Anyone been to Cuba?
Discussion
Having a similar day as I had yesterday looking at the internet, and decided to start looking at holiday destinations for May time - something to look forward to 
Deciding factor has to be be that Virgin fly there, and it is hot, somewhere with a beach/pool to chill out for about a week, but enough culture to explore for a few days as well. Probably standard 14 day trip. So have decided to look at Cuba.
I don't know a lot about Cuba, other than Havana. So anyone been? Any recommendations on locations? Hotels? etc etc.
Deciding factor has to be be that Virgin fly there, and it is hot, somewhere with a beach/pool to chill out for about a week, but enough culture to explore for a few days as well. Probably standard 14 day trip. So have decided to look at Cuba.
I don't know a lot about Cuba, other than Havana. So anyone been? Any recommendations on locations? Hotels? etc etc.
No I haven't and I don't fancy contributing one cent to Fidel's personal wealth or that of hismurderous croneys:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gerald_warner/blog/20...
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gerald_warner/blog/20...
Yes
I went to Varaderro this year with my other half.
Great if you want to sit on the beech in an amazing location and do sod all.
The Blau Varaderro is by far the best resport on the tourist part of the Island.
However I did manage to go in September and got hammered by two hurricanes.
Personally I wouldnt go back. We did two days in havanna and i hated it, very very hot and the people are not to nice, everyone is skint and begs for money, its really quite depressing to see such a run down capital city.
You learn a lot about the history and that and how the Americans really did f
k over the cubans.
Ask away if you have a ny questions!
I went to Varaderro this year with my other half.
Great if you want to sit on the beech in an amazing location and do sod all.
The Blau Varaderro is by far the best resport on the tourist part of the Island.
However I did manage to go in September and got hammered by two hurricanes.
Personally I wouldnt go back. We did two days in havanna and i hated it, very very hot and the people are not to nice, everyone is skint and begs for money, its really quite depressing to see such a run down capital city.
You learn a lot about the history and that and how the Americans really did f
k over the cubans.Ask away if you have a ny questions!
Cuban girls 
For some reason they all seem to wear tight mini-skirts, stilettos and fishnets. It is truly awesome. And it goes without saying that they are all <daily star> stunnahs </ds>
Even the security official burds at the airport looked like Benny Hill policewomen complete with guns. I remember coming down the steps of the plane and all the blokes saying "blimey" and Mrs Orb(s) going "oh no!"
I don't remember much else
For some reason they all seem to wear tight mini-skirts, stilettos and fishnets. It is truly awesome. And it goes without saying that they are all <daily star> stunnahs </ds>
Even the security official burds at the airport looked like Benny Hill policewomen complete with guns. I remember coming down the steps of the plane and all the blokes saying "blimey" and Mrs Orb(s) going "oh no!"
I don't remember much else
Orb the Impaler said:
Cuban girls
For some reason they all seem to wear tight mini-skirts, stilettos and fishnets. It is truly awesome. And it goes without saying that they are all <daily star> stunnahs </ds>
Even the security official burds at the airport looked like Benny Hill policewomen complete with guns. I remember coming down the steps of the plane and all the blokes saying "blimey" and Mrs Orb(s) going "oh no!"
I don't remember much else
Really not sure about that, all the women i saw were fat and had moustaches!For some reason they all seem to wear tight mini-skirts, stilettos and fishnets. It is truly awesome. And it goes without saying that they are all <daily star> stunnahs </ds>
Even the security official burds at the airport looked like Benny Hill policewomen complete with guns. I remember coming down the steps of the plane and all the blokes saying "blimey" and Mrs Orb(s) going "oh no!"
I don't remember much else
Not attractive!!!
JonX2C said:
Orb the Impaler said:
Cuban girls
For some reason they all seem to wear tight mini-skirts, stilettos and fishnets. It is truly awesome. And it goes without saying that they are all <daily star> stunnahs </ds>
Even the security official burds at the airport looked like Benny Hill policewomen complete with guns. I remember coming down the steps of the plane and all the blokes saying "blimey" and Mrs Orb(s) going "oh no!"
I don't remember much else
Really not sure about that, all the women i saw were fat and had moustaches!For some reason they all seem to wear tight mini-skirts, stilettos and fishnets. It is truly awesome. And it goes without saying that they are all <daily star> stunnahs </ds>
Even the security official burds at the airport looked like Benny Hill policewomen complete with guns. I remember coming down the steps of the plane and all the blokes saying "blimey" and Mrs Orb(s) going "oh no!"
I don't remember much else
Not attractive!!!
I was there a few years ago
Stayed for 10 days in Gardalavaca then 4 days in Havana
I thought it was great, nice beach resort with loads to do ( Horse riding, jeep safari, banana boat, speed boats, sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and all the booze and food you could eat. The food was basic but good quality and fresh. The weather was good, 10 minutes of serious rain with a few flashes of lightning then it dried up instantly with lots of sunshine.
Havana was some place to see, literally falling apart in places and not as many old american cars as your led to believe, but very interesting all the same. I never felt unsafe at any time, the locals would talk to you and the kids wanted stuff like pens, chewing gum and the girls old make up. My girlfriend and i even ventured into a genuine cuban party with the locals, it was in a backroom in some hotel. Couldn't speak a word if the lingo but still ended up getting salsa lessons from some very hot women, and doing rounds with the guys.
One of my favourite holidays
Stayed for 10 days in Gardalavaca then 4 days in Havana
I thought it was great, nice beach resort with loads to do ( Horse riding, jeep safari, banana boat, speed boats, sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and all the booze and food you could eat. The food was basic but good quality and fresh. The weather was good, 10 minutes of serious rain with a few flashes of lightning then it dried up instantly with lots of sunshine.
Havana was some place to see, literally falling apart in places and not as many old american cars as your led to believe, but very interesting all the same. I never felt unsafe at any time, the locals would talk to you and the kids wanted stuff like pens, chewing gum and the girls old make up. My girlfriend and i even ventured into a genuine cuban party with the locals, it was in a backroom in some hotel. Couldn't speak a word if the lingo but still ended up getting salsa lessons from some very hot women, and doing rounds with the guys.
One of my favourite holidays
Went in July for 2 weeks. Thought it was superb.
We spent 4 days in Havana and 10 days in Cayo Coco.
Stayed at the Hotel Nacional in Havana and the Melia in Cayo Coco.
Havana was superb and given the chance I would go back there for a week and somewhere like Varadero (much closer to Havana than the Cayos).
We managed to see a few members of the Buena Vista Social Club play whilst there too. We had a guide drive us around Havana in a Chevvy'. Shame the V8 had been replaced by a Lada engine..
As far as the beggars mentioned above. We didn't see any out and out begging. We saw people trying to sell Cigars, bracelets and even dances but on the whole it was ok. There were 2 children near the Capitolio (looks like a smaller version of the US Whitehouse) selling bottles of tap water asking for money but I gave them a Peso each which they were grateful for.
The people there are poor but also very friendly.
We stayed in 5* hotels but be mindful that it's Cuban 5* so about 3* really.
I imagine it will be even cheaper to go now as the hurricane hit at the end of the summer.
My experience was only a positive one and if anything I would have been happier to do less beach stuff and stay in Havana longer as there was allot to see in and around the place.
PM me if you want any info or pics etc
We spent 4 days in Havana and 10 days in Cayo Coco.
Stayed at the Hotel Nacional in Havana and the Melia in Cayo Coco.
Havana was superb and given the chance I would go back there for a week and somewhere like Varadero (much closer to Havana than the Cayos).
We managed to see a few members of the Buena Vista Social Club play whilst there too. We had a guide drive us around Havana in a Chevvy'. Shame the V8 had been replaced by a Lada engine..
As far as the beggars mentioned above. We didn't see any out and out begging. We saw people trying to sell Cigars, bracelets and even dances but on the whole it was ok. There were 2 children near the Capitolio (looks like a smaller version of the US Whitehouse) selling bottles of tap water asking for money but I gave them a Peso each which they were grateful for.
The people there are poor but also very friendly.
We stayed in 5* hotels but be mindful that it's Cuban 5* so about 3* really.
I imagine it will be even cheaper to go now as the hurricane hit at the end of the summer.
My experience was only a positive one and if anything I would have been happier to do less beach stuff and stay in Havana longer as there was allot to see in and around the place.
PM me if you want any info or pics etc
5harp3y said:
Going to Cayo Guillermo in September and have heard nothing but good things about it from friends / family hence why we booked, also going to spend two days in Havanna to get a look at 'real' Cuba.
I can heartily recommend doing the speedboat trips there through the mangroves. Great fun! 
Terzo123 said:
I was there a few years ago
Stayed for 10 days in Gardalavaca then 4 days in Havana
I thought it was great, nice beach resort with loads to do ( Horse riding, jeep safari, banana boat, speed boats, sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and all the booze and food you could eat. The food was basic but good quality and fresh. The weather was good, 10 minutes of serious rain with a few flashes of lightning then it dried up instantly with lots of sunshine.
Havana was some place to see, literally falling apart in places and not as many old american cars as your led to believe, but very interesting all the same. I never felt unsafe at any time, the locals would talk to you and the kids wanted stuff like pens, chewing gum and the girls old make up. My girlfriend and i even ventured into a genuine cuban party with the locals, it was in a backroom in some hotel. Couldn't speak a word if the lingo but still ended up getting salsa lessons from some very hot women, and doing rounds with the guys.
All that is said above is very true,A visit to a cigar factory is interesting but puts a damper on the myth of the rolled on virgins thighs but we did get flown there in a 1930's Russian plane Stayed for 10 days in Gardalavaca then 4 days in Havana
I thought it was great, nice beach resort with loads to do ( Horse riding, jeep safari, banana boat, speed boats, sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and all the booze and food you could eat. The food was basic but good quality and fresh. The weather was good, 10 minutes of serious rain with a few flashes of lightning then it dried up instantly with lots of sunshine.
Havana was some place to see, literally falling apart in places and not as many old american cars as your led to believe, but very interesting all the same. I never felt unsafe at any time, the locals would talk to you and the kids wanted stuff like pens, chewing gum and the girls old make up. My girlfriend and i even ventured into a genuine cuban party with the locals, it was in a backroom in some hotel. Couldn't speak a word if the lingo but still ended up getting salsa lessons from some very hot women, and doing rounds with the guys.
health care is very good to if you do need it to. Only down sides I encountered where if you are a single male or group of just men the hotel shunts you off to one side as they think you are just there for the hookers
Dont leave anything out overnight on your balcony ,one of our lot got his towels and trainers pinched from the third floor !!!!(It could happen anywhere so basic common sense went out of the window
)Thats what I like about Pistonheads - I go and get my hair cut, come back and have over 10 responses! Will do some more reading this afternoon - and hopefully book something on tomorrow's quiet day!
It is me and the Mrs going, and although we are desperate for a bit of pampering in a nice hotel/beach etc, we will soon become bored of this, and like to see the culture when travelling.
I have been to India, and South East Asia a lot, and the Mrs has been to Africa a few times, so the thought of beggars and 3rd world life is not enough to put us off going somewhere. In fact I tend to find that the fears of others to travel to these places, somehow make it all the more worthwhile in travelling there!
Thanks for the advice........
It is me and the Mrs going, and although we are desperate for a bit of pampering in a nice hotel/beach etc, we will soon become bored of this, and like to see the culture when travelling.
I have been to India, and South East Asia a lot, and the Mrs has been to Africa a few times, so the thought of beggars and 3rd world life is not enough to put us off going somewhere. In fact I tend to find that the fears of others to travel to these places, somehow make it all the more worthwhile in travelling there!
Thanks for the advice........
Another vote for the Speedboat tour through the mangroves.
If it's the same one we did, they are two seaters and you get to drive them for a good 40 minutes out to a pontoon where they provide snorkels, masks and flippers for you to go snorkelling. The water is crystal clear and great for fish spotting.
The current there is quite strong though so they provide a rope to hold on to if you aren't a very good swimmer.
The Partegas cigar factory in Havana is interesting although you aren't allowed to take pictures - which is kind of understandable as the conditions aren't great (the cigar shop is air conditioned to freezing point whereas the factory was 35 degrees plus) and the staff probably don't want a camera shoved in their face every 2 minutes.
The staff in the factory will try and sell you some cigars on the sly, even the factory guide gave us his own home-made card to call him out of hours.
The thing to note about Cuba is the food can be hit and miss, depending on where you are. At the all inclusive place we were fine for the first 5 or 6 days but then became bored as the menu is quite similar most days, although you could book in to Al la carte restaurants too.
If it's the same one we did, they are two seaters and you get to drive them for a good 40 minutes out to a pontoon where they provide snorkels, masks and flippers for you to go snorkelling. The water is crystal clear and great for fish spotting.
The current there is quite strong though so they provide a rope to hold on to if you aren't a very good swimmer.
The Partegas cigar factory in Havana is interesting although you aren't allowed to take pictures - which is kind of understandable as the conditions aren't great (the cigar shop is air conditioned to freezing point whereas the factory was 35 degrees plus) and the staff probably don't want a camera shoved in their face every 2 minutes.
The staff in the factory will try and sell you some cigars on the sly, even the factory guide gave us his own home-made card to call him out of hours.
The thing to note about Cuba is the food can be hit and miss, depending on where you are. At the all inclusive place we were fine for the first 5 or 6 days but then became bored as the menu is quite similar most days, although you could book in to Al la carte restaurants too.
Buy the cigars... good value. Cohibas a must.
Bring some garlic/chilli sauce to spice up your food a bit. We found it very bland.
Buy art. Export license is required. Some good talent there.
Listen to Buena Vista Social club before you go to get in mood.
People very friendly and musical despite economic status.
Would give it 6/10 overall.
Bring some garlic/chilli sauce to spice up your food a bit. We found it very bland.
Buy art. Export license is required. Some good talent there.
Listen to Buena Vista Social club before you go to get in mood.
People very friendly and musical despite economic status.
Would give it 6/10 overall.
JonX2C said:
The Blau Varaderro is by far the best resport on the tourist part of the Island.
However I did manage to go in September and got hammered by two hurricanes.
Personally I wouldnt go back. We did two days in havanna and i hated it, very very hot and the people are not to nice, everyone is skint and begs for money, its really quite depressing to see such a run down capital city.
I also went to the Blau earlier this year. The hotel is "ok", the beach is stunning...white sand and warm crystal clear water, lovely. However as said before, I wouldn't go back. It's cheap, but if you've been to a nice carribean hotel, or the Maldives or the far east equivalent, you'll be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, we had a nice break...mainly cause we were plastered most of the time!!However I did manage to go in September and got hammered by two hurricanes.
Personally I wouldnt go back. We did two days in havanna and i hated it, very very hot and the people are not to nice, everyone is skint and begs for money, its really quite depressing to see such a run down capital city.
Another one here who has been to Varadero, I went there 3 years ago with the wife.
As has been said, if you want to relax and read a book by the pool, its fine, you have no need to go out of the complex. If you do go out, then thats your first mistake, because the place is just begging central. These people who claim never to have been accosted by them, what bloody Havana were you at then? It certainly wasn't the one in Cuba!
It got so bad, with people following our tour around etiher begging straight, or the other favourite being actual bands following you playing music and looking for cash (sounds like a wind up, it's not) and others following you sketching your picture and trying to flog you it, that a few of us guys in the group actually had to tell them, in no uncertain terms, to do one. You could easily spend $30 dollars a day on the beggars just trying to get peace from them. Don't think going into a bar or so on will deter them, it doesn't, as they all have arrangements with the bar staff.
You couldn't even sit down for a meal in Havana without some bird and her 5 bandmates surrounding your table trying to sell you a CD of her bands music, only $15 etc etc. Aggresive begging like you have never seen before.
Dont expect the food to be cheap either - we were taken, by our tour guide, to a place for lunch that was $30 for the wife and I, for a meal of a cold, greasy chicken thigh and some lettuce. Thats all that was on the plate. Obviously the guide was on a backhander from the restaurant. If your a tourist, the rip off starts big time, worse than in India/Pakistan etc by a mile.
In context, I was all around the world when in the RN, and I have never seen agressive begging or tourist harassment like it, anywhere, and I did visit some dark and interesting places back then. These people could teach street kids in Mumbai a lesson or seven.
As for old american cars held together with twine and using shampoo for brake fluid (not a joke) there are a lot of those going around, but if you take a picture the driver wants money. Be warned, and they are happy to try and grab your camera if they dont get it, as happened to one of those in our hotel. And all that is part of the problem, they all think that any westerner is a millionaire. Like the guy we saw with some 1950's Mercedes wreck with chickens living in it, that he had up for sale. He wanted a million US for it. He felt that was a fair price. They have no concept of reality of money whatsoever, and they are deeply greedy because of it.
Also, if you go on a day out, take your own toilet paper, as there simply isnt any, and you have kids selling it to you in the toilets by the sheet. I kid you not.
Oh, and dont book an early morning call at Varadero. You dont get a phone call, you get some mad feck banging on your door at 6am shouting loud enough to wake the entire floor, I honestly thought it was a fire.
Also, dont pay the extra for the 24hr personalised concierge service, as they cant really offer you anything over and above what any customer of the complex can get, it's just NOT worth the money. As has been said, Cuba 5* sure aint anywhere elses 5*.
Highlights of it all include the tour of the rum factory - but again not cheap, I can by a bottle of Havana Club cheaper in Gibralter than I could in the factory where its made - and a jetski tour of the swamps out to a nature reserve where we got to handle the animals, baby crocks etc. But on a two week holiday, that was the only two things I'm glad I left the complex for.
Trouble is though, in a sunny complex, you could be anywhere, so why bother with the flight?
In short, would I go back?
No. Way to expensive for what it is, and grossly overhyped.
As has been said, if you want to relax and read a book by the pool, its fine, you have no need to go out of the complex. If you do go out, then thats your first mistake, because the place is just begging central. These people who claim never to have been accosted by them, what bloody Havana were you at then? It certainly wasn't the one in Cuba!
It got so bad, with people following our tour around etiher begging straight, or the other favourite being actual bands following you playing music and looking for cash (sounds like a wind up, it's not) and others following you sketching your picture and trying to flog you it, that a few of us guys in the group actually had to tell them, in no uncertain terms, to do one. You could easily spend $30 dollars a day on the beggars just trying to get peace from them. Don't think going into a bar or so on will deter them, it doesn't, as they all have arrangements with the bar staff.
You couldn't even sit down for a meal in Havana without some bird and her 5 bandmates surrounding your table trying to sell you a CD of her bands music, only $15 etc etc. Aggresive begging like you have never seen before.
Dont expect the food to be cheap either - we were taken, by our tour guide, to a place for lunch that was $30 for the wife and I, for a meal of a cold, greasy chicken thigh and some lettuce. Thats all that was on the plate. Obviously the guide was on a backhander from the restaurant. If your a tourist, the rip off starts big time, worse than in India/Pakistan etc by a mile.
In context, I was all around the world when in the RN, and I have never seen agressive begging or tourist harassment like it, anywhere, and I did visit some dark and interesting places back then. These people could teach street kids in Mumbai a lesson or seven.
As for old american cars held together with twine and using shampoo for brake fluid (not a joke) there are a lot of those going around, but if you take a picture the driver wants money. Be warned, and they are happy to try and grab your camera if they dont get it, as happened to one of those in our hotel. And all that is part of the problem, they all think that any westerner is a millionaire. Like the guy we saw with some 1950's Mercedes wreck with chickens living in it, that he had up for sale. He wanted a million US for it. He felt that was a fair price. They have no concept of reality of money whatsoever, and they are deeply greedy because of it.
Also, if you go on a day out, take your own toilet paper, as there simply isnt any, and you have kids selling it to you in the toilets by the sheet. I kid you not.
Oh, and dont book an early morning call at Varadero. You dont get a phone call, you get some mad feck banging on your door at 6am shouting loud enough to wake the entire floor, I honestly thought it was a fire.
Also, dont pay the extra for the 24hr personalised concierge service, as they cant really offer you anything over and above what any customer of the complex can get, it's just NOT worth the money. As has been said, Cuba 5* sure aint anywhere elses 5*.
Highlights of it all include the tour of the rum factory - but again not cheap, I can by a bottle of Havana Club cheaper in Gibralter than I could in the factory where its made - and a jetski tour of the swamps out to a nature reserve where we got to handle the animals, baby crocks etc. But on a two week holiday, that was the only two things I'm glad I left the complex for.
Trouble is though, in a sunny complex, you could be anywhere, so why bother with the flight?
In short, would I go back?
No. Way to expensive for what it is, and grossly overhyped.
If you just want to go and sit on the beach or by the pool, in an all exclusive gated-community (Varadero), then simply go to Spain. Far cheaper and easier.
I went with a girlfriend a couple of years ago and pretty much back-packed around the Island for a month. Brilliant experience. We didn't encounter any of the hassle or begging that others have spoken off - probably because we looked poorer than the locals - lol! We found it an extremely safe place to travel around - in no small part because no one has any money. What would be the point of someone stealing my iPod? Who are they going to sell it to - no one has any money! Lots of all-girl groups travelling around and they all commented the same. We flew to Varadero and had one night there (great beach but it's a dump as all the worst traits of a poor country are attracted to tourist Central). Then Havanna (which I loved). Drinking mojitos on the lawn at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, whilst puffing on an Esplendidos..... A flight to Isla de Juventus and also to Trinidad (beautiful). Worst part was that ALL internal travel goes via Havanna - so we had to keep going back there every few days before getting to our next destination. However, they do have "Tourist" Buses - Visule which are air-conned and pretty regular which you can use to travel about (or hire a Lada taxi to drive you 300 miles....).
It isn't "Cheap" buy any stretch of the imagintion - purely because there is very little to actually buy (no free enterprise obviously, which is annoying when you are waiting for a ferry for 3 hours and there would be a guy selling drinks on the corner in any other country) and food is generally poor if you eat at the state-run places. However, it's a great place to go if you have a sense of adventure, want to immerse yourself in a country and aren't put of by a little poverty and dirt. If you want to just sit buy a pool for a week - forget it, go to the Canary Islands.
I went with a girlfriend a couple of years ago and pretty much back-packed around the Island for a month. Brilliant experience. We didn't encounter any of the hassle or begging that others have spoken off - probably because we looked poorer than the locals - lol! We found it an extremely safe place to travel around - in no small part because no one has any money. What would be the point of someone stealing my iPod? Who are they going to sell it to - no one has any money! Lots of all-girl groups travelling around and they all commented the same. We flew to Varadero and had one night there (great beach but it's a dump as all the worst traits of a poor country are attracted to tourist Central). Then Havanna (which I loved). Drinking mojitos on the lawn at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, whilst puffing on an Esplendidos..... A flight to Isla de Juventus and also to Trinidad (beautiful). Worst part was that ALL internal travel goes via Havanna - so we had to keep going back there every few days before getting to our next destination. However, they do have "Tourist" Buses - Visule which are air-conned and pretty regular which you can use to travel about (or hire a Lada taxi to drive you 300 miles....).
It isn't "Cheap" buy any stretch of the imagintion - purely because there is very little to actually buy (no free enterprise obviously, which is annoying when you are waiting for a ferry for 3 hours and there would be a guy selling drinks on the corner in any other country) and food is generally poor if you eat at the state-run places. However, it's a great place to go if you have a sense of adventure, want to immerse yourself in a country and aren't put of by a little poverty and dirt. If you want to just sit buy a pool for a week - forget it, go to the Canary Islands.
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