Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Havana’

Budget Accommodation In Cuba

August 23rd, 2010 No comments

In these days of economic crisis traveling is becoming less affordable. Holidays to Cuba is not an exception. Flights an airport taxes are ridiculously expensive and accommodation in hotels in Cuba is not exactly cheap either.

Hotels in Cuba as I mentioned before are not very cheap although there is a number of options for as little as $14.00 per person per night. The problem is that everybody traveling on a budget want to stay in these very few hotels so to find accommodation in cheap hotels in places like Havana for instance is extremely difficult. There is an article listing the cheapest hotels in Havana.

Ok now we know how difficult is to find these hotels. What is left then is something called Casas Particulares. These are private houses in Cuba that rent 1 or 2 rooms at around $30.00 per room per night. Noticed that I said per room if to people are sharing a room it works at $15.00 per person per night. If you are from UK then it works at around 8.00 pounds per person per night. Cheap isn’t it.

There are few things you need to know though. The Cuban government is very strict when it comes to landlords that rent their houses and there are a number of conditions and limitations that you should be aware of before you decide to go for this kind of accommodation.

Tourists are allowed in Casas Particulares as long as they share the house with the Cuban family. There are limitations in terms of how many rooms a landlord can rent and how many passengers on each room.

So what I am trying to say is that staying in Casas Particulares in Cuba is a good idea for cutting down the cost of your holidays to Cuba but is not for everybody. This type of accommodation is suitable for people that have no problem sharing a house with a Cuban family.

There is a way though to get to stay on a private house on your own without having to share with a Cuban family. There are few options available mainly in Havana. The problem is that you are not going to find landlords advertising their rentals on the web on an independent basis because it is illegal. In this case what you should do is to get in touch directly with them and negotiate the terms of your accommodation.

Before booking your Holidays to cuba. Visit www.quest2cuba.co.uk by Jose Mauricio Maurette for more information on the best twin centre Cuba Holidays.

Beach Holidays To Cuba.

November 13th, 2009 No comments

In this write up I want to provide my observation about these beach holidays to Cuba that are offered by big tour operators at a very attractive price. Cuba has an enormous demand as a tourist target for holiday hunters and one of its major features is its beaches.

In order to be more specific lets take a look at Guardalavaca area, this paradise of turquoise color beaches and white sand is a favorite among vacationers and has an international airport about 40 minutes by couch located in the province of Holguin.

In this beach area you can get pure leisure and lodging standards that array from 3 to 5 star quality properties. There are only 3 hotels in the area so you will in no way feel compacted by the multitude of beach lovers that can be found on any popular beach location around the Globe. If you are traveling with your children Cayo Santa Maria presents the opportunity of accepting kids but if you are looking for a property for adults only this location can also go well with your demands.

All of the hotels in this tiny deserted island are all inclusive so you do not require to go seeking where to eat or amusement outside the hotel. Superb spectacles are offered by the staff and choreographers of the hotels in their outdoor theaters in the evenings or in the swimming pools in the afternoons. Fishing, diving and all kinds of tours are also accessible from the excursion counters at the reception area of each hotel.

Lots of table games, aerobics, pool games, archery, salsa and Spanish introduction lessons and water sports that do not need fuel are incorporated within the cost you paid for you package holiday. You will not need to pay out a penny while staying in your resort. All of them have one buffet restaurant and at least 2 or 3 a la carte restaurants. A la carte restaurants have to be booked though through the reception of the hotel you are staying in.

Even though you have almost every thing you need in these beach resorts I always recommend you visit at least Havana or any of the interesting cities in Cuba that will provide you with a real insight of what Cuba is about. I mentioned at the beginning that these big tour operators have very good prices but they only specialize in beach holidays and if you want to combine centres then the package gets a bit pricy with them.

If you are looking to combine in your holidays beaches, history, culture and impressive architecture then get in touch with any of the smaller tour operators. They have very good contracts with all the service providers in Cuba and can put together whichever itinerary within the island you have in mind.

If you don’t come across any tailor made holidays specialist I still suggest you book overnight excursions to any of the Cuban major cities from the excursion desks in your hotel. So you can have a good feeling that you have been to Cuba this is a must. Having said this I will leave you hoping your trip to Cuba will be an unforgettable experience.

For further information on Havana Hotel reservation please visit Holidays to Cuba web site by J. M. Maurette

Some Good Tips Before You Travel To Cuba.

September 25th, 2009 No comments
by Jose Mauricio

In this piece of writing you can come across answers to some of the questions you have regarding your Cuba holidays. Along many years I have been given suggestion to customers wanting to visit Cuba so I decided to recap some of them. I hope you find them helpful.

The best museums in Havana are The Museum of the Revolution (former Presidential Palace), The Capitolio (former seat of The Chamber of Representatives and Senate), The Museum of The City (Government Palace and Town Hall in the colonial times) and the museum of Belle Arts.

In case you do get sick visit the doctor who is normally based in a room in your same hotel or in another one close by. Ask the concierge of your hotel where and how to find a doctor.

Try not to wear expensive jewellery while walking the streets, especially in Havana. The crime in Cuba is very low but there are rare cases of pick pocketing and some other minor crimes.

If possible stay at least three nights in Havana. There is so much to do and see that if you stay less than what is recommended you will miss what this vibrant city is really about.

Try to avoid taking a non official taxi in Cuba. It is not as safe as taking an official one. It is very easy to tell the difference between them both. The official taxis are new modern cars with the company name written everywhere and the none-official ones are mainly Ladas, Moskvich and old American cars.

Visit Tropicana Cabaret. This is the most famous show in Cuba. Even if you are not a cabaret person you will be amazed with the quality of its choreographies, the skill of the dancers and definitely the sexiness and sensuality of the men and women that performed every night under the stars.

Try to book your self in one of the city tours that are offered in the lobby of almost every hotel in Cuba. These tours are very economic and convenient to do in your first day on each location in Cuba. They are normally guided by experienced tour guides and comprise both walking and driving around. Price is from 15.00 CUC per person.

If your tour operator has an office in Cuba which offer representation to their clients try to be contacted on the lobby of your Hotel or if necessary you can visit their offices. There have been cases of scam in which tourists are contacted on the streets and taken to a bar for an information meeting in which you might end to buying few excursions thinking you are dealing with an employee of your tour operator.

About the Author:

A Remarkable Tour Of Cuba

September 4th, 2009 No comments

A tour oriented to promote the roots of the Cuban Culture and traditions has been released by one of the leading tour operators arranging Cuba holidays especially for the British market.

Old Havana Ltd trading as San Cristobal UK has planned a fantastic program full of adventure which covers what is considered by many the most interesting locations in the occidental half of Cuba.

The Jewels of Cuba Tour has been designed for the English speaking market and it accommodates an average of 10 passengers per departure. This way the information is more accessible and the tour is more personalized.

Upon arrival, travelers will be welcome by the tour guide at Havana Airport and then transferred to Havana?s Old Town to stay in a beautiful 4 star boutique hotel. Guests arriving to airport?s other than Havana will be collected and transfer to Havana City.

While staying in Havana there is something new and exiting every day. Drive in Old American cars from the 40?s and 50?s, horse and carriage tours of Havana and even a ride on a boat around the littoral cost of Havana will keep you busy day and night.

All the transfers are done by an air-conditioned mini van and guests will enjoy the same knowledgeable tour guide through out the course of the week. In some cases travel distances are long and this will be a good opportunity to learn about the history and culture.

From Havana the tour then moves on to Las Terrazas National Park and from there on to Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Trinidad. It really covers the best of Cuba in an action packed itinerary full of adventure.

This seven day tour will certainly appeal tourist interested in knowing the Cuba Culture, history and traditions. Because of its duration is also ideal to extend it with few nights on a beach resort making the whole experience in Cuba truly memorable.

Before booking your holidays in cuba. Visit www.bestbeachesincuba.co.uk by Jose Mauricio Maurette for more information on the best locations and Cuba beaches.

Habana’s Cathedral, A Site Worth Visiting.

July 10th, 2009 No comments
by J. M. Maurette

It is not possible to mention the beauties of Havana without including The Cathedral Square. With its cobbled streets and beautiful facades it captivates visitors from all over the world.

In earlier times it was named Plaza de la Cinaga (Swamp Square), and later on “Plaza de la Catedral”, it is a place that has much to do with the beginning of Havana, founded on the 16th Century in the proximities of Havana’s harbour.

Late in the 18th century and after many refurbishment to a religious building which eventually became The Cathedral of Havana Cathedral the Square was to be known as The Cathedral Square. The Cathedral it self is just amazing. On its facades the best baroque architecture of Havana can be appreciated which contrast with its complete Neoclassic style in the interior. Beautiful buildings surround the this church harmonizing with the splendour of the square.

As an additional touch, since 1994, as an initiative of the tourist company Habaguanex S.A., its square holds dinners, official gatherings and for amusement too (chosen by important enterprises and agencies), related to travel and emblematic products such as the Habanos. The view is marvellous, to a very well preserved architecture, the cultural richness of the Cuban and the food-making in the restaurants in the surroundings.

Only few steps away La Bodeguita del Medio restaurant can be found. This together with el Floridita restaurant are the most famous and emblematic restaurants in Cuba. It serves the best Cuban cuisine and its walls are decorated with pictures and autographs of many famous personalities such as Ernest Hemingway, Mario Benedetti, Pablo Neruda or Errol Flyn and so many others.

The list of celebrities is very long and it has been like that for decades now. Today holiday makers can enjoy one of the best restaurants not only in terms of the food but also in terms of character. Its bar is very intimate, small and cosy and like in many other bars in Havana music is always played by a small traditional Cuban band.

Many people spend time chatting in this site which is always amusing due to the presence of guitarists and singers, as it has happened for more than six decades, when its founder Angel Martinez (deceased), used to personally inquire about the likes of his guests.

The best hotels in Havana are just few minutes walk from this square. To avoid taxis and unnecessary hassle just book your self in one of the boutique hotels in The Old Town and you will be able to just walk outside and enjoy a caf in any of these captivating squares. If you need any assistance or advice you can always contact us as we will be very happy to share our expertise with you.

About the Author: