I`m goin to Cuba. I need some info!
 

I`ve spend a great deal of time in researching for some hotels in Cuba with hi speed or any kind of internet connection and havent found shit. I need some recommendations ppl. I need a site with info on the hotels like email or phone.
From your experiences what is Cuba like?What hotels can you recommend , what places to visit etc. Btw whats better Havana or Varadero?

You won't find any high speed internet in Cuba. Cuba is a communist country that is stuck in the 60's run by a dictator who still thinks the Cold War is going on. You won't find alot of "high tech" stuff in Cuba.

Having said that, and from having been there, it's a fantastic place to visit from a cultural, historic perspective. The people are extremely friendly, the beaches are amazing, the water is crystal clear, and Havana is something to behold.
As far as where to stay. We stayed in Veradero at one of the all inclusive resorts. There are some well known European resorts like Breezes, etc that are good places to stay. If you want to lie on a beach, relax, eat, drink and be merry, Veradero is the place to stay. Rent a car and drive to Havana for the day and do a bit of sight seeing.

Some pics:
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/cars.jpg
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/beach.jpg
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/church.jpg
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/street.jpg
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/palace.jpg
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/palace2.jpg
http://www.redlightmodels.com/fun/cars2.jpg


;)

J.

This is a good site to check out the different hotels in both Varadaro and Havana. http://www.nashtravel.com/hotels.html
Don't leave without spending time in both places...well worth it. It's not that long of a cab ride between the two. couple hours maybe.

hahha
all of those cars are so god damn old

[sarcasm]wow, you're pretty observant...[/sarcasm]

;)

J.

We were in Cuba recently and stayed at the NH Parque Central. It's 5 star and does have internet but only in the business center. You pay by the hour but it worked fine for us. It's right in Old Havana overlooking the old capital building. Just around the corner from the Floridita - home of the daiquiri.

We had a great guide if you're looking for that sort of thing. I'll be happy to pass on his name.

I loved Cuba. It's really sad but it's clean and the people were really terrific.

Ah the Floridita:

http://www.redlightmodels.com/cubacars/104-0455_IMG.jpg

;)

J.

I loved the floridita.. sorta shabby and velvety but the strolling singers, the brass hemingway.. and the food was good too, but nothing beats the daiquiris. I'm not a big drinker and I had to have more than one.

I'd go back tomorrow.

Everything is so old because there has been a US trade embargo in place since the early 60's.

If you are an American travelling to Cuba be warned that there are many restrictions that apply to you; it's not as easy as jumping on a plane with a pocket full of credit cards and a passport.

I take it you are nOT from the US :)

Damn, nice pictures, JohnW. Cuba looks gorgeous and the culture looks pretty cool too.

Isn't there a 10 grand fine for Americans going to Cuba? When we went there were several Americans flying from Montego Bay, but Cuba doesn't stamp passports. They stamp a piece of paper.

I didn't travel on a US passport in case anyone important is reading this.

Nope, Canadian.

;)

J.

Any white sand beaches there?

yes.. we went swimming near the bay of pigs.. it was great. Then we drank mojitos. There are beaches near Havana too.

hope this will help...http://www.cuba.com/cuba/index.cfm?

Does anybody know about a site about info on the costs of maintaining a good lifestyle?

Its one of the places I really wanted to go to in the future :S

I went to Cuba in February. It is gorgeous there, but there are some things you should know first.
They do not have interact or bank machines. If you need money you can go to the bank and wait in a 3 hour line up to get money, but only if you know your pin number for your credit card. They take both American and Canadian dollars to exchange for Pesos at your hotel. They charge a surcharge for amercian money. Bring as much money as you think you will spend. You can use credit cards to book getaways, but you need cash for places like the flee market and stuff like that. Their peso currency they made up and gave it an equivalency. Basically it is only for tourists and 1 peso is 1US dollar.
The water there is NOT safe to drink, not even the bottled water, which is bottled tap water. Bring enough water for as long as you will be there for and remember is it hot there, so you will be drinking a lot of it.
Don't expect to find anything Americanized there. No Coca Cola, no McDonalds, nothing of the sort.
If you are going to take a taxi cab there, decide on a rate BEFORE you get in the cab. We never took one, but this is what we were told. We went to Havana for a day from Veradero on a tour bus and had a tour guide all day for like $80, definitly the way to go.
They have no spices down there to spice the food with. If you enjoy spices, bring your own. :winkwink:
Since I have been there, Castro has apparently banned tipped anyone. I am not sure if this is true or not. We brought down things besides money to tip them with, like chocolates, gum, pens, hair elastics etc. Keep in mind they are extremely poor. They love things like that, cause they can't get any of it down there.
If you have any other questions feel free to hit me up at shortbread#makingcoin#com

Check this out
 

http://www.worldsexguide.com/guide/C...Cuba/index.htm

a great place to visit

Shortbread - do you use icq m8?

"The water there is NOT safe to drink, not even the bottled water, which is bottled tap water. Bring enough water for as long as you will be there for and remember is it hot there, so you will be drinking a lot of it." -> this party scaried me a bit eh

How is it crime wise?

My icq is 203813007

Sorry, maybe I exaggerated a bit on that part. The tap water there is not safe to drink. The bottled water tastes like Chlorine, which is what the tap water tasted like. Hopefully you will be drinking lots of Pina Coladas and beer so this will not be a factor :winkwink:
From what I could see the crime is not that bad. In Veradero there is a guard every 50m or so on the road, and dozens scattered throughout the hotel. With that in mind though, I still wouldn't bring anything too expensive that you dont want stolen.

so many better places to go besides Cuba

More cuba pics....

The sunset
http://www.wastedwebmasters.com/pict...uba2005/14.jpg

The locals
http://www.wastedwebmasters.com/pictures/Cuba2005/4.jpg

Chez Gavera
http://www.wastedwebmasters.com/pictures/Cuba2005/7.jpg

The ocean
http://www.wastedwebmasters.com/pictures/Cuba2005/8.jpg