Dublin To Cuba

greenplain

I have decided to go to Cuba on holidays this year for ten day in June. I am just wondering which is the best way to get there from Dublin ? . Do I book a package holiday type deal or would I be better off flying from the UK ? Any suggestions would be great !

Gran Hermano

Normal options are package via Manchester/Gatwick or Dublin to Paris and Air France to Cuba.

Check Twohigs, Thomas Cook, Tropical Places and other longhaul operators for pricing.

mikedragon32

Do NOT use Air Jamaica. Air France via Paris or Iberia via Madrid are good options.

greenplain

Thanks for the info. I more thing is it expensive in Cuba ? for the likes of eating out, drinking etc ?

Gran Hermano

Cuba in the tourist resorts is not cheap, especially with the current Euro/USD rates. The whole multiple-currency economy means the
government can set higher prices for tourists easily and as the Cubans
have a distorted image of life outside Cuba they see tourists as mega-rich
cash cows - can't really blame the average Cuban as it's not like they
get to see life outside Cuba!.

You will get better service and value for money in other parts of Latin America.

blue4ever

greenplain wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I more thing is it expensive in Cuba ? for the likes of eating out, drinking etc ?

I’ve done that a few times and I have to say – Virgin Atlantic was the Dogs! (I flew Habana Air a few years ago and I wore down a set of Rosary beads on the way over – and dulled the senses, in the same fashion as Hemmingway did, in the airport before boarding on the way home!!)

The flight out is early form Gatwick so we stayed in a local hotel. But you can (b4 9pm) book your bags in the night before with Virgin – so you arrive the following morning hassle free and no bags to worry about.

Please feel free to PM me – I have links to a few hotels etc that I have stayed in, and a couple of things to do – should you want them

C

leon76

Hi

I'm going with my misses for last week in May and first week in June. Booked via Trialfinders for flights from Dublin via London with Virgin. Staying 7 nights in Havana and 7 nights in Varadero. Flights worked out at around €820 return each but we're paying big bucks for the hotels. However it includes food and drink in Varadero.

leon76

Hi what would you recommend in Havana.We're there for 7 days and 7 days in Varadero. Much appreciated.

10-10-20

Top tips:
Drink bottled water, make sure the bottles are sealed before you drink.
Don't expect anything other than chicken, pork and lobster on the menus. Beef isn't available, but will still be listed.
Be aware of 'social-engineers' or confidence tricksters. Try to loose any local couples who tag onto you while out walking. While they are not dangerous and are just looking to make some cash, but they'll cost you in drink/food/advice/tips...
Ensure you keep lots of small change for toilets and tips. It's hard to have anything smaller than a convertible-peso, but don't forget that the average wage is ~$40 per month, so it's easy to be overly generous during a trip to the loo.
Most 'Canadians' you meet are Americans.
Bring tonnes of anti-diarrhoea tablets (Immodium Plus) & rehydration fluids. You'll need them. The pharmacies over there are... interesting (empty).
If you plan on driving, buy a proper map and a compass (or a GPS with the proper maps loaded) before you arrive. Maps over there tend to be brief on details. Signposts are non-existent, except on the larger roads.
If you're stopped for speeding by a policeman without a speed-gun, just nod, smile and hand over the cash. They don't have speed guns, they just guess the speed you're doing.
At tourist attractions, stay with the large tourist groups. Otherwise you will get hounded by people offering to assist you.
If you work for a US company, pretend you don't.
Internet is dial-up and only tourists have access to it (this is changing).
Computers access is regulated and hard to locate outside of the hotels.
In a town with no sign-posts, the main road is the one without the covering of dust. If you're getting odd looks, you're going to wrong way. Select reverse.

Trinidad-de-Cuba is worth a visit, but take the helicopter option which drops you off in the coffee plantation to get there. (well, well worth the trip).
Varaderro is just like anywhere in Spain. It's not the 'real-Cuba'.
Havana's main pedestrian street is called O'Reilly Street. Use it as a point of reference.
There is an art market at the end of this street, great art can be had. Ensure you get an export cert from the artist.

Cuba is changing day-by-day. They have been allowed to have AC units & PC's now for a year. It won't be the same in 10 years. Enjoy what's there now.

ben bedlam

whats a good cuban resort?