- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Group Size: Minimum 2 / Maximum 12 / Average 7
- Accommodation: Twin-share. 2 nights simple hotels, 5 nights homestays
- Transport: Local bus, private mini-bus, taxi
- Inclusions: 7 breakfasts, local guide throughout
Departures with Special Events
- Dec 27 to Jan 3 - New Year's Eve in Havana. This tour will run in the reverse direction and the night of Day 5 will be in Havana to celebrate the festivities in Havana for New Year's Eve, which include live outdoor concerts.
Itinerary Summary
- Day 1 - Arrival Day Havana
- Day 2,3 - Vinales - via Soroa
- Day 4 - Santa Clara
- Day 5,6 - Trinidad
- Day 7 - Havana - via Cienfuegos and Bay of Pigs
- Day 8 - Departure Day
Notes - 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 splendorously 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 Vinales - via Soroa
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 with
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 Santa Clara – 4.5 hours
- Santa Clara to Trinidad – 3 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 Hotel Havana
Hotel Colina
Calle L e/ 25 y 27
Vedado, Havana
Tel/Fax: + 537-836-4071
The hotel is centrally situated in Havana’s vibrant district of Vedado just down the road from the Hotel Havana Libre, which was formerly the Havana Hilton. It is diagonally opposite the University of Havana and 2 blocks from Vedado’s central park and Cuba’s largest ice-cream palour - La Coppelia. Vedado is also known as “New Havana” as many of Havana’s newer hotels, business and government offices, restaurants, and bars are found there. The hotel is also just a few blocks from the Malecon, which is the scenic walkway along the bay of Havana and a thriving centre of Havana social life.
Extra Accommodation
If you require extra accommodation at the joining hotel in Havana before or after the tour, you can book this on the booking form when you sign up for the tour. Current prices per night are:
If you require extra accommodation at the joining hotel in Havana before or after the tour, you can book this on the - Single room - US$45
- Double or matrimonial room - US$65
- Triple room - US$85
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$175. This is payable along with your payment for the tour.
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 and excess baggage fees
Spending Money
We estimate you will need between US$350 and US$550 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.
