Anissa and I are going to Cuba in March or April and am thinking of going to either Varadero or Cayo Coco. Has anyone been to either one of these places? If so, I would love to hear what your thoughts are. I am leaning towards Cayo Coco as it seems like a quieter area. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

H has been to Holguin in the south east area. She enjoyed it. Sorry don't know anything about the areas you're referring.

 

I have been twice and my wife 3 times. The last time in hogien was the best 5 years ago. I went a few months ago and it was absolute garbage. I will never go back again.
The food was the worst , the service was even worse than the food . Most people only will help or serve if you give them something tips or otherwise. The locals used to be great but they are the same as well. The rate of exchange is ridiculous . They want $1.28 Canadian for a Cuba dollar which is not what a local uses which is a Cuban peso . They have structured the whole country to fleece visitors from selling fake cigars to a local taxi charging more than an airport limo here. Or the social directors getting the visitors pay to go to a free bar so no one stays at the hotels amenities so they are empty.

Spend your money elsewhere and at least get first world amenities like dominicanas you end up paying the same money to make up for what is lacking going outside.

 

Thanks for the info guys. We've been to DR several times so we want to try something new. I've have lots of friends say they have loved Cuba, while others say they didn't care for it. Everyone has their own needs/wants so you have to take some things with a grain of salt. I can have fun just about anywhere down there and am very easy to please.

So no one here has been to Varadero or Cayo Coco?

 

Sorry i forgot to say i went to varedaro the last time , i would go to a smaller town althought the bus ride is an hour from the airport . Hogulin was quiet but the food was much better , althought there was not much to do outside teh rest it was good enough to enjoy staying inside it.

 

My Grandfather went before Castro. He always said it was one of the most beautiful places he's every been.

 

Is Varadero a touristy type of place or is it somewhat quiet as well? What I am not looking for is a loud party type of place like Cancun. If there is not much outside the resort to see or do, that is fine with me.

 

You definitely live up to your title, Shane! I wish I could travel like you! I haven't been on a vacation since my Honeymoon (can't leave my work right now, too many important things going on) in June 06...

Enjoy your stay in Cuba!

 

I actually went to Varadero 3 monthes ago (Sept 2007) with my girlfriend and thought that i might pitch in my 2 cents here...

I have never been to Cacun, Holquin, Dominican Republics or any other places around Carribean so i cant really make a comparison here.. but i have to say Varadero, Cuba is the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life ...locals there are pretty friendly, they aint hostile (especially not to Canadians) to visitors at all since 70% of their revenue come from us.. however, some of them will try to sell fake cigars and overpriced souvenirs but you can always say NO to them if you don't feel comfortable. Cuba is a country with a very harsh legal system so it is actually a very safe place countrary to what many people think (unlike Mexico)..... being a 26 years old guy, Varadero doesn't have too many parties and nightclubs (not a good place to film Girls Gone Wild for sure).. but there are some nice nightclubs and ***** at each resort.. although most nightclubs are empty since the resort that i went to is an adult only resort and the population is mostly 40+.....oh .. and one more thing.. don't go for any 4 stars all-inclusive resorts.. some of their 4 stars resorts are just pure scary.. always look for 5 stars resorts.. if you need more information in choosing the right resort. i can give you some names..jsut send me a pm..


another thing good abotu varadero is that you can take a one day trip to their capital Havana (if you heve never been)..i wouldn't say it's a beautiful city.. but it is indeed a very interesting city to sightseeing.....the city is divided up to two regions, one being the modern age with new buildings and newer car.. and the other is the colonial area where most old-school buildings are....


excursion is another must-join package.. they will bring you to some little islands around varadero, have lunches on a beautiful beach.. and swim with dolphins, etc..


the total expense of my trip is about $1600/person... that includes the best 5stars resort in Varadero, excursion, trip to Havana, Air Canada flight ticket from Toronto - Varadero, hotels, food, tips, and everythign else (no cigars though sinec i dont really smoke now.)


oh and finally, i think you are a married man Shane, but in case if you are intereted, yes, there are some HOT girls on the beaches.. though most of them came with their boyfriends....

hope this helps.

 

post this up in the florida forum, you'll get MANY responses there from our guys in miami. I wasn't born there or visited so I cant say,

but there are tons of people here of cuban heritage.

 

Hey thanks for the info, much appreciated. I am glad to hear that Varadero isn't a huge party type of place. What resort did you stay? Oh, and yes I am married.......but I am NOT dead.

 

Good idea, I never thought of that!

 

the resort that i stayed is called Paradisus del Mar Resort & Spa. It is ranked the second best adults-only resort in Varadero. (first one is Paradisus Varadero.. but it's real difficult to get a room in that resort..)
if you ain't bringing kids with.. then definitely go for adults-only resorts.. family resorts often have kids peeing in the pools i heard....

 

I'll be bringing my daughter, who will be about 1 year old at the time........so no adults only resorts for me.

 

Cuba has the best beaches and water but Barbados was one of my favorites last year.
Antigua, Dominican and puerto Rico ranks high on my list also.
The star ratings of Cuba is well out of whack. A 3 star is a complete hole compared to a motel on Kingston road but a 5 star is barely a holiday in. They have maybe 5 resorts in all of Cuba that are equal to refinement of any other caribbean resort. The best resort ever was in Jamaica called grand lido braco . It is about $3000 a person for a week but when you have an LCD remote for you air conditioner and bottle service to your room you know you are a baller. LOL

You have to love pork in Cuba as it is the staple with fish . I have never eaten more bread and pasta in my life than in Cuba.
Family resorts cater more for kids so they have pizza at least. I had to trek to a pizza nova in Cuba to get my 1 and only good meal i had there as all 6 of us were starving for real food.

It is very safe in Cuba also but varadero is a busier area compared to the tranquil areas of holguin.
I would recommend the resort next to where i stay a few years ago in holguin but i don;t know its name but it was Japanese based and was exquisite looking.