Author Topic: Re: Walking distance from Iberostar Varadero (Read 5240 times)

Milli · « **on:** December 02, 2005, 10:05:00 PM »

I was wondering what is within beach walking distance from Iberostar Varadero or say within a half hours distance. I know people staying at a couple of resorts in that area at the same time that we will be there. :confused:

flopnfly · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:06:00 AM »

I'm not really sure where the Iberostar is located in Varadero.

If it's out on the tip then it will be quite a long walk between resorts. It's doable but not necessary. You can jump on the bus that goes back and forth all day. It stops at most of the resorts.

We walked along the beach for miles, about a 2 hour walk and we didn't even do half of it.

YHZ · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2005, 08:52:00 AM »

Milli - Sandals RH is right next door to the Ib Varadero. On the same stretch of road but down further are Sandals Princessa del Mar, Barcelo Marina Palace and I believe Playa Almeda? Not 100% sure about the Playa Almeda. :confused:

Beach Bum · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:24:00 PM »

Stayed at the IB Varadero last May. The only other resort within walking distance that hasn't already been mentioned is the Paradisis. To catch a bus into town there is about a ten min. walk to the main road. We asked for a schedule from the front desk and the one they gave us was not accurate. Ended up waiting 40 min. Hopefully they will have corrected this by now. If you have any other questions about this resort I would be happy to try and answer them.

Milli · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2005, 10:35:00 PM »

Thanks for getting back to me Beachbum, YHZ, Flopnfly. We took the bus last April and I am under the impression that it tends not to be on schedule ;) but runs hourly. We didn't have to wait very long for it.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2005, 10:51:00 PM »

Hi Milli,I guess I need to clarify. The hotel gave us a printed schedule that we assumed was accurate, so we timed it to get there 5 min. early. When we got there we were the 1st to arrive and we looked at the schedule that was posted at the bus stop. It was roughly 35 min. different than what the hotel schedule said, gradually more and more people started to appear and the bus was on time according to the schedule posted at the bus stop. Not a big deal as we talked to some other tourists and gave our seat on the bench to an elderly couple who were waiting. We were glad that we had brought some bottled water with us.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2005, 01:12:00 PM »

Milli, we did discover a really good excursion from this hotel that involves snorkeling that we planned ourselves that turned out to be the highlight of our trip (and the cheapst ) If you're interested I would be most happy to share the details. Beach Bum

Milli · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2005, 01:47:00 PM »

Beachbum: Can you believe, I have never snorkelled but that is one thing I want to try in the Caribbean. I had heard that good snorkelling is not one thing that Varadero is known for. I'd love to hear about it.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2005, 03:43:00 PM »

Great Milli, I've been dying to share.-On our first trip to Cuba (3 yrs. ago) we went on the Rio Canamar tour. Thoroughly enjoyed it by the way. The first part of the tour took us to a beach called Coral beach-it's a park on the ocean about 10-15 min. past the toll booth towards Havana. Total approx. half an hr. from the hotel.It was so awesome that when we returned to Canada we bought snorkelling equipment at Costco. We went to the Mayan Riviera the next year and it didn't compare. Anyway long story short when we went to Varadero we did the Cayo Blanco tour and it wasn't as good so we wanted to go back to Coral Beach. We booked a tour that included it but when we all got sick we had to cancel. The day before we left my husband asked around and found out that the IB Varadero has a desk where you can hire a car privately. I think it was 30 Cuban pesos for 3 hrs.
I'm so glad we did! It was awesome. It was on the weekend so there were lots of local people. Families picnicing. Lots of kids , lots of smiles. We had taken a water bottle with bread and water in it. You can squirt it into the water and the fish will be right there. The little kids swam over to see. Great fun.
The driver was great , when we got there the driver let us lock our stuff in the trunk .There is a concession stand there so you can eat here too. We took bottled water and after an hr. took a break. I reapplied sunscreen but my husband and 18 yr. old daughter didn't and did they live to regret it! Recommendation: wear a t-shirt. Another hr. of swimming and we were tired but we were grinning from ear to ear.
The fish-absolutely awesome-colours I didn't imagine excisted in nature. It's like swimming in an aquarium. I still dream about it. You don't have to go too far out but if you're not a good swimmer I would recommend a life jacket. They had them on the tour we went on the first time and lots of people wore them. That way you can just float and enjoy. Both times we took a disposable underwater camera.
The first time we went we followed the guide (that's were we got the bread in the bottle idea) and we knew there are passageways through the reef that are easy to find. There were a group of divers that were leaving when we arrived and the tour guide told us to watch out for the fire coral. I did see a couple of pieces so I was glad he mentioned it. You could look it up on the net so you know what it looks like.
Anyway it's a great spot. I think it's a nature preserve. Wether you go on a tour (Part of the Rio Canamar or I think there's a half day one that includes it, then you wouldn't have to buy equipment) or on your own, I highly recommend it. I'm a beach person so it was the highlight of our two week stay. Thanks for letting me reminice (sp?) on this snowy day.

Milli · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:01:00 PM »

Thanks BeachBum. Your day at the beach sounds almost idyllic. I can see why you enjoyed the experience. I am looking forward to trying this but will be very much a beginner at snorkelling. As well, thanks for that tip about the desk where you can hire a car privately. That could come in very handy as well~ Milli

flopnfly · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:15:00 PM »

Beachbum thanks for sharing that story about snorkelling.

I had never heard of it but I'll definitly be trying it next time I'm in Varadero.

Do you have any of those pic's online that you would like to share? I'd love to see some.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:56:00 PM »

My pleasure Milli and Flopfly. The underwater camera was disposable and unfortunately we left our digital camera locked in the trunk of the car.

flopnfly · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2005, 07:43:00 PM »

No problem Beachbum. If you have any other tips for Varadero I'd love to hear them.

Must go to restaurants, bars etc.

I have to admit that I love walking around the flea market and then spending the day on the beach with the locals watching them fish. I have to remember to take some fishing gear down with me next time for them.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2005, 02:54:00 PM »

Flopnfly, The only other suggestion I have is to go to Park Josone, I think that's how it's spelled, and when you enter the park, go to the right and you'll see a gazebo on the edge of the lake.They serve really good pina coladas, made with all fresh ingredients. Usually there is a little band there that will serenade you too.
We've been to Varadero twice now for two weeks each time and I think I would like to check out Holquin. Lots of people on this site seem to enjoy going to Playa Puesquera. We had considered going there last time but there was lots of feedback on the travel sites saying that the lack of water due to a drought was a considerable problem earlier this year.
You used to be able to go to Holquin from Vancouver but now it appears you can only go from Calgary so I guess we'd need to change planes there. I'm envious of all the destination in the Caribbean that folks from Toronto can fly to. So many options for all inclusives. When you add on the price to fly to Toronto for us it gets a bit pricey.
O I forgot to say, we usually go to the flea market (A must) then hop on the bus to get to the park, it's in Varadero but on the way back towards the resorts. the driver will stop if you ask, then get back on again after you've visited the park.

amareto · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2005, 10:12:00 PM »

hey guys. i dont see it any problem for that. :rof: walk.it s good for your heart.