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...and which resort would you recommend for family. I'm not going to Mexico, so don't suggest it. This is going to be strictly sit by the pool with a book while the kids swim, no crazy tours etc. |
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Cuba... the beaches are better imo. You might sacrifice food quality but not by much compared to DR. All pools are the same. |
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I've got just the resort for you and the family in Cuba. I'm on my phone so I can't post much, but I'll be online later tonight and I can post more detailed info. Google iberostar ensenachos in the mean time. |
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^^ I was looking at Iberostar Varadero, but I'll check yours out |
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Varadero is very busy and touristy now. Lots to do but it can be pretty busy some places. Also, with alot of the newer resorts, the land is reclaimed and the beaches arent as nice and as natural. Cayo Ensenachos and Santa Maria arent as well known and are about 40 kms off the coast and accessed by a long causeway. There is only 6-8 resorts there and zero touristy stuff do do. Beach is like white powder, water is shallow and warm, lots of natural wildlife. As a whole, the Cayos are much more relaxed and nicer IMO. Ive been to Cuba about 12 times now, that resort I mentioned 3 times. |
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I was at the brand new iberostar laguna azul in varadero a few months ago. The resort is pimp, I think 3 years old. Facilities are nice, good gym, beer was good, food was ok. I am not a very picky eater, but it's Cuba food so don't expect some crazy stuff. The restaurants were good as well. The beach is nice, not as nice as the old resorts though, but that's the same for all new resorts. Lots of families, young and old, good mix of people. Since it's on the expensive side you don't see many teens and sh!t disturbers. My only issue was our room, I had some stained sheets and towels, which really pissed me off. I slept with a hoodie on until it was resolved. Seems like we had that issue only. The car rental guy there is a punk, if you want to rent a moped/car, it says he is there from 8am - 4pm. Good luck, he is there for 15 mins at like 7:30 and then he chills on the beach. I'd probably go there again...also check out Cayo Coco and Holguin, I prefer them to Varadero personally. |
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cant really go wrong . just do your homework and go for the best deal imo. Though cuba food is typical not as good. I did Punta Cana last yr @ barcelo bavaro with no complaints at all. They had an "adults only" section and regular area. Slept in the adult area but hung out all over the place. Lots of families as most places have. Not a single room issue and the non adult section looked good too. They put on shows in a big ass theatre every night that were kid friendly, with shopping, casino, club etc all right there. Long beach to walk or play on. Some seaweed does wash up. Somedays worse than others but nothing that bothers you when you swim and they clean it up twice a day no matter how little there is. Its been a while since Ive been to cuba though. But really I think my first point is spot on . You can generally go for less to cuba |
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go to guyana! lol jk I've been to both alot and i prefer dominican anyday over cuba. cuba is nice and all but everytime dominican trumps cuba. best resort i've stayed at was the sirenis cocotal very clean, great food, and they have a big kiddie pool that your kids will like. bbq on the beach! i had the room on the top floor right in the middle and it was ballin. |
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Originally Posted By: Euphoric cant really go wrong . just do your homework and go for the best deal imo. Though cuba food is typical not as good. I did Punta Cana last yr @ barcelo bavaro with no complaints at all. They had an "adults only" section and regular area. Slept in the adult area but hung out all over the place. Lots of families as most places have. Not a single room issue and the non adult section looked good too. They put on shows in a big ass theatre every night that were kid friendly, with shopping, casino, club etc all right there. Long beach to walk or play on. Some seaweed does wash up. Somedays worse than others but nothing that bothers you when you swim and they clean it up twice a day no matter how little there is. Its been a while since Ive been to cuba though. But really I think my first point is spot on . You can generally go for less to cuba Went to DR years back, it was alright, but I didn't feel safe or as safe as I did in Cuba. I like to go exploring and stuff so it matters to me. Cuba probably has the nicest beaches in the area, for real, but you pay for it with the subpar food. |
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I went to Varadero last October and stayed at Palma Real. I didn't care about the food quality as my main purpose was to party like a rockstar for 7 days straight. The good thing about my resort is that, it is 1 minute walk to the beach and located between the markets and the Peninsula (all the 5 stars resort were there). |
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The resort I mentioned, the Iberostar Enseachos was just re-opened under the Iberostar name. Prior to that, it was adults only and owned by Occidental. I had my vows re-newed there and it was a fantastic trip. The third trip was just this past June. The Iberostar company has turned it into a family resort. It has 2 separate (3 actually but its Villas in a gated area) areas. 1 for families, 1 for couples. The family area was renovated and it has a huge childrens play area, small water park, splash pad, jungle gym stuff. There are 2 huge beaches, each pool as its own small restaurant for lunch, the room all have a dvd player if the kids get bored, they have shows at night just for the kids. All the families I spoke to commented that it was a great place for kids. Like mentioned, Cuba isnt the greatest for food, but it makes up for it in the beautiful beaches and the very friendly people. Unlike DR, most people speak or at least try to speak english. All the trips Ive been on, Ive never been sick or had an real issue with the food. Sure its not like here, but they make due. Varadero is nice if you want to party or do touristy stuff, the Cayos are where you go to chill and relax. We are probably going back in Feb in fact. Tons of pics here http://photos.cayosantamaria.info/index.php?cat=71 Another good one for families Ive been to was the Las Dunas, also in the Cayo Santa Marie area. It also has a family section and tons to do. My favourite part was the 24hr outdoor beer garden. I spent a few late nights there. http://photos.cayosantamaria.info/index.php?cat=3 D-R was decent, but Ive been to Cuba so many times because I always have a great time. |
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Originally Posted By: Dumbass Unlike DR, most people speak or at least try to speak english. everyone spoke english at my resort in dr this past yr |
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Because in my experience, their english was poor or non-existent. I stayed at one of the higher end adults only resorts (the Ambar) and I really expected better service. Overall, I found the people in D-R not nearly as friendly or out going as the Cubans. |
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Originally Posted By: Euphoric Originally Posted By: Dumbass Unlike DR, most people speak or at least try to speak english. everyone spoke english at my resort in dr this past yr que? |
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Originally Posted By: Euphoric Originally Posted By: Dumbass Unlike DR, most people speak or at least try to speak english. everyone spoke english at my resort in dr this past yr It's true, in DR outside the resort or even the people working the resorts have broken English. In Cuba, almost everyone is pretty fluent...they take tourism pretty seriously |
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Lol I didnt encounter one problem. When and where did you go to dr and what problems did you have...? |
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go to southern thailand! |
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Originally Posted By: Screamin Civic go to southern thailand! Did you have fun with the ladybois? |
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Originally Posted By: Chocolate Canuck Originally Posted By: Screamin Civic go to southern thailand! Did you have fun with the ladybois? oodles *must remember to delete photos from camera after viewing once* |
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About the only thing Cuba has going for it is the lack of Americans. |
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Originally Posted By: eddie_82 About the only thing Cuba has going for it is the lack of Americans. +1 Not for long though. Near the brand new iberostar, there were over 10 cranes by the beach, full of commercial construction like I've never seen before. The locals said that part of Varadero was leased or sold to Americans and it will be for Americans to vacation and crap. |
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Booked this hotel. Its brand new, and a five star, so it should be nice and clean. Its 5 KM from downtown Varadero. |
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Looks nice and being brand new is always a plus, unless they still have kinks to work out. Did you look at any of my recommendations? |
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^^ Yes, only 14 so far, but all positive. Good thing is the flights are West Jet. I will not fly Sun Wing or Air Transat. I made the mistake of flying Air Transat to Vancouver once (economy), and my knees were touching the back of the seat in front of me, they were that close. Sun Wing is more of the same. Air Canada and West Jet give more space, but they are more expensive. |
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When are you going? I'll do up a quick list of Cuba traveler tips. |
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Originally Posted By: Chocolate Canuck ^^ Yes, only 14 so far, but all positive. Good thing is the flights are West Jet. I will not fly Sun Wing or Air Transat. I made the mistake of flying Air Transat to Vancouver once (economy), and my knees were touching the back of the seat in front of me, they were that close. Sun Wing is more of the same. Air Canada and West Jet give more space, but they are more expensive. Sunwing Boeing 767-300ER Seat Pitch : 32" 737-800 Seat Pitch : 34" West Jet 737-600 Seat Pitch: 32" 737-700 Seat Pitch: 32" 737-800 Seat Pitch: 34" Air Canada varies from 31-34 depending on aircraft. Same with Air Transat last I checked you didnt have gazelle legs *overblown bs* |
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^^ Maybe I got the 31 last time |
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adios muchacho |