When we arrived at the Veradero Airport on January 17/10 we were met by maintenance staff, customs and security staff all wearing masks over their mouths and noses. So, the question is: protection from their germs or ours? Or, is this a hold-up? Given the Cuban attitude that tourists are cash cows (tourism is their largest government money maker far ahead of sisal, sugar, rum, cigars and oil), probably the latter. Our photos were taken, we passed thru security scanning on the way INTO the country, our tourist paper handed out on the plane was stamped but, not a mark appeared on our passports. The bus trip from the airport to hotel drop-offs went smoothly narrated by a Tourist Guide who told us how lucky we were to be in Cuba and how tipping vastly improved service. Yea, capitalism lives!
We stayed at the Melia Las Americas hotel in Varadero, Cuba for one week in January 2010 on a WestJet all-inclusive vacation. It promotes itself as a 5-star hotel but turns out to be a 3-star. Built in the early 1990s, it is clean enough but has low wattage lighting in public areas. Many steps to the lobby, to the beach, to the restaurants, to the golf club – great exercise but not handicap-friendly if that’s important to you. Only two small elevators in the main hotel but, again, you can take the stairs. The Varadero Golf Club is wrapped around two sides of the Las Americas Hotel. The beach is small and hemmed in at one end by the expropriated DuPont House (Xanadu) converted into a restaurant and clubhouse on a cliff and the Melia Varadero Hotel at the other end.
The anal-retentive Cuban tourist police make sure you do not use any other beach than the one for the hotel where you are staying. Got the wrong colour wrist band? Go back! Forget any long walks along the beaches unless you stay on a property that includes a long beach. This confinement of tourists is not for any safety reason but so the Communist government can keep track of people. The public Las Americas Shopping Mall is a short walk away. Hotel food is acceptable and plentiful. The open-air La Robleza restaurant by the pool is pleasant but opened later every day we were there – 12:00 Noon, became 12:30 PM then 1:00 PM. And stick with the luncheon meals – our paella took an hour to prepare but was a disappointing heap of rice, turmeric, one shrimp, one small chicken chunk and a piece of shellfish. The imported wine and domestic beer are good. The resort musicians all have CDs for sale ($10-$20 equivalent) and there are theatre shows every night.
Take the Hop-on, Hop-off bus ($5 equivalent for 9:00AM-9:00PM) to see the tip of the sand spit (but watch those private hotel/beach police!) and back to downtown Veradero and its flea markets to buy junky souvenirs and T-shirts plastered with Che Guevara’s mug shot. Changing Canuck bucks into Cuban tourist Monopoly money (called CUC) is a scam so try to change enough just once to get you through the entire stay. This is easily done because there is not much to buy on the beach, in the shops or at the markets. Break up your stay in Varadero by taking a day tour to Havana. The Spanish colonial architecture is crumbling, the old-style 1950s cars are now kept to amuse the tourists (most have replacement Hyundai or Kia motors) and, the government-run cultural tourist gift warehouse is full of white sales cubicles and computer-generated ‘art’ (there are a few, but very few, original artists). Had a watery Mojito at an Old Town bar supposedly frequented by Ernest Hemmingway. We were approached many times by street beggars, mostly old men and women. This will round out your excursion day.
On departure, our 11:00 AM hotel bus pick-up to the airport was prompt and contained another Tourist Guide who explained the final tourist tax grab – the $25 CUC per person “Tasa Aeroportuaria” that translates as “Airport Tax”. Can’t get home without paying it. CUC cash only! Two sour-faced Security Department guards in military uniform stood at the entry to the WestJet plane to collect the boarding card stubs showing each of us had paid our head tax and could leave. We will not return. See Cuba once out of curiosity but there are other islands with equally clear waters and soft sands and, a much better attitude.
Note, that two months after our visit to the peoples’ paradise of Cuba, none of the postcards we sent back to Canada have ever arrived. Stealing stamps and trashing international postal mail seems to be a common activity. And yes, we had the ‘correct’ postage.
CUBA -- see once and never return
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Wow, considering how little you appear to have learned about Cuba, and the factual errors and wrong suppositions your story relates, I can certainly understand why you won't be returning to Cuba. It's sad really that you've managed to miss so much of what Cuba has to offer.
did you not realize you had to pay a departure tax and that you had paid a departure tax when leaving the other islands you have been to? it's applicable when leaving most caribbean islands and mexico.
Your postcards may still arrive. It always takes mine about 8 to 10 weeks to get to the U.S. from Mexico.
You seem determined to believe the worst in any situation ("stealing stamps and trashing internaitonal postal mail").
Wasn't there anything good in your entire trip?
Sounds like my experiences of Sicily.
Another island experiencing a new wave of tourism and locals totally incapable of coping with visitors or being civil to them. I also went with the intention of a calm relaxing time and was faced with a running battle every day.
By total coincidence we have just returned from the Bahamas and talked of planning our next trip. We looked at Cuba, glanced at one another and simply said "Sicily".
What a depressing post and negative attitude.
I've only been to Cuba once, to Havana, it was an absolutely wonderful trip. Hoping to be able to return one day.
The original poster seemed to have completely missed every single opportunity to enjoy his travel time in the country.
What a waste.
This is EXACTLY the experiences we had in autumn 2009. Cuban tourism has far to go. If all you want is beach and booze, enjoy. If you want history and human rights, stay away. Cannot understand why tourists want to go back, but then there is no accounting for taste. The place will probably blow apart when the Castro brothers are officially declared dead.
This is a well worn Fodors path. This site seems to be populated by a whole load of gushing Julie Andrews types who think that a trip that includes the use of their US passport will result in a "wonderful time".
I can't see how posters can be criticised for posting their bad experiences.
markrosy, you are so right about attacking anyone with a negative post. Isn't this suppose to be about the individual's experience while traveling? I don't get it. It keeps us from having all points of views, because who wants to have this kind of feedback after taking the time to write. It would just be nice to see "thanks for posting, and I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your trip".
I only bring this up after I had around 30 posts hammering me for not enjoying a trip to Sicily.
Wow......completely the opposite of anything I've ever heard of visiting Cuba. I've known many who traveled throughout the country, on their own, never been stopped, eaten in Cuban's homes, made friends, loved the country, returned over& over & over.......
I just returned from Varadero in February. There were no "tourist police" telling anyone where you could or could not go. I ran for miles along the beach every day without incident. The whole trip was fabulous, and we definitely intend to go back next year.
I think the rating system for hotels is a bit different in Cuba in that the standards are a bit lower. We stayed at what was supposed to be a 4 1/2 star and it was more like a 3 1/2. We also found the food at our resort to be sub-standard.
But we didn't mind so much. The beaches, rich culture and good-hearted people more than make up for it, and make me want to return to Cuba again and again.
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I was in Cuba for 3 weeks and travelled the whole island (with the sole exception of Varadero as all inclusive beach holidays are not my thing).
I had no hassle from police and the people I met were curious and friendly in the most genuine way. I can't wait to get back.
In Havanna there are touts who are out to make a buck but a simple no was all that was needed for them to leave you in peace.
Considering several folks have commented on an unpleasant RECENT experience it only confirms what my tennis partner told me from his recent trip. Maybe if someone is of latino origin or maybe just non-American they will not encounter the terrible treatment . But just go into the hinterlands or the city getto's and ask why support tourism in Cuba. That is unless you are willing to give money directly to locals living in the gettos. I did confirm one thing since Canuuk went on his support Cuba tourism rampage: Licensed Medical Doctors (M.D.) with a specialization in Internal Medicine are paid $200-$240 per month by the Cuban government. That is after 4 years of college, 4 of medical school and 4 yrs. of internship and residency. A high school teacvher in Havana wil 4 years of college and a 1 year Masters' receives between $130-$200 per month. So how motivated might the doctors be to care for the populus often working 10+hour shifts 11 months a year vs. 7 hour days 10-11 months a year. So much for those supporting Cuba. Yes, I checked my facts on the Internet with Cuban supplied information
StanKase wrote: "......I did confirm one thing since Canuuk went on his support Cuba tourism rampage......"
--------------------------------------------------
Well, your "facts" on salaries are WRONG but then again, as you've never been to Cuba (your own admission) and rely only on third-party hearsay, and "internet" rocking-chair research, I simply won't waste much time on your nonsense. Cubans are paid in Moneda Nacional, or CUP Cuban Pesos. Any conversion to "dollars" is nonsense because their whole living and value system is completely different to the USA. You're comparing apples with machine screws. Not possible at all. My best friend in Havana is a University Professor at the University of Havana. I know exactly what she makes, how she lives with her family and children and what things cost in Cuba. For example (prices converted to dollars so others can understand), her monthly electricity bill is less than $2.00. A loaf of bread is .15 cents, fresh pork roast at the tienda de carnicero is about .18 cents per pound. And that doesn't even include the monthly "libreta" or ration book supplies of rice, beans, meat, bread, cooking oil, eggs, that every Cuban gets each month. Enough generally for two weeks food for the family. A ride on the city bus anywhere in Havana is only .02 Cents!!!
So as I said, you're making totally unfounded comparisons that have no basis in reality. Why not visit the country and enlighten yourself.
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Despite my complete ignorance of Cuba, I am still inspired by a BBC Travel programme which interviewed two gentlemen who had visited(almost) every country in the world and one of the last questions was "Is there any country that you would return to?" - and the answer was Cuba. Speaks volumes, and since then it has featured on my 'must see before death list'.
Interesting, stevelyon.
Cuba has a certain 'je ne sais quoi' that makes it one of my favourite destinations.
I'm a little disappointed in this post. Everything said was NEGATIVE. The poster had nothing good to report on Cuba. I was there with 27 other people in November of 2009. While there will always be things that people dont like about travelling a trip is what you make of it. If you are determined to enjoy yourself, you will have a great time and come back with positive memories and things to say. Some of the issues posted come with travelling and experiencing someone elses culture.
you're correct, hartsj9~ This poster has an axe to grind for some reason about Cuba. They only post negative things. And don't participate in these forums for any other reason. Also this thread is from back in March of this year.
hartsj9 - on a more positive note can you share your experiences of Cuba - I am wanting to go but where do I start?
stevelyon - Virgin fly twice a week from Gatwick, flights are mostly full year round. You get your visa with your travel docs (if you book thru a tour operator), it's a document validated by the Cuban Embassy and costs very little. They also sell them at Gatwick at the Virgin Holidays desk and you complete the form whilst on the flight and hand it in at immigration.
You can combine Havana with other resorts or cities. Or go from Wednesday to Sunday as a short break to Havana. Stay near or in the old part of Havana. It's like any other city holiday with some differences, we took cash in GBP & EUR and no US issued credit cards - apart from that nothing special. We booked independently but did arrange transfers from the airport to hotel and from Havana to Varadero and back to Havana airport. Apart from that we did our own thing - took a taxi to various parts of Havana for sightseeing or to restaurants in Miramar. People are educated, alot speak English and other languages, nicely dressed, friendly, food is OK.
The response to Cuba is in your head. if you want to go to a beach destination and chill, then go to the Bahamas. If you want to go to an island that is almost lost in time--the people, the architecture, the "feel", then Cuba cannot be best. I was there a few years ago and am planning on returning next February. I LOVED Cuba--every minute of it. The food is horrible (with the one exception of "La Guarida" paladar) and the electricity is spotty at best, but there is an internal electricity of Cuba that can't be beat. I'm an amatuer photographer and it doesn't get any better than Cuba.
Go before the US embargo is lifted. Who cares is the "service" is not perfect. This is Cuba.
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stevlyon- sure i can (I will never forget this trip since I was married in Cuba while we were there
)
Resort: we booked the Blau Varadero all inclusive for the week. GORGEOUS newer hotel (2005 i think). service was so so. Food wasnt that great (2 couples with us had been to cuba before and they said the resorts they stayed at before were better so maybe it was a bad week?)
Beaches: Cuban beaches are BEAUTIFUL. hands down beats Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican. The water can be a little rougher than other Caribbean islands but usually still "swimmable"
Service: Compared to other Caribbean countries we have been to we found Cuban service to be the "worst" although it wasnt terrible by any stretch of the imagination. Although they are definately on Cuban time haha and things take a little longer to get done but your on vacation so its not a big deal.
Stuff to do: HAVANA!!! Havana was amazing. All the history and old buildings were increnible! (I love history!!) We did a guided tour that gave us lunch and a bit of free time. The tour itself wasnt great since there were about 35 of us and if you were at the back you couldnt hear anything. Lunch was good although I cannot remember what it was but it definately wasnt something you would get at home haha. The bus ride from varadero to havana was nice as well as we got to see a lot of the countryside which was beautiful and we drove through Matanzas (i think thats how its spelt)..although i would have like to stopped there.
WE also took a cab ride into Varadero to visit a market. The markets have the normal "souvenirs" you find in the caribbean although we did notice that they dont like to barter as much here (havana was worse) as they do in other countries. While you are here I recommend a Coco Taxi ride. They are so little roud "taxis"..there just so cute.
My only recommendation for cuba is to double check your money after its been exchanged. They have a nasty habit of shorting you money. Everyone on our trip experienced this at least one with the biggest difference being $20.00. Oh and also exchange all your money BEFORE going to the airport to depart (except your departure tax of course). The exchange rate at the airport is TERRIBLE!
Thanks hartsj9.
Any particular beach resort - maybe close to Havanna? Is Cuba a safe place to walk around - my partner gets very nervous, I don't(I don't know which is worse)? Thanks for your help.
Havana is safer to walk around than alot of towns in other Caribbean islands. Walked around at night, took street taxis, went to clubs, restaurants. Am sure you can get ripped off esp as mentioned with exchanging money but an unsafe place - no I didn't get that vibe at all. Of course crime can happen anywhere and I would still be careful.
Jibacoa is closer to Havana than Varadero which is about 2.5 hrs away. There is a Breezes hotel there, AI.
We only went the one time (we tend to only visit a county once as there is so much in the world to see
) and it was outside of varadero which as Odin posted is a dsitance from Havana so I cant advise there.
As for safety, we never had any probems being out in the cities by ourselves. a few of us even went to a club at night and had no issues. I would agree with everything Odin said about it in the post above.
Holy buckets!
I have not seen a post so negative. This is supposed to be about positive experiences. If there is nothing nice to say-just don't say it. Holy crap. At least you got to go there. There are many of us who can't afford to go anywhere right now.
"This is supposed to be about positive experiences. If there is nothing nice to say-just don't say it"
What!?!
Weird thread!
I cannot travel there, but I am very curious of it as are a lot of Americans. I have traveled a lot in the Caribbean and hope to be able to go to Cuba some day.
Anguillagirl - what a PollyAnna thing to say!!
<<This is supposed to be about positive experiences. If there is nothing nice to say-just don't say it.>>
Huh?
I like a fair and balanced reporting of an experience.
I think the OP had not traveled much in the Caribbean. Many AI travelers would report the same thing he did.
In my experience, the "star" ratings in the Caribbean run a level higher than US standards.
<<This is supposed to be about positive experiences. If there is nothing nice to say-just don't say it.>>
I would not participte in a forum where honesty is not encouraged. We're not here to write sugar-coated trip reports. It's perfectly OK to report anything you didn't like about your trip.
However I believe it would be good if the OP would think back to the positive experiences the trip, mainly for the OP's sake. Surely there is somthing that s/he enjoyed about this trip.
OP has every right to be honest about his/her experiences anywhere. However, suffice it to say that our experience in 2003 was nothing of the sort. We enjoyed every minute of our ten days in Havana and vicinity. Besides, we got in on a "humanitarian" basis. Wife and I were loaded with about 40 pounds of medicines for the beleagured 1,500-person Jewish Community. We visited two sinagogas and were treated regally by everyone therein..as well as any Cubanos we met in the course of walking all over the city. We stayed in Old Habana at a former tobacco-growers hotel..and found it to be very clean and comfortable (Conde Villaneuva). Got to see the Buena Vista musicians perform at the venerable Hotel Nacional ($20 for two tix). The grateful congregation at the main sinagoga in town hosted a "thank you" luncheon for the two of us which was very touching and teary. A friend at the sinagog took us in his '56 Olds to see the Hemingway home in the suburbs, took a taxi to one of the gorgeous closer beaches to the east of the city, I took a taxi to a pro baseball game ($2)which I loved, while wife went to a lovely ballet performance at the Opera House. We ate in numerous "home" restos (paladares)and never had what I would consider a "bad" meal. All very reasonable. Tried Guarida mentioned by "Boston Hah-ba" above and also found it to be excellent. The architecture is remarkable and in most cases in ill-repair, but Old Habana (Viejo Habana) is in the process of a beautiful restoration. Saw some fantastic mural work all over town. But, "to each his own"....I would go back, but I have a few more priority places to visit while I still can, so I may not make it..gracias, Cubanos!
stu tower (for pix, write to me at rozstu1@aol.com)
Today is Monday, March 28, 2011, I just came to this thread. Too bad that it was so negative! Apparently the traveler was not accustomed to ADAPTING and taking things as they are and making each experience "an adventure unto itself!"
I went with 8 Americans back in the early 90s. We stayed at the now defunct Hotel Lilbre which was a few steps from that park that had a place that served the "best" ice cream that I'd ever eaten prior to my Buenos Aires (recent experiences). Our guide was a black Cubana, personable and I'd presume somewhat knowledgeable but also evasive as well. I was disappointed with her but gave her a gift at the end. <Also left lots of practical goodies behind for our maids--toilet paper, tissues, stuff that I can't remember but took along purposely for this.>
We took tours with our guide, but after they were over, we were on our own. We ventured on our own--going to museums and to the bar where Hemingway frequented. We did not shop very much because we found few places that carried anything that we desired. I did my shopping at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, ate lunch there on 3 occasions, too, went to a couple of restaurants and had a wonderful time, and the other male and I went to a concert featuring Cuba's top male singer at the time.
We'd arrived about a half hour prior to the event. The huge auditorium was empty but filled minutes before the concert was to begin. Afterwards, we waited almost three hours before any type of bus arrrived, so we took off walking back via the route of the beach. Luckily, after a while, we came to a motel type of lodging where there was a taxi, and Steve and I took it back to our hotel which was a long way from the concert hall.
Neither of us freaked; we just took this adventure in stride and went with it!
As a group we did much more than I cited, and I, personally, liked my journey there (to Cuba) and do plan to return, for it has changed during the time we (8 educators) were there!!!!
I have no sympathy. Canadians flock to Cuba because it is a cheap (relative term) winter getaway. Yes, it's cheap for a reason!
Been a bunch it is great out of the AI resorts
which are too touristy for me.
do not think OP ventures out too much
Just 2 extremely negative posts
I love Cuba www.cubajets.com easy to get to cheap pretty
beaches safer than a lot of places for adventurists
who like that type of travel.
Kind of like getting into a wayback machine and experiencing
the fifties in the Caribbean in many areas for me.
I will return frquently and buy/invest with regime change.
Best budding real estate ops in the Carib area for me.