Cuba is a dream
It has long been a dream of the whole family to visit Cuba. The occasion appeared - the wife turns 40 years old. And we decided to get away from the guests, the kitchen, etc. The hotel chosen was Sol Palmeras. We chose for a long time based on reviews and were not mistaken. Therefore, we decided to write our own - maybe it will help others. Let's start with the hotel. There was an opportunity to choose a good "five", but we had a 21-year-old daughter with us, and according to reviews, there is nowhere better animation than in Sol Palmeras. As a result, our daughter did not get bored. Music and dancing from morning until late at night. We want to warn you that the beginning of March is not the best time to relax in Cuba - it is very cool. A two-room suite was booked immediately in Kyiv through a tour operator. They flew through Paris. At the Havana airport, you immediately understand that you have arrived in the country of socialism, especially when you go to the toilet, so it's better ...on an airplane. When we received our luggage, our bags (hand luggage) were almost stolen by a black Cuban who was flying with us. His wife snatched them from his cart just in time.
Therefore, be vigilant (there was nothing like this in the future). We had booked an individual transfer and after 2.5 hours we were at the hotel. The time is late, and the hall is full of people, music and the smell of cigars. Settled quickly, the number of course has long been in need of repair, but everywhere cleanly cleaned. We ate sandwiches in the lobby bar, drank rum and went to bed. In the morning we met with a representative of the meeting travel company and booked excursions. We read tips in the reviews to rent a car and drive ourselves. But we decided to arrange individual tours better. And they didn't regret it. The fact is that the roads in Cuba are like ours, and there are practically no signs of route orientation, the language in use is mostly only Spanish, so think about it. We were given an English-speaking guide with a Peugeot Partner car. We visited Guam (crocodile farm, Aboriginal village), swam in the Caribbean Sea. By the way, a completely different climate. I advise you to go.
On the way, our guide cut down the reed, cleaned it and we tasted the natural taste of the reed juice. The next day we went to Havana. With us, a storm actually began and huge waves flew over the Malecon embankment and covered moving cars. In Havana, I advise you to visit the rum museum, a tobacco factory, you can take cigars there, or you can take them on the hotel beach from workers, in the same factory packaging. Only it will cost half the factory price, or even less, as you bargain. Cubans are very poor, therefore, friends or relatives probably steal from "tobacco". Although in the reviews they read that they could slip a linden. But I still smoke, no problem. In the reviews, a lot is written about Havana, therefore, in addition to what was written, we also recommend visiting the Tropicana show. One ticket costs 80 CUC. This includes rum and light snacks. Go you won't regret it. Starting at 22.00, ending at 24.00.
We also went to Santa Clara, there is a memorial where Chegevara is buried and the soldiers who fought with him are still buried. Next was Trinidad, and then Cienfuegos. In short, there is very beautiful architecture and very poor people. Often pester and ask for money or buy food. They still have food on coupons (even sugar) and according to the guide they are enough for only 15 days. How they survive, I don't know. But they love both Castros, they constantly dance and are in no hurry anywhere. On the way, in the towns, even during working hours, there are a lot of people, it seems that no one is working.
As for food at the hotel. The choice of meat dishes is not large, there is fish, shrimp are fried almost every day in front of you. But we had enough. There was a lot of negativity in the reviews about room service. We didn't have any problems at all. The main thing is not to spare a tip - 1 cookie. + Roshen chocolate. If possible, bring inexpensive perfumes, soft toys, felt-tip pens for gifts.
Don't be stingy with tipping bartenders, waiters, and you won't stand in line, and you'll have a second helping of rum as soon as the first is finished, etc. They become more attentive to your person. We believe that if you have money for such a trip, you should not spare 100 cookies for a tip.
I advise you to change money at the hotel, otherwise I had to somehow change it at a bank in Havana, so the whole problem, I had a good passport with me. The course is the same everywhere.
Summing up, we want to say that Cuba cannot be recognized in one trip. Therefore, we advise you to drive more, and not lie on the beach, although the beach is very beautiful and clean, the ocean is without words. Yes, by the way, there is a bar on the way to the beach. The Russian-speaking waiter "Brother" works in it - this is how he addresses all of ours. You can order a lobster from him for 15 cookies. and a bottle of 7 year old rum for 5 cu. At the appointed time, he will bring everything to the room there and the calculation. This is done unofficially, because private lobster catching is prohibited.
And the most important thing we encountered when flying away is that each suitcase (bag) checked in as luggage should not exceed 23kg. Otherwise, they will not accept it, they will force you to reload it, and if there is nowhere to go, you will have to buy a suitcase. And talk like, for three people here and 60 kg. no, or we flew here through Europe like that, they don’t get through. Well, that's all, we will be glad if this information is useful to someone.