Cuba Independent Travel

Party_Animal

I've been looking at Cuba for early December. Has anyone travelled there independently? I'd welcome any advice. I've checked the Rough Guide and Eye Witness and it seems ok to do it this way rather than a package. I want to send some time in Havana, see a bit of the real Cuba and get some diving and deep sea fishing in.
Thanks

gustav

Went in January. Fabulous place. Went on package, but after seeing the place reckon independent travel should be no problem. The people are great. We met a lady out there who frequently goes on her own, and travels round the island while there.
Just be sensible.
Also be aware that the roads are rubbish and travel takes much longer away from Havana and the resorts. Enjoy :beer:

Amie_007

Gustav,

Where abouts did you stay when you went and which hotel did you stay in, would you recommend it?

Am looking to go myself in Sept/Oct - either here or Cancun, not yet really decided.

Thanks

Party_Animal

Thanks Gustav,
BTW Arnie sep and oct is hurricane season.

Galtizz

A couple I met whilst I was their (5 or 6 years ago now) went independantly. They flew into Varedero with an international airline but they were staying in Guardalavaca (other end of the island).
At the time there was only 1 flight a week that flew from Varedero to Guardalavaca so they flew the only other way which was via some dodgy local Cuban airline.
The plane was an old converted Russian bomber (it was still painted in camoflage colours) they arrived safely but were really dreading the flight back and said that if they had know they would have waited for the weekly flight.
I think there were warnings out and about at the time (on Watchdog and foreign office advise etc.) I haven't heard anything about it now so hopefully they don't do this any more. But my advise would be, if you are doing any internal flights, check out the airline first.

Having said that the only weekly flight in was with Monarch and I think I'd rather go by Russian bomber


Whilst trying to find out how to spell Guardalavaca to put in this reply I came across THIS company who will arrange flights etc. for you they also do pre-arranged tours, it might cost a bit more but you can ask them about the planes and have the security of having a rep to shout at if anything goes wrong.
Just to point out I have never used the company and I am not associated with them in any way, just happened to come across them and thought they might be useful to you.

gustav

Amie_007 wrote:

Where abouts did you stay when you went and which hotel did you stay in, would you recommend it?
Am looking to go myself in Sept/Oct - either here or Cancun, not yet really decided.

Read my Cuba holiday comments here

Party_Animal

Many thanks to both of you.

jago25_98

If I can get costs down I'm thinking of going very soon.

Any tips on finding cheapest flight?

Best I got so far is £480

Party_Animal

Who'se that with Jago?

jago25_98

Air France

gustav

Used to be worth trying Air Jamaica. Not sure now, but might be worth a little search.