Reviewed 30 Jan 2013 by Andrew James
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?Following on from our trip Vietnam two years ago, I took the kids to Cuba over Christmas and New Year.
It was a great trip, despite a lot of bussing around: fascinating; frustrating; beautiful; run-down; bubbling with friendliness; yet often like a living corpse.
Not a gourmet paradise but lots of great music. The contrast with Vietnam was very striking, in that the latter seems to have been able to move on, and incorporate capitalism into its socialism to a far greater extent.
The first thing that hits you in Cuba is the amazing contrast with anything we are used to at home: no adverts or billboards; no neon signs; almost no brand names; very few shops we would recognise as such; very few street-stalls; none of the little workshops you'd see in Asia; hardly any medium, let alone big factories; very limited range of food; almost no commercial traffic; very few modern cars or busses; hence almost empty roads and deserted Russian-built motorways; hardly any newspapers either printed or read; and not even as many bikes, scooters or motorbikes as I would have expected. The main motive power in most places is the horse: either cart, cab or bareback.
There were surprisingly few people on the streets with much accompanying buzz.
However, those that are around are always impeccably dressed and dignified. They may have very few material possessions but they make the most of them. And they are mostly genuinely friendly - there is very little actual begging but you can see they are very grateful for any 'help'.
Despite a very real pride in the 'Triumph of the Revolution' and its achievements, the abiding impression, though, is of disillusionment, frustrated ambition, and absence of hope, either for themselves or their country. There is a general lethargy and a lot of sitting about - over and above the Spanish love of 'mañana', why work harder when you are being paid a pittance. And what could I buy anyway?
Socialism seems to have delivered good health and education, and kept the people from starving - just. But it has been at the cost of stifling bureaucracy and repression. People are very wary of talking openly about their feelings since you never know who is listening and will report it to the ubiquitous Neighbourhood Watch System (how different from our use of the term!) Even though Fidel is very much in the background, he is still alive, so people are muted in their opinion: while they admire his leadership in the past, many now blame him for stifling development and more freedom now.
His brother, Raul, is now in the hot seat and seems to be taking careful and tentative steps to a more market economy and freedom to travel.
Nobody knows what is going to happen when Fidel finally pops it, or if Obama lifts the embargo. Or will the government be able to control the explosion if it lets the pressure off a bit too fast?
The government blames most of its woes on the US embargo, which may have some truth but seems mainly to be a good smokescreen for its own mismanagement and paranoia. Everyone agrees the embargo has proved totally ineffective (in getting rid of Castro) and cost the US far more in lost sales than it has hurt Cuba. Except, that is, the rich Cuban refugees who fled the revolution and refuse to accept that some someone 'stole their ball' and that, after
50 years, they'll just go back and take over as before.
Since Florida is usually a swing-state in elections, no party has dared offend this significant lobby group. However, there has been a vital shift in recent years: the unforgetting, intransigent old-guard are dying off, while the younger generations have no memory of Cuba (they are Americans, not resentful Cuban refugees) and have other more pressing concerns, like jobs. Meanwhile, there are now more Mexicans than Cubans in Florida, who have therefore captured the 'Hispanic' vote, and thus deprived the Cuban reactionaries of their single-issue leverage in Washington.
Apart from the politics, there are some very beautiful parts of the island, particularly in the mountains and the far east. You wouldn't go there for the food but there are fabulous beaches and reef diving. There are two main kinds of building: wonderful old Colonial-style colonnades, most of which are falling down or crumbling away; and dour Russian-era flats and offices.
I'm really glad to have seen Cuba as it is now, a weird last bastion of Socialism, before it inevitably changes radically, for better or worse.
Who knows who the winners and losers will be, and whether the Cuban diaspora will help the transition, or try to destabilise things.
I shall be very interested to see it again in 20 years, though I fear it will have gone the way of Kathmandu and Bali, and sold its soul to commercialism and materialism. It was ever thus . . .
Reviewed 25 Aug 2012 by Elizabeth Morgan
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Just back from an 11 day adventure in Cuba, our family has had an exciting, hot, interesting and fun time. For us day one was fantastic with the open top American cars coming to take us for a trip wow. The other highlight was swimming in the fresh water rivers.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don’t take smart clothes it’s a relaxed holiday, a fan would be useful and sun protection and comfortable footwear are essential as there is gentle walking in cities or in the country side. You don’t need torches as the power cuts were years ago!! Initially it was a little annoying having to tip toilet attendants but we got used to it and kept loose change.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
As we were in a communist country it is hard to know exactly what happens to money. The local people are lovely, gentle, non hassley (2012) this may change as the years go by.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A few things that I would like to have been different. Our stay at Playa Largo, was ghastly our guide had advised us all to check that the window locks were working as he had been the guide on a previous trip at that hotel when some of his guests had been robbed as the windows didn’t lock. We checked window locks in our chalet the windows locks were broken, we were moved to another chalet, the window locks were broken and air conditioning didn’t work so we were moved into the room which had been allocated to the coach driver, it was cleanish and very very basic. This took hours and some of the moving was done by us in temperatures of 36% not pleasant and not acceptable this experience ruined our stay in this area. The other thing I would have liked would have been two nights at Varadaro so we had more time to relax and chill at the end of a fantastic holiday.
Read the operator's response here:
We were pleased to read that overall you enjoyed your trip.
You are absolutely right about the hotels, regardless of whether there has been a crime, the window locks should be working. We have contacted our agent and asked that the hotel get these fixed immediately. Thank you for highlighting this to us.
We appreciate your idea of spending more time in Varadero at the end of the trip. We are somewhat limited as we need the trip to fit with the international flights - however your comments have come at a good time as we are just reviewing our itineraries now and I have passed your suggestion to the Product Manager responsible for our Family Trips to Cuba.
Thank you again for your feedback.
Yours sincerely
Sean Hughes
Customer Operations Manager
Reviewed 15 Apr 2007 by Sallie Robins
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Probably swimming with Dolphins as it was totally unexpected and not part of the programme, although my son (7years) being invited to play maracas with the house band at one hotel was also wonderful, also maybe swimming in the sea at sunset in Varadero after a stormy day so some unexpected waves to play in - which my son thought so exciting. Bizarrely enough even happy memories of doing a little hand washing in our room whilst listening to some Cuban music as was such a great country to be in even washing seemed fun! Oh yes watching our tour guide Felix and bus driver Jose trying to catch a red crab to show us - hilarious - two big strong guys being snipped at until eventually getting their catch. Just sitting looking at scenery from bus window - being followed back to hotel by our new pet the three legged dog - ridding in the blender (Russian Truck) - well could go on and on -
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with the flow - there will be all sorts of unexpected treats along the way - sit back and enjoy - and don't worry even as a vegetarian we never ever went hungry - we had packed all sorts of snacks and ended up leaving most of them behind. Make sure you always have plenty of change for tips - as tipping is a national pastime.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, there was plenty of interaction with local people and chances to use the services they provided. Tourism seems to be quite organised in Cuba and this of course helps to minimise impact by limiting numbers and using local guides to ensure you don't damage the environments that you visit.
4. Any other comments?
Had the most amazing time and am finding too hard to get back to real work and the real world! Hmm probably the best holiday since having children - absolutely fantastic mix that allowed us to experience culture etc without children being in anyway bored - our seven year old son had such a great time - I can't even recall him complaining about anything apart from having to get out the pool eventually and go to bed at some point and of course come home!
Reviewed 13 Aug 2006 by Lesley Elliott
This trip to Cuba is absolutely fantastic. There was a good range of activities and a busy itinerary but we also felt that we had time to do our own thing. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, professional, flexible and helpful. As a group we all found our travels thought-provoking. There was also a nice balance between time spent in an urban/rural environment. The best time was spent meeting local people and learning about their way of life. The beach extension at the end led to a range of mixed feelings. We did not like it because it excluded all Cubans.
It appeared to be in complete contrast with the rest of the holiday. However, on reflection it may be that the reason why Cubans are excluded is for protection from some negative aspects of tourism and may be there is a place for this type of tourist, but unfortunately it was not for us despite the beautiful setting!
The food in Cuba is also not ideal for vegetarian travellers but if you go knowing that and are prepared for a diet of rice, beans and omelettes, then it is not a real problem. Fruit is also plentiful of course.
I would rate this holiday very highly.
1of7
