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Step back in time amongst the bewitching cities, towns and tobacco fields of Cuba
Cuba is one of the hottest travel destinations around and it is easy to see why. The country has a unique and colourful history that still dominates most aspects of Cuban life. Cuba is a Latin nation but it has a feel all of its own and on this short adventure, we experience many of these interesting facets. There's Havana, in all its faded glory, waiting to be explored. Few cities in the world can conjure up such emotions. Further on is the Vinales region, well known for its tobacco growing and cigar factories. On the south of the island is colonial Trinidad, where we can wander the cobblestone streets and listen to Cuban rhythms in the Casa de La Trova. Throughout our Cuban holiday we are able to trace the history of the Cuban Revolution and, in Santa Clara, its famed icon, Ernesto Che Guevara.
- Start
- Havana, Cuba
- Finish
- Havana, Cuba
- Destination
- Cuba
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PSTC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 233 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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On the south of the island you'll discover colonial Trinidad, where you can wander the cobblestone streets and listen to Cuban rhythms in the Casa de La Trova
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Discover the history of the Cuban Revolution. In Santa Clara you will visit the memorials dedicated to revolutionary hero, Ernesto Che Guevara
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A guided walking tour of Havana helps you to understand the difference between country and city life in Cuba
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Take in the colours and smells of the plants in Soroa, the valley known as the 'Rainbow of Cuba'
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Stroll along the rural dirt roads of lovely Vinales as tractors, vintage cars and horse-drawn carriages pass by
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Your 2-night Feature stay at Hotel Nacional in Havana which is considered a symbol of history, culture and Cuban identity.
Is this trip right for you?
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Hotels in Cuba are government-run, which means renovations are few and far between. As for the guesthouses (Casas) we use, they are much nicer than your average Cuban dwelling but keep in mind that each and every room is unique. That said, regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country.
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Funds can be difficult to access in Cuba. Ideally bring multiple credit cards from several different banks just to be sure.
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Luxuries such as air conditioning, and even toilet seats, are often scarce. Part of the experience here is learning to appreciate everyday Cuban resourcefulness.
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Internet in Cuba can be scarce, unreliable and expensive. Treat this trip as a holiday from emails and social media.
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Cuba is different, and that's a big part of its allure. Things don't always go according to plan, and many things don't work the same way as back home. Patience and good humour will go a long way in this beautiful destination.
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Itinerary
This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2019 - 31 December 2019
There will be a welcome meeting at approximately 6pm this evening. After checking in please look for a collection of folders opposite reception where companies can leave communication for their travellers. The folder should be named "Peregrine Adventures" and inside there will be a copy of the welcome letter for you to read.
The welcome letter will detail where the pre-tour briefing will take place. If by 5pm you cannot locate this letter then please ask reception, or ask to call our assistance line listed in the "Problems and emergency contact information" section of this document. Please come to this meeting with your passport, travel insurance and next of kin information. The briefing is usually followed by an optional group dinner.
As there's a great deal to do in Havana, we recommend staying a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, our reservations team will be happy to assist. If you arrive early, please note most activities in Cuba can only be booked through the tourist desk in the lobbies of the larger hotels or direct with the venue. Otherwise, there are plenty of good museums to check out, including the Museo de la Revolucion and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Accommodation
- Hotel Nacional or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts - CUC5
- Havana - Cigar factory tour - CUC12
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
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 Highlights (PSCMC).
Now that you are orientated in Old Havana you have the rest of the afternoon to lunch at leisure and explore futher. Your leader can assist you to take a taxi if you wish to return to the hotel
Accommodation
- Hotel Nacional or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Havana - Vintage American car tour
- Havana - Revolution Square
- Havana - Guided walking tour of Old Havana
Optional Activities
- Havana - Jose Marti Memorial Tower - CUC2
- Havana - Revolution museum - CUC5
Meals Included
- Breakfast
There will be time for lunch before continuing on to Vinales (1.5 hours), where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and limestone outcrops dot the landscape. Use this bus time to take part in an informal Spanish lesson so you can converse with the friendly locals throughout the rest of your trip.
Check in to the guesthouses, leaving enough time to undertake a quick orientation walk. Later, perhaps enjoy the porch rocking chair and soak up the slow, old-world pace of rural Cuba as oxen plod gracefully along the streets.
Accommodation
- Standard Guesthouse or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Soroa - Orchid garden tour with local expert
- Informal Spanish lesson with leader
- Vinales - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Vinales - Live music venues - CUC2
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
There are currently no Premium guesthouses in this area. Although for some rooms the size and aesthetic appears similar to a Premium standard, they for the most part do not meet our minimum requirements. Please see the accommodation section of this document for more information about what to expect.Take some time to find a local place for lunch, then regroup around 4:30pm to embrace the rhythm and learn a few steps in a salsa dancing class. Next, head to the top of the valley for dinner at an Eco-Farm. Everything is grown organically on the farm itself so get ready for one of the freshest dinner experiences in Cuba!
Accommodation
- Standard Guesthouse or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Vinales - Guided valley walking tour
- Vinales - Informal Salsa lesson
- Vinales - Ecological Farm Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
After lunch, go for a dip in the crystal clear water or simply sit back and try to imagine the battle, that you will soon learn about, played out in this monumental bay. From here you aren't far from the Giron Museum for insight into the botched US Military counter-revolutionary invasion in the Bay of Pigs.
Then it is just a short drive to Cienfuegos (approximately 1 hour), one of Cuba's prettiest coastal spots. Arrive some time after 5pm and take a short orientation walk before visiting the Palacio del Valle, Cienfuegos' architectural pride and joy. Its grandiose carvings in Venetian alabaster strike an impressive pose in this beautiful seaside city.
Accommodation
- Hotel Union or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Playa Giron - Museum Giron Entrance and Film
- Bay of Pigs - Visit & swim
- Cienfuegos - Orientation Walk
- Cienfuegos - Visit to the Palacio del Valle
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
In the evening take a trip out of town to a local house for a homely and festive dinner. Be welcomed with the local drink; Canchanchara made from 'fire water', local honey and lime juice. There will even be a musician or two serenading you and your fellow travellers as you dine.
Accommodation
- Premium Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
- Trinidad - Orientation walk
- Trinidad - Private dinner at a local farmhouse
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Premium Guesthouse (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Trinidad - Massage - CUC25
- Trinidad - Ancon beach shuttle bus - CUC4
- Trinidad - Bicycle rental (full day) - CUC5
- Trinidad - Musical instrument lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion - per hour) - CUC10
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Return to the capital (3 hours) for your final night to enjoy Havana.
Accommodation
- Hotel Nacional or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Santa Clara - Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum
Optional Activities
- Havana - Buena Vista Social Club - CUC30
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinnersTransport
Private vehicleAccommodation
Hotel Feature stay (3 nights), Comfortable Hotel (1 night), Standard Guesthouse (2 nights), Premium Guesthouse (2 nights)Included Activities
- Havana - Vintage American car tour
- Havana - Revolution Square
- Havana - Guided walking tour of Old Havana
- Soroa - Orchid garden tour with local expert
- Informal Spanish lesson with leader
- Vinales - Orientation Walk
- Vinales - Guided valley walking tour
- Vinales - Informal Salsa lesson
- Vinales - Ecological Farm Dinner
- Playa Giron - Museum Giron Entrance and Film
- Bay of Pigs - Visit & swim
- Cienfuegos - Orientation Walk
- Cienfuegos - Visit to the Palacio del Valle
- Trinidad - Orientation walk
- Trinidad - Private dinner at a local farmhouse
- Santa Clara - Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum
Reviews
Our Essential Cuba trips score an average of 4.62 out of 5 based on 233 reviews in the last year.
Essential Cuba , September 2018
Anna Page
GO to Cuba. It is the most wonderful , unique and beautiful countries we have travelled in. Safer than most countries in the world. Peregrine were excellent and our guide Will was simply the best.
Review submitted 26 Sep 2018
Essential Cuba , July 2018
Alana Langford
Essential Cuba was well organised with a very knowledgeable tour guide and very capable driver. There was long periods of travel between destinations but there was videos about local identities, history and movies about Cuba to fill in the time. We had a fabulous trip.
Review submitted 03 Sep 2018
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Essential Cuba trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available for purchase on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
4. Please advise bedding configuration requests to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
5. A visa or tourist card, organised prior to arrival, is required for all nationalities visiting Cuba.
6. The Cuban government has declared that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers. Proof of insurance may be requested at Havana Airport by immigration officials.
7. There are unprecedented changes happening in Cuba right now. It is an exciting time but it also means some patience and understanding is required for the heightened demand of infrastructure, accommodation and services. To help set your expectations correctly, please read the ‘Is this trip right for you?’ and ‘Joining point description’ sections in the Essential Trip Information Document.
8. Hurricane season in this region is June to November, when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services can occur. Peregrine Adventures monitors any situations that arise, and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to these natural weather occurrences.