Re: Trip to Varadero

[Diplomat]

OK, so we're going for the 1st time to Varadero from Nov 13 - 20, with Air Transat flying out of Vancouver. I think we got a good deal ($867 including taxes for a 7 day stay at Cameleon Jibacoa - air, hotel, food, drinks included).
 
 Just a few questions:
 - what is the best Cuban rum? I'd like to bring some back. I heard Havana Club was the best - is that true? Where can you get a good deal for it? How much can you bring back? A few bottles?
 - ditto for Cuban cigars.
 - when at the hotel, do they usually include the hard liquors such as the Havana Club rum?
 - where is a good place to shop for souvenirs? Nothing big, just small nic-nac's to bring back as a reminder of the trip and maybe a few for friends.
 - would you recommend keeping passports, etc. in the hotel safe or the room safe?
 - any health issues we should be aware of? e.g. water to drink, man 'o war sealife, etc.
 - anything else you think we should know as 1st time travellers? Already checked the http://cubafriends.ca site and that was great.
 
 Steve

[Gambitt]

Originally posted by Diplomat:
 
 
 Just a few questions:
 - what is the best Cuban rum? I'd like to bring some back. I heard Havana Club was the best - is that true? Where can you get a good deal for it? How much can you bring back? A few bottles?
 - ditto for Cuban cigars.
 - when at the hotel, do they usually include the hard liquors such as the Havana Club rum?
 - where is a good place to shop for souvenirs? Nothing big, just small nic-nac's to bring back as a reminder of the trip and maybe a few for friends.
 - would you recommend keeping passports, etc. in the hotel safe or the room safe?
 - any health issues we should be aware of? e.g. water to drink, man 'o war sealife, etc.
 - anything else you think we should know as 1st time travellers? Already checked the  http://cubafriends.ca  site and that was great.
 
 Steve

Answers ( In my opinion) :
 
 The "best" rum is the HC Barrel proof, but it's $100 a bottle,  the best "average" rum is the 15 yr. old.  You are entiled to 1 40 oz. per person, after that the duty becomes somewhat prohibitive, but not impossible.
 
 You are entitled to bring back 50 cigars duty free. You can use your exemption, to bring back "good" cigars, and allow "peso Cigars" to be taxed, if you have the receipt.
 
 Most "all inclusive" resorts include domestic drinks, and a selection of "imported" brands of hard alcohol.  It might not be "Wiser's" but they will have "Canadian Whiskey".
 
 Souveneirs can be purchased in your hotel, at the airport, or at local craft markets (usually the best deals) , and you are entitled to $750.  CDN per person on a one-week stay.
 
 At the resorts in Cuba, the water is generally safe to drink, but they will provide purified water in your room, and at any of the bars or snack huts.  If you are sensitive to strange water, stick with the bottles.
 
 The room safe is generally acceptable for passports ect. , but if you are carrying large quantities of cash, a receipt from the hotel safe, is good insurance. Never had a problem, and in some (not all) hotels, if the room safe is not locked, a "maid's key" will not open your room, and staff will contact you.
 
 The debate is wide open about diseases in Cuba... Some recomend getting the twin-rx vaccinations for Hepatitus A&B, but it is up to you...  Dengue fever does occur in Cuba, so many travellers take along some Deep Woods Off to avoid bites.  As with any ocean environment, it is best to read up on the local fauna... Some jellyfish can cause a nasty sting, even washed up on the beach, and fire-corral will produce a nasty reaction... Forewarned is forearmed!
 
 Best advice I have seen on any site, is to take a photocopy/scan of your passport, credit cards etc. and email it to yourself at hotmail etc.  If anything happens to your documents, you can get copies at any internet site, including an embassy.

[Diplomat]

Thanks Gambitt (is that from The Avengers?)

[MCB]

Welcome Diplomat,
 
 Great to hear you're going to Cuba.Had to drop a line to you since we're also leaving for Varadero this coming Monday via Air Transat from Calgary for two weeks.
 The tip about photocopying your documents is a great one..we always put our passport in the safety deposit box and only use a copy when needed for ..money exchange,etc.
 If you have any questions that I could answer..PM me...I'm at home do the dreaded dead of "packing".
 Have a great holiday!
   :)

[The Commish]

Hi Diplomat/Steve
 
 (my opinion added to Gambitt's)
 
 I've stayed in the resort before, ask for room number 1,2,3,4 or 5 - these are the best and closest to the beach and everything else.
 
 Regarding the Rum - we always bring back the 7 year aged Havana Club - under $10.00 for 26 oz.
 
 There is a store on this resort but is very limited for trinkets.  There is no market close to this resort - you might have vendors on the resort periodically but basically you will have to take an excursion to find a market.  You will be 60 min to Havanna and 60 mintues (this is Cuban time) to Varadero (You are actually going to Jibacoa) via Varadero.  I would suggest going to Havanna and Varadero - that's just me though - why go all the way to Cuba and not visit those two places that are close?  The trip to Havana was great included lunch and the market and some free time to roam around.  Varadero is a beach and shopping trip.  We found the best market in Havanna.
 
 Each room in the resort has a safe and if I recall correctly you set your own combination.  I always keep the passports and money and jewelery in the safe.  Try to get your money exchanged at the airport b/c the resort used to charge a fee to exchange money.  No bank near by like in Guardalavaca.  It could be different now - this was when we had to take US funds.
 
 This resort was my first trip to Cuba as well and we had the best time.  Your rep will have all the tourists for a briefing - don't miss this - you will get alot of info.  The resort will offer you bottled water, and you will have a fridge in your room.  This resort was not always a Canadian resort - just in the last few years they have started to take back Canadians.  When I was there there were 275 Italians and 12 Canadians.  It's small and quaint.
 
 I am aware that there have been some changes and additions to the pool area since my visit.  It can only be better, I am sure.  I have no doubt that you will have a fabulous time.
 
 Regarding twinrx - this is a 3 shot / 6 month vacination - sorry you don't have time for this.
 
 This is my rule regarding going in the water - if the locals aren't swimming in it: neither am I.
 
 And yes, copy your passports and travel papers itinerary, plane tickets etc.  I always put a copy in each suitcase, including the carryon.  
 
 Take imodium - just in case.......a small first aid kit with the basics is a good idea.  There is a thread somewhere in here that is fairly recent where we have discussed what is in our first aid kits to Cuba.
 
 I hope this is helpful to you.  Enjoy your holiday - we are all excited for you and your first trip to Cuba - please let us know what you think upon your return.
 
   :1:  Cheers!

[The Commish]

Steve - Don't forget to leave the maid something -leave whatever is for her on your pillow.  She will know it is for her and won't touch anything else.    :7:

[Diplomat]

Thanks everyone!
 
 Thanks Commish for the great tips and information about the room numbers - I hope we are able to get one of those.
 
 A few questions:
 - what local day tours are best? We want to see the REAL Cuba and not just the resort.
 - I have some clothes from my daughter (for ages 9 - 10), and mostly worn only once or twice and good quality. How do I find the right person(s) to give them to? What type should I take? Trousers, tops, etc?
 
 BTW, how did you add the countdown at the bottom? Which code did you use?
 
 Cheers
 Steve

[Diplomat]

BTW, what should I take that the locals will like as gifts? Someone told me perfumes, T-shirts.
 
 Steve

[Diplomat]

Anyone know how far the "Barcelo Solymar" is from Cameleon Jibacoa and how far to get there? I know someone who will be staying at the "Barcelo Solymar" during our stay.
 
 Thanks
 Steve

[lizzylobs]

Hi  I'm not sure of the distance between the two hotels  but you can get the tourist bus ( Big red double decker ) for 5 Pesos each - it runs in a loop up and down Varadero all day and announces all the stops ,Shops hotels etc- you can hop on and off as many times as you like for the 5 pesos  :D  
 
 As to the gifts we took toiletries ,Childrens & Adults paracetemol & ibuprofen,toothbrushes,felt tip pens( they went down really well )Tampax,wet wipes and then we left all our unused deodarants etc
 There are loads of trips to take we went to Havana ( we hired a taxi for the day ) The river boat cruise is a nice way to spend a morning and I believe the Catamaran trip to the Cayos was lovely .I planned to do loads but found when I got there ,I was more than happy to chill out on the beach
   :1:

[Diplomat]

Thanks lizzylobs.

[The Commish]

Diplomat:
 
 You have to go on the catamaran, we do this everytime and sometimes twice in a week.  Guaranteed a good time!  bmnichol sent me a very good packing tips document on Cuba, alot of work went into this but it is more suited for the first timer to Cuba, and that's not me.  I am going to forward it to you in a pm.  It's long but really worth the read.  :D  
 
 Regarding your daughter's clothes, just ask your maid, bartender or anyone that works on the resort, I am sure you'll find someone with a child the same size.  As far as gifts for cubans, to add to Lizzylobs list; toiletries, nylons, old junk jewelery, soaps, scented candles, clothes, candy, gum, note pads and pens, I think you get the idea now.
 
 I just put in my departure date for the countdown, try clicking on the link to add to your profile.