puerto vallarta, mexico VS varadero, cuba

[frogprincess]

i am planning to go away in december/january, at first i thought that going to mexico would be a nice little relaxing holiday but 2 of my friends are saying that mexico sucks and that cuba is the way to go.

either way i think that i will do the all inclusive since even if i book the most expensive trip it would still be cheaper than flight, hotel, food, ect.

so, i am looking for personal feedback from people that have been to either or both. also, is there a big difference between the 2 1/2 star vs the 5 star cuz some of the packages are the same price :0S

[miss.myra]

my friends got married at varadero, cuba.

the pictures looked absolutely beautiful and they were very impressed with the whole experience there.

i also think cuba would be a far better country to travel to because it would be really fun to explore other places off the beaten path. PV mexico seems like too much of a tourist trap full of drunk americans.

[diva]

Cuba!
Say hi to Fidel for me!

;)

[BongMan]

Cuba hands down cause you don't have to deal with drunk yanks, plus you can bring back some damn fine cigars. Also, not to even mention the beauty of the Carribbean islands, fuck I wanna go back there.

[frogprincess]

ok, cuba it is!! i just hope that they have DONKEYS!

[mapleleaf4ever]

Varadero for sure.

A lot of my Co-Workers have gone to both and they say Cuba is a lot more fun and less Americans there.

www.nolitours.com <--- Air Transat starts flying there in the Fall/Winter

Right now most Charter Airlines are doing the European Destinations.

[frogprincess]

Originally Posted by diva

Cuba!
Say hi to Fidel for me!

;)

i wonder if he'll be fully recovered and back on the throne in december

[AGROculture]

All Inclusives are booooooring
Went to one and won't go back to another until I'm 50

You could fly to Mexico, Cuba or even Costa Rica (Costa is $600 incl taxes from Seattle) and then pay $800 in expenses for food, transportation and accomidation, for two weeks. It would be a much more rewarding experience

you'd see much more of the country and experience the culture instead of stuck on a resort.

I just sent Allan on my itinerary I made for him for Costa Rica
chiggarica.blogspot.com He's having the time of his life and is thanking me for not letting him stay at a resort!
Cubans aren't allowed to go inside the tourist ara of Varadero

[galaxie]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

A lot of my Co-Workers have gone to both and they say Cuba is a lot more fun and less Americans there.

well obviously, lol
americans aren't ALLOWED in cuba :P

My aunt, uncle & cousin went to Veradero. They had a great time! BUT they did say that it seemed like there were a lot more families there and not a whole lot of partying going on - but that may just have been where they were staying.

I was in Cancun for 2.5 weeks in March and I'd say GO THERE. It's awesome. You can party like crazy downtown, relax by the beach/pool at your hotel (where drinks are brought to you), go boating in the lagoon, and/or take a day trip down to Xel-Ha and Tulum where you'll see the ruins, swim with dolphins, and snorkel at your leisure (this is an all-inclusive day trip, too, we bargained and got ours for $70 US each).

[mapleleaf4ever]

Originally Posted by galaxie

well obviously, lol
americans aren't ALLOWED in cuba :P

My aunt, uncle & cousin went to Veradero. They had a great time! BUT they did say that it seemed like there were a lot more families there and not a whole lot of partying going on - but that may just have been where they were staying.

Nothing with the Stars and Stripes is allowed there. :p

Yeah, it really does depend on the place you stay. Always good to do your research on the different Resorts. Some are more "Family Oriented" than others.

OH! And if you go all inclusive, make Friends with People from other Hotels that are about to leave and get them to give you their Wristband. Nothing like being able to Bar hop from Hotel to Hotel and still get drunk for Free.

[Play-it-hard]

Cuba !! My friend went there for christmas she loved it. Also she bought a 40 of rum for 5 dollers !!

[lithe]

i've been to both, and i'd pick puerto vallarta. the beach at varadero is nice, but all the area is is hotels and beach. puerto vallarta is an actual city... and although there are drunk americans, they're a less obnoxious variety than those in cancun. puerto vallarta is beautiful, with lots of different things to do, and it actually feels mexican. varadero would be good if you could arrange a package where you were at the beach for a few days, then havana a few days.