Brisas Los Galeones

The walk to town is short, and it’s a real Cuban village. I’ve played softball with the youngsters there and even pinch-hit for their adult intercounty team. Lots of guests return, and I’m one of them, ten visits in. The staff go out of their way to make your stay good. I’ll admit, I kind of hope los Galeones stays under the radar. Maybe you wouldn’t like it anyway, right? Let’s keep it our little secret. The beach takes effort to reach, and the climb back up for five o’clock snacks is tougher. Bring your towel and booties. It’s not a long sandy stretch, but the snorkeling is interesting and felt safe. Lunch on the beach was great. Meals were honest, good vacation food, though it’s not a fancy buffet. When there are fewer guests, the a la carte menu is best, with fish, chicken, and pork or beef as the main dishes. The music is a lovely addition to meals. The resort is modest, but I enjoy it. The first photo is actually of its bigger sister resort, Sierra Mar. It’s nice, though not as warm and friendly as los Galeones. I just got back from a so-called “great resort.” los Galeones wasn’t taking guests when we booked. We should have waited!

I stayed alone and never even took out a book, since I like talking with everyone. It’s a place to slow down and chat with the regulars, many of whom have been coming back for years, from five visits to thirty. Not a party spot, either, the bar closes at 1 a.m. With only 32 rooms, the service feels personal and friendly. It won’t suit everybody, but if you need downtime, it’s perfect. I hope to have a room when I come back, so please keep it a little secret. Chivirico is a quick walk away, and it was lovely being close to the life of a small Cuban village. The private beach is about 300 steps down, and back up. There are always chairs, plus a bar and a small kitchen, so you can spend a great day there. Don’t forget anything, you’ll regret the climb. The rooms were nice, in a Cuba style, and my air conditioning worked flawlessly. I had hot water, too. The cooking was great, though there wasn’t much fruit in early January. It is a small resort. Evening entertainment is simple but high quality. The staff have worked there for ages, and they’re so nice, attentive, and always in a good mood. I’ll see you next January!

Most guests are repeat visitors, many returning for years, and the waiters and other staff are extremely friendly. They’ll do anything they can to make your stay memorable. This is an adults-only hotel, with local entertainment on most nights. Rooms are set around the pool and restaurant. A few steps up, a veranda has a whirlpool and lounge chairs with views over Chivirico and the Sierra Maestra Mountain range, where Fidel Castro fought his historic battle against Battista’s army in the late 50s. Getting to the beach means walking down, then back up, around 300 steps. The water is generally not suited to regular swimming because of all the coral, but it’s interesting for snorkeling. Watch your footing, especially when it’s wavy, since you can get hurt or thrown against razor-sharp coral. The food is the usual Cuban fare, chicken, pork, and fish with rice, potatoes, and vegetables. In 2019, there were more tomatoes, cucumbers, and fruit than in previous years.

A really chill resort with a good atmosphere and lovely staff. One warning, a cab driver called Jose Manilo, who drives an old blue ford, comes by looking for clients and offers trips to santiago and elsewhere. His prices can be far too high, and he may raise the cost during the trip. When we challenged him, he threatened to leave us stranded in the middle of nowhere. Aside from that, it’s a great place.