Cuba. Anyone been?

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

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Going to Cuba in June for 10 nights. 3 nights in Havana and 7 nights in an adults only resort on the coast.

I used to be hugely fascinated by the country (when I used to love Ernesto), but haven't really done much looking into it as a holiday destination.

Anyone been, and got any tips of things to see/things to do/places to drink/etc? I've had a look at some previous threads but they don't really offer many tips.

Also, where can I get a pastel coloured suit from in Glasgow?
 
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Would like to go to Cuba too. Bring me some cigars back.

I, like a friend of mine am a massive nature freak. My mate keeps urging me to go to Costa Rica, but it's probably stupid expensive.

I like the idea of brekkie by the Pacific and then dinner by the Caribbean Sea. :)
 
Was amazing place, I loved it :)

Lovely weather, great sights, great cigars, lovely chilled out atmosphere it was just perfect.

Had a funny moment because they don't keep cattle in fields etc. woke up one night went onto the balcony to get some air (we were ground floor) to be confronted by a huuuuuuge cow about 2 foot in front of me eating my potted plant :D moo'ed so loud I almost died of shock :D morning after the hotel gardens were a mess off the maraudering cow :D
 
Yeah its nice, didnt do any of the cultural stuff as thats not my sort of holiday. But the weather is good, beaches are nice and sea is nice.

Food is hit and miss as they dont import a lot (or didnt then) so although you didnt go hungry its not like other places ive been.

Just like anywhere though, tip early in the holiday to get the service.
 
I went when I was 10 :D Going by my child experiences Cuba is a lovely place. However being a child and all I was very isolated to the 5 star resort and tours which the hotel offered.

The weather was very nice but we did get the tail of a hurricane which made one of the days very rough weather. The sea is amazing the water is crystal clear and is very warm. Perfect for snorkling etc... Lots of Canadians were at the resort when I went which was both good and bad. They ate all of the buffet almost every night but they were friendly.

I remember swimming with dolphins in the sea which was very fun because you got to surf on them by balancing on 2 dolphins noses. The only other thing I remember was watching Spanish south park at night and then suddenly the news cut in telling us that a tsunami happened a few hours ago on boxing day :(
 
I've never stayed in a resort as I don't like them and don't see the point in travelling to somewhere with so much culture just to stay isolated. I stayed in home stays and literally backpacked around the island. I did a mini review of my trip here:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17548206&highlight=cuba

Obviously some of the info may be out of date now - but hope it helps :)

Have fun, probably one of the best places I've been too so far (and I've travelled a LOT!). :)
 
I was in Havana playing music for a week and a half, and it was fantastic.

Two things that surprised me were the level of poverty (probably due to my ignorance) and how much money I had when I was there.

I (illegally) stayed in the home of a Cuban family, and they moved out for the time I was there. It was great, as I was right in the heart of Havana, being woken up every morning by the traffic and building.

There is incredible music on every street corner in the evening, lots of good cocktails and beers (I prefer Crystal) and it's possibly the best place to party that I have ever been. The beaches are the best I have ever seen, as well. Magical. :)

But beware, the food is AWFUL. And I mean baaaaaad.

Check out the Museo de la Revolución, of course.

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My photography skills suck, but there is a quick taste.

In short, I had a great time, met some truly beautiful people, heard so much great music, played lots of music, drank lots of delicious cocktails and had probably the best week of my life. :D

EDIT: I just realised that you will be going in June. The heat will be unbearable... Just so you know. ;)
 
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Cheers guys. Personally, I'd prefer to spend the majority of the time in Havana and the minority chilling out at a resort - however, my mother is paying so she's in charge of the split really.

I appreciate that the resort is going to be awfully non Cuban and they aren't holidays which I am at all interested in but you can't turn down a free trip. Havana should be awesome though.
 
Havana is awesome. See if you can get to some other parts of the island though and immerse yourself in the culture in the little towns.

Trinidad has an amazing night club in a cave, and you salsa the night away with absolutely wonderful people! It's a buzz. I can't dance, but I was grabbed by some girls and taught how to dance and just lost myself in the music. Havana though, has such a buzz about it - it's intoxicating!

Just realised my pics aren't up anymore - let me know and I can re-post them :)
 
Just to bump this thread if I may, and slightly hijack it. :p

Freefaller, your trip to Cuba sounds amazing and an excellent write up in your thread. My fiance and I thinking of going in late July for our honeymoon. It seems to be a wonderful mixture of beach resorts and culture but we're really not sure on where to stay?:confused:

We're off for a max stay of two weeks and really want to split the time between a nice beach holiday (ideally not too touristy) and taking in the culture. Personally I would love to stay in Casa particulares (did a similar thing in Belize) but probably not the kind of thing the missues would enjoy for a honeymoon):p. Cienfuegos and Trinidad do sound great and (importantly don't sound too far from Havana) then theres Santiago de Cuba with the Sierra Maestra mountain range which is quite appealing but obviously too far to visit if we stay nearer the North? Is there anywhere else we could be considering?

What's the public transport like? For example if we wanted to take a train from Havana to Cienfuegos?
 
Yes went in 05 I think , when Liverpool won the champions league , I knew that because a load of scousers jumped in the pool with there cloths on after winning.

Very relaxing holiday , I went to a island Cayo Santa Maria , one of the smaller islands off the coast , but also visited Havana , a must if you go to Cuba.

The island was very quite when we went as it was newer with holiday hotels , so wasn't as built up , a hours walk from our hotel , we discovered the most wonderful beach I've ever seen , not a person on it , and it stretched for miles.

Would love to go back one day!

As for places to visit , not sure we just chilled on our day in Havana , plenty of small markets and bars/cafes to listen to live Jazz
 
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actually one of the places i really want to see was even thinking about a trip this evening after seeing the popes visit on the news..
 
We used the bus to get us around Cuba. There are airlines that fly across the island (it's a big island). The buses are scheduled and they worked really well. Cienfuegos and Trinidad are about 4hrs away. It's a lovely bus ride, with a few stops along the way. Havana has so much to offer though, you could get lost in it's excitement and charm for weeks. I'd have loved to have gone to Santiago de Cuba - but just ran out of time. There are trains which are pretty cool if you want the experience, but there are only half a dozen or so and run late IIRC - it's been a while since I've been! Often travel overnight - quite an experience from what I've been told, and a great way of getting to know the Cubans!

It's a wide island, so getting across it does take a while, but, worth it. I'd have loved to have visited the Sierra Maestra mountains - or visit the general coastal areas more. There's just so much to do.

For a honeymoon, I don't know enough about Cuba as to what to suggest, but the hotels (even the posh ones) are cheap and fantastic over there. :)

Hope you have a blast! :)
 
I went a few years ago, stayed most of the time in Havana with a few days in Pinar Del Rio.
It was probably my most memorable holiday, Havana has a terrific atmosphere with fabulous musicians seemingly everywhere. Thoroughly enjoyed the Mojitos, Daiquiris and Cuba Libres made from the local rum, and enjoyed a few nice cigars too.

Try and make a detour to Callejon de hamel in Havana, and pop into El Floridita for a lethal Papa Hemingway daiquiri.
 
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