US$ 545 + 200 CUC Local Payment
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Group Size: Minimum 2 / Maximum 12 / Average 7
- Accommodation: Twin-share. 2 nights Hotel Nacional, 5 nights homestays
- Transport: Local bus, private mini-bus, taxi
- Activities included: Walking tour of Old Havana
- Other Inclusions: 7 breakfasts, local guide throughout
Suggestion: You can combine this tour with an Eastern Cuba Extension, or a Beach stay package.
Departures with Special Events
- April 01 to 08, 2012 - Way of the Cross Procession - Trinidad
- Dec 23 to 30 - 2012, Remedios Christmas Festival - Remedios. On Christmas Eve we will visit the small village of Remedios to join in on the Christmas Parrandas. The tour will run in the reverse direction, and instead of staying in Cienfuegos on Day 4, it will stay in Santa Clara on Day 2.
Itinerary Summary
- Day 1 - Arrival Day Havana
- Day 2,3 - Viñales - via Soroa
- Day 4 - Santa Clara
- Day 5,6 - Trinidad
- Day 7 - Havana - via Cienfuegos and Bay of Pigs
- Day 8 - 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.
Description
If your time is limited, this 8 day tour of Cuba an ideal way to sample some of the best of Cuba - the bustling and vibrant Havana, the historic Santa Clara, and the enchanting and rural sides of Cuba - with stays in Trinidad and Vinales. These two places are common favourites for travellers who have come to Cuba seeking authentic cultural experiences. While Trinidad presents us with beautiful white sand beaches, colonial architecture, waterfalls, and a charming village atmosphere, Vinales offers stunning mountainous scenery, sprawling tobacco fields and friendly locals. A local Cuban tour guide accompanies the group throughout, and accommodation is nearly entirely in the homes of Cuban families.
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. One of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Adventure among the splendorous crumbling architecture of the streets of old Havana and sit on the famous sea wall (El Malecon) to take in the view and some fresh air, and to socialize with the colourful and friendly 'Habaneros'
.
Day 2,3 Viñales - via Soroa
Before departing the city, we do a guided walking tour of the historic centre of Havana (approx 2 hours). Surrounded by picturesque limestone pincushion hills (“mogotes”), Vinales is a small and culturally rich village, with friendly and welcoming residents and wide variety of outdoor activities available. This is where you will get your first experience staying in the house of a
Cuban family. Exploring caves,, hiking, biking, horseback riding or simply enjoying the views of the valley and sprawling tobacco fields below are all options. Vinales is one of the more agriculturally productive areas, so an abundance of local seasonal fruit and vegetables is always on offer such as enormous avocados and mangoes, pineapples, papaya, guava, and a several varieties of sweet potatoes. Its one of the cooler areas of Cuba, so its also a nice escape from the hotter parts of the country. The nightlife is very active in this village with the local residents more than willing participants in dancing to the local live music.
From Havana to Vinales its about a 3 hour drive, and on the way we usually stop for lunch at the mountain resort town of Soroa. There are quite a few attractions around this heavily forested area including a short trek to a waterfall, a steep walk to a lookout, a very impressive orchid garden.
Day 4 Santa Clara
We head east along the island past Havana, to Santa Clara, a key city in the Cuban Revolution.
It’s about a 7 hour bus ride through the flat central region of Cuba,
where there are lots of citrus plantations. Upon entering Santa Clara,
there is a huge statue of Ernesto Ché Guevara, to commemorate
his death and that of the revolutionaries who died along
with him in Bolivia. There is also a museum here dedicated to his amazing
life
You’ll have time in the evening to check out this small city. 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.
Day 5,6 Trinidad
Its only about 2 or 3 hours drive to from Santa Clara to Trinidad but we make the most of the beautiful journey through the Sierra del Escambray mountains by stopping along the way. The Escambray mountains are famous for producing the best coffee in Cuba and you’ll get the chance to try some either at a farmer’s house or a small coffee museum. We also stop at the village of Manicaragua where you have the chance to tour a tobacco factory, and for lunch at a farmer’s house next to a beautiful mountain stream. Our last stop is at a lookout where we get our first view of the Caribbean Sea.
For most visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is their standout favourite destination (well, for the ones that make it this far anyway). No other colonial city in Cuba is so well preserved, and the local residents are extremely friendly and festive. Trinidad is steeped in religiosity, none the least of which is Santeria and other Afro-Cuban religions that are related to Voodoo. The thing however that visitors most love about Trinidad is the nightlife. There are no less than 10 live music venues all within a short walking distance. Many of these have lovely outdoor settings, in courtyards, and within the walls of old colonial ruins.
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.
Day 7 Havana - via Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs
We head back to Havana via the French founded city of Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs. Cubans are known to be very proud people, and the citizens of Cienfuegos, call their town La Perla del Sur (the pearl of the south). 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”.
Beyond Cienfuegos we travel along the picturesque Bay of Pigs past the site where the landing of counter-revolutionary exile militia occured in 1961. Today there is a musuem there that recounts the events of this conflict which resulted in the first defeat of a U.S backed take-over in Latin America. After this you’ll have the chance to stop at a beautiful swimming hole which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank.
The scenery changes shortly afterwards to a densely vegetated swamp where the natural fauna includes boa snakes and crocodiles. We have the opportunity to visit a crocodile farm here at Guama.
We return to Havana for the final night of the tour. Havana is a big and bustling, and your tour guide will help you find the best parts of this unique city.
Day 8 Depart Havana
Today you are free to depart at anytime.
Summary of Travel Times
- Havana to Vinales – 3.5 hours
- Vinales to Santa Clara – 7 hours
- Santa Clara to Trinidad – 3 hours
- Trinidad to Havana – 6 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$245.
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 7 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$450 and US$600 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.
