Vacationing in Cuba

[Mark R]

An old boss of mine used to go to Cuba every year in Summer, and always raved about the place. Lots of salsa dancing, plenty of nice scenery and wildlife, great cuisine, etc.

So, can anyone else provide some hints and tips? Even if it's something like "Don't do it"/"Do it. Do it now".

What are the hot places to go? Clearly, you'd have to include Havana, but that's a big place.
What are the best activities?

Am I going to struggle because I don't speak a word of Spanish?
Any other useful info?

GRRRRRRRR it is NOT "here we go again" - don't you guys dare turn this into a P&N thread. This a thread about vacationing in Cuba, Period. -Anandtech Moderator DrPizza

 

[Viper GTS]

Here we go again...

Viper GTS

 

[DrPizza]

OP: there's a thread in P&N about Cuba, you can probably contact the OP of that thread about his vacation. (Sickbeast) For what it's worth, it's not worth the bother to read the thread in P&N.

 

[Mark R]

Just to clarify. This was a genuine question, and not an attempt to politicize.

I apologize, but I didn't search P&N as I didn't expect to find vacation info there.

If you feel appropriate, lock this thread and I'll take it to PM.

 

[bignateyk]

Id be interested in this as well. Im willing to bet theres some good prices on 5-star resort stays, etc..., just as there are in places like the phillipines.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Cuba travel guide
Americans in Cuba

 

[BurnItDwn]

I haven't been there, so I don't really have any constructive feedback, but it sounds like a fun trip.
If you do decide to vacation in Cuba, please share some stories about it.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
OP: there's a thread in P&N about Cuba, you can probably contact the OP of that thread about his vacation. (Sickbeast) For what it's worth, it's not worth the bother to read the thread in P&N.

You spelled "any" wrong.

 

[bctbct]

I thought visiting Cuba from the US was banned?

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: bctbct
I thought visiting Cuba from the US was banned?

Yes, for vacation purposes it is. There are ways for US citizens to get permits to go to Cuba. But not everyone on these forums lives in the US. See 2Xtreme21's link above: Americans in Cuba. (Actually, see both of his links; the first one is quite eye-opening.) Personally, I wouldn't try to get around the restriction; there are plenty of other places to visit. The only reason I'd visit would be to see first hand what Cuba is really like. From what I've read, visitors are not chaperoned and are not told where they can and cannot go (unlike other countries such as North Korea.) You can bike from one end of the country to the other end, if you'd like.

 

[Martin]

Newsflash: not everybody is from the US and they can speak about vacationing in Cuba the way you would any place.


Anyway, OP, I've been there twice and I'd recommend it. It's pretty cheap but still good and anything above a 3.5 stars will not leave you disappointed. I'd say go for Varadero - there are plenty of nice hotels, the beach is fantastic and its only 120km from Havana. Not knowing spanish is not a problem, since all the staff know enough English.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

hm i find it stupid that you are considered a criminal if you spend money in Cuba as an American, but eh...

 

[mrrman]

being CDN I am looking froward to going to Cuba on eday...Varadero beach is the place to go