Hi Im travelling from Manchester on the 6th july 2011 with my two teenage sons.

I was just wondering if there is anyone else going at around the same time with similar age children.

Can anyone also tell me do i have to carry cash from here in the UK to exchange there or is there a cash machine ?

( I would just like to know for safety reason )

Thank you Kaz

Can anyone also tell me do i have to carry cash from here in the UK to exchange there or is there a cash machine ?

It's not always easy to find ATMs in Cuba - and I have never seen one anywhere other than outside bank branches. Cadecas (Exchange Bureaux) don't usually have then though they will sometimes process cash advances against credit cards but not debit cards. Your best bet is always to take cash (Bank of England notes not notes issued by Scottish or NIrish banks) and change some on arrival at the airport and then at your hotel as you need it.

SM

Thanks for the cash advice.

Kaz

We took sterling with us and changed it at the bank at SRLM (well it's a little booth just behind reception).
Didnt see any cash machines there Kaz.

If you book trips etc I'm fairly certain the tour operator will take CC's but you will need to read the relevant topic regarding what cc's can be used as those with any connection to the US, no matter how small are not accepted and many have connections that are not that obvious.

Just a tip re changing sterling to CUCs - only change small amounts as and when you need.They give you the same rate whether its £20 or £200.
On our return from Guardalavaca one lady had a wadge of CUCs left over which she exchanged at the airport -she got a ghastly rate compared with what she had bought at from the SRLM cashier.

Thank you so much for all your advice.

counting down the weeks now til the 6th July

Kaz

Hi Kaz
I will be out the week after you with 2 (older) teenage girls
Lally

Hi Lally,,

My boys enjoy the watersports , so I will probably be on the beach working my way through the coctail list.

See you there

Kaz

The canadians all seemed to have these big thermos drinking mug type things . They used to take them over to the bar for refilling . I'm assuming as well as getting a much bigger measure they kept the drinks cool . Maybe someone will know what that were called as certainly worth taking a couple .

Hi I noticed the same in the Dom last year and thought what a gd idea, so last wk bought 3 of the thermo flasks.

I know we still have 10 wks to go but Im really looking forward to Cuba.

Hi Lyn
How are you?
They are called "Bubba Kegs"
Kaz , mines a margarita
Lally

I'm good thanks Lynne . Can't believe how quickly your 2 weeks is coming round .

Must look up bubba Kegs now . Might be a good idea to take to Mexico with me .

We loved cuba Kaz . Will certainly get back there in the near future .

I bought a Bubba Keg a few years ago from that well know auction site, ideal

Has any body returned from here recently? We go in 6 weeks :-)

We were there in may/june. Amazing beach . Hopefully when you go things should be good but there as been major issues at this hotel the past few weeks. They have had health officials in as there has been many ill.I would think anyone going now things will have improved dramatically. Any other Questions just ask.

Oh god, I hope they have sorted that out. Health issues I assume you mean with the food?

James

Compared to some years in the recent past, Cuba has been badly affected by a higher than usual number of tropical storms/hurricanes this summer - especially in the eastern end of the island. Holguin province where Guardelavaca is has been particularly vulnerable and could be affected shortly by Tropical Storm Maria over the next few days. This end of the island was also affected by Hurricane Irene even though not in the direct path of the eye.

These storms can play havoc with the water supply and I wouldn't be surprised if any reported health problems are connected. It is important to only use bottled or boiled water for everything in these conditions - this includes brushing your teeth. As well as adopting good personal hygeine practices re handwashing etc, I always use an antibacterial gell or wipe on my hands immediately before eating or drinking just in case. The families I stay with always use boiled water for washing salads and fruit etc but if you are at all unsure as to whether this is being done then it is best to avoid eating salads or any fruit that you aren't peeling yourself before eating.

On the whole I don't stay in hotels in Cuba but have never had any problems with those I have stayed or ate in. The occasions when I have had an upset stomach, the culprits were the meal on the plane (once outbound and once inbound) and mild case of heat exhaustion when the airconditioning broke down in the people carrier on a long day's journey rather than the food I ate in Cuba. I think that as long as you take sensible precautions, noooooobs, you shouldn't have too many porblems - your hotel seems to have a good reputation overall.

SM

SMa,

Thanks for your detailed reply, we are getting married over there and are so looking forward to it. We by no means expect a pristine hotel as Cuba is not a rich country. But we do want to visit the real Cuba and get a Taste of the local cultures and meet the local people during our 2 weeks. Just hope between now and when we leave the hurricanes don't hit head on as ike did a few years ago.

Hi, Cuba is about the only place in the Caribbean that I would visit during the Hurricane/Tropical strom season because the Cuban authorities have very detailed end efficient evacuation plans that swing into action if there are any risks. Cuba is a big island and even Ike didn't effect the whole of it - parts wehere left unscathed. The hotels in any given area are never allowed to all be fully occupied at this time of year so that in the event of visitors needing to be transferred there is always room for them to be sent elsewhere on the island. It means that even if you have to be moved/switched from the hotel or resort that you booked into, you will be safe and moved by your TO to another comparable hotel.

Whatever happens, I think that you can count on the Cubans ensuring that you have a wedding to remember - they are all born romantics, flirt like mad and can pull off romantic gestures at the drop of a hat

You won't be far from Holguin which is a nice provincial town, OK nothing that special to see and do compared to somewhere like Havana, Trinidad or Santiago in the way of tourist sights but worth a half day trip at the very least for getting to see ordinary Cuban life with some nice bars around the main square and an ice cream parlour and cake shop that the locals queue up for!

SM