Going to Cuba for the first time

[Kapsimalis]

Ok gents very simply it's my first trip to Cuba and I'm going with my lovely lady and a bunch of friends. So I was just hoping for a recommendation on a great all inclusive resort to go to. Nothing less than 4 star, 5 star is great but not too too pricey because a lot of my friends are cheap. Anyways. The trip is just a fun get away unfortunately for me where I'd want it to be all about cigars. But non the less I will have a good time and I love vacationing. Ok so facts now are simply a good resort, close to a beach, and in veradero. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. now I know food in resorts sucks but if there is any resorts with a good restaurant around or in it let me know please.

[Blackham]

My friends have stayed at the Blau and the Paradisus Varadero and had no complaints, both are 4 stars and cost them around $1000/pp for 7 days (we're from Toronto)

for cigars here's a list of cigar stores in Varadero: http://marty.514crew.com/cigarstores.html

[scradley]

Me and the lady stayed at Sirenis La Salina in Varadero last year and we had a great time.. Mind you it was in an " off time " of year when we went so it wasn't too badly priced ~1550cdn taxes in for the both of us... This resort is MASSIVE so if you don't enjoy a decent walk I wouldn't recommend it.. We were booked through Nolitours and from what I understand is they get the nicer rooms closest to the beach, we had a great time met some fantastic people and took the bus into Varadero twice that week, there are a few LCDH in Varadero and I did the majority of my shopping in the LCDH on Calle 63.

[JohnnyC]

Just returned last Tuesday from Varadero. This has been my fourth trip. The last two years my wife and I have stayed at the Iberostar Varadero. We stayed at other resorts but this was the best one for me. The food and accommodations were top notch. Hope this helps.