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Hotels in Havana
Hi Guys,
I want to spend some time in some Hotel in Cuba, but i am looking for all inclusive Hotels above 4 stars in Calm Beaches. I don't like too frenzy places. Any recommendations? By the way: If there is places for fishing i would love to hear recommendations for fishing charters Thanks |
For a beach side AI, you could look in Varadero or on one of the Cayos. Hotels "above 4 stars" do not exist in Cuba IMO; lucky if the so-called 4 star is a true 3. Food may also not be up to expected level.
There are likely more Canadians who regularly patronize AI resorts to be found on the TA forum, so you might get more suggestions there. ---------------------------------------- Note that current 'rules' for hotel stays are different for US passport holders. Holders of all passports who fly direct from any US airport must comply with US OFAC rules. |
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I agree with the other posters, most hotels would have a hard time passing as 3 stars. The price you will pay for these lackluster accommodations is laughable.
I'd highly recommend looking at the higher end airbnbs, you should be able to find much nicer places for less money. |
First trip to Cuba so decided to visit this forum. Pleased to see a thread by Vida, THE expert for advice on Brasil. Anyway, spending one week on a first trip to Cuba, will do three or four days at a Havana particular from your list, Vida. Question: I want to do the remaining days at a beach, perhaps Varadero? Anyone have a suggestion for a hotel or casa in Varadero, one you can walk to a good beach and restaurants, quiet, simple and clean?
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Thanks, zachary149 !
Cuba is often very similar to Brazil. Locals of both usually can't tell for sure if certain of my photos are Cuba or Brazil. I also think the friendly spirit of the people is similar, as is the joy in the music. I already feel a part of the family in whose casa I stay in Havana. Varadero is a long, narrow peninsula, with a lovely long sand beach on one side and mangrove on the other. (But I must say that, although it is spoken highly of, there are dozens of beaches just as nice in Brazil.) The largely all-inclusive resort hotels (which your choice of the "Support of the Cuban People" OFAC reason for travel, if on US passport or from US airport, probably would not agree with, since they are foreign or state owned) are mostly all at the far end. After you drive onto the peninsula, there is a town that runs up to about Calle 62 (where there are a couple of popular bars), after which come all the hotels. Along Calle 1, parallel next to the beach (as are Calle 2 and 3 as well), there are restaurants and little souvenir shops, from the low number perpendicular calles until Calle 62. There are also some restaurants in the centrally located Josone Park. At the perpendicular Calle 31, there is a 'public' palapa right on the beach that rents loungers and has some food and drinks (and is reported to be functional after Irma, which some others apparently still are not). There are lots of casas particulares within walking distance. (Take a look at a map and try CubaJunky for casas there --maybe Jorge y Betty on Calle 31--, or your Havana casa might be able to arrange one for you, as is the custom.) The bus from Havana takes about 3 1/2 hours and is fairly comfortable. 10CUC one way. Veradero bus station is at Calle 36 and Calle 3. . Or try to get a shared taxi, which may make the trip in shorter time, and avoid shlepping to the ViaAzul terminal in an outer neighborhood in Havana by taxi (probably 20CUC from the Vieja neighborhood). There may also be a Conectando bus (which picks up at hotels in Havana---Prices for both companies: http://www.particuba.net/transports/Conectando_Cuba.pdf). There is a local hop-on/off bus in Veradero, and all sorts of taxis, from horse drawn to coco to bici to classic to 'regular'. Note: I haven't yet been to any of the cayos because they are expensive to get to and only have hotels, with no local housing. Beaches there look lovely too. There is a beach within a 20 minute local bus ride of Havana too. It is not as spectacular as Varadero, but the water is turquoise, clean, and warm. There is a hotel where you can get chairs and umbrellas and get food service, for the cost of a day pass. Some of the hotel pools in Havana proper also sell day passes, most of whose cost can be used on food/drinks. (The heat/humidity is often like Rio during the worst summer.) Take a look at the monthly La Habana.com - Cuba's Digital Destination to see what events, music, restaurants are available. Food can be limited in variety and quality, so it behooves you to research and make reservations. (Last time, I cooked moqueca for my casa hosts, but i had to bring canned coconut milk) To add: the guidebook Real Havana 2017 edition is useful. Happy to provide more info if needed. |
Thanks Vida, Very useful info. I spend a third of my time in Brazil each year so, yes, my beach standards are high.
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Iff you're interested in riding in a classic car, that can be arranged on the spot, at several points where they congregate. (about 60 CUC for 2 hours)
Here's a list of personal guides in Havana that might be useful for a day or half day escorted look around: (largely compiled by Laurie on TA before her first trip, and added to) Guides, Cuba walking tour guide: Analay Fernandez (walking tour): [email protected]; +53 5 5389726 art tour Havana Sussette Martinez <[email protected] music and more Radis..... [email protected] other guides with vehicles: Humberto Mesa (driver): [email protected]; +53 5 2944372 Jorge: [email protected] Boris: [email protected] Geikis: [email protected] Ronel: [email protected] Danay: [email protected] Darien: [email protected] Jose: [email protected] Pototo: [email protected] Claudia: [email protected] Natalie: [email protected] Jorge Milanes: [email protected] (011-53) 52419134 Jorge Gonzalaz Estrada on Facebook Nosotros Cubaneamos (Juan Carlos) Alejandro Rodruguez Bidondo ([email protected]) Darien Paetz . https://www.facebook.com/darien.p.rodriguez (Joel, driver) Santiago <[email protected] (+53)76424580(Casa) +53 53833855 (Móvil) Nosotros Cubaneamos |
Originally Posted by zackery149
(Post 29320212)
First trip to Cuba so decided to visit this forum. Pleased to see a thread by Vida, THE expert for advice on Brasil. Anyway, spending one week on a first trip to Cuba, will do three or four days at a Havana particular from your list, Vida. Question: I want to do the remaining days at a beach, perhaps Varadero? Anyone have a suggestion for a hotel or casa in Varadero, one you can walk to a good beach and restaurants, quiet, simple and clean?
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Varadero has a town, which is full of Cubans. Cubans flock to the beach on the weekends. Yes, their are souvenir shops, but I would not classify the town as "commercial". The resort hotels, that cater to many Canadians, are clustered on the far end of the peninsula, and provide their own beaches and their own nightlife, so many guests do not venture off grounds.
I am not fond of resort hotels, as zachary may know, preferring smaller, local B and Bs, in Cuba as in Brazil. So far, I have not prioritized the cayos, which like Jibacoa do have lovely beaches, because they have solely resort hotels; there is no staff family or local housing or opportunity to meet Cubans except those employed to serve you.. There seems to be some hike for hotel guests of Memories Jibacoa that passes a few local houses: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...ince_Cuba.html |
Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
(Post 29433956)
Varadero has a town, which is full of Cubans. Cubans flock to the beach on the weekends. Yes, their are souvenir shops, but I would not classify the town as "commercial". The resort hotels, that cater to many Canadians, are clustered on the far end of the peninsula, and provide their own beaches and their own nightlife, so many guests do not venture off grounds.
I am not fond of resort hotels, as zachary may know, preferring smaller, local B and Bs, in Cuba as in Brazil. So far, I have not prioritized the cayos, which like Jibacoa do have lovely beaches, because they have solely resort hotels; there is no staff family or local housing or opportunity to meet Cubans except those employed to serve you.. There seems to be some hike for hotel guests of Memories Jibacoa that passes a few local houses: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...ince_Cuba.html My issue with Varadero is principally the size and the hordes of tourists. Might as well be on any other Caribbean island. As for those, nothing tops Barbados in my view. |
I agree with you.
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