The Best of Cuba Tour
Our 11-night The Best of Cuba tour takes in the must-see highlights of the whole island and is ideal for those wanting a comprehensive tour and an extended look at this fascinating country.
- An afternoon cruising through Havana in a chauffeur driven old American car
- A visit to a famous working cigar factory in Havana
- A visit to the fascinating City Museum overlooking the historic Plaza de Armas
- Authentic cocktail making and tapas served at a unique private bar-restaurant
- A day exploring picturesque Vinales Valley an UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular scenery
- A visit to the Las Terrazas National Reserve with time in the local community
- 2-nights in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Trinidad where history & the live music scene is at its best
- A short trek to La Plata, the former HQ of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary heroes, deep in the Sierra Maestra
- A visit to Santiago de Cuba, a passionate and revolutionary city, home to the mausoleum of Fidel Castro
- Visit the birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro at their former farm at Biran
- Sun-kissed shores and opportunities to relax in postcard worthy settings in Guardalavaca
- Duration:
- 11 Nights / 12 Days
- Accommodation:
- We use a mixture of very well located, good quality casas particulares and hotels.
- Extensions
- On the last day (day 12), you can transfer to the beaches of Guardalavaca for a few days relaxation, or perhaps travel to Havana for additional nights
Guaranteed Tour
Group Size
Private Tour Available
Tour Departures
Meals Included
Local Support
Transport
Accommodation
Physical Ability
Upgrades Available
The Best of Cuba Tour Itinerary Highlights
Sunday | Day 1 - Havana
After a welcome at Havana airport, a transfer will take you to your accommodation confirmed for the tour, well located in Old Havana.
Monday | Day 2 - Havana
Highlights include a visit to a working cigar factory, the Museum of the Revolution, a guided walk through Old Havana, the four famous historical squares, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Armas.
In the afternoon you will explore the other areas of central Havana in old American vintage cars, including Revolution Square, the downtown Vedado district, the Malecon, the Miramar district, and Bosque De La Havana.
A visit to a local tapas bar, visited in 2019 by HRH Prince Charles, where there will be an authentic Cuban cocktail making lesson and homemade tapas.
Tickets for the world-famous Tropicana open air cabaret show can be pre-arranged for those interested.
Your guide can also recommend bars and music venues in the city for those that might want to enjoy the evening independently.
Tuesday | Day 3 - Vinales Valley & Las Terrazas
Head to the immensely picturesque UNESCO world heritage site of Vinales Valley, an area known for its outstanding beauty and home of Cuba’s tobacco plantations.
Take a subterranean boat ride through the El Indio cave system, and visit a typical tobacco drying house to see how the tobacco crops are turned into the world’s best cigars.
A fabulous unique lunch will be served at a local organic farm affording wonderful views across the valley and you can learn a little more about the farm and its organic methods which attracted the attention of President Obama.
In the late afternoon you will leave Vinales and head to Las Terrazas National Park. There will be a short tour of the National Reserve, local village and an introduction to the eco-activities and farming practices.
There will be another unique dinner tonight at the organic vegetarian restaurant in the village which uses only locally sourced organic ingredients.
Wednesday | Day 4 - Santa Clara & Trinidad
The first stop will be Santa Clara, a city of major historical significance in Cuba. Visit the final resting place of Che Guevara at the very symbolic mausoleum with time to visit the museum dedicated to his life, as well as Tren Blindado, a small museum and the iconic remains of the government train that was attacked by Che Guevara and his revolutionaries, a significant turning point in the Cuba Revolution.
Travel through the Escambray Mountains towards Sugar Mill Valley where the 145ft Manaca Iznaga Tower stands as a silent witness to Cuba’s history of slavery where over 30,000 slaves worked in the sugar plantations overlooked by the tower! A ghostly visit.
Thursday | Day 5 - Trinidad
There will be a comprehensive tour of the center of Trinidad including a visit to the History Museum. Sample the unique Trinidad rum and sugar cane cocktail at La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th Century.
After lunch in a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon will be free to relax in the city, or perhaps take a taxi to the nearby Caribbean beach of Playa Ancon and enjoy the beach.
It is the final evening in Trinidad, and dancing to local live music is a must so feel free to visit one of Trinidad’s growing number of bars and listen to some excellent live music!
Friday | Day 6 - Baymo
You leave Trinidad today and travel alongside the foothill of the Escambray Mountains and head towards the east known locally as 'Oriente'.
Along with coffee stops, lunch will be taken at a local restaurant along the way before arriving at the picturesque small city of Bayamo. Known locally as 'La Heroica' due to its long history of revolutionary battles against the Spanish in the 19th Century and Batista’s troops during the last revolution.
In Bayamo there will be walking tour of this picturesque and friendly city. The tour focuses on the leafy square of Parque Cespedes, named after the 'Father of Cuba' Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, born overlooking the square.
Saturday | Day 7 - Sierra Mountains & Santiago de Cuba
You will travel deep into the Sierra Maestra Mountains until you arrive at Villa Santo Domingo, nestled deep in the mountains with views to Cuba’s highest and most sacred mountain, Pico Turquino.
Upon arrival, the jeeps will take you higher into the mountains for a walk deep into the forests to La Plata, the former HQ of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary heroes. You can discover the various hidden buildings including Fidel’s actual house and the radio station from where they launched the Revolution. Continuing the trail, there is an option to visit the tiny mountain community of La Platica.
Upon your return to the beautiful and peaceful tiny mountain village, lunch will be served, then there will be a little time to relax and explore or wander along the river and watch the day draw to a close over the mountains, before setting off to Santiago de Cuba one of the most important cities in Cuba.
Sunday | Day 8 - Santiago de Cuba
There will be a full exploration of Santiago de Cuba, a city of crucial importance throughout Cuba’s history.
Visit the local sights including the Moncada Barracks, Central Square, Parque Cespedes, Calle Heredia, Padre Pico Street and Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, the final resting place of Fidel Castro, one of the world’s most recognised leaders where you can observe the impressive changing of the guard ceremony.
Next you will visit Castillo del Morro, a historical fortress offering fantastic views across the Caribbean Sea and the impressive Sierra Maestra mountains.
In the evening visit the famous Casa de la Trova!
Monday | Day 9 - Guantanamo & Baracoa
Take one of the most interesting and spectacular drives in Cuba. Head to the city of Guantanamo made famous globally for two very different reasons, firstly the ballad Guantanamera taken from a poem written by Cuba's national hero Jose Marti and secondly, for the US base and now Camp X Ray only 15 miles from the city.
The tour will continue along the very south-eastern tip of Cuba where at times the scenery is almost desert- like, and then you will take 'La Farola' to Baracoa, arguably Cuba’s friendliest city.
Tuesday | Day 10 - Baracoa
After breakfast, you will travel to Rio Toa, Cuba’s wildest river which runs through a UNESCO protected reserve. There will be a chance to enjoy an exhilarating boat ride up the river through some spectacular scenery of this remote part of Cuba.
The day will continue with a visit to Finca Duaba. Lunch will be served at this Cuban farm which is surrounded by lush tropical scenery and the location of Cuba’s cocoa plantations. Take a guided walk through the farm and learn a little more about Baracoa’s famous chocolate production.
Wednesday | Day 11 - Biran & Holguin
You will leave Baracoa today and head back over the spectacular La Farola road towards Santiago de Cuba before heading north across the island towards Holguin province. An interesting road that, after leaving the motorway, passes through many pleasant towns and villages before you stop at the tiny village of Biran in the foothills of the Nipe Mountains. Biran is the birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro who both became iconic world leaders and you will see the house where the brothers were born, which is also the final resting place of their parents. A very traditional Cuban lunch will be served in a local countryside restaurant offering excellent home cooked cuisine from Eastern Cuba.
The journey will continue to Holguin, founded in 1545 and now one of the largest cities on the island. After checking into the centrally located hotel there will be a little free time. In the evening there will be a visit to ‘Loma De La Cruz’ a local hill affording excellent views across the city which at night is a very picturesque location. You can climb the 458 steps to the top for those looking for a pre-dinner workout, for the rest, we can take you up in the vehicle. Dinner will be served in the pleasant and simple hilltop restaurant.
Thursday | Day 12 - Holguin
After a leisurely breakfast there will be a relaxed walking tour of the centre of Holguin, a bustling provincial capital characterised by tree lined squares and colonial buildings, many of which house small trading shops and markets.
The tour will finish late morning, so you can head back to the hotel to say your goodbyes and prepare for your beach stay or onward journey.
