Cuba... Caribbean with a Difference.

Advantages: Tropical Paradise, Havana, All inclusive hotels.
Disadvantages: Scary Customs.

...Introduction = A few years ago my wife and I were walking from Rotterdam to Vienna. Unfortunately by the time we got to Cologne we received a call telling us we had been burgled back in the UK. Having to cut the trip short and being unwilling to resume the walk we decided to take a couple of weeks in the sun. Looking around for last minute deals we managed to find 10 days All Inclusive in Cuba for £449 a price I doubt you can get unless you are going very last minute (we left two days later). Visas and Vaccinations = There were no visas necessary for entry and because US customs take a dim view of people who go to Cuba they stamp an insert for your passport that can be discarded (or kept) afterwards. If you are taking this as part of a larger tour then you cannot fly to Cuba from the USA, but will need...

hero164 24.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Varadero (Cuba)

  Form an orderly Cu-ba!

Advantages: Varied destinations, great people
Disadvantages: Can be hard work at times

...From around the age of twelve or thirteen when I first became interested in politics I have wanted to visit Cuba. As a teenager my political leanings were way over to the left and so Cuba held a mystical appeal. With the break up of the Soviet Union and its satellite states in Eastern Europe, Cuba became even more attractive - a country that would not let go of communism. This year I finally made it to the "Promised Land" as used to call it in my idealistic youth. Before going I read voraciously about the country, its history and its customs but nothing could have really prepared me three weeks of backpacking in this strange country of contradictions. Everyone I spoke to on the subject, it transpired, was an expert on Cuba - particularly those who had never been there! I was told about the grinding poverty, the fantastic health...

fizzytom 07.12.2004 · Read review
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Review of General: Cuba

My fancy frolics in Cuba

Advantages: Scenic, different, not too spoilt
Disadvantages: Flight

...the Iberostar Daiquiri, other hotels on the Island included the 5* Melia and the 3* Sol Club We visited the north side of Cuba, a couple of Islands that make up the Cayo’s. There is Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. Cayo Guillermo is where we decided to go as it’s less developed and joined to Cuba by a 68km causeway. The Cayo’s are in no way the real Cuba, if you go here you must take trips out of the Cayo’s. The Cayo’s are shut off from all locals and the only Cubans allowed in have to stop at a checkpoint and they make sure they are employees of the four hotels that are situated on Cayo Guillermo. Apart from the four hotels on the Island there is not much more. We decided on Cuba, as it’s one of the less developed, less commercial Islands in the Caribbean. We looked on the internet for information...

Redhead 06.06.2002 · Read review
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Review of General: Cuba

Havana ball in Cuba!

Advantages: Loads to see and do, great people
Disadvantages: Many hustlers, can become tiring

...Havana, capital of Cuba and the largest city oin the Carribean, is a city of stark but pleasing contrasts. It is probably best known for its historic quarter which was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in the early 1990s. As beautiful and impressive as "Vieja Habana" is, this is just one aspect of this bustling and energetic city. Havana comprises three main and very distinct areas - Habana Vieja (Old Havana), Centro and Vedado. Using public transport it is possible to move between these areas quickly if your time in the city is limited, but it is far better to devote separate days to each area since Havana's main sites of interest are scattered throughout the city. To begin to navigate Havana's streets you MUST have a street map. The streets of Havana (in all three districts) follow a grid system. In part of Centro...

fizzytom 15.12.2004 · Read review
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Review of Havanna (Cuba)

Lonely Planet-Cuba

Advantages: info on history, culture
Disadvantages: inaccurate directions,casa info

...In 2006 I spent some time traveling around Cuba, it was always a dream destination of mine. I was accompanied by my sister and as two girls alone it soon became clear we were not going to have an easy time. The Lonely planet was our only source of information (since there is very little access to the internet in many places). It was a disappointment to find ourselves arriving in a city in the evening, looking for the "casas"(you stay in family homes rather than hotels)to find the map was completely wrong, and the casas listed didn't even exist anymore. As a last resort we attempted to find the only hotel listed in the book(which would have used a weeks worth of money from our budget) only to find it had closed down 5 years ago! It was not an enjoyable experience. I think it is time for them to update the book. Although the guide...

melanderson80 03.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Lonely Planet Cuba - Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet Cuba

Advantages: Easy to read, useful info
Disadvantages: Not up to date info

...I went recently to Cuba and this book was the only source of information we had and I found it very useful and helped me to allocate places around the cities very quicky. I booked all my guest houses I found in the book before we left so I did not have to get lost in the night, etc. As Lonely Planet said, Cuba is a very safe place and all maps were accurate and finding museums, restaurants, etc was fairly easy. All details on transportation was very helpful and you move around anyway in cabs or foot. Lonely planet is always a good way to get your head around a new place. But always check last minute information about the place, nothing better like having up to date info...

lalitared 28.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Lonely Planet Cuba - Lonely Planet

Cuba's Resorts Are All Over Veradero

Advantages: The beaches and beautiful people
Disadvantages: Hustlers and aggressive souvenir merchants; expensive trips to Havana

...Veradero may not be Rio De Janeiro, but it has its own sets or charms. Among are the resorts, the beaches, the constant sunshine and the people. Veradero is a beautiful place. In my mind, it is one of the richest cities of Cuba thanks to the tourism industry. If you intend to spend some time hanging around a pool and enjoying the Caribbean ocean, this is the place for you. Just know that you are not going to be close to Havana. Any time you want to go there, it will cost you some money. Going to Old Havana can be an exciting trip for you if you get the time to see some of the historic buildings. On any given week, you can expect to find a lot tourists from European countries such as Germany, Belgium, France and so on. I think the Germans outnumber everybody else. Every now and then, you will run into some other nationalities...

digitalshare 10.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of Varadero (Cuba)

going to cuba

Advantages: cheap, scenic, fantastic
Disadvantages: flight, out and about

...sat, visited Satiago De Cuba, what a culture shock from one end of the country to the other, this is where Fidel started the rebellion. This is where Bicardi was started but fled the country during the rebellion and also visited numerous museums and forts. We also visited banana plantations and sugar factories but October was the dead season so the tobacco factories were closed, but did see a gent outside a fort in the sweltering heat rolling cigars very interesting. The restuarants outside of the hotel complexs are quite basic but good fun, we had lunch outside Guardalavca and hens running about my feet at the table! Cuba is a must for motoring enthusiasts to see all the old american cars mostly in pristeen condition. The music was lovely with many street musicians and street artists. Beware the begging children etc in...

hutchy245 09.11.2004 · Read review
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Review of General: Cuba

Best Hotel in Cuba!

Advantages: Location, Luxury
Disadvantages: None

...I thought this was the best hotel I've ever stayed in Cuba. We stayed here in June 2007 and had the best holiday ever. Havana is steeped in history and the local people couldn't be more friendly. The hotel is one of the best on the island and I would highly recommend anyone to stay at this hotel. it has a central location and has very high standards in terms of cleanliness and helpfulness of staff. We were offered a free room upgrade when we told them we were there on our honeymoon. Each room is full of character and make sure you take the hotel tour if you decide to stay here. The gardens are also full of surprises! Make sure you check out the bunkers.......

sophietucker77 27.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Havana

visit cuba

Advantages: excellent holiday
Disadvantages:

...I certinally wasn't disappointed. I chose to go to cuba because I love the music and i got a cheap last miniute package deal. I dont usually go on package holidays but this was to good an offer to miss. go to Cuba with an open mind, it was very differnent to how i imagined it would be. THE RESORT: I stayed in varadero, its basicly little more than a large tourist complex, the beaches are beutifull and the sea is clean, there plenty activitys and entertainment around and a few tourist shopping centers. If you want to see the 'real cuba' don't stay in varadero though, but if you want the beach and the sun its ideal. There are oil feilds around, but we never noticed them. THE SALSA: If you don't know the steps many of the hotels do dance classes, the best place I went to to dance in the evening was the Mambo club, it was $10 to get in...

say99 02.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of General: Cuba