Anyone been to Cuba?

Sirrel Squirrel

Sirrel Squirrel

Sirrel Squirrel

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Looking at going to Cuba next September for my fist anniversary/honeymoon (went to Thorpe Park after my wedding so never had a proper honeymoon :p), budget of around £3k for 14 nights all inclusive. I really like the look of the Paradisus Rio de Oro resort in Guardalavaca, best price I've found so far is around £2650 for two of us.

Anyone ever been there or have any tips or other recommendations?

I've also been looking at the Maldives and those hotels on stilts but I don't think there is as much to do there as in Cuba.
 
you'll need to watch because it's a blacklisted destination with some travel agents. I know it was a few years ago with Expedia when I worked for them but not sure if that's changed.
 
Went to Cuba a few years back, stayed in Cayo Coco (iirc) which is the touristy part with the hotel resorts. Lovely place, the hotel areas are great, we only ever left the hotel to go on the trips they organized, of which there are plently to choose from. We swam with dolphins and went on a scuba diving trip, which i think cost about $40 per person which was around £25 at the time, we also went to Havana and some other large city i cant remember the name of.

At the time we went they accepted US dollars, but i believe thats changed now to their native currency, however theres not much shopping to do outside of the resorts as its a very poor country, most of our money was spent on tips for the hotel staff and the day trips.

If you visit Havana or anywhere like that, you will get hounded by the poorer people for money or belongings, so its worthwhile getting a packet of pens and cheap notepads before you go to give to them. Also theres the odd cigar "salemen" who will badger you relentlessly and people who will draw crappy pictures of you and not leave you alone until you buy if off them for a dollar. Its all in good fun though its not like they're dangerous or anything, they'll just try to be your best buddy until they get what they want :)

Theres no shortage of things to see or do, but like i said most of our time was spent at the hotel. We went all inclusive which was great, but the hotel we stayed at was quite large and very touristy, id suggest if your budget allowed to splash out on a nicer hotel which will hopefully not be full of kids.

Oh and look out over Florida at night for lightning storms, amazing sight :)
 
I've been to Cuba and the Maldives. In Cuba we stayed in Cayo Coco but went over to the mainland for a bit. It's ok, full of Americans and Americanised food in the hotels but there's quite a bit to do. I probably wouldn't go back there. I would definitely go to the Maldives over Cuba though, it's my favourite coutry I've been too, only downside is the cost, £3000 will get you somewhere good for a week half board in standard accommodation, expect a lot more for a decent water villa. There isn't a great deal to do in the Maldives if you aren't into diving/snorkelling, or just relaxing in paradise though.
 
SteveOBhave was there recently. He posted a topic in the Photography forum with a few of his photos. Might be worth a look.
 
Justin said:
I've been to Cuba and the Maldives. In Cuba we stayed in Cayo Coco but went over to the mainland for a bit. It's ok, full of Americans and Americanised food in the hotels but there's quite a bit to do. I probably wouldn't go back there. I would definitely go to the Maldives over Cuba though, it's my favourite coutry I've been too, only downside is the cost, £3000 will get you somewhere good for a week half board in standard accommodation, expect a lot more for a decent water villa. There isn't a great deal to do in the Maldives if you aren't into diving/snorkelling, or just relaxing in paradise though.
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Since when have Americans been allowed there?

Cuba is V nice, Cayo Guillermo was paradise for out weddingmoon :)
 
been to cuba but on a smaller budget, doubt the hotel i went to is honeymoon material :p its a lovely place tho and i'm sure you'll love it
 
Went there in 2006 & liked it so much I went back in 2008, you'll love it!

Stayed in Varadero both times, mostly round the resort. Lovely beaches, the people are wonderful & I want to go back sometime. Although it is not a wealthy country the people are so friendly & welcoming

Didn't want to pay the extortionate price the tour operator wanted for an excursion to Havana so 4 of us clubbed together & hired a taxi driver for the day for 100 pesos. He was a great guy, knew the bests part of the city to take us to & we insisted on buying him lunch.

Salsa dancing goes on every night & there's plenty of their Havana rum, I did some salsa classes before we went but their salsa dancing is completely different, much more natural. Guaranteed there will be daily salsa lessons wherever you stay!

There weren't that many Americans there when I went, they can only get to Cuba via Canada (unless things have changed). Of course you'll get undesirables as you would in any tourist destination. We hired mopeds & were told by the hotel how much it costs to fill them up & not to pay the garage up the road any more, of course the garage tried it on anyway! Also in the town there were people on street corners trying to get us to buy cigars etc. These would certainly be crappy ones made from bananaskins & stuff. The proper tobacco shops sell the real ones, the big Churchills etc. In Havana people sometimes tried to get us to pose for photos & charge us, if anyone became too pushy simply pointing up the road & saying "police" sent them scurrying away.

One thing I noticed on my later trip there everyone seemed to have a mobile & there were less of the really old cars driving around, the place is rapidly becoming more commercialised so I'd go asap. Your wife will love it!!
 
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