Going back to Cuba

[leftimatic]

Planning on visiting Cuba again next winter ( depending on how the oilfields treat me this spring of course). Hear a lot about Havana and have been to Varadero. Just wondering what's to the south or south east I guess it would be. Thinking Trinidad or Santiago. Just me the misses and our two young boys. Like old buildings and history stuff but would rather smoke cigars and stare at the ocean. Could anyone recommend some other places to go?

[bolivr]

I liked Vinales to the west. A beautiful valley and not far from the coast. It's pretty much tobacco farm central.

[CUBANO]

Go to Holguin or Guardalavaca.

[Bulldog4]

i was in trinidad this past February absolutely loved it especially if you like cobbled streets and old colonial building it has a ton of history and way more mellow then havana but I wouldnt stay there longer then a few days unless your venturing to surrounding areas some beautiful hikes and beaches are close. vinales is my choice tho if you have only a week I would hit both staying in casas if you want more info pm me

[leftimatic]

i was in trinidad this past February absolutely loved it especially if you like cobbled streets and old colonial building it has a ton of history and way more mellow then havana but I wouldnt stay there longer then a few days unless your venturing to surrounding areas some beautiful hikes and beaches are close. vinales is my choice tho if you have only a week I would hit both staying in casas if you want more info pm me

The wife was in Trinidad some years back, she loved it. Hoping on 10 days or so. Love the Casa idea kind of hesitant with kids not so much about accommodation standards, but two young bored boys just spells eviction. Will get a hold of you for more info for sure.

[MrGinger]

Cienfuegos and Trinidad are worth a few days each.

[Blackham]

Two years ago I did something similar:

Day 1 & 2 - Havana (cigar shopping/food)

Day 3 & 4 - took the bus to Cienfuegos (rented a casa right by the ocean, did El Nicho, some cigar shopping/smoking on the main street)

Day 5 & 6 - Trinidad (historical tours/plantation visit/horse riding/music, not much cigar selection in the Casa de Tabacs )

Day 7 - Back to Havana

[...]

When you guys rent casas, do you book it in advance (and how do you proceed) or do you ask around once in the area (and how does it work for you)?

[Blackham]

Jeanff:

usually I book in advance, there are sites that list the casas that are available (I use http://www.bbinnvinales.com/).

-pick your casa and click book

-the manager will reply to your email to confirm booking, if the casa is not available he will provide suggestions

-ask for casa owner's contact, and I would double confirm few days before checking in

You can also ask around while in Cuba, everyone knows someone that operates a casa particular, but I found that a hit or miss.

[Bulldog4]

I used that bbvinales as well but I got the contact info of the casas I wanted to stay and called directly they charge more on those sites then the owners cause they take a cut. ex. one place we stayed in varadero was 10$ cheaper a night when I called directly

[...]

Hmmm. Am I wrong in assuming speaking spanish is mandatory when calling directly?

[Bulldog4]

not required but makes it so much easier. most of the places someone in the house will speak English or enough for you to get by