cuba or mexico

nj23

Having great trouble deciding on a holiday destination for this year. was initially thinking mexico, then cuba, and now we're thinking of mexico again. Has anyone experience of these places or if you've been in both which would you prefer.
Like the idea of doing a few days in havana and then rest in varadero or beach resort but not sure if there's much to do outside the hotel. but maybe if there's a lot going on in the hotel, there might be enough happening at night to keep you entertained.
Cancun- i like the idea of good nightlife but not sure if it would be too comercialised and high rise.

Been to thailand twice so want to try somewhere different this year but as we're going at end of august, beginning of sept, the weather can be dodging in lots of places we were thinking of.

dfcelt

Cancun is v.commercialised, just like a classier version of Playa Del Ingles etc. with loads of Yanks instead of Brits. Only went there for a day trip whilst on Honeymoon but was glad we hadn't a fortnight there, expensive enough restaurants/drinks as well.
We stayed about an hour further along the coast in Puerto Del Carmen, nice little town. We stayed in a massive resort (adults only) called The Aventura Spa Palace, the rep said welcome to heaven as we got off the bus & he wasn't kidding, the place was awesome. www.tripadvisor.com for reviews and pics etc. Its all-inclusive & may be a tad expensive but we haven't been abroad since (2 yrs) cause all our holiday funds are going towards returning there next yr. Too much to mention, 7 restaurants etc., just check out tripadvisor if your interested. Again I wouldn't spend my hard earned money on Cancun, I have at least three recommendations for Havan however from dirrerent mates who have been in the last five years. Hope this helps, have a good trip!

Gran Hermano

Mightbe worth your while doing a search in this forum on Cuba as there's been
several posts on it lately.
Here's one you may find of interest:
http://pie.boards.ie/vbulletin/searchbt.php?search=cuba&order=0&user=&scope=4&cat=1&frm=-1

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055038661&referrerid=&highlight=cuba

I've spent time in both Cuba and Mexico, they both have their benefits
and appeal to me for different reasons.

Cuba: It really is one of those places you must see, especially before
Fidel kicks the buckets. The architecture, beaches and old world charm
make it an interesting place. The coffee, rum and music are great.
It has some amazing beaches, I'd murder a stroll along the beach
in Varadero right now On the negative side, it's not cheap when you
get there. The locals can be a tad in your face as they all have some
strategy on how to get some dollars from tourists. Food and hotels in
Cuba is also below the standard of what we are accustomed to here
in Europe, even in the 4 and 5 star resorts.

Mexico: Very friendly people, great beaches and Mayan ruins and jungle to
visit. Good value for money. Can be plagued with Americans
depending on where you stay. I'd avoid Cancun and base yourself
in Playa del Carmen - unless you're looking for a lads boozing holiday
in which case you'd probably prefer the nightlife in Cancun.
Hotels and general service is much higher than Cuba, might be related
to the high number of visitors from the US who tend to demand it

To summarise, I like Cuba due to it's unique nature and it's a beautiful and
underdeveloped country. You will however have a better standard of holiday
and service in Mexico.

Just a quick heads up on the weather in August/September... it'll be hot in both and you might want to keep an eye out for hurricanes at that time!

melekalikimaka

went to cancun in august sept two years ago, great place, if your young and like good night life. its not actually expensive

the clubs are 30 - 40 dollars in

but thats ALL drink covered in there, you can drink til the cows come home and they'll just keep giving you more, vodka, beer, wine, shots (not all shots but a wide selection)

plenty to do day wise, nice trips to temples, swamps, jetskiing, lots of stuff to do really.was expensive getting there but i think budget travel do trips there now so its alot cheaper...sadly this also means ya get the usual posse assosiated with budget travel, which aren't to my liking at all at all but what can ya do

pacman99

keep an eye deals on thomascook.com, i'v been to cuba and dom republic with them. usually book it about 2-4 weeks beforehand and got a great deal on all-inclusives, only downer is that u have to fly from uk, but it still worked out much cheaper. rule of thumb: always book 4 star in carribean

rediguana

I went to Cuba in June 2005. I loved it but the weather sucked for much of the time (rainy season) so bear this in mind, in terms of your travel dates. The people (or many of them anyway) are really friendly and familiar. Havana is a cool place, very unique. I was in Varadero too, briefly. I'm not sure there is much to do outside of your hotel area, or the strip anyway (I'm open to correction on this), but the hotel's are very nice and chilled and are generally all-inclusive. The beach there is gorgeous, if you get the weather. There are plently of places of the beaten track in Cuba if you're looking more more adventurous times.

I haven't been to Mexico but I'm sure it would make an excellent destination too.

Flip a coin. It's as good a method as any of deciding in a case like this.

Absolut

Like everybody else said, Cancun is very commercialised, maybe a bit too much. If you're set on going to Cancun, there's always Isla Mujeres if you want to get away from the city and the intense tourism. It's an island about 30 mins away by ferry (ferrys run about every hour or so), decent beach and a good place to go to get away from the Cancun clubs for a night or two. If you end up in Cancun, head to Coco Bongos for a night.

I'd also recommend Playa del Carmen over Cancun if you're going to be staying for more than a few nights. It's still a big town, lots of tourists, but it's really really nice. Good beaches, lots of lively bars and restraunts and some really good nightclubs down on the beach (can't remember the names, but they're litterally on the beach, sand dancefloors and everything). Cheaper than Cancun too (except maybe for the open bar clubs).

If you're going over for two weeks (or more), then I'd definetly recommend getting the bus from Playa del Carmen to Belize - and the ferry/speedboat from Belize City to Caye Caulker. Absolutely amazing place. It's about a days worth of (cheap) travelling, but definetly worth it. If you're into diving they've got dive trips from Caye Caulker to the Blue Hole (one of the best dive sites in the world).

Can't recommend Mexico (and Caye Caulker) enough really.

nj23

after reading people's comments and doing some more research i've definitely been put off cancun. we're a couple in our 20's and while we're looking for some nightlife, playa del ingles in mexico doesnt interest us. dont really want somewhere that commercialised.
Can anyone recommend hotels in playa del carmen. somewhere fairly central but with a good level of accommodation.

Budget Travel doesnt seem to do mexico anymore. Other than tropical places and caribbean collection brochures, are there any other irish tour operators for mexico.

Gran Hermano

Check out
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g150812-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula-Hotels.html

for reviews and info on hotels in PDC and the Yucatan.

Must say I've stayed in several Riu hotels in the region over
the years and I'd rate them as one of the better AI resorts.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d154739-Reviews-Riu_Yucatan-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d219633-Reviews-Riu_Palace_Mexico-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html


I've used Tropical Places myself and service was without fault.
I'd consider Budget no longer flying there a bonus

nj23

I've been in touch with tropical places and the quote for two weeks in Riu palace in playa del carmen is working out at 2,400 each. I know its all inclusive but really hadnt intended spending quite so much. Hoping to get out at around 1800 if at all possible. is this wishful thinking?
has anybody experience of booking with english companies and booking cheap flight to london.

Gran Hermano

I must admit that €2-2.5k sounds about right for 14 days with
Tropical Places. As it's AI you really wont need that much cash
when you get there.. as all your food, bevs and watersports are included.
You'll just need funds for day-trips and the usual tourist shopping.

If you stay in a Riu Palace you can use the restaurants, bars and facilities
in all the other Riu hotels nearby for no additional charge.. makes an
interesting pub crawl
Check out the following 'fan' site for loads of info on PDC and the Riu hotels
http://www.riubambu.com/RIU_WEB_PAGES/dom_mexico_menu/mexico.htm


You might be able to save if you depart from Cardiff, Manchester or
Newcastle in UK. Check http://ww1.jmc.com/

wow sierra

Did a group tour of Cuba for 2 weeks and it was amazing. If you want something different you should definitely try it.

You could base yourself in a nice Hotel with Pool, Restaurant etc somewhere like Trinidad or Havana and try out the local restaurants/bars/casa de la trova. Unlike what I heard before I went the Government run restaurants are fine and really cheap - they all come with a live band which you will have to tip and maybe buy their CD (I came home with 4!!) . That way you have the All Inclusive standard option combined with seeing a bit of real life Cuban style. On the steps in Trinidad where they used to sell the Slaves their decendants put on a show of amazing dancing and music while us Tourists can join in or watch while sipping the wonderful local beer Bucanero or a coctail of your choice. I assume you can book the mountain treks and boat trips we did locally also.

Havana is full of tourists but to be honest it was quite nice to get back to somewhere with lots of nice air conditioned hotels for a beer and a wee stop!!! Beats the scary ones elsewhere. The gran teatro is an amazing building and a music recital or a ballet there would be amazing. The interior of the Capitolio is fabulous - if you allow yourself to forget about it being built when the Cuban people were starving. Aparently Havana goes on all night but we didnt try it out - Im sure it is true though. Every where you turn in Cuba you will see an Art gallery in a private house. Beautiful buildings with amazing carved exteriors gone to wrack and ruin with people living in them. 1950s cars all over the place - look pretty cool in Havana but when I watched a poor Cuban trying to get his one going, complete with black fumed exhaust, it kind of ruined the mistique. They must be a nightmare - especially as the price of petrol in Cuba is not much cheaper than here.

If you want to see more Cubans than tourists try Bayamo or Baracoa - great outdoor Disco at top of steps in Baracoa. Because of lots of travel we didnt try out the night life all that late.

Basically I would recommend a Trinidad/Havana two centre or combine one of these with Varadero. Or another alternative is Guardalavaca (flying to Holguin) all inclusive plus a second week traveling taking in Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa.

I did the La Isla Grande tour with Exodus.Co.Uk for 2 weeks which basically covered most of the Island. Too much traveling so trying to decide what to do when I go back next year and the above two options are what I sort of have in mind.

Having been warned that Cuba was dear I didnt find it so - our accomodation was paid for with the tour and it was expensive but other than that no.

If you want not commercialised then Cuba is the place - instead of Billboards for McDonalds and Coca Cola you have Billboards proclaiming that " a better future is possible" "hasta la victoria siempra" " your example lives your ideas endure" The long drive from Havana to Santa Clara and Che Guevaras grave is worth it for the Billboards and the views of the Cubans hitchhiking, the great new road with hardly any traffic except the tourist buses and rental cars. Cubans use loo roll cardboards for hair curlers, used water bottles to sell tomato puree and garlic sauce in the farmers markets, bring their own containers to buy icecream ( we joined the queue only to realize we needed one!! - icecream cost 2pesos mden ie 8c)

Sorry I am rambling - CUBA is seriously worth a visit. It is totally safe (probably because of the repressive regime) and the people are really open and friendly. Spanish is a must - most of the signs, museum displays, etc are only in Spanish and most locals dont speak much English. You will get by no problem without Spanish but it makes for a much better experience. Hangers on and beggars can be told to piss off if they are annoying you - other than that maybe they might be of use/enjoyment. If they take you to their aunts restaurant it is probably as good as the next one. I was taught Salsa dancing by a Jinterismo in Santiago de Cuba for the price of a drink which was much more enjoyable than an official lesson in Trinidad!:)

It looks like you are opting for Mexico and if so enjoy but keep Cuba in you thoughts. I dont think it is going to change any time soon - Raul was involved in the 26th July movement from the beginning and he was a fairly ruthless member of his brothers regime from the start. I dont think the Castro boys are going anywhere at the moment.

If you opt for All Inclusive I believe CUBA is amazing for |Scuba Diving and you could try that. I,m sure your resort would do Dance classes too.

nj23

how late would you need to leave it go to mexico or cuba to avoid the hurricane season. Would end of oct still be dodgy, how about november? though it seems a long time to wait for my "summer!!" holiday.

Gran Hermano

http://www.mexicohurricanes.com/

"Tropical hurricane season on the Atlantic basin runs from June 1 through November 30."

It is my understanding that August to October are the most likely
months for hurricanes.