no towns locally no banks cash points, shops etc. We were unfortunte to require hospital treatment nothing too serious thankfully as the nearest hospital is an hours drive along rocky roads.

This is a resort for people who want a quiet and relaxing holiday, definately not for the adventerous. Mostly the
night-time entertainment is in a few hotels and bars, no
discos here!!!
The sea and the beaches were quiet and clean,typical blue
caribbean, probably best for people on a budget who can't or won't pay Barbados and St. Lucia prices.

My family and I stayed in this hotel last Auguest for 2 weeks. We stayed on the Mares side which comprises of very large pool with a swim up bar and a 24hr bar.

Eating.
Both sides have buffet restuarants and a la carte menus. The a la carte restuarants have to be booked on the day you want to go to them but before 12. We didnt try these as i never know what i fancy for dinner at lunchtime!? There is a lovely poolside restaurant that does beautiful toasted tuna sandwichs andpizzas for the kids. We spent a few days going to this as it had a very varied menu. This place doubles up as a mexican restuarant in the evenings and then at 12am it turns into 24hr cafe. The food overall was very varied. The flambed deserts were out of this world and the cook to order meat and fish in the buffet restuarant although a little bit samey were excellent.

Resort.

Situated in the resort of playa Esmerelda, there are 3 hotels within very close proximity and all with a stunning beach. White sand and turquise waters with a reef about 100m out to sea. Plenty of umbrellas and sunbeds. There is also water sports down here with diving and canoes etc. Taxis are plentiful as is a horse and cart our front which is very cheap but i felt very stressed about using this as it was so hot there. You are approximately 5 minutes drive away from Guardalavaca Village.

Money.

Everything in Cuba is purchased in American $. Take plenty of 1$ bills with which to tip the waiters and waitresses and barmen. Little gifts of soap, shampoo, pens and colouring books are greatly appreciated as it is expensive in CUba for things like these. The Cuban people are very friendly. They work very hard for little money. In the Village there is a small market where locals sell their wares. Wood carvings are amazing, i bought a carved hand and i love it!

Excursions.

We did only 2 excursions. The dolphins and the catarmaran. The dolphins were wonderful. My kids (9,10) loved it so much they both cried and were completely overcome. The dolphins are so gentle and intelligent. They physically pick people up by their feet and the people walk on water. Its amazing and the kids are always talking about it even now.
The catarmaran was also excellent with a stop off for lunch in a typical outdoor cuban restuarant. I had lobster which was delicious but i know hubby was very unnerved to see chickens walking at his feet while he was sinking his teeth into the leg of one of their cousins!

Entertainment.

The kids club was great. The people who ran it were very attentive to the kids and the kids in turn loved them! They do archery, shell designs, dancing, water games they just go along with them all day and genuinely seem to be enjoying themselves. There are organised games in both pools each afternoon. Participants on winning teams get certificates. A REAL winner with kids! The cocktails in the bars are amazing and the bar staff take real pride in them. The amination crew work very very hard and their shows were always a delight to watch.


Summary.

Cuba is a wonderful unspoilt paradise with great and friendly people. The beaches are amazing and i would stay in this resort or even just in Cuba again in a heartbeat. Hope you all find this interesting.

Only 2 miles from Dophins and same from village which is only small and has a small sovenir market.

This resort was not near a major city which I found nice. I enjoyed the paradise without being heckled for money. The entertainment was Ok, although quite a bit repetitive, and not much for late night partying. The beach was long and beautiful, with white clean sand. I found the resort to be the nicest along the strip, but also I found that the closeness of the other resorts made it easy to interact with other vacationers. Overall I found Brisas Guardalavaca to be an excellent choice.

The actual hotel was so good we ventured outside to the real world.
It gave us an idea of how people there live, and although they dont have much money everyone is so happy and friendly.
A day in Guardalavaca (4km from hotel), showed us that.
Would recommend to anyone.