tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post4046285868453085243..comments2022-08-04T02:01:40.836-07:00Comments on All Inclusive Travel: Brisas Santa Lucia, Camaguey, CubaBlogAuthorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-2747843846029080572014-07-29T02:39:49.412-07:002014-07-29T02:39:49.412-07:00I need to know about the travel to Cuba. I am an A...I need to know about the <a href="http://insightcuba.com/" rel="nofollow">travel to Cuba</a>. I am an American and want to visit Cuba. Please suggest me worth visiting places.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05154891581192587371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-87528791927778155342012-09-11T06:51:48.504-07:002012-09-11T06:51:48.504-07:00Some people always tip, some do only sometimes for...Some people always tip, some do only sometimes for exceptional service, and some never do. If you tip the servers $1 they will be very happy!<br /><br />I was fine with using the resort's cups, but some people prefer to bring their own reusable mugs.BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-35000325276588234202012-09-10T17:31:47.766-07:002012-09-10T17:31:47.766-07:00Do you need to tip though? And how much do you tip...Do you need to tip though? And how much do you tip for a single drink?<br /><br />Also, I heard that it's better to bring your own mug/glass for bigger drinks... would you suggest that?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for the infosAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-50656857365567120442012-02-03T09:44:20.203-08:002012-02-03T09:44:20.203-08:00Is there an ATM anywhere areound St.Lucia or the B...Is there an ATM anywhere areound St.Lucia or the Brisas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-77261424656500289692011-07-07T12:23:23.803-07:002011-07-07T12:23:23.803-07:00Great review. Just discovering this website now. ...Great review. Just discovering this website now. We're heading back there for the third time in 9 months in a few days. We absolutely love this resort and can't stay away. I've posted two reviews on tripadvisor.<br /><br />http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147272-d256418-r95225689-Be_Live_Brisas_Santa_Lucia-Camaguey_Cuba.html<br /><br />and<br /><br />http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147272-d256418-r85611177-Be_Live_Brisas_Santa_Lucia-Camaguey_Cuba.html<br /><br />A lot of questions people are asking can be answered there (warning though, they're pretty long reviews, lol)<br /><br />When we come back in a few weeks, I'll update of any changes, because after new management took it over there was already a significant number of positive changes just between Oct '10 to Jan '11. They're doing everything they can to upgrade the hotel and it showed.<br /><br />CheersDar88noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-1768907494696523102011-05-17T08:23:59.089-07:002011-05-17T08:23:59.089-07:00Hi there,
My fiancée and I are going to Brisas on...Hi there,<br /><br />My fiancée and I are going to Brisas on June 2nd, we are very interested (well more him than I) in visiting the Crocodile Farm. I was wondering if you could tell me how much we should be expecting each for this excursion? Just so I can set aside that money. Thank you very much for your review it was extremely helpful and I'm now that much more excited to begin our vacation! )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-61950554470126960622011-04-19T08:32:05.161-07:002011-04-19T08:32:05.161-07:00When we booked with Nolitours we got 3 a-la-carte ...When we booked with Nolitours we got 3 a-la-carte dinners, as I described in the post. We also got a free snorkeling trip (out on a boat to a coral reef).<br /><br />When you arrive at the resort at night, special welcoming snacks will be arranged for the incoming guests. But generally there was always some small snacks 24 hours a day... and drinks of course :)BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-63952037586076733732011-04-18T21:10:42.213-07:002011-04-18T21:10:42.213-07:00Great information in your blog and in the comments...Great information in your blog and in the comments. Thanks! I am going here in early May and am really excited!<br /><br />I have one concern though, do they have 24 hr food or snacks available? We will be arriving at the resort at around 1:30am and I want to know if there will be food available.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-27463034691996915162011-04-18T17:06:08.033-07:002011-04-18T17:06:08.033-07:00We just booked this resort today for a family vaca...We just booked this resort today for a family vacation in July. I thank you for your honest comments, and counting down the days until we leave. I see you also booked thru Nolitours, they seem to have alot of added perks, is it really true?......gift in the room, 3 ala cartes, 50% of massage, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-90916728192290239482011-03-25T19:30:22.265-07:002011-03-25T19:30:22.265-07:00Hi Porcupine Pete!
Thanks for sharing about your r...Hi Porcupine Pete!<br />Thanks for sharing about your recent stay!<br />I guess the hotel service really varies depending on the time of the year. We traveled during Christmas, maybe that's the reason the food was really great, always plentiful and a huge variety (of meat too!). The entertainment was really really great for us too, I guess during the low-season they must not try as hard as they do during the holidays.<br />Anyhow glad you enjoyed it!BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-59041930034470575892011-03-25T19:17:52.718-07:002011-03-25T19:17:52.718-07:00Just returned from a week at this 4* resort (March...Just returned from a week at this 4* resort (March 17-24/11). First off...let's remember we're talking about Cuba vs any other destination. THE GOOD....weather, rooms, service, pool, bars, price (my wife and I paid $1500-total from Toronto), Cuban people off resort were generally very friendly-we felt totally safe whenever we left the resort to sight-see.<br /><br />The "Not-so-good"-I won't say bad because, again it's Cuba and they lack the resources ($$$) to effeciently and properly manage a 4 star or higher. They try the best they can with what they have but it's evident that these Government run resorts have small budgets. The nightly entertainment is not very good except for the dancers. The afternoon entertainment around the pool area is not bad as they tend to get most of the crowd to participate in the local dances. The food is satisfactory (not much beef/ chicken dishes) with more emphasis on seafood (fish and shrimp) and vegetables and rice. Breakfast buffet is mostly eggs, hash browns, beans, salads and cold cuts. Milk is warm (I think it's goats milk) and there is plenty of juices available. The snack bar offers a variety including fries (good), hot dogs (good), hamburgers (avoid), grilled ham & cheese (ham I think is balongne) and maybe bring your own ketchup as theirs is really watered down.<br />The Al a Cartes were pretty good...we did the lobster dinner at Cocoa Beach...excellent with entertainment & a bonfire afterwards. Cuban night was good too. Try the grilled pork! Italian night was also not bad..we had the Cannoloni. Our last night...we we're treated to a Cuban BBQ-Chicken dinner...It was fantastic.<br /><br />Tips are very appreciated...we tipped the maids 5 pesos every morning. Some say that's high but we never had issues with towels, cleanliness, etc. in fact the maid ran after us one morning to personally thank us for the tip and little gifts we brought to give her kids (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair bands, chewing gum, etc.) Note: bring an adapter (220V-110V) and your own hair dryer as most in the rooms don't work. Make sure you get one that can adapt from 50W - 1600W (or whatever wattage your hair blower/ curling iron/ straightener is rated for). <br /><br />Overall...for the price...we were very happy. If you're looking for a TRUE 4 star...you won't find it here. But if you're looking for a decent inexpensive relaxing vacation then Be Live Brisas Santa Lucia is recommended.Porcupine Petenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-25827452025779711382011-03-10T15:28:33.953-08:002011-03-10T15:28:33.953-08:00I can only recommend Brisas Santa Lucia, as I only...I can only recommend Brisas Santa Lucia, as I only stayed there :) However I walked around the grounds of Gran Club too and they didn't seem as nice as Brisas... check the Tripadvisor reviews to make your decision.BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-74167106551457324052011-03-08T10:57:38.771-08:002011-03-08T10:57:38.771-08:00which would you recommend - the brisas santa lucia...which would you recommend - the brisas santa lucia or the gran club santa lucia?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-51110239228953155412011-03-08T07:07:17.638-08:002011-03-08T07:07:17.638-08:00For us hot water was not an issue, we always had h...For us hot water was not an issue, we always had hot water, and so did everybody else at the hotel while we stayed there (didn't hear any compaints regarding that)<br />There are some activities (bingo, dancing etc.) but most of the activities are for kids. So if you want to really be active, you should go on some daytrips from the hotel (you'll have a chance to book those once you arrive).<br />And yes, drinks are all inclusive and available 24 hours!BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-78397375810406201582011-03-08T06:15:09.183-08:002011-03-08T06:15:09.183-08:00Hello - great information... My sister & I are...Hello - great information... My sister & I are going to Cuba in April. We are booking this weekend and giving serious consideration to this resort (leaving from Toronto) A couple of questions: I have read all kinds of reviews about no hot water... is this really an issue to be concerned about?. Are there enough activities to do that will allow my sister and I to have fun and act silly without being bored (my sister is not one to just lay around) and lastly..is there a 24 hr bar?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-77481051886981227902011-02-27T14:30:17.533-08:002011-02-27T14:30:17.533-08:00Thanks...you were a big help.Thanks...you were a big help.Hawkeye48noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-76315878534123477382011-02-27T08:03:02.412-08:002011-02-27T08:03:02.412-08:00I don't remember if there were hair dryers, bu...I don't remember if there were hair dryers, but I'm pretty sure there were - I think it's pretty standard for a 4* resort. You would need to bring an adaptor for any of your devices if you do not see the range 110-220V specified on the device itself. If the range on the device includes the 110-220 range, you do not need an adaptor - instead you can just bring a small switch simply to adjust to the shape of the plugs in cuba (we have the two vertical lines but in cuba its like the european shape - two circles, so you'd need the switch so that your device plugs actually fit in there)<br />The drinks are included in the all inclusive price at all the bars, including the disco bar. It might be otherwise in other hotels.<br />Yes, you can rent scooters and cars to tour the area. There's a small town nearby, with just locals around, so I wouldn't call it a "shopping" area, but you can definitely go around to experience the local life. Cuba isn't really the place to go for shopping.<br />There are many excursions offered through the hotels, always a variety of different tours, but this depends on the season. There are catamaran snorkeling trips, as well as a tour to a crocodile farm which includes a visit to a violin factory and a local town as well. There was also a trip to see flamingoes available. Once you arrive at the hotel you can inquire about the trips and you will be provided the weekly schedule for all the trips, and you could book them while you're there - just make sure to book them 1-2 days before the trip actually departs, so you'll be sure to get a spot.BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-9196138754015418322011-02-27T07:09:54.419-08:002011-02-27T07:09:54.419-08:00We just booked for March 17-24 at Santa Lucia Be L...We just booked for March 17-24 at Santa Lucia Be Live Resort...looking forward to our first trip to Cuba. <br /><br />Do the rooms feature hair blowers? My wife wants to know if an adapter is needed for hairv straightener. I'm planning to bring my digital camera with rechargeable batteries. Will I need a adapter to convert 220V to 110V for my regcharger? <br /><br />I read somewhere that the drinks at the disco are not includrd in the ALL Inclusive price...is this correct?<br /><br />Can you rent motorized vehicles such as scooters to tour the area? Any "shopping" nearby?<br /><br />What excursions (i.e. horse back riding, ATV rentals, tours, etc.) are available?Hawkeye48noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-91429375920418619992011-02-20T18:51:47.207-08:002011-02-20T18:51:47.207-08:00Thanks again...you've been a big help.Thanks again...you've been a big help.PorcupinePetenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-79485414241597767872011-02-20T10:59:25.544-08:002011-02-20T10:59:25.544-08:00We did not need to use any luggage storage facilit...We did not need to use any luggage storage facilities, but I'm sure those are available. And you should be able to change into swimwear in the washrooms of the hotel.<br />Anyhow, if there will be rooms availalbe 2-3 hours before the official check in, you will be given a key. It's not a very busy time of the year now, so you will probably be given a room early, when you arrive.BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-1493648336894000992011-02-20T10:36:48.119-08:002011-02-20T10:36:48.119-08:00Thanks for above reply. we arrive at the resort ab...Thanks for above reply. we arrive at the resort about 2-3 hours before check in. is there a place to store luggage/ change into swimwear?PorcupinePetenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-25058236323243963622011-02-20T09:11:22.530-08:002011-02-20T09:11:22.530-08:00The currency used by tourists in Cuba is CUC (Cuba...The currency used by tourists in Cuba is CUC (Cuban convertible), it's more or less 1 to 1 with USD. You can bring your CAD and exchange them at the airport upon arrival, or at the hotel. <br />The hotel offers free bike rental, we rented bikes one day and biked outside of the hotel going left when you reach the main road, to see the way of living in the area. It's considered safe so you shouldn't worry about any safety concerns.BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-55381713511695538572011-02-19T17:25:15.200-08:002011-02-19T17:25:15.200-08:00My wife and I are looking to vacation in St. Lucia...My wife and I are looking to vacation in St. Lucia for our 25th. We've never been to Cuba but my grandmother stated they had the best beaches of anywhere she's travelled. What currency do they use (can we bring Canadian dollars or do they prefer Cuban pesos)? Are there bothersom peddlers? We want to rent bikes and see some of the area...any safety concerns?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-87296353375584802402011-02-15T19:07:05.184-08:002011-02-15T19:07:05.184-08:00The drinks are free 24hrs, in all bars, including ...The drinks are free 24hrs, in all bars, including the disco bar. You do not need to purchase drinks. At any time there will be a bar available for you (24 hours).BlogAuthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913984110333146586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641768583381453326.post-2173425171449052042011-02-15T19:02:37.854-08:002011-02-15T19:02:37.854-08:00When you go to the disco are the drinks free? Are ...When you go to the disco are the drinks free? Are the drinks on the resort all-inclusive 24hrs? Are the bars on the resort open 24hrs? Or do you have to purchase drinks after a certain time, for example at the disco?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com