US$ 1325
- Date: Dec 23 to Jan 2
- Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
- Group Size: Minimum 4 / Maximum 16
- Accommodation: Twin-share. 5 nights hotels, 5 nights homestays
- Transport: Local bus, private mini-bus, taxi
- Inclusions: New Year's Eve party in Havana, Remedios Festival, Bejucal Festival, Christmas Group dinner party, 10 breakfasts, local guide throughout
Suggestion: You can combine this tour with an Eastern Cuba Extension, or a Beach stay package.
Itinerary Summary
- Dec 23 - Arrival Day Havana
- Dec 24 - Remedios - evening at the Parrandas de Remedios Festival
- Dec 25 - Trinidad - via Santa Clara. Christmas group dinner party
- Dec 26,27 - Trinidad
- Dec 28 - Cienfuegos
- Dec 29,30 - Viñales - via Bay of Pigs
- Dec 31 - Havana - New Years Eve party
- Jan 1 - Havana - afternoon at the Charangas de Bejucal Festival
- Jan 2 - Departure Day
Description
Among other things, "Rumba" in Cuba means party, and this tour is the ideal way to party in Cuba over the festival period. It includes two of the island's most lively and traditional festivals (Remedios and Bejucal) and a special night in Havana for New Years Eve, with a spectacular outdoor dinner/show at the Cathedral Plaza. We also take you to some of our favourite, out-of-the-way destinations, but if you can handle more than a week of of non-stop immersion in Cuba's music, dance, and carnival spirit - this tour is definitely for you!
Itinerary Details
Dec 23 - 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 Dec 24 - Remedios
The Parrandas de Remdedios festival is the oldest and one of the most lively traditional festivals in Cuba. Anyone who
has seen it can tell you just how crazy it is! Our arrival coincides with the climax of the celebrations on Christmas Eve.
Celebrations include street parades with rumba percussion ensembles, music and verses, a float display and the very dramatic
fireworks competition. The festivities can get a bit hectic at street level, so you have the option of watching the action
from the roof top of our centrally located homestay.
From Havana, it’s about a 4.5 hour bus ride through the flat central region of Cuba,
where there are lots of citrus plantations. We stop on the way in Santa Clara,
to see the huge statue of Ernesto Ché Guevara, and to check out this small historically important
city.
The Dec 25,26,27 - Trinidad
Trinidad is famous for its beautiful historical town centre with cobblestone streets and many beautiful colonial buildings. Nearby is the Valley of the Sugar Mills 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 famous for its beautiful historical town centre with cobblestone streets and
many beautiful colonial buildings. Nearby is the Valley of the Sugar Mills 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. One of the best venues is a disco in a cave on a nearby hillside.
We include a special Christmas group dinner lovingly prepared by our homestay hosts.
Dec 28 - Cienfuegos
A couple of hours scenic drive along the Caribbean coast brings us to Cienfuegos, which is known in Cuba as La Perla del Sur ("the pearl of the south"). Its a French founded city with a wide Parisian-style boulevard and elegant colonnades, giving it a European flavor. There is an ambience to inspire Cuba’s most celebrate Son singer to write the words “Cienfuegos is the city I like best”. He was born nearby so I guess that helped. The spectacular peninsula that protects the bay is a great place to try the local public transport - horse carriage - and to stroll and meet the locals. Again, there is plenty of nightlife within a short walk of our centrally located accommodation.
A couple of hours scenic drive along the Caribbean coast brings us to Cienfuegos, which is known in Cuba as
La Perla del Sur ("the pearl of the south"). Its a French founded city with a wide Parisian-style boulevard
and elegant colonnades, giving it a European flavor. There is an ambience to inspire Cuba’s most celebrate Son singer to write the
words “Cienfuegos is the city I like best”. He was born nearby so I guess that helped. The spectacular peninsula that protects the
bay is a great place to try the local public transport - horse carriage - and to stroll and meet the locals.
Again, there is plenty of nightlife within a short walk of our centrally located accommodation.
Dec 29,30 Viñales
Its a day-long bus ride to Viñales. Enroute we drive along the Bay of Pigs, the scene of the
CIA backed military attack on Cuba's Revolution in 1961. We can stop at some great places for snorkelling including a beautiful cenote
(sinkhole). Upon reaching Viñales you find yourself surrounded by picturesque limestone pincushion hills
(“mogotes”). This small and culturally rich village, offers friendly and welcoming residents and wide
variety of outdoor activities. Exploring caves, hiking, biking, horseback riding or simply enjoying the views of the
valley and sprawling tobacco fields 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. The nightlife is very active in
this village with the local residents more than willing participants in dancing to the local live music.
Dec 31 - Havana
On our way back to Havana we will stop off at the mountain resort town of Soroa where you can check out the orquid garden, hike to a waterfall, or climb up a steep hill for a great view of the surrounding forrested area.
On our way back to Havana we will stop off at the mountain resort town of Soroa where you can check out the orquid garden,
hike to a waterfall, or climb up a steep hill for a great view of the surrounding forrested area.The setting for our New Year's Eve dinner/show is the impressive Cathedral Plaza in Old Havana. The only restaurant in the Square called El Patio brings all their tables outdoors and caters for 300 diners. Wine, champagne, beers and all sorts of spirits including the famous Habana Club rum are served plentifully and the food is a compilation of Cuban recipes. A purpose built stage hosts a spectacular Tropicana style outdoor music and dance show.
Jan 1 - Havana / Bejucal
You have the morning free to explore 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 a walking tour of the Old town with a local guide or to find your own adventure.
In the afternoon we head out to a small town within the Havana province - Bejucal - to catch the last day of Havana's oldest traditional festival - Las Charangas de Bejucal. The festival involves, street parades, percussion ensembles, and a float competition.
Jan 2 Departure
Today you are free to depart at anytime.
Summary of Travel Times
- Havana to Remedios – 4.5 hours
- Remedios to Trinidad – 3.5 hours
- Trinidad to Cienfuegos – 2 hours
- Cienfuegos to Viñales – 8 hours
- Viñales to Havana – 4 hours
Joining Hotel Havana
Hotel Nacional
Calle 21 y O, Vedado
Havana
Tel: +53(7)8363564
A grand and beautiful building with an elegant ambience. The Hotel Nacional is 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 internet facilities in its business centre. Current price 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.
Before the tour:
| Arrival Hotel - Hotel Nacional | 4 stars |
|---|
| Dates | Extra night Single | Extra night Twin | Extra night Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22-Dec to 02-Jan | US$128 | US$196 | US$285 |
| up to 21-Dec | US$84 | US$108 | US$156 |
After the tour:
| Departure Hotel - Hotel Victoria | 3 stars |
|---|
| Dates | Extra night Single | Extra night Twin |
|---|---|---|
| 02-Jan | US$62 | US$95 |
| from 03-Jan | US$47 | US$65 |
Click here to see other accommodation options for Havana before and after 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$285.
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 2 dinners and 10 breakfasts)
- Drinks
- Tips
- Optional activities/day-tours/excursions
- Departure taxes and excess baggage fees
Spending Money
We estimate you will need between US$450 and US$750 for local expenses during the tour, such food and optional activities. Click here to see details of expenses you will have while on the tour in Cuba.
