Blau Costa Verde ****
Playa Pesquero, Rafael Freyre
Tel. 53-24 433510
Fax. 53-24 433515
info@blau-cv.co.cu

Location: In front of the beautiful Playa Pesquero, with fine white sand and the turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea is located our resort which is surrounded of an exuberant seaside vegetation in a privileged and absolutely tropical environment where the beauty of the Cuban nature can be admired. It’s ideal for those who are looking for completely relaxing holidays, for people who are travelling alone or with the partner, for families or for groups of friends; the pleasant atmosphere and the considerate and cheerful service, which is characteristic for all habitants from the biggest island of the Antilleans, will make your holidays unforgettable.
Airport 65 km / Holguin 45 km / Santiago de Cuba 175 km.

Hotel Facilities

Doubles and Suites: All units have fully equipped bathrooms, hairdryer, Sat Tt telephone, individual air conditioning, mm/bar with water, beers and national drinks, safe-deposit box, terrace or balcony 36 Double rooms have an inside door to be connected. The suites are provided also with Jacuzzis, separated shower and a wide living room. In addition the VIP package features:
sea views, bathrobe, one free excursion to Guardalavaca.

Gastronomy: Breakfast, lunch and dinner/n the buffet restaurant “La Arcada”

Restaurants: Italian restaurant “II Ponticello’ Cuban restaurant “La Cascada”, beach restaurant “Mary sol” with grill specialties and fast food is offering lunch directly on the beach. Snack Bar “Laguna Azul” with fast food from 10.00 until 17.00, tea time from 17.00 until 18.00 and cold sandwiches from 23.00 until 02.00.

Bars: “Laguna Azul”, Lobby Bar “La fuente” Aqua bar in the swimming pool and beach restaurant “Mar y sol”

All Inclusive: Breakfast, lunch and buffet dinner. One dinner per week in each specialties restaurant (prior reservation) — Alcoholic and not alcoholic drinks, national and selected imported brands 24 hours — Minibar (daily filled with different drinks) — Snacks — Safe deposit box — Sauna and Jacuzzi — Discotheque (admission free and drinks included — Handing over of beach towels

All Inclusive Sports: I Swimming pool for adults — I separate children’s pool, Fitness-room — Tennis courts — Multiple sport court (volleyball, basketball)
— Snorkeling — Nautical sports without engine (kayak, pedalos) — Bicycles — Archery and air gun shooting

Entertainment: Daily entertainment with sports, competitions, dance lessons, Spanish lessons, aerobic. Exclusive salsa course for the hotel guests (5 lessons per week) given by professional dancers (limited registration). Evening entertainment: Traditional folklore shows, shows to take part/n, live music.

Entertainment for children: Miniclub with professional babysitters, weekly entertainment programmes including: trips games on the beach and in the swimming pool, mini disco, dancing with fancy dresses. Babysitting to be requested (with charge).

To enjoy a magnificent journey along Havana’s littoral is an adventure that San Cristobal Travel Agency offers the visitor. Havana’s Harbour has been the source of inspiration for French sailors and pirates who like Jacques de Sores, defiantly bordered our coasts as far back as the 16th century.

We propose a rendezvous with the history that lies in the sea bottoms together with anchors, bottles and coffers stored on the vessels carrying the corsairs. The journey
will also allow you to know about the traits ot a colonial architecture integrated to a city with a modern personality, and at the same time to admire remembrances contained in the Castles La Real Fuerza, San Salvador de la Punta or Tres Reyes del Morro, which stand up, protective and legendary, in the waters of Havana’s waterfront.

There is a specialized guide with you all the time. There is also a tour around the bay. Two drinks included. The tour ends with a brief colonial promenade. Lunch is optional.

It is compulsory to carry your passport with you. Departing for the excursion will depend on the weather conditions.

Duration: approximately 4 hours (without lunch)

Prices
Number of People

From Hotels in the Historical Colonial Area
Minimum 1 per person
266.00 CUC
Minimum 2 per person
133.00 CUC
Minimum 3 per person
98.00 CUC `
Minimum 4 per person
74.00 CUC
Minimum 5 per person
59.00 CUC
Minimum 6 per person
49.00 CUC
Minimum 7-10 per person
42.00 CUC

We have been advised that the following hotels have been affected by Hurricane Ike:

1-. Playa Pesquero is working without problems.

2-. Occidental Playa Turquesa, is open without any problems, apart from the satelite tv, which will be solved on the 15th Sept. (yesterday, so It might be working by now).

3-. Blau Costa Verde, is open with all services funtioning, the only area afected is a roof for a small section of the lobby area.

4-. Rio de Mares, is open with all servixces, but the gym will remian close until further notice.

5-. Playa Costa Verde, will reopen on the 15th October.
6-. Paradisus Rio de Oro, will open form the 1st November.

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

This is the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. It caused disaster in Baracoa.

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Hurrican Ike in Baracoa

Given its near geographic location and the friendly relations with Mexico, Cuba will
celebrate the national holiday of the Aztec territory, from September 13 to 20.

For this reason, those travel agencies operating destination Cuba, together with Cuban
tourism entities and Cuba’s Tourism Office, have organized a special celebration in the Biggest island of the Antilles, to allow all Mexicans celebrate in Cuba their national holiday (Grito de Dolores) as if they were on their own country.

A Mexican Day hill take place at Havana’s Hotel Comodoro, in Playa district, starting
September 13, composed by a great dinner and musical show, and Mexican artists photo exhibitions, sea and sport activities, fashion shows. opening of a Mexican food
restaurant, Cuba—Mexico gastronomic traditions meetings, Bolero night, and a week of Aztec cinema.

Also a huge party will take place September 15 on Havana’s Hotel Occidental Miramar, and on any place where Benito Juarez’s fellow countrymen are lodged they will have transportation services to go to this hotel.

The Cultural show will present typical dances, Mexican ballads, mariachis and boleros and the presence of the Cuban Group.

See the whole of Havana for just 5.00 CUC

Brand new tourist buses tour the city in three different routes – T1, T2 and T3 – that come together at two points: Plaza de a Revolucion for T1 and T2, Parque Central for T1 and T3. One ticket at 5.00 CUC is valid for the whole day for use in all three interconnecting routes.

These buses with the Hop On/ Hop off service, let you get on and off the bus as you wish at any bus stop, simply by showing your valid ticket purchased on the day.

The service runs from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.

This is what is left of Givara after Hurrican IKE. Hurricane Ike barreled into Cuba’s eastern province of Holguin late Sunday.

Givara Town

Givara Town

 

Givara Town

Givara Town

Possessing a wealth of history, culture and traditions, Havana is the most popular destination in Cuba and one of the most enchanting cities in the world. Ernest Hemingway, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, once said that, in terms of beauty, it was surpassed only by Venice and Paris.

Ever since the 16th century Havana has been Cuba’s Capital. It has many attractions: beautiful beaches, well-preserved colonial architecture, splendid recreation areas, grand hotels, renowned night clubs and cabarets and famous restaurants.

Havana is a cosmopolitan city where, over the centuries, Spaniards and blacks provided the main ingredients in its ethnic mixing. Now, conference tourism is increasing steadily, and there are tempting water sports and health tourism programs, as well. All of Cuba’s main hospitals and scientific research centers are in Havana, and around 21 health installations —including laboratories, optician’s and drugstores— guarantee that, if needed, you’ll get top-quality care. Enjoy peace, good health and safety.

Location

Havana is on the northwestern coast of the island of Cuba. It is bounded by the Straits of Florida to the North and by Havana Province to the South, East and West. It is both the largest city and the smallest province in Cuba and consists of 15 municipalities, nine of which are predominantly urban.

Climate

Warm an humid, but cooled by sea breezes by day and by land breezes by night.

How to get there

Most people come by air, through any of Havana’s airports that handle international flights. Or you can come by sea, arriving at the Hemingway or Tarara Marina.

Culture

Havana is the main cultural centre in Cub. Its offers include all manifestations of the arts, literature, science and sports. The head quarters of renowned cultural institutions are situated in Havana. The city hosts many important festivals such as International Ballet Festivals, Latin-American Film Festivals, International Guitar Festivals of Havana, International Festival of Latin Jazz and so much more.

What to See
Stroll through Havana to savor the beauty of its architecture and the treasures displayed in its museums.

In 1982 in recognition of the patrimonial values of its old city part and its system of fortifications protecting the entrance of Havana’s harbor, the colonial elegance of its mansions and its impressive churches; Unesco declared Havana a World Heritage Site.

Recommended

Old Havana, the Malecon seawall walk, La rampa, Plaza de La Revolucion, Cementerio de Colon, ExpoCuba, Jardin Botanico Nacional, East Havana 60 kilometer long sandy beaches, Morro Cabaña park, El Floridita Restaurant, La Bodeguita del Medio, El Patio Restaurant. Cathedral Square, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco Square, Marina Hemingway, Tropicana Show and Parisien Show.

Where to Stay

The city has the largest hotel infrastructure in the country. It is solidly supported by the professionalism of its personnel. There are many 5 star hotels such as The National Hotel de Cuba, Parque Central Hotel, Saratoga Hotel, Melia Cohiba and Melia Habana hotels. There is a wide range of 4 star hotels and the ones in the old town area stand out for its unique architecture and character. Raquel Hotel, Ambos Mundos, Palacio Ofarriil Hotel, Florida Hotel, Condes de Villanueva are just some of Havana’s best 4 star hotels. There are also a number of budget hotels such as Park View, Hostal Valencia, Caribbean Hotel, Lincoln Hotel, Lido and so many more.

Identified in atlases under the name of the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago, Jardines del Rey tourist resort covers an area of 465 kilometres along the northern coastline of the central provinces of Cuba, from Matanzas to Camaguey. Sixty per cent 2517) of the total number of keys surrounding the island of Cuba belong to Jardines del Rey, including two of the largest, Cayo Romano (777 square kilometres) and Cayo Coco (370 square kilometres). The latter and the miniature Cayo Guillermo (13 square kilometres) today form the main nucleus of this tourist resort.

This outstanding area houses over 700 species of terrestrial flora (126 of them endemic), 958 species of terrestrial fauna and a further 900 species of fish. Over 450 kilometres of frontal reefs make its beaches exceptionally high quality.

How to get there:

Cayo Coco has a new international airport with flights from Europe, America and other tourist centres on the Island. It is also possible to get here over land, by means of a walkway built over the sea, or by mooring at Puertosol Cayo Guillermo har
bour.

Sun and sand:

Warm bluish-green waters characterise the nigh on 30 kilometres of beaches at the Coco and Guillermo keys, where the highest sand dunes in the Caribbean also rise. Particularly well known as a stunning, virgin beach is Playa Pilar, in Cayo Guillermo. It is also possible to swim in the sea at the secluded beaches of Paredón Grande key.

City:

Horse and carriage rides around the picturesque town of Moron, also known Culture:
Avila is a land of many traditions and multiple influences, which are reflected in its popular festivities. In the Majagua district the festivities linked to rural traditions originate from the Canary Islands. Meanwhile, in the districts of Baraguá, Venezuela, Ciro Redondo, Bolivia and 1 ro de Enero the cultural predominance of immigrants from the English- speaking Caribbean is evident. In Chambas and Punta Alegre lively parrandas are held, while in Ciego de Avila popular craftsman ship has a long-standing tradition.

Nature:

Around 90% of the vast territory of Cayo Coco is covered in vegetation, which makes it an ideal place for anyone who seeks direct contact with nature. Interesting excursions include a visit to El Bagá nature reserve, venturing into the low ridges of Cunagua or joining a tour of the hills of Florencia. The trip is undertaken on horse back and includes a visit to a tobacco plantation and takes in a rodeo show in the town of Florencia, finishing off on the banks of the river Jatibonico del Norte with a typical country lunch.

Active tourism:

A network of roads spanning over 200 kilometres Links the Coco, Paredén Grande, Guillermo and Romano keys and allows tourists to move in any direction in search of activity. Here visitors will find the perfect conditions for diving and snorkelling, yachting, trips in a catamaran and water sports. Particularly attractive are the trips along the channels of the south of the keys and trips on horseback or in a jeep around the low ridge of Florencia and the river Boquerón. Boat trips around La Redonda lagoon (an ideal setting for trout fishing), visits to La Mamita buffalo reserve, to La Rosa crocodile breeding ground, or to the Diego Velázquez light house, or a ride in a train pulled by a steam engine, give visitors a choice of activities to enjoy during their stay in Jardines del Rey.

Leisure and restaurants:

The majority of restaurants are to be found in the hotels themselves. A visit to Sitio La Guira, the cultural-culinary complex is a must. This is a reproduction of one of the many settlements of coal merchants that are known to have existed in Cayo Coco at the turn of the 20th century, and in particular the huts known as El Tio, a village which recounts the most unexpected tales of the key, as well as being a place to enjoy rural festivities and traditional Cuban cui sine. Other suggestions to bear in mind include sampling the cuisine at Rocarena restaurant, in Cayo Coco, the Bodeguita de Guillermo, in Cayo Guillermo, and the San Fernando parador, in Moron. For some more fun visit La Cueva del Jabali, a day time and evening recreational centre located in beautiful natural surroundings, which offers Cuban music and dance shows as well as games and entertainment.

Trinidad is Cuba’s museum city’ and the third of the seven towns founded by Diego Velázquez on the island (1514). The original splendour of Trinidad can clearly be seen in its magnificent residences and small, beautifully-preserved palaces, distinctly influenced by the Baroque and neo classical styles, as well as its ornately deco rated balconies, stunning main doors and tiles of an unusual red colour. Thanks to its treasures of historical heritage, Trinidad and the nearby Valle de Los Ingenios were both declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1988. On the outskirts of the town, which barely covers an area of 3 km, are places of major tourist, historical and cultural interest. These include Cayo Blanco, Playa Maria Aguilar, Topes de Collantes, the Valle de San Luis and the Los Ingenios, the Torre Manaca-Iznaga, and a little further away the city of Sancti Spiritus, the provincial capital.

How to get there:

The main route of access is by road through the cities of Cienfuegos (83 km), Santa Clara (88 km) and Sancti Spiritus (67 km). The city has an airport that can receive small and medium-sized aircraft. Pleasure cruisers and other vessels can dock at Casilda port.

Sun and sand:

Visitors to the Peninsula de Ancón, which is only a few minutes from the city centre and where the main hotel development in this tourist region is centred, enjoy a bathing area that stretches for over four kilometres at Ancón and Maria Aguilar beaches. Under their warm, shallow waters lies an unusual seabed with a lush world of different corals, gorgonians, sea derricks, sponges, small tropical reef fish and different species of turtle.

City:

The paved streets with their peaceful atmosphere invite visitors to wander through this vast open-air museum known as Trinidad. Any trip must begin in Plaza Mayor, the main square, where a group of buildings reveal, in their age-old splendour, a well-preserved example of the Creole- Baroque style. The small squares of Real del Jigue — where the first Catholic mass was said and which today is home to one of the town’s most symbolic venues, La Canchánchara tavern— and Segarte, as well as Plaza de Santa and Plaza de Las Tres Cruces, are all places not to be missed in this attractive city with over a hundred places of interest to tourists and a wealth of heritage.

No less exciting is a visit to the city of Sancti Spiritus, another of the first towns founded by the Spanish conquistadors on the Island (1512). Its historical centre, which was declared a National Monument, and the famous bridge over the Rio Yayabo are both worth a close look.

Culture:

The celebration of the carnival festivities (June) and the now traditional Jornada de La Cultura Trinitaria )day of Trinidad culture, held in November) are both excellent opportunities to join in the rich culture of Trinidad, featuring the traditional Trova (ballad), Trinidad songs, country folklore and Afro-Cuban shows. Trinidad also has an extensive and interesting selection of museums.

Nature:

A distance of barely 16 km separates Trinidad from Topes de Collantes, the vast nature reserve of outstanding natural beauty and major scientific value, which offers exceptional conditions for nature and adventure tourism, On the outskirts of the city, the Ma Dolores property, in the midst of cozy natural surroundings that serve as the backdrop for a magnificent show of country folklore, and EL Cubano plantation, on the banks of the river Guarabo, provide other opportunities for recreation. A little further away, Alturas de Banao is also an ideal way to enjoy contact with nature in the centre of the island.

Active tourism:

All visitors must be sure not to miss the excellent views afforded by the Valle de San Luis or the Valle de Los Ingenios which can be seen from above Manaca-Iznaga bell-tower, or the natural vantage points of Loma del Puerto and Cerro de La Vigia. At the Valle de Los Ingenios it is possible to take a trip to this heritage site in a train pulled by an old steam engine.

The more intrepid traveler may wish to tour part of the mountainous massif of Escambray; in a four-wheel drive jeep. Going on walks and bathing in natural pools and waterfalls can be as exciting as taking part in a trek, or going on a sea-safari in a catamaran to the Blanco and Machos de Afuera keys, where visitors can enjoy snorkelling and diving.

Other options available include a mad adventure at El Cubano park; following the Route of the Spanish Conquistadors going back up the river Guayabo; or spending a day hunting and fishing at Laguna del Taje or Zaza dam, In the coastal area of the Peninsula de Ancón visitors can enjoy diving, yachting and other motorized or non motorized water sports.

Health tourism:

Programmes for improving quality of life, treatments to combat stress, bal neotherapy, physical culture, ozone, traditional medicine, gym, massages and specialist medical care are on offer at the Kurhotel Escambray, situated 800 m above sea level in Topes de Collantes Nature Reserve.

Leisure and restaurants:

Trinidad offers a wide selection of restaurants quite apart from the hotels, while all of the hotels provide daytime and evening entertainment. Visitors will be sure to enjoy Casa de Artex and Casa de La Trova; the underground club run by Horizontes Las Cuevas hotel and the service complex situated in the old Royal Jail.