Cuba, I really want to go but it's so expensive.

[Juniperdewdropofbrandy]

I'll have to plan and go in a few years time I think? Dp and I both work full time but dss are teenagers so I reckon it'll be almost 5K for all of us?

Has anyone been? Is it as amazing as I imagine? (no don't tell me)

Venezuela, we did angel falls and the tepui as well as the coast and inland up the rivers. magical holiday felt really safe there and had a great time. also up in the andes for a bit but suffered with altitude sickness so not as long as I had hoped. would be the one place in the world I would love to go back and explore again.

The thing is about holidaying in Cuba is....that you've got to be interested in Cuba. If you want a generic Caribbean palm tree lined beach holiday you will be disappointed. But if you have even a little interest in the history, society an culture of the place it is amazing and there is nowhere else like it on the planet.

I loved Cuba and have been twice. Costa Rica is next on my list (although it's double the cost)

Costa Rica is amazing! Beach, jungle and culture. Colombia is breathtaking, and really cheap. Also loved Guatemala.

Ooh, thanks! Will start looking at all your ideas

I went 2 years ago for a month.
It was a great place to explore... Lots of amazing places to visit. Swam with dolphins. Food at the resorts was marginally better but generally dire throughout. If it a resort you're going to, there are plenty of other beach resorts that are just as good. All in all I wouldn't go again. I'm afraid that tainted my experience somewhat, as I was constantly anxious as to my next meal source. Oh and we were robbed in Havana but that could happen anywhere, I guess.

we are going for christmas, 3 nights in posh hotel in Havana, (i know, posh isnt really posh at all in cuba!) then going to be exploring and bumming it a bit more.. so keep the thread running please

We honeymooned there last year, it was the best holiday I've ever had. We did a lot of research before and watched a lot of films relating to the revolution, as we found the period so fascinating and it was great to see everything we had read about. I agree with selks you need to be interested in the history and culture to go! otherwise you will find better Caribbean generic resorts elsewhere.

We were pleasantly surprised at the cost of the holiday, we stayed in all 5* places for 2 weeks (4 different hotels, one with our own butler ) and flew virgin and it was less than £3k. We used an independent travel agency though which turned out much Cheaper than the big names, and the travel agents knew each hotel inside out so it was completely tailored to us.

You could stay in private homes for much cheaper (casas particulares) - my sister did this and loved it, or even the 3&4* hotels are very reasonable. The main expense for us was the entertainment there, because of the dual currency everything is London prices. Havana is incredible, and I disagree about the food, you need to know where to go to eat and you can eat incredibly. The top ones on tripadvisor are brilliant! DH cooked up a Cuban feast last night in memory of our honeymoon...

We flew with Virgin too, and made the bookings via an indie travel agent. I preferred to use them instead of arranging stuff myself as they seemed to know a lot about the place and, more importantly, the ins and outs of getting a visa, which apparently can be quite time consuming.

I can highly recommend the Hotel Nacional in Havana, which is like staying in a living museum and was built in the late 20s with mafia money. A lovely little lady in her 80s called Estelle does a guided tour every morning, taking you through the history of the place and even takes you down the nuclear bunkers dating from the time of the missile crisis - which she remembers very well.

I went to Cuba about 6 years ago and loved it. Stayed in guardivalaca. Paradisus de oura hotel. About 5 a la carte restaurants all of which were good. Beach was stunning. Havana is a must , although you must have a guide otherwise you have no idea where to go. We flew there for a day trip. Truley fascinating place, but I wouldn't have wanted to stay there for 2 weeks. We swam with the dolphins, visited a school (took pencils with us) went to a market. Did the usual catamaran trip. Would love to go back.

We went with teenage dds and had an amazing time.

It's somewhere I'd always wanted to go and both girls had studied some Cuban history and were learning Spanish.

Havana was fascinating - we stayed in the Hotel Nacional and had the tour with Estella.

We booked a classic car with tour guide privately via someone I found on trip advisor - much cheaper than via the British tour operator.

Shallow Dd2 wanted to come back with a suntan for her post gcse prom, so we then went to an all inclusive at Varadero which had lovely beaches but poor food and worrying food hygiene - two of us got stomach bugs there. Dh sterilised his stomach with plenty of free Havana Club rum and stayed well though.

If I had my time over, I'd just stay in Havana. There's an amazing art market in the old town where we bought some original paintings - I wish we'd bought more. Roll them up and put them in your suitcase to bring home though, otherwise you get clobbered for tax at the airport.

Just to add - it's not the place to go if you're looking for Western luxury throughout. There are pockets of it - the chocolate was an unexpected bonus ( there's a chocolate museum in Havana), but if you're interested in history, music and culture, Havana is great.

You will get hassled for money, but people are trying to sell you things rather than beg, and everyone was kind, fun and friendly.

Everything Torrorosso says. If I went again I'd not bother with Varadero at all.

I do Havana again in a heartbeat, but I'd like to also see Trinidad.