Varadero Travel Forum

My 18 year old daughter and I want to explore Cuba during the last week of February. We're not keen on limiting ourselves to a resort and wondered if it's possible (or advisable) to stay in B&B's as we go. I imagine it would be less expensive than an all inclusive (we're not big drinkers). We'd like to see Havana as well as the town at Varadero and any other places of interest in that area.
Would the fact that neither of us speaks Spanish make this too challenging? Also,how is the food outside the resorts?

Hi! All inclusive, air travel included, one-two weeks in a Cuban resort from Canada are often good bargains (because of the numbers choosing this way.)

It's very possible to visit Cuba more independently. There are hotels in every important place, plus lots of Casas Particolares, that is, houses with rooms to rent. They usually serve meals and the ones I stayed at served excellent food. If your Casa doesn't serve meals, you can eat at the many restaurants, or better, at a Paladar (a home allowed to serve meals to visitors - usually good food, like at the Casa.) I don't think doing it independently will cost much less than doing an all-inclusive.
Just the plane trip will cost much more. Then the Casa, the meals, the trips around, cabs to get to the Terminal (sometimes for nothing, if the bus is declared full when you reach the wicket, you must try again next day.)
But independently is the only way I'd want to do it anyway.
I can't see any reason to advise against it, especially if you like to do things your way, and Cuba is very safe. Only thing is, I think one week is a little short to go through all the trouble of organising your own trip. You might prefer taking an all-inclusive at a nice resort and spending a day or two in Havana (overnight in a Casa.)

In Havana, you'll find many places where English is spoken. Probably also in other cities where resorts have mushroomed in recent years.

I found the food at my Casas much better than in restaurants.

Have a good trip!

Thanks for your response alza! I originally intended to book a resort for us, but at this point there are only 2 available - the brand new one at the tip of the peninsula, Sireni La Salina $1109., which has 1000 rooms(yikes) and Club Puntarena, $947. which didn't review all that well. (my own fault for not acting sooner). We'll make it work somehow.