my husband and I just returned from Jibacoa, where we stayed from feb 10- 17th , 2006
it was another great trip of relaxation and some fun in the sun...
we are 24 and 28 years old and felt that if you want to go away to relax, looking for a private resort, this is the place to go
if you are looking to party this is not the place, however, there is always the disco...which can be fun at times too
my husband and I were married at Breezes last year and that was a great experience as well and it was the best experience of our life, and everything went very smoothly...
negatives- staff can be very "tip" oriented...and at times we feel they could be a little biased against younger looking people like us, and felt we recieved somewhat less prefered treatment then some of the older adults...based on maybe that we look young and might not tip?? we weren't exactly sure the reason for this...as once served nicely we would be more then happy to tip...so..that was a little annoying at times.
this resort we found had a mix of young and older people....all looking for relaxation and the beauty that comes with Breezes Jibacoa.
other negative- if you have a late flight and need to have a shower, by using a room that the hotel supplies..fyi...get in early..as we waited 2.5 hours for a shower..we had 6 people ahead of us (with a later flight then us) who decided to all shower during that 2.5 hours.....needless to say this was RUDE!!!
( we figured they were ironing their clothes and the bedsheets too !)
we were late meeting our bus because we got in the shower too late... and never got super!
staff-some are wonderful, kind and soooooo nice, some are.....tired..and seem to be looking for nothing but tips...
all in all we love jibacoa, and realize that every resort has its ups and downs
we do recommend it and found it relaxing and wonderful!!!!
happy travels!

L.Young

Six female university students went to Breezes Jibacoa for our reading week on Feb.10-17th, 2006. Within the first evening of arriving everyone in the resort knew who we were and we had the run of the place. We definitely lowered the age demographic, however we found that more fun because everyone was still there to have a good time.

Arrival from airport: Don’t let the porters at the airport transport your luggage as they expect a tip for a 10 foot jaunt. We booked through signature vacations and our van was waiting for us when we got there! The ride from veredero airport was apprx. 60mins, but seemed shorter because of the amazing landscape, latin music and the photo ops our driver provided for us.

Check in went smoothly. Our rooms were impeccably clean and maintained on a regular basis.

Food: The buffet was very good. Although slightly monotonous, every meal you could find something you could enjoy, satisfying all ranges of diets. The theme nights were fun especially Thursday night which was lobster!

Although we there for a few red flag days, the beach and pool areas were kept very clean, the bar tenders were always smiling, and our glasses were always kept full! (shout out to Travis from Calgary!) We didn’t even notice there was no alcohol provided in our rooms because we were only in there to sleep, the 24 hour bar definitely served its purpose!

Lots of tours are made available ie: jeep, catamarans, snorkeling, Havanna etc. but we decided to tackle Havanna on our own. Taxi’s from the hotel and back cost 90cucs and will pick you up from where ever and whenever you want. This provided us the opportunity to make our own schedule which included the revolutionary museum, riding a horse and carriage and following black market cigar venders through the back alleys of the city (not necessarily recommended for young female travelers)

What made our trip enjoyable was all the amazing people we met from around the world. Shout out to Ontario, Travis, Carol and Jerry, Vancouver, and Vancouver’s mom, Germany, England (especially Earl), PEI, Neufi, Scuba Love, Jamie and Jackie, Scott and our friends from Brighton. We feel grateful to have had the chance to meet you all.

We left our hearts with all the staff, especially the entertainment crew. Throughout the days, numerous activities are planned for your enjoyment such as dancing, volleyball, Spanish lessons, hikes and walks etc. We’re continuing to practice the dances at home! The disco in the evenings was a blast although poorly attented. Although we’re young, between the six of us, we’ve see a lot of things and been to a lot of places and never before have we had such strong vivid memories attached to a single place. They treated everyone like gold, despite the slight language barrier and the slightly cheesy but still hilarious evening shows! We realized that a resort doesn’t show the harsh realities of life in Cuba, however our friendships with the staff helped open our eyes to the shear contrasts in our ways of life and contributed to a better understanding of the Cuban culture. To Joseph, Tony and Mini Mike; we miss and love you all and will definitely be back.

We recommend the Breezes Jibacoa to groups of all sizes and people of all ages. As long as you are looking for a good time, and are willing to keep an open mind you are bound to have as excellent a vacation as we did.

My fiancé and I have just returned from a week at Superclubs Breezes Jibacoa (1-8 Feb) - our first trip to Cuba, and thought we’d share our thoughts on the holiday with you, which might be of particular interest to any other Brits thinking of making the long trip for a week or two!

Tour Operator
Won’t say too much about it here, but we got a great deal with Airtours. Exactly the same holiday with Thompson would’ve cost over twice as much, so it’s worth considering whether you can bear the cramped flight to save yourself a few hundred quid! We flew from Manchester to Varadero and the flight takes around 8 hours (plus an hour transfer time when you land).

Location
Located approximately in the centre of North Cuba’s two major cities - Havana and Varadero, Jibacoa truly is in the middle of nowhere, which was exactly what we wanted. But if you’re hoping for great nightlife, restaurants & activities outside your hotel complex, this may not be for you. That said, both Varadero (with it’s famous beaches) and Havana (which is an absolute must for anyone visiting Cuba) are just over an hour away, so we managed to see both as well as have a quiet, restful break!

Rooms
Like most similar locations, 4* here isn’t equal to the 4* you’d expect in London or New York, but the rooms were perfectly adequate, and lived up to the 4* hotels I’ve stayed in in Mexico and Sri Lanka. Our room was clean, spacious and had a huge bed, table & chairs, plenty of wardrobe space, TV, coffee-maker, CD player and mini-safe. All rooms are air conditioned & have a unit which you can adjust to your own preference. Our ground floor room came with a mini-patio which also had a table & chairs for sitting out at night and smoking your cigars!! The bathroom had a bath (although no plug …) with a shower over. Not the most powerful shower by any means, but there was a constant supply of hot water.

Our room was the cheapest available on the resort (Garden View) but to be honest I wouldn’t have swapped it if we’d been given the choice. The sea-view rooms (most expensive) seemed to be permanently in the shade, and were obviously in the windiest area of the resort with little protection from the elements! The poolside rooms (mid-range) were the noisiest, as most of the activities took place around the pool and were accompanied by loud music which seemed to echo noisily from morning until night around the rooms which overlooked the pool. The late-night club (also located next to the pool) pumped out music until the early hours, so if you did want an early night, I can imagine it would be fairly frustrating …

The resort & it’s facilities
Great all round, the gardens are really well kept and everywhere is neat and tidy. And there’s plenty to do, which is great, particularly as you’re so far from anywhere!

The resort has a watersports centre offering free snorkelling, windsurfing and catamaran trips. For a small extra cost you can also scuba. There’s also a gym (with various aerobics, yoga and pilates lessons available), a massage room (for a very reasonably priced massage - about 25CUC for a full body) a Jacuzzi and a pool (although this isn’t heated!) which hosts water polo games and aqua-aerobics as well as sunbathing on your lilo. There’s other sports to get involved in, including beach hockey (very poular with the Canadian contingent!) and volleyball. There are dance lessons twice a day, as well as Spanish lessons, cocktail lessons and Cuban history lessons throughout the week. There’s a short show each night (worth a look just for a giggle) and a nightclub for dancing to seemingly Euro-Pop influenced Cuban dance music …

Each morning and afternoon there’s an organised walk - not normally my thing, but I’m glad we went. The morning walk is more arduous (in fact it’s probably better described as a hike) so don’t even consider it unless you have sensible shoes, are reasonably fit and have lots of mozzie repellent! The afternoon walk is much gentler, but I’d recommend them both to anyone able to tear themselves away from the bar to go! It’s a great way to learn about the country see some amazing sights and meet the local people, who come out of their homes to say hi and offer you fresh fruit to taste. No-one expects anything in return, but if you do offer a peso, or hand out sweet or crayons to the kids, this is received with such gratitude. Toothpaste and unwanted toiletries also go down well.

The hotel has a gift shop, cigar & rum shop and snack shop, all of which are reasonably priced. Check your allowances (for Brits it’s 2 litres of rum each) before overspending, as both the cigars and Havana rum are incredibly cheap in Cuba! You can even see them being made in the hotel shop! The hotel shop is as cheap to buy these items as most of the places we visited.

Bars
There are 5 bars at the hotel - a beach bar, lobby bar, pool bar and, in the evenings, the nightclub bar or piano bar (my favourite). I’d definitely recommend taking insulated mugs with you (very cheaply available in Asda!) which the bar staff are only too happy to fill with your favourite cocktail and which keep your drink nice and cool in the sun, as there’s no glass allowed outside, which means drinks are otherwise served in very small plastic vending-machine-type cups. Each bar is very well stocked and has a menu of the many cocktails available - I’d definitely recommend the Rum Punch (not on the menu but always available), the pina colada and the various Daiquiris! The bars often have premium spirits (like Baileys and Cointreau) under the bar, so it’s worth asking!

Restaurants
The hotel had 4 main places to get food - the buffet bar being the main option. This had a wide range of food to choose from, and everything I tried was fantastic. The evening meals have a different theme each night - I’d definitely recommend the Cuban night on Tuesday, Mexican Night on Wednesday and seafood night on Thursday (beautiful fresh fish and tasty lobster!). The breakfasts and lunches are the same each day (save for minor variations in the type of desserts, pasta etc) and by the end of the week it does get a bit repetitive, but the breakfast omelettes (cooked to perfection by Nelson) and the lunchtime toasted sandwiches are delicious nevertheless.

In addition to the buffet bar you get to eat at each of the two a la carte restaurants once for each week that you stay at the resort, but these were probably our biggest let down at the hotel. One of the restaurants is traditional Cuban food (but features mostly food that’s served each day in the buffet restaurant, so there’s very little new to try) and the other is Italian (and about as authentic as your local Pizza Hut - the bruschetta came garnished with pineapple and my pasta was served with carrots and broccoli!!) The service was nice, though, and it did make a refreshing change from the buffet, but I’m glad we didn’t miss the nights mentioned above to visit the a la carte!

You can also get food during the day at the beach bar and grill - the usual suspects are always on there - pizza, chips, fruit salad, burgers etc, but keep your eye open for special days when they do a hog roast which they carve up and serve on bread rolls. There’s usually fresh grilled fish available too, which is very tasty!

Finally there are snacks available from just outside the lobby bar at most times during the day, although these are usually just burgers, crisps, potato & ham croquets and something that looked and tasted suspiciously like Findus crispy pancakes …

As is the case with many all inclusive resorts, although there’s supposed to be food available 24 hours a day, there are sometimes hour-long slots when you can’t get food anywhere, so it’s worth familiarising yourself with these times so you don’t get caught out.

Staff
Other than the watersports staff, (who are not all that helpful and seem reluctant to do anything other than sit around and chat all day) we found everyone at the resort to be incredibly helpful, chatty and friendly. The maids will also arrange your towels into interesting shapes (we had a swan and a boat!) - particularly if you leave a small tip!

Currency
Remember when preparing for your holiday - no American currency or travellers cheques are accepted in Cuba. As you’re probably aware, Cuba has 2 currencies - national peso and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC - confusingly often referred to as Dollars) and you’ll generally only be dealing with the latter. For reference 25 national peso is worth 1 CUC, so you should be careful when shopping that you’re given any chance in CUC rather than the national currency!! We didn’t have any problems, though, and it’s very easy to tell the difference - all CUC notes have CONVERTIBLE PESO written on them and are brightly coloured. National pesos obviously aren’t labelled convertible, feature Che Gue Vara’s face and are much less brightly coloured.

In terms of changing money, the best thing for Brits to do is take sterling cash. Beware if taking travellers cheques - we found that most banks and Bureau de Change offices only stock American Express travellers cheques, which obviously aren’t accepted.

The difference between exchange rates offered in the Country is so minimal, you’re better to skip the queues at the airport and save yourself the hassle of trying to translate opening hours at local banks (remember, you’re on Cuban time now and no-one seems to bat an eyelid if shops and banks don’t open on time, if at all …) and change your money at the hotel. The exchange rate when we were there was around £1 to 1.6 CUC (16CUC = about £10).

Trips & Activities
Your holiday rep will obviously want to sell you various daytrips, but my advice would be not to bother with them unless you‘re desperate to swim with dolphins. Most other activities (in particular the trip to Havana) can be easily organised yourself much cheaper. For example, the coach trip to Havana (which we heard lots of bad reports about from fellow tourists) costs 55CUC each, but if you speak to the Concierge you can get a private taxi to take you there, show you some sights, give you plenty of free time to wander around and, when you’re ready bring you back - all for 90CUC. Even with just 2 of you it’s cheaper, and much more enjoyable as you get to decide where to visit.

The hotel also organise various day and half day trips, including a shopping trip to Varadero (15 CUC per person), and the scooter tours - definitely recommended and again a great way of learning about the local culture. You hire a scooter for 15CUC (per scooter) and travel in convoy to surrounding villages, learning about the history of the area, local people etc. There’s also a chance to buy trinkets and gifts on each tour, and for those who, like me, haven’t ridden before, quick lessons beforehand. If you’re really nervous, they can even supply a driver so you just ride along! We went on 2 scooter tours and visited Bacunayagua (with the tallest bridge and tastiest Pina Coladas in Cuba), Santa Cruz and Hershey village. The guide was great and it was really informative!

Havana
No trip to Cuba is complete without a trip into Havana, and there’s plenty written about this great city elsewhere, so I’ll keep it brief! We chose to visit the Place de la Revolution, Capitolo, the Cigar Factory and Old Havana, all of which were great. In Old Havana be sure to visit La Bodeguita del Medio bar, not so much for the Ernest Hemmingway connection as for the incredible Mojitos (only 2CUC each) and crazy atmosphere! Beware though, most places are closed on Sunday and Monday.


All in all we had an amazing time and would deifnitely return, to Cuba but also to Breezes!

We stayed at this lovely resort from Feb 2 to 9. I cannot say enough nice things about the place. While some people would be put off by the hour drive from the Veradero airport...it certainly goes quickly as you are mesmerized by the country side and the lifestyle of the people. You'll see plenty of cows, and horses by the road side and lots of rambling hills with palm trees. Everywhere in Cuba needs a coat of paint!

The resort is lovely....I can't say enough about the place. The oceanview room we had was lovely and of course the view spectacular. But if you want sun on your balcony and shelter from the wind, oceanview rooms are not for you...they are always in the shade, and you will get the wind off the ocean. I think next time we'll ask for a poolside room for a change. I'm a bath tub person...there was plenty of hot water...and the water is soft...my hair always felt great and had so much more body than here (could it be our pollution weighing it down?)...and your skin is always left so soft.

This time of year presents a lot of wind. While the beach was breezy, the pool area was not. So there was always somewhere to catch a tan, relax and read a book or go for a swim. While we are pampered with heated pools here in Toronto, the pool here isn't heated...but beautifully clean...and once you get past the initial pain of entering the pool, the swim is great and refreshing....

I've read the other reviews and some comments about the staff...I cannot say that I encountered one single miserable face...it didn't matter if it was your chambermaid, or the gardeners or your waiter...nothing but smiles and warm welcomes. While everywhere it says no tipping...once you understand the economy and that these lovely people only make 18 CUC a month, you don't mind tipping. My suggestion is you find a waiter/waitress you like, and tip...and stick with them wherever their section is...and you'll be treated like royalty...and you'll get some great conversation with a local Cuban.

Yes bring goodies for the maids...but my feeling is bring items that everyone else isn't bringing....I took some good junk jewelery (I'm a forever ebay shopper...and didn't mind handing over some of my costume jewelery that only cost me a few dollars)...my maid loved the items...I also left toiletries etc that I didn't want to repack...she came and personally thanked me.

The grounds are emaculate...even after a storm, there wasn't a leaf laying on the ground...the grounds are kept so precisely...the gardens, the palm trees, the sand, the lawns...all beautiful.

All the guests were lovely too. I read in another review of someone complaining that their neighbours smoked....if you are an adamant non smoker, a country where cigars are top of the list...this isn't the country to visit. People who don't usually smoke, all seem to buy the cigars and smoke them on the premises. Of course there is no smoking in the dining rooms etc....but people who are true blue smokers will love the fact that you won't encounter anyone telling you to butt out.

You'll read in someone else's review about sharing balconies...that's not really as it appears....when you go out on your balcony, there is only a metal divider that separates you from your neighbour. I ended up having late afternoon chats on the balcony with the newlyweds next door, while I did my needlework. I found this very pleasant. Mixing with the other guests was always easy...and you can mix as much or as little as you want.

We met so many lovely people from all around Canada, England, Germany. This resort has no screaming, obnoxious kids...not allowed. Of course there is always one adult who sticks out in the crowd!!!!!LOL
If you want a nice relaxing holiday in a mini paradise with the option of joining in on excursions, dance lessons, sports etc...this is a great place. If you want lots of rowdy nightlife this isn't the place...the evening entertainment ends at 10:30pm and the disco is open from 11 to 2am. One of the bars is open 24 hours for those who insist of consuming the amount they paid for the trip.

The average age was mid 50's I'd say, and the majority of people were staying 2 weeks. We met lots of people who were there for their 2, 3 or 4th time. This resort has only been open since 1999.

We would like to stay 2 weeks next time...I wouldn't hesitate to tell you to go to this place...it was like a second honeymoon for my hubby and me. We usually holiday in timeshare properties...so it was delightful to not have to cook, wash a dish, pick up a towel.

The only drawback I can say is that we went via Sunquest...and they fly at night. Sunwing goes in the morning of the same days. Going home late in the night is tiring, and the planes are usually late as you are the last flight for that plane...which has done 4 flights that day! Skyservice...they are very strict at Toronto international for the size and weight of your carry on...when you leave Cuba, they don't even care what carryon you take. The planes are tight...the poor fellow sitting beside me had his knees touching the seat in front of him. I'm only 5'5" and my knees ached after 3 hours of flight! The meal is generally lousy....we flew from toronto at 4pm and they served us a bistro lunch! A small bun and a piece of cheese. We didn't get into the resort until after 10pm and of course dinner was over...thank you Breezes for always having light finger foods available! So my suggestion...eat before you get on the plane!

If you want cigars...buy them at the hotel, they are less expensive than in Havana...although everyone tells you the price is supposed to be the same everywhere! Don't buy cigars off strangers even if the deal is magnificent...you might be getting rolled up banana leaves...and you might just get fined at the airport....we didn't get asked anything at the airport, but we know people who've had cigars confiscated and fined big money!

When we took the Havana tour, we took the one that included a tour of the cigar factory. It was fascinating.

Oh and ladies....whenever you go to a washroom off the the resort, remember to check for toilet paper before you go in...lots of times there isn't any unless you want to pay someone for a few sheets! Doesn't hurt to carry a packet of kleenex with you in case you get stuck.

I think everyone has the same reaction to Havana...the city has the potential to rival any European city for spectacular architecture...if only it wasn't crumbling down....a fresh coat of paint would do wonders...but that isn't a priority.

The people in general are lovely...you will see very few beggars, or people trying to sell you something...

All in all...I'd love to go back and explore more of the country....