Have been to Cuba about 14-15 times and yes, life for an average Cuban is VERY HARD. I love Cuba and the people and will continue to visit the land for many years to come. My most recent stay was at Grand Aston Beach Resort. The hotel opened in December 2023 and I had a blast as usual. I am thinking of trying Holguin for my September trip.
Hello Michael, my teenage son and me were at Kawama in September..we loved "chillin with the cats" at Sangria while having a 400 CUP pizza with a view...great trip! Got 200 cup for CDN and 270 for US in Trinidad 2 weeks ago.
We do love Varadero for the prices and security, normal place is Cuatro Palmas at upper end across from Calle 62. How did you find things there post Covid? We have heard some positive and some negative, thinking about returning soon.
I love the price. My wife loves the safety. Cuatro Palmas has been quite full. There were a few people I met who told me they couldn't get in. Love to see Elimay again. Tourism still hasn't recovered. Pre covid I was afraid to get off the bus at Mall of Americas or the Marina at the end of the peninsula because of the huge lineups waiting to get back on and full buses driving right past. Not that way now. Economy started down under Trump sanctions then crashed with Covid. Biden has been too weak to undo most sanctions and the State Sponsor of Terrorism designation so the economy is still stalled. I just pack more in our suitcases for us than before. May still be the safest country on the planet in my opinion.
I was watching this thinking wow that looks so familiar, bc it is, great resort lovely management. I hope some changes to their regime can help the food and wage issues for Cubans.
The cause of the current problem began in 2017 when Trump came to power and began passing over 220 new sanctions against Cuba, on top of the ones that had been there for 60 years already. Then before leaving power he declared Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism which prevents many countries and businesses from doing business with Cuba if they want to do business with the U.S. The Cuban economy started downhill at that time after having improved under Obama. Then it tanked during Covid and has not recovered because Biden has been too weak a president to undo Trump's sanctions.
Walked in downtown Varadero a year ago and walked by Kawama. It just had a dead feeling with nobody around especially further downtown. I remember being in Varadero 9 years ago and was able to get rice and meat on the street from a vendor for about $2-3 CAD. Didnt see one food vendor on the street downtown, only drinks.
I have made the same comment about nobody around when we took the bus by the 4 and 5 stars at the end of the peninsula. It's the worst tourism has been in decades as the Trump sanctions are still on along with his declaration as Cuba being a state sponsor of terrorism. Biden is afraid to undo Trump's damage. At least before the next election. Under Obama the Cubans were excited that the Americans were going to start coming and he'd remove the 65 year old sanctions. I really feel for their plight. We know who the terrorist is.
I was in Varadero with family in April 2024. When we rode the hop-on/hop-off bus, it did not stop in the area below the bridge that you mentioned. We travelled on it from Arenas Blancas resort to the marina, then all the way to the Grand Aston resort before returning back to Barcelo Solymar resort bus stop. No stop near Kawama. I'm wondering if the bus route has changed since your visit in February 2024? Also, they would not accept cash payment for tickets - credit card only at $7.50 CDN/$5 USD
At 3:20 I mention that you wave it down. Same thing by the Airport coming back from Grand Aston. There is a laneway from the shore highway going into the old airport and the bus will drop you off there to walk into Santa Marta or pick you up there but you have to tell them you want to be dropped off at Santa Marta or wave them down as they're approaching and they'll stop and pick you up. They are not official stops but the bus operators are the ones who informed me of this.
I booked December with Westjet. I joined their Email list and they sent me a discount. February and March trips were through selloffvacations.com who had a sale deal I took advantage of for the February booking. I as a repeater have some pull regarding rooms. If you do try Kawama contact me after for help.
Nice to see your latest video on kawama,Been there a few times and hope to go back some time.
I was in Varadero in February, may return in a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing.
Have been to Cuba about 14-15 times and yes, life for an average Cuban is VERY HARD. I love Cuba and the people and will continue to visit the land for many years to come.
My most recent stay was at Grand Aston Beach Resort. The hotel opened in December 2023 and I had a blast as usual. I am thinking of trying Holguin for my September trip.
love this video. a look at the "daily lives" of the locals. [at the market]
Hello Michael, my teenage son and me were at Kawama in September..we loved "chillin with the cats" at Sangria while having a 400 CUP pizza with a view...great trip! Got 200 cup for CDN and 270 for US in Trinidad 2 weeks ago.
We do love Varadero for the prices and security, normal place is Cuatro Palmas at upper end across from Calle 62. How did you find things there post Covid? We have heard some positive and some negative, thinking about returning soon.
I love the price. My wife loves the safety. Cuatro Palmas has been quite full. There were a few people I met who told me they couldn't get in. Love to see Elimay again. Tourism still hasn't recovered. Pre covid I was afraid to get off the bus at Mall of Americas or the Marina at the end of the peninsula because of the huge lineups waiting to get back on and full buses driving right past. Not that way now. Economy started down under Trump sanctions then crashed with Covid. Biden has been too weak to undo most sanctions and the State Sponsor of Terrorism designation so the economy is still stalled. I just pack more in our suitcases for us than before. May still be the safest country on the planet in my opinion.
I was watching this thinking wow that looks so familiar, bc it is, great resort lovely management. I hope some changes to their regime can help the food and wage issues for Cubans.
I will say with what they have they do a really good job!
The cause of the current problem began in 2017 when Trump came to power and began passing over 220 new sanctions against Cuba, on top of the ones that had been there for 60 years already. Then before leaving power he declared Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism which prevents many countries and businesses from doing business with Cuba if they want to do business with the U.S. The Cuban economy started downhill at that time after having improved under Obama. Then it tanked during Covid and has not recovered because Biden has been too weak a president to undo Trump's sanctions.
Walked in downtown Varadero a year ago and walked by Kawama. It just had a dead feeling with nobody around especially further downtown. I remember being in Varadero 9 years ago and was able to get rice and meat on the street from a vendor for about $2-3 CAD. Didnt see one food vendor on the street downtown, only drinks.
I have made the same comment about nobody around when we took the bus by the 4 and 5 stars at the end of the peninsula. It's the worst tourism has been in decades as the Trump sanctions are still on along with his declaration as Cuba being a state sponsor of terrorism. Biden is afraid to undo Trump's damage. At least before the next election. Under Obama the Cubans were excited that the Americans were going to start coming and he'd remove the 65 year old sanctions. I really feel for their plight. We know who the terrorist is.
I was in Varadero with family in April 2024. When we rode the hop-on/hop-off bus, it did not stop in the area below the bridge that you mentioned.
We travelled on it from Arenas Blancas resort to the marina, then all the way to the Grand Aston resort before returning back to Barcelo Solymar resort bus stop. No stop near Kawama. I'm wondering if the bus route has changed since your visit in February 2024?
Also, they would not accept cash payment for tickets - credit card only at $7.50 CDN/$5 USD
At 3:20 I mention that you wave it down. Same thing by the Airport coming back from Grand Aston. There is a laneway from the shore highway going into the old airport and the bus will drop you off there to walk into Santa Marta or pick you up there but you have to tell them you want to be dropped off at Santa Marta or wave them down as they're approaching and they'll stop and pick you up. They are not official stops but the bus operators are the ones who informed me of this.
Michael, can you get the rates you mentioned from pretty much anyone in the market? Or is there someone specific? Thanks
I booked December with Westjet. I joined their Email list and they sent me a discount. February and March trips were through selloffvacations.com who had a sale deal I took advantage of for the February booking. I as a repeater have some pull regarding rooms. If you do try Kawama contact me after for help.
Thank you! I will take you up on that if I need to. I'm sorry but I actually meant the rates for exchanging Canadian dollars 😊
Ask anyone . I don't want to give names to people I don't know when it involves black market.
A horse rider tried getting 80$ to take us to the market there lol definitely didn’t happen
I told him I could have gotten a limousine for that price 😂😂
They are lovely people but they need money and will separate you from yours if you can afford it.
Paraíso . Deslumbrante Mulheres amorosas e maravilhosas Vou lá . Para namorar e casar . Trazer para o Brasil !
Yes. They would like to marry you and move to Brasil.
Worst food ever