alex

Is it true that the beaches in Varadero are not private; meaning that the locals come and bother you while you're at the beach? I've been to Holguin, Cuba and although we saw and met a lot of locals, we were never bothered while at the beach. I've heard that in Varadero a lot of locals come and ask you for money and stuff while you're at the beach. Is this true?

Melissa

I did not have any hassels on the beach at all. I don't think any beach in Cuba is private (due to communism, everything in Cuba is equally owned, or supposed to be anyway). There was a guy selling stuff, but he didn't even call out or hassle anyone to buy. he just stood there for a few minutes, then left.

Steve

Unlike some other Caribbean Resorts where we have literally been driven off the beach by the beggars and hawkeers, in Cuba (Varadero Included) I have never been hassled. If you want to buy something, go to the market in town. For that matter, I can't even recall seeing any sellers/beggers on the beach in Cuba. Only the resort employee asking if I would like another drink.<BR><BR>Steve

xxx

No Alex it is not true. The beaches in Varadero are not open to the Cuban public since they are all owned by hotels. Even in Holguin at the resorts they are not allowed. The beaches at all resorts in Varadero, Holguin etc are privately owned by the Hotel. Usually there are security guards (although you may have taken them for regular staff) on the lookout for any Cuban trying to get onto the Hotel properties. The 2-3 vendors selling trinkets on the beach are actually there by permission from the hotel. The others such as lifeguards, watersport, and lounge chair cleaners are staff and some of them may secretely approach you to sell you fake brand cigars - if they get caught, they can be fired.

Shock horror

You wouldn't want to have to mix with those sorts of people and learn a bit about Cuban society would you? No, that might make you feel a bit guilty about the pricey hotel you are staying in that costs more per night than the average Cuban earns in a year. Far better to go on an all inclusive where you don't have to think of the oppressive regime that you are supporting as you are kept locked away from reality. People like you should be sent on holiday to gaol.

Shock horror

Steve,<BR><BR>I do not think that I am a red neck, but I am not familiar with that terminology.<BR><BR>I also do not understand why I sound like a class one red neck, although maybe when you explain what one is it will become clearer. I certainly never accused you of not having visited Cuba or of knowing little about the country.<BR><BR>My point was aimed at people like Alex who seem to like to distance themselves from the Cuban people. People who vist Cuba but do not make the effort or do not want to mix with locals do not help those outside Cuba to understand the country and they do not help the more needy Cubans, rather just the wealthy ones with cushy jobs.<BR> <BR>

ss

Good grief, get a grip! Alex just wanted to know what to expect when sitting on the beach! <BR><BR>Here is the real story...without the crap from people like "shock horror". <BR><BR>Varadero beach is off limits to the locals. You will see some vendors cruising the beach, but unlike in jamaica for example, they set up shop and let you go to them, they do not come to you and bug you continually. <BR><BR>You will not see locals with their families on varadero beach. <BR><BR>Security guards are present to prevent those from other resorts going into your resort and using services they did not pay for. <BR><BR>Visit the city of varadero too...you will get lots of locals there who are very nice and friendly to talk to. There are many craft markets in varadero.

Melissa

They have a public beach in Varadero. It was packed. In the winter, I was told that locals find it too cold to swim in the ocean

Lar

Unless you are staying at a hotel way out of town, you will in fact see large groups of Cubans with their bottles of rum on the beach. On weekends they love to come up to the tourist area and watch the tourists.

anon

most of the all inclusive hotels ARE way out of the town of varadero (10-20 min drive) so the beach people will be mostly, if not all, tourists.

cindy

Hi everyone... I am a travel agent and I have sent many peoppe to Cuba in the past years. I have just returned from Cuba and I found the beaches to be free from beggers and peddlers right in VRA. Everyone has different oppinions on their vacation, so please do not worry. Cuba is safe and do not worry about the locals. They rely on Travelers for their well being, it would be in the news if something happend to a Canadian... So go have a great time... Learn from your own vacation. It will be a learning experience...