Cuba in a month today! Any tips?...

[PoohBore]

I'm off in April so this is an absolute must read so keep going guys.

[cbob]

I'm going to stop babbling very soon on this thread, but I do think knowing which Cuba you will see is vitally important before setting off.

Please don't stop the flow Bryan!!
Your "eyes wide open" comments have been some of the most honest I've heard from "first time" Cuba visitors in years.
I normally keep my own observations to myself, sharing with fellow travelers upon specific request but not willing to argue "the Cuban experience" with the general hoard. Everyone has the right to their own interpretations of what they know, or in many cases imagine from guidebooks or cigar forums. heheeh
Your notes and questions have prompted me to share and I only hope that our exchanges are not alienating our fellow Habanophiles.
(Insert "buy Habanos not non-Cuban cigars" advert here )

No offence to anyone on here who has flown in and out of Varadero and stayed there - and I know several have because we have talked about destinations before - but that sort of hermetically sealed beach-based holiday is never what we look for when travelling abroad ANYWHERE.

Now here I must dissent just a bit.
Some of my best "cigar friends" started their "Cuban adventures" with beach vacations to Varadero. Many have now refined their resort selections, settling on areas like Jibacoa (1/2 way between Havana and Varadero) after sampling other resort areas on the island and finding them fine for beaching but light on cigars. To be fair, many of my local cigar group now agree with you and simply head to Havana.
I differ.
While I enjoy Havana-walking the city, visiting the cigar shops, taking my Spanish lessons, I still long to lie back on a white-sand Cuban beach, looking out at the deep blue/turquoise water, feeling the warmth and the gentle breezes. My favorite mornings are when I can "assume the position" with a mug of Cuban coffee to hand and a tasty Habano. My favorite afternoons continue with tasty rum drinks and more Habanos. The beach is warm (and unlike many holiday destinations -clean) . The water is warm (and unlike many holiday destinations -clean) and the scenery, for a lecherous FOG can be most gratifying. In the soft warm Cuban evenings there is Cuban music, great conversation and of course lots more rum and Habanos.
Life is Good.

Many of the dozens of new giant resorts opened in Varadero over the past 5-6 years are isolated out on the far easten end of the penninsula, away from the town and all the good cigar stores and requiring a cab to get about. The cheapest hotels are really only suitable for backpackers and students and are mainly located on the west side near the entrance to Varadero - I'd give them a miss for various reasons but in between, conveniently near to the Casa del Habano and the Casa del Ron and walking distance to everything, there are a number of "older" (7-10 year old) resorts that provide everything you need for a relaxing vacation.
Despite my rantings about conditions in Cuba, I'm really just a selfish bastard who prefers to lie on the beach drinking rum and smoking cheap cigars. And despite reports to the contrary, Cuba is still the cheapest place to buy Habanos. Heck, when my pension runs low, I can always smoke Relobas at $1/bundle.

[PoohBore]

I'm a self confessed all inclusive holiday nut. I like to pay up front and not think about pacing my spending. I have stayed in the hotel as far east at Varadero as you can get. I'm staying midway between Havana and varadero in April and I'm planning on hiring a taxi for a few days to get out and about and see a little bit more than last time. This is great reading and stirring my interest in seeing a little more than the resort. So thankyou guys keep going !!!!

[Robusto]

OK.

I thought this was getting a bit too 'heavy' for a website that is usually a load of blokes chatting about cigars they enjoy.

I ask myself a million questions if I pop out to Somerfield for a large white loaf. Cuba got my pulse racing.

Sorry if it has got on anyone's nerves. A number of people don't think cigars and Politics should mix, but there have been a number of revealing answers to what I was churning around like Hamlet in my nut.

I have just watched the two CHE films with Benecio del Toro (spellcheck please on that lol) and they are a tad long but very interesting, particularly the first film.

By the way... If I weren't a lardarse whose arms go pink as chipolatas in the slightest sun shaft, you could call me Varadero's King Dong. Because I go tomato red, I have to be in the shade. (Think Stetson. Think why).

[Deano]

I've just read an 800 page biography on Che. A committed man, but I'm not sure I believe in his methods or the hero worship that's attributed to him.

[Robusto]

I didn't know about what happened in South America, and how Castro read out a letter to explain Che's disappearance. The second film was really about battles in the mountains in Bolivia, and Che's attempt to move on la Revolucion.

It was a film and they can be candy floss.

You do like biogs, Deano!

[Pantomimehorse]

Ive got the two films sitting ready to watch, also The Motorcycle diaries was a fantastic road movie and well worth a watch if you havent seen it already

[pirald]

I'm sure most of this is covered in other messages, however as I'm at work, and shouldn't really be browsing this, I'll summarise my experience of Cuba (I returned yesterday - 16 Nov 09).

- In Havana, expect to be badgered by locals and hotel staff alike. The Cuban people are very friendly, however given the depressed economic situation there is a real lack of money and basic provisions (such as medicines and toiletries especially)

If you wish to take any offerings as gifts I suggest simple things such as toothpaste, deodarant, perfume, aspirin, shower gel - any toiletries/medicines we regularly use)

Don't expect the food to be great - I struggled with this more than anything else in Cuba.

CIGARS - 1. If you go to Havana, definitely vVisit the Cigar factory (located close to the Capitol building) -you'll never see anything like it in your life.

2. Many locals will try and sell you cigars on the pretence that those in the Partages shops (there are several, including one in Havana Airport) are overpriced. Whether they are genuine or not depends on who's selling them, but be warned - they will likely take you to a dodgy house/apartment down a deserted road, and pressurise you to buy (by the box, not individual cigars).

I personally bought my stash from the Partages as I didn't want to take any risks, and frankly didn't trust anyone trying to sell cigars, which are already much cheaper than in the UK.

GUIDEBOOK - Timeout Havana guide was EXCELLENT. couldn't have done without it (maps at the back are of high detail with hotels/bars/restuarants mapped on and well keyed)

If you have any other questions about Varadero/Havana or any general Cuba questions you think I may be able to assist with (given my very recent 2 week holiday) then please send me a PM.

Gracias

[pirald]

Agreed, Motorcycle diaries is a brilliant movie.

[nicwing]

If you haven't visited the Partagas factory it may be too late!

The Partagas festival is on now and after that I believe the factory will be closed for 2 years for refurbishment.

Looks like you and Robooooosto got in under the wire!