Hi Mandy

You can read hotel reviews HERE.

Lots of Cuba info to help you on your way HERE.

If you'd like to ask further questions not directly relating to your hotel please post in the Cuba topic. Thanks

Pippy

Hello,
Went to Sol Cayo Santa Maria in Oct 07.
Had a fantastic time.
Hotel is nice, don't expect luxury but it's clean and pleasant.
Nice pool area (we found it never to be busy)
Majority of workers are nice and will do anything.
Nice selection of a la carte restaurants (we wern't too keen on the buffet restaurant)
The transfer from the airport took about a hour and a half.
We swam with dolphins and also overnight Havana (inc. Tropicana)
In all it cost circa £160pp for these 2 trips
Anymore question fire away!

Wow! Great information - thanks sooo much! I think you have covered it all - and it sounds like you did exactly what we want to do! We will take £200 per person and that should be plenty by the sounds of it? Thanks again - you've been really helpful!
Mandy x

Hi there, We are going to this All Inclusive Hotel in a couple of weeks. I am thinking of just taking around £250 and taking my visa. Is there a cash machine within this resort? Thanks, Mandy x

Hi never been to this hotel but have been to melia cayo coco and also been to guadavalaca very much doubt if you will find a cash machine remember this is a third world country, would doubt very much if £250 would do you as remember most people tip in cuba but you don`t have to if you don`t feel it necessary. If you are going on excursions remember you will most likely want to buy something while you are out in havana.

Cuba is very much a cash economy - you'll pay a surcharge of anything up to 20% more for any purchases paid for with a credit card. I'd check out in advance the approximate cost of any excursions you are planning on doing and then take enough in cash with you. Even travellers' cheques aren't a good idea in Cuba - if there are any variations, however, slight between the signatures on them, the banks will refuse to cash them.

SM

As Sma says cash is king. I would up it to £300 each if you want to go to Havana, which is a must whilst you are over there. If you are just 2 adults and no kids I would recommend trying to upgrade to the Melia SM for the extra it costs.

We didn't see a cash machine when we stayed at Melia SM over Easter, there was always a queue for the exchange.

The Canadians are always tipping so the locals sort of expect it, probably cost us over £100 in tips over the 2 weeks.

The best website for the cayos is:

http://www.happyfacescuba.com/forums/index.php?

Mostly Canadians, but they are all friendly on there, and there is plenty of info regarding cost of trips etc.
I can recommend that you take vitamin B1 tablets 2 weeks before you go and whilst you are there, doesn't stop the mozzies biting but they don't get inflamed.

Joe.

Hi, I would agree with previous posters. Cash is the only way to go. We stayed in Cayo Coco last year for ten days, did variouse trips while there including Havana day trip and swimming with dolphins, in total our trips cost us £300 each. We used about £50 for tips and about £50 for odds and ends, photos with the dolphins etc.
As regards to vaccines, there are some that you are recommended to have, but travel health advice changes almost daily, best to make a travel clinic appointment with your practice nurse at your GP's, HOWEVER, this is normally needed to be carried out at least 6 wks before you travel.
Have a great time!
Katie.