The luxurious island of the Caribbean necklace is the dream of many tourists. Let's talk about the pros and cons of traveling to Cuba with children. Find out about the best family-friendly resorts and all-inclusive hotels, and what parenting tips and tricks are available for toddlers.
Is Cuba suitable for children
Of course it does! The distant tropical country is famous for its picturesque nature, spacious sandy beaches, warm climate and clear sea. During a vacation in Cuba, the child will have a great rest, gain strength, get acquainted with a new culture, visit natural parks, see exotic plants and animals.
There are also disadvantages. The sun is hot in the Caribbean. It is easy to get burnt even in cloudy weather! It is difficult for children and adults to have a long journey and a change of time zones. During a direct flight, you will spend 12-13 hours in the air, and the time difference between Moscow and Havana is 8 hours! In order for acclimatization to go smoothly and to have a comfortable rest, come for a longer time - from two weeks. If the baby is too small and has weak immunity, it is better to postpone the trip until he grows up.
Elena: "When you go to the beach, your breath stops, it's just amazing, turquoise water, white sand, gentle approach. The first place where children preferred the ocean, not the pool. For several days there was an amazing animation at lunch, live music, dancing, performance synchronized swimming teams. Our emotions went through the roof, and we directly felt how positive relaxation reigns everywhere. "
When is the best time to go
The best time to travel to Cuba with children is from November to April. During these months, the weather is dry, and there is no such heat and humidity as in summer. The thermometer rises to +25 ... + 29 ° С during the day, and the sea water near the coast is warmed up to +24 ... + 27 ° С. Swimming is very pleasant!
Sometimes in winter the air temperature drops by 3-5 degrees due to cold winds from the Atlantic. When the beach is uncomfortable, tourists with children swim in the pools.
Best resorts for kids
Varadero is the most visited resort in Cuba among vacationers with children. He is loved for its gorgeous sandy coastline, a large selection of all inclusive hotels and entertainment. From Havana to Varadero just 2 hours drive.
Holguín Province is the second most popular resort in Cuba. The province is known for some of the best beaches in the country, great diving spots and the picturesque La Mensura National Park. Family hotels in this resort are set aside from the nightlife and noisy places.
Comfortable hotels on the islands of Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Largo and Cayo Guillermo are ideal for a beach holiday in Cuba with kids.
Learn about the 8 best resorts in Cuba.
Vasily: “For the first time we visited Cuba with my wife and two children. The sunny Cuban peninsula Varadero captivated us from the very first minutes!
The best hotels for kids
All resorts in Cuba have all-inclusive hotels for families with children. In many of them, young guests under 12 years old are allowed to live for free.
Gran Caribe Atlantico 3 * is a small hotel where you should stay if you decide to show your child Havana. This cozy hotel is located on the oceanfront in the village of Santa Maria del Mar, 24 km east of the center of the Cuban capital. Combine a pleasant beach holiday with educational tourism!
Islazul Los Delfines 3 * is a beach hotel with a beautiful garden and plants in Varadero. Tourists praise the calm home environment, comfortable rooms, children's animators and a wonderful beach.
Iberostar Tainos 4 * is a popular family hotel on the Icacos Peninsula, 2 km from the center of Varadero. The four-storey building and bungalows are located 100 meters from the sandy beach, surrounded by a tropical garden. Vacationers love the infrastructure for children and the spacious outdoor pool.
Melia Tryp Cayo Coco 4 * - a good hotel for holidays in Cuba with children is located on the island of Cayo Coco. Enjoy the clear lagoon, crystal blue waters and gentle entrance to the sea!
Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo 5 * is one of the best hotels with a water park on the island of Cayo Guillermo. There is a private sandy beach 100 meters from the buildings. For younger guests, there is a playground and room, a kids club and a shallow pool.
Food
There are no problems with food for tourists in Cuba. If you're staying at an all-inclusive hotel, you can count on quality food and good service. The choice of dishes is inferior to Turkey, but quite sufficient for a normal rest. In a tropical country, tourists are always offered fresh fruit, meat and seafood dishes.
The restaurants of 4-5 * hotels have a special children's menu. Cubans treat babies with great warmth. If you ask to cook something for the child, you will never be denied. To avoid stomach problems, make sure that the child drinks only bottled water.
Tourists staying in apartments or budget hotels cook themselves and eat in restaurants. The main menu in Cuba is beans, rice, chicken stew soup and desserts. They are quite suitable for children over 5 years old.
In stores, fruits and vegetables are cheap and milk is expensive. Baby food can be bought in supermarkets, but the range is limited. If you are not sure if your toddler will eat Cuban formula, take the usual food from home.
Find out how much food costs in Cuba.
Zhanna: "Very good food. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Plus, you can have a snack during the day. You need to understand, here it is not like in Turkey - one, second, tenth, no. But you will not be hungry. Lots of seafood - shrimps, lobsters, fish, good selection of meat. It's all fresh. Prepared in front of you. "
Things to do
Cuba is good not only for a beach holiday with children. Adventurous teenagers can go surfing, diving, hiking, jungle, caves and beautiful waterfalls.
Of the excursions, we advise you to go with the whole family from Varadero to Havana. You will get acquainted with the sights and walk along the most picturesque streets of the capital. It's fun to drive around Havana in a retro convertible.
If you love to travel on your own, in Havana go to the large National Zoo, the National Aquarium and the Jardín Botánico Nacional. See ancient forts, a 17th century fortress, and the delicious Chocolate Museum.
There is a wonderful dolphinarium in Varadero. It is connected to the sea, so marine life lives in natural conditions. Tourists are offered a spectacular show and swimming with dolphins. Also, tourists are happy to go on a boat trip on the Varasub glass-bottom ship and have fun in the Todo en Uno amusement park.
On the island of Cayo Largo there is a turtle farm, on Cayo Coco there is a modern climbing center, where there is a special rope zone for children from 4 to 8 years old. Holguín has many parks and beautiful promenades, and there is a dolphinarium in Naranh Bay.
