Panoramic Cuba Vacation

When you arrive at Havana Jose Marti International Airport (HAV), your English-speaking guide and the driver will pick you up on time. The rest of today is free for you to either take a rest or explore around by yourself.

In this longest Cuba tour we offer, you will not only take in the most popular sides - rum, cigars, time-warping American vintage cars and colonial architecture, beaches, music and more - Cuba advertises itself about, but also delve into the hidden gems or aspects that would fill out your impression of the country.

As the itinerary shows, we will go to as remote as Baracoa at eastern tip of the island, and stop by important points of interests as we drive back towards Havana. One thing of note is that, as we will spend much time on road and sometimes through harsh road conditions, so you will want to make sure this tour is suitable for you. Speaking of the road conditions, they lack funds to be repaired because of Cuba’s bleak economic conditions, and it’s also because of this that people here are having a hard life, who live in dilapidated buildings, drink water that might get them the runs (you, too, should boil the water before using it), and, above all, still have to rely on the rationing system to survive. Check out “bodega” or state-owned shops, where people use the ration card to purchase limited rice, sugar, cooking oil, and other resources allocated by the government. Does it ring a bell to you? That’s the method the Soviet Union used to tide over the famine of the early 1930s. But there are sources saying the country is phasing out the system, as it is shaping itself towards a more market-oriented economy - let’s just hope Cuba will change for the better!

➤ Insider Tips on Currency Exchange
Since 2021, Cuba has made Cuban Peso (CUP) its sole official currency, with the exchange rate set to 1 USD = 120 CUP. But it’s not recommended you exchange money at state-run CADECAS offices, hotels, or banks. If you exchange from drivers, guides, or shops in Old Havana, which is what locals call the informal or black market, 1 US dollar would get you about 250 CUP.

Besides, in a cash-heavy country, you should pack enough cash. If you are accustomed to swiping your credit card, you should beware that only a few stores here in Cuba accept it, and even if you bump into one, you might find the card unreliable to use (note that the US bank-issued credit cards are not allowed to use here). Visa and MasterCard are also unstable. Tipping requires cash, too; usually 10% of the total bill would do.

Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana

This morning, the driver and the guide will take you to Old Havana for a walking tour. El Templete, the Greco-Roman church built to honor the founding of Havana, would be our starting point. From the church we will continue to Plaza de Armas, where you will find a lively second-hand book street market, as well as late 18th-century Baroque buildings like Palacio del Segundo Cabo and Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (an interior visit is included). Onwards to Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, a portal from the sea to inland Havana, to admire iconic sights of San Francisco de Asis Convent, the marble Los Leones Fountain, among others. Next, go to Plaza Vieja (Old Square) and indulge in the feast of colonial architecture. The last square on our agenda is Plaza de la Catedral, where Havana Cathedral awaits respectful visits.After a few minutes through the quaint alley of Empedrado, we will arrive at La Bodeguita del Medio for mojito, Ernest Hemingway’s favorite restaurant when he lived in Havana. We will then go along the Obispo Boulevard - a hotel where Hemingway stayed sits here - to see Grand Theater of Havana and National Capitol of Cuba. If today falls on a weekday, a tour around Partagás Cigar Factory is also included. Partagás is a top-notch cigar brand that rivals Cohiba and Montecristo. Established in 1845, it is known as “the strong coffee” among cigars and “the national treasure of Cuba”, with a taste of mud as its signature. Perhaps you will want to seize the chance to puff on one. For non-smokers, it’s also much fun to just learn how the cigars are rolled.

For lunch, how about trying Restaurante 5 Sentidos (at your own expense)? With both service and food receiving rave reviews, this small restaurant is a break from Cuba’s harsh culinary realities where food ingredients are generally wanting.

In the afternoon, we will take an American vintage car to travel around modern Havana. Those vintage cars, and the Spanish colonial buildings, are all iconic sights of Havana. Riding one of them to ply the streets, you will feel like traveling back to the first half of the last century. We will pass by landmarks of Morro Castle, University of Havana, Colón Cemetery, and Revolution Square. While out of Old Havana and onto the Malecón, it’s likely that the driver will speed the car up to 90 or 100km/h, in which case you should ask him to slow down. Although most components have been replaced with the new, the chassis and the body can’t belie their decades-old age. You should note that most these cars lack seatbelts, and the risk is even higher if you are in a convertible without a rooftop. So, go slow and safe. After the tour, we will send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana

Let’s get up early today for a full day’s fantastic tour! We will first drive to Havana’s outskirts to visit Fusterlandia, a wonderful Mosaic-laden neighborhood in Jaimanitas fishing village. Continue forwards to Viñales Valley and check out a cigar farm located here, where you will dig into Cuban cigars and learn things like how tobacco leaves are dried before being rolled. Pass by mogote hills, peasants, farmhouse, piggies, horses, and working oxen. Later, enjoy a garden-to-plate Cuban-style lunch at the organic farm Finca Agro-ecological El Paraiso, which takes 8.9 hectares (22 acres) and perches on a hilltop. You can eat at an outdoor dining table while commanding a view of the lush landscape around. An “anti-stress” cocktail will be served to start your home-cooked traditional Cuban lunch.

After lunch, you will first visit the prehistoric mysteries-filled Indian Cave, where a boat trip on the underground river is in store. Then, you will be taken to Mural de la Prehistoria, a giant mural on a side of the Mogote Pita, implying the early life that happened on this island. 120 meters (394 feet) long, it is regarded as one of the largest open-air paintings in the world. After the visiting, you will be transferred to the hotel.

For your self-paid dinner, you will find good food with good prices at Restaurante Bar Razones. How about relishing a big Cuban lobster, at a price much lower than in Havana?

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel E Central Vinales

After breakfast, we will drive back to Havana. Stop by the UNESCO-lauded eco-communities of Soroa and Las Terrazas. In Soroa, you will visit the Orchid Botanical Garden to appreciate orchid species collected from all over the world; then hike to a hilltop to climb Castillo de las Nubes Hotel for excellent mountain views. In Las Terrazas, first follow the guide to visit the Interpretation Center to learn about this place as a biosphere reserve project, and then check out La Moka Hotel, an abandoned French coffee plantation, and San Juan Lake. Later, get some caffeine from Cuban Coffee at Café de Maria. Cuban coffee, or Café Cubano, is deep roasted espresso with a strong, sweet taste – that seems to match the ardent Caribbean vibes, isn’t it? After the tour, continue back to Havana and check into the hotel to overnight.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana

In the morning, the driver will send you to the airport for your flight to Baracoa. After meeting you at the airport, your local guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Baracoa sits at the easternmost part of Cuba, bordered on the west by mountains and on the east by the sea. It’s not until in 1965 that this town was connected to other regions, by a mere road extended from Guantánamo. That’s why Baracoa remains somewhat isolated, and thus becomes a paradise for nature lovers. What’s more, do you know it’s the first city Columbus discovered of Cuba? After a short break at the hotel, we will take you to visit its Independencia Park. Located in the heart of Baracoa, it is a perfect place to observe and mingle in local life. Don’t be shy if you are invited to join them to dance salsa – as your body gets moved, your mind will also be set free! As the park is surrounded by live music bars and local-style restaurants, why not choose one for a Cuban-style lunch (at your own expense)?

After lunch time, your guide will take you to visit some buildings near the park, such as Municipal Museum of Fuerte Matachin and Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. What makes this cathedral special is the “Cruz de la Parra” it exhibits, which is said to be one of the marks Columbus left during his first sea voyage. As today’s tour finishes, you will be sent to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Rio Miel

Baracoa has many places to choose for outdoor excursions, and today your guide will take you to the famous Alejandro de Humboldt National Park for a two-hour hiking tour. Expect to meet native flora and fauna like Tocororo, the national bird of Cuba, and a diversity of ferns, with comments from your knowledgeable guide. You will hike along the Toa River, the biggest river in Cuba, and immerse in the ravishing waterscape. The rest of today is free and prepared for you to take time to unwind.

➤ Recommended Activities for Free Time:
If you love beach and have read about Baracoa, you must’ve heard about Playa Maguana. It’s the most beautiful beach one can find around Baracoa, with a location too remote to be touched by commercial pollution. After hours of trekking, what can be more relaxing than reclining on the beach or take a dip in the sea waters, perhaps with some snorkeling? But you should note that private restaurants here may charge unreasonably high prices, so you will want to eat at downtown Baracoa. You will also find many vendors on the beach, who might push you to buy their commodities if police is not around; if not interested, refuse them firmly or they will keep harassing you.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Rio Miel

After breakfast at the hotel, the driver and the guide will pick you up and head to Santiago de Cuba with a 4 hours’ drive (239 km). On the way, we will stop at Guantánamo City for a tour around its historical center. Martí Park and the pastel-yellow Guantánamo Cathedral sitting within are all highlights. After arrival in Santiago de Cuba and checking into the hotel, spend the rest of today as you like.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Iberostar Imperial

Santiago De Cuba has witnessed some monumental histories of Cuba or even the United States. For instance, the San Juan Hill we will check out was the site for a decisive battle during the Spanish-American War in 1898, and Moncada Barracks was the protagonist attacked by Fidel Castro in a history that preceded the Cuban Revolution. Other spots on our itinerary are Revolution Square, Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, and San Pedro de la Roca Castle. The Cemetery is honored by the grave of the freedom fighter and revolutionist José Martí, while the Castle offers a vantage point to overlook a harbor and the city.

Santiago de Cuba’s identity as “the cradle of light rum” is just as fascinating. This afternoon, we will head to El Caney, the hometown of rum and taste what classic Caney rum is like. We will also introduce you to the state-run cigar-selling branch Casa Del Habano. Later, watch local life while strolling through Céspedes Park in the city center; not far away is Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, which also awaits our exploration.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Iberostar Imperial

Today, we will drive 2.5 hours (127 km) to Bayamo. On the way, visit El Cobre Sanctuary. After arriving in Bayamo, we will explore Céspedes Park and House of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. After a lunch break, we will drive 3.5 hours (209 km) to Camaguey.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel E Central Santa Maria

In the morning, the guide will take you for a bicycle taxi tour around Camaguey’s historical center. One thing of particular interest about Camaguey is how labyrinthine the streets in its UNESCO-preserved old district are. Actually, as your knowledgeable guide would tell you, they were founded this way in order to confuse raiding pirates. For this reason, you would be easily lost if there is not a local to help you navigate through, and this is why we will arrange you a bi-taxi tour with a local driver. You will be taken to weave through streets and alleys, as well as pass by historical landmarks. Among all the buildings, Ignacio Agramonte Park, Museum of Ignacio Agramonte, and Cathedral de Senora de la Candelaria would be the most emblematic to visit. If chances emerge during the trip for you to mingle with locals, seize them!

In the afternoon, drive 4 hours to Remedios and visit Sancti Spiritus on the way. Sancti Spiritus, “holy spirit” in Latin, is a mesmerizing little colonial town at the heart of entire Cuba by the Yayabo River. You will be driven through it towards Remedios, whose old center was designated as a national monument in 1980. It enjoys a serene air to breathe in, except on days during the Las Parrandas festival before Christmas, when a grand street party would be held for a week. Upon arrival in Remedios, head for the hotel for check-in and have a good rest.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Plaza Mayor Remedios

After breakfast, we will first visit Remedios’s main square Plaza Martí, a symbol of the city, where buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries sit each next to other. Of them, we will check out the 400-year-old Iglesia San Juan Bautista de Remedios, whose Baroque high altar is entirely covered by gold leaf – definitely a stunner! Later, we will drive to Santa Clara to visit Che Guevara Mausoleum and the history museum of Taking of the Armored Train.

After lunch, continue to Trinidad (2 hours’ drive, 93.5 km away). On the way we will visit Valley of the Sugar Mills. Still have some energy left? Climb to the top of Manaca Iznaga Tower to admire a panorama of the sugar plantations and beyond! On arriving in downtown Trinidad, check into the hotel and enjoy a buffet dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Memories Trinidad Del Mar

Trinidad’s nature is as charming as its history. In the downtown there is colonial architecture, in the outer area there is the UNESCO-acclaimed Topes de Collantes Nature Reserve, a wonderland that integrates cave systems, rivers, ravines, waterfalls, and biodiversity. Today, your guide will take you to hike one of the nature reserve’s most beautiful trials, which leads to a waterfall, where you can join people to relax and swim. The hiking will normally take around 2 or 3 hours. Please note that, the somewhat laborious hiking is not recommended if you are above 75; instead, you would find more pleasure on Playa Ancon to while your morning away.

After lunch at your hotel, you will be taken to the bar Taberna La Canchánchara for a welcoming drink. Afterwards, head for Cantero Palace (Municipal Museum) to get a brief idea of Trinidad’s history since its foundation. With your professional guide’s comments, you will know how it went through the glory of the sugar industry and joined the fight for Cuba’s independence. Romantic Museum, Plaza Mayor and Casa del Alfarero Potter House are also included in our agenda. To top it off, you will enjoy an informal lesson of salsa dance. Later, transfer back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Memories Trinidad Del Mar

Enjoy a leisure morning on Trinidad’s sunny beach. The hotel prepared for you is very popular as it sits on a peninsula, meaning its guests are staying close to beach. Playa Ancon is one that represents all along Cuba’s southern coastline, so you will not want to miss it. Piña colada or mojito, free shade, and chances to swim or snorkel are all offered on site.

In the afternoon, we will drive about 1.5 hours (94.2 km) to Cienfuegos, one of Cuba's main commercial ports founded by French settlers in 1819. At the first sight, you will be impressed by the neoclassical architecture with domineering French influences. Buildings like Tomás Terry Theater, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Ferrer Palace near Plaza José Martí are among the best examples. We will then drive along a seaside road to Palacio Del Valle (a drink is included), perhaps the most eclectic in terms of architectural style. Stroll along the Malecón de Cienfuegos to admire a spectacular sunset, before we go to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Melia San Carlos

In the morning, let’s have fun at Peninsula de Zapata National Park. First, we will go to the Interpretation Center to get familiar with the flora and fauna living here. Then, visit a Crocodile Farm and learn about the breeding history of Rhombifer, an endemic crocodile species. Relax on and perhaps do some self-paid snorkeling off Playa Larga Beach, and at noontime enjoy a lunch at a local seafood restaurant.

Later, we will drive back to Havana. En route, drop by Bay of Pigs to visit Museo de la Intervención and the tranquil Playa Coco Beach. Upon arrival in Havana, continue to the hotel for check-in.

➤ Recommended Activities for Tonight:
In the last evening of your stay in Cuba, why not sip mojito at the roof-top pool bar of your hotel, while having a memorable gaze off into Havana’s lit cityscape? Of course, if you want tonight more alive, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the local diversified art center, won’t disappoint you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana

Your 15 days panoramic vacation ends today. We will drop you off at the airport on time according to your flight schedule. May you have a nice trip home!

➤ Important Note:
In order not to be late for your flight, we suggest you appear at the airport at least three hours prior to departure and print out your ticket in advance. You will have to prepare yourself for any potential delays due to old low-efficiency facilities, as well as long-period interrogations from the working staff (they are asking for a tip by doing so). 

➤ Recommended Activities for Free Time:
If you are into Cuban Revolution, why not book a flight that leaves you a whole morning’s free time in Havana to check out La Cabaña de Che Guevara or Museum of the Revolution? The Museum is the nearer to your hotel as it is located in Old Havana, and if you are visiting it, you may also want to explore the backstreets here to witness local life. A thing of note is that, while in the backstreets, be prepared to encounter foul waste discharged on the streets and dilapidated buildings that seem ready to fall - these situations truly not only reveal how inadequate the government’s management is, but also provide an insight into Cuban people’s real life.

Meals: Breakfast