Cuba Birdwatching Adventure - 9 Days

On arrival in Havana, you will be collected and transferred to our guesthouse. Our birdwatching tour begins, we hope to see 20 or more of Cuba's 28 endemic species, with 8 guided birding sessions across Cuba's landscapes!

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 at the main guesthouse 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.

Please also note: To get the most from this tour, remember to bring the following items with you: binoculars, mosquito repellent, trekking shoes, a flashlight, hats, and raincoats. Optional items: a Birds of Cuba Field Guide, walking stick, telescope, camera, and notebook.

Havana - Sierra del Rosario - Las Terrazas - Soroa. Today, we depart for a scenic drive west to the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve. The journey takes approximately two hours, offering views of lush countryside and rural Cuban landscapes. Upon arrival, we begin our first birdwatching session in this rich and diverse ecological reserve. Sierra del Rosario is home to 16 endemic species and 93 in total. Notable species include the Cuban Vireo, Cuban Pygmy Owl, Great Lizard-Cuckoo.

After lunch, we make our way to the quaint mountain town of Las Terrazas, nestled within a protected environmental reserve. Here, we’ll enjoy a short walk through the town. We will then continue our journey for approximately 30 minutes to Soroa, where we will spend the night.

Today, a local guide will accompany us on two 3-hour birdwatching excursions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, through the forested, mountainous areas of Soroa. During our visit, we’ll have time to explore the impressive botanical garden, home to 6,000 different ornamental plant species, including 700 varieties of orchids, 100 of which are native to Cuba. Other globally threatened birds we hope to spot include the the endangered Blue-headed Quail-dove and the Gundlach’s Hawk.

Soroa - La Guira National Park - Soroa. This morning, we will embark on an approximately 2-hour journey to La Guira National Park, home to species such as the Giant Kingbird, Fernandina’s Flicker, and the Cuban Solitaire. We will spend 4 hours birdwatching, with a great chance to spot some of these creatures and more.

Afterward, we will visit Los Portales Cave, where Che Guevara maintained a secret communications base during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. We will then make our way back to Soroa, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Soroa - Palite - Playa Larga. Today, we’ll set out on a scenic 5-hour drive past Havana to the Zapata Peninsula, the largest wetland area in the Caribbean, covering 4,350 km² and designated as a Biosphere Reserve. Known as the best spot to observe the Bee Hummingbird, the world’s tiniest bird, the peninsula is also home to native species such as the Zapata Wren, Zapata Sparrow, and the Cuban Crocodile.

During our visit, we’ll explore areas like the Zapata Forest and Palpite Garden, which offer excellent opportunities to observe the diverse and unique wildlife that thrives in this remarkable ecosystem. Our stay will be in the charming town of Playa Larga, where we can unwind and enjoy its beautiful white sand beaches. Playa Larga is 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.

Playa Larga - Las Bermejas - Playa Larga - Soplillar - Playa Larga. Today, we’ll explore two unique areas of the Zapata Peninsula. We’ll begin with a 1-hour drive from Playa Larga to Las Bermejas, where we’ll enjoy a three-hour birdwatching session.

Afterward, we’ll return to Playa Larga for a lunch break and some time to rest. Following that, we’ll drive for about 30 minutes to reach Soplillar, where we’ll spend another three hours birdwatching. These locations provide excellent opportunities to observe the region’s distinctive wildlife and bird species.

Playa Larga - La Turba - Playa Larga - Las Salinas - Playa Larga. This morning, we’ll set off for La Turba, just a 40-minute drive away, where we’ll spend three hours birdwatching in search of waterfowl and more native species. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Las Salinas, a short 30-minute drive, for another three-hour session. Both locations offer fantastic opportunities to discover the incredible diversity of birds and wildlife in the Zapata Peninsula. Some of the species to spot here include larger animals like the brown pelican, flamingos and egrets. We're spending a final night in Playa Larga, there's an interesting museum here about the Bay of Pigs invasion, which you might like to visit.

Playa Larga - Havana. After breakfast, we will depart on an approximately 4-hour drive from Playa Larga, making our way back to Havana, arriving at about midday. You will have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the Cuban capital. You can visit the famous Malecón waterfront, explore the art and history at the National Museum of Fine Arts, or relax in one of the city’s charming plazas while enjoying a drink at a local café.

Alternatively, you can opt to join a 2 hour walking tour through the historic streets of Old Havana with your guide. Later, we will meet back with our group for our final dinner in Cuba.

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!