Cuba- Varedero-anyone been?

Question

tips needed for a hol in Cuba Varedero please, we want to swim with dolphins etc tips on money & Cuban rules etc thanks Lou x x

Answer 1

I've been to Varadero  four times. there's no shortage of activities, swimming with the dolphins, deep sea fishing,  going to Havana which is a must do.  A hotel I enjoyed was Brisas del Caribe.  Check the links below for lots of info.  Trip advisor has dozens of reviews.

Answer 2

Richard already gave you the whole information. You will have everything at your door step.

One more thing,  please do not miss going to La Habana Vieja  (Historic place of the City) and enjoy the museums, convents, churches, palaces, castles, galleries, stores and wonderful Cuban food.  

Enjoy it.

That simple.

Answer 3

Yes, got back from a fantastic holiday there 5 weeks ago, Its an absolutely brilliant place, so much to see and do, the dolphin trip is definately worth doing, its £58 and for that you get to swim with the dolphins on your own, they throw you up in the air, you hold onto their fins and they drag you through the water and they kiss you while your having your photo taken with them, fantastic trip, Cayo Blanco is definately worth going to, thats £47 and for that you get to go on a catamaran over to Cayo  Blanco, you spend a good few hours there and have a lovely lunch with is included in the price then you come back and go to the dolphin show also included in the price, Havana overnight is a definately worthwhile trip to go on too, thats £103 and included hotel, dinner and breakfast, entry into the Tropicana Club and lunch on the second day, its an amazing city and well worth seeing, you can also do a jeep safari though we didn't bother with that trip, there are nightclubs in Varadero town which are cheap to get into and a taxi from most of the hotels is only a maximum of 10 peso each way with is about £10 for the round trip, don't buy your gifts in the hotel though, go into Varadero on the open top bus and buy them at the markets there as they are so much cheaper and better, the open top bus is 5 peso and you can use your ticket to hop on and off the bus all day from 9 am to 9 pm so its good value, have a great time, Varadero is fantastic.

Answer 4

Yes, I left Cuba on a flight from Varadero many years ago. That's the last time I was there. We had all our possesions confiscated before we were allowed to board the plane and came to the U.S. with only the clothes we were wearing.

Answer 5

Richard K gave you excellent sites and good hotel suggestions. The Sol Meliá resorts are very nice such as Paradisus Varadero....or Tryp Península....these are just examples...see the links and go through what catches your eye.

You can go to the Dolphinarium (dolphin aquarium) to swim with the dolphins and see a show.

http://www.cuban-beaches.com/matanzas/sw...

Take CAD, Sterling, UK pounds, Euros to exchange to CUC...if you take USD, you will be charged a fee of at least 10% for exchange...the others do not get charged....US-based credit cards and travelers' cheques are not accepted in Cuba.

Don't exchange all of your money right away...do it every two days perhaps because you will need to change your money back upon coming back home since CUCs have no value outside of Cuba.

One major rule (since you're talking about 'rules' lol)....never talk about Castro in a negative light, EVER. You will not be received kindly and they won't trust you.

I've seen it happen where someone was 'joking' about something and the Cuban receptionist took high offense and was upset.

Other than that, just have a great time....be considerate about their livelihood....it's true the travel agents will tell you that you shouldn't and don't have to tip...but it's common courtesy as everyone needs to make a living. Be balanced but be kind and courteous to the services provided.

You can also bring little 'gifts' to leave with some of the friends if you like as well.

Have a fabulous time!

*Edit: sorry Richard....I didn't notice the link you put for the Dolphinarium.