Hotel Tuxpan Varadero (ex. Be Live Experience Tuxpan)

The beach was beautiful, and the weather helped, but the rest of our trip was very disappointing. My husband and I went with another couple, and we all found the resort outdated. The food was the same every day, two pools were closed, and only one elevator worked on one side of the hotel. There was no swim bar service, the à la cart food wasn’t much to brag about, and there were no piña coladas or daiquiris. If not for the beach and weather, the trip would have been even worse. We had requested an ocean view, but on arrival were told to pay another hundred dollars in cash to upgrade. The woman behind the counter pocketed it. Later we learned the people ahead of us had paid only 60 each for their upgrades. I don’t recommend this hotel at all. Stay away.

My sister, parents, and I had an amazing week at Tuxpan. The rooms were very clean, thanks to our wonderful maid, and the drinks were the best part. Staff and guest services gave great customer service and took time to care for every guest who came here.

My mom and I had a great mother daughter trip to Veradero Cuba, my first time in Cuba. The ocean is gorgeous, and the fish at the little bar by the water was amazing. Our room was clean and nice, with a great view. The hotel was nice and clean too, and the staff were friendly. Wifi was a challenge at first, but we found hotspots. Meals were to par, so if you’re not expecting fancy food or drinks, you’ll have a good time. We visited two caves, which was an awesome adventure, and enjoyed the town shopping. There was nightlife, but we only managed to go twice. Overall, we had a great time and would definitely go back.

This was our third visit to Tuxpan, and it holds a special place for us. We had our dream beach wedding here 10 years ago. The beach is one of the best I’ve seen: soft, rock-free sand, clear water for swimming, thatched umbrellas, and space for long walks. The resort feels safe, with discreet security on the property and at the beach. Varadero can have power problems, but Tuxpan has a generator and the area is prioritized, so there’s no need to worry. Walking 40 minutes along the shore into town is wonderful, and the town feels just as secure. The hotel is a little dated, but has a cozy, homey feel. The buffet has good variety and the food is surprisingly delicious, though some dishes may not suit everyone. The food was the tastiest it’s ever been this year. Maybe the Tuxpan team got tired of complaints about bland Cuban food, because they nailed it. Over Christmas and New Year’s, they go all out with celebrations, including langoustines and whole roasted pig, with food and entertainment far beyond what I’ve experienced back home. The staff clearly love Canadian visitors and hold a special appreciation event every Thursday at the beach bar/restaurant. Their warmth makes you feel at home, even with Cuba facing financial challenges. I strongly recommend bringing US dollars and tipping generously. A $20 USD daily tip per couple can make a real difference for the hard-working staff and their families. Nightly shows are always fun. For Canadians wondering about a visit to Varadero, I can’t recommend Tuxpan highly enough. It keeps us coming back.