Contact Admin. I'm traveling alone, and this is my second trip outside canada ever and recently I've been reading and hearing things about my destination that has kind of turned my excitement into a feeling that I may have decided on the wrong place to go for my first trip to Cuba. I've been reading that Cayo Santa Maria is not real the Cuba I'm still excited to take in the resort and all it has to offer, but what has your experiences been if you've been both here and elsewhere in Cuba?
So I guess my question is, did I essentially rob myself out of what could have been a fuller experience by booking a hotel in this region as opposed to somewhere like Holguin or Varadero , places that haven't been labelled as "fake"? Don't get too caught up with labels, but of course you're not going to see much of the so-called "real" Cuba whatever the hell that is while based in an all inclusive resort. Consider this: Cayo Santa Maria is a very small island off the north coast of Cuba.
The only way to reach it is to drive across a 48 km long causeway from the mainland. There are no Cuban town or villages on the island or anywhere nearby. Until a few years ago "normal" Cubans weren't even allowed on the island. So yes, Cayo Santa Maria is about as removed from Cuban culture as you can possibly be while still in Cuba.
Varadero is a total tourist town - one of the largest concentrations of all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean - but it's fairly easy to get away from that scene. Holguin is somewhat the same on a much, much smaller scale. Honestly though Cancel your trip and book another trip that is not at a resort. Air only and a hotel of your choice is what you think you want.
Air only isn't absolutely necessary. An all inclusive package deal that's on the mainland can be the best of both worlds - relaxing on the beach and also fairly easy to "slip into town. You have booked a nice hotel that is located on a stunning beach, it is a perfect area to relax and enjoy the Ocean without a bunch of motor boats zooming by filling your nostrils with fumes and having to listen to allot of noise and rattle that comes from an over load of beach activities.
