#6718275 - 11/16/12 01:02 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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snowman888
Jr Member
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 443
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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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#6718313 - 11/16/12 01:24 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: snowman888]
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Dumbass
Post Master
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 2331
Loc: Ont/Can
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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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#6718384 - 11/16/12 01:45 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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Dumbass
Post Master
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 2331
Loc: Ont/Can
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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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#6718396 - 11/16/12 01:49 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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Risky & Son
CL garbage man
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 05/17/10
Posts: 13237
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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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#6718470 - 11/16/12 02:05 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Risky & Son]
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Euphoric
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/05/03
Posts: 75284
Loc: Dundas
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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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Number 5 hater.  Old, and out of warranty box
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#6719017 - 11/16/12 06:17 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: iamfob]
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Dumbass
Post Master
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 2331
Loc: Ont/Can
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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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#6719041 - 11/16/12 06:25 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Dumbass]
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Euphoric
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/05/03
Posts: 75284
Loc: Dundas
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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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Number 5 hater. Old, and out of warranty box
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#6719121 - 11/16/12 06:57 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Euphoric]
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Dumbass
Post Master
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 2331
Loc: Ont/Can
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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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#6719197 - 11/16/12 07:35 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Euphoric]
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titty sprinkles
Post Master Sr
Registered: 08/22/05
Posts: 6109
Loc: Toronto,Ontario
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Unlike DR, most people speak or at least try to speak english. how can you make absolute statements like that? everyone spoke english at my resort in dr this past yr
que?
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#6719390 - 11/16/12 09:56 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Euphoric]
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Risky & Son
CL garbage man
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 05/17/10
Posts: 13237
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Unlike DR, most people speak or at least try to speak english. how can you make absolute statements like that? 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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#6719883 - 11/17/12 11:33 AM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Risky & Son]
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Euphoric
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/05/03
Posts: 75284
Loc: Dundas
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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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Number 5 hater. Old, and out of warranty box
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#6722584 - 11/19/12 07:32 AM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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Screamin Babies
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 02/20/01
Posts: 32281
Loc: T.O. - Canaduh
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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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 "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#6722980 - 11/19/12 10:08 AM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Screamin Babies]
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eddie_82
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 19013
Loc: Caņada
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About the only thing Cuba has going for it is the lack of Americans.
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#6723164 - 11/19/12 11:24 AM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Risky & Son]
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Chocolate Canuck
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 11347
Loc: Somewhere out there
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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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#6723227 - 11/19/12 11:42 AM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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Dumbass
Post Master
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 2331
Loc: Ont/Can
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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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#6723256 - 11/19/12 11:54 AM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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Dumbass
Post Master
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 2331
Loc: Ont/Can
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When are you going? I'll do up a quick list of Cuba traveler tips.
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#6723288 - 11/19/12 12:10 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Chocolate Canuck]
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Euphoric
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/05/03
Posts: 75284
Loc: Dundas
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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.
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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Number 5 hater. Old, and out of warranty box
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#6723502 - 11/19/12 01:17 PM
Re: Cuba or Dominican 4.5 - 5 Star - Which do you prefer
[Re: Euphoric]
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Chocolate Canuck
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 11347
Loc: Somewhere out there
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^^ Maybe I got the 31 last time 
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FTMFW!!!
