The all-inclusive package is the most affordable and convenient way to vacation in Cuba. The packages, offered by agencies like Signature Vacations, include airfare, seven nights accommodation, complementary access to breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, and in some cases, unlimited alcohol at any of the resort's bars. Direct flights from Edmonton to Cuba run about 6.5 hours, but are only available in the winter. If you wish to go at another time of the year, you will need to connect through Toronto or Vancouver.
Varadero is the most popular area for travelers, with dozens of resorts located within a small area. Most resorts in this part of Cuba feature the same amenities, including multiple heated pools, well-lit walking paths, buffet and a la carte restaurants, long private beaches and private quarters. The Hotel Villa Cuba is a good example of the kind of resort available in Cuba, with five poolside or beachside bars, a disco for dancing, and white sand beaches. Resorts in the Varadero area generally run from $800 to $1000 per person during peak season.
Located on the easternmost part of the island, Holguin vacation packages will cost more, while offering a higher ratio of five-star resorts compared to Varadero. Unlike with Varadero, most packages available to Edmontonians only include four-star resorts or higher. There are benefits to this, particularly at Cuban vacation spots, where lower-star establishments tend to have bland food and fewer amenities. However, it means that Edmonton residents will need to spend more, which may not be feasible given that most people choose Cuba for its affordability. Staying at a place like the Playa Costa Verde, for example, would cost around $1,200 for an all-inclusive package during peak season.
For those looking for seclusion above all else, Cayo Coco is an ideal trip location. Situated on an island in central Cuba, Cayo Coco requires visitors to ride a bus over a causeway that measures more than 17 miles long. This means that vacationers won't have to deal with random merchants or panhandlers who frequent resorts on the mainland, which is a nice luxury. And because the resorts there are relatively new, the beaches are as unfettered as they come in Cuba. Relative to other Cuban resorts, Cayo Coco is reasonable. A seven-night stay at the Blue Bay Cayo Coco costs around $1,050 per person around peak time.
If beaches and pools aren't your thing, a visit to the Cuban capital of Havana may provide more of a thrill. The historic city gives tourists a much more accurate view of authentic Cuban living and a chance to interact with its inhabitants. The city is full of attractions, including La India Fountain, constructed in 1837, and the Farm La Vigia, the one-time home of American novelist Ernest Hemingway. Even those who end up selecting a vacation on the beach will have the option of taking a brief trip to Havana via resort bus.
