You'll find Tryp Cayo Coco reviews HERE and Sol Cayo Guillermo reviews HERE

Pippy

thanks pippy I've read the reviews but would really like to hear opinions on whether Cuba is very suitable for families with small children.

I'd love a caribbean recommendation for families....somewhere relaxing with loads for all concerned.

Mel,
I have just got back from there - stayed at the Melia cayo Coco which does not allow under 18s (pure bliss!). Out of the two you have mentioned, we paid a visit to the Tryp as it has a swim-up bar and our Melia pass allowed us access to both Sol and Tryp hotels at no extra cost. We were not impressed by the Tryp - the pool with the swim-up bar was closed and the bar being redecorated! The other pool was dirty with many missing tiles. The gardens/pool area seemed quite shabby and run down - i would not feel comfortable letting a small child run about there.
We did not visit the Sol Cayo Guillermo (but did visit the Sol cayo Coco which looked fine to us). Cayo Guillermo seemed nicer than Cayo Coco as the beaches are much nicer (especially Pillar Beach which is ideal for young children - shallow, warm, lots of fish and star fish everywhere. It is a bit of a trek from the hotels but there is one of those noddy trains that does a round trip.) therefore, out of the two I would definitely plump for the Sol CG every time.
On a general note, the Cubans are very family oriented and love children. If you can afford it, take more kiddies clothes than you need and leave the surplus for the workers for their children - guaranteed friends for life!

Cheers,
Jet

We went to the Cayos last year, we stayed in Cayo Coco then moved to Cayo Guillermo there is a lot of coral in the sea but it is very very shallow at Cayo Guillermo which is a good thing with young children. I personally didnt like the Cayos and was very disappointed with the whole experience, the entertianment side of things for children is zilch so it will be you basically making the entertainment for your child, unless of course you stay at the Iberostar Daiquiri in Cayo Guillermo now they have a great entertainment team and lots to do for children of all ages, and as I said the sea there is ankle deep most of the day for a good 400yds out. There is nothing to do outside of the resorts in the Cayos as they islands are totally uninhabited all barr the hotels. Excursions are very very expensive and the The Tropicana Show in Havana does not allow under 18s as well as costing a lot of money to go! If you want any advice feel free to pm me. also note there is a shuttle bus that runs around the island and goes to all the hotels so you can go see what the rest of the island resorts are like. it costs 5$ each return, but is a venture out. Also note 3* in cuba is very low, maybe consider the Daiquiri it is a beautiful hotel and has justs opened after being refurbished. The beach at Playa Pillar is beautiful but note the toliet facilities are stoneage, they have a little tin hut with a toliet but no water in it so you can imagine the stench, and the bus that takes you there returns after 4 hours so you are stuck if you need more than a pee, we told the girls that if they wanted to pee to sit on the side of the water and and pee in the sea, it was a much more hygenic than the toilets.

Cuba was a place I had always wanted to visit especially the Cayos, we usually do the Dom Rep, have done for years so we wanted a total change this time, needless to say this year we are back to the DR, true caribbean seas and warmer weather too.

I would not go to the cayos for your first taste of the carribean. We have just had an awful holiday at xmas there. Do not think the hotels match up to the standards on the main land of Cuba. the year before we stayed in Holguin and had a wonderful holiday. We went this time to the Iberostar Daquiri on 18th December and it had just reopened after so called refurbishments,( it closes again in May) it was awful, we moved to the sol cayo guillermo after 3 days but it was only because the island was full and it was our only option to get away from the Daqiuiri. For some reason lost to us the canadians actually love this place. The sol was only just better, having better food but it was abit like butlins to us. the beach and sea are truly amazing but we found the cayos very windy and forced you off the beach on mant days. I think there is not much for the younger kids. We went to cayo coco for the day to the tryp part of the sol group and it was much the same. Last year was wonderful and we stayed at the Playa Costa verde ,the hotel many people like is the Playa pesquero but we thought it was to big and would not be safe for kids and our son was 12 at the time, really you should read many reviews on here and trip advisor and look for an hotel to suit your taste. A word of advise stick to the english peoples accounts cos the Canadians tastes are so different to ours.

I will add cuba is a wonderful place and full of lovely friendly people but I would not take a young child there.

Hi Violet

I'd be very grateful if you'd post reviews for your hotels HERE if you haven't done so already (just let me know if any need adding).

Many thanks

Pippy

I've just returned from the Melia Cayo Coco. Unless the other hotels which allow children have a lot of activities for kids I wouldn't advise going as there is very little to do. For most of the trips you had to head to the mainland which can take up to 40 minutes using the causeway and with little 'uns I can imagine they won't want to be stuck on a bus for long.
Have you thought of Guardalavaca? The Cayos are just hotels whereas Guardalavaca and Varadero both have shops outside of the hotels and to me are more interesting. Guardalavaca to me also has a nicer beach than Cayo Coco for the kids to play on.
Good luck and I hope this helps

Hi all,
We took our children to Cayo Guillermo & stayed at the Iberostar Daiquiri, my daughter was 4yrs old at the time (she had her birthday out there) & my son was 9. They absolutly loved it........the sea was so calm, warm & shallow. The entertainment was great for the kids & they ask often if we can go back. The Starfriends love kids & really make a fuss of them, however we really didn't like the place, food & drinks were terrible & it was very windy the whole two weeks. I havent been to the mainland but have friends who have they they loved it!
I hope this helps

For child friendly hotels look at Iberostar. The kids club is great- they take the kids all day and with it being all inclusive that means all day, they get them lunch, ice creams the works. They have a full programme of entertainment including putting on shows for the evening. Our girls did Grease and Cats, costumes and makeup as well and they thought it was wonderful. There's no charge for it either!!

We don't go on holiday to get rid of the kids, the idea is to have quality time with them, but kids don't do R&R for two weeks solid, so they are entertained and you can have some adults only time.

Pam

Hi
We went to the Melia Cayo Coco last May/June and had the best holiday in years. We visited the other hotels and found the Sol to be the better option for families.
It was very busy and had loads of entertainment for the kids but if your 5 year old is anything like my daughter was at 5, then they'll be spending their time on the beach and in the sea. The beach was cleaned regularly but the sea could get quite rough at times.

In my opinion, a five year old would have a good holiday in the Cayos as will you.....

Happy holidays
Jules