I am staying at the Iberostar Tainos hotel on Varadero beach! Any recommended trips, must see places or bars in Havana? All information about cuba in this area welcome!
2007-03-16 05:02:20 · 4 answers · asked by Vanessa V 2 in Travel ➔ Caribbean ➔ Cuba
You'll LOVE Cuba... wish I knew how long you were staying.. if it's for two weeks you want to make sure you do the overnight tour to Havana. Frankly I get WORN OUT on day trips there, and if you're planning on seeing the Tropicana show on the same day.. that's a LOOOOONG day! There's really too much to see for a day trip, but take the basic tour and it will give you a sense of the place, and ideas for what you want to look into better on your next trip.. and there will be one... :)
One tour I really love is the catamaran tour that takes you out to swim with the dolphins... NOT the one that goes to the delfinarium, but the one that you sail out to and the dolphins are in a huge pen in the open ocean. It's a full day.. they go out under power because they have to time the arrival so everyone doesn't get to the dolphins at once.. and then you go snorkelling, and then to a private island with a lobster lunch.. and you come back under sail. Just a lovely day!
Don't forget to rent a moped... they're a great way to get around Varadero, and just plain FUN to use! If you do the 24 hour deal I suggest picking it up around 3 in the afternoon.. that gives you a long evening to putter around, and virtually all the next day. If you go exploring on a moped, you'll be hot and tired by 3 and glad to turn it in.. but it almost gives you 2 days for the price of one :)
There are lots of things to do around Varadero... talk to your tour rep at the meeting. I don't go to them any more because.. well.. don't really need to.. but for a first timer you really should. And you don't HAVE to stick with the one from your tour company.. take a look at all the books in the lobby. Just be aware that some companies cater more to people speaking certain languages :)
I was going to say I've never had a BAD tour in Cuba.. but come to think of it, one trip to the Bay of Pigs was less than ideal. Instead of taking us to the resort with the lagoon, they took us to a rocky crab infested shore where you had to sweep the migrating crabs out of your way with your flippers to get in the water.. and it STUNK because the crabs were migrating across the highway and were getting run over... but other than that.. everything was great! The Rio Canimar trip is very relaxing too :)
LOL I just read the previous answer.. Varadero is NOT American... although it's not the real Cuba either, except in the downtown area, and that's pretty spiffy for Cuba too. It's quite international.. if you want American, try Los Cabos.. just got back from there and it was sooo Californian! :)
Have a great time!
2007-03-16 14:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by endorable 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
varadero is where i stayed. it's absolutely gorgeous. the sunset cruises are a must, also the cococabana show in havana is a great night out. take perfumes or toiletries you dont want and leave them for your maid to get extra special service. drinking their rum all day keeps the mosquitos away too-trust me on this one! if you can afford it and get the chance to upgrade your seat on your flight home for extra room i would take it-the return journey home was a long one and uncomfortable as going there you get dropped off first but coming back they pick you up first and then go and pick others up at another airport and you tend to be hanging around an hour or so on the plane, didnt think it would be worth the extra money but wish i had now, that was the only downfall really. you'll love it. sorry to point out the obvious but be careful walking around Havana with your money and valuables and just buy things from actual stores/market stalls/shops and not people just on the street as you'll never get rid of them! you'll have a ball.
2007-03-17 04:50:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you definitely want to buy a side trip to Havana.
Veradero is so american (ritzy) not like the real Cuba.
Havana is an interesting place to walk, see the old buildings, the old US cars and walk along the malecon.
If you get a chance, go to the special dinner show they have in havana for the tourists.
2007-03-16 12:23:27 · answer #3 · answered by bob shark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely try to go to the tropicana.they put bottles of ron and your table to guzzle at will. be careful though because if you look too enthuiastic (drunk) like i did they will drag you up to dance at the end of the show, a memory i will have to live with forever. it really was a brilliant night though. try one of hemingways bars too and be sure to have a camera at the ready at all times. it is a tiring trip but remember you've got those beautiful white sands to return to.
downtown varadero is ok, just be prepared to ask locals where to go. ie staff at your hotel, even better go with them. bar 69 is cool, open air, live music and dancing. the locals who can't afford to come in crowd round the outside to listen and dance in the street. ..... makes me want to go back
2007-03-17 03:30:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋