and rooms were all fantastic. We were lightly lucky in that we left just before hurricane Sandy tore through the island.
We then had the remaining 2 nights back in Havana.
Whilst we did do some internal flights we did use local taxis to transfer from the airport to the towns (sometimes these were 4hr journeys) and it really was a great way to see the interior of the country. We found all the drivers very nice and more than willing to slow down/stop for photos etc.
It all depends on what type of holiday you want, but as a couple of other have said if you're only looking to lie by the pool or on the beach then there maybe cheaper options (although I'd probably say the Paradisus would be worth then journey and cost on its own). Although I was skeptical about Havana, I don't think I could recommend going to Cuba without spending a few nights there. Realistically if you're going to have a chance to see it properly I'd suggest at least 3 nights, and if you can justify it do it as part of a multi centre visit rather than as part of an organised tour from one of beach resorts.
Just noticed you mentioned about civil war locations, there is a large fort just outside Santiago de Cuba that is definitely worth visiting if that's what your looking for.
J
Edited by JayBM on Monday 29th September 14:45
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