Make sure it is Varadero and not Varadera.
As soon as you have your luggage and bike, turn left as you exit the airport, go change your money into convertible pesos (CUCs or "Chavitos"). You can get some help but they will expect a "propina" (tip) so make sure to always have some change on you.
Almost parity with Can $ means that you might want to be careful with the amount you tip. (holding the door for you is 25C, carrying your bike might be a bit more)
Your hotel should have a chartered bus and the driver should do it for you. (25-30min ride) Negotiate with the driver to take time to change your money (one can take care of that while the others buy time with the driver).
I was told the change booths inside hotels have a worse exchange rate (not that the "government approved" change booths offer an amazing deal)
The main strip in Varadero is in poor condition (pot holes wise) and side streets can turn into very uneven surfaces (tree roots, pot holes, broken concrete and asphalt pieces)
Make sure to hit Don Alez pizza joint:
https://www.tripadvisor.ca/...s_Province_Cuba.html
I was staying right next to it and enjoyed it a lot (super cheap and delicious)
Watch out for Jiniteros (street vendors/ friendly locals/ conmen at times) selling cheap cigars (they will be cheap in quality quite often).
El Encantado grocery store sells large water bottles (5L) for cheap, practical before and after bike trips or hikes.
As of Feb. 2016, it was still not possible to use Interac nor Credit cards except a small handful or stores.
Cash is king in Cuba.
I would agree that Internet still has a long way to go there. I saw people in la Havana sticking their hands inside windows of buildings offering free Wifi without passwords (or you give a propina to the guard for the password).
I lived internet free for a whole week. Hotels may offer something better though but at a cost.
Have a nice trip.
Only fools never change their minds and I'll never change my mind about that.
As soon as you have your luggage and bike, turn left as you exit the airport, go change your money into convertible pesos (CUCs or "Chavitos"). You can get some help but they will expect a "propina" (tip) so make sure to always have some change on you.
Almost parity with Can $ means that you might want to be careful with the amount you tip. (holding the door for you is 25C, carrying your bike might be a bit more)
Your hotel should have a chartered bus and the driver should do it for you. (25-30min ride) Negotiate with the driver to take time to change your money (one can take care of that while the others buy time with the driver).
I was told the change booths inside hotels have a worse exchange rate (not that the "government approved" change booths offer an amazing deal)
The main strip in Varadero is in poor condition (pot holes wise) and side streets can turn into very uneven surfaces (tree roots, pot holes, broken concrete and asphalt pieces)
Make sure to hit Don Alez pizza joint:
https://www.tripadvisor.ca/...s_Province_Cuba.html
I was staying right next to it and enjoyed it a lot (super cheap and delicious)
Watch out for Jiniteros (street vendors/ friendly locals/ conmen at times) selling cheap cigars (they will be cheap in quality quite often).
El Encantado grocery store sells large water bottles (5L) for cheap, practical before and after bike trips or hikes.
As of Feb. 2016, it was still not possible to use Interac nor Credit cards except a small handful or stores.
Cash is king in Cuba.
I would agree that Internet still has a long way to go there. I saw people in la Havana sticking their hands inside windows of buildings offering free Wifi without passwords (or you give a propina to the guard for the password).
I lived internet free for a whole week. Hotels may offer something better though but at a cost.
Have a nice trip.
Only fools never change their minds and I'll never change my mind about that.