Planning a trip to Cuba

Coventry
Level Contributor
1 post
3 reviews
Planning a trip to Cuba

HI, I am planning a trip to Cuba with my husband and two others, I don't want to book with the usual travel agents and end up in an all inclusive resort I want to see the country. Can anyone recommend the best places to stay, as a start I wanted to spend 3/4 nights in Havana, but where to go from there I am not sure, I also wanted to have 3/4 nights relaxing on a beach, our stay is for 14 nights.

Any idea's would be very welcome.

Kitchener, Ontario
Level Contributor
1,658 posts
37 reviews
1. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

Lots of sites on the net now to plan your own stay ! Casa's are a great way to see the country ! Plus you can book your own hotels on many sites... North part of the island , has the best beaches... but not many towns with Casas in them ...Trinidad on the south part of the island... has beaches .. not the greats and also has Casa's... nice town , but not worth more then 3 nights... Are you going to rent a car ?

Newton Aycliffe...
Destination Expert
for Cuba, Rafael Freyre, Guardalavaca, Holguin
Level Contributor
86,671 posts
46 reviews
2. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

I assume you will fly Virgin Atlantic into Havana. Have a look at the HolidayPlace website:

holidayplace.co.uk/holiday/…cuba

Be warned since they changed their website design, it 'hangs' for quite a while before it loads up.

Auckland Region...
Level Contributor
11 posts
41 reviews
3. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

I travelled independently last month using the following 15-day tour as a guideline for where to go and how much time to spend in each place:

www.cubagrouptour.com/tour/15day-2010.html

I took buses to most places and stayed in wonderful casas which were cheap, clean and allowed me to get to know the culture better than I would have at an all inclusive resort.

I would suggest cutting back in time in Cienfuegos and Camaguey, but that depends on what you like. A good guidebook (such as the Michelin guide) and a Spanish phrasebook will come in very handy.

York, United Kingdom
Level Contributor
31 posts
65 reviews
4. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

We are also planning a trip very much like yours and also travel independently. What month are you looking to go? That is our sticking point at the moment deciding best time to visit.

Newton Aycliffe...
Destination Expert
for Cuba, Rafael Freyre, Guardalavaca, Holguin
Level Contributor
86,671 posts
46 reviews
5. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

I would avoid July and August as it's far too hot then. I have just returned from a month in Cuba and the weather was excellent but these days you never can tell. May or June should be good months to travel.

6. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

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Newton Aycliffe...
Destination Expert
for Cuba, Rafael Freyre, Guardalavaca, Holguin
Level Contributor
86,671 posts
46 reviews
7. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

JorgesTravel:

Self promotion is not permitted on Trip Advisor and your post will, no doubt, be shortly removed.

York, United Kingdom
Level Contributor
31 posts
65 reviews
8. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

Hi Thanks for response. We are now looking at going in November. I have just sent in another request for help over the travel agents comments about travelling independently with no spanish knowledge. Would welcome your comments on this. Thanks

Halifax, Canada
1 post
9. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

Varadero, Cuba

Toronto
Level Contributor
276 posts
10. Re: Planning a trip to Cuba

I would suggest a stay at Breezes Jibacoa which is 1 hr drive from Havana. Nice property. I have been there 5 times. Cuba nine times. In Havana I have stayed at the NH Parque central (real nice property in old section of havana with beatiful roof top pool. Highly reccomend. The Hotel Nationel in Havana is a great historic place to stay as well. Would be my second choice. Take in the tropicana show and maybe dine at La Guardia (great paladar). Hpe this helps.

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