I need a vacation.. suggestion needed!

[Reef_Geek]

There's a number of off resort excursions that you can do. Cuba is communist so all the tours are government operated. The country is quite safe as they have a very limited tourism market (mostly Canada and Europe), so the government works hard to keep tourists safe. Locals treat tourists like gold. You convert your CAD to Cuban Convertible Pesos at the hotel (like USD exchange rate) but each tourist Cuban Convertible Peso that you tip is like tipping them $25 so they work hard for tips without being imposing.

Of the off-resort trips, we liked the local province (Matanzas) trip, the snorkelling trip to coral beach, the boat cruise to Cayo Blanco. The trip to Havana was ok just to say that we did it, but we felt very 'processed' as it is their most demanded trip so they just rush you through the full day. Skip the jeep safari if you go on many other trips, as you just hit the same spots as all the other tours.
































supposed jeep safari are in these things, and you just go where all other tours go anyway.

[Aquattro]

All those pics make me want to go back

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

All those pics make me want to go back

Me too...

my next trip is Florida Keys though. Going to get some dives logged. It's been about 7 years since I was there. I recall great snorkeling with lots of big animals in the marine preserves.

[Oilers]

Wow.. those are beautiful pictures Reef_Geek. Thank you so much for the pictures and the detailed information. So should I bring Canadian or US dollars to Cuba? Which do they prefer or it doesn't really matter since they gonna force you to convert everything to Cuban convertible pesos?

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by Oilers

Wow.. those are beautiful pictures Reef_Geek. Thank you so much for the pictures and the detailed information. So should I bring Canadian or US dollars to Cuba? Which do they prefer or it doesn't really matter since they gonna force you to convert everything to Cuban convertible pesos?

Thanks! Glad you like.

I brought CAD and converted as I went. The front desk at the hotel can convert for you. Sometimes around the resort, I tipped CAD. I tipped our room maid $5 CAD a day and she left me a personal thank you note every day.

The tours can be purchased at the hotel, where tour sales reps have daily hours. They'll take Visa. (will not accept AMEX due to embargo).

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Reef_Geek

They'll take Visa. (will not accept AMEX due to embargo).

As long as it's a non US based Visa company. Cards like CitiBank won't work.

[Oilers]

More snow today.. can't wait until I see the travel agent on Monday.

[Oilers]

Just want to say thank you again for all your opinion/recommendation. We had a really good time in Varadero and I would come back there in a heart beat.
It's cloudy and windy with a chance of rain/snow in Edmonton today. Would this ever stop??

[Reef_Geek]

this being Canreef and all, here's some Varadaro water related shots. Not the best snorkelling. It's a poor country... so near shore waters are well-fished.