I am heading to the NH Krystal in January with my wife, 2 girls (5&3) and brother in law sister in law and baby ( 6months). Heard great things about the resort (4.5 star in Cayo Coco).
I will let you know how it is
Matt

 

Awesome Matt, I am anxious to hear all about your trip!

 

Shane, you are one lucky Canuck! That is going to be one nice trip.

 

I've been to Holguin several times and Cayo Coco once. I've never been to Varadero as I understand it's more of a party resort area. I prefer quieter places.

You definitely don't go to Cuba for the food. It's fairly bland and repetitive. Fortunately, I can eat just about anything! Also keep in mind the resort food is 10 times better than what a local would eat.

The people in Cuba are really friendly. I found the staff weren't hounding you for tips and they were genuinely appreciative if you did tip. There also weren't any beach vendors bothering you.

I also felt completely safe walking around the local towns. In comparison, I was in Dominican Republic once and as soon as we stepped off the resort grounds we felt like we had targets painted on our backs.

I'll probably be going back to Cuba this winter too.

 

What were your thoughts on Cayo Coco? Did you like Holguin better? I prefer the quieter places like yourself.

 

Hey, I only get to spend time in a tropical paradise one or two weeks a year.......you live it everyday Stu......ya bastage!

 

Shane you have to go to these places when it is cold and miserable out here. K and I would join you guys for sure . Heck we could even babysit a little bit.

 

Both places were very nice. In cayo Coco I was at the NH Krystal, formerly the Canadian-owned El Senador (it's still mostly Canadians there if that's who you want to hang out with). It's fairly large but also isolated. There's no towns or anything really nearby. If you go there don't stay in the Laguna part because it smells swampy.

Holguin has a lot more resorts to choose from. I've been to LTI Costa Verde, Playa Coste verde, Playa Turquesa and another that I forget the name of. They were all good. There are also more towns around and more excursions to go in Holguin.

BTW, pick a resort that's at least 4 stars. 4 stars there ain't the same as 4 stars here. People who go expecting North American food and amenities will be disappointed.

Also, I did most of my resort research on Tripadvisor or Debbies Carribean reviews. Keep in mind a lot of the negative reviews are from whiny spoiled people who are expecting a 5-star luxury vacation for $1000. Just know what to expect when you go to Cuba.

 

hello fkl118,

so between Holquin and Cayo Caco I guess you'd say Holquin is the better choice?? i am plannning to go to Cuba again this coming July (yes, that's how much i love it there!!)....how much am i looking at per person if i wanna stay in a 5 stars hotel and at least one outting package (if there is any)??

a lot of people tell me to try different countries around Carribean since i haven't been to any other places arou there other than Cuba, but when you put cost, safety, quality of beaches and evertyhing else into consideration.. it seems like Cuba is still the No. 1 choice to a lot of people... i mean.. i don't wanna go to a place where i'd have to worry about getting robbed or stabbed whereever i go.....

 

Thanks very much for the information. Based on your input, I will certainly keep Holguin in mind as well. I have never stayed at anything less than a 4 star so I will be booking at least that.

What I outlined in bold in one of my BIGGEST pet peeves about people when traveling. People will visit another country and expect the amenities to be the same as home and the food to taste the same as home. WTH do people expect? It really bugs me. Experiencing a different culture and trying new foods is one of the things I love most about traveling. Another thing that really irks me is when people expect all of the staff at these resorts to speak your language. Hello, you are in THEIR country! It's amazing how many people complain about this and I have found that it's typically the US travelers that do this the most.

Anyways, I got a little OT but thanks again for the info.

 

That would be awesome Wayne. Do you think the two of us would get around to having many beers together at an all-inclusive resort?

 

Lol , I'm sure we could work something out.
We have to be careful though, don't want any drinks spilling across our laps I am sure you know what I mean

 

Hahaha, I know exactly what you mean.

 

This won't be an issue in Cuba.

I've only been to one resort in Cayo Coco so it's hard for me to say if I like Holguin more than Cayo Coco, in general. Both areas are good. As you can tell I like to try different resorts each time I go to Cuba. This year I'll probably try an area I haven't been to before.

The only 5-star resort in Holguin that I know of is the Paradisus Río de Oro. I haven't been there but I've heard some good reviews from friends who have. Again, it isn't going to be North American 5-star quality. I think it's a lot more expensive than the other resorts in the area. Maybe $2000 compared to around $1000 for the others?

The costs for the excursions will vary. Most will be around $100 per person. Holguin will have more to choose from like swimming with the dolphins; cigar factory tours; and jeep safaris.

Check out the Travel forums at Debbies' Caribbean as they are much more knowledgeable than I am about travel in Cuba. Most of the people in the Cuba forum are Canadians too.

 

Good point.