Off-resort reception in Varadero

X-Chan · November 17, 2010

My FI is originally from Cuba so we're looking at 40+ Cuban family members and friends attending. I was hoping to do it at the resort for a stress-free wedding but with day passes to Varadero resorts being in the 50-100 cuc range on top of the resort wedding fee + upgrades, I think we could throw a better party outside of the resort for less money.

I've heard of 3 places that do weddings in Varadero: Josone Park, Xanadu Mansion, and El Castillito (beach). Anyone have any experiences with any of these? I'd love to hear some stories which might help me decide whether we will have it on resort or off..

Thanks everyone!

CubaLuxuryRent · June 8, 2011

I just read your post. Let me know it the topic is still up to date.

SandraDeez · January 25, 2012

Hi XChan,

I am just starting to look into an off the resort reception. I was eondering how it worked out for you. Did you use a wedding planner? Thanks so much and congrats on the wedding!

X-Chan · January 27, 2012

It was amazing!!! We did all the planning ourselves and it was a lot of work!! The only way it happened was because we were there for a month before the wedding day. It was a lot of stress and I was always worried that vendors wouldn't show up (since Cuba operates solely on verbal agreements.. ie.. "yea man no problem, we'll be there") but everyone did show up and everything went perfect.

We had a total of 150 guests and we just barely fit into the hall at El Kastillito. The table chart was a nightmare to figure out.

If you're looking to do an off resort reception, unless you speak excellent spanish and can spend a month there planning pre-wedding, I'd suggest going to another destination like Mexico or Dominican Republic where you can work with wedding planners and vendors online from home. Cuba is kind of in it's own bubble and internet barely exists there so it has to all happen there and they won't confirm anything too far ahead of the wedding date. We tried to talk to a few people when we were down a year before the wedding and no one wanted to deal with us, they all said it was too far away.

If you have any other specific questions let me know. Good luck!