Recently back from a diving holiday in Cuba.
Stayed first week at Faro de Luna, south coast near
Cienfuegos. Friendly small hotel, mostly catering for
package tourists on two or three-day south coast stop-
overs, but not at all "resorty". Great (very cheap)
cocktails. Dive centre was excellent, run by a great guy
called Felix from Barcelona, Spain. Two small hard boats,
all dive sites within 10 minutes of base, almost all buoyed
to protect the reef. A variety of scenic shallow coral
gardens, wrecks (sunk for divers) in the 15-22 metre range
and deep walls. Limited pelagic life but plenty of reef
fish and amazing coral and particularly sponge cover. Most
days there were just three divers on the boat, with a guide
each! (But they didn't hassle us underwater - just followed
us around.) Also great snorkelling in the mangroves from
the shore. A paradise for u/w photographers. Sea
temperature about 26C, viz generally 20m+. Highly
recommended. There's also a sandy beach for non-divers. But
not much else nearby. Very tranquil.
Intended to spend the second week at the famous "Colony" on
the Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth). We managed one
day's diving before leaving in disgust at the conduct of
the dive guide and the poor attitude of the dive centre and
hotel in general. It's a dollar factory: pump the divers
in, take their money, pump them out. Not recommended.
If you want a relaxed dive holiday in Cuba, based on our
(limited) exerience try Faro de Luna. For Brit divers
Progressive Tours (01895 624100) offer good value packages.
And no, I don't work for them...
Have a great time.
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thanks for the info Matt
I am looking to make a trip later this year - may well
check it out in Faro de Luna - what hotel would you
recommend? Would like something fairly comfortable - but
with good atmosphere what was trhe name of yours - or is
Faro de Luna the hotel name - sorry know very little about
Cuba hopefully this will change.
Thanks
Cam,
The hotel is called Faro de Luna. Telephone is 048 165.
There's also the Hotel Rancho de Luna nearby which is much
bigger and has no diving facilities as far as I know.
Lonely Planet's Cuba book (the 1997 edition - I think a new
one's due soon) mentions Faro de Luna briefly on page 262.
It describes the rooms as overpriced, but I would disagree.
Very comfortable room, air con, smart bathroom, beautiful
sea view etc. If you go try and get one of the newer rooms
in the separate blocks on the sea front.
The food there is nothing to get excited about, but I hope
you're not going to Cuba for the food!
And if you go have a good time and say hi to Felix from
Matt & Sue. He might remember...
Matt
Hey Matt
Thanks very much
Cam