1. Home
  2. Central America
  3. Cuba
  4. Essential Cuba
Days
9
Price from
1950EUR
Map of Essential Cuba including Cuba

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
70 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • 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

  • Discover the history of the Cuban Revolution. In Santa Clara you will visit the memorials dedicated to revolutionary hero, Ernesto Che Guevara

  • A walking tour of Havana helps you to understand the difference between country and city life in Cuba

  • Take in the colours and smells of the plants in Soroa, the valley known as the 'Rainbow of Cuba'

  • Stroll along the rural dirt roads of lovely Vinales as tractors, vintage cars and horse-drawn carriages pass by

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Funds can be difficult to access in Cuba. Ideally bring multiple credit cards from several different banks just to be sure.

  • Internet in Cuba can be scarce, unreliable and expensive. Treat this trip as a holiday from emails and social media.

  • 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.

Trinidad, Cuba
cuba_havana_cienfuegos-street-sunset
cuba havana group car ride
cuba_vinales_local-tobacco-farm
Trinidad, Cuba
Man playing guitar in Trinidad, Cuba
El Capitolio, Havana

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Bienvenido a Cuba! Welcome to Cuba! Arrive at Havana's Jose Marti International airport, where you'll be transferred to your hotel. Please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised. There will be a welcome meeting at approximately 6 pm 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).

This morning at 9 am you will be picked up from the infamous Hotel Nacional to see outer-Havana in a convoy of classic American vintage cars that cruises via points of intrerest such as the Malecon, Revolucion Square, Vedado and ending in Old Havana. Next, your leader will take you on a walking tour of the lovely Old Havana (approximately 2.5 hours). Go to the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. 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 - American Vintage Car Tour
  • Havana - Revolution Square
  • Havana - Leader-led Walking Tour of Old Havana
Optional Activities
  • Havana - Jose Marti Memorial Tower - CUC2
  • Havana - Revolution museum - CUC5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning drive west to Soroa (one hour) to tour the beautiful orchid garden. A local expert will take you on a private tour of the gardens to identify the bird and plant species of this diverse area (approximately 45 minutes). You will easily see why the valley is known as the rainbow of Cuba. 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
  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Soroa - Orchid Garden with Local Flora Expert (Entrance fee and Guide included)
  • Vinales - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
Optional Activities
  • Vinales - Live Music Venues (Entrance fee) - Subject to change depending on the performer - CUC2
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

At 9 am go on a guided walk through the farm lands of Vinales (approximately 3 hours), which you'll soon see is home to some extraordinary scenery – some of Cuba's best. Learn more about the tobacco industry and see a farmer whip a world class cigar in seconds. Take some time to find a local place for lunch, then regroup around 4.30 pm 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
  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vinales - Half-day Valley Walking Tour including Tobacco Farmhouse (Guide included)
  • Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour)
  • Vinales - Farm to Table Dinner at an Eco-friendly Ranch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Prepare for a long travel day as you board the comfortable bus at 8am towards Cienfuegos. Drive back through Havana before stopping in the Bay of Pigs for lunch (approximately 5 hours). After lunch, go for a dip in the crystal clear water or simply sit back and try to imagine the battle played out in this monumental bay. Ask your leader for insight into the botched USA 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 Jagua or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bay of Pigs - Coastal Swim Stop
  • Cienfuegos - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (Entrance fee)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Enjoy a free morning to explore. Then complete the two hour drive to Trindad. During a guided walk of the town (1 hour), take in its eye-catching combination of cobblestone streets, colourful houses and old-fashioned locals. It's a great town to explore on foot, and almost every scene offers superb photographic opportunities – from residents relaxing with huge cigars on their doorsteps to old Chevrolets cruising by. 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 - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Trinidad - Dinner at a Typical Farmhouse
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today is a free day in Trinidad. For some beachside fun and perhaps a little snorkelling, head down to Playa Ancon. Just be careful you don't stand on a sea urchin. At some point while you're here, a great activity is to go to a folklore show at one of the town's numerous open-air venues. Cuba has a rich and varied music and dance tradition that draws roots from Spain, Africa and France, and this is your chance to experience it all first-hand, from the Mambo to the rumba.
Accommodation
  • Premium Guesthouse (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Trinidad - Massage - CUC25
  • Trinidad - Bicycle rental (full day) - CUC5
  • Trinidad - Musical instrument lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion - per hour) - CUC10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Head inland to Santa Clara (approximately 1.5 hours) to lunch then visit the Che Guevara mausoleum. Here you'll see the statue of the iconic revolutionary leader looming. In the museum that accompanies the mausoleum, you'll find an intriguing spread of photos and other ephemera related to Che – letters, medical devices, firearms. 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 - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum
Optional Activities
  • Havana - Buena Vista Social Club - CUC30
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning as there are no activities planned for today. However, you are required to comply with the hotel's internal check-out rules, so please factor that into your plans.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel Feature stay (3 nights), Comfortable hotel (1 night), Premium Guesthouse (4 nights)

Included Activities

  • Havana - American Vintage Car Tour
  • Havana - Revolution Square
  • Havana - Leader-led Walking Tour of Old Havana
  • Soroa - Orchid Garden with Local Flora Expert (Entrance fee and Guide included)
  • Vinales - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Vinales - Half-day Valley Walking Tour including Tobacco Farmhouse (Guide included)
  • Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour)
  • Vinales - Farm to Table Dinner at an Eco-friendly Ranch
  • Bay of Pigs - Coastal Swim Stop
  • Cienfuegos - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (Entrance fee)
  • Trinidad - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Trinidad - Dinner at a Typical Farmhouse
  • Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum

Dates & availability

Trip search is unavailable.

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.

Prices may change, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

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 if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. 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 5 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.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Check Availability