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Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone been there? How was it?

Was there last year... wasn't as great as advertized! Resort is no where near as "new" as they make it out to be and the beach was washed away... food wasn't great but I hear it's not great in Cuba anywhere.  
Staff was great, friendly, accommodating.

We were just in Cayo Santa Maria at the Melia las Dunas resort. I'm always amazed on how people's opinions differ. We found the beach was amazing. The food was fine. It was no better than or no worse than in Mexico. The only complaint I had about the buffets and restaurants is that there were lineups at times. While I was there I was speaking to another guy who said the food was horrific. I would definitely not have described it as horrific. The resort was clean it was maybe not as new but it looked fine. If you go to Cayo Santa Maria all the resorts are about 20 years old. This is what I was told by my travel agent.

Its not a bad hotel, its your typical Cuban resort. Its not a 5 star the beach was fantastic a few years ago and I presume it is the same today. I have no idea why people complain so much about Cuban food. Resort food in Cuba is all similar if you can tolerate it for 7 days you are a champ. We usually have breakfast and snacks and venture off for dinner. Never really had a bad Cuban meal but definitely had some pretty bland ones. You can''t pick the cheapest Caribbean destination (Cuba) and expect everything to be perfect. If you are a picky traveler Cuba is not for you. If you have an open mind and don't get upset when every thing isn't perfect you will love the place. Have fun we leave Saturday for Holguin.  
 
Edited by RT Holdings, 2017-01-16 07:14:28

That was nicely said, we are looking at going to Cuba not sure, but of course heard about the how the food was also.

Ocean Varadero El Patriarca is where we will be staying. Hope it is a decent resort.

We went to Cuba last year. Found some food really good and some not so much. I highly recommend an excursion to Havana. We had a great time and saw a lot of sights. Really interesting city.

someguy said "We went to Cuba last year. Found some food really good and some not so much. I highly recommend an excursion to Havana. We had a great time and saw a lot of sights. Really interesting city. "

Yes, Havana is a beautiful City and worth seeing. I would suggest taking the bus if staying in Varadero rather then paying $100 a pp for the tour. The tour is kind of lame and you have to do everything at the tours pace which is not really fun. And of course they will take you to stores and restaurants they get a cut from so you will pay more ultimately. It will cost you $10 a person to take bus. The bus is a nice, modern coach with AC (bring a sweater as its cold in there). The bus stops at the main station right downtown so not confusing at all. Then from there you can walk around but I suggest buying your return bus ticket when you get there even if you plan to stay for a few days. They do fill up some days. If you are adventurous I suggest staying over night in a Casa Particular. They are basically bed and breakfasts in locals houses. They are all over the place you can't miss them. They usually range from $25-35 a night in Havana (cheaper in the less touristy places like Vinales). Don't be afraid to ask to see the room before committing the Cubans will be very open to showing you around their place.  
 
I know taking the bus might be intimidating and out of a lot of peoples comfort zone but it is very safe and a lot fun. I've rode the bus all over the island with no problems, very, very safe. They stop after about 45-1hr for a quick snack and pee break along roadside at a little cafe. The hardest part is buying your ticket as the bus station a lot of people speak Spanish but without even knowing any Spanish you will be fine just might take a couple minutes extra pointing at pictures and stuff on the wall trying to explain what you want!  
 
Also a tip when you get out of the bus station in Havana you will obviously be bombarded with taxi offers just say no gracis and walk across the street and down a bit and now you will be able to either figure out where to go by foot or grab a taxi at a more reasonable rate. And don't be afraid to negotiate they know your a tourist and will start high, walk away if you don't like the quoted price there will be a guy that will take your price not far away.  
 
Also if your a cigar smoker don't buy the fakes. Nobody has a family member that works in the factory and steals them. The groundskeeper at the hotel he sells fakes too. The guy going "psst psst cigars" hes selling fakes too. Legit cigars are only in the Government run stores, no matter what the locals will tell you. The fakes look good but if you know a cigar they are total rubbish. Have fun my wife and I have been going for 15 years! If I can help you out anymore feel free to PM me.

ive stayed at memories and it's a typical cuban resort. who really cares about the food, its beautiful weather and beach was un-freaking-real. eat at the burger stand or restaurants if you want to avoid the buffet, and bring some granola bars or chips or something if you want a "canadian" snack.  
 
excursions are great and the island of cayo santa maria is very safe if you want to leave the resort but we warned theres nothing else to do on the island except check out other resorts. no restaurants on the island, nobody lives there and all staff are required to be bussed in & out for their shifts.

place I will never go back to is Cuba.

Oryx said "place I will never go back to is Cuba. "

Care to elaborate? We are planning a trip and maybe your experience may help in our decision whether to go to Cuba or not.

My husband & I along with about 35 other people were there in 2013. I saw nothing wrong with the place we stayed or the food. My husband lived on fries and toast as he didn't like the food. I myself am not fussy and I ate pretty well everything. Those Cubans work hard for their money and nobody is perfect. It was a toss up , some people liked the resort and some didn't, then again if you have money that might not be the place for you as it isn't like Hawaii and then there were those that did enjoy it and they bend over backwards for you. Fishing Guy I enjoyed it and hope you have a super holiday!

I tend to find its the people that are your typical usual Mayan/Cancun/Playa Del Carmen types that don't like Cuba. I say this only because most of the people I've met in Cuba that complain always say its nothing like Mexico. Which is very true it is nothing like Mexico. Most people need to remember they likely picked Cuba cause its budget friendly. It has always had the cheapest deals for vacations. In Cuba you will likely get a run down, dated resort that the people are trying hard to maintain with what little resources they have. You will likely go to the bathroom somewhere and see a toilet without a seat. You will also likely come across a lady standing outside one selling you toilet paper (even in the Airport!) You might see a cockroach or two. You might even get bit by a mosquito. You will get edible but very basic, bland food (if you go All-Inclusive), you will get the same watered down alcohol you get at the majority of All Inclusives. If you like to get tipsy drunk, good luck, its tough to do. But what you also really get is probably fantastic weather, a marvelous beach, pristine blue waters, you'll see some stunning old classic cars and you will meet some of the nicest people in your life (but you can't just stay on your resort all week). Like I said I've traveled Cuba from one end to the other in the last 15-20 years - it''s definitely not for everyone but if you never go you'll never know.  
 
Edited by RT Holdings, 2017-01-16 16:50:23

RT Holdings said "I tend to find its the people that are your typical usual Mayan/Cancun/Playa Del Carmen types that don't like Cuba. I say this only because most of the people I've met in Cuba that complain always say its nothing like Mexico. Which is very true it is nothing like Mexico. Most people need to remember they likely picked Cuba cause its budget friendly. It has always had the cheapest deals for vacations. In Cuba you will likely get a run down, dated resort that the people are trying hard to maintain with what little resources they have. You will likely go to the bathroom somewhere and see a toilet without a seat. You will also likely come across a lady standing outside one selling you toilet paper (even in the Airport!) You might see a cockroach or two. You might even get bit by a mosquito. You will get edible but very basic, bland food (if you go All-Inclusive), you will get the same watered down alcohol you get at the majority of All Inclusives. If you like to get tipsy drunk, good luck, its tough to do. But what you also really get is probably fantastic weather, a marvelous beach, pristine blue waters, you'll see some stunning old classic cars and you will meet some of the nicest people in your life (but you can't just stay on your resort all week). Like I said I've traveled Cuba from one end to the other in the last 15-20 years - it''s definitely not for everyone but if you never go you'll never know.     Edited by RT Holdings, 2017-01-16 16:50:23"

because we have travelled other places than just Mexico and found that by far, Cuba was one of our worst vacations.  
Where to start...  
Our 5 Star all inclusive (yes I realize that 5 star Cuba isn't like 5 star everywhere else) had a toilet that didn't flush the entire 7 days we were there, the food was terrible (yes, I realize Cuban food isn't the most flavourful), the staff weren't as friendly on the resort in general and didn't really "care". I know that at our resort tipping wasn't a big deal, they preferred to be tipped in material items: things for their kids including pens, pencils, paper, personal hygiene items, and random nick knacks you would purchase at the dollar store to be completely honest. Fine, thats all fine.  
The beaches were lovely the water was beautiful however.  
I think overall what made us not want to travel back there was the people in general. The staff at the resort seemed like they didn't care, they weren't overly friendly, when in town in Varadero it was heavily guarded by military. Any general conveniences you required: aspirin, pepto, bug spray, lotion wasn't readily available like it is in other countries we have travelled to, and honestly not a big deal, but something to consider if you are going there- the basic essentials are not readily at a store on the corner.  
 
I guess we weren't overly impressed with Cuba and won't be going back.  
 
The weather was great, the beaches beautiful and water was amazing.

Just got back from 5 days in Havana. Loved it. 3rd time there. I have a friend that lives there and he showed us around. Stayed in a house in Havana in Miramar quite close to the Canadian Embassy. If you want the beach and a resort this is not for you. If you want the real Cuba and Havana with good, inexpensive restaurants and a personal guide with a car I can set you up.

Just got back from 5 days in Havana. Loved it. 3rd time there. I have a friend that lives there and he showed us around. Stayed in a house in Havana in Miramar quite close to the Canadian Embassy. If you want the beach and a resort this is not for you. If you want the real Cuba and Havana with good, inexpensive restaurants and a personal guide with a car I can set you up.