Best of Cuba - 8 Days

Welcome to Cuba! On arrival in Havana, you will be collected and transferred to our guesthouse, located in one of Old Havana, Central Havana, or Vedado (this will be communicated to you in advance of your tour!).

The rest of your first day is free to head out and explore the city at your own pace. A group welcome meeting will take place in the evening so you can get to know the rest of the group and your tour guide.

Please note: Our Cuba tours comply with all regulations for travellers from both the United States and other countries. However, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct licenses and documentation to gain entry to Cuba. We suggest researching Cuban visa and border rules before booking your tour, as these rules are subject to change. We are unable to assist with visas, general licenses or other documentation.

Havana - Vinales. Begin day 2 with a 2-hour guided walking tour of Havana's historic centre.

It's then time to leave the capital, as we make the 4 hour drive to Vinales (we'll stop for lunch en route). The small town of Vinales is surrounded by limestone hills, caves and biking trails, with an active nightlife scene too. You've got the rest of day 2 and all of day 3 to experience the town and its surroundings at your own pace. You could visit a tobacco farm, head to a local farm for an organic meal or enjoy a dance lesson. Your tour guide will be able to help you plan your time in Vinales. (Havana - Vinales travel time: 3 hours).

Vinales - Playa Larga. Leaving Vinales behind, we head back past Havana and through the lush green Peninsula de Zapata to reach Playa Larga, better known as the Bay of Pigs. It was here that the failed American-backed invasion landed in 1961, triggering the Cuban Missile Crisis and almost a nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union. During our time here, you can visit a small museum which tells this story in more detail, plus enjoy plenty of time for swimming and optional snorkelling at the beach. (Vinales - Playa Larga travel time: 6 hours).

Playa Larga - Cienfuegos - Trinidad. On day 5, we make our way to Trinidad, with a couple of stops along the route. First, we visit the Guanaroca Lagoon, a natural reserve known for its rich birdlife, mangrove trees and stunning landscapes. Flamingos can sometimes be seen here between December and April.

Our next stop is Cienfuegos, a colonial city where European architecture remains well-preserved, including Parisian style boulevards. We make a quick stop here before arriving in our destination for the next two nights, Trinidad.

For many visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is the highlight. This colonial city is remarkably well-preserved and has a fantastic nightlife scene - it's the place to get acquainted with Cuban rum! During your time in Trinidad, you can head to Playa Ancon to relax, visit the Valley of Sugarmills or enjoy optional scuba diving, snorkelling, dance lessons or a hike to a local waterfall. Your guide will be on hand to help you plan your time in Trinidad. (Playa Larga - Cienfuegos - Trinidad travel time: 4 hours).

Trinidad - Santa Clara - Havana. It's time to make our way back to Havana, but we have time to stop in Santa Clara on our way back. This town played a huge role in the Cuban Revolution and one of its iconic landmarks is a towering statue of Ernesto Ché Guevara - there's also a museum dedicated to this revolutionary figure which you will have time to visit if you wish.

Back in Havana, your final evening is at leisure, or we may decide to head out together for a farewell dinner and drinks (not included). (Trinidad - Santa Clara - Havana travel time: 7 hours).

Our Cuba tour comes to an end today after breakfast and hotel check out. Make your own way to the airport or your next destination. Safe travels!