Search Results for 'Trinidad'

[Mario]

#23390 In reply to: Average time needed for immigration and luggage pick up at Havana airport |

Hi Kevin,

I spoke with Claudia and the taxi driver and Casa Maritza. I will tell you what I was told.

1. The taxi driver (Roberto) says that he waited at the airport. He saw that your flight landed and he was waiting at the arrivals area. He had a sign. He said that the people from your flight passed and nobody approached him. He was unable to locate you as you passed. But, the driver waited about 30 more minutes (with his sign saying “Cutler”) and he was eventually approached, in the top area of the airport, by somebody who identified himself as Cutler. The driver took this person to Havana. The driver could not remember what house he took this “Culter” too. It’s very strange. I’ve worked with this driver many times and he has no reason to lie. If you did not meet the driver at the airport, then somebody else took your taxi. I’m sorry. This is the first time this has happened. Honestly, I never even expected something like this. I will work to make sure this does not happen again.
2. As for Casa Maritza, as mentioned, I confirmed it myself, with Claudia, in person. I spoke with Maritza just now and explained the problem. She was being evasive. I have removed that casa from the website. As mentioned, I don’t want to work with landlords who are not reliable. They make me and my team look bad and obviously make the clients upset. It’s just not worth it.
3. Claudia mentioned that as soon as you arrived at Casa Maritza, you called her to tell her there was a problem with the reservation. According to Claudia, she sent a taxi to pick you up and brought you to another casa. The taxi was free to you (Claudia paid it). If this is not correct, please tell me.
4. According to Claudia, the new casa (Guido) seemed good to you. You checked it out and told Claudia that you would be satisfied staying there.

 

Is this more or less correct? I don’t know what happened with the airport taxi. Obviously there was a problem meeting the driver. Sorry for that.

As for Casa Maritza, I removed her from the website. I’m sorry for that problem. I feel we worked hard to make things right, but I can understand your frustration. Things did not go according to plan.

As for Vinales and Trinidad, I will be honest, landlords in those areas are far less money hungry and they have a bit more long term business sense. I’m happy you got to stay at the casas that you booked. I know you mentioned that the landlord in Trinidad said some strange things about the reservation, but ultimately, you stayed there (and we certainly did make your booking there.)

Kevin, I hope that overall things were not too bad. I have been in many circumstances in Havana which were totally not planned and very inconvenient. I know how frustrating it is. Honestly, despite how much I know about Cuba, every time I am there I still always seem to get into sticky situations. It’s extremely common for things to go haywire sometimes. It seems that it’s almost part of the “Cuban” experience. It’s something that will likely change as business and hospitality develop in that country. My team and I are constantly trying to improve the client experience. Some things are not in our control, which is annoying to me immensely.

I hope that overall your experience of Cuba was positive.

thanks,

Mario

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Mario.

[Mario]

#23383 In reply to: Average time needed for immigration and luggage pick up at Havana airport |

Hi Kevin,

I think we exchanged a few emails before your trip. I take it seriously that things did not go as planned during your trip. I will look into this and see exactly what happened.

I will say a couple of things right from the start. 

1. You mentioned that you spent about 2 hours exchanging money and looking for the driver. I have repeated several times on the website that travelers must meet the taxi driver first, before going to exchange money. The driver can track your flight on the TV monitors in the airport. Once your flight lands, he looks for you at the gate. If you miss each other, he cannot search the whole airport. If you go upstairs to exchange money and the driver is waiting at the gate (downstairs) and you guys never find each other, the driver leaves after a certain point. The driver was booked, his name is Roberto, and I can confirm that he arrived at the airport, as scheduled. Somehow, he was unable to find you. Let me look into it and I can get you more details.
2. As for the casa, I confirmed your stay at Casa Carlos And Maritza. I was there with Claudia and we went to the landlords house directly, because we were in that area of Vedado, and I confirmed your booking. I saw the landlord write your name down in her reservation book. This was done many months ago. I am not certain what the issue was. I will call them and see what happened. I will tell you this, if those landlords bumped you, I am removing their house from the website. I have no great recourse against these landlords, I cannot force them to pay for bumping clients, but the protocol is, any landlord who disrespects a reservation like that, gets automatically removed from the website. Let me check into it.
3. Vinales – I’m happy that went well. 
4. Trinidad – Let me look into that. I find it strange that the landlords initially said they did not have your confirmation, but then had vacancy anyway, and took you in. I can see from the reservation system which we have in place that on April 10 (one day after you arrived), the landlord from Trinidad actually called us to confirm that you arrived, and said that everything went well. She had the reservation. She took our number down, and she called Claudia to confirm that you arrived. We made your reservation, it’s a guarantee. And in the end, it all went well… You stayed at the house you booked and there were no issues… I’ll take that as a positive.

I will say the team of people I have working in Havana is really good. I think you exchanged over 30 emails with myself, Claudia and Isabel over the last few months. We answered every question and I gave you as much advice as I could. And now, for you to say that we didn’t do our job… We tried really hard, as we do with all customers. Concerning the Havana reservation, don’t believe some random landlord who barely speaks English, over myself, Claudia or Isabel, whom you have been interacting with for months, always professionally and amicably. The landlord will always give a song and dance when pressed for answers. But me and my team actually care about your stay. If we didn’t we would not have exchanged so many emails and spent so much time organizing your trip. 

Also, on 28 March 2017 Claudia gave you her phone number (cell phone) and told you to call if there should be any issues. Did you call her? She is glued to her phone and if she was made aware of an issue, I know she would have bent over backwards to make things right.

Give me a couple of days and I can try to get more answers. 

thanks,

Mario

[Kevin Cutler]

#23369 In reply to: Average time needed for immigration and luggage pick up at Havana airport |

Hi we returned a couple weeks ago I took a year on and off planning our trip and I appreciate things often go wrong . I spent a lot of time emailing your assistants Isabel and Claudia only to be completely let down . I confirmed reconfirmed our flights and Casas . We spent about 2 hours on arrival trying change money and looking for our taxi pick up we later learned was never booked . We were tired and stressed so grab a cab to the address in Vadedo only to get a cold never heard of you or this site ‘ after some difficult explain gas they had little English and we had no Spanish calls were made and a alternative was found .   2 Dn Casa OK they were expecting us in Vinales so all was well next was Trinidad were after all day on bus were were again told no booking had been made. But they did have a room and very nice it was and the food excellent . So all in all your booking system was let down by who ever is responsible for making and confirming  I wouldn’t of minded paying a booking fee if I was guaranteed our room I believe you have a serious problem . Kevin .

[Mario]

#22803 In reply to: 3 1/2 weeks in cuba |

Hi, I can set you up an itinerary. Just know that Cuba is a well traveled place. The best beaches already have hotels on them. And the ones that don’t have hotels, it’s usually because they are too far from anything to make them viable destinations. I know that some travel books will tell you about “the best hidden beach in Cuba” and things like that, but generally speaking all the truly great beaches are not so hidden anymore. The hidden ones are far away and would be mostly expensive to get to with a private taxi, and once you are there, you will be alone on the beach, but also alone within a 20km radius, so no water, restaurants, groceries, markets, etc. Many taxi drivers will not go far from the highway simply to get to a hidden beach, because if their car breaks down they are stuck.. and there are no on-call tow trucks in Cuba. Anyway, I just wanted to mention that.

Also, how do you plan on getting around? My suggestion it to use city to city taxis. If you are solo or a couple, it will save money. If you are 3 or 4, you might be better off renting a car. But there are risks to that.

Ok, so

Days 1-4: You are in Havana. Relax, explore the city. You won’t get bored.

Days  5-7: Go to Vinales. It’s a fun place and if you like nature you will enjoy the mountains and valley. Also you can check out the secluded beaches. You can go to Cayo Jutias or Cayo Levisa. Cayo Jutias is more popular and it only costs 15cuc per person to take a taxi there. Cayo Levisa costs 30cuc per person, but that also includes the ferry to get to the island. From Vinales you can organize these excursions at the tourist office in front of the main plaza in the town (there will be a crowd of people there and it is impossible to miss). Taxi drivers all around will offer rides to these beaches.

Day 8: Leave Vinales and take a taxi to Playa Larga. It’s gotten built up a lot in the last year, but it is still a small beach town with charm. Go there just to relax for a day. If you like it stay longer, but there is nothing much there.

Day 9: Go to Cienfuegos. It’s not my favorite town but it has charm and it has french architectural flair. Spend the night there and enjoy the day wandering around. If you like it stay longer.

Day 10 – 13: Go to Trinidad. Spend 4 nights in this area. One to explore the town. One for a horse ride or hike around the fields and hills. One for the beach (Playa Ancon) and one for going to the nearby Topes de Collantes mountains. You can also check out El Nicho waterfall. You might want to spend more than a day here. More info here. It’s between Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Also for trinidad, check out my free mini guide to trinidad.

Day 14: For most people, this is as far east as they go in Cuba. Please know that going further east, you will see a different, poorer and much less touristy Cuba. You can go to Camaguey. This is a large city. You can stay there for 1 or 2 days to explore.

Day 15: You can go to Playa Santa Lucia. This is about 2 hours north of camaguey. There are tons of secluded beaches in this area. The main town has resorts, but walk for 15 minutes away and you can find empty beaches. There is nothing else there.. just small empty beaches. You can find a casa or stay in a hotel. Hotels are not expensive here.

Day 17: Go to Holguin. It’s a beautiful town. Spend 3 nights. That gives you enough time to see the town and the surrounding countryside. There is a beach at Guardalavaca. It’s the nicest beach in the east. Many hotels, but still lots of secluded areas and rental casas.

Day 20: Go from Holguin to Moa. There is nothing in Moa but it is the main area to take a communal taxi to Baracoa. This is one of the eastern most towns in Cuba and the first place Columbus landed in North America. Baracoa only has 2 roads in. One from Moa and one from Santiago. The town was hit by a hurricane and has not fully recovered, but it is ok to visit. See here and here for more info. Spend 2 or 3 nights in Baracoa.

Day 23: Go to Santiago de Cuba. The largest big city in the east and the former capital. Spend 2 or 3 nights there. It’s a hot place… super hot. But nice and not touristy. Check out the Sierra Maestra mountain range.. the tallest mountains in Cuba (El Turquino). Rich in history, this is where Castro and the rebels camped out for years.

Day 25: Take a flight from Santiago de Cuba to Havana… and then go home. Check the flights at http://www.cubana.cu. Flights from Santiago to Havana are usually about 100CUC per person.

Anyway, with a trip like this, you see all of Cuba. You can say you explored the island. But you did it quick. You saw Cuba but I don’t know if you can say that you “know” Cuba. Either way, it gives you a great sense of the country and the people. The trip is long and it won’t be cheap to see all these places. You might be exhausted at the end.

If you want something more relaxed, then cut out Cienfuegos and Camaguey. Or, if you want to spend more time in the east, cut out Vinales. Generally, the more time you spend in one place, the easier it is to establish relations with the locals and learn culture. But, if you spend all the time in one place, then you don’t see much of the country. It’s the trade off.

What do you think?

I hope his helps,

Mario

[Mario]

#22717 In reply to: traveling with a 6- year old.. |

Hi, ok, first of all, congratulations on planning this trip. I think it will be very fun. I have a daughter who is 5 and a half years old and I travel everywhere with her and never have serious issues. I just came back from 1 month with her in Havana and Vinales and we had a lot of fun.

If you are staying in Cuba for 2 weeks then you can certainly visit Havana, Vinales and Trinidad. You have more than enough time. But for people who are in Cuba just 1 week, I personally think it would not be wise to visit Havana Vinales and Trinidad all together because you waste a lot of time traveling and Vinales and Trinidad are too similar. But you have 2 weeks, and even if you travel a lot the first week, you will have you second week to relax at the beach, so it should be fine.

1. The airport taxi pickup is very easy. All the info is at this link. The taxi will pick you up at the airport and can wait for you as you exchange money, and then bring you directly to your casa particular.
2. Organizing your stay in Havana is easy. Do you have a casa booked? Just pick which part of the city you want to stay in (I suggest Vedado or Plaza neighborhood) and we can book the casa for you. Then you just walk around and explore the city. With a young child you will have most fun just walking around. You can also take communal taxis and buses, just exploring the city cheaply and casually. My daughter loves cats and ice cream, so we go to “meet all the cats” wandering around the streets (they are save and mostly clean animals) and she enjoys many cheap ice cream cones as we walk around the city.
3. Havana to Vinales – The Viazul is the cheapest way. The bus ride is like 4 hours, but it is comfortable and air conditioned. It will be fine. Vinales is great for horseback riding. If you are good with a horse, then you should ride with your daughter (she sits in front and you in back, on the same horse.) If you are not comfortable with a horse, then just go for a hike in the valley with a guide. Your landlord can organize all these things. Just tell the landlord a day in advance and she will make arrangements.
4. Vinales to Trinidad – We can organize this taxi, no problem. We can get you a private taxi (more expensive) or a communal taxi (cheaper). It’s a long ride… like 6 hours, but many people do it. The taxi usually stops for like 10 minutes in Havana to do a transfer (you get out and get into a different taxi). They will not stop for lunch… You are best advised to bring a lunch with you. (Pack some sandwiches, water and crackers). Check out this Trinidad article too. Also, have you see the Trinidad Mini Guidebook . You should download and read it.
5. Vinales and Trinidad – We can organize the casas. No problem. We have a list of casas here and we can set you up with something comfortable and affordable.
6. Trinidad will be fun. Again, you can walk all around the town. There is a lot to see and do. If you went on a horse in Vinales then you might not want to go again in Trinidad. But take a hike up the hills and enjoy the fresh country air. Your daughter will like Trinidad as all the houses are small and cute looking. It’s a very nice area. The discos (casa de la musica) is only for adults. But there is a lot of outdoor music in the main squares. The town is tiny, and you will hear the music at night.. so just walk towards the loudest music and you will find the fun.
7. Trinidad to Varadero – In the Viazul bus (http://www.viazul.com) it takes 6.5 hours. This is very long. Honestly, I suggest you try to get a communal taxi in Trinidad. Go to the Viazul station and negotiate with some drivers. You should be able to find a driver willing to take you and your daughter for about 50 cuc total (or less). In a taxi you can get from Trinidad to Varadero in about 3.5 hours or less. It will be much faster than with the Viazul.
8. Where will you stay in Varadero? We can find you a casa, or you can stay at a hotel. For hotels, look on http://www.Sunwing.ca You can find something cheap and good. A hotel in Varadero is the best option. You will have a pool and a beach and the food is all included in the price. In a casa you will have no pool and you will have to walk to the beach and the food will be expensive. All told, a hotel will usually be cheaper than a casa in Varadero, and much better.

We can take care of all the taxis and the casas. You are already in contact with my assistant Claudia, and she can easily manage all the other reservations you might need.

Don’t worry. It will be fun, and you will have no problems traveling with your daughter.

take care,

Mario

 

• This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by Mario.

[Joanna]

#22704

Topic: traveling with a 6- year old.. in forum General |

Hi there,

I am planning a trip with my almost 6 years -old daughter. I planned 2 weeks holidays, first half traveling from Havana-Vinales-Trinidad and then the other half just holidays in Varadero. (we will be jus the two of us)

I have always wanted to see Cuba and now I don’t want to leave Maria home… I hope I can manage all this planning but need some hints.

I have read almost all posts and now I am a bit confused. I planned 3 nigths in casa in Havana, first right away from the plane. Then Vinales and horseriding around the valley (2 nights). And a bit problematic – transfer to Trinidad… I plan to take a taxi for this trip but also had found a post where you advised to choose either Vinales or Trinidad because it would be a little bit similar (if I got it right). I know that both places are worth visiting but I really do have to plan it all according to my daughter..

So could you read my plan and advise me something or correct my planning please:

I will need a cab to get to casa in Havana (already chosen and contacted one) on arival night and will I manage to change the money at the airport?

Then how to organize the stay in Havana – day walking with my daughter… we will have two full days, I want to see Malecon on Sunday and show here music and the climate… And to see the Havana not especially touristic one..

Next Vinales (Viazul maybe there and back and coming back to Havana- have something to eat around the Viazul station and then will need a taxi to Trinidad)

Then Trinidad for two nights (???) – I have read your posts, will we have something to do there? Horseriding again? we will probably not be able to enter any casa de musica because of her age, right? If I were alone I I am sure I would find things to do but with Marysia I need to think it over…

And then to Varadero – no idea if Viazul (I know the lenght of routes and stops, and airconditioning but don’t want to spend so much money on transfers.)

Then I will have to go back to Havana Airport from Varadero. (I have alredy been in touch with Claudia about the taxis)

So does my plan look any resonable? Can I book casas in Vinales and/or Trinidad with your site?
I really don’t want to come to Cuba with travel agency, but travelling with my child makes the planning more demending…

Attachments:

1. 

   Trinidad-Mini-Guidebook.pdf
   

[Kathy Opolskki]

#21434 In reply to: Taxi Service |

Hi Mario,

So can I book taxi with you for trip to cienfuegos and then on to trinidad?  We will be there April 15 – 22.  Havana 3 nights, cienfuegos 1 night, trinidad 2 nights and then havana 1 last night?  Thank you for your info – love your book!

[JulieD]

#21192

Topic: Buying shoes in Cuba in forum General |

Thanks for the great reads before our Cuba trip. Both the Real Havana & Tips. We are looking forward to Cuba, for only 9 nights, arriving 23rd of April and leaving 2nd of May. We currently have 2 nights booked in Havana, plan to do a day trip to Vinales by taxi on the 24th and hope to spend a couple of days in and around Trinidad. We will add days in & around Havana before and/or after Trinidad. My husband thinks he may like to buy some Cuban shoes/boots as part of his Cuba experience. Are there any places that may be good for this? And do you know where I could find an idea of prices please?  J

[vanessa]

#21105

Topic: Taxi Service in forum General |

Hi,

I read on a forum that the below place will allow us to book a taxi online?  Would you suggest that we use them or is there another way?

http://www.taxivinalescuba.com/?lang=english&origen=Havana#city

We would require a taxi to our accommodation and then the next day we want to use a classic taxi from Havana to Trinidad.

What would you suggest?

Thanks and take care

Vanessa

[Mario]

#20957 In reply to: Itinerary question |

Hi, your plan is good. You can do it exactly as you have written. It is not too ambitious, actually it is a very common route. You spend enough time in each area to see everything. And you have enough time in vinales and Trinidad to see all the attractions nearby such as the beaches and mountains. I think you will really enjoy the trip.

1500$ will be enough. If it was me I would bring a but extra, just to be sure. Maybe 1800$ just to be sure. That will certainly be enough.

As for finding rides to share, my beat advice is to go to the viazul terminals the day before you plan to leave. You can talk with the drivers and tell them that you want to travel as a colectivo. This means that you travel with other passengers. The drivers will find the other drivers and they can pick you up at your house. The cost will be low and the service is good. Get the drivers phone number in case you have to change plans.

I hope this helps.

Mario

[Aleks]

#20871 In reply to: Book your casa particular online! |

Hi Mario,

 

My wife and I are visiting Cuba mid- end May  and last night I sent my booking requests to the Casas, however there is no acknowledgment of anything being sent. I also contacted you through your “Book your casa particular online” forum, however I think I might have done something wrong as my post is not showing. So there I am again and apologies if I am coming across a littler obsessive, but don’t want to do a 20 hours journey and not have a bed.

 

Below our itinerary and the Casa I contacted yesterday – last night here in the UK.

 

Vedado – Casa Alexander and Margarita from the  13^th  to 21^st  of May & we will be returning from 24^th to 27^th  of May, after Visiting Trinidad. The request was for the independent apartment, however if this is not available we are happy to stay in one of the rooms at the Casa.

 

 

Trinidad – Casa Mauri – to which the request was sent in error and was supposed for Casa Alameda from the 22^nd  to 24^th  of May.

 

Vinales – Casa Paraiso on the 16^th of May.

 

Where there is no availability, we are open to suggestions – would prefer an independent room or apartment, however please let us now all availability.

[Yum54]

#20679

Topic: Itinerary question in forum General |

Hi

I’m really enjoying your book and website. So many great informations. Thank you!

My teenage son and I are visiting Cuba in April for 10 days, arriving Havana airport on 9th afternoon and leaving from the same airport on 18th around 3pm. I need some insights for scheduling our trip.

Besides Havana, we’d love to visit Trinidad and Viñales, and I hope we can schedule in some snorkeling and relaxing time at the beach somewhere. But I started to think this plan might be too ambitious within this short time, so I’d like to hear your opinion.

4/9: arrive to Havana
4/10: Havana
4/11: Havana
4/12: go to Trinidad
4/13: Trinidad
4/14: Trinidad
4/15: go to Viñales
4/16: Viñales
4/17: Viñales
4/18: Viñales to Havana airport by taxi

I’m not sure if I have allocated enough time to each area. Should we shorten one of the area? Or should we just do Havana and Trinidad (maybe adding Zapata swamp)? Or Havana and Viñales?

Re: transportation, if I could find another one or two people to share the ride, I’d love to use a taxi for transportation between these areas since it’s much faster compared to Viazul. Is it easy go find people to share in advance?

Re: bringing cash, is $1500 enough for 2 people?

Thanks!

Yuko

[Bruce McLeod]

#20249 In reply to: Making stops while in a taxi |

Hi Linda,

My partner and I will be travelling to Cuba next month for 2 weeks. Mario, the owner of this site put me in contact with a Taxi Company which I have already made some booking with and the bookings have been very easy to make.

Here is the Taxi Company’s website:-

http://www.TaxiVinalesCuba.com

We will be using a taxi from the Company to take us from Havana (stopping off in Cienfuegos for a couple of hours) and carrying onto Trinidad.

Cost 160CUC.

Then we will use another taxi to take us from Trinidad to Santa Maria.

Cost 155CUC

Then the final taxi we will be using from this same Company from Santa Maria to the Havana Airport.

Cost 220CUC

 

I hope this is of some help.

 

Bruce

[Linda Villalobos]

#20238

Topic: Making stops while in a taxi in forum General |

Hello, we plan to take a taxi from Havana to Trinidad, but would like to stop along the way. Will the driver accommodate us?

[mario]

#20206 In reply to: is a trip to trinidad worth it for only a 5 day stay in cuba? |

Hi, im in cuba with a weak internet connection so I cant write very much. Honestly, I would suggest Vinales. It´s west of HAvana and I prefer it over trinidad. There is tons of info online. It´s a small place and you can take the viazul bus there for like 15$… http://www.viazul.com. There is a beach close by too. Also, there is playa larga, but that is a bit smaller and a bit harder to get to, but a very nice area. No resorts at all. Have fun. Mario