Cuba Discovery
11 Days - Departs daily
Take a trip back in time in Cuba, the jewel of the Caribbean. Set apart from the rest of the world since a Communist government took power, Cuba offers much more than its sublime unspoilt beaches. Discover the faded grandeur of Havana, the hills of Viñales Valley, Cienfuegos and historic Trinidad with its alluring town centre. Top off your journey with several days to relax on white sand beaches and enjoy the sounds of Cuban music and salsa throughout the night.
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Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the cobbled streets and fabulous colonial architecture of Havana Vieja.
- Ride in a classic American car around the modern part of Havana.
- Learn about Cuba’s turbulent history, and in particular it’s revolutionary hero Che Guevara.
- Enjoy some free time relaxing at several of Cuba’s sublime Caribbean beaches.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Cienfuegos.
- Drive through the picturesque country town of Viñales, passing classic cars and horse drawn carts.
- Travel with your own personal driver guide, a local who speaks good English and will be able to adapt your holiday to your preferences.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Havana
- Day 2: Old & New Tour City Tour
- Day 3: Havana to Vinales
- Day 4: Cayo Levisa Excursion
- Day 5: Vinales - Bay of Pigs - Cienfuegos
- Day 6: Travel to Trinidad
- Day 7: Trinidad day at leisure
- Day 8: Trinidad to Cayo Santa Maria
- Day 9: Cayo Santa Maria day at leisure
- Day 10: Cayo Santa Maria day at leisure
- Day 11: Cayo Santa Maria to Havana
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Extend your trip to combine and explore amazing Mexico: Best of Mexico & Cuba
- Extend a few days in Cuba to visit Camaguey and Santiago: A Journey through Cuba
Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in a classic American car.
Havana, Cuba's colourful capital, is like no other place on earth. The minute you step outside the airport you will know exactly what we are talking about - the classic American cars, the cobbled streets, the fading, peeling paintwork, we guarantee that Havana will be one of the major highlights of your adventure.
Old & New Tour City Tour
Today you will get acquainted with Cuba's capital city by taking a guided walking tour through the crumbling splendour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed site, Habana Vieja (Old Havana). Wars and revolution have done little to damage its heritage, making it one of the finest examples of a Spanish colonial city anywhere in the Americas.
You will first enjoy a short walking tour around Old Havana including its most important squares and fortresses. You will then be picked up at the Plaza de Armas in your chauffeur-driven, classic American car for a scenic drive along the Malecón seafront to the elegant suburb of Miramar with a stop at Revolution Square. Finally we include a traditional Cuban lunch, a visit to the Ernest Hemingway museum and drop you off at your hotel.
This evening is at your leisure. You might want to consider taking in a cabaret show at Havana's famous Tropicana nightclub, which boasts more than two hundred performers, a fabulous orchestra and astonishing acrobatic feats.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Havana to Vinales
Today we'll travel into the Pinar del Rio province in the west of Cuba, and to the small town of Viñales, which possesses some of Cuba's most dramatic landscapes and is the world's best tobacco growing region. This beautiful, fertile valley is surrounded by unusual limestone outcrops known as ‘Mogotes'. A visit here is a great way of gaining an insight into rural Cuban life.
In transit from Havana, you will enjoy a visit to a working tobacco farm where you will learn about the lifestyle of local peasants as well as about the growing of tobacco. In Viñales, we include a visit to the ‘Mural de Prehistorica' where a history of evolution is painted in bright colours on the side of a Mogote and an underground boat ride in the ‘Cueva del Indio', one of Viñales many fascinating caves.
The afternoon is at your leisure and you'll find an abundance of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast such as horse riding and hiking.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Cayo Levisa Excursion
This morning you will be transferred to Palma Rubia to board a boat to Cayo Levisa which is not accessible by car. You have all day to enjoy mojitos and piña coladas on the beautiful beaches before returning to Vinales around 5 pm.
Day trip to relax at one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba. Early in the morning (8:00 h) until Palma Rubia. Continuation with a small boat to the island Cayo Levisa, once a popular fishing zone of Hemingway. Relax at the beautiful sandy beach or go on a snorkeling excursion (optional) or just enjoy the Caribbean scenery.
In the late afternoon back to Vinales or spend the day at the Finca Lechuza. Next to a refreshing bank river there is this idyllic place to take a bath and a rustic restaurant.
Breakfast included.
Vinales - Bay of Pigs - Cienfuegos
This morning we transfer you to Cienfuegos, approximately an 5 hour drive southeast. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to stop whenever you would like and there are several spectacular Caribbean beaches where you might like to enjoy a swim. Another stop will be at the historic Bay of Pigs where you’ll see the actual place where US forces landed during the 1961 invasion of Cuba as well as visiting a fascinating museum about the invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Australian's may be interested to stop in a small town along the way called Australia. On arrival in Cienfuegos you will check into your hotel, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant (own expense).
After lunch, your guide will take you on a walking tour of this laid back maritime city, known as the 'Pearl of the South', due to its lovely location on a picturesque Caribbean bay. Walk through the city’s well preserved colonial centre and learn about its proud musical tradition and its famous musicians, like Benny More.
The evening is at your leisure. We recommend relaxing in your hotel pool or enjoying a drink on the rooftop terrace, which offers unsurpassed views of the city.
Breakfast included.
Travel to Trinidad
This morning we'll transfer you to the town of Trinidad, which is often referred to as the Soul of Cuba.
On arrival, we'll include a walking tour of the main sights of the city. The city was founded in 1514 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez and became a major centre for trading sugar and slaves for almost two hundred years. The wealth generated by the landowners during this region's dark past is reflected by the well restored colonial architecture found in Trinidad's colonial centre, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
After further walking the cobble stoned colonial heart of Trinidad, you should consider a drive out to Playa Ancón for beach time and perhaps even some scuba diving. Tonight we recommend you check out Casa de la Musica for some salsa dancing, before heading to the Disco Ayala, set in a cave and dinner in the private restaurant ‘Sol Ananda’ or ‘La Cubita’.
Breakfast included.
Day at Leisure
Discover Trinidad and its surroundings (transport and guide at disposition).
Recommendation: Dinner at the Paladar ‘Sol Ananda‘ or ‘La Cubita‘.
Breakfast included.
Trinidad to Cayo Santa Maria
Today we will transfer you to Cayo Santa Maria, an island paradise on the northern coast of Cuba where you will spend four days relaxing on its long, powder-white sand beaches lapped by warm, blue water.
Along the way, we'll stop in the city of Santa Clara, a key location in the history of the Revolution. We visit three key historical sites, including the massive Che Guevara monument and mausoleum (closed on Mondays), his final resting place.
Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Breakfast included.
At Leisure
Spend some leisure time with all meals and drinks included at your hotel.
Cayo Santa Maria offers a secluded beach setting and one of the country's best kept secrets. With only seven resorts and no towns it remains largely development-free, and with more than 50kms of spectacular beaches is the perfect option if you prefer to lay back and relax on hammocks or beach chairs. The waters around the bays offer a variety of activities, including snorkelling, diving, sports fishing and even bird watching. You can find nearly two hundred species of birds here such as herons, ibis, pelicans, cormorants and oystercatchers.
Breakfast included.
At Leisure
Spend some leisure time with all meals and drinks included at your hotel.
Cayo Santa Maria offers a secluded beach setting and one of the country's best kept secrets. With only seven resorts and no towns it remains largely development-free, and with more than 50kms of spectacular beaches is the perfect option if you prefer to lay back and relax on hammocks or beach chairs. The waters around the bays offer a variety of activities, including snorkelling, diving, sports fishing and even bird watching. You can find nearly two hundred species of birds here such as herons, ibis, pelicans, cormorants and oystercatchers.
Breakfast included.
Cayo Santa Maria to Havana
A representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Havana airport for your departure flight.
The drive will take approximately four hours, so if your flight is an early departure we will need to reduce your stay in Cayo Santa Maria by one night and replace this with a night in Havana.
Breakfast included.
Comfort
Havana, Cuba - Casa Boutique Animas y Virtudes
Vinales, Cuba - Casa Villa Fernan2
Cienfuegos, Cuba - Cienfuegos - Casa Particular
Trinidad, Cuba - Casa Martica y Jose
Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba - Melia Santa Maria
Superior
Havana, Cuba - Hotel Mystique Regis Habana
Vinales, Cuba - Casa Hostal Mis Cumbres
Cienfuegos, Cuba - Hotel Perla del Mar
Trinidad, Cuba - Casa Colonial
Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba - Hotel Royalton Cayo Santa Maria
Deluxe
Havana, Cuba - Gran Hotel Bristol La Habana
Vinales, Cuba - Casa Hostal Mis Cumbres
Cienfuegos, Cuba - Meliá San Carlos
Trinidad, Cuba - Hotel Mystique Trinidad La Popa
Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba - Hotel Paradisus Los Cayos
Whats included?
- Accommodation with private facilities
- 3 nights in an all-inclusive-resort in Cayo Santa Maria
- Hotel taxes
- Entrance fees
- Private tours with English-speaking guides
- Transfers
- Meals as specified.
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Travel insurance
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Cuban tourist card
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
- Hotel rates are based on lead-in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.
- For a small surcharge we can assist with organising your Cuba Tourist Card (visa).
- Accommodation: A Casa Particular means private home stays in Cuba, very similar to Bed & Breakfast.