In the fall of 2008, the North coast of Cuba was devastated by three successive hurricanes. The Oasis Brisas Santa Lucia was resilient and rebuilt the resort rapidly. The Brisas remains a hidden diamond in the rough in an ever growing number of all-inclusive resorts in Cuba. Ideally located a ninety minute bus ride from the nearest international airport, located in Camaguey, Santa Lucia has distanced itself from any interference from the hustle and bustle of a populated society.

Santa Lucia is a grouping of a handful of resorts on the north central coast of Cuba. As mentioned, the resort is a ninety minute drive from Camaguey and to the east of Jardines del Rey tourist area which features Cayo Coco. The Brisas is not a large resort and most rooms are conveniently close to all activities, restaurants and bars.

The rooms are modest, clean, well-maintained and quite adequate. It should be understood by anyone considering travel to Cuba that plumbing, electricity and air conditioning are often on the fritz due to lack of resources because of on-going trade embargos against the country. This is a way of life and should not be seen as intentional poor service. Instead, see it as part of the romance and appreciate what the citizens of Cuba have had to go through on a regular basis since the United States cut them off in the 1960’s and since the Soviet empire fell in the 1980’s.

The food is typically boring as it is throughout Cuban tourist areas that cater to foreigners. This is more a case of what they believe North Americans and Europeans want than what a typical Cuban meal consists of. However, the food is plentiful as is the booze. One bar is open twenty-four hours per day and there are several others that stay open for varying lengths of time. Local beer is all that is served. All other drinks available are rum based. A stereotype of Cuban all-inclusive resorts is that staff can be complacent towards customers concerns and that bartenders won’t bat an eye at ever-growing line-ups. This is, for the most part, not necessarily true anymore in Cuba. However, if you want great service in Cuba, take the time to learn a few Spanish phrases and try to converse a little with these friendly folks. Most have a higher education than their customers but because of the economic situation in Cuba, tending bar or waitressing at a resort is more lucrative than being a doctor or engineer. A little respect can go a long way.

The beach in front of the resort is amazingly beautiful. Once you’ve left the boundaries of the resort, this can change quite fast. Garbage, mostly plastic water bottles, washes ashore and is not removed. The ocean water is very clear and bringing snorkelling gear is a must. Areas of coral reef can be found a short swim away from shore and tropical fish abound in these areas. Away from the beach, there is only one swimming pool but it is quite large.

Day trips and excursions are not any different than want can be found at any all-inclusive resort. Because of the lack of a quality road system, to visit most other places in Cuba (ie. Havana, Santiago, Veradero) requires travel to Camaguey then a flight. The typical excursions exist like snorkelling, catamaran trips, sailing, deep-sea fishing, diving, ATVing, etc. For no cost, it is worth it to walk down the road from the resort and visit the town where the resort workers live. It’s an eye opener and great insight into how the Cubans live.

On-line user reviews of this resort are often littered with the same unwarranted complaints. The staff are unfriendly. This is false. North Americans expect that everyone is going to speak their language and what instant service, the same instant service that we get in North America and that is causing a stress epidemic. The rooms are poorly maintained. Sometimes it looks like they just don’t care, but everything in their power with limited resources is being done to create ‘paradise’ for their customers. The drive is too long from the airport. This is just amazing when anyone considers this a complaint of a destination. This is information that was given to each customer when they booked the trip. The distance from the airport is not the fault of the resort, nor is it something they can change. Besides, the greater the distance from an airport, the more exclusive and relaxing your resort is going to be. It is always worth the extra distance.

The Oasis Brisas in Santa Lucia is a perfect destination for those who want to escape civilization and relax. The resort is just the right size that you cannot avoid forming friendships with the staff and animation crew. The entertainment crew spends from dawn until late in the evening mingling with the customers as if they were patrons of the resort themselves. Unlike most other resorts, these great people do everything to make your stay enjoyable. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, snorkelling gear and gifts for the local people.

A highly secret tip on how to get special service from the support staff: trinket dollar store gifts and monetary tips are fine and all but Rum talks! Rum is free to customers but no so for the staff. Discreetly leaving grounds crew cups of straight rum during the day will ensure no problems when you would like a coconut cut open for a tasty afternoon drink.