agroove

8 more days and then i’ll be sitting under the sun, on white sandy beach, looking at the blue/green ocean, with my lady ^^

this will be updated regularly until we planned out everything to do, havana day trip, catamaran, dolphins, water ski / wind surf / snorkelling / banana boat / all you can eat and drink ;p

05.06

The tours/excursions are going to be expensive. lol

Havana Special – Visit the most famous city in the Caribbean and the heart of Cuba, plus the famous Tropicana Show.  Change of clothes is required.  No jeans, sneakers or sandals.  Adult Only 135 CUC

Seafari Crucero Del Sol – A lazy day, Catamaran cruising.  Snorkeling at an amazing coral reef and a visit to a secluded island.  Time for photos with dolphins.  Lunch, open bar, equipment included.  Adult 85 CUC

Matanzas and Bellamar Cave – Spend an afternoon exploring these beautiful natural caves.  The oldest and deepest caves in Cuba with stalagmites and stalacities and rare fossils in its many underground tunnels.  A city tour of Matanzas is also included.  Adult 25 CUC

We should pay in cash because if paid by credit card, a 11.12% government tax is going to be added.

Always bring swimwear, sunscreen and towels to boat tours =)

In regards to buying RUM and CUBAN CIGARS, there is a beautiful liquor store in town just before Calle 62.  They give out samples and the prices are excellent.  The Tryp gift shop also sells rum for a decent price.  5 CUC or so for a 40 ounces of White Havana Club Rum, the most popular brand.  At the same store just before Calle 62, are some Cuban cigars.   Get them there!  Too expensive at the Tryp gift shop.  Make sure the seals are still in place.  The price of cigars vary depending on the size you want.  Monte Cristo and Coheba are the most popular brands.

The Tryp is about 15 minute cab ride to the centre of Varadero.  The cab ride costs 10 CUC one way but ask first how much before getting in one.  Better yet, go out in the morning and just walk it, the town is surprisingly very small.  Stop for a drink, mingle with the locals.  It is safe!  Also, try lobster anywhere!  The Barbacoa, La Fondu, La Casa de Chef, Casa Nouveau, La Gruta del Vino, Lai Lai, Dantes, Tocororo, El Toro, Mallorca.. all wonderful to try!

Emailing someone who has travelled to Varadero and stayed at Tryp Peninsula is the way to go!  So much information!  I love it!   It gets me excited, 8 more days til Paradise!

-Keiko

05.03

daily excursion of havana and varadero (i wonder how we’d book this)

travel tips here, like amount of cigars and liquor i can bring back ;p and also some sightseeing places, and day trips too

oh and vista is suxing ><

cuba forum with lots things – here, things to bring to cuba – here

Things to do:

• Havana + Tropicana show
• Swim with dolphins
• Catamaran Trip + Snorkelling (sunset)

Things to bring:

• bug spray
• insulated mug
• air freshener
• snacks (or instant noodles cause we’re asian)
• flashlight
• lots of sunscreen

beach girll, good, lunch
gondola, breakfast (Italian)
A la carte – Tocororo (Int’l food)
Pasta @ the buffet
ice cream, desserts, mojitos
building 25? not ground floor, facing the beach pls

Things to note:

• finish water or hide it, so can be replaced, and toilet paper too
• first to the bus, front seats, first to line up at check in
• small card on the night stand, place on bed for sheets to be changed
• any type of card for room to keep ac running
• bacon well done, omelette well done
• pool bar snacks good
• la Laguana, lunch = grilled food
• rum punch & vodka + sprite

stay at hotel Tryp Peninsula, Varadero

Swimming pool

• Adult swimming pool
• Children’s swimming pool
• Terrace area with sun beds and umbrellas

Meals

• Palma Real buffet restaurant
• Tocororo International restaurant
• La Gondala Italian restaurant
• La Laguna Ranchon restaurant
• Saoco snack bar
• Arrecife pool bar
• Lucuona piano bar
• Salsa cafe night club

All inclusive option

• Full board and snacks (restrictions will apply)
• Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (restrictions will apply)
• All facilities listed under Activities
• All items listed under Entertainment

Entertainment

• Daytime and evening entertainment

Activites

• Non-motorised water sports including snorkelling, pedal boat, kayak, catamaran, sailing, windsurfing, introductory dive lesson
• Sports facilities including badminton, mini-football, tennis, beach volleyball, basketball, archery, rifle shooting, aerobics, water aerobics
• Fitness centre
• motorised watersports including banana boats and jet skis

some of the stuff seen here could be used at the beach too probably, janet you should look at it too

oh and burton had a sample sale on tues/weds, i went and bought a duffle bag $25, belt $20, wallet $15, pink helmet for my baby $40, and flip flops $33, omg it’s like you just have to grab everything there, it’s crazy, i couldn’t stop