Cuba: Resort vs House?

[moneyshotz]

Hello,

My 4 friends and I are planning a trip to Varadero Cuba this spring and I'm contemplating if I should go the tradish all inc resort route or look to rent a whole villa/house over there and cook our own meals?

I was thinking that booze is very cheep and if we bought groceries and cooked our own food now and then we'll be ok.
From all the people I've asked they told me that the food there sucks so why would I want to pay all inc when drinks are sooo cheep and the food stinks?

If my friends and I were to rent a house we could bring ladies over whenever we wanted to without any trouble day or night.

I figure air fare is abbbout what, $500. and a house is abbbout what, maybe $500-$1000.U.S a week?

So my question is for all you pep's that visted Cuba. Does this sound like a good idea or is the resort style vacation much better/safer. Would these gal's rob me or do me harm?

Phankx

 

[revolver]

I'm not sure about renting an entire house though I know it is possible. Many cubans offer rooms for rent in their houses, some with separate entrances. When I stayed in Santiago for a week I stayed at a house with an upstairs floor that had 3 separate rooms for rent. I paid $20US per night. The owners lived on the main floor and would cook meals (very good) if needed for an additional $7-8 depending on what it was.

The choice I guess depends on your preference. If you want to spend a majority of your time on the beach then go for the resort. If you are just looking for girls then go for a house. You will not need 1000US for a week, more like about $20-25 per night (per person) for a nice room. It is also possible to find girls if you stay at a resort. They will know what to do and where to go but there will be an additional cost for a house for a short time or overnight as "most" hotels will not let you bring a girl in. I say most because that rule is not always true. I have come across some night watchmen who were willing to take a small donation to accomodate.

I've never been robbed but just use common sense. Don't leave money lying around. The girls will not do you harm. They have something else in mind.

Last time down, in April, I stayed at a resort called Gran Club Santa Lucia which of course is in Santa Lucia on the beach. The food was excellent and plentiful. The best I have had anywhere in Cuba. So it's not all horror stories as far as food is concerned. Some places are getting better in that regard.

 

[Geographic]

Get Both

Sometimes it makes sense to get both. An all inclusive resort is many times not much more than air fare alone. Also going half and half is good as the resort offers some sanctuary from an "entourage" that tends to accumulate when you start to get known as partying tourists. Things can get quite annoying as you are expected to pick up the tab for the whole entourage. I found out the hard way. Luckily things are cheap as my first lesson came when I realized the Cubans don't pay for anything (because most make about $15.00 USD per month if they are lucky) and it is expected for you to pay the tab since you are a rich tourist and they are showing you around.That night after I came to the realization and put a stop to the tab at a Cabaret and found out it was only approx $22.00 USD for 2 tourists and 8 Cubans. My fear that night was I only had $50.00 USD on me and the resort (where the rest of my $$$ was) was 45km's away by expensive taxi (for the tourists).

Also the benefit of the resort is you can go back relax and eat some good food as compared to what you get around Cuba in general.

 

[The Fruity Hare]

Revolver:

I was at Gran Club this year too. The best food I have had at any Cuban resort, but that is only because it is mainly Italian owned, so they have Italian chefs to feed the large Italian contingent.
I'm not sure how we would cope trying to shop for food in a Cuban market, if the food they supply at most hotels is so bad, what must the locals have to put up with. A better deal is to find a 'casa particolar' that also supplies meals.

My first night there, went to Verde, the Cabaret place just outside the resort and saw cops running after girls who were not supposed to be in that area. Was hoping they would get away, but they weren't so lucky and were dragged into a police jeep and taken to the local station. Heavy police presence when I was there, at the end of May. Girls were terrified of being seen with tourists.
Cienfuegos was similar, the girl I met would not walk beside me, I had to follow behind, but near Holguin, it seemed much more relaxed, I could walk hand in hand with her in public.
Always check for current info before you leave.

 

[revolver]

Gran Club Santa Lucia

Yes it is part owned by Italians and caters largely to them. Also many tourists from Germany as well when I was there. The food was excellent. The resort was very nice, nice big rooms and a very nice big swimming pool with swim up bar. Relatively inexpensive as well.

Out at the outside bars in the area, Mar Verde - Rumbos - the Rapido, there will be many girls in the evening but when I was there as well, police would do their normal rounds and the girls would scatter if they were sitting with any tourists. It's really sad how the girls are treated in Cuba and the double standard that exists. A cuban guy can hang out with female tourists and the cops won't take a second look. The girls have to run for cover or they are hauled off to a police station and possibly jail.

Daytime at the beachbars were a different story though. No policia to be seen and lots of opportunity to mingle and chat.

 

[UnMEnXTC]

After being there twice this year, I think you would have problems buying groceries. The Cubans don't have much available in meat and therefore don't eat much meat.

AI is the best way to go for the food, and as stated, especially if you book last minute can be even cheaper than just airfare!

 

[moneyshotz]

Thanks people, I think I'll go all inc. resort style when I plan.