Itinerary

Day 1: Havana

Welcome to Cuba! Bienvenido a Cuba!

Arrive at Havana’s Jose Marti International airport, where you’ll be transferred to your guesthouse. Your arrival transfer must be pre-booked. Please ensure you provide your arrival flight details at least 15 days before the start of the trip.

In the evening, at approximately 6pm, you will meet your leader and the other members of your group for a pre-tour briefing. Please expect a letter or a phone call on Day 1 from your leader to confirm the time and place of your meeting. Please come to this meeting with your passport, travel insurance and next of kin information. The briefing is generally followed by a welcome dinner.

Accommodation
Deluxe Guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities
Havana – Morro Castle – CUC3
Havana – La Cabana Fortress canon blast ceremony – CUC8
Havana – Buena Vista Social Club – CUC30

Meals Included
Dinner
Special Information
A complimentary transfer is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised. The transfer driver will have the address of your Guesthouse. Please see “Joining instructions” for more information about exiting the arrivals hall and connecting with your arrival transfer driver.

Some departures of this trip are part of a combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may have started their trip 15 days ago in Mexico city on Mexico & Cuba in depth (PSMBC), or in San Jose on Costa Rica & Cuba (PSCRC), or in El Tunco on Central America Revealed (PSMEC).

Day 2: Havana

This morning your leader will take you on a walking tour of the lovely Old Havana. You’ll go to the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. Your entry fee to the Camera Obscura lookout at Plaza Vieja is included. After an optional group lunch you will participate in an informal Spanish lesson. Then, jump in classic american style cars for a Havana city tour (1 hour urban adventure) that cruises via points of intrerest such as the Malecon, Revolucion Square and ending in the suburb of Vedado to drop you at the infamous Hotel Nacional. Your leader will take you around the historic grounds and the photo wall of fame. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for your own exploration.

Accommodation
Deluxe Guesthouse or Similar (1 night)

Included Activities
Havana – Guided walking tour of Old Havana
Havana – Camera Obscura entrance
Havana – Informal Spanish Lesson
Havana – Vintage American car tour
Havana – Visit to Plaza de la Revolucion
Havana – Visit to Hotel Nacional

Optional Activities
Havana – José Martí Memorial Tower – CUC2

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 3: Santiago de Cuba

Take a flight to the opposite end of the island and Santiago de Cuba. Santiago is the hottest place in Cuba – both with respect to the temperature and the atmosphere! In the evening get a slice of real Cuban life with dinner in a very humble average Cuban home. Here you will sample local food on the beautifully decorated patio of a simple family home. listening to a local Cuban band, maybe dancing, or just sitting in the rocking chairs and watching the neighbours go about their business as evening falls. This is a home far from the touristic centre of town and a place where foreigners do not visit, so it’s a very authentic look at regular Cuban life.

Included Activities
Santiago – Dinner in a Casa Urbana

Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 4: Santiago de Cuba

Today your leader will take you on a three-hour city tour of Santiago. You’ll visit El Morro Castle, Ifigenia cemetery and the Moncada barracks. For nearly a century, the city was the island’s seat of power. As well as being the ‘cradle’ of the revolution, Santiago has a large Afro-Cuban population and a vibrant music scene. It is the home of son music, which is a mix of Spanish guitar and African percussion. This is great place for even the shyest dancer to learn some salsa moves. Santiago’s half million residents are proud of their cultural traditions, so you’ll find many museums and cultural clubs around the city. The city is also famous for its energetic Carnaval celebrations and its lively Festival of Caribbean Culture.

Included Activities
Santiago de Cuba – half day city tour

Optional Activities
Santiago – Dance lesson (1 hour) – CUC15
Santiago – Entrance to La Gran Piedra Mountain – CUC1

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 5: Camaguey

Today, head west along the Carretera Central to Camaguey. Today is the longest travel day of the trip. Depending on how many stops are made, this usually takes six to seven hours but it will be broken up with a walk around Bayamo.
Despite its size, Cuba’s third largest city has managed to retain much of its colonial heritage. Exploring the city’s winding streets is half the fun. The city was planned in a deliberately confusing pattern to disorient any would-be assailants. As you walk through the city you may still see tinajones – large clay pots used for collecting water. On your explorations, stop by the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad to see its baroque frescoes. Camaguey has a rich tradition of cultural and technological leadership within Cuba. It is the birthplace of poet laureate Nicolas Guillen and home of the Ballet de Camaguey. Cuba’s first radio and television emissions were broadcast from Camaguey, and the country’s first airport and commercial flights were planned and executed here.

Accommodation
Premium Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities
Bayamo – Orientation Walk
Camaguey – Orientation Tour

Meals Included
Breakfast

Day 6: Camaguey

Today you’ll take a tour of Camaguey by bicycle taxi. Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cuba, and bicycle taxis are very common. In the confusing streets of Camaguey, it’s a particularly good way to get around. On the tour, you’ll visit a local market, parks, plazas and an art gallery. Each taxi carries two passengers and the tour is led by an English-speaking local guide. Your leader may suggest visiting a local farmers’ market, where you’ll get a fascinating insight into daily Cuban life and the local economy. This is where farmers can sell their produce after meeting the quota they have to sell to the state. Camaguey’s is a particularly busy and colourful market. There are separate areas for produce sold by the state and produce sold by farmers directly to the public. There are plenty of interesting tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs available. This is where the locals come to buy their food once their monthly food ration runs out. Then you will take a a marvellous tour of the famous ballet school in Camaguey, the precursor to the National Scool of Ballet. From here the majority of dancers go onto the National Ballet company or other large national and international dance companies. Meet some of the important people who keep this school running: the directors, the dancers (we can sit in on a rehearsal) the seamstresses, the shoe makers, the costume designers – it takes a large team of people to keep the ballet school operating. As it is not possible to purchase things such as ballet shoes in Cuba, everything for the ballet school is made on the premises. This is a truly fascinating experience.

Accommodation
Premium Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities
Camaguey – Bicycle taxi city tour
Camaguey – Ballet school tour

Optional Activities
Camaguey – Casa de la Trova – CUC3

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7: Ciego de Avila / Trinidad

Today travel through the centre of the country to Trinidad (approximately 5-6 hours), which sits on the scenic Caribbean coast. Stop on the way at Ciego de Avila to visit a well-known local gallery. The Pauyet group was founded by Víctor Rafael Blanco Montaño in 1998 and showcases sculptures made with silver cutlery peices. Enjoy a guided tour of the gallery with one of the artists. You will be encouraged to ask questions about their own art and Cuban art in general. Continue on to Trinidad – for many visitors to Cuba, this is a standout destination. No other colonial city in Cuba is as well preserved, and the local residents are extremely friendly and festive. Trinidad is steeped in religion, including the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, which has connections to Voodoo. You’ll have over two days to explore the area and soak up the atmosphere.

Accommodation
Premium Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities
Ciego de Avila – Pauyet Gallery Visit

Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch

Special Information
Today’s included lunch will be a packed lunch prepared by a guesthouse in Camaguey. It will include a sandwich, drink and a snack or piece of fruit.

Day 8: Trinidad

There’s no doubt that this is one of Cuba’s most alluring destinations – a great place to wander around, with almost every scene offering a photo opportunity. Watch as locals casually smoke their huge cigars on the doorsteps of their homes, and hear the old Chevrolets rumbling by. Start with an orientation walk today, see the former wealth generated by the sugar industry in the town’s once-grand mansions, colourful public buildings, wrought iron grill-work and cobble-stoned streets. In the afternoon, dive into the sultry rhythms of Trinidad with an informal salsa class.

Accommodation
Premium Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities
Trinidad – Orientation walk
Trinidad – Santeria Priest Visit
Trinidad – Informal Salsa Dance Lesson

Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 9: Trinidad

Take a final day to explore Trinidad and the surrounding area. Spend it snorkelling and swimming at Playa Ancon (just watch carefully for sea urchins, which can be a problem here), or simply wandering the cobblestoned streets in town and photograph some of the colourful buildings. No other colonial city in Cuba is so well preserved, and the local residents are very friendly. At some point while you’re here, why not take in a folklore show at one of the town’s numerous open-air venues. Cuba has a hugely rich and varied dance and musical tradition that draws its roots from Africa and France. Many styles that have greatly influenced music worldwide originated in Cuba, such as Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, son and rumba.

Accommodation
Premium Guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities
Trinidad – Trek to El Nicho Waterfall (taxi, entrance fee & guide) – CUC27
Trinidad – Ancon beach shuttle bus – CUC4
Trinidad – Traditional Cuban Dance Show – Free
Trinidad – Train ride (Steam train replica with electric engine) – CUC10
Trinidad – Snorkelling trip – CUC15
Trinidad – Cayo Blanco island catamaran cruise – CUC45
Trinidad – Disco in a cave – CUC5
Trinidad – Bicycle rental (full day) – CUC5
Trinidad – Live music venues – CUC5
Trinidad – Massage – CUC25

Meals Included
Breakfast

Day 10: Santa Clara / Cienfuegos

On the way to Cienfuegos today, you’ll drive north through the Topes de Collantes National Park to the final resting place of Cuba’s most famous son. In Santa Clara (approximately 1 hour), you’ll visit the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. Che’s remains were brought here after they were found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the CIA-backed Bolivian army. Here you’ll get a rare insight into the legacy of the revolutionary leader, with some interesting ephemera and artefacts on display – letters, firearms, even medical devices. Then it’s a short drive south (approximately 1.5 hours) to Cienfuegos, known affectionately as ‘The Pearl of the South’. have a short orientation of this port town who’s unique culture is attributed its ancestry as a French enclave. The final stop for the day is the Palacio del Valle where you will hopefully get to rest with a drink while watching the sunset descend into the ocean from the rooftop bar, before checking in to your accommodation for the night.

Accommodation
Hotel Union or Similar (1 night)

Included Activities
Santa Clara – Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum
Cienfuegos – Orientation Walk
Cienfuegos – Visit to the Palacio del Valle

Meals Included
Breakfast

Day 11: Havana

Perhaps rise early to walk along the promenade or stroll alongside the broad colonnaded avenues. On the way back to Havana today, you’ll stop at the peaceful sandy arc of either Playa Giron or Playa Larga (approximately 2.5 hours), which sits on the eastern side of the Bahia de Cochinos, better known as the Bay of Pigs. It was famously here that the CIA sponsored a failed invasion by exile forces in 1961. Today you’ll discover the story of the Cuban victory at the Museo Giron, which holds displays of various military equipment and photos of the men who fought here. It’s not just the history that’s the attraction here – with crystal clear Caribbean waters, a deep underwater wall, and an outstanding variety of coral and fish, it’s a lovely place for a swim. There are beach-side restaurants that provide a perfect opportunity to reflect on the history that took place here while enjoying an included lunch. Return to Havana for the evening.

Accommodation
Deluxe Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities
Playa Giron – Museum Giron Entrance and Film
Bay of Pigs – Visit & swim

Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 12: Havana / Vinales / Havana

Take a day trip to another province, beautiful Pinar del Rio. On the way out of Havana, stop by the neighbourhood of Jaimanitas, also known as Fusterlandia. The artist Jose Fuster has brightened up the area by rebuilding and decorating over 80 houses (including his own) with ornate murals and domes. The project includes a park with giant chess boards and an Artists’ Wall, which has been compared to Antonio Gaudi’s mosaic wall in Barcelona. Unfortunately there isn’t time to enter Fuster’s house but the area is still well worth a visit. Continue on to Vinales, where tobacco and agricultural fields lie side by side and limestone outcrops dot the landscape. This is some of Cuba’s best scenery. Enjoy a walking tour of the verdant farmlands for an insight into rural life and see the tobacco destined for the most expensive cigars. Dine at an organic eco-farm for lunch with sweeping views over the valley. Spend the afternoon here before returning to Havana.

Accommodation
Deluxe Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities
Havana – Visit to Jaimanitas
Vinales – Guided valley walking tour

Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 13: Havana
Today is departure day. As there are no activities planned for today, you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. Check-out time from the guesthouse is by 10am.

Optional Activities
Havana – The Cigar Trail Tour – CUC60
Havana – Tourist bus day pass – CUC5
Havana – Ernest Hemingway tour – CUC70
Havana – Cigar factory tour – CUC12

Meals Included
Breakfast