We visited Los Galeones in April 2000, and loved it. Our return visit in December 2006 was an even greater pleasure, because the staff members we befriended on our first trip were still there and remembered us!

A great place for a relaxing, low-key holiday, with friendly staff and great (fresh ingredients!) food by Cuban standards. Regular performances from local bands and singers make it an unforgettable experience. Take some gifts for the staff, they deserve it!
Pablo

My wife and I went down the end of February '05, we had already booked our trip and began to read horror stories about the resort. We were nonetheless worried.

After the long bumpy taxi cab ride to the hotel, because we were the only couple going to Galeones, we arrived at the little village on the mountain top.

After checking in, we began to walk around the small resort and became quite frightened. Everyone was almost twice our age.

We were immediately welecomed by the staff and tourists, and over the next 7 days, we became very good friends with quite a few of the "old fogies", we actually recently returned from visiting a couple we met down there in Windsor.

In the past we have travelled to several fast paced large resorts, and found this one quite different and weren't quite sure what to do at first.

We travelled to Sierra Mar on two occasions, THE BIG HOTEL, and found ourselves wanting to return to Galeones.

The staff there are possible the best staff We have ever met in our lives, so friendly and they become your best friends, and it's not because they want something for it either, they are just amazing people.

I think the only reason that I won't be travelling to this resort in the near future, is because there are many other destinations that we have not seen yet, otherwise I would go back there in a heartbeat, definately the most enjoyable, relaxing, memorable vacation we have ever been on.

You have to try it our to know what we're talking about.

If We had to rate it, hmm, definately a 10++++

I went to Los Galeones last Dec - Jan (2005) with my boyfriend (both early 20s)(We're from Toronto, Ont., CANADA). We loved it so much that we want to go again, but there are no trips for the time we're going on vacation this year. If anyone knows a place like this somewhere else, please let me know in your review.

The Flight
If going with a travel agency, you may have to pick up your tickets at the airport. So go early to give time for that. We went on Cubana airlines, and it was a fine ride, but the meal was not good (my boyfriend liked it). It is just pieces of ham and cheese and a bun (tiny), but you can make a little sandwich. BRING FOOD (beef jerky, nuts/granola) and water (just in case). Don't eat it all on the plane, save some (water) for the bus there (about an hour, bumpy roads, but fun, music, nice scenery). The airport staff are very professional. The security is a bit intimidating, but not any more so than anywhere else in the world. The plane will be split into the people going to Los Galeones, and those going to Sierra Mar. Make sure you get on the right bus, just ask, the tour dude will be there and take care of you. (If you get on the wrong bus anyways, it's okay because they are sister hotels and you're allowed to hang out there and they will get you back to the other hotel.

The Drive
The drive rules but it is really long. You may fall asleep if at nighttime, the ride is bumpy, but it's nice.

The Hotel
We arrived at night and were greeted with cocktails. (Yea!) Our room was oceanview, and was gorgeous. A bus goes to the Sierra Mar twice a day (I think 9am and 6pm. We could hear the bus pass by our window. I wish we could hear it BEFORE it left.

The hotel is few rooms, maybe 30-something. It's adults-only (16-plus). We are in our early 20s and some older people thought that we must have been there with our parents. There were others our age there with their parents. We hung out with some people a bit older than us who were very fun! The room has nice tile floors, a balcony, a tv (plays TBS, CNN, and TSN). The shower looked bleak, but was clean and had lots of hot water. I don't remember if there's a hairdryer, but there is definitely no alarm clock. There is only one dining room at the hotel (but you can take the shuttle to at least 3 at Sierra Mar), the chicken is really good. Eat bananas, too, they are better than anything you could conceive about bananas if you're from Toronto (like me). (The chicken is that way, too). There is a pizza there that is not like a mormal pizza, but it is good for a lunch. My boyfriend thought that he got sick from it, but I liked it. Yes, we did get sick. He got sick one day (don't know what it was from), and I got sick the day after I got back. It was from a burger from Sierra Mar that my boyfriend grabbed at the hotel just as our bus was leaving. He rushed the cook to get it done in time, it wasn't the cook's fault, we had lots of good food there. He ate the burger, too, but i think he didn't get sick because his immunity was raised from the day before!

The pool at Galeones is small, like a large pool in a backyard. It is nice though, and very quiet (few people at the hotel). But the beach.... snorkelling!!! As SOON as you go in the water you can see tons of weird salt-water things... it's very nice. You HAVE to wear shoes in the water at Los Galeones (Sierra Mar is fine without shoes because they "cleaned out" the beach, but not good for snorkelling) because of sea urchins. My boyfriend went a bit without shoes and did get a little cut (very tiny) from one. It is kind of like a little piece of glass in your skin. Anyways, there were brightly-coloured fish, but nothing too big or scary. The Sierra Mar also does a scuba excursion which you can go on (pay). We didn't go, and were planning on going this year, until we saw Open Water (don't watch it if you don't want to be scared!).

There are like a million steps down to the beach (no prob), going up is hard! Take your time.. we had to rush up once to get the bus and it was very painful!

There are wild farm animals everywhere (not dangerous), we saw goats by the stairs. There is also a cute beach dog (not aggressive at all). He came to our balcony, and we gave him scraps and pet him. We woke up in the morning and he was still sleeping there. Very nice dog. (The first night we were going to go down the stairs to the beach, but were scared by the barking... he's a little guy though!)

The staff is so nice at the hotel. The bus driver is very very good. Please tip people, and give them stuff (items like deodorant, razors, pens, pantyhose, baseball caps). One of the hotel ladies want=ed to copy a skirt of mine for her daughter. She drew a picture of it. I asked her if it would fit her daughter and gave it to her... I paid $5 CAD for that skirt, and it is worth sooo much more now. If you have anything that they want that won't kill you to give away, give it away. Also, the hotel staff DID NOT ask for us to give them stuff, even tips. The only people who asked us for stuff the whole trip was a guy who carried our bags at the airport and some locals down the side of the Sierra Mar beach (they are not allowed on the resort property) asked us for clothing. We knew to bring stuff before we came to Cuba, and had brought hats and t-shirts that we gave away to these guys. They were so happy and we saw them wearing them later. Keep in mind that they don't care what the shirt says, it's the quality that counts. It makes them feel good to have a new-feeling shirt, not neccessarily one that is "cool" by Canada standards. We also left toilettries and things for the cleaning ladies. I gave tylenol and pepto bismol to the nurse, who helped me when I got a blister. These people were so nice and happy. Though the bar is supposed to be 24-hrs at Galeones, it's not (is at Sierra Mar). Bar closes at 1am, BUT... they will leave you a bucket full of beer if you want. You can also get rooms with fridges, bottles of wine and liquor.

If you are a smoker... get the Hollywoods! They are more like Canadian cigarettes than any others. The blue ones are best, but red will do (a bit stronger). Watch out, because many brands have no filters... these ones do.

We caught the bus to Sierra Mar a lot, but would rather stay at Galeones as we got best of both worlds. If you are a resort person, stay at Sierra Mar. If you are a bungalow-on-a-cliff-by-an-unkempt-ocean-beach person, then stay at Galeones. You can always hag out at Sierra Mar from 9am-11pm anyways! There aren't many places to get snacks at nighttime, there is a little convenience store (bigger one at sierra mar) where you can get cookies, chips, but best to stuff your self at dinner, then go to sleep and wake up early. Nice breakfast, okay scrambled eggs, awesome fruit! Yogurt, toast. If you can catch the Sierra Mar bus at 9am (before it wakes you up leaving!), their breakfast is a huge buffet with a juicer, meats, eggs (i think they make them to order, too, but i had only scrambled). If you to Sierra Mar for dinner, they have a few meat choices every night, but i had mostly chicken and pasta. There are other restaurants at Sierra Mar, too, for reservations, I think.

We went during new year's (it's also revolution victory day for them), and there was a huge feast (lobster, etc.). They have a special table for the people from Los Galeones, but we opted for a private table in the garden (candlelight). There was entertainment, also other nights there was a synchro swimming act and a fashion show). At Galeones, there was a mariachi band that played, they were awesome. Tip the band at Los Galeones for sure, there aren't many people there! They played La Bamba, Guantanamera, and some other latin faves, plus the spainsh-inspired Beatles' tune Besa, Besa Me Mucho.

WE LOVED THE WHOLE TRIP!!! If you know another place that is serene with use of a bigger resort, please let me know in another review on this page.

We, my wife and I plus three other couples, have met at at Los Galeones for at least eight years. We have utilized the facilities at Sierra Mar, which is a short bus ride away, but we always return to our favouirite spot.
Here you will find a staff that become your friends, and who will not hesitate to invite you to their homes and meet their families. Over the years we have seen couples get married, houses built at the bottom of the hill, and been invited to many local events in the little town of Chivirico.
Los Galeones can be likened to a select club. Visitors there are welcomed with opened arms and it is'nt long before newcomers and old hands, together with the staff are all on a first name basis.
The beach is private and has a small bar and a BBQ for lunches, which includes fresh fish, chicken, pork, beef and succulent salads. Washed down with your favourite cocktail.
For those who cannot swim, there are two pools on the right of the beach, just for sitting in and watching the colourful fish swim around. You can even feed them, by taking a slice of bread with you and gently breaking off pieces and you'll have the fish eating out of your hand.
A remarkable place, with wonderful people and perfect scenery.
I&DGrant
PS I could not rate Los Galeones as the previous rating could not be removed; however I'll give it (5) for excellent.