Havana excursions from Varadero

krista_nf · March 9, 2010

My FI and I are thinking about doing an excursion to see Havana while we're in Cuba next month. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions about what one to do. My brother and his wife did the tour of Old Havana last year and weren't too impressed. It was pretty rushed and there were a lot of people (and children) grabbing them and begging for money.

Just curious to hear someone else's experience before we decide on a trip. We'd both like to see Havana and figure it'd be a nice excursion away without the rest of our wedding group.

Any thoughts on this would be great

pinklori · March 9, 2010

Hey,

I just got back from Varadero 3 weeks ago and did a couple really great excursions. We did a Havana trip but because we didn't like the idea of going in a big tour bus with all kinds of other people we asked at our resort about other options. They were able to set us up with two vans (there were 15 of us) and an english speaking tour guide that took us where ever we wanted to go...best part of all, it was only $45 CUC per person as opposed to over $100 CUC per person for many of the tour bus excursions. Our guide was fantastic and we had a blast. We got out and walked around alot and saw much of both old and new Havana. Best piece of advice I could offer though is to have some idea of what you want to see in Havana as we weren't sure and spent more time in New Havana instead of the old part. We all said later we wished we had more time there!

We also did the jeep tour and it is so fun-well worth the money! Hope you enjoy your trip!!!!

krista_nf · March 10, 2010

Thanks so much! That sounds like a much better option for us too, if its available. When my brother n his wife went they weren't keen on the big bus load of people either... they said it was a very boring drive where hardly anyone spoke. Not like the usual happy kind of atmosphere you get on other excursions. And I think going in a couple smaller vans would also take care of some of the issues with getting dragged on for money and stuff. I'm assuming people in the city know when the big bus tours come by so they know when to hang around. (Don't get me wrong, I don't mind giving out a few dollars, lol... but it got a little intense they said)

Thanks again!

itsfinallyhere · March 10, 2010

I too have a friend who does private tours. She is a little cheaper. She also showed us both the old and new Havana. And took us to this amazing cafe/restaurant we never would have found by ourselves. She picked us up at the resort at 9:00 a.m. and we were back at the resort by 10:00p.m. We set the time to be picked up, so she is as flexible as you need. If you are interested I send me an email and I will forward her email address to you. She will probably find out what you want to see and customize the tour for you. That's what she did for us. She speaks english, french, and german.

Dmitri_Markine · March 11, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by krista_nf

Thanks so much! That sounds like a much better option for us too, if its available. When my brother n his wife went they weren't keen on the big bus load of people either... they said it was a very boring drive where hardly anyone spoke. Not like the usual happy kind of atmosphere you get on other excursions. And I think going in a couple smaller vans would also take care of some of the issues with getting dragged on for money and stuff. I'm assuming people in the city know when the big bus tours come by so they know when to hang around. (Don't get me wrong, I don't mind giving out a few dollars, lol... but it got a little intense they said)

Thanks again!

You should try visiting to India

then you'll appreciate Cuba more. Begging in Cuba is not that bad. Ignore them and they will let you go. Worst thing you can do is tell them,"I am sorry,I have no money". Their translation of that will be in something like this, "Hi, I speak English, very rich and will give you money if you bother me enough".