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US$ 1025 + 250 CUC Local Payment
- Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
- Group Size: Minimum 2 / Maximum 12 / Average 7
- Accommodation: Twin-share. 5 nights hotels, 9 nights homestays
- Transport: Local bus, domestic flight, private mini-bus, taxi
- Activities included: Walking tour of Old Havana
- Other Inclusions: 14 breakfasts, local guide throughout
Suggestion: You can combine this tour with a Western Cuba Tour, a Vinales Extension, or a Beach stay package.
Departures with Special Events (*S)
- April 01 to 15, 2012 - Humberto Solas International Film Festival - Gibara
- April 29 to May 13, 2012 - May Day Celebration - Havana
- July 01 to Jul 15, 2012 - Festival Del Caribe - Santiago de Cuba
- July 15 to July 29, 2012 - Santiago Carnival Tour
Itinerary Summary
- Day 1 - Arrival Day Havana
- Day 2 - Cienfuegos via Bay of Pigs
- Day 3 - Trinidad via Santa Clara
- Day 4,5 - Trinidad
- Day 6,7 - Camaguey
- Day 8,9 - Santiago
- Day 10,11,12 - Baracoa
- Day *13,14 - Havana
- Day 15 - Departure Day
* Please Note: Itineraries for the tours in Cuba can and do change during the course of the year due to a variety of reasons. We are not always able to advise you in advance of these changes. We ask for your understanding and flexibility in these cases.
*Occassionally there is not availability for the whole group on the flight from Baracoa to Havana on Day 13. In this case we either take the flight from Baracoa to Havana on Day 12 of the tour, or take private transport from Baracoa to Santiago, and fly from there to Havana on Day 13.
Description
The 15 day Original tour of Cuba is our most long-standing itinerary. It packs into 2 weeks what we consider the most fascinating elements of this unique country. As well as visiting many of Cuba's natural and historic highlights, our focus is on contact with the Cuban people and their culture.
Itinerary Details
Day 1 - Arrive Havana
Arrive in Havana at any time. Today is the arrival day of the tour so there are no planned activities and you can check into the hotel and relax or go and explore the city. Adventure among the splendorous crumbling architecture of the streets of old Havana and sit on the famous sea wall (malecon) to take in the view and some fresh air, and to socialize with the colourful and friendly 'Habaneros'
. We will provide you with contacts for local guides, so if you wish, you can pay a small price to have someone show you around.
Arrive in Havana at any time. Today is the arrival day of the tour so there are no planned activities and you can check into the hotel and relax or go and explore the city. Adventure among the splendorous crumbling architecture of the streets of old Havana and sit on the famous sea wall (malecon) to take in the view and some fresh air, and to socialize with the colourful and friendly Day 2 - Bay of Pigs / Cienfuegos
We head to the French founded city of Cienfuegos through the densely vegetated Peninsula de Zapata swamp-lands, and along the beautiful Bay of Pigs. This is where the landing of counter-revolutionary exile militia occured in 1961. There is a musuem here that recounts the events of this conflict which resulted in the first defeat of a U.S backed take-over in Latin America. We will also make stops at a beautiful swimming hole (cenote) which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank, and if the conditions are favourable, at beach for snorkelling. Cienfuegos appeal lies partly in the European flavour of its colonial hub, with a wide Parisian-style boulevard and elegant colonnades, and there is an ambience to inspire Cuba’s most celebrated Son singer to write the words “Cienfuegos is the city I like best”.
We head to the French founded city of Cienfuegos through the densely vegetated Peninsula de Zapata swamp-lands, and
along the beautiful Bay of Pigs. This is where the landing of
counter-revolutionary exile militia occured in 1961. There is a musuem here that recounts the events of this
conflict which resulted in the first defeat of a U.S backed take-over in Latin America. We will also make stops at a
beautiful swimming hole (cenote) which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank, and if the conditions are favourable, at
beach for snorkelling.
Cienfuegos appeal lies partly in the European flavour of its colonial hub, with a wide Parisian-style boulevard and
elegant colonnades, and there is an ambience to inspire Cuba’s most celebrated Son singer to write the words “Cienfuegos is
the city I like best”.Day 3 - Trinidad via Santa Clara
On the way to Trinidad, we take a detour back inland to Santa Clara, a key city in the Cuban Revolution. Upon entering Santa Clara, there is a huge statue of Ernesto Ché Guevara, to commemorate his death and that of the revolutionaries who were murdered along with him in Bolivia. There is also a museum here dedicated to his amazing life (free entry). We have time to visit this musuem, to wander the city centre, and to see a few other historical sites mostly to do with Che.
Santa Clara isn’t a thriving tourism hub, and that in itself creates its own interest as you can experience a more authentic Cuban city. We then head back to the Caribbean Coast and the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad.
If you are not really interested in visting Santa Clara and the Che Memorial, you can opt instead to visit the aquarium nearby to Cienfuegos and catch the sea-lion and dolphin show. For 50cuc you can also swim with the dolphins.
Day 4,5 - Trinidad
Trinidad is home to numerous churches and many beautiful colonial buildings. We are near the lovely Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugarmills) and Playa Ancón, where you can enjoy long stretches of unspoiled, white sand beaches. Scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming in waterfalls and horse-riding are other optional activities.
Trinidad is home to numerous churches and
many beautiful colonial buildings. We are near the lovely Valle de los
Ingenios (Valley of Sugarmills) and Playa Ancón, where you can enjoy
long stretches of unspoiled, white sand beaches. Scuba
diving, snorkeling, swimming in waterfalls and horse-riding are other
optional activities.The nightlife in Trinidad is probably the most accessible and intense in all of Cuba, with numerous live music venues and many dance performances everyday of the week, all amongst the enchanting setting of old colonial buildings and the cobblestone streets.
Day 6,7 - Camagüey
Cuba's third largest city lies about half way between Havana and Santiago de Cuba - about a 5 hour drive from Trinidad. Camaguey was designed in the 17th century to disorientate potential invaders such as pirates and plunderers, so the street layout is a jumble of narrow alleys where no two streets are parallel. There are large parks, various private art galleries, and a thriving market garden, and one will enjoy strolling through this city. This is also a university town and has a rich cultural tradition, and like just about everywhere in Cuba, there is plenty of night time entertainment to be had.
Cuba's third
largest city lies about half way between Havana and Santiago de Cuba - about a 5 hour drive from Trinidad. Camaguey was designed in the 17th century to disorientate potential invaders such as pirates and plunderers, so the street layout
is a jumble of narrow alleys where no two streets are parallel. There
are large parks, various private art galleries, and a thriving market garden, and one
will enjoy strolling through this city. This is also a university town and has a rich cultural tradition, and like just about everywhere in Cuba, there is plenty of night time
entertainment to be had.Day 8,9 - Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba is known as the “cradle of the Revolution” and is home to much of Cuba’s famed music, like the Son. There are also museums, colonial churches and buildings of more recent historical importance, such as the Moncada Barracks, which are well worth exploring.
Santiago de Cuba is known as the “cradle of the Revolution” and is home to much of
Santiago de Cuba has a very vibrant traditional music scene, which will entice even the shyest dancer out to experiment with some salsa moves. Culturally, Santiago has a different feel to the rest of Cuba, undoubtedly coming from the mix of French speaking slaves from Haiti and its proximity to Jamaica.
Day 10,11,12 - Baracoa
A spectacular drive past the region’s most controversial leasehold of Guantanamo Bay, then along the coast and finally through lush mountains of eastern Cuban, brings us to Cuba’s first colonial capital. When Christopher Columbus first encountered Cuba it was here, and he duly noted in his log-book that this was the most beautiful land that human eyes could set upon. You will understand what he meant when you see the beaches and verdant mountain landscape that surround Baracoa. Situated on a beautiful bay with the mountains of the Sierra del Purial in the background, Baracoa was the first settlement founded by the Spanish in Cuba, and was only accessible by sea until the end of the 1960s. There are numerous options for outdoor activities in the nearby mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and beaches. There is wide variety of delicious seafood available in Baracoa.
A spectacular drive past the region’s most controversial leasehold of Guantanamo Bay,
then along the coast and finally through lush mountains of eastern Cuban, brings us to Cuba’s first
colonial capital. When Christopher Columbus first encountered Cuba it was here, and he duly noted in his
log-book that this was the most beautiful land that human eyes could
set upon. You will understand what he meant when you see the beaches
and verdant mountain landscape that surround Baracoa. Situated on a beautiful bay with the mountains of the Sierra del Purial
in the background, Baracoa was the first settlement founded by the Spanish
in Cuba, and was only accessible by sea until the end of the 1960s. There
are numerous options for outdoor activities in the nearby
mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and beaches. There is wide variety of delicious seafood
available in Baracoa.Day 13,14 - Havana
The Caribbean's largest and most exciting urban concentration. Havana is one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Options are to take the included walking tour of the Old town with the guide or to find your own adventure.
Day 15 - Depart Havana
If you have more time to spend in Cuba before flying out, the tour leader can suggest a number of excellent options for spending a few extra days, and give you details on how to get there and where to stay.
Notes - Itineraries for the tour of Cuba can and do change during the course of the year due to a variety of reasons. We are not always able to advise you in advance of these changes. We ask for your understanding and flexibility in these cases.
Summary of Travel Times
- Havana to Cienfuegos – 6 hours
- Cienfuegos to Trinidad via Santa Clara – 4 hours
- Trinidad to Camaguey – 6 hours
- Camaguey to Santiago – 7 hours
- Santiago to Baracoa – 6 hours
- Baraoca to Havana – 4 hours (flight 1.5 hours)
Joining and Departure Hotel in Havana
Hotel Nacional
Calle 21 y O, Vedado
Havana
Tel: +53(7)8363564
We use the Hotel Nacional as our hotel in Havana for the first and last nights of the tour.
Cuba's Hotel Nacional is a grand and beautiful building with an elegant ambience, and situated on rocky outcrop looking over the Bay of Havana. The hotel was built in 1930 and renovated in 1992. Over the years numerous famous guests have stayed at the Hotel Nacional, including Winston Churchhill, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Marlon Brando and Ernest Hemingway. The hotel has 457 rooms and 15 suites. Rooms typically have air conditioning, marble bathroom, a mini bar, safe, and nice views.
The hotel has a CADECA exchange house, as well as internet facilities in its business centre. Current price for internet is 10CUC/hour. The wifi service in the lobby (6CUC/hr) hasn't been working of late.
Extra Accommodation in Havana
If you require extra accommodation in Havana at the joining hotel before or after the tour, you can book this with us...
| Hotel Nacional | 3.5 stars | US$ |
|---|
| Dates | Extra night Single | Extra night Twin | Extra night Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3 to Feb 28 | $95 | $135 | $195 |
| Apr 1 to 8 | $95 | $135 | $195 |
| Jul 1 to Aug 31 | $95 | $135 | $195 |
| Nov 1 to 24 | $95 | $135 | $195 |
| Dec 22 - Jan 02 | $128 | $196 | $285 |
| rest of year | $84 | $108 | $156 |
Other extras for the tour
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Accommodation on the tour is twin-share. This means two people to a room,
and if you join the tour as an individual, you may be sharing a room of two beds, with another
member of the same sex from the group. If there is no-one to share with, and you end up with a room to yourself,
you don't have to pay extra. If you decide at the booking stage, that you want a single room throughout
the tour, the “single supplement” amount is US$485.
This is payable along with your payment for the tour.
AIRPORT ARRIVAL TRANSFER
It is very safe and simple to catch your own taxi from the Havana Airport to the joining hotel. Only official
tourist taxis are allowed to pick up tourists at the airport, and the standard fare is 25CUC (don't pay more than this!).
If you prefer us to send someone to pick you up at the airport and provide you with this transfer, our price is US$55
for up to 4 people. If your flight arrives to Varadero airport you can catch a taxi to the Viazul bus terminal.
Click here to see the timetable. We provide transfers in private taxi from Varadero airport to Havana for
US$127 for up to 4 people (2 hours travel time).
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CUBA
We offer travel insurance to cover you for your time in Cuba.
CLICK HERE for more information.
FLIGHT TO HAVANA FROM CANCUN
We arrange flights from Cancun to Havana that include the Cuban Tourist Card.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Not Included in the Tour
- International Flights
- Visa and passport fees
- Insurance (Travel Medical Insurance is required to participate on the tour)
- All meals (except for 14 breakfasts)
- Drinks
- Tips
- Optional activities/day-tours/excursions
- Departure taxes (25CUC/person) and excess baggage fees
Spending Money
We estimate you will need between US$650 and US$900 for local expenses during the tour, such food and optional activities (but not including the Local Payment!). Click here to see details of expenses you will have while on the tour in Cuba.
