Cayo Guillermo – a Hidden Gem

I have been fortunate enough to travel to Cuba 11 times now – but one place still stands out to me: Cayo Guillermo.  This island is located right beside Cayo Coco, which means it’s a quick 30 minute drive from the airport.  My husband and I first traveled there for a winter getaway and decided immediately that this is where we wanted to get married.  Of course, we wanted to ensure that our family and friends had a great time and  that we had the perfect backdrop to our special day.  With that in mind, we visited almost every single resort in Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo!  In the end, we chose Cayo Guillermo for a few main reasons:

The Beach

The water is just so beautiful here – very little seaweed (other than that bit that washes up on the shore in the mornings).  As an avid swimmer, this is especially important to me!  It’s also a tanning paradise as you can put your lounger right into the ocean when the tide goes out in the afternoon.  I noticed that a lot of families really appreciated this as well since the children really enjoyed the shallow water.

The Atmosphere

 Cayo Guillermo is a very quiet island – a great mix of families, couples and groups.

The People

Known for their impeccable hospitality, the Cuban charm is certainly present on this island!  We are always greeted with warm smiles by the baristas in the morning, and everyone is so eager to share their culture and heritage with  you, it is truly an enriching experience.  Most of the staff live in Moròn, which is also an excellent place to visit.

The Activities and Excursions

The hotels all have an excellent variety of activities which usually include yoga,  Latin dancing, Spanish lessons and many other sports and games for children as well.

I’ve also been on a number of excursions, but there are a couple that stand out to me – the All in One and the Sugar, Cigar & Rum Tour.

All in One

http://www.nexustours.com/cuba/cayo-coco/tour/all-in-one-cayo-coco/

Why choose when you can have it all!  Your day starts by visiting the local aquarium so that you can interact with dolphins, followed by an exciting Jeep Safari tour.  Finally, the Catamaran Cruise is led by local experts who know all of the best places to snorkel.  This is a great option for families, couples and groups of all ages.

Sugar, Cigar & Rum

http://www.nexustours.com/cuba/cayo-coco/tour/sugar-cigar-rum-cayo-coco/

We started by visiting the town of Moròn and were taken on a fantastic horse-drawn carriage ride.  We got to observe local merchants and pedestrians bartering on their daily errands and it was a great orientation to the town.  Next, we visited a sugar cane factory, where we got to taste raw sugar cane and learn how rum is made.  The highlight for me was the crocodile farm, which spends a lot of their time studying, breeding and protecting the reptile population.

Poutines of the Carbbean

I am a huge fan of trying new foods, especially when vacationing! There are so many different cultures and cuisines in the Caribbean, what's not to like? But let's face it - vacations are also that week that we've been looking forward to indulging and enjoying without worry. The great French-Canadian Classic seems to be dominating restaurant menus near and far and the Royalton and Memories hotels are following the trend with delicious results! Here are my top 5:

#5 Royalton Punta Cana

This poutine was very good, it is only number 5 on the list because there were so many amazing ones to choose from! After a long day at the waterpark, we had this one with a cold beer and it was very satisfying. It also gave us the energy we needed to make it out to the beach party that night! (Score Sports Bar)

#4 Royalton Riviera Cancun

I had this one poolside on my last day - I went up to the Sports Bar to get it (the view of the pool from there is stunning) and had a Caesar while I waited. It doesn't get much more Canadian than that! (Score Sports Bar)

#3 Royalton Hicacos

This resort actually has a DIY poutine bar at lunch and dinner. They have different gravies and cheeses to choose from, and all were delicious! After two visits, this is still my favourite buffet in Cuba. (Gran Plaza Hicacos - Buffet)

#2 Memories Jibicoa

This poutine is the most authentic tasting (if you love the French-Canadian fry truck classic version of curds and poutine sauce - that's right, it's not gravy). The General Manager at this fabulous resort is Québécois! This one is also available at the main buffet lunch and dinner and is a great way to replace some calories after a morning of snorkelling the coral reef which is only 100 meters from their beautiful beach! (International Buffet Los Girasoles)

#1 Royalton White Sands

The most creative and delicious spin I have ever tasted - the Jerk Chicken Poutine! I had one almost every day that we were there. The resort has an authentic jerk drum and makes the best jerk chicken, pork, goat, etc on the beach every day. I simply cannot wait to try this one again! (Score Sports Bar)

Tipping Etiquette

As an avid traveler, I am often asked what the etiquette for tipping at resorts is. My motto is, a little goes a long way. Most resorts I visit are are all-inclusive, and my experience has been that you don't necessarily need to tip to receive excellent service. However, there are a few small things you can do if you want to "show the love" to the hotel staff. Here is a typical week for me at an all-inclusive in Cuba:

Room

I will leave a note for the cleaners, albeit in my extremely broken Spanish! Usually something along the lines of "Gracias!" (Thank you!) and I will leave 1 peso on top of my note.

We will usually cross paths at some point, and that is a great time to ask for extra water or beer in your room if needed.

Restaurants 

My husband and I usually choose a table outside, and make sure to learn our server's name and strike up a conversation if they're not too busy. We also leave them 1 peso each on the first day.

Bars

This is where I tip the least - bartenders usually do very well in tips and they are also extremely busy most of the time. I will usually tip a few times throughout the week.

Once we have been there a day or two, everyone remembers us and we ask them if there's anything they need and we let them know that we've brought items from Canada. Usually they really appreciate sunscreen, nail polish, running shoes/flip flops (gently used is fine) and hats as they are very expensive in Cuba. I've had various other requests over the years, usually all things that we have with us and are happy to leave behind.

If I add it all up:

Day 1: 6 pesos

Day 2-6: gifts from Dollarama + 8 pesos

Day 7: 6 pesos

Total: 20 pesos + $10 at Dollarama = $35 CDN for the week (including currency exchange)

The thing is, most people feel that they need to tip to receive efficient service. However, I think that being kind and getting to know the staff at the hotel is far more rewarding experience for everyone.