P1Fanatic

Me and the girlfriend are looking to hook up next xmas with my parents in Florida (they go every year) but want to go somewhere else for a week afterwards. Initially thought Hawaii but a bit of a trek. Girlfriend came uo with Cuba which is not far at all and the especially the Cayos Islands look very good (we like beach holidays).

As someone who is addicted to Mojitos made with Havana Club rum Im well up for visiting Cuba

So any feedback postive or not would be appreciated, especially around Dec / Jan time.

Cheers,
Simon

DCI Gene Hunt

I'm planning a little Cuban adventure this year as well, so I'll keep an eye on this thread....

dpb

Much rather go down to Dorset

marky1

Can't fly direct from US to Cuba.

BlkKnight

Got back in Nov '07. Excellent place. Really chilled out. No hassles.

Couple of suggestions:
- Stay on South East side (away from Havana) as it's quieter.
- Visit Havana!
- Take bloody good mosquito replant (DEET 80% +)
- If staying on an all inc - tip small & often - you'll get better service.
- Do not take any US$. Stirling only.

The SCUBA is bloody amazing out there. You'll see tonnes of stuff in shallow water.

Drink the "dark" havana club - not the white stuff.

Local beer "crystal" is good. The Buccanearo is OK but head banging gear.

P1Fanatic

Cheers. Deffo want to visit Havana - liked the idea of a tour in a classic car.

Did my first dive last Oct in Mauritius so well up for another one. I drink the dark Anejo Especial at home - cant beat it with some lime, mint and sugar (thanks to whoever recommended it on here ).

Simon

160mph flat out

I was in Cuba in November.Stayed on Cayo Guilimero,it was amazing.Weather was mid thirty's everyday.Beaches were fabulous.

Would deffo recommend it to anyone.

I would be there Today,if Travelscope never went under over Christmas.£700 lost,will get it back but don't no when.

Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor

jods

You have PM

Deep Singh

Went in about 2004. Gorgeous beaches, nice people, plenty of history, fantastic music. Only let down was the food.

ethanrob

iTrader: (3)

as above

we stayed in the cayo coco region,superb hotel(lagoon villa ) the beach was out of this world,the sea even better,mid thirty's every day bar one,when we had a monsoon,but the hotel laid on some event's(cave party,sumo suit wrestling etc etc)

also,very quiet on the beach,no hassle with shortage of sun lounger's/canopie's etc

my only real gripe is them bloody canadian's,how RUDE are these people,they do not queue ever,never hear a please/thank's/excuse me etc and they are sooooooooooooooooooooo bloody loud

apart from them,the holiday was outstanding,and havana is just plain bizaare!

marcus

P1Fanatic

How so? Bland, poor quality, expensive...?

Simon

P1Fanatic

Which particular hotel if you dont mind me asking? I did notice that the majority of reviews on Trip Advisor were from Canadians. Perhaps something to do with it being so close and I guess they can fly direct which someone above said the US cant.

Simon

ethanrob

iTrader: (3)

here you go buddy

Melia Cayo Coco de Sol Melia Cuba, Todo Incluido en Cayo Coco Cuba.

if you can book the lagoon villa upgrade,make sure you do as the standard room's are just that.we had an upstairs superior room,it was great wedding present from my father,bless him

and the beach/sea is on your doorstep,like 10-20 yards away

also,one trip is an absolute must,the speedboat trip in the mangrove's is truly awesome and cost's £15 each

but be warned,there is nothing else on coyo coco at all,apart from 3 or 4 other all inclusive hotel's,the nearest city/town is about 70 miles away!

the canadian's love cuba,and for obvious reasons,the yank's aint welcome

marcus

P1Fanatic

Cheers. Looks nice. Did you take sterling or dollars as I see most things on the website quote in dollars?

Simon

speye91

Always take sterling.Then get it changed over there to the convertable Pasos.

Another Tip,if you plan to take a Credit Card,make sure it has nothing to do with the USA as they wont accept it.

D-an-W

iTrader: (1)

All good tips which I agree with fully, we took US Dollar's and a UK based Credit Card though.

We both learnt to Wind Surf whilst there, loved it.

If you have ever fancied Big Game fishing, it's a great place to give it a go too.

The Speed Boat trip is good fun too, we would never get away with that in this country.

Take some branded stuff (Hats etc) with you, they Hotel workers will trade it with you for Rum or Coffee etc

I had never had a Daiquirí until we went to Cuba...The Strawberry ones are ace

ethanrob

iTrader: (3)

agreed with above fella

i swapped a football shirt for a box of cigar's whilst out there also i tipped the bellboy £20 on departing the holiday,and he nearly fainted

D-an-w

did you have any mishap's whilst on the speedboat trip ??

one of our party capsized after colliding with some sort of driftwood type object twas a funny site

marcus

jods

I hardly surprised he nearly fainted.

The average wage is about $20 (USD) a month.

You just gave him 2 months wages !!

I'd faint if someone gave me a 2 month tip !!!

Our first night at the Riu turquese was one to behold.
The musicians came up to our dinner table to "serenade" us as we ate.
Fair enough I thought - not my cup of tea but smiled politely as they scratchedthe bows across the strings.

Endured a few mins and decided to give them a tip in the hope they'd **** off and deafen someone else.

Reached into my pocket to pull out a couple of dollars and handed it over.

They went into overdrive. The guy playing a violin ! His arm was going at it like a child molesters **** in a pram.

WTF......


Turns out - when we got back to the room - I'd handed them a 1 and a 50 - DOH. EVERY BL00DY night after that we'd get "Special" attention.

We ended up eating elsewhere...

ethanrob

iTrader: (3)

Yes buddy

one of the other guest's at our hotel was telling us that,the bellboy's waiter's etc are fully qualified solicitor's/teachers/professional's etc etc,they queue up to get jobs at the larger hotel's as they can make sooooooooo much more money from carrying bag's then they can from using there trained profession

also,only goverment officials/doctors etc etc are allowed to have a car(so we were told )

marcus

Those cuban's are so crazy

Jamie

Stay away from the jineteros

richardg

sounds to me like you earn too much