[qba335i]

I will be going to Cuba in August. Planing to spend 4 days in Havana and 4 days in Varadero.

Any travel tips or recommendations? Places to see, things to do...


Thanks.

[1MOREMOD]

Watch out for canibals

[KingOfJericho]

Varadero is a beach so enjoy it as such - typical beach stuff. It's gorgeous.

You can see a lot of Havana in four days so you should get a guide on your first day to get the lay of the land then spend the next three days exploring the parts you liked from the tour. Really depends what you're into but definitely get a guide to show you around.

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by qba335i

I will be going to Cuba in August. Planing to spend 4 days in Havana and 4 days in Varadero.

Any travel tips or recommendations? Places to see, things to do...


Thanks.

I just got back from there. I took a cruise to Cuba at the beginning of May. I'm not a big cruise guy, but I glad I did since there's not too many nice places to stay.

- Go to the Hotel National and see the Cabaret Show. It's almost 2 hours of non-stop dancing and singing with beautiful women and costumes. Amazing show.

- Hire an old car service. It will run you about $20 - $30 per hour and it's worth it. You really get to see the real Cuba. Plus, most of the cars are in amazing shape.

- Cuba Mosaic District - Havana - This a really cool place where an artist made a whole section of the city out of Mosaic tile. Do a search on it and you can see pics.

- Hemmingway's House - ask the driver to take you here. Hemmingway bought the house in 1960 when he fell in love with Cuba. Cool place and area.

- Revolutionary Square and Old Havana


The food is great where ever you go. What blew me away are the people. They are for the most part, happy. Doctors make $40 a month. Teachers make $13 a month. Yet, they all want to work hard and get a head. You would think they would be lazy since the communist gov't keeps them down, but that's not the case. They are very intelligent as school is free. The culture, music, food, and the people really made it an amazing trip. I would definitely go back again. PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you some pics if you want. Have fun.

[KingOfJericho]

Post 'em up here. I'd love to see them.

[MightyMouseTech]

A good tip for Cuba. Do NOT drive, even a scooter. If you get into an accident in Cuba, they will throw all parties involved in jail until the case is completely sorted out, which could be months.

Besides, the taxis there are amazing and worth just for the ride. What they have been able to do with nothing is astounding.

[Alfisti]

I have been twice, both times to resorts but did some touring about.

Scammers everywhere, just everywhere. Service is incredibly slow and basic items are hard to find. Even simple stuff like tissues or whatever.

Refrigeration is poor to non-existant, i'd avoid anything that is not properly cooked.

Otherwise, have fun and hit the beach in Varadero. Run is absurdly cheap.

[MightyMouseTech]

The best tips are personal hygiene items. Advil/Tylenol, tooth paste, tooth brushes, women's hygiene products etc etc etc. Due to the trade embargo, the only place they can buy stuff like this is on the black market, and it is very expensive.

http://www.tripcentral.ca/blog/things-to-bring-to-cuba/

Edit: also school supplies.

[someguywithanm3]

Bastard...I was planning to go to Cuba this year, but I was outvoted and had to go to the Bahamas...

Enjoy your trip. Please post pictures when you return.

[2M]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

A good tip for Cuba. Do NOT drive, even a scooter. If you get into an accident in Cuba, they will throw all parties involved in jail until the case is completely sorted out, which could be months.

Besides, the taxis there are amazing and worth just for the ride. What they have been able to do with nothing is astounding.

Somehow I find this hard to believe.

[CANGRKE70]

Originally Posted by 2M

Somehow I find this hard to believe.

True.

https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario...eave_cuba.html

[canukgtp]

I've been to Cuba 6 times...people are fantastic, fun stuff to see...in Havana people have mentioned a lot of the good spots, you can also go have a drink on the roof of the Hemmingway hotel, nice view of the city with some mojitos...Varadero is a nice beach with all the touristy stuff, jeep tours, catamaran tours so you can always find some activities. Have fun!

[Wolf 335]

Bring some bug spray that will fight off sand fleas. Normally its an issue if you're on the beach during evening/night hours.

[Rikx1M]

Went to Cuba last April before the invasion :-)

Spent 8 days walking around Havana and only one day at V. beach...I think I wasted that day as the beach is like everywhere else. There is so much to do and see, def bring high quality camera, not just cell phone. My USA cell phone was pretty much a brick for the time as there are pockets of internet in big hotels and at a few random squares. Literally hundreds of people hanging out in parks and curbs at 11pm, not talking and dancing but all in their own worlds, staring at little phone screens....eery scene.

Good advice from those above...also find yourself a Cuban who can help with language and to buy cheap water as gringo prices are 3x local prices. You are best bringing canadian dollars to exchange.

Definitely visit olde cemetary in town, def ride in touristy convertible, def walk on Malacon.....def go!

[CANGRKE70]

A lot of great suggestions

-Old Havana, take a picture with the old woman smoking a cigar.
-Go to the Art market if it's open when you're there. (Got some amazing original pieces for our home) You can bargain down the price end of day as well.
-Partagas Cigar Factory (stock up)