Going to Varadero, Cuba
 

Well, it's settled. I'm going to Varadero, Cuba, for 7 days in mid-August with the SO and a friend. I can't really afford it, but it's my first "real" vacation, and so it's about time. At least it's inexpensive, relatively speaking.

A few details:

• It's one of the busiest resort towns in the region, and it's peak season.
• It's the hottest time of year.
• It's a short drive to Havana, and so we are definitely going there for at least a day trip.
• I've never been to a resort. The one we're going to is a four-star.
• Yes, I like rum and cigars.

So....

• What do you recommend we do while we're there?
• What do you recommend against?
• Any tips for a first-time vacationer to the Caribbean who's never been further south than Eire, Pennsylvania?

I'm generally looking to switch it up between adventure and relaxation. I want to get the most out of this while I can.

Do you have any semblance of a sun tan at all? If not, you will need to take really high SPF sunscreen with you and apply it nearly constantly. You don't want a horrible, blistered sunburn or sun poisoning as your most obvious memento of your trip. Spend as much time as you can outside between now and then to a) try to get a bit of a base tan and b) acclimate to the heat/humidity you will experience. Be prepared to spend your first couple days being less active (or limiting activity to water activities) as you adjust to the heat. You don't want to get heat stroke, either.

I am only allowed to Cuba under very limited circumstances. These circumstances have never presented themselves to me.
Although I could travel through another country (yours perhaps!), Im chicken.

Have fun and enjoyment, and blow a kiss in the wind for me.

I hope that you have a blast, Baraka_Guru. As a Floridian living in a Communist country (but have never been to Cuba) , here are a few thoughts:

- Consider travel insurance/ buy with your credit card. Hurricane parties are terrific, but suffering one at a hotel having your trip canceled is a bummer.
- Drink lots of bottled water. The sun will make you tired. You're going in the summer, so discard this idea of pleasant warmth -- HOT, HUMID DEATH HEAT. Drinks will umbrellas also get you accustomed to this. :D I'm not sure if Cuba Libres are on the menu or not, but they are delicious.
- Can you swim?
- Sunscreen thoroughly. That little line above your swimsuit that you missed? Yeah, that's going to be fire engine red and that's going to hurt when you go to sleep. Be through. It's liquid salvation from burning.
Let us know how it goes!

be carful about drinking local water and eating vegetables that have been washed in the local water. You may get the revenge. Consider taking your shots before you go. Also bring some immodium.

I heard that boaters drink Heinekin in the Carribean because it is the only beer that is not licenced out and produced locally, it is all sent from Holland and so should be 'safe' to drink.

As for scary countries (@ girldetective) I would go to Cuba far more readily than I would go to Mexico. especially these days.

Thanks for the tips so far.

The only thing I have an issue with the is base tan. From what I understand tanning won't help much (if at all) when it comes to sun protection. The tan itself is skin damage. I'd rather do my best to avoid all the damage I can. From the start, I have planned on basting myself with SPF45, using a high-quality, reputable, dermatologist-approved product.

We will definitely be getting health insurance. Having that, we will feel relatively safe because I hear Cuba's health care is pretty decent.

I will certainly stay well hydrated. By mid-August, I will have been suffering an Ontario summer (30ish C, 85ish F, high humidity) for several weeks with little or no air conditioning, so acclimatization should be pretty quick. I'm a shade lover, and I tend to wear protective clothing (wide brim hat, shirts, etc.) when I do have to venture into the sun for longer periods of time. I won't be swimming all day every day. That's not my thing.

And, yes, I mustn't forget about the issues with local water.

My wife and I stayed at the Sandals Varadero a few years ago. The beach is spectacular.

The resort will have a number of day trips available. Snorkeling, Havana and Cigar/Rum factory tours etc. Take 'em

I forget which Cigar factory we visited but it was very interesting. Did you know the "glue" they use to seal them is a byproduct of Canadian maple tree sap? They take you right out on the rolling floors and you're standing amongst the desks of the hard working folks who roll away all day. At the front of the room there is a guy who reads a novel and the news over a loudspeaker while they work.

Expect cabbage instead of lettuce in the restaurants. Chicken will be fresher than beef which won't be local. The people are very friendly. A rum and coke is called a Cuba Libre. You'll have a great time!

I'll tell you more if we get together before then.

cool! i hope one day I can go there one day...

smoke some cigars for me!

Baraka: 85F and "humid" in Canada will be nothing like the Caribbean. Try this area, and we're not even tropical: 90-100F, humidity so bad that paper will wrinkle in your car if you leave it there during the day. Acclimatization won't be as quick as you think.

As for swimming all day every day: I didn't suggest every day, more than you stay near the water for the first couple days (acclimatization) so if you get dizzy-hot, you can dunk yourself to help cool off.

Thanks for the warning. We get curled paper here too. I'm not too worried. I have looked it up. Toronto summers in August are pretty close to par with Cuban summers in August. This includes humidity levels. Toronto can be worse than Cuba in that respect, actually. I'm guessing Cuba has more sun, but that's where tact comes in. :)

I'll probably be dunking myself periodically the whole time I'm there.

The bottom line is I know exactly what it's like when sweating does absolutely nothing for you.

I don't know baraka: I know that summers up there can get pretty warm, but when I was down in Puerto Rico last fall (September), there were times the heat was really stifling. I'm a Southern boy, born and bred in South Carolina, and it gets plenty hot down here. 100F, humidity in the 85% - 90% range...and still. As for the base tan, I think of it more like developing callouses when playing guitar. Sure, you can still burn your fingers up if you're a regular player and you play too long, but you do get some level of increased protection by breaking yourself in slowly. You can get sunburns down there even with clothes on, and the people around you won't be hardly affected. It will also be likely that most places won't have central air conditioning; most rooms have their own AC on the window, but when you're out and about there's a good chance there won't be any AC. I know you already mentioned it, but make sure you watch out for your head. I believe your hair is rather sparse up top - sunburn on the head sucks.

Regardless, have a blast. I love it down in that part of the world, then again I'm a beach bum at heart. If you don't speak Spanish, I'd put some time in on that front, or at least hopefully someone you're traveling with speaks Spanish. My girlfriend is latina, so I've got a built in tour guide and translator. Some latin dance lessons wouldn't hurt either.

While I know you're not looking to get skin cancer, I still think Pony has some great advice here. It's pretty easy to build up a base tan, and since you have a month to do it slowly, you should be fine and not cause severe damage. Spending 15 minutes sunbathing each day with SPF 5 suntan oil, in the swim trunks you plan on wearing during your trip, will be sufficient.

If you can't take the time to build up a base tan, look into getting a white long-sleeved underarmer shirt. Comfortable in the heat and sun, yet keeps you from burning.

pig, I have a distinct feeling it will be "worse" weather in Cuba, but I was implying it was comparable. Also realize that I'm accustomed to suffering long bouts of sub-zero temperatures with wind chill factors getting down to -30 C/-85F. Acclimatization is something I've lived with my whole life. Even if I were going from Toronto to Cuba with a net difference of 10 degrees, it's not a huge jump. The humidity levels are similar. I should also say that I plan on eating and napping between the hours of 12 and 4. ;)

gg, I understand the concept of base tans, but the claims are largely unfounded. At best, a base tan will provide an SPF equivalent to 4 or less. If I am going to get a base tan, it will be for vanity purposes only. A base tan will not provide me with any real protection, plus it is an indicator of a reaction to radiation from UV rays.

I'm going down there with at least two tubes of SPF45, which I will reapply every two hours, even under my clothing if possible. I will be bringing at least one white linen long sleeve shirt (more if I can find them cheap enough) that I think will be a mainstay a lot of the time when venturing out in the sun (yes I realize it's a breathable fabric that won't provide the best sun protection vs. other fabrics—"sun protective" wear might be too hot for me down there). Also realize that my most exposed bits will already have a bit of a tan from my short jaunts out in the sun every day here in Toronto—a mild farmer's tan on the arms and legs. I wear sandals too.

Not to be a naysayer—and I do appreciate the feedback from you guys—but I don't see the holistic value of the base tan. It does more harm than good. Ask any dermatologist. Being that I have relatively light skin and several moles, it's not a risk I'm going to take lightly. I'm more likely to benefit from sunwear and sunscreen than any tan when it comes to protecting myself. The same goes for anyone.

That said, I am actually contemplating a bit of tanning for vanity reasons. Otherwise, I'm going to be the pasty white guy in the hat. I really don't know yet. I'm usually one to just play it safe.

No worries, BG. Just trying to show you how easy a base tan can be. I'm a girl who wears SPF 50 sunscreen every day, except when I'm purposefully tanning. I burn up wearing SPF 50 sunscreen if I don't build up a base tan. If I do have a base tan, I won't burn when I'm out and about wearing SPF 50.

You're used to humidity, but you don't seem to be used to short days. Sleeping until 4pm will allow you to miss the hottest time of the day, but you will also miss the best sunlight. Though I must admit that the evenings will be delightful.

I'm totally jealous of your vacation.

I don't burn that easily. I can go out in the sun with SPF45 all day and maintain my pallour. :) I used to tan pretty deeply as a kid. (This is one of the reasons I don't tan as an adult...skin memory.)

As I said, I like the shade...plus I like napping. I like the sun too, but midday out in the sun isn't my idea of having a blast. I'm going to keep my eye out for indoor activities during the midday, even if it's just lounging around smoking cigars. I like resting and having nothing to do but think many thoughts. Maybe I'll bring some reading. Maybe not.

Sorry, girly, if I could take you with me, I would. :thumbsup:

Well, I went to Cuba as a young'n. I remember we were in a resort in Varadero, and we did a lot of cool things there. Oh, and the women were gorgeous.

I think you'd be doing Tilted Motors a great favor by taking a camera with you. The cars in Cuba are awesome, old ass, super well maintained American cars. Go to Havana, see some museums, and if you're feeling adventurous, ride in the local cabs. It helps if you speak Spanish. The people will be a lot more open with you and will tell you far more interesting things.
Leave some room in your suitcases for Rum and cigars. Oh, and if you're hurting in this economy, considering offsetting the cost of the trip by peddling some Cuban goods.

You'll be right in the middle of hurricane season, so it could be a little more exiting than you think.

Enjoy the tropics, I know I do!

I spent a week in Jamaica recently. It was about 30 -ish and sunny with cloudy periods (when it rained) and I found it to be extremely pleasant. Now, Jamaica is just south of Cuba, so it should be fairly similar.

The big difference that I found was that Southern Ontario was much much more humid than Jamaica, making it way more uncomfortable up here, than down there, at the same temperature.

Part of this I put down to our geography, and the fact that by the time we get 30 degree temperatures, the jet stream has moved north enough to suck in all the humid air mass from the Gulf of Mexico, plus the stagnant air from most of the eastern half of the continental US, including poor air quality from all the industry that lies south of us. This is how you can get the same poor air quality index in downtown Toronto, AND Algonquin Park. Very little to do with cars!

The other part of the perception of unpleasant humidity I put down to the fact that we need to be at work, doing chores, running errands etc. While I was in Jamaica, I sat. I swam, I wore loose fitting clothing and bathing suits, I drank, and ate withour preparing it. It was a vacation mode of existence and I was ready to accommodate the HHH weather. So it didn't seem to be as much of a hardship as waiting in a line of parked cars on the Don Valley Parkway.

The other geographical factor may also be that being an island Jamaica (& Cuba) gets its share of offshore breezes which can be cooling.

So, I found the stay to be quite pleasant, and it was not a huge adjustment for this Ontario guy....

you could alwys pay a visit to your countryman holed up in gitmo. im sure he'd appreciate the visitation

Thanks for the feedback, Leto. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I hope to have the same experience. :)

Ha, ha...do they even allow visitations? I wonder if I could at least get a tour.

Actually, carbonated beverages and beer are generally okay. It's mainly the water and raw/cold foods to watch out for.

I just came from the travel clinic. I received my Hepatitis A vaccine, so I'm good to go. I consulted with the doctor there about Cuba. He said besides Hep A, I should be using deet to avoid malaria, and he gave me a 'scrip for antibiotics in case I get diarrhea with fever. Other than than, I can use bismuth or Imodium.

So now that I've got all the gross stuff covered, I can concentrate on enjoying my trip.

I loved the local version of Cola, although I can't remember the name of it. I thought it tasted better than Coke, and I'm a coke guy.
Maybe a nice cuban rum and cuban cola is in order?

I'm pretty sure I'll be subsisting on mojitos the whole time.

(I don't really like cola, but, hey, maybe I'll like it there.)

Eat. A lot! Oh and try every fruit you can get your hands on. You can't find most of it in the US or Canada.

Enjoy!

Thanks.

If you knew my appetite, you'd know this could go without saying. :thumbsup: Actually, you'd probably say, "Be sure to leave some food for the others..." :)

If what you say about the fruit is true, I am now looking forward to yet something else.

I'm headed to Cuba for a dive thing. No resorts where I'm going. Small island south west corner. Way I understand it is the group funding the research is bringing MRE's and tents. I' throwing a hammock in my dive bag and hoping for a couple coconut trees.

I'll just second or third high level SPF and lots of water.

Enjoy your trip.

It's called a "Cuba Libre".

I enjoyed many when I was there. I wonder if the coke formula is different.

Enjoy your thing, Tully.

I have a water/sweatproof 30 spf I can bring, but I'm contemplating pulling out all the stops and getting a 60 spf. I also have a 30 spf lip balm.

Romeo and Julietta Cigars, size = Churchill. Awesome.

Day trip to Havana: You simply must see the show at the Tropicana. It is better than you can imagine.

Beer = Crystal Brand. Very clean, like a Stella and Heineken combined. Awesome.

Havana Club rum = Awesome.

Getting loose bowels from the local cuisine = not awesome. An old woman told me to eat the local yogurt, and that cleared things up. Local yogurt = not really awesome.

Old 40's and 50's cars = Awesome.

Sand in my but-crack = not Awesome.

European Bidet in bathroom to remove said sand = Awesome.

Say 'Gracias' lots, and leave little tips everywhere. A buck or two for a drink, your hotel maid, your bartender. They really appreciate it. I used US dollars.

Baraka, go for the 60 spf. You won't have to reapply any less, but it may offer you some more protection anyway.

I got pretty badly sunburned being out in the sun for just a few hours even with "sport" (waterproof) spf 55 on. I recover pretty quickly/easily from burns, but it sucked briefly.

BigBen, thanks for the tips! We have already planned on going to the Tropicana, but those other recommendations are great.

PP, I'm totally taking 60 spf. I'm not going to fuck around. I'll be sure to reapply, especially after sweating/swimming or every couple of hours of sun.

Only 2 more sleeps to go! :hyper:

The Cuban beer is pretty good. Crystal was a very light beer, Bucanero was a bit stronger, I actually preferred that one. Cuba Libre's were also great.

I was just in Cuba last November for a week for a dive trip. Absolutely loved it and will be back.

Bring some gifts for the locals you meet. I ended up leaving my sandals, some golf shirts and shorts and all my toiletries for a couple of people I met. The locals have absolutely nothing and there is very very little available in the stores. They go nuts for stuff like shampoo's. conditioners, body wash, etc.

Tully, what is your job, exactly, and could I have it?