Going to an all-inclusive resort in Cuba for a winter wedding. Totally new experience for me. Never been to an all-inclusive. Never been to Cuba. Resort is about 5 hours drive from Havana. Beach gets good reviews on Trip Advisor; hotel, so-so for a "4 star". Any tips as to what to expect and what to do? I am so not a beach/sports person!
OT: Trip to all-inclusive in Cuba
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ottawamom
The "Air Miles" Lady
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What resort are you staying at? The resorts are all so different. It's difficult to generalize. With a few more specifics someone on these boards may have been or know someone who's been to the resort you're staying at and can offer tips etc.
starvenger
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I was just at a Beaches in Jamaica, so I might be able to speak to some general things about an all-inclusive, but Tripadvisor is probably a better source of information. Just remember to look at the 2-4 star reviews. I feel like the 0/1/5 star reviews tend to not give a complete story about the resort.
I guess the first thing to check is how you are getting there. If you're taking a bus, 5 hours is a long time. We had a 2 hour bus from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and it was plenty long - people got sick on the bus ride back to the airport. So if you get a break, take it - even if it's just to stretch your legs.
And while your resort may or may not require tipping (it probably says on their website), the bus driver definitely does!
While the resort may be all-inclusive, there may be an upcharge for top-shelf/premium drinks (better rum, scotch, etc). Beaches did include premium drinks, but you had to ask for it. And don't overdo it on drinks! Worst thing you can do (maybe second depending on how you feel about sunburn) is have a hangover at a nice resort.
For activities, it's really pool/beach/water activities/sports. It sounds boring, but if you pace yourself (so opposite of what you'd do at a Disney park) you'll find that you will have much more fun. I know you said you weren't a beach/sports person but since everything is included it's the best time to try some stuff out.
I guess the first thing to check is how you are getting there. If you're taking a bus, 5 hours is a long time. We had a 2 hour bus from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and it was plenty long - people got sick on the bus ride back to the airport. So if you get a break, take it - even if it's just to stretch your legs.
And while your resort may or may not require tipping (it probably says on their website), the bus driver definitely does!
While the resort may be all-inclusive, there may be an upcharge for top-shelf/premium drinks (better rum, scotch, etc). Beaches did include premium drinks, but you had to ask for it. And don't overdo it on drinks! Worst thing you can do (maybe second depending on how you feel about sunburn) is have a hangover at a nice resort.
For activities, it's really pool/beach/water activities/sports. It sounds boring, but if you pace yourself (so opposite of what you'd do at a Disney park) you'll find that you will have much more fun. I know you said you weren't a beach/sports person but since everything is included it's the best time to try some stuff out.
Last edited:
bcwife76
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We love all inclusives but have only been to ones in Mexico. From what I've heard about Cuba, the beaches are fantastic but the food usually sucks (due to trade embargo rules, etc). I'm sure someone else can answer Cuba-specific soon though.
Lesverts
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Just from the distance you mentioned you are likely staying at Cayo Santa Maria or Cayo Coco, both of which have airports near by.
I absolutely hated Cuba. The people are pushy, always had their hand out. Don't look at the star ratings as anything comparable to what you get in Canada/USA. Cabana Bay or the Disney values would be ultra deluxe compared to the 5 star I stayed at. Food was awful, and unless you enjoy the beach/pool there is not much to do. There are excursions that you can take depending on your interests. Some are good value and get you off the resort for the day.
I absolutely hated Cuba. The people are pushy, always had their hand out. Don't look at the star ratings as anything comparable to what you get in Canada/USA. Cabana Bay or the Disney values would be ultra deluxe compared to the 5 star I stayed at. Food was awful, and unless you enjoy the beach/pool there is not much to do. There are excursions that you can take depending on your interests. Some are good value and get you off the resort for the day.
Tinkershelly
<font color=royalblue>DisneyWorld trip winner!<br>
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I loved Cuba, stayed at two different resorts (in Varadero and Cayo Coco). For comparison I've also been to three different all-inclusives in Mexico and DR. I found the staff in Cuba far superior in terms of friendliness and professionalism. You also won't be harassed multiple times per day to buy a time share in Cuba, which is what happened in Mexico and DR. As a matter of fact we couldn't even leave the airport in Mexico without that happening!
You will need to know about the currency exchange at the time so ask your travel agent or someone in the know, keep your tourist visa card in your passport so you don't lose it! You need proof of medical insurance and check about electricity at your resort as you may need a converter to plug in your devices. The water is safe to drink and the resort districts are safe to travel in. For all -inclusives in general go to the orientation your travel provider gives and only book excursions through them, for the safety of your credit card and reliability of the product.
The beaches are fantastic, entertainment and food are resort specific so maybe find a message board dedicated to that resort location and ask questions. I thought the local fruit and dairy offered was awesome. We had a fresh juice bar and a made-to-order omelet station at breakfast, and a made-to-order pasta station and grill for supper every day, at the buffet. I think I ate my body weight in yogurt and ice cream as well, so good. And if you like higher quality booze you can ask for it by name and if they have it they will give it to you. The better quality stuff is kept under the bar and they make the "blender drinks" with the cheap stuff, but that is the same at every all-inclusive.
Take sunscreen, over the counter meds , and any personal care products with you as you may not be able to get what you want in the store on site, or pay a premium for it. But again this is true for travel anywhere, including Disney!
You will need to know about the currency exchange at the time so ask your travel agent or someone in the know, keep your tourist visa card in your passport so you don't lose it! You need proof of medical insurance and check about electricity at your resort as you may need a converter to plug in your devices. The water is safe to drink and the resort districts are safe to travel in. For all -inclusives in general go to the orientation your travel provider gives and only book excursions through them, for the safety of your credit card and reliability of the product.
The beaches are fantastic, entertainment and food are resort specific so maybe find a message board dedicated to that resort location and ask questions. I thought the local fruit and dairy offered was awesome. We had a fresh juice bar and a made-to-order omelet station at breakfast, and a made-to-order pasta station and grill for supper every day, at the buffet. I think I ate my body weight in yogurt and ice cream as well, so good. And if you like higher quality booze you can ask for it by name and if they have it they will give it to you. The better quality stuff is kept under the bar and they make the "blender drinks" with the cheap stuff, but that is the same at every all-inclusive.
Take sunscreen, over the counter meds , and any personal care products with you as you may not be able to get what you want in the store on site, or pay a premium for it. But again this is true for travel anywhere, including Disney!
dancin Disney style
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I just came back from Cuba last month. Go on TripAdvisor and read the forums. You will find loads of good info from people that frequent Cuba.
Just a couple of things that have been mentioned by PP's.
The staff are not at all pushy. In fact we found them to be much nicer in Cuba than on the other islands. They are kind hearted, hard working people. They like to chat with you and get to know you a little.
Tipping is not a part of Cuban culture. It only occurs at the all inclusive resorts because the visitors are mainly Canadian with Europeans being second. It is never expected but if you do offer a small tip it is accepted with genuine gratitude. If you choose to tip you will rarely tip more than 1 Cuban Peso. If you do not tip simply offer a smile and a gracias. That will also be appreciated.
You do not drink the tap water in Cuba. The locals do drink it but they will tell you to stick with bottled water even for brushing your teeth.
The currency for tourists is the Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC) it is a closed currency so you can't buy it outside of Cuba. Your best bet is to buy it at the airport before you get on the bus to the resort. You need a passport to exchange money. Take Canadian cash with you, they will take USD but there is a 10% tax on it before it is even converted to CUC. All the banks and resort currency exchanges take Canadian cash. If you wish to use a credit card it can have no affiliation what so ever with a US bank. Purchases on credit card are converted from CUC to USD then charged to your card in USD. The current exchange rate from Canadian to CUC is approx. 25%. Almost all resorts have an exchange counter so you are best to bring Canadian cash and just exchange as you need it. Lastly, Canadian coins will not be accepted in Cuba.
There is an article on TripAdvisor that explains the electrical current in detail. It explains what you can and cannot do and what adaptors/convertors you might need.
The tourist visa will be given to you on your flight to Cuba. You need half of it to enter the country and the other half to exit. Do not lose the exit portion or you will have a big problem and will miss your flight home. There is no longer an exit tax. It is included in your airfare.
Proof of health insurance is required to enter. They may or may not ask for it. If they do and you can not prove you have it you will be required to purchase a policy from them in the airport.
Just a couple of things that have been mentioned by PP's.
The staff are not at all pushy. In fact we found them to be much nicer in Cuba than on the other islands. They are kind hearted, hard working people. They like to chat with you and get to know you a little.
Tipping is not a part of Cuban culture. It only occurs at the all inclusive resorts because the visitors are mainly Canadian with Europeans being second. It is never expected but if you do offer a small tip it is accepted with genuine gratitude. If you choose to tip you will rarely tip more than 1 Cuban Peso. If you do not tip simply offer a smile and a gracias. That will also be appreciated.
You do not drink the tap water in Cuba. The locals do drink it but they will tell you to stick with bottled water even for brushing your teeth.
The currency for tourists is the Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC) it is a closed currency so you can't buy it outside of Cuba. Your best bet is to buy it at the airport before you get on the bus to the resort. You need a passport to exchange money. Take Canadian cash with you, they will take USD but there is a 10% tax on it before it is even converted to CUC. All the banks and resort currency exchanges take Canadian cash. If you wish to use a credit card it can have no affiliation what so ever with a US bank. Purchases on credit card are converted from CUC to USD then charged to your card in USD. The current exchange rate from Canadian to CUC is approx. 25%. Almost all resorts have an exchange counter so you are best to bring Canadian cash and just exchange as you need it. Lastly, Canadian coins will not be accepted in Cuba.
There is an article on TripAdvisor that explains the electrical current in detail. It explains what you can and cannot do and what adaptors/convertors you might need.
The tourist visa will be given to you on your flight to Cuba. You need half of it to enter the country and the other half to exit. Do not lose the exit portion or you will have a big problem and will miss your flight home. There is no longer an exit tax. It is included in your airfare.
Proof of health insurance is required to enter. They may or may not ask for it. If they do and you can not prove you have it you will be required to purchase a policy from them in the airport.
Last edited:
KeroKero
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We've been to Cuba 20+ times and love it. It's a beautiful country with friendly people. We've been to Cayo Coco, Holguin & Varadero.
Sure, the food isn't the greatest but you can't expect to travel, anywhere in the world and expect the food to be at the same standard as what you receive at home. The problem with the food at the resorts is they are trying to cater to the North American or European palette, which is near impossible to do considering the embargo. When you resort celebrates Cuba night, which I'm sure they will, make sure to try the local cuisine. It's absolutely delicious. If your resort is doing a beach party or cooking up something interesting near the pool area, try this as well as this is how they cook and it's authentic as you're going to get unless you're eating off the resort (which I also recommend).
We don't travel to Japan in the hopes of having amazing pasta and we don't travel to Italy in hopes of having amazing sushi. They do what they can with what they have and in my opinion they do well.
The excursions are more limited in Cuba as they would be in other countries where people visit all-inclusive resorts. If you can , visit a village or visit Havana, see how the locals live - even if its just a drive through a town. Meet the people, speak with the staff. Everyone there speaks English, as schooling is free. Your waiter or bartender just may be an astrophysicist or engineer who just can't find a job in his field.
Sure, the food isn't the greatest but you can't expect to travel, anywhere in the world and expect the food to be at the same standard as what you receive at home. The problem with the food at the resorts is they are trying to cater to the North American or European palette, which is near impossible to do considering the embargo. When you resort celebrates Cuba night, which I'm sure they will, make sure to try the local cuisine. It's absolutely delicious. If your resort is doing a beach party or cooking up something interesting near the pool area, try this as well as this is how they cook and it's authentic as you're going to get unless you're eating off the resort (which I also recommend).
We don't travel to Japan in the hopes of having amazing pasta and we don't travel to Italy in hopes of having amazing sushi. They do what they can with what they have and in my opinion they do well.
The excursions are more limited in Cuba as they would be in other countries where people visit all-inclusive resorts. If you can , visit a village or visit Havana, see how the locals live - even if its just a drive through a town. Meet the people, speak with the staff. Everyone there speaks English, as schooling is free. Your waiter or bartender just may be an astrophysicist or engineer who just can't find a job in his field.
dancin Disney style
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I totally agree with KeroKero. There is very little on any of the islands that is the same as in North America.
Cuba is known as the place you go to kick back and relax. They have the most beautiful beaches. It literally looks like a postcard.
I've only been to Cayo Santa Maria. The bus ride from the airport is about 90 minutes but it goes by very quickly. You have a guide on the bus and it's like getting a free excursion. You drive through a couple of busy towns and get to see a little bit of the local life.
Cuba is known as the place you go to kick back and relax. They have the most beautiful beaches. It literally looks like a postcard.
I've only been to Cayo Santa Maria. The bus ride from the airport is about 90 minutes but it goes by very quickly. You have a guide on the bus and it's like getting a free excursion. You drive through a couple of busy towns and get to see a little bit of the local life.
Canadian Disney Mom
Formerly Tollerwalker - originally joined July '05
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I have been to Cuba several times. Previously we also stayed in Cayo Coco and loved it - best beaches anywhere. The food was okay, not great but edible. We never stay in anything lower than a 4 star in Cuba. We went last year and it was our first time in Varadero. Varadero itself was nice, loved the shopping markets downtown. Our hotel was HORRIBLE. We stayed at Memories Varadero Beach - food was gross, dishes were dirty, I got bites all over my legs. Terrible place!
ottjdub
Dead Men Tell No Tales
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Been to Veradero and Havana Cuba several times and loved it. The food is not the same as it would be in DR or Jamaica but the ppl are freindly, drinks are cold and the beaches are amazing. Have an Open mind and enjoy the trip.
I will be in Cayo Coco Cuba at the end Jan 2017 for a Winter Wedding as well.
I will be in Cayo Coco Cuba at the end Jan 2017 for a Winter Wedding as well.
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