Christmas in Cuba - 11 Days

23 December. Welcome to Cuba and the island capital of Havana, ready for your festive adventure. On arrival, you will be collected and transferred to our traditional Cuban guesthouse - the unique and local accommodation is one of the highlights of this tour! Take some time to freshen up and maybe head out to explore a little on your own. Dinner is included tonight at a local paladar, so you can get to know the tour guide and the group.

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 - Santa Clara - Remedios - Santa Clara. Happy Christmas Eve! Today, we will depart from Havana on a 4-hour drive along an abundance of citrus plantations en route to our accommodation just outside Santa Clara. Once we have arrived in Santa Clara, we will embark on a walking tour where we will visit the museum with the iconic statue of Ernesto Ché Guevara. You will then have some time to rest before we depart for the town of Remedios.

In Remedios, we will join the fun at the Parrandas de Remedios festival, which is known for being the oldest and liveliest traditional festival in Cuba. Our arrival aligns with the height of the Christmas Eve celebrations, featuring vibrant street parades with rumba percussion ensembles, lively music and verses, colourful float displays, and a dramatic fireworks competition. After the festival, we'll head back to Santa Clara for the night.

Please note: The festivities can be hectic at street level, so we've arranged the option to watch from a rooftop for a more relaxed view. Please let us know at the time of booking, if you would prefer this option.

Estimated driving time: 5 hours

Santa Clara - Trinidad. It's Christmas morning, and we're heading out of Santa Clara, stopping first at a former sugar plantation in Manaca Iznaga, 16 km east of Trinidad. We'll learn about Cuba’s slave trade, climb the 44-metre watchtower, see the old sugar cane press, and visit the nearby village still home to descendants of enslaved workers.

Our destination for today is Trinidad, for many travellers it's the most popular place in Cuba. Trinidad is known for its churches and colonial architecture, and we'll take a walking tour before returning to our accommodation to freshen up. In the evening, we'll enjoy a special Christmas group dinner prepared by our hosts. Merry Christmas!

Estimated driving time: 4 hours

We’ll start today with a walking tour of Trinidad’s historic centre, including a visit to the Afro-Cuban temple of Yemayá to learn about Santería. In the afternoon, we’ll take part in an introductory salsa lesson with Baila Conmigo, giving you a taste of Cuba’s iconic dance culture.

As night falls, you’ll have the chance to experience Trinidad’s vibrant nightlife, known for its live music and dance performances. One of the highlights is a disco set inside a cave on a nearby hillside, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

Today, we’ll embark on a hike with a local guide to Javira waterfall just outside of Trinidad, where we’ll learn about the region's history, industries, and diverse wildlife. Along the way, we’ll stop at a humble campesino home to gain insight into rural life in Cuba. Upon reaching the waterfall, you'll have time to relax and swim in the natural pools (don't forget your swimsuit and a towel!) before returning to Trinidad. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to unwind, explore, and engage with the locals. It's our final night in Trinidad, so make the most of it!

Trinidad - Cienfuegos. We head to Cienfuegos, the "Pearl of the South," a city founded by the French with a distinct European flair, featuring Parisian-style boulevards and elegant colonnades. Like Havana, Cienfuegos boasts a scenic Malecón, perfect for a relaxing evening watching fishermen and locals socialize. We'll tour the city, including a visit to the beautiful bay and a visit to the breath-taking Palacio del Valle.

Estimated driving time: 2 hours

Cienfuegos - Playa Larga (Bay of Pigs) - Vinales. Our first stop today is 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.

In the evening, we will arrive in Vinales, where we will enjoy a short orientation tour through the town. The evening is free for you to head out and join the locals dancing to live music.

Estimated driving time: 9 hours

Today, we’ll learn about the Cuban cigar tradition from a local farmer and expert, gaining insight into how the communist system affects their work, including tobacco production and distribution. We’ll explore the entire process, from planting to rolling the final cigar.

In the afternoon, we’ll join a local chef for a cooking lesson, where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Cuban dishes like congri, potaje, garbanzo soup, ajiaco, and flan.

In the evening, we’ll tour an organic farm to learn about sustainable farming in Cuba. The local farmer and his family will explain their pesticide-free methods. As the sun sets, we’ll enjoy a fresh, farm-to-table meal prepared by the family.

Vinales - Jaimanitas - Soroa - Havana. On our return to Havana, we’ll stop in Soroa to tour the orchid garden with a local botanist and take in the scenic views of the surrounding forest.

We’ll then visit Jaimanitas and the home of artist José Fuster, where he’s created Fusterlandia, a neighborhood transformed into a mosaic art project. We’ll meet the family, learn about their work, and explore José Fuster’s Cuba-photo-gallery.

For New Year's Eve, we’ll enjoy dinner at El Patio, the only restaurant in Cathedral Plaza, with outdoor seating for 300. The meal will showcase Cuban dishes, and drinks like wine, champagne, and Habana Club rum will flow freely. The evening will feature a vibrant Tropicana-style music and dance performance. After dinner, you can head back to our guesthouse, or continue the party!

Estimated driving time: 4 hours

Today is New Year's Day, but in Cuba it's also the day we celebrate the anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution, honouring the guerrillas who defeated the Batista dictatorship. There will be free concerts in celebration.

In the morning, we’ll take a guided walking tour of Old Havana, exploring historical sites and learning about Cuba’s dual-currency economy by visiting both USD commercial centres and CUP ration stores.

In the afternoon, we’ll discover the unique areas outside the city centre and enjoy the special festivities celebrating this important national holiday. We will then make our way to a local paladar, where we will enjoy our final dinner together, after which you will have free time to enjoy the nightlife in Havana.

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!