Varadero, Cuba

[marebobsp]

Hi everyone,
This will be my first trip to Cuba with my bf. I have been on trip advisor and read various reviews. I have also checked out the websites for last minute deals. We are planning to book 2-3 days before our departure (Oct. 19-26)to ensure the lowest possible price. I have a few questions:

Would you be able to suggest a specific website that gives the best deals ( I have noticed that they are all pretty much the same)?

What hotel in Varadero has the best food? 24hr snack bar and quality
a-la-carte restaurants? (I know which ones have these, but which ones have the best quality and are really good!)

Lastly, which hotels would you say have the best night shows?


I have done extensive research, but sometimes you do not come across exactly what you are looking for. I also want the hotels to be 4 stars or better.



Thank you in Advance:cheesygri

[Rudee]

exitnow.ca and redtag.ca are good ones.

Cuban food is pretty much the same at the hotels. Cubans are not known for their food so don't expect much in that dept. Best night shows is a matter of opinion. The more expensive hotels put on the better shows, so if you're going to a 3 star hotel at a cheap price don't expect the best food and the best entertainment. You really get what you pay for.

[peelhic]

I've been to Cuba close to 10 times over the years and I have to say that its a great place to visit but if your interested in food then its not the place to go.

The food at the resorts is basically all the same unless you are going to the sandals or paradisius resorts.. they are suppose to have better food from what I have heard. I've never had an issue with the food myself but I don't go there expecting great food.. for that I go on cruises!

As for show's most are pretty lame... same music and dancing at most resorts. If you do go to veradero then try to take the tour to havana and go to the CopaCabana show now that is good!!

Have fun!!

[marebobsp]

Thank you for your responses! I just wanted to make sure the food is decent as I have heard horror stories of hot dog salads lol!:lol:

[Shaner]

For those that have been, how far is Havana from Varadero?

I'm going to Varadero in November and I'd like to wonder around Havana by myself. I don't really want to do the tour thing, I'd rather do my own thing. Will it be a hassle for me to get to the resort to Havana? Am I looking at a cab ride, a bus, train, etc?

Will it be hard for me to get around Havana by myself without speaking any Spanish? I'd like to go to one of the night clubs in Havana, but am wondering if I'll even get in, have trouble ordering drinks, etc.

Also wondering what hotel prices are like in Havana? Nothing fancy by any means, just something cheap that I can crash at after going to one of the night clubs?

And yes, I realize I'm paying for a room at the resort, but I'm not one to stay at resorts for the full 7 days. I tend to spend a day or two wandering around the country doing my own thing.

[Arrgh]

Food in Veradero won't be fancy. They don't grow a lot of fresh vegetables, so expect a lot of cabbage.

Keep in mind a 3* there is more like 2* and 4* is more like 3*.

The Sandals/Beaches resort include scuba diving, so if you dive that'll save a lot of money.

Havana is 2 hr away. Car rental is very expensive there. You won't have very good maps, so it'll be a challenge finding your way driving yourself. This is one tour that will be a lot easier to just sign up with the hotel tour desk. In Cuba, a lot of things are regulated/controlled (remember it is a Communist country), including the tour ops. Unless you can find some locals working at the resort that you can hire as taxi/guide for a day.

The beaches at Veradero are good. White sand, calm, and can walk out quite far before it gets deep. This is a good time to go as it is low season, and quite possible to get good rates.

Enjoy.

[boyoflondon]

2-3 days before? i hope you are joking or you really think you will find something that early.

Don`t get me wrong, there are times when this is possible, but not all the time. The last 5-6 times I went, the latest I booked was 7-8 days prior to departure.

Keep in mind that if you want a certain resort, you might lose out on it and will have to settle for another one.

Go on tripadvisor and search for the reviews of resorts you are interested in. Narrow it down to a few and follow those few to see the prices.


PS. I have seen prices go UP a week before departure so beware!

[olddog]

varadero, cuba is so much fun.
Especially if u are a tourist...
I was there with my ex-girlfriend and her cousin in 2006.
People are so nice. Don't believe whatever hype that you will get robbed or mugged or whatnot....
nice blue waters. The hotel resort for tourists are so nice and entertaining depending on if its a 4 or 5 star hotel and the people are so nice. they try to satisfy you to their fullest...lol
If you have never been to a third world or poor country, get ready to be amazed at the city or standard of living when you leave the resorts....lol. You might experience some culture shock in terms of dirt and whatnot.
(Am sure you will appreciate Canada more....lol)
I agree with others though, they have no exotic dishes in their delicacies. they just serve you what u eat here...but a whole lot of it.....lol
Their clubs are nice. But keep in mind you will find a lot of Canadians there too. One thing that i found strange was young Canadian guys hitting on canadian girls in cuba. For the love of God.....lol They are girls from all over the world at the resort. Experiment your lame game on something new....lol

The Cuban girls are nice too and will never stop "eyeing"/flirting with your man. Tip your servers. You will be amazed what a canadian dollar means to them (literally).

Oh, Dont forget to smoke some cuban cigars and be very careful cos a lot of them sell fake banana leaves and act like they are cuban cigars. Just like any marketplace in any third world, feel free to haggle the price and check for authenticity. Not really much to buy in cuba though: cigars and rum thats it.
And the hosts at the resorts will pretty much appreciate any clothing or wears you give them.

I would definitely go to Cuba again but maybe Havana next time.

Have fun



olddog

[dutchca]

If you like the beach - Cuba is for you, that's it.

Food is terrible.

Resort workers compete to see why can score the most/best looking vacationer. Keep an eye on your gf/wife they will be innundated with Cuban attention to the point it is uncomfortable.

Tip because you like the bartender or staff member. My personal experience is that tipping, especially at an all-inclusive, gets you no better or quicker service. Not enough booze in yor drink - just give it back and ask for more.....

[shawn99]

LOL@ Quality food in Cuba.....Good luck with that.

1 USD = 1 convertible peso = 25 peso

So every dollar you tip, they pocket 25 dollars. The waiters are the top earners in the country, they make more money than the engineers and doctors.

[ferkel]

LOL@ Quality food in Cuba.....Good luck with that.

1 USD = 1 convertible peso = 25 peso

So every dollar you tip, they pocket 25 dollars. The waiters are the top earners in the country, they make more money than the engineers and doctors.

Yep, yep.. 4 star book rating = 3 star at best.
Be prepared to tip at all inclusive resorts. Cuba's a nice trip if you set your expectations LOW... I recommend Mexico over Cuba.

[marebobsp]

Thank you everyone! I will def take everyone's advice into consideration. I have also noticed that it is cheaper to go to the DR than it is to go to Cuba which is strange. Is the DR a better option for my vacation?

[dragongirl_76]

i just got back from Varadero and i cannot wait to go back!

firstly tho...the food is pretty terrible. lots of hotdogs for breakfast/lunch/dinner. and i hope you like cabbage because that have tons of it!

secondly.....like others have said, the 4/5 star resorts are not like 4/5 star resorts here. the town is POOR so don't expect fancy things in your hotel but the service is excellent in most every place i went.

DR is probably the only other place you can go for as cheap as Cuba.

Havana is about a 2hr drive. Tours cost anywhere from 80 and up and will keep you there most of the day. Car rentals and gas are expensive (like 125CUC and up per day). You can get locals/taxi's to try to arrange to drive you, but ours ended up falling through becasue it's even MORE expensive for locals to rent a car. Also, there is crime and drugs in Havana so be careful.

The shows are cheesy but fun nonetheless.I hear the best is the Tropicoco?

I booked through selloffvacations.com and had no issues or problems.

good luck and have fun!

p.s.
in my personal opinion, Varadero is nice enough to spend the entire week at.
be advised that most of the boat tours keep you on the water or HOURS and it can be exhausting and lots of ppl come back with sunstroke becasue they are ill prepared.

also...bring toilet paper! you will thank me later, lol.

[jane22]

I'm hoping to go sometime in January or February to somewhere in Cuba, are there any areas that were hit hard by hurricanes (Gustav maybe) that should be avoided?

[realestateguy]

I go away every year and was really dissapointed with Varadero. Stayed at the Sirenis and the food :mad: :mad: was terrible. If you want some good advice " Go to The Mayan Riviera in Mexico" Would only consider Cuba if the price was really right or go to the Paradissus 5 star.

[JC69]

I've been on a fair few trips to all-inclusives too and I think I'm done with Cuba now. The food is mediocre really. Perfectly edible and in some hotels pretty good but that's rare. The beaches are lovely and Havana and Santiago de Cuba (near Holguin) are really nice for day trips but the resort towns themselves are utilitarian and lack character if you want to get outside your hotel (which you should want to do if you're abroad anyway).

I've been to an all-inclusive in El Salvador twice now and it beats Cuba hands down for value and things to do.

[Ryu69]

when i went to varadero in 2005, i tipped with clothes, makeup, chocolate and things like that to the housekeeper as it is very expensive for them to get these type of everyday things. I only tipped money at the bar and restaurants, but the pool bartender got a blue jays uniform from some guy.

Tipping the bartender (should tip the same guy everytime) is good as lost of europeans go there and they don't tip much because in europe, tip is included usually from what i heard. we tipped the same guy at the lobby bar, and he went out of his way to always bring out drinks to us without us asking.

hope this helps.

[Shaner]

A few friends told me that a lot of Europeans seem to go to Cuba in November. Is there any truth to that? I am heading down November 9th and the last thing I want is for it to be nothing but Canadians. lol

[sandviper]

A few friends told me that a lot of Europeans seem to go to Cuba in November. Is there any truth to that? I am heading down November 9th and the last thing I want is for it to be nothing but Canadians. lol

Yo which hotel are you staying at?
who did you book with?
how much you pay?

if you dont mind me asking i am trying to get something for NOV 8 or 9 to cuba or mexico but not CANCUN!

any help would be appreciated...

[radeonboy]

You read tripadvisor so you read my opinion already.

if anything it will be good provided that you don't stay exclusively in your hotel. you have to pay to go see (habana as they call it) and you gotta do other things to enjoy your time. :cheesygri

But if you like the beaches and whatnot, stay where you are and swim and tan all you want.

Food isnt the best either but its decent.

[oogachaka]

2 pieces of advice:
1) carry your own tissue when you use the toilets
2) drink bottled water

[NDman]

A few friends told me that a lot of Europeans seem to go to Cuba in November. Is there any truth to that? I am heading down November 9th and the last thing I want is for it to be nothing but Canadians. lol

A lot of Europeans love going to the Caribbean, period. Of course, having (most) Americans out of the equation, you see a lot more Europeans and Canadians relatively speaking.

When I went to Varadero quite a few years ago, the random guests I met at the resorts were mostly Europeans, and Canadians.

As for the water issue, wer had been warned and did prepare some bottled water. But not a lot. We made sure the resort had a kettle and we just boiled the water for the most part. Never had a problem. That was back in 2000. I would assume the situation can only improve 8 years later. Should always be careful but I don't think there's a need to occupy 1 luggage just for water

[Shaner]

Yo which hotel are you staying at?
who did you book with?
how much you pay?

if you dont mind me asking i am trying to get something for NOV 8 or 9 to cuba or mexico but not CANCUN!

any help would be appreciated...

I'm staying at the Melia Varadero.
It cost about $950 for a week
I didn't book it, a friend did and I just paid her, so I don't know who she booked with.

[forgiven]

anyone knows if we need visa to go to Cuba? I'm an international student (student visa) with only China passport. I wonder if I have to get a Cuban visa in order to go :confused:

Thanks in advance

[hardcandy1911]

Cayo Coco is much better and the beaches are soo nice.

Right now you can go for $275 for 1 week taxes IN!!!! ALL INCLUSIVE!!

http://ret.sax.softvoyage.com/cgi-bin/resultadv.cgi?code_ag=ret&alias=fly&id=7620902

[boyoflondon]

Cayo Coco is much better and the beaches are soo nice.

Right now you can go for $275 for 1 week taxes IN!!!! ALL INCLUSIVE!!

http://ret.sax.softvoyage.com/cgi-bin/resultadv.cgi?code_ag=ret&alias=fly&id=7620902

Sorry to break it to you, but that is a FLIGHT ONLY!

[radeonboy]

Sorry to break it to you, but that is a FLIGHT ONLY!

buwhaha. they would be crazy to have an all inclusive for that price

[dragongirl_76]

i just booked another trip :cheesygri
all inclusive for less than 500.
obviously it's not a 4 or 5 star but got decent reviews nonetheless.

[burnt_toast]

i just booked another trip :cheesygri
all inclusive for less than 500.
obviously it's not a 4 or 5 star but got decent reviews nonetheless.

can you PM me with details?
which site did you use?
departure dates? etc...

thanks

[ghost rider]

2 pieces of advice:
1) carry your own tissue when you use the toilets
2) drink bottled water

just going to varadero cuba...in 10 days...
and 1) carry your own tissue when you use the toilets? what are the shortages

[Kenny Blankenship]

just going to varadero cuba...in 10 days...
and 1) carry your own tissue when you use the toilets? what are the shortages

Usually there are bathroom attendents that are keepers of the toilet paper and you have to pay to use it.

[Fire Man]

can you PM me with details?
which site did you use?
departure dates? etc...

thanks

+1

I would be interested in this info as well please. Thanks!

[xstatik]

As for the water issue, wer had been warned and did prepare some bottled water. But not a lot. We made sure the resort had a kettle and we just boiled the water for the most part. Never had a problem. That was back in 2000. I would assume the situation can only improve 8 years later. Should always be careful but I don't think there's a need to occupy 1 luggage just for water

Ummmm. Cuban resorts have bottled water included. No need to lug water down to Cuba. I'm not sure what resort you were at but the two 4.5* hotels that I've been to in Varadero had all the bottled water one could drink! (and they even gave you some in the room)

[thisiskat]

Ummmm. Cuban resorts have bottled water included. No need to lug water down to Cuba. I'm not sure what resort you were at but the two 4.5* hotels that I've been to in Varadero had all the bottled water one could drink! (and they even gave you some in the room)

I've spoke to my travel agent and she never said anything about bringing my own water bottles. Just told me to stay away from the salads!

[Shaner]

I don't know why she told you to stay away from the salads. They aren't prepared with anything that all the other food isn't also prepared with.

I ate lots of salad down there and so did my entire group (as did a lot of other people that were at the resort) and we were all fine.

I also drank the tap water when I was down there (i was horribly hungover and had already drank my bottled water) and it didn't bother me one bit.

[dondada83]

You definitely need to check out Havana. That was the highlight of our trip back in 03. It's actually worth spending 2-3 days in the city learning about the culture and history as well as admiring the surrounding architecture.

From an entertainment standpoint, The Cave is probably one of the more well known nightclubs in that area as well as interesting. The club is immersed in a real cave.

There's usually an entertainment staff that is there to take you guys around at night.

As for food, it's terrible -- plain and simple. I stayed at Sandals and the food was no different from the other hotels I visited on the trip.

[quikky]

I went to Playa de Oro and Oasis Brisas del Caribe in Varadero.

Both have 24/7 drinks and snacks. Brisas del Caribe was the best! It was soooo fun ! Great 4 star hotel. Highly recommended.

[rotjong]

I don't know why she told you to stay away from the salads. They aren't prepared with anything that all the other food isn't also prepared with.

I ate lots of salad down there and so did my entire group (as did a lot of other people that were at the resort) and we were all fine.

I

In the resorts salads are fine, it is just when you eat at the outside restaurants, even fish be carefull.

We were there 2 years ago, my wife got horribly ill, she went to the resort doctor and they gave her pills and other stuff that was illegal here. she ended up with samonella.... not good.

She got it at the restaurant on the strip in Varadero where all the old cars are parked in the restaurant and on the front lawn I remember it was on a corner.