Cuba

igorbiscan

Hi,i'm currently looking at going to cuba staying in a resort for the bones of a week and going to havana for a few days after.A few travel agents are giving me deals for varadero.Just wondering if anyone has been there and what they thought of the place.Specifically how is the water as im concerned its on the atlantic side and may not be as tropical as I imagine and also I love snorkelling and have read mixed reviews online as to whether you can snorkel right off the beach in varadero. Thanks for input.

bewhiched

Absoultley beautiful valadero the sand s like flour under ur feet the water is beautiful clear up to ur waist we went about 6 years ago loved it did 10 nights in valadero make sure yu do the trip to cayo it's fabulous!!!!! Lovely people just have an open mind as they have very little but full of love have a great trip

bewhiched

We went at chrimbo time nice and warm and no hurricane season

Skill Magill

Only foreigners are allowed onto it though, you have to show your passport to get onto it. I found it to be plastic and manicured, but if its resorts you like its probably a 5 star Island. Its in complete contrast to Havana, which is full of character, old buildings, petrol fumes, lads playing dominoes on the streets.
As for the water I got stung by a jellyfish, necessitating a run to the bathroom to urinate on the sting

Gatica

yeah, I'd check when it's jellyfish season as it can be quite unpleasant having to keep your eyes out for jellyfish in the water, or getting stung. The water is warm enough almost all year around, at least defo compared to Ireland.
Middle of summer is quite humid, so avoid...
Varadero is beautiful, but it really is a tourists-only resort. Make sure you go see havana.

igorbiscan

thanks all,,yeah defo gonna havana for a few nights, varadero will be used for going scuba diving n snorkelling n a bit of drinkin,ha ha .Heading there in May so I think the jellyfish like the colder times of the year.
Bewhiched --what is the deal with Cayo??Am very interested to hear about thing s to do as I dont think we will spend all our time in the resort without getting bored..Its more of a means to keep some of the costs down..

bewhiched

It's absolutely amazing you must try do it excellent day out go swim with dolphins great fun then they bring ya off in a huge catamaran out for dinner to cayo it's like a deserted island the water is so blue you could walk for miles out and still see ur toes. It's great laugh too the staff are brilliant get all ur snorkelling food drinks etc for a fee well worth it! I can't remember the people we used but we did book it ourself or in ur hotel there will be Thompson virgin etc reps there you'll be able ti book with them. Excellent really is we loved it inanyway

bewhiched

It's absolutely amazing you must try do it excellent day out go swim with dolphins great fun then they bring ya off in a huge catamaran out for dinner to cayo it's like a deserted island the water is so blue you could walk for miles out and still see ur toes. It's great laugh too the staff are brilliant get all ur snorkelling food drinks etc for a fee well worth it! I can't remember the people we used but we did book it ourself or in ur hotel there will be Thompson virgin etc reps there you'll be able ti book with them. Excellent really is we loved it inanyway Don't go mad on the rum over there take ur liver out ha ha

igorbiscan

That sounds great bewhiched,is it far from varadero? I have read that coral beach not far from varadero is great for snorkelling. Have you done any snorkelling straight off the beach in varadero though as I was hoping we could spend a bit of our downtime just dipping in and out for a snorkel with the hopes of seeing some fish..

atilladehun

Went to Cuba last June. Havana was cool, but can become a little tiring. If you're going to stay in a home stay try the food as it was generally better than the restaurants.

We looked into Varadero but opted for an island further down the coast called Cayo Coco. Stayed in the adult only Melia Hotel. Lovely. Pirvate beach with security. If your hotel has more than one restaurant then checkout if you need to book seats in some when you arrive. If the place is busy they book up quick.

If you've got time I'd recommend a trip to Trinidad, south east of Havana. More of a colonial town with dancing on the streets and cool night clubs. The beach (Caribbean) is not as nice as the north (Atlantic) as the water can be cloudier.

The sea and parklands to the west of Havana, Vinales i think, are meant to be beautiful but we didn't have time.

Enjoy the trip, I'd go back in a second. Drink lots of dark rum at bargain prices.

igorbiscan

Cheers all, booked it during the week, 5 nights in varadero,2 in havana, wish i could have had more time but looking forward to it now. Has anyone dived or snorkelled in around varadero that you would recommend? I read a little bit about coral beach..

bidiots

igorbiscan wrote: »

Cheers all, booked it during the week, 5 nights in varadero,2 in havana, wish i could have had more time but looking forward to it now. Has anyone dived or snorkelled in around varadero that you would recommend? I read a little bit about coral beach..

Not to go off topic,but where did you find a hotel? I'm looking for a good deal in may myself.... Cheers

igorbiscan

Hiya, we booked through Tropical Sky.They seemed to be the best prices we found. Staying at Breezes Varadero first then Iberostar Central in Havana. €1150 pp for 7 nights.

fishy fishy

eoing1 wrote: »

Only foreigners are allowed onto it though, you have to show your passport to get onto it. I found it to be plastic and manicured, but if its resorts you like its probably a 5 star Island. Its in complete contrast to Havana, which is full of character, old buildings, petrol fumes, lads playing dominoes on the streets.
As for the water I got stung by a jellyfish, necessitating a run to the bathroom to urinate on the sting

i think that has changed somewhat now and locals are allowed in. Its beautiful if you are just into beaches and white sands - however in my opinion most people spend way too long in varadero and miss out on Havana and all it has to offer - havana is amazing - in my opinion two days in varadero is fine (you could be in any country) Spend the best part of your holiday immersed in the culture of havana = you won't be sorry.

purplecow1977

Are vaccinations required for Cuba/Central America?

Gatica

medical advice on boards is not allowed btw, so be sure to check with your doctor or a clinic.
We went to TMB for SE Asia travel vaccines, here's their list for Cuba:
http://tmb.ie/destinations/overview.asp?country=CUBA&mr=23

purplecow1977

Gatica wrote: »

medical advice on boards is not allowed btw, so be sure to check with your doctor or a clinic.
We went to TMB for SE Asia travel vaccines, here's their list for Cuba:
http://tmb.ie/destinations/overview.asp?country=CUBA&mr=23

From that, it gives 3 vaccines for all travellers, are these essential? I'm just wondering really as it's not 100% clear if they are recommended or vital. i went to south america before and have several vaccinations already and some boosters, just wondering what is necessary.

Gatica

most doctors will do a risk based assessment that takes into consideration your length of stay, planned areas to visit and type of holiday. If you're going trekking for example for an extended period, then Rabies would be highly recommended, etc... So the only way to get the advice you need/want is to go to a doctor or clinic and get them to tell you what you need.

OPHD

I travelled all over Cuba a few years ago and did not need any vaccinations. If you are only going to Havana and Varadero I really don't think you need to get any!