Varadero Golf Club

[riso]

I am travelling to Varadero to have 3 rounds of golf on http://www.varaderogolfclub.com/ on Jan 20. Those who played there - can you provide me with local tips, reviews, "what to brings", "what to expects" etc... ? All ideas welcome. Thanks a million!

[Focker Singh]

Sorry Riso, never played there but would love to hear about it when you get back! I do know the people there really appreciate chocolate, small toiletries such as toothbrushes, soap, shampoo as forms of gratuity rather than cash cause those items are so scarce and expensive to buy there.

[Mok]

I am travelling to Varadero to have 3 rounds of golf on http://www.varaderogolfclub.com/ on Jan 20. Those who played there - can you provide me with local tips, reviews, "what to brings", "what to expects" etc... ? All ideas welcome. Thanks a million!
nice! cuba!!! woohoo

i can't advice you on what to bring for golf...but for cuba itself, if you plan on buying cigars, make sure you buy them from the the government stores only!!! no matter what anyone says. if you go on the cigar factory tour, bring some $1 bills and trade the workers for a freshly rolled cigar, haha...have to be a lil sneaky but it works!

bargain for everything there! try to go to Havana for a day if you can and get one of those horse carriage rides around town.

[Mule56]

I am travelling to Varadero to have 3 rounds of golf on http://www.varaderogolfclub.com/ on Jan 20. Those who played there - can you provide me with local tips, reviews, "what to brings", "what to expects" etc... ? All ideas welcome. Thanks a million!Riso,
My cigar connection just came back. His mom lives there. this is some of the things he told me.
Bring Canadian money. The US dollar is not the most liked currency. It can get you mugged. The Canuck buck can get you friends. Baseball hats, sports jerseys, chocolate, and toiletries. Don't forget perfume and cologne.
Oh yeah your golf clubs.
Mule

[EDSGolf]

Don't drink the water :)

[chiantibro]

I am travelling to Varadero to have 3 rounds of golf on http://www.varaderogolfclub.com/ on Jan 20. Those who played there - can you provide me with local tips, reviews, "what to brings", "what to expects" etc... ? All ideas welcome. Thanks a million!
I played this course a couple of years ago. It was very windy, and very scenic. There was a short par 4 into the wind where I hit one-iron, three iron. No one else in my group could get there. It's sort of like Scottish golf only really warm. I found the people were very hospitable, and the view from the eighteenth tee is wonderful. As long as you're not expecting a five-star manicured Florida-style course you should enjoy it. I also recommend a cart for the first round...
Play well, and good luck,

[riso]

Beauty - thanks a lot for all your advice - I've been to Cayo Coco last year, therefore know what to expect. I absolutely agree that people down there are friendly and hospitable. It is 4 days / 3 rounds package deal from http://www.solwaystravel.com (http://www.solwaystravel.com/) and we are staying at the Melia Las Americas in Varadero (right at the golf course). BTW - golf carts are mandatory there ($20 charge pp).

We will arrive to Havana on 11am Thursday, immediately following by bus transfer to Varadero, but and I am really flirting with the idea of sending my luggage and clubs with the bus to the resort, stay and walk around Havana till that evening and then figure out some alternate transportation to Varadero. I've heard that old Havana has lots of charm and I'd love to experience it. They say once Americans roll over, everything will convert a'la Disneyland style ;-)

Does anyone have some local connections in Havana or knows ways on how to safely get yourselves from Havana to Varadero at night? I can bring back some Cohibas in exchange ;-)

Thanks for all advice!!!

[Mok]

Riso,
My cigar connection just came back. His mom lives there. this is some of the things he told me.
Bring Canadian money. The US dollar is not the most liked currency. It can get you mugged. The Canuck buck can get you friends. Baseball hats, sports jerseys, chocolate, and toiletries. Don't forget perfume and cologne.
Oh yeah your golf clubs.
Mule
Mule, a fellow cigar lover :) heh...

[Mule56]

Mule, a fellow cigar lover :) heh...Oh yeah. If I'm on the course there is a cigar not far away. I always bring some spares in case my playing partners are ineterested. Great bug spray if your deep in the woods also. :D
Mule

[Mok]

Oh yeah. If I'm on the course there is a cigar not far away. I always bring some spares in case my playing partners are ineterested. Great bug spray if your deep in the woods also. :D
Mule
AHHH, didn't know about the bug repelling advantage.

[laxgolf]

Oh yeah. If I'm on the course there is a cigar not far away. I always bring some spares in case my playing partners are ineterested. Great bug spray if your deep in the woods also. :D
Mule
Cigar smoke seems to be the best bug repellant out there. A nice stogie is the best way to enjoy a round.

[Mule56]

AHHH, didn't know about the bug repelling advantage.It's like having your own personal fogger. As Lax eluded to in his post, nothing finer then strooling a course at 7:00 a.m. and puffing on a stogie. Apologies to the fresh air fans.
Mule

[Chambokl]

Hi Riso,

I am not sure you realized how far Havana is from Varadero. It is over 100 miles so you have to make sure you have a way to get there. Cuba is a beautiful place and people are very polite but they don't have the transit system we have in Canada. Maybe you can somehow hook up with one of the tour that leaves Tropicana (if it is still going) at around midnight and goes back to Varadero.

Make sure you make arrangement ahead of time and they will probably charge you $50 to $75 per person for the show and bus ride back.

You are a lot more brave than me. I would hate to be stuck in Havana (as historic as it is) when I have a room at a beautiful resort in Varadero.

People could hop on plane from Havana airport to Varadero airport. Yes it is that far.

As far as bringing stuff as gratuities: toothpaste, soap, washclothes, make-up, combs, lip balm, hand cream, T-Shirt, shoes, etc...

Man I wish I would be going. Cuba is an awesome place. The beaches are unbelievable. Enjoy the sun, the beaches, the rum, the cervesa, ...

Jean-Guy

[Mok]

Hi Riso,

I am not sure you realized how far Havana is from Varadero. It is over 100 miles so you have to make sure you have a way to get there. Cuba is a beautiful place and people are very polite but they don't have the transit system we have in Canada. Maybe you can somehow hook up with one of the tour that leaves Tropicana (if it is still going) at around midnight and goes back to Varadero.

Make sure you make arrangement ahead of time and they will probably charge you $50 to $75 per person for the show and bus ride back.

You are a lot more brave than me. I would hate to be stuck in Havana (as historic as it is) when I have a room at a beautiful resort in Varadero.

People could hop on plane from Havana airport to Varadero airport. Yes it is that far.

As far as bringing stuff as gratuities: toothpaste, soap, washclothes, make-up, combs, lip balm, hand cream, T-Shirt, shoes, etc...

Man I wish I would be going. Cuba is an awesome place. The beaches are unbelievable. Enjoy the sun, the beaches, the rum, the cervesa, ...

Jean-Guy
it's not that far away...i took the bus ride, not too bad!

[Chambokl]

Hey Riso, Hey Mok,

It is not that far. Here is what I found on the net.

The distance between the two cities is about 140 kilometers, (about 90 miles) but the travel time is about two hours each way due to the poor roads.

So like I said it is quite a ride. Mok if you were drinking all the way maybe it look closer...lol

I know when we travel Havana - Varadero it was far enough to stop for a drink on the way back (at about 2:30 in the morning). Nobody wanted to stop but the driver didn't care... lol

It just kill me. I must have laugh for 2 days. I never heard so much complainig.... Just to show you how life is easy ... there is never any hurry...

Have a good holiday...

Jean-Guy

[Mok]

Hey Riso, Hey Mok,

It is not that far. Here is what I found on the net.

The distance between the two cities is about 140 kilometers, (about 90 miles) but the travel time is about two hours each way due to the poor roads.

So like I said it is quite a ride. Mok if you were drinking all the way maybe it look closer...lol

I know when we travel Havana - Varadero it was far enough to stop for a drink on the way back (at about 2:30 in the morning). Nobody wanted to stop but the driver didn't care... lol

It just kill me. I must have laugh for 2 days. I never heard so much complainig.... Just to show you how life is easy ... there is never any hurry...

Have a good holiday...

Jean-Guy
haha no i wasn't drinking all the way to havana, but there were stops where they showed you some interesting stuff also i guess....

havana was well worth it for me. one of the hi-lites of my trip, you really get to see how the city is compared to just the resort life. plus i got to visit the cigar factories, that was the big bonus!

[Chambokl]

I didn't care about the cigar factory but loved the market place. Also was quite impress with Tropicana...

One day I will be back... Maybe next year.

[riso]

Maybe you can somehow hook up with one of the tour that leaves Tropicana (if it is still going) at around midnight and goes back to Varadero.
This is actually cool idea - I will explore it, thanks for the tip Jean-Guy! As for being stuck in Havana in the middle of night, I am actually excited about that - I certainly was in way worse situations before. Plus I speak Spanish - that should be another advantage.

[Andru]

I am travelling to Varadero to have 3 rounds of golf on http://www.varaderogolfclub.com/ on Jan 20. Those who played there - can you provide me with local tips, reviews, "what to brings", "what to expects" etc... ? All ideas welcome. Thanks a million!The greens putt faster than they look. Lot's of grain and it does fall towards the water.

Tip the cart girl well and she'll be there ALL afternoon. Literally, we asked her to be on the 5th green and she was there with 4 ice cold frothy beverages.

Have fun.

[riso]

Hi fellow golfers - I am back ;-) it was great, the golf course probably not in the best shape, but very playable and pretty challenging - great scenery, wonderful people and awesome ocean. We have had good luck for great weather - well take a look at http://s92406498.onlinehome.us/photos/varaderogolf-2005/ - it's all there ;-)))

[Jaydog]

Hi fellow golfers - I am back ;-) it was great, the golf course probably not in the best shape, but very playable and pretty challenging - great scenery, wonderful people and awesome ocean. We have had good luck for great weather - well take a look at http://s92406498.onlinehome.us/photos/varaderogolf-2005/ - it's all there ;-)))

nice pics, riso. now i'm so itching to go away to hit golf balls off real grass instead of the acceptable substitute during winter months.

[Andru]

Hi fellow golfers - I am back ;-) it was great, the golf course probably not in the best shape, but very playable and pretty challenging - great scenery, wonderful people and awesome ocean. We have had good luck for great weather - well take a look at http://s92406498.onlinehome.us/photos/varaderogolf-2005/ - it's all there ;-)))
Nice Pics. I'm really hurting now. I need to play some real golf. No more of this simulator crap.

[Focker Singh]

Nice...the itch is growing by the day!!

[canoehead]

Thanks for the pics RISO.

My father-in-law and I played 4 rounds at Varadero the same week that you were there. We teed off around 8 am. Since Cuba is not on daylight saving time, our first hole was always played just after the sun rose in dim light.
We really enjoyed the course - played 2 from blues, 2 from whites. Lots of challenges. The wind was a big factor on many of the holes - especially the gorgeous ocean-side holes. I found the course to be in reasonable condition, and the greens were true.
Very enjoyable!