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.

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

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Just surrender yourself to the rhythm,
With your hands up in the sky,
Feel the energy deep inside your system
And leave this world behind...

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

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

___________________
Just surrender yourself to the rhythm,
With your hands up in the sky,
Feel the energy deep inside your system
And leave this world behind...

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!

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)

___________________
Just surrender yourself to the rhythm,
With your hands up in the sky,
Feel the energy deep inside your system
And leave this world behind...

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.

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We love
we leave
we take
we give

release yourself ... it's a big sky!

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

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

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.

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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*

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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

Last edited by zokissima on May-15-2006 at 15:38