Any recommendations for all inclusive resorts/areas in Cuba?

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Veradero. Stayed at Barcelo Solymar

I got married there, i liked it because its walking distance to veredero but the beaches are beautiful!

Varadero

Krystal Andrews
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Sorry if I sound silly, but what does * mean?

It's to help people follow this post who are also interested in the information

Thanks

Not a silly question. It's basically entering a "comment" to get notified of additional responses.

Or clicking on the arrow on the top right of the comment and clicking "turn on notifications" one would also receive all comments/information rather than a * or . Clogging up the comments/suggestions.
But that's how I follow a status or question

Check out Memories Jibacoa if you are into snorkeling and want to be close to Havana. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g1172156-d254186...
TRIPADVISOR.COM
Memories Jibacoa

Following

Breezes Bella Costa in Varadero. My fiance and I stayed there last year in February, we talked to a bunch of people at the resort who come back year after year saying they always had a great time. The food was great, everyday we ate piles of fresh shripm. It's not a new resort so you can't expect much but I don't think you really can anywhere in Cuba. We walked into Varadero 3 times during our stay, it's a bit of a walk but if you're active it's nothing.

we had a great time at Sandals

Blau Veradero resort was amazing. We were just there in November. Highly recommend it

A girl recently posted on here about many people getting really sick at some of the all inclusive resorts in Cuba through sunwing vacations. Look into it further in the older posts, it was also on the news. Worth a look, last thing you want is to pay all that money and be in bed the whole time.

Will do! Thanks for the heads up

Look into Jibacoa (sp?)

We rented a private casa with kitchen for $35 Cuc per night. Wonderful family that owned the casa. They even did our laundry when needed. Friends rented a casa on the beach with pool, 3 bedrooms, kitchen, and palapa for $70 Cuc per night then hired a private chef and charged $6 per person for dinners, with enough food left over for lunches. Made for a wonderful relaxing and affordable holiday. The beach house also came with a cleaning lady who did laundry! Would definitely recommend seeing Varadero this way.

awesome!! Website for this? Was it on vrbo?

Would love some more info on how to find this type of thing! Sounds lovely!

Look up casa particulars in Varadero. There are a number of different sites. If you find a place ask if the owners offer cooking, laundry and cleaning. Laundering and cleaning usually come with but meals are extra. Having a local cooking for you is really good as groceries are difficult to find especially for tourists. Locals know how and where to buy and for a lot cheaper than tourists can. Hope this helps. Happy travels.

Also good to know is that the food is very bland. Take your own spices. We also took pancake mix and syrup for some of our breakfasts. The meals will be pork, fish and chicken. Very hard to find beef. Not much in the way of vegetables. Usually tomatoes, cabbage. Rice and beans are a staple at most meals. There are a few really good restaurants tucked away on the side streets. Costs of dinners would run anywhere from 25 Cuc to 50 Cuc per couple and this will include all drinks. Try "Don Alex" for great pizza around Calle 30 no reservations but there can be lineups around dinner time. Or the "Pink Cow" reservations a must,around Calle 21. There is another really good Italian restaurant around Calle 42 but can't remember the name. Always has lineups but well worth the wait.

Cuc is the same exchange rate as the US dollar! Look up casa particulars in Varadero. There are a number of different sites.

Sandals In Varadero was amazing

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I've stayed at the sol sirenas hotel in varadero! It's a bit further down the peninsula and there's not much to the hotel but the staff was absolutely amazing and I would 10/10 stay there again!

Blau was fantastic! Stayed at a resort next door second time, didn't even come close. We rented a car/driver and went to Havana-a must do. Next time I would just rent the car and drive myself.

We were going to rent a car in Varadero but we were told that if you get into an accident you are not allowed to leave the country until all the insurance claims are paid in full! Heard that one fellow had to stay for 3 months! We couldn't afford to be stuck there that long so decided to hire a car and driver as well.

If going to Varadero be mindful of the Star-rating of any of the all inclusives. TripAdvisor.ca may have somewhat accurate reviews but always keep in mind what their economy is based on. Ask questions of your travel agent or if using TripAdvisor.

We stayed at Melia las Americas . Good food, awesome beach

Anyone been to Santa Maria?

Royalton Hicacos in Vadero. Amazing food and fantastic staff. This used to be a Sandals

Headed to Cayo Santa Maria next week and staying at Hotel Cayo Santa Maria. It's a 4 hour drive from Havana.

Were leaning towards that resort as well!

Yes I have been to Cayo Santa Maria last year and stayed at the Melia Las Dunas Resort. Beautiful well run resort. Many guests have been before and seem to keep coming back. That alone say's a lot!! Clean, friendly staff, pools sparkle, big rooms and great beach. You fly into Santa Clara and take a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to resort. I suggest you book (you do this at the resort through your tour provider desk) the VIP lounge for your departure home. Can't remember what we paid but well worth it.....air conditioned, nice seats, food and drinks provider. We had Champange!!! If you want to see Havana it is a full day trip and you fly on a domestic flight. We didn't go as we have already been to Havana so not sure of the price. We would go back again for sure!!

Would you recommend renting a car to check out Havana and do an overnight there? Or do a tour through the hotel?