Weather Lowdown
November is the time of year when the autumn comes to an end in Playa Pesquero, and the winter is just around the corner. Of course, the good news about this part of the world is that winter doesn't mean snow and ice it just means a very slight drop in temperatures! With sunshine being at an average of 8 hours a day, this means that all of the heat still comes into the day, with the sun's rays keeping the warmth up.
The daily average temperatures drop down to around 25°C at this time of the year, which is much lower than it has been in peak summer months such as July. However, it's still pretty warm, and you are definitely going to need to slather on the sun cream to make sure that you do not burn especially in the peak of the day. This can go up to an average temperature of 29°C, and the lows will only drop down as far as 20°C.
Of course, you will want to keep an eye on the weather forecast to see whether it is going to rain or not, but you won't need to worry about it as much as you did in previous months, as the rainy season is coming to an end. Just 79mm of rain will come down, which is half as much as you would have seen in October! Just 7 days of rain are expected through the month, which means you could get lucky and have a fully dry holiday. The average sea temperature of 28°C means that going for a dip in the sea is very appealing, and thanks to the fact that the windy season is normally over by now, you've got a better chance of not having to avoid the waves.
Where to Stay
Since it's cooler in November, you may wish to be closer to landmarks than beaches, and the Casa El Horizonte Gibara is close to the historical town of Gibara. There are just two rooms here but they are both independent from the main house, allowing you to come and go whenever you want to. There is a full dinner menu as well as breakfast and access to the kitchen to cook for yourself. Laundry service and a TV lounge are also included, and the family can even babysit for you.
If you want to find a casa where the whole house is rented out, try the Casa Cayo Bariay Hostal, which has three bedrooms on offer. There is a full kitchen equipped for your use, as well as a living room and a cook service if you don't want to make your own food. There is a bathroom and shower available inside the house too.
Families will find it comfortable to stay at the Hostal Kasalta, as the hosts here have their own child in the home. Two meals a day, dinner and breakfast, are provided for you, and you can sit on your own balcony to look over the town of Holguin.
Hit the Beach
The jewel of the Holguin region is Playa Esmerelda, where emerald green waters lap at white sands, meeting the fronds of palm trees that hang over the waves. The average sea temperatures of 28°C are very welcoming, so make sure that you take the time to go into the water itself and swim or snorkel for a while. Relax on a sun lounger to work on your tan.
When you get bored of that, you can stroll along the beachfront, with lots of bars, restaurants, and shops. You can pick up fun items and beachwear to use while you are there, as well as snacks or full meals to keep you going, and lots of souvenirs.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Lunchtimes are much better when you spend them at Taberna Pancho, a simple establishment within a great location. Wild animals roam nearby, and the simple, traditional food is served with refreshing beers. You can also go swimming right there on site if you want to, though let your lunch settle first!
Aviles is a bit of a rarity in Cuba: it serves Chinese food! This is a great place for an Asian meal, taken in a whole new setting to what you are used to. The staff are welcoming and you can come by at lunchtime for a simpler and smaller meal than the dinner serving.
More exotic dishes can be found at El Criollo, certainly compared to what you would normally find at Western restaurants. The dishes start from more normal seafood such as breaded shrimp, but they also serve octopus and even turtle meat dishes! The sign for this restaurant is visible from the road, and the host will organise a taxi
Things to Do
In the cooler mornings of November you might prefer to go indoors, so while the days are at their coolest point, try some shopping. There are local towns which might provide some opportunities, but the best is Holguin, where there are plenty of streets full of shops. The prices here are very low, so you can pick up things for yourself as well as gifts for people back home.
If you need to get around without hiring a car, call for a taxi. This is actually part of the experience of Cuba, as cabs are not a uniform type or colour here. Most of them are beautiful, classic cars of all types, the kind of thing you would normally only see at special car shows, but kept in running order to perform a service as taxis. They double as tourist guides and can take you to any recommendation you need, such as a restaurant or bar. Lots of local residents use taxi driving as a way to make extra money, and it's a real staple of the Cuban culture.
