bellatravel

I'm planning to go with my Spanish-speaking husband to Cuba in May for 2 weeks.... What is the best itinerary to see nature, snorkeling, (scuba maybe), culture, dancing, colonial architecture, hiking, etc.

Havana, then I'm considering Vinalles Valley, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad, Playa Giron, Varadero...

Is Baracoa worth the trip/flight?, or Maria La Gorda area for snorkeling??

is it better to stay in people's homes, or any of the all inclusive resorts? like Hotel Pisquero located in Holguin ?

Any recommendations welcome....

blamona

Are you a US citizen? Makes a difference what we can recommend

Jeff_Costa_Rica

This is almost a year away, and it's difficult to know what the situation in Cuba will be like then. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can legally do those things only on an organized tour. The types of tours permitted for US citizens would not include stays in beach resorts.

I really like Baracoa, but it is not easy to get to and it is nowhere near the other places you mention.

SaylerT

Only after 3 pm
You learn for 8 hrs and then
Hello Sandy Beach
I can go freely.
The tours are red tape but most kind hearted people love the chance to learn a culture and after that
Beach

SaylerT

Many US Citizens are now able and Do Go To CUBA.BLAMONA Has rentals and guess what she owns nothing in CUBA.

So please take her warning with a tub of salt.

Cuban Chrome on discovery channel
tonight at 10pm get the facts.
I go in December
My grandparents are passed on but
I love the people of my heritage and help any way I can.

BLAMONA these cultural tours help
the Cuban people.
You are always warning USA citizens
to stay away

Cubans LOVE AMERICANS especially
my blonde haired husband

Jeff_Costa_Rica

The cultural tours generally do not include beach destinations, such as Varadero or Cayo Coco, on their itineraries.

SaylerT

Jeff you would be surprised if research
These tours.
There are so many more now.
Some included places that might surprise you
You have been to Cuba.
I am sure you saw all the Americans on the beaches
I just don't believe they are all breaking the law.
Things are changing quickly
The only down side is that because Cuba's leaders are so unpredictable
that politics could cause Cuba to be off
limits to everyone.
Hopefully Cuba will thrive.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I've researched this for a project I'm working on. The people-to-people tours generally do not/cannot take you to Varadero and Cayo Coco because, to a point, they have to be able to include "cultural" activities. Yes. There are lots of Americans who go to those places, but I'm sure they've arranged resort packages, probably with a tour operator in Canada.

Bedar

Jeff - I've looked at many of the people-to-people tours, and they seem all the same, visit the same places. I suppose this is because those places have the facilities for visitors. Also, they seem very controlling, no time to just wander around, say, Havana. I've seen tobacco and sugar plantations other places and experienced Eastern Europe in the 60s. Old cars are on display here. Hmm, is there anything "new" to see in Cuba ? For the prices that are charged for these tours, there should be much more offered. No, I am not interested in a so-called culinary tour where one takes classes in how to make rice and beans and daiquiris and visits a market. Definitely not worth the price.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I get what you're saying, Bedar. I'm not telling you how you should experience Cuba. I'm simply pointing out what U.S. law says. What you do with that information is a decision only you can make.

The way U.S. law reads, there are 12 permitted categories under which we Americans can legally visit Cuba. Leisure tourism, as the OP is describing, is not one of them. For the other 12 categories, you are expected to engage in those activities with no leisure time other than what you'd have in a standard workday. That's why the people-to-people tours don't give you an afternoon on your own or a free weekend. That's why they don't take you to the beach.

That's the official story. You take it from there.

Bedar

So, do you think that instead of showing up at a daiquiri-making class that one might be able to make one's own tour of bars to sample the drinks ? We speak fluent Spanish but are not interested in seeing the inside of a Cuban clink !!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

You do realize this all has to do with U.S. law, not Cuban law, right? Such a trip would violate our laws, not theirs.

Bedar

So, if Mr. xyz didn't show up at his class, he would be reported to US authorities ? Wow, that sounds like the Stasi.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I'm not going to continue this discussion.

Bedar

Meaning you don't know.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Meaning I really don't think such hyperbole warrants a response. But I'll bite in the hopes of informing someone else.

When you sign on to these people-to-people tours, you agree to participate in all scheduled activities. You're putting the tour operator at risk if you go off on your own outside of the normal schedule. The risk is not with the Cuban government but with the American government. They've agreed to take people to Cuba under these constraints. Don't jeopardize their ability to do that. If you want to travel to Cuba independently, that's your choice. Don't sign up for an organized tour and then go off on your own when you're not supposed to. Just go to Cuba on your own then. Assume the risk yourself. Don't put that risk on anybody else. That's the point, and I think you're missing it.

Look. I have nothing invested in how you choose to travel to Cuba. This is the official version. The rest is up to you.

Bedar

OK, Jeff, I "get" what you're saying. BTW, I just came across the Road Scholar tours, and they have one which spends time only in Havana and at the beach in Varadero. We've all heard how Carnival cruise line will be the very first to go there. Not so. Road Scholar will be going from Miami in March, before Carnival. Anyway, their tours look interesting.

SaylerT

I think if you can afford the tours do it.
Do it between mid November and March if possible.
Just Google Cuba travel for US citizens.
You can go to the beautiful beaches.
Pick one includes swimming and snorkel for few days.
I for one do not like to laze on a beach.
I live in Charleston so I'm close to lots of beaches.

The reason I say Go Now is because we will have a new President in 2016.
He or She May not have the same agenda as our current leader

Now or never folks.I hope I am wrong
But if you want to see Cuba Go Now

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I do see that, Bedar. I stand corrected. However, it looks like one full day and two nights in Varadero. The morning is spent with a local dance troupe. The afternoon is spent with another dance troupe with "the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to prepare for the return home." You can squeeze in a little beach time before the "farewell dinner in the hotel." They're not giving you much time at the beach. They're not allowed to.

Go to Cuba however you like. Sample daiquiris, mojitos, and Cuba libres. If you go on a people-to-people tour, embrace the spirit of the tour. If you want to travel independently, then do that. You don't get to mix the two.

Having just traveled to Cuba as a journalist (all legal, and it could not be with a tour because of the work I had to do) I'll say that independent travel is still pretty rough around the edges. There were times I wished I had the comfort and convenience of a tour.

Bedar

Yes, I figured that there would be some sort of educational activity at Varadero, and I love dance. In fact, was looking for a tour that would include a performance by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Oh well.