| bou_bou21:02 UTC29 Jan 2004 | Hi there - My husband and I are planning to travel to Cuba with our then 18 month old baby. We will rent a car and bring our own travel cot. We are not interested in staying in all inclusive clubs but would like to travel and see the country. Does anyone know whether showing up at the doorstep of a casa particular with a baby in schlepp is something that is generally accepted? Perhaps someone already made a similar trip and can recommend some places? Also, does anyone know whether car rentals rent children's car seats or whether they even fit into these old cars? Thanks a lot for any help!
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| familyof402:06 UTC31 Jan 2004 | Hi there,
We spent two weeks in Cuba with our 4 year old in 2001 and a single friend.
We didn't book anything but the first two nights accomodation before we got there. On arrival we ended up booking accommodation in Vinales and Trinidad through an official tourist agency. The accommodation was in Government run hotels.
We travelled by rental car. I think we took our own car seat. The car was reasonably modern.
We had a great time but I think if I did it again I would not book the official hotels. The hotel in Vinales is pretty and has a lovely location, but the food (all inclusive was absolutely dire and it had no atmosphere). The beach resort on the south coast near Trinidad we had chosen was so awful we actually upgraded to a 4 star resort which was also pretty bad.
The alternative at the time we were there would have been to use a guide book (like LP) and take our chances with private houses and I think that probably would have been better.
We felt physically safe at all times - and picked up a few hitchhikers which we wouldn't have done elsewhere. In Cuba there were just so many people trying to hitchhike that we did not feel able to drive by in a car that was less that absolutely full. Also there was a dearth of road signs and the hitchhikers were very useful for providing directions.
The hotels in Havana were a completely different scenario - lovely boutique style restored buildings in the old town.
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| familyof402:12 UTC31 Jan 2004 | Sorry I forgot to add that I think if you are reasonably resilient and resourceful travellers I think that independent travel staying in "casas" with a baby is definately do-able.
I think the people you stay with will take it all in their stride.
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| saltydog23:18 UTC31 Jan 2004 | We showed up on many a doorstep over a 2 month visit with a 50 pound dog in tow and people welcomed us everywhere we went. I think a baby would be a delight and would open many doors! Have a ball!
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| ch-bek17:45 UTC03 Feb 2004 | we travelled with our two girls (1 and 4 years old) to cuba last month.
cubans really loves children and they will help you wherever they can. If a casa particular was full or hadn't an adequat room, the owner usually looked for an other casa for us.
In any casa particular they will also prepare seperate food for your baby and will go as far as possible to make you happy.
So just go and enjoy your time.
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| avayemaya19:57 UTC09 Feb 2004 | yes I would go again in a flash. The Casas were great though the beds were generally awful (most existed prior to 59 I'm sure!) Everyone was very helpful. Food was extremely basic, but better to get at the Paladars rather than pay more for even duller official hotel food.
Best advice I can give is to take a box of 100 pens to give to kids... or something like stickers. We had a box of fake tattoos and handing those out lead to the most fantastic adventures. We made great friends..... and not just FrIENDS who want to grab your cash.
Cars are pretty basic. I'd take your own carseat for sure. Though there are so few cars on the road that an accident seems pretty unlikely!!
Trinidad is fabo.
santiago de Cuba even better.
The TIME OUT HAVANA book is great for guide to Havana... but Lonely Planet better for whole island.
and drink a bazillion mojitos!!!
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