Please note that the use of credit and debit cards is currently very unreliable in Cuba. Banks, ATMs and POS services for credit/debit card payments are often not working and it is important to arrive to Cuba with cash to avoid inconveniences. Please see the “Money Exchange” section of the Tour Details for more information.
Highlights of Cuba
6 days, Havana to Havana
Itinerary Notes
Right now is an exciting time in Cuba with rapidly changing legislation and local conditions. Cuba has seen a massive increase in tourism lately, which has put a strain on local tourist infrastructure. While we will strive to operate our tours as closely to published itineraries as possible, conditions often change from one day to the next, and minor tour modifications may be necessary with no advance notice.
Itinerary
Day 1Havana
Arrive at any time.
An arrival transfer is included to the tour’s starting point, a “casa particular” (a local home used as a bed and breakfast), for an authentic Cuban experience. Havana is one of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. As you drive to your accommodation look out for the popular colonial architecture and famed old cars of this creative and resilient city.
It is important to note that Cuba tends to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and infrastructure are generally old and may not have been maintained to the highest standard. Elevators, internet and A/C often break down, things happen very slowly and water pressure and hot water can be minimal. Cuba is an amazing place to visit but to fully enjoy and relax, western expectations should be left at home and your sense of adventure should be your guide.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Please note that on this night of the tour you will be at a homestay with a local family and the welcome meeting will take place there.
Your Local Living Moment: Havana Homestay
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Azul Habana Homestay (or similar)
Day 2Havana/Santa Clara
Enjoy a city tour of Havana before heading east towards the city of Santa Clara. In the late afternoon, visit the Che Guevara monument and mausoluem before arriving at your “casa particular” in Santa Clara, and enjoy a night out on the town.
Pass through thick green forests and lush plains as you drive east along the Carretera Central towards the city of Santa Clara. Then, visit the final resting place of Che Guevara and tour the massive Che monument in the city. Enter the mausoleum lit by an eternal flame ignited by Fidel Castro, and explore the adjacent museum, which exhibits pieces from Guevara’s childhood and beyond. Finish today's journey at your “casa particular” in Santa Clara.
Havana City Walking Tour
Take a walking tour of Havana and find out what your CEO loves best about this amazing city. See city highlights that may include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes (one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement). Use this walk as a jumping off point to explore the rest of this lively city.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Che Guevara's Mausoleum Visit
The Che Guevara Mausoleum houses the remains of this Marxist revolutionary leader killed in Bolivia in 1967, as well as 30 of his men. The room itself is designed to resemble the Bolivian mountains where he died. Set eyes on a 6.7m (22ft) bronze statue of the hero. Nearby, there is a museum dedicated to his life and an eternal flame lit by Fidel Castro.
Accommodation
Hostal Privilege (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Santa Clara/Trinidad
Today, travel south to the mountain region of Topes de Collantes where you’ll visit the Casa de Café before embarking on a short walk through the national park. Arrive to the coastal city of Trinidad in the evening.
Travel south through the picturesque mountain region of Topes de Collantes stopping at the Casa de Café. This pleasant little coffee shop and museum, filled with contemporary Cuban artwork is rumoured to sell some of the freshest and tastiest coffee in Cuba. Learn about the history of Cuba’s involvement in the industry and observe tools used in the past to make and manufacture this delicious bean.Then, immerse yourself in nature on a short walk in the national park; think waterfalls, secret swimming pools, underground rivers, and caves amid coffee plantations, jungle, and mountains. End the day upon arrival in the coastal city of Trinidad.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit Topes de Collante National Park and La Casa del Cafe
Visit this small rustic cafe in Topes de Collantes to learn about the history of Cuba’s involvement in the coffee industry. Observe tools used in the past to make and manufacture coffee and check out the Cuban artwork adorning the walls. Afterwards, go for a short walk in the national park itself. Wander through lush, green jungle and search for wildlife amid waterfalls, underground rivers, and secret swimming pools.
Accommodation
Homestay Jesus Pineda (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Trinidad
In the morning take a short orientation walk with your CEO before enjoying a free day in Trinidad. Choose to snorkel, swim, or lounge on the beach during the afternoon. In the evening experience a salsa dancing lesson before putting those new moves to practice on a night out with your group.
Discover the Spanish colonial town of Trinidad, founded in the 16th century on a free day. Learn about this UNESCO World Heritage site on a short orientation walk in the morning, then use the afternoon to further explore the cobblestone streets and past of this well preserved town. Trinidad also happens to be a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Choose to spend the afternoon lounging on the beach, swimming in the calm waters, or searching for sea life as you snorkel.
In the evening dust off those party shoes and take part in a lively salsa dancing lesson before practicing those new moves on a night out at the historic Casa de la Trova, featuring live Cuban music and a spirited atmosphere.
Trinidad Guided Tour
Enjoy the sights and sounds of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and get your bearings through a CEO-guided tour.
Free Time
Don't waste a minute—get exploring. Choose to spend the afternoon lounging on the beach, swimming in the calm waters, or searching for sea life as you snorkel.
Salsa Dancing Lesson
Put on those dancing shoes and learn some new moves at an exciting Salsa class. Let the music guide you as you dance to the beat of lively Cuban rhythms.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Casa de la Trova Visit
For nearly four decades, the Casa de la Trova has been the centre of culture and nightlife in Trinidad. This bar/performance space is home to some of Cuba’s finest singers and musicians. These former “trovadores” (troubadours) once walked the streets in twos and threes, performing ballads (boleros). Now – people come to them to listen, dance and soak in the laid-back rhythms of this made-in-Cuba music.
Snorkelling
Rent a mask and snorkel and head out into the warm blue-green waters off the Ancón Peninsula. Centuries of ocean currents have created beautiful beaches, a perfect backdrop to see coral, fish and shells. Explore the reef just offshore from Playa Ancón and be sure to wear lots of sunscreen!
Biking
Rent a bike, pack some water, put on a hat and head south of Trinidad toward the beaches. La Boca is a small seaside village at the mouth (“boca”) of a river about 5km (3 mi) from town. Keep going and end up at Playa Ancón. Avid cyclers can head towards Sugar Mills Valley 18kms (11 mi) away to explore the historical site, but just a heads-up, the route is very hilly.
Accommodation
Homestay Jesus Pineda (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Trinidad/Havana
Travel to Cienfuegos and take part in another guided orientation walk before admiring Cuba’s “Pearl of the South” on your own. Transfer back to Havana with a stop along the way to stretch those legs in Playa Girón for a visit to the Bay of Pigs museum. Upon arrival in Havana take a short bus tour of the city and spend your final night as you wish.
It’s off to Cienfuegos, known as Cuba’s “Pearl of the South”. Embark on an orientation walk of this town with French airs and a feisty Caribbean spirit. Wander around admiring the contrasting architecture and the turquoise blue of the water lapping at the iconic sea wall. Learn about the famous CIA-backed attempted invasion of Cuba and the involvement of the US military at the Bay of Pigs museum in Playa Girón. Travel back to Havana for a short, but panoramic bus tour of the city. Spend the evening as you wish, search for art among the buildings in Habana Vieja, or people watch from a local rooftop bar, sipping a refreshing mojito as the night settles in.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walking Tour of Cienfuegos
Enjoy a guided orientation walking tour of this beautiful city on the Bahía de Cienfuegos.
Bay of Pigs Museum Visit
Visit the Bay of Pigs Museum in Playa Girón which contains exhibits and artifacts from the infamous American-led invasion of Cuba. Learn more of the history surrounding this event including details about the counter-attack, types of weapons used, and how the Cuban troops trained and lived during this time. Outside the museum there is a display of tanks and aircraft used during the skirmish.
Accommodation
Azul Habana Homestay (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Havana
Depart at any time.