Re: January versus April

[mister]

My family and I generally vacation in Cuba around the second or third week in January.  The main reasons are the prices seem to be very good right after the Christmas / New Year holidays (guess no one has any cash), and it is great to go somewhere hot when it is January deep freeze around here!!  My question is mostly for those who go away in April....why April?  You have my reasons for January, what I am looking for is those die-hard April travellers to bring me over to their side.  We are maybe considering the option of joining you all in Holguin (?) next year.  Anyone?????
   :cubadreamin:    :cubadreamin:    :cubadreamin:

[bellagio]

Well Mister.  Now January for us in the UK can be expensive.  Last year it was cheaper for me to fly to Toronto and back and go to the Blau Costa Verde for two weeks (booked through Sell Off Vacations) than it was to book the Blau from the UK.
 
 I monitor prices every single day that I'm in the UK (that's not too often!!!) and I go when I can get a deal.  Now Easter, August and Christmas are always expensive from the UK.  First two weeks in December is usually the cheapest time to travel.
 
 Now have been to the PCV in June this year (cheap deal because of the World Cup) I wouldn't be looking at going again because of it being low season. Far too many a la carte restaurants were closed for three nights during the week, a lot of the staff were either laid off or sent to school (where the government pay them and not the hotel) and I could see a big change in the hotel from when I was there just a month earlier.
 
 I'll be looking to go back in April because hopefully we will be having a big 7 Days get together at the PCV on around 21st April, so that could be an incentive for you to come and join us.

[Milli]

Mister:
  We have made both of our trips to Cuba in April and I hope to return in April of 07 as well. The first time we chose April because:
 
 1. The 4 hour drive to and from the airport in Halifax is more predictable
 2. The package prices are better than in Feb/ March
 3. I don't know if I could go in the midst of bitter cold and snow and return to the same thing for 10 or more weeks.  
 4. I believe that in Varadero, where we went, the weather tends to be warmer and the water warmer in April than in January.  My neighbor was in Varadero one February and had to wear a jacket most of the week!  
 Those were my original reasons for booking when we did and I haven't changed my mind except that I want to add a week in Cuba in October this year!  I have also noticed that for the last two years (or since I have been watching) that there are some really good sell off deals in April.
 
 Have fun choosing  :)

[flopnfly]

Mister,
 
 I was in Cuba in April this year, and the weather was fantastic!!!  No humidity, lots of sunshine and hot weather.  
 
 Prices were cheap out of Toronto as well.
 
 But the best reason to go to Cuba next April is to take part in the Second Annual 7 Days in Paradise Group Trip.
 
 April 21, 2007....mark it in your calendars!!!
 
       

[Milli]

Is that a definite date Flopnfly  :confused:

[flopnfly]

From the feeback I've been receiving, it sounds like an acceptable date to plan the group trip.
 
 It isn't carved in stone yet, so if anybody has a date they would prefer lets discuss it.
 
 I really think we need to at least pick a date and give people a chance to plan.
 
 Does that date work for you Milli?

[Milli]

:)  Like you said....not carved in stone but I hope we can get away in April.  I would like to hold off for a good self off deal.  (don't know how good my will power will be!) If I can find something  in that time period it will work.

[mojitomiss_cuba]

mister, I've been in April (Cayo Guillermo), May (Guardalavaca) and November (Cayo Santa Maria)
 
 Guardalavaca in May was quite hot (but I like it hot,lol)
 Cayo Guillermo in April was perfect
 Cayo Santa Maria in November was nice in the day, a bit cooler in the evening though I never wore a jacket, but some people were quite chilly
 Plus the water was much rougher and lots of sea grass at that time of year. Red flag days everyday except for the last full day there
 When I came back in November, it took me a full week before I felt warm again (I came back to a cold spell, brrrr)
 I don't like going months before we have nice weather here in canada again
 
 I think late spring and early fall are perfect times to go. In the spring you come back to canada and the weather is getting nice here, if you go in September or early October, you also usually still come home to some nice fall weather. And it gives you time to aclimatize for winter  :)

[Milli]

:confused:  Mister:  What has the weather been like in January in Cuba?  Are the unheated pools and the salt water nice and warm at that time of year?

[Bulldog]

I was in Cuba in JAN/05 and it was a little on the cool side, but I didn't mind. I have gone away twice now in May and found it to be HOT ! I like getting away from the COLD to a warmer place, but some times it's about other variables too   ;)

[bellagio]

Milli:
 
 I found the pools are quite cool in January and the ocean is warmer, but still a little chilly.
 
 Now in May and June when I was there even I was able to walk into the pool in the afternoon and go to shoulder high depth with out my usual 'screaming' performance of how cold it was.  The ocean, too, was lovely and warm.
 
 That's my take on it, but I must admit I am a bit of a wimp with regard to going over knee high in the water as some forum members may no doubt have witnessed.

[mister]

I found the water temps to be quite to my liking in January.  the times that we were at the PP, we had excellent weather (never below 26 C) during the day, with most days being over 30 C.  Sorry Mr. B, but my daughters also truly enjoyed the water.  In fact, they both fought when it was time to come out of the pool.  Maybe it was because they wanted to be close to daddy, who never wanted to leave the swim up bar?????
   :cubadreamin:    :cubadreamin:    :cubadreamin:

[bellagio]

Hi. Mister.
 
 I did say I was a wimp with regard to going into the water.   Unless it is 'jacuzzi' hot I always scream and holler when I go above waist high.

[Kimber19]

Mister,
 Been to Cuba three times now. Twice mid March and once mid April. Weather was great for all three trips. Cayo Coco in April was quite windy with 4 out of 7 red flag days. Varadero in March was warm, but we found the pools and ocean cool. This past March in Holguin was the best weather we have had to date. Seven days of perfect, hot weather, couldn't have asked for more. We did find Holguin warmer than Varadero.  The reason we choose March or April is by the time you return the good weather is almost here as opposed to returning in January to at least three months if not more of cold winter weather.  
 
 Now, we are going back to Holguin to celebrate New Years' this year, so not sure what the weather will be like. Average temps are around 26 during the day, and cooler at night. This may prolong the winter for us, but what the heck, maybe we'll get to Cuba again in April for the 7 days group trip!
 
 Cheers!
 Kimber

[avid traveller]

Mister:
 
 We have travelled to Cuba in April on several occasions. The weather has ALWAYS been fantastic and the deals out of Toronto are great (bit higher than in early December).
 
 Try to book 2 to 3 weeks in advance.