Cuba
 

Has anyone been to Havana. I will be heading to that area of cuba friday . Was wondering if anyone knew of some interesting things to see there ? I will be staying at Breezes Jibacoa which is located 1 hr from Veradera and somewhere between there and Havana. Definetly will head to Havana on of the days we are there.

Chris

last year was the first time in Cuba so just did one of the day tours from the hotel of Havana. Was guided in the different areas (old and new Havana), lunch then a couple of hours in old Havana. No real complaints.

That really might be our only thing we will go to see off the resort. Looking forward to not having any real comitments and no cell phone.:biggrin:

Dive if your able, snorkel if your not.

I was in Cuba last March. We spent the majority of one day in Havana. Some places worth checking out are the Hemmingway Cafe', the flea market on the north side of town, and the Havana Club Rum museum. We also toured the Revolution museum area, as well as the Romeo y Juliet cigar factory, but that was part of an organized tour. If you go to the northmost part of town, you can go fishing with the locals if you like as well.

We went on a snorkeling half day trip just west of Varadero and that was pretty awesome. Also got to do some snorkeling on a catamaran ride, but in both cases, they were organized tours and I didn't get to spend nearly enough time looking at the fish or corals. Next time I'd just take a cab to the reef area and spend a few hours there instead of 45 minutes.

Have a good trip.

Thanks for the info on Havana. I believe there is great snorkeling around the resort. I've heard that there is a good reef just past the breakers that is full with life and corals .I will also look into a guided trip to go snorkeling.

Chris

Snaz don't have a certificate for diving yet. Am planning and doing that sometime later this year.

Chris

Well I don't have one either but that did not stop me in Bahamas. My resort offered a half day training with the gear in swimming pool and then a half day on the reef. Depth was never greater than 30 ft. so we didn't have to learn decompression. We learned how to replace the mask if it comes off, how to check gear over etc. Do a couple of laps under water and viola. They never took anyone that was not 100 % comfortable with the gear. IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!

I saw a lobster the size of a Labrador(slight exaggeration), countless barracuda and a couple of sharks. Coral and coral fish that put any reef tank in perspective, IE nothing but a goldfish bowl.

If you get a chance go for the 30 foot dive!

Keith

Chowder, I was at that Breezes last Sept. Enjoyed it very much. Lots of snorkling straight out, where the waves break. You can snorker around each reef. I would not go over as the waves will dash you and the coral will cut. I saw octopus, lobster and a lot of different schooling fish. Didn't know the names of any. Bring a guide of fishes.
They will take you sailing everyday in the catamarran. Sign up at the dive shop.
For 25 CUC they will take you out diving for the first time, without a ticket. With a diving ticket, you get one free dive [per week. They have snorkel gear but I always bring my own.
Wed is all you can eat lobster. The a la carte Italian restaurant is the best.

Snaz I will definetly try if I have the chance. I can't turn that down. Hillegom I have heard there is decent snorkeling there but will have to try and go out diving. I will be there with my bib on weds for sure. And most reports on the resort say the Italian restaurant is the best.