Varadero (Cuba)

I went to Cuba with my partner for a weeks holiday all inclusive, we got it as a late deal at a price of £400 each. This was a good price compared to the brochure price which seemed to be up to £1000 each.

We went in May which turned out to be the rainy season, however even though it rained it was still absolutely scorching hot and the rain only lasted for the first couple of days of our holiday. I would advise that you make sure that you take the highest sunblock possible for your first few times out in the sun and try to get a base tan before you go. I'm not one for burning but after 3hrs in the sun I could not put a strappy top on for about 3 days without screaming!! (not that i'm a whimp or anything).

The only thing that might put you off is the length of the flight out. It took us 11hrs there and 9hrs back? I absolutely hate flying but this was ok. The seats in front had two camera's that you could look at, one was a birdseye view and the other was the pilots view. This was very comforting when going through turbulance. I could see that we weren't plummeting!

One excellent benefit to Cuba is that it has NO poisonous spiders or snakes or any other bugs. In fact I didn't see one bug whilst I was there, just a little green frog!

Varadero is a safe place to holiday, it is secured off from the rest of Cuba and any nationals wishing to stay there must have a visa, this stops all the usual hassle you get to buy things when you are on holiday.

I was under the impression that the cigars would be quite cheap but they aren't, however the rum is VERY cheap. I bought a large bottle for £4.00. Not bad at all! The Cuban's favourite drink is rum and coke with lemon juice and you always get extra rum!! You can get nice wooden ornaments of allsorts from dancers to animal figures at a really cheap price. I bought two wooden figures for £4. Bargain!

The nightlife is good if you like salsa dancing. A cafe/bar had a live band on everynight and three dancers, I sat in awe every single night. They were fantastic.

I would advise anyone who is going to go on a catermaran cruise. We went on one, it was about £30 each but it was fab, it took us into the middle of the sea where a local on a rickety fishing boat brought us some live lobsters, whilst the crew were preparing them everyone got the chance to go snorkeling. They threw in the remains of the lobsters and the fish just swarmed round us, they wer absolutely beautiful. They then took us to a kind of mango swamp and showed us all the different types of fish there, we even saw a baracuda, we ate lunch had a swim then headed off to a tropical desserted island, absolute bliss. Stayed there for a while then made our way back,playing party games all the way. The staff were very friendly and helpful at all times.

I would definately go back there and would advise anyone else to try it.