Cuba Travel Answers

I have flowen Cubana Air twice recently and have no complaints. In fact, in some ways, they offer a better service than some of our Canadian charter companies. Sit back and enjoy the flight. As for tipping, best is in the new convertible peso. US dollars are difficult for the recipient to deal with, and if any other currency is given, the recipient will only have to ask another tourist if he wouldn't mind exchanging it. Certainly for the room attendants, you may want to leave something little on your pillow each morning. (Could be different cleaners each day) I suggest a trip to a dollar store before you leave. Pick up some school supplies at the same time, and see if you can get someone to take you to a rural school to deliver personally. You will really enjoy the experience. Be sure not to distribute "stuff" willy-nilly. You may find yourself being surrounded. Instead always hand out things as a thankyou for something they did for you. Breezes Jibacoa is a lovely hotel. Be sure to take a trip to Havana, though. Have a great trip

Hi there, I visited this resort in Dec 2004 and it was a great value for the$ spent. I can not comment on Cubana Air because I flew a charter out of Canada. The atmosphere was really laid back and you could do as much as you like or nothing at all. You can snorkel right from the beach here and see amazing things, the reef is still in pretty good shape. I tipped in pesos and did not take any US dollars as they are no longer accepted. I also heard hotels are no longer cashing travellers cheques but I am not sure if that is true or not. I do not feel that I got better service or worse because of tipping it was just appreciated. There seema to be something happening in the buffet in regards to tips received, I watched as the female servers handed tips over to the "head" man a few times. He seemed to watch them like a hawk, but maybe the tips are pooled? If you want to tip someone in the buffet and make sure the receive it maybe try to do it discretly, this seemed to be appreciated.

First of all, I was at Jibacoa by myself last summer and absolutely loved it... I'm actually going back on May 2nd, this time with my new fiancé. This resort is perfect for adults and singles and is a great place to relax. Tiping : Although it is not required, it is highly appreciated. However, don't give more than one convertible peso (about one amercian dollar), since they will add up really fast. I mainly just tipped for the bellboy, cleaning staff and when getting room service. I also saw a lot of people tipping the towel boys. Some tip at the bar and in the buffet, but I didn't... My bad, maybe, but I still got great service. I don't know about Cubana, but since it's a charter, expect mediocre food, lack of space, but you should probably get a movie. I brought a snack and a sweater since it's often freezing. My advice is to get to the airport early and ask for a window or aisle seat so that you have more room. Since this will be my third trip to Cuba in the past year, I've got loads of tips, places to visit, etc. I've done basically every tour offered in the Jibacoa area and in Havana (which I explored by myself on my October trip). If you don't plan on going too far from Jibacoa, I recommend the catamaran tour, the scooter tours (with Javier and Adrian... they're really great), which are really cheap. Plus, there's a great coral reef in front of the hotel, which is perfect for snorkeling. However, I suggest you bring your own mask since the ones they have don't always fit right. If you have time, try to make it into Havana. It's worth it, but don't go on the tour... try and find some people to go with that have been there before. I know you can ask Lazarro, the towel boy, he's got a girl friend that's apparently a great guide and will take you around for very little in a nice old 50s car. The food at the resort is fantastic in my opinion (I love carribean food). There's always lots of vegetables and fruit if ever no other options are appealing. However, the buffet is massive and there are always loads of choices. For lunch, I always went to the beach grill for pizza. Enjoy your trip. Maybe we'll run in to each other. Anabel

Anabel1's advice is excellent. One small correction....Cabana Airlines is not a charter, but rather the national airlines. You can expect good service.

Sorry, you're absolutely right... Actually, I just remembered that my fiancé flew Cubana the last time he went to Cuba and I must admit he had a disatrous experience. Apparently, pieces inside the plane kept falling off, but nothing of importance like the engine. However, it is always more enjoyable to be in a plane that's in good condition.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I will keep an eye out for Anabel - hopefully we will be able to sit by the Carribean and exchange some travellers tales. Can't wait! VT makes it a very small world.