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Going to Cuba - need some advice ^_^

My buddy and I are seriously considering switching some plans around and hitting up Cuba for two weeks right at the start of July.

I need some advice and tips from people who travel a lot and/or are knowledgeable about everything from...travel agencies in Toronto and a general idea of what to expect in Cuba (or recommendations)

So if anyone can be point me to some agent/agencies, packages, tips, what have you that�d be awesome! And like I mentioned we�d like to leave right as July hits for two weeks.

Re: Going to Cuba - need some advice ^_^

quote:

Originally posted by evil_cookie My buddy and I are seriously considering switching some plans around and hitting up Cuba for two weeks right at the start of July. I need some advice and tips from people who travel a lot and/or are knowledgeable about everything from...travel agencies in Toronto and a general idea of what to expect in Cuba (or recommendations) So if anyone can be point me to some agent/agencies, packages, tips, what have you that�d be awesome! And like I mentioned we�d like to leave right as July hits for two weeks.

escapes.ca - great agents there!

depends where you want to go, if Varadero, i think everyone's been there by now i went to Caya Coco which a little off the main land so to speak, was just a nice relaxing spot, nothing crazy goes on there, but i was greatful for all the time i got to just take it easy

3 stars hotel should be fine, 4 tops, there's not need to go higher then that

oh, and always ask to get an ocean view and for the room to be further away from the pool

oh and this is my thead, maybe it will be helpfull too

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...my+trip+to+Cuba

Re: Re: Going to Cuba - need some advice ^_^

quote:

Originally posted by FunkyGroove escapes.ca - great agents there! depends where you want to go, if Varadero, i think everyone's been there by now i went to Caya Coco which a little off the main land so to speak, was just a nice relaxing spot, nothing crazy goes on there, but i was greatful for all the time i got to just take it easy 3 stars hotel should be fine, 4 tops, there's not need to go higher then that oh, and always ask to get an ocean view and for the room to be further away from the pool

this'll be my first time going to Cuba so i'm not familiar with the islands, any chance you can link me some info that would shed some light on some of the places I can read up on?

or better yet, just recommend from your exp :P
thanks for the info kristina!

Re: Re: Re: Going to Cuba - need some advice ^_^

quote:

Originally posted by evil_cookie this'll be my first time going to Cuba so i'm not familiar with the islands, any chance you can link me some info that would shed some light on some of the places I can read up on? or better yet, just recommend from your exp :P thanks for the info kristina!

well Cayo Coco is not really an island, it's still attached to the mainland, but it's just a little off from all the main towns and stuff

ok, there is Varadero and Havana, also Holguin (that's the ones i mostly hear about)

i didn't go to Varadero cos the prices for that place just went over my desired limit

for resorts, check out escapes.ca and redtag.ca, as well as selloffvacations.com (but these dudes had higher prices on deals then we paid at escapes.ca)

thanks, I found some good info

http://www.cuba.tc/Cities.html

decisions...decisions ...

I've been to Veradero and loved it! The beaches are gorgeous and you can find things to do if you want to go outside of the resort. We rented scooters and traveled around the city checking out other hotels and visiting some local bars and nightspots.

I would recommend going with at least a 4* hotel. Ours was a 3.5 and there were some things that could have been better. Villa Cuba is a popular resort that is also very reasonably priced. In the summer months, prices should be quite low overall though.

quote:

Originally posted by AdReNaLiNa I've been to Veradero and loved it! The beaches are gorgeous and you can find things to do if you want to go outside of the resort. We rented scooters and traveled around the city checking out other hotels and visiting some local bars and nightspots. I would recommend going with at least a 4* hotel. Ours was a 3.5 and there were some things that could have been better. Villa Cuba is a popular resort that is also very reasonably priced. In the summer months, prices should be quite low overall though.

Villa Cuba does look pretty sweet, thanks!

Take Euros, NOT US dollars. Fidel has slapped a huge surcharge on US dollars as a way of pissing off americans. So if you are going to need to exchange money, use euros. Also make sure you have a canadian credit card. Anything american even if issued in canada will not work ie)capital one, citibank etc

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 Take Euros, NOT US dollars. Fidel has slapped a huge surcharge on US dollars as a way of pissing off americans. So if you are going to need to exchange money, use euros. Also make sure you have a canadian credit card. Anything american even if issued in canada will not work ie)capital one, citibank etc

canadian money is fine. no need to bring euros.
even though its all inclusive, bring a few hundred dollars.
i brought $350 for a week and spent just about all of it.
you'll also need $30 or $35 to leave so keep it aside.

just came back from varadero about 2 hours ago.

i'll write more after some sleep.

*hint* stay away from packages flying with cubana *hint*

I book with www.allseasons.org

Been using them for about 6 years now. They have fairly good travel agents. If you decide to call, ask to speak to Stojana and say family Zoranovic recomended the agency.

Cuba is great, but you really want to speak to a travel agent, as you need to know what you're looking for. Some places are family oriented, and are on the quiet side, and others cater to the younger crowd. I'm going to Cuba this year June 30th, for one week, but kill me if I could remember the name of the resort. Some new place they built last year, 4.5 star, and it came to 560 per week, plus taxes. All out the door, for 4 people, its costing us 3100, which is not too bad.

There is a tax to leave, so keep around $50 USD. Bring money, to have to tip, and to use some of the other services that are to be paid for on the outside of the all-inclusive price. Best currency to use IMO is USD, at least in my past experiences. Jayx1, what would be the disadvantage of having US currency there? All past years it was accepted directly, and all their pricing was in USD..?

EDIT: Going to Playa Alameda

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 Take Euros, NOT US dollars. Fidel has slapped a huge surcharge on US dollars as a way of pissing off americans. So if you are going to need to exchange money, use euros. Also make sure you have a canadian credit card. Anything american even if issued in canada will not work ie)capital one, citibank etc

eh what?!

we changed CA$, the rate was around 1$=75-78 Cuban cents, no charges..yes and they don't even accept US $

also don't bother with credit cards..well I dunno about rest of Cuba, but where we were it was hard to catch a taxi sometimes, let alone find a credit card machine

quote:

Originally posted by malek just came back from varadero about 2 hours ago. i'll write more after some sleep. *hint* stay away from packages flying with cubana *hint*

Cubana was good! were were right on time flying both ways

quote:

Originally posted by FunkyGroove eh what?! we changed CA$, the rate was around 1$=75-78 Cuban cents, no charges..yes and they don't even accept US $ also don't bother with credit cards..well I dunno about rest of Cuba, but where we were it was hard to catch a taxi sometimes, let alone find a credit card machine

thats true....they don't even accept USD anymore. so leave it at home.
tip the people at the hotels nice and they'll treat you like kings and queens. (you decide which one you are)

also varadero is the place to be. right along that hotel strip is considered the "party" area. well the young people are there.
and i think havana club is the best club there. you have to go there.

i really hope to go back one day but this time to Varadero and all the wild partying

i think Dominican Rep. is on the cards for next time though

Bring only Canadian dollars with you, in 20$ cuts only.

Don't buy anything with a credit card unless its absolutely necessary, you will be charged in USD first, then a 10% surcharge will apply because its USD... even though its a Canadian credit card. American Express aren't accepted. Don't believe the seller telling you he will charge you in Canadian dollars, because its a trick. He will convert the value to Canadian dollars, then charge you that amount which ultimately be in US dollars. (ex 100USD = 110C$ ---> 110USD).

Everyone there tries to fuck you, to screw you someway, somehow. When you change your money, don't leave before asking for the receipt and counting on the spot in front of the teller. 3 times i changed money, and three times the amount was incorrect (with 3 different persons and locations) and I saw it being done to two other persons. If they can make only one peso off you, that'll make their day (a doctor makes 35 pesos a month).

Don't buy cigars from anyone on the street, because you'll end up with banana tree leafs rolled in a thin tobacco leaf. Your best bet is to buy from the airport before leaving because all the prices are well clearly indicated. At a govt. store in the town I got screwed when buying cigars, the lady told me a price 2 pesos higher per cigar, the price wasn't indicated anywhere, 8 times 2 pesos = 16 pesos in her pocket... she got rich the bitch And if you plan on buying a brand, don't listen to what she'll try to sell you, some subpar crap that is probably fake and or not govt. aproved (money straight to her pocket).

Havana club rhum is insanly expensive because of all the publicity it got, you can get rhum which is as good called CANEY.

DON'T settle with anything less than 4 stars and more, we were at the BLAU varadero which is rated #3 in Cuba on www.tripadvisor.com and the food was just alright... I cannot imagine how people eat at the other resorts. At Blau the good thing is that no one was asking explictly for tips, most places aren't like that...

Also, I hope you're planning in going with a bunch of people, cause these resorts are boring boring boring in couple or alone.

Eat swim eat swim eat stupid show sleep

that is the routine over there...

yes i rambled alot, hope some helps a bit.

thanks for the tips malek!

and yeah i'm defin heading to varadero from the looks of it.

I went to Club Superbreezes in Varadero. The only thing you have to watch out for is scamming. They accept Canadian dollars at the resort, for a flat exchange rate. They never once tried to screw me. Have a couple days for the beach. The day trips we did were, Havanna (included the Tropicana show), a three city tour (Santa Clara, Trinidad, Sienfuegos), and a catamerand (sp) trip. The other days were just spent relaxing on the beach and going into Varadero. Awesome trip.

quote:

Originally posted by malek Havana club rhum is insanly expensive because of all the publicity it got, you can get rhum which is as good called CANEY.

5 pessos is expensive?

quote:

Originally posted by FunkyGroove 5 pessos is expensive?

no, more like 12 for 700ml. Caney was 8 pesos.

both aged 7 years.

12 pesos = 15 C$, do you see a bargain in that?

quote:

Originally posted by malek no, more like 12 for 700ml. Caney was 8 pesos. both aged 7 years. 12 pesos = 15 C$, do you see a bargain in that?

unless i'm mad, but we paid 5 pesos for 1L Havana Club

quote:

Originally posted by FunkyGroove unless i'm mad, but we paid 5 pesos for 1L Havana Club

when ?

did you buy it off the street? probably a fake

sun screen and drink your ass off and take lots of digital images.

:P

i bought 1 havana club special edition and 1 regular havana club for 13pesos.

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