We would like to go to Cuba next, but are unsure of when the best time is.
Although we have only just got home from our last trip, we are busy thinking about where to go next, and our top favourite at the moment is Cuba. We havent had time to go to the library and find any guide books, so I thought I'd ask the wonderfully useful people here for a few starters.
Like:
- When is the best time to go if we want warm (20-25°C) and dry weather?
- Can we realistically see enough in about two weeks?
- Whats the best (and of course cheapest!) way to get there from NZ?
- What about via Vancouver (ie Auckland - Vancouver - Toronto?? - Cuba) as we have friends we'd like to visit?
- A few ideas on things to see and do would be nice, but not essential yet - we need to decide when to go first!!
- What sort of costs do we need to budget for, assuming cheap backpackers rooms etc?
Many thanks, Karen & Colin
Reply to this Hi Guys,
We have been to Cuba several times (Varadero, Havana) area and usually between Feb. to May timeframe, but obviously the earlier you go - the cooler it will be. Normally I would say May & June will be the hottest - assuming that is what you are interested in. The summers are very hot from what the locals tell me - and may be uncomfortable. Then after that - you are getting into hurricane season once you hit Sept.
If you are going for 2 weeks, you can't see everything - you probably want to select a particular area. I would highly recommend Havana - if you are looking for culture, amazing architecture, fantastic people, nightlife & enterntainment - plus a variety of choices regarding food and accomodations - I'm sure you will find something to fit your budget.
There are a couple of good websites that I used the last time we went. Usually we stay at a resort in Varadero and just have a beach holiday and veg out - but last time we did a combined Havana/Varadero trip and built it ourselves so we did some research first.
I'll get back to you if you are interested.
Cheers,
Barb
Reply to this Hi there, sorry I didnt get back to you earlier. Somehow I managed not to subscribe to my own forum post, and only just now found an answer. We are looking at 3-4 weeks, unfortunately around Sept - Oct (we were told this would be wet but towards end of hurricane season). I'll scroll through your blogs and read any Cuba ones, but we'd also love get those websites off you. We are definitely not wanting hot or beaches or resort holidays. We want to travel round, try and see the less touristy side of Cuba. Go to a couple of national parks, visit some beaches but not to laze around on, see the architecture and meet some people. We dont do very well staying in one place for too long! Not that we rush or anything either.
Thanks for any help you can give, Karen & Colin
Edited - ok, so you dont have any posts, never mind. Those websites and any other tips would be great though. Thanks.
Reply to this Hey there - not sure if it will help, but Ive just loaded a blog on Cuba. I got a return flight from Cancun that was cheap as chips. You could get a cheap flight to Miami, then Cancun and go that way? You mention Canada as well, believe its also quite cheap to fly there from both Vancouver and Toronto - often these come as package deals to horrible all inclusive resorts, but most people just stay there the first night and do their own thing after that.
I only had one week, so just did Trinidad and Habana, which gave me a good taste of the country. Casa Particulars are the place to stay for budget - still expensive though - $25 cuban convertibles. I have some contacts for these if you are interested. Best idea for you guys would be to get a copy of the Cuban Lonely Planet from your library or something. It will answer a lot of your questions.
Cheers, Ellen
Reply to this Thanks Ellen, I've just had a quick look at your blog and will read it better later. We've just found ourselves a Cuba LP in the local second hand book shop (latest edition too!) and are poring through that. If you have any casa particulars you recommend, we'd love the contact details please. Cuba isnt going to be a cheap trip! But hopefully loads of fun.
Reply to this Hi Karen and Colin,
I agree with Ellen. We flew from Melbourne, but had the travel agent book the cheapest flights through to Cuba. BIG mistake, as we went through way too many stops. My suggestion would be try to get to LA with Qantas on a cheap flight, then book an LA - mexico city or cancun leg with AA over the internet (much cheaper than via agent or via the phone), and then book online from mexico direct to habana (click or aviasca fly there).
As to Cuba, I would suggest habana and then depending on whether you have time, try trinidad or vinales (great casa there with the old cuba).
Hope you enjoy it. I found it very, well, interesting. Entirely different to all of the romantic notions people carry on about, but that is something everyone has to discover and judge for themselves. I'd suggest reading some politics, though, as it will really help you to understand how it is. And it is fascinating.
x Maria
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