Have Baby Will Travel’s trip reports for Holguin, Cuba are organized alphabetically by the hotel name. Simply scroll down to read them all or use the fast finder to select a specific hotel. Each trip report has been provided to Have Baby Will Travel in the hope of giving other parents a clearer picture of what to expect when traveling to Cuba with a baby or toddler.

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(4 reports)

Select a report Holguin, Cuba: Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa Holguin: Playa Costa Verde Holguin: Playa Pesquero Holguin, Cuba: Sol Rio De Luna Y Mares

HOLGUIN, CUBA: OCCIDENTAL GRAND PLAYA TURQUESA
March 2008
COA & Family

We just returned from a fantastic week at the Turquesa. We were there from Feb 24- March 3,2008. Although my wife and I have been to many resorts during the past 20 years this trip was to be different as we were traveling with our daughter, son-in-law and our 21-month-old grandson. We had to bypass adult only resorts, avoid resorts which had unusually rough beaches and hopefully avoid the larger more crowded airports. We had flown to Holguin several times to another resort (5 star) and thought, after much investigation, that the Turquesa would fit the bill. We booked.

The week at the Turquesa exceeded all expectations. Let me comment on some negative reviews. I am convinced that many people like to complain and must have misguided expectations. Fortunately we read enough positive reviewers to balance the picture a bit. We have been to 20 resorts and have never written a review although we have read hundreds for each trip. We had to write this time to keep the balance positive.

As we often do we sent an email four days before we left Canada asking for rooms close together and saying we were traveling with a young one. When we arrived the rooms were adjoining and one even had a crib. Rooms were perfect.

Rooms were large, clean, air worked fine, water was hot all week, water pressure was good and balcony furniture was comfortable and attractive. Fridge refilled every day. As good or better than most other resorts except the upscale places.

No bugs. It may depend on time of year but we had no bugs of any description. Yes they spray every night around 6:00 pm.

The beach is one of the best! It is shallow, normally very calm, great white sand, easy to walk, more than long enough to have all the privacy you want, great for kids and building sand castles. Lots of trees to give shade if you want it. There was never a fight for shade or chairs. The water is shallow and that may concern a very few. Yes, for those that point it out there were weeds from time to time. They were never an issue and the staff worked hard to clean them up every morning. We would go back just for the beach.

You could also get great ice cream, snacks, beer and other drinks right on the beach served out of quaint little rustic buildings. Very well done and unique. Lots of boats to take out, continuous volleyball and in short the beach lacked nothing!

The pools are a sight to see and are generally quite empty until later in the day and even then securing chairs was never a problem. The pools starting at the top with the adults only cascade down several levels through five or six pools to the kids' pool at the bottom. This was in fact right next to the swim up bar pool so handy for the baby sitting parents/grandparents. Lots and lots of chairs. Worth a trip just for the pools.

The food was great. Although we normally join the frenzy to go sign up for the specialty restaurants we decided with the young one that we would stick to the buffet. Food was great with lots of choice that appealed to everyone in our group, which included 2 meat lovers, one vegetarian, one in between and of course one toddler. The wine glasses were kept filled, live music and a fun atmosphere. In spite of other reviews I am sure I tasted more than a few spices and we thought the food was well cooked and hot. The resort was full and food was being restocked at a rapid pace and that may account for it always being hot. We heard that most of the specialty restaurants were good and there seemed to be no restriction on how many times you can go. In short if you can't more than fill up with good tasting food at this resort you must be hard to please.

As one review said, don't overlook the "Bucanero", which is the buffet near the beach (Italian at night). They have a good bar and lunch buffet was different than main buffet.

The kids' building with its own pool is the most elaborate of anything we have ever seen. Also a great play ground area. This resort is family friendly and young and old will have a great time.

The resort is built on a bit of a hill (the cascading pools) and set into the natural "forest". They have done a great job in preserving the vegetation and every room looks into vegetation/forest/jungle all with a feeling of being very much a part of nature. If you walk up the resort from bottom to top by the pools you will be faced by the much talked about "stairs". These can be avoided by using the walkways on the side of the resort. Yes the resort is large (uncrowded) and some walking will be required. My guess is 5-10 minutes from top to bottom. Not really larger than any of the other new resorts yet this one is all in a natural forest setting. Worth the trip just for that.

Bars, bars, - they have them all, in many places, available 24 hours and carry more than a full selection.

We are going back without question! The resort, the staff, the pools, the beach, the vegetation, the happy kids, happy parents and happier grandparents and good food all led to a week that was far too short. Give this place a serious look when you are making your next selection

HOLGUIN: HOTEL PLAYA COSTA VERDE
March 2007
Oshawa Family (babes 3yrs & 7mos)

We just returned from a 2 week stay at the Playa Costa Verde with our 3 yr old and 7 month old, as well as some extended family and had a great time.

Firstly a note on the flight, we flew with Air Canada and found that travelling with children we definitely appreciated the extra bit of leg room and TVs in the seat backs.

Generally a beautifully landscaped and well maintained resort with really friendly staff.

Notes of interest for those of you travelling with kids ;

- The standard room was quite spacious and held the 4 of us comfortably. We were ground floor in the 1400 block and found that this was a great location to be with kids since it was sort of central to everything (although everything is relatively close since the resort isn't really large.)

-The kids club building was nice with a private mini pool. It advertises "supervised children's activities" but we didn't see any type of formal activities being run. It is basically just a large daycare type room with toys and some outdoor items. There are a couple of ladies in there watching them but we didn't find them to be too engaging (not so much a criticism but an observation if you're expecting the day camp counsellor routine).

- There was also a separate kids pool attached to the main pool and the beach was amazing for little kids.

- We brought our portable playpen with us and were so glad we did. The hotel had one all ready in the room for us and it was fine (although if you're overly concerned with safety standards it wasn't up to par there). We also used ours at the beach and pool for napping and shade for the baby and it truly was the best thing we brought.

Overall notes about the resort, the food was good with a large selection at the buffet. The a la carte's were fine too with more of the same ingredients as the buffet but fancied up a bit.

This is a great family friendly resort and we would definitely return.

HOLGUIN: HOTEL PLAYA PESQUERO
April 2005
Laurie & Family (baby 7mos.)

This was our first trip of any kind with our 7 month old son and we were quite nervous.

The resort was extremely accommodating for babies. Some features:

1. The entire resort is accessible to push chairs and strollers
2. There is an infant babysitting service within a shaded and gated day care area with some very nice attendants, open from 9:30-12 and 2-5 every day. There is an infant swimming pool, but it is unprotected from the sun and is rarely used. Better are the (very) shallow areas of the massive and beautiful adult pool--some parts are only 1-2 feet deep!
3. Free push chair and baby walker rental (although you should bring your own, as the resort is quite large and requires a lot of walking)
4. Free of charge (and very good quality) cots/cribs for the room
5. US$5/hr babysitting service
6. Gushing staff who will shower your baby with due attention
7. Lots of shady spots by the beach
8. Very good atmosphere for children (heavy drinking/smoking/partying areas are the lobby bar and pool bar, but much of the resort is quiet and relaxed)
9. Very, very clean and well appointed rooms. Every one has a bar fridge and plenty of room. One of the pictures on this site looked exactly like ours and we had a standard room. I would request building #10 as it is very close to the kids centre and the beach.
10. Air-conditioned, short, and roomy bus ride from airport.

Tips

1. Bring your own push chair as there is plenty of walking at this resort.
2. Bring shoes and clothing for the day care staff and try to tip wherever you can...you will find this is not at all an expectation that will be known to you, nor will not tipping affect your service, but it is something they truly need. If I were to go again (which I most certainly will) I would set aside US$100 for tips and a lot of old clothes and pens and paper etc. (nick them from work) and chalk it up to a business expense. Try to give to those poor security guards who stand beneath the palm leaf umbrellas 24h/day.
3. Bring lots of waterproof sun cream (high SPF) and a good hat.
4. The bottled water they provide is fine, but you should obviously bring plenty of food, diapers, etc. Don't expect them to have ANY baby supplies.
5. They provide highchairs at all the restaurants, but some have no straps. You may want to take a strap from something you have around the house to use with the highchair, although our baby is quite capable of sitting on his own and didn't need it. Something to think about.
6. Don't be afraid to take the baby to the a la carte restaurants. They are very welcome.

A general tip you should keep in mind is to book at the a la carte restaurants first thing (9am) on the morning following your arrival. This will avoid disappointment. Seafood, Romantico, Gondola, Asiatico are good bets, Romantico being by far the best (it's air conditioned--although that's not a problem in the evening, it's just a nice change to be inside for dinner--very nicely decorated and has some top-rate liquor, for those so inclined.)

All in all Pesquero is a VERY safe bet for kids and the youngest infants. The guests are mature and baby-friendly and so is the resort. The one drawback is the heat and sun (how odd to even type that) so just ensure you prepare well for both. You'll love it

HOLGUIN, CUBA: SOL RIO DE LUNA Y MARES
March 2007
Soloho & family (baby 14mos.)

Enjoyed this resort! I traveled with my wife and young baby (14 months).

FLIGHT Flight with AirTransat from Toronto was Ok. Families with baby goes first - very nice rule. Be careful with baggage weight (there is 20kg limit) – on back way we’ve paid $60 for 6kg overweight. If possible leave your warm things (coat, jacket, jumper) home for who’s going to meet you coming back. It will save your baggage space and weight.

TRANSFER & CHECK-IN Transfer took about hour by comfortable bus with conditioning. We arrived at about 1PM. Check-in was quick and easy. We got a key card and a porter led us to our room. The resort grounds have a lot of green trees, long trails for walking with stroller while baby sleeping, nice views. Loved it!

ROOM 2042 on Mares side. Great room on second floor with fantastic view – highly recommend. There’s a CD player (bring your own to listen), TV, mini-fridge, table, bed, crib for baby, small & safe.

MONEY Do not bring US dollars - you will lost additional 10%. Exchange rate in airport and resort is the same. Credit cards work but need some time for verification procedure. The best money there is cash.

BARS & BUFFETS Buffet on both sides, 7:30 open for breakfast, 1:00 for lunch, 6:30 for dinner. We used to eat at the buffet on Mares side. Recommend making friends with one or two servers (small gifts better) - will get some special service. Favourite bar - Azucar on Luna side - small and quaint. They only have beer in cans.

BEACH Beach is amazing. Loungers available at any time. Free of charge pedal boats, kayaks, and windsurfing available by booking. Best place for snorkeling just near the Paradiso Hotel where the reef is close. For swimming, any side is good. Sandy entrance to the water, which does get deep fairly quickly.

ACTIVITIES "Mini Zoo" up the "hill" behind the resort was interesting. Take a horse drawn cart into Guardalavaca to the market (12-15 pesos). Horseback riding is free each day for a half hour at the hotel – some people went every day. It's easy to bicycle to the nearest town. Be careful if taking a moped – the police in Guardalavaca will charge you for any mistake! You can also get a massage from Fernando - 35 pesos - recommended.

TIPS We spent about 30 pesos for tips. We also took some clothes, soaps, toys, etc. They really appreciate it. The staff members have to share their tips. If you want to give a special thanks to someone, a gift is a better way.

NOTES Take your thermos with you. It’s great to drink cold beer (or what you prefer) any time you want without needing to go to nearest bar for every glass.