Cuba: La Isla Grande

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Phil Pendlebury

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written February 2012

  Great holiday-best way to see most of Cuba as oppposed to staying in a all inclusive hotel for 2 weeks as you will likely see very little of cuba. Be aware of course, this requires alot of driving, but  i was aware of this  after reading reviews. Had a good laugh with a decent group of people. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I enjoyed the walk up the mountain to Fidel  Castros hideout.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Manuel was excellent. He sorted out many things with various people and was very sociable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take plenty of medication and plenty of snacks. If you are not Fit do not attempt the journey up to Fidels hideout.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Go for it, you should enjoy.

   
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  Deborah Southon

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written February 2012

  A good way to see the whole island, but more driving than I expected and too little time to explore. However if you want a taste of Cuba and don't mind fitting in just under 3,000 KM of driving it is a great introduction to the island.ed 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Loved the trip to the mountains and the walk in the nature reserve. Great to see the beautiful landscape and coast line.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader- what can I say!

  He was knowledgable and I loved the way he would stop and buy things at the roadside for us all to try.

  I did not however enjoy his sense of humour which I personally found a little offensive at times. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Remember to take loo paper, bug spray, sun cream, basin plugs and a good first aid kit including medicine for upset stomachs! Remember a towel for the beach stops.

  The locals asked regularly for pens, soap and sewing kits!

  Be prepared for no water and no hot water as this was a regular issue. Generally the power was okay but we needed a torch several times to move around in the evenings.

  Be prepared to drink alot of rum! 

   
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  David Greenhalgh

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written February 2012

  Overall a nice holiday. We saw and experienced a huge amount in two weeks of which we enjoyed more and more the further away we travelled towards the east of the island and away from Havana. Baracoa was definitely the highlight of our trip. We knew in advance that there were 2 to 3 long days on the coach. Perhaps did not fully appreciate that we were on the coach for average of 3-4 hours or more on travelling days on top of the advance communicated longer travel days. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  We had some really funny and big personality Cuban taxi drivers that added much fun and laughter in addition to the charm value of their real 50's character cars.

  Visiting and eating in Paladars recommended in our guidebooks was very enjoyable as we had EXCELLENT food and value in them each time. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Good. Patient. Did all he could to try to identify and satisfy the needs of the majority of the group. Not the easiest task when you have 15+ people ranging in age, background and travel experience.

  The overall coach travel turned out to be much more than we anticipated. We did not particularly mind this as we chose the Exodus trip (for the first time) over JLA (because we preferred not to fly internally).  What was very different and not particularly to our liking was that we left the hotels on travelling days between 8:30 and 9am. Travel stops were frequent and at times unnecessarily drawn out.  It felt as if we were at all times actively planning not to get to the next town until between 6pm and 7pm. This meant that we in most cases had extremely limited free time to explore the loveliest towns individually. There was hardly any free exploring time at all. Every minute of every day was with group activities and visits. We would have preferred to have breakfast early, get on the road early and purposefully so that we had maximum time to explore the destinations we were heading for.

  Paladars were not really talked about much or mentioned.... We were well informed about Cuba not being a place for 'foodies' really but we found that it was far far better than indicated. In most cases we had better quality meals at far more affordable prices with more variety when we broke away from the group dinners. We were offered the same four standard meals at virtually every group meal (Shrimp, lobster, chicken or pork cooked with or without tomatoe sauce) in most cases NOT because that was all there was on the menu but because it made it easier for the group leader and the restaurant to cope if we ordered from these limited options and in advance. On more than one occasion we found out that the group menu price was on average 5 to 8 pesos more than the printed ENGLISH printed menus available in the same restaurant. Still good value meals but it was the principle....

  We pre-booked a private transfer to the airport via exodus as we had a different airline flight to the majority of the rest of our group.  We asked for our original pick up time to be brought forward a few days prior to our flight. We had no paper work from Exodus or a local agent to prove that we had booked or paid for this. Our transfer turned up half an hour late, very stressful when you are worried about getting to the airport on time and through Cuban customs etc We were just about to leave and walk 10 minutes with all our luggage out of the pedestrianised part of central Havana to the taxi rank to catch our own taxi when it turned up.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  90% of the time lunch stop was at 3pm or later! Definitely take snacks such as oatcakes, mini cheddars, crisps etc as they aren not possible to buy as very long gaps between breakfast and lunch but dinner then very soon (too soon) after big and late lunches. As a group we had to campaign incessantly and push for lighter lunches such as simple ham and cheese sandwiches. These then started to be offered but we felt they were always there but that we were being pushed into 15-20 peso set meals for the money. Nobody wanted or physically needed two full meals like this for lunch at 3-4pm and again at 7:30pm! We could all afford it, just did not want or need it.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This feedback has been given in an attempt to be honest and helpful to Exodus to take on board rather than for publication on your website. We think and know many others in our group thought and felt the same but as you know, not many people take the time to write or tell you about it. They do tell other fellow travellers around the world though. Honestly, overall, we enjoyed the trip and wanted to try Exodus but we found the tour leaders and trips with JLA better. JLA tended to take us off the beaten track that bit more.  The restaurant in Cienfuegos we were taken to dinner to was particularly disappointing. It was such a lovely city and appeared to have great hotels, restaurants and paladars. We were only taken to a paladar once for lunch by the group leader and it was for lunch after the walk at Santa Domingo. This was our best meal and most memorable lunch trip of the whole trip with visiting animals and opportunity to eat in the open air with a local famly that served fabulous food (I checked the kitchen and it was clean, nothing wrong there!). We dont like posh hotels and like things down to earth so not fussy but we HATED the 'all inclusive' hotel in Trinidad. It's exactly the type of place we dont want to stay in. We are travellers that explore the world and not the type of holiday makers that like this whether or not it is good value. The motorway hotel at Camaguey was also in the same category, would have preferred a 2 star in the town centre so we could walk and explore.

  It took some time to do this review, a response would be appreciated.... 

  Exodus Response

  Dear David
  Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed account of your experiences on La Isla Grande (AUB), your feedback is very important to us and we read it carefully. I will be discussing your comments with our local operator and reviewing our Trip Notes for errors. Whilst we don't attempt to hide the fact that this trip involves some long distances by coach, I realise this could be made clearer by having the journey times present on each day and so I will be adding this information to the Trip Notes shortly. At the moment they are left out because they can be variable (e.g. a 3 hour journey could become longer if the planned stops escalate, as may have been the case on your trip), but I believe that approximate times would be useful.

  In Cuba most hotels are run by the state and although some private hotel chains can be found these are typically of the 'all-inclusive' variety that you mentioned and tend to be in coastal locations only. This leaves very limited options for accommodation in towns and this is an area where the country struggles as a whole because there aren’t enough hotels to cope with the demand. In Trinidad there are just a handful of properties, of which only 3 are suitable for our groups and all of these are resort style accommodations. This wouldn't normally be our first choice (like you, we prefer small, characterful properties) however, there simply aren’t any alternatives in some of the areas that we visit.

  All Cuban guides work for and are trained by the state but we select a pool of guides who regularly work with us, which ensures consistency and enables guides to receive additional training led by Exodus. Our guides tend to be a highlight for many of our clients and receive a lot of praise - several have been nominated or received recognition in the 'Tour Leader of the Year Awards' in previous years. I will be sending out a reminder to them about offering different options for lunch wherever possible (as you noticed, there aren’t many places to get snacks in Cuba so this can be one of the reasons why larger meals are eaten at lunchtime).

  I hope this helps to explain some of the issues that you felt affected your trip and would like to thank you again for providing feedback. I think Cuba has a huge amount of charm precisely because it works so differently to the rest of the world. Despite some frustrations with the system and limitations in regard to hotel choice it remains one of my favourite countries! I hope you have some wonderful memories of your trip.
  With kind regards,
  Vicky Boughton (Trip Manager)

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
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  Philip Doyle

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written February 2012

  First few days we thought we had booked the wrong holiday as it was not meeting our expectations at all, but after staying at the hotel on the beach at Magauna things improved greatly. After a lot of hype Baracoa was a dissappointment but we really loved Bayamo, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and obviously Havana. As before with Exodus it was the side trips that really stick in the mind; swimming down a steep rock gorge to a waterfall and bat cave, snorkelling on a coral reef, walking down the main street at Bayamo at night and seeing the locals socialising (on a Wednesday night!!), the beach barbecure under a moonless impossibly starry sky at Maguana, meeting the poet who runs the restaurant at Baracoa and having the sugar cane and rum cocktail! and finally the canoe trip and forest walk between Maguana and Baracoa. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking down the main street in Bayamo on an ordinary Wednesday evening and seeing how local families can really nejoy themsleves with music, dancing, family and no trouble or threatening behaviour. I found myself comparing this with the 'no go' areas in our towns and cities as our children strive to enjoy themselves with binge drinking and loutish behaviour. The Cubans have got it right and we have lost the plot.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Freddy was exceptional his local knowledge was second to none, his jokes and knowledge of the english sense of humour were great, i still remember the one about George W Bush's visit to Cuba with a smile. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Switch off for the first few days and be confident that the rest of the holiday will more than live up to your expectations of a Spanish colonial island left in a time warp and struggling to restore and maintain an architectural heritage to die for. All this alongside the histroic stories about the heroic struggle for the revolution against dictatorship and the world 'brand' that is 'Che'.

   
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  Anne(Sue) Oswell

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written February 2012

  1st long haul trip travelling was only down side to this amazing trip Manuel was excellent as tour guide as was Orlando driver.So kindkind and helpful.Tour of Cuba we packed so much in so varied in content,history,culture,the people,the island  diversity .Had to make notes all the to get everything down.Memory prompt.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Too many Moncado barracks,Che s memorial museum,Castro s hideout,the wealth of information

   we received,the daily struggle of the Cuban people,Trinidad,Cinfeugos,Santiago,the music. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent he tried so hard to make the trip so good for all of us not an easy task when we were quite a big

   group17 too big really. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Read up as much as you can your book list is excellent!!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A wonderful experience!!!

   
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  Nicola Dunleavy

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written January 2012

  A wonderful trip which really showcased the best that Cuba has to offer. Plenty of time to explore gorgeous, colonial towns and learn more about the country's fascinating history, a few beach stops for much-needed r&r, some time spent in the beautiful mountains and definitely more opportunities to drink mojitos and dance with the locals than I was expecting! Undoubtedly full on but really great fun.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The Sierra Maestra mountains were stunning but the best bit was seeing where Fidel, Che and the rest of the revolutionaries had camped out and fought during the Revolution. Che Guevara's mausoleum in Santa Clara was also incredibly moving.    

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was brilliant from start to finish. Extremely knowledgeable and eloquent when he spoke about Cuba's history, politics, economy and society in general, endlessly patient and accomodating, full of energy and always great fun.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  For a variety of reasons, the food in Cuba isn't great. Expect to eat lots of bread, rice, beans and pork or chicken and not much in the way of fresh fruit and veg! I took plenty of healthy snacks with me and that definitely helped. The rum is brilliant anyway so that kind of made up for the food! There are also a couple of long days of driving which is a bit frustrating but the price you pay for covering so much ground in just two weeks.   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  So much depends on the group that you're travelling with. We had a great bunch of all different ages and backgrounds so it worked out really well. If you can remain patient and tolerant of others, as well as throwing yourself into things and making the most of every opportunity that comes your way, you'll stand a good chance of having an awesome time.

   
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  Lesley Savage

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written January 2012

  A great way to experince a fascinating country which allows you to get a great feel of the place and people. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Probably in the mounatins, looking at where Castro et al planned the revolution, which also made for a good walk after so long on a coach. Santiago was also amazing. Imagine going to school in a place with bullet holes to remind you of the history. The music was everywhere and great, the people friendly and chatty, not hassling you. The catamaran trip was the best way to spend new years eve.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Great - really helpful, fun and informative. Would have been nice if he and the driver socialised at dinner with a bit more.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The food is better and more plentiful than the trip notes suggest, even if not varied. There was chicken, pork or some form of fish/seafood pretty much every night, sometimes extra seafood, occasionally beef. I also found it less expensive than I thought it might be - but ATMs were as scare as they said, so take plenty of cash. It's a really safe place and I never worried at all about carrying all it around with me.

  The optional trip to Vinales was not widely taken up because people had enough of coaches by then but it was great - but be warned, we got back at neraer 8pm, not 5pm as suggested, so Tropicana was a bit of a rush if you wanted to eat. The Catamaran trip was fabulous, and good value.

  Tropicana was expensive, but a real spectacle and the rum was the good stuff! 

  If you have one take your snorkel as there are some fantasic sites for it. 

   It you get travel sick do not book a two week coach tour.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Cuba is fascinating, and I suspect anyone who has been in the last 50 years will feel they saw it an an interesting time, but you really did get a sense it was unique, so go before reforms make it too much like the rest of the world.

   

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