Hidden Gems and Must-See Sights: My Epic Varadero Experience!
Getting to Cuba was quite a challenge for us. We had tried twice before during the pandemic in 2020, but both flights got canceled. Finally, in June 2022, we got the chance to make it happen.
Our trip to Cuba was amazing! It was my first time there, and I got to see and experience so many new things. We booked an all-inclusive package through a Canadian travel agency, which covered flights, hotel, and transportation for $1,300 CAD per person for 9 nights. It was a great deal considering everything was included.
Our journey took us from Vancouver to Toronto, and then to Varadero. It was a long trip, but totally worth it. When we arrived in Varadero, it was really hot. The airport was small and old, with no air conditioning at all. I was sweating in line for immigration check in, but once we were out, the hotel bus was already waiting for us.
It took about 25 minutes to reach our hotel. We stayed at the Brisas del Caribe hotel, an all-inclusive resort. The customer service was great, but our first room was a disaster. It was damp and smelly, so we had to ask for a change. The staff was great and moved us to a better room on the second floor, which was much more comfortable. The beds were cozy, and we had no complaints about the service.
One thing we didn't like was the food - unfortunately, the buffet area wasn't very clean. Flies were buzzing around the food, which is a big no-for me for health reasons. It seemed like people in Cuba didn't really care about it, but where we stayed, there were so many flies in the food. We didn't eat much during our stay because we found it pretty gross. On the other side, the hotel facilities like the pool, outdoor areas, lobby, and beach were awesome. I'd suggest doing some research and checking out hotel reviews before booking.
Most of our days were spent chilling at the beach, getting tan, enjoying the crystal-clear water, and trying out some water activities. The hotel offered free activities like kayaking and pedal boating. And since drinks were unlimited with the all-inclusive deal, we made sure to take advantage of the beach bar. Their pina coladas were so good.
We also checked out the dolphinarium, which was a short walk from our hotel. Sun was burning on that day, but totally worth it. The dolphin show was incredible, they were so cute! You could even take pictures with them for an extra cost, or swim with them if you were feeling brave. I decided just getting a pic, but it was still an amazing experience.
During our trip, we also visited the Saturn cave, which was absolutely stunning. We decided to pay a ride in those classic, beautiful cars and it was such a cool experience. The driver dropped us off at the caves and waited for us in the parking lot. The round trip cost us about $60 USD, including the wait time. The cave itself was a cenote with crystal clear water.
Finally, make sure you don't skip out on visiting the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza fortress tower in Varadero. It's a must-see and there's even a restaurant there to eat.
Overall, Varadero is an awesome place to swim, explore, and just enjoy. You won't regret coming to this beautiful beach.
