With only ten days vacation annually in Canada (with the exceptions of public servants) heading south for a relaxing beach vacation just makes sense. Travel agencies knows this too, and North America truly offers some of the best all-inclusive packages available, heading to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. You can stay at a 4-star resort, airfare included, with all your meals and drinks covered for under $1,000. Just check www.selloffvacations.com. If you’re really good at hunting, have a flexible schedule and are very patient, you could get your week in paradise for $600.
Although sitting around at the beach has never been my travel style, I really couldn’t find a vacation at better value. I finally decided on Cuba, since I wanted to see the country during Fidel’s reign, you know, before McDonald’s sets up camp. I, apparently, am not one of those people who are great at searching for these vacations. At the last minute I booked a package with Sunwing Vacations at the Oasis Brisas del Caribe Hotel. Review of this hotel to follow. As April is apparently a popular month to visit Cuba, the package was $1,085. I had budgeted a little extra so that I could go on some excursions while there, to stay true to my travel style. I needed to catch a glimpse of Cuban life.
I had reserved half of my suitcase for things that I would leave behind in Cuba: toiletries, children’s toys and school supplies, and toilet paper. This was particularly useful to pair up with the tip I left for the maid at our resort, and for an amazing day trip around Varadero. More on this later.
My Sunwing experience was great. I love that they offer a mini glass of champagne on the flight along with a meal, despite the cutbacks that all the major airlines are imposing. Arriving at the resort, we were happy with all the different food and party stations that were scattered on the grounds. The 24/7 snack bar was a hit. The pool was also very nice, but I opted to spend my days at the resort at the beach. Rightfully so. The weather was perfect the entire time.
One day tour involved a 4-wheel drive caravan adventure around Varadero. While making our way around town and the surrounding country-side, I had a chance to give out the toys and school supplies to the local children. Their excitement upon receiving these gifts brought tears to my eyes. After a quick stop for lunch, we raced down a river in speedboats to a small island where relaxation and hammocks awaited us. I learned that I am better able to parallel park a boat than I am a car.
4WD Caravan tour around Varadero town and countryside
These local kids jumped up and down when they received their “Dora and Diego” bouncy balls
Racing speedboats prior to relaxing on hammocks
Back at the resort, I met another Canadian couple, and we joined them for a night out at one of the clubs in Varadero town. If this crowd was at all representative of the population, then Cubans are trendy and lots of fun. This was a great goodbye to a lovely week in paradise.
Ten years ago I set a goal to visit 30 countries by my 30th birthday. With no plan or country list to fulfill this goal, I decided to let life take me where it wished.
“See Simi Travel Blog | Adventures of a travel snob“, is just that. The account of an ex-20-something year old exploring the world, usually solo, and on a very limited budget.
Every other week I try to tell you a story about the friends, food, fun and fails I’ve had along the way.
Hey Simi,
Thanks for doing a story on this. I’ve been on every kind of vacation except for this Cuban/DR all-inclusives and everyone I know is on their 2nd and 3rd all-inclusive vacation. So you can well imagine, I’ve been so curious to understand what the draw of these getwaways are.
Stacy
[...] this reason I really recommend booking a one-week all-inclusive trip to Varadero, Cuba. It’s unbeatable value. But please, take my advice, save a little extra money, and do an [...]