Varadero, Cuba Resort. Hotel Kawama Vacation.

[@AlySunderji]

Im currently here

[@marc-andrebanville6666]

Merci it was Nice to met you there this Time again.tank you for your vidéo .see you this february

[@DownMichael]

It was nice to see you. I hope we see each other there in February.

[@ericvandusen2280]

it was very nice meeting you there on my trip made my trip a blast- eric

[@DownMichael]

We plan on another guy's trip next year. It's an annual event. Going with my wife in a month though.

[@DownMichael]

Hi Eric. I can see you having fun in this video. Gary tells me you went down to Bar Bennys a couple times to. My advice to people is "Choose to be happy". Good luck on that and hope to see you again!

[@ronson6569]

Yes Mike new yearly video so so sick!!!!

[@ЕленаХудобина-г8з]

Была в Каваме в феврале 2022 , попала вам в кадр в баре .Очень понравилась Куба , мечтаю приехать сюда опять. Завидую жителям Канады за короткие перелеты на Кубу . Мы из Москвы летели 17 часов с дозаправкой в Рекьявике , и назад 10 с половиной.

[@rayhobbs5450]

can you get cristal beer in cans in varadero

[@DownMichael]

I've always been able to. If it is in short supply I ask around as to when and where.

[@elixis2847]

Hi!! We're going end of January. Last time I had no fridge. Did you pay extra for the fridge room? Oh and whats the spaghetti for?

[@DownMichael]

I've never seen a room without a fridge and I've been in 30 of them. The Cubans have shortages of everything from time to time and now is acute due to the Trump sanctions still being on and Covid having killed their tourism for a couple years. They have little income and sometimes they run out of pasta or butter or white wine. I take the things I want to be sure I have. I could have taken an empty container and filled it with their butter on the days they have it instead of taking my own. Those are tricks you can use at any Cuban 3 star.

[@elixis2847]

@Michael Down do the returners get upgraded?? Or should I ask to upgrade when there?

[@DownMichael]

@@elixis2847 If it's a slow time of year returners will be upgraded but not when busy and others have already bought all upgraded rooms online before you get there. January to April is high season so I don't know if you'd want to take the chance to wait.

[@elixis2847]

@Michael Down I'll try to contact sunwing to see if I can upgrade to a balcony room for the extra $12. Kawama seems to have no more website to contact them directly. Or even getting my old room 2310 if I can't upgrade rooms. I like that side of the resort. Man I can't wait to go back!!

[@DownMichael]

@@elixis2847 2310 should be no problem getting. It had no fridge? It must have been broken. At 20 minutes into my February 2022 Hotel Kawama video I show 2317 and you can see the refrigerator in it.

[@elixis2847]

Hey Mike, what is the best currency to bring? Does kawama prefer a certain type? I saw a video saying to bring a bunch of $1 USD. Is this true?

[@DownMichael]

Cuba has a huge black market and the U.S. dollar is valued. They also love Canadian money but they can't take it to their bank if it's in change only if it's paper. I'm not giving out $5 bills as a tip each time so I take U.S. $1s. You can also give them loonies and toonies and when they have enough they can exchange it back and you give them a $5 bill.

[@elixis2847]

@Michael Down thank you so much. Your advice is totally appreciated!! 6 more days...

[@jackopico100]

Hi Mike , how are you ? we want to go again in december 2 weeks and I was wondering if building 26 was finished ?

[@shirleynoel952]

How much did it cost you to bring all the extra food?

[@DownMichael]

Maybe $50. But I also took hundreds in gifts. Powdered milk, medicine and things they can't find.

[@shirleynoel952]

@@DownMichael I am heading there next month, Not the same place as you but to Cuba for sure. what items would you suggest to bring?

[@DownMichael]

@@shirleynoel952 All kinds of medicine. Powdered milk. They are short of everything so whatever you take will be appreciated.

[@heilleman7438]

Hi ! There is music and entertainment at the pool ? And no music at the beach ? I like no music at the beach

[@DownMichael]

The entertainment area is beside the main pool and the only music on the beach is tourists with their personal equipment

[@ryankproductions7943]

Great vid a always!! You travelling solo now?

[@DownMichael]

Yes for the first time. October and December are guy's trips and my friend cancelled. I stuck to my rule of no more than 2 alcohols mixed per day and had a better experience than in October. lol

[@lisemetzger9296]

Hi Michael I want to go February or April how is the resort now and could you tell me how I could get a good main floor or 2snd floor with balcony thank you for all the nice video my friend referred me to you is there one person at the resort that is more helpful then others. Thank you have a great time.

[@DownMichael]

Sorry I just read this. Did you go?

[@doug7745]

Never been to Cuba in December but the weather looks good and the beach isn't covered in seaweed like some other Caribbean destinations. By going to Club Kawana you probably can afford to go to Cuba 2-3 times a year for the same price as going to a 5 star resort for a week during the busy season. How did you find out about the bike show?

[@DownMichael]

Just luck regarding the bike races. This was my 3rd trip there this year. I'm leaving in an hour to pick up my 2 friends who stayed for 2 weeks. They paid $1025 out of Toronto. One week is $600 to $700.

[@doug7745]

@@DownMichael Wow. Last time i was in Cuba before Covid i paid $1600 for one week at a 4 star resort.

[@dct1960]

Hi Michael, thanks for doing these videos. I am planning to take my 14 year old son to Varadero in April. This hotel is on my short list because of location and price. Is it possible to walk into Santa Marta from the hotel or does one need to always take a cab and go over the bridge because of the canal? We both like to explore when in Cuba and not just lounge by the pool or beach. Thanks David.

[@DownMichael]

It's about a 20 to 25 minute walk to the core of Santa Marta from Kawama. There are stairs going up to the bridge from the canal. There are also cheap local buses should you want to go to Cardenas about 15 miles away.

[@dct1960]

Thanks for the information. I have not been to Cuba since December 2019 and am really looking forward to going again for a couple of weeks.

[@DownMichael]

@@dct1960 We went for the first time in 2007 because it was the least money of any sun vacation. It still is.

[@dct1960]

I see a price of $1110 + (Swoop bag fee $36.75) for 14 days in early April for an ocean view room ($1000 for a regular room). Are the ocean view rooms worth the extra cost? Thanks again Michael.

[@dct1960]

I see you did a video on Pelee Island. I live in Leamington

[@tammyrosien1005]

What did you use the pesos for ?

[@DownMichael]

You can tip 100 peso note in place of $1 Canadian. A friend ate at Al's and paid 4500 pesos. If they didn't have pesos the bill would have been $95 Canadian they were told.

[@davidcoleman2796]

I was booked into here but it looks like a dump .

[@DownMichael]

Definitely 3 star but I'm going there for 15 days in December for $1038 tax included. Beat that with a big stick.