Signing up for discount travel vacations packages to Cuba is easy. But actually ending up with a cheap Cuban holiday is not so easy, because it requires a bit of savvy planning and an understanding of the way things work around here. So let’s look at both aspects, starting with how to book a good package and then the cheapskate travel tips.
Cuba, the biggest island in the Caribbean, has the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Atlantic Ocean towards its north and the US mainland. In fact, Florida is a bare 90 miles away. Canada is quite close too, and the flight from Toronto to Havana takes only 3-1/2 hours.
For starters, the US doesn’t allow its citizens to holiday on the island and flights are severely restricted. Secondly, those coming in from Canada should know that Havana is not the only gateway in or out. It’s also possible to book one of the international charters that land directly at one of the resort destinations such as Varadero.
When the cost and hassle of local transportation between Havana and the resort is tabulated, the charter looks a lot cheaper and easier. It is indeed easy, because many of the popular resorts are on the island’s North Atlantic coast. The easy to reach destinations include Varadero and Havana, islands like Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Coco, and hotspots in Holguin such as Guardalavaca.
To add some more savings, book the flight as part of a package deal. These deals usually include hotel bookings, along with flight tickets and airport pickups. It will cut down the total tab for the trip in a big way.
Since the Cuban weather is sunny and bright all year long, visitors can enjoy the magnificent white sand beaches during any season. Even the mojitos, Cuba Libre and the local rum taste just as good, regardless of the month or season. The only difference is that the hotels and beaches are not crowded and the package rates are lower during the off-season.
That’s not to say that summer vacations should be reconsidered. Au contraire, there are plenty more ways to save. For instance, those able to pick up a smattering of Spanish will find their daily local expenses suddenly going down. If traveling around is called for in the itinerary, a rental car will be a life-saver because the alternatives are likely to be expensive or too ramshackle.
It may also help if visitors can get used to digesting rice – lots of it, with beans and pork and chicken, and wash it down with local rum in the bars. In fact, it might be an interesting experience to eat at small restaurants with the locals, instead of in fancy diners attached to the hotel. Think of it as getting to know the real Cuba.
After one of two visits, most travelers will end up with a fair idea of where the savings lie and how to live on the cheap without giving up too much. To get this balance right, it’s best to book a package, and try to find one which has a direct flight to the destination. Look around a bit, because there are many operators with attractively priced discount travel vacations packages to Cuba.