Cuba Travel Forum

My family is going to Cuba in march and i have a couple questions.

1)anyone been to brisas del caribe? and if so, how did you enjoy it?
2)i am travelling with my 2 children, 6 and 9yrs. Is there anything we should do that they would love? is there anything we should avoid?
3)i have heard about swimming with dolphins. my daughter really wants to try, where would i find out more about this, can i book it thru the hotel, and i heard the water can be rough? is 6 too young to think about this?


thanks for all the help in advance. i've been coming to this site quite a bit since i started planning my trip and i've gotten alot of great tips and advice already!

Hi, I have booked a 2 week visit to Cuba from the 22nd Feb. We'll be flying to Varadero but I haven't booked any accommodation as I'm not sure where I want to go yet once we land in Varadero. Although I have looked at many websites, it would be great to get your views on which places I should visit for a 2 week break. I want to get a real feel for Cuba but don't want to spend hours and hours on a bus! Many thanks in advance for your opinions!

Looking to book a holiday to this area of Cuba during May 2006. Could anyone sugest any places of interest to visit whilst staying here? Had considered staying in Varadero so that we could visit Havana from there, but thought it too touristy, but also realise that Havana is too far away from this resort without making it a twin centre holiday.

Any information would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.
M.

I have seen somewhere on here a contact name for this hotel.
We are heading there in a few weeks and I want to contact them
with a friendly reminder that we have booked adjoining rooms and
don't want an issue the day we arrive and also a little concerned about the construction I have read about in some reviews.
If anyone has this name or email would appreciate it.
Thanks so much

Hey people, Im off to the "Barcelo Solymar" On March the 3rd for 1 week, this is my first time to go on a all inclusive trip, Im just wondering what to expect in regards to the weather and the age group of people i will come accross, Basically im 23 and im coming with my friend who is also 23, both single and looking to party with some people our age..... I hope its warm though..

Any info would be great, thanks.

do you know the best reliable car rental in Havana?
'need it for 14 days in April 2006

HI everybody, what type of wheather should we expect in July a Cuba? I know that is rain period, but is raining all day? And second answer- we will stay in hotel Tuxpan in Varadero. Does anybody know any good teachers for private salsa dancing(or other dance) classes in this area?

can I pay with a Canadian $$$ in Cuba ?

Now, that the greenback is void, is the Canadian $ OK in Cuba ?
Do I need any visa in my Canadian passport ?

I recently booked to get married in the Sol Palmeras at the end of Nov, but had to change the date as some people couldnt make that date. I have now changed it to the end of sep for 2 weeks but have now discovered it is rainy season!! I have been told not to worry and it will cost to much to change as there are 30 pax going. Has any body been to Cube around theese days that can tell me what to expect from the weather?? Also if anybody has been to the Sol Palmeras what is it like for famalies. I would also appreciate any info of people who have been married in cuba and there experiances! THANKYOU!!

My boyfriend and I wanted to go to a more laid back and less busy resort so we have been looking at the Sandals Hicacos. The only thing is that I am 21 and he is 23... will we be extremely out of place? I am worried that we will be the youngest people in the resort. If anyone has been there it would be great if you could let me know the age range and if we will look out of place. Thanks in advance!!!

Hi,

Just wondering what would be ok for A la carte dinning. Is jeans and dress shirt ok for men? What about the ladies.

Thanks

Hello to all! Is there anybody who knows if there are flights from Santiago de Cuba to Montego Bay or Kingston? All replies greatly appreciated

Hi,
I will be in varadero during feb 21st to feb 28th... is anyone ther around this time?

Hi, I am a little confused about what currency to take to Cuba. Can I convert £ sterling or should I be taking Euros. Before I read this website, I was convinced US$ was the only currency to take so thank you very much!

Hi! Does everyone know where to rent scooter in Havana? Every information will be helpfull. Maybe someone saw place in Havana where i can rent scooter or knows web pages of scooter rentals agency?

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Dear travellers,
I intend to spend a week in Cuba in two weeks from now and I think it would be a pity to stay in a resort. I want to see how people live, so I want to go to Havana. I thought it would be best to stay in a Casa Particular. Would you, please, give a hint about where I should be located - Vedado, Centro Havana or Old Havana. Also, I was wondering whether I need to rent a car for Havana and of course, where to go. If you have a great experience with a Casa Particular, please, let me know.
Thank you very much!
Mia

Hi, I'd like to go bicycling in the Vinales region, particularly to the cave that's located 15km west of vinales. How can this be done? Is there a bike rental place in vinales or are we allowed to take bikes with us aboard the Via Azul bus from HAvana to Vinales.
Thanks!

Hi there I am travelling to breezes jacoba varadero in March and was wondering about the excursions. I've read that others have taken a taxi to Varadero perhaps shared the expense with another couple. I've stayed at the arenas Blancas before and loved the beach. So we were thinking of going to Varadero for the day and shopping and enjoying the beaches. There must be a public beach there? and will it compare to the beach at the resort and is it safe? As well is it worth the trip by cab or should be do the resort excursion?. As well to go to havana should we find another couple and try and get a taxi guy to show us around is it worth it and how much would we expect to pay. I've read that the tropicana show can be very pricey and the show at the National is just as good but cheaper? any thoughts on this? Also I would like to bring some gifts for local children any thoughts on how to get them to those in need. I would really like to meet the locals but want to make sure it's safe to venture off on your own? Any info would be greatly apprec. As well is it true that you don't need to worry about exchanging your canadian money at the airport and you can do it at the hotel. and can you pay for your excursions through the resort with canadian credit card and would there be extra charges for that
thanks so much for any replies.

My wife and I are planning to book two weeks in Varadero this May but I've just been told this area is very much purely for tourists with little of the 'real' Cuba to be seen. Is this true and would their be a better destination to get the best of a beach holiday yet still wander around taking in the aspects of the history and architecture. Maybe its better to just book trips out? I've been told Trinidad is an ideal location BUT how far is that from the nearest airport? Eleven hours flight from Manchester, England and then many more hours transfer to Trinidad would not go down well with either of us. Can anyone help?

hi i am going to club amigo on feb 13th and was wondering is there any beach area where one might be able to nude suntan.thanks

I know by now that it is better to bring EUR to convert to CUC than USD, because you will pay more. So being from Europe I was planning only to bring Euros. However, it seems that tourists have to pay in USD for some stuff (excursions, some entrance fee ...) .

My question: Do I have to bring USD after all or can I pay everything with CUC?

I might go to Cuba in the near future. I'm a bit confused about the dubble economy.
This is what I figured out so far (tell me if I'm wrong).
There are two currencies convertible pesos (mainly for tourist) and cuban pesos (mainly for the cubans or getting some streetfood etc.. for tourists as well)
The lonely planet said that we should bring us dollars but I'm reading the opposite over here so is it better to bring euro's? (would be easier for me as well)
And some last questions:
How do you see the difference between convertible and cuban pesos?
How do you see that the indicated price is in convertible or cuban pesos?

Thanx for any advise you can give.

We plan on taking alot of the different tours while in Varadero for 2 weeks this April. Would appreciate advice from forum members who have been on any tours that won't make it safe (dry) or legal to bring along our digital photo and video cameras?

Regarding various tours + water (snorkeling, dolphins, catamaran, jeep) any tours where we might get stuck having to leave our camera bag while doing part of the tour? I've read during the Jeep tour, while snorkeling, the main Jeep guide watches over all jeeps & belongings? Do the seedoo's during the Jungle tour have dry inside compartments under the seats?

How about Havana tours...cameras allowed in Cigar/Rum factories? Thanks everyone!

-Jo

Can anyone recommend any good trips not run by traditionally expensive holiday companies in and around Varadero. The types of trips my wife, daughter (13) and I have taken elsewhere are boat trips, jungle trails, animal parks, river rides etc. We are staying in Varadero for 2 weeks come the 8th Feb and we will definetely be visiting Havana. I believe I can get there by local bus or train. Are any of these forms of transport advisable?

Also, in Havana, can you get to drive one of the old American cars?

Can anyone recommend any good trips not run by traditionally expensive holiday companies in and around Varadero. The types of trips my wife, daughter (13) and I have taken elsewhere are boat trips, jungle trails, animal parks, river rides etc. We are staying in Varadero for 2 weeks come the 8th Feb and we will definetely be visiting Havana. I believe I can get there by local bus or train. Are any of these forms of transport advisable?

Also, in Havana, can you get to drive one of the old American cars?

I've read that T-shirts with logos, pens, pencils, disposable razors, toothpaste etc are good gifts to take. What have you taken that was well received? Also, how did you distribute these gifts? just give them to kids on Varedero streets (do you see many locals in the tourist areas?), market sellers, beach people etc?

Also, I've just read, and been very surprised, that there can be problems with the amount of gifts you take in - is this right? should I limit each type of gift to a certain amount?

Hi!

Hoping to get feedback & advice from anyone who's stayed at the Sol Palmeras?

Also, looking for suggestions as I'm about to book a 2 week anniversary trip to Varadero with my hubby...anyone suggest other resorts besides Sol Palmeras? I've checked out most all of the Varadero resorts online, always better to hear directly from people who have been there. Thanks in advance!!

Jo.

Hi,
I am an Indian citizen living in the US (not a permanent resident; in the jargon, a 'non-resident alien'). I was wondering how to go about getting a visa to travel to Cuba. Most of the information I could find seems to be geared to ways in which US citizens can get permission to travel, or to travel from other countries to Cuba.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks.

Could anyone give an idea how much 14 days in Cuba one should be expected to spend?

Accommodation: ?
Food: ?
Travel: ?
Entertainmnet:? Restaurants 3 times per week in the evening? Lunch?
4-5 Activities: visiting museums, snorkeling, music, clubs,swimmig with Dolphins?
Afro Cuban Dancing Lessons?
Drumming Lessons?

Is Mantanza less expensive than Verado for example?

Is it likely I can find a family that will take for example $500.oo for food (3 meals per day) and accomodation, etc?

JUST WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD ONE HAVE ON THE "MUST DO" LIST WHILE VISITING CUBA?

Please advise.