Discovering Cuba with a private guide

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Discovery of Havana

  Upon your arrival in Havana, a guide will welcome you at the airport and invite you to our Welcome Briefing Meeting. You will then be able to book excursions to must-see sites and share valuable local information about discovering Cuba. You will then be transferred to your accommodation in a modern, air-conditioned car. Enjoy your first glimpses of the city and its electric atmosphere! Let yourself be seduced by the captivating rhythm of Havana, the largest city in the Caribbean, and discover a world of Cuban hospitality and old-world charm. Overnight at the Sevilla hotel

• day 2

  The colonial charm of Havana

  

  Today, you will get acquainted with the capital of Cuba, which celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2019, and begin your guided walking tour through the splendor of the historic district of Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wars and the revolution have hardly damaged its heritage, making it the finest example of a Spanish colonial city in the Americas. Among the highlights of the tour, you will discover the impressive Museum of the Revolution, a tobacco house to observe the techniques of rolling the world's most famous cigars, and the Havana Club Rum Museum for an insight into the history of Cuba's most famous drink, as well as the opportunity to taste its delights! Lunch will be served in an authentic Cuban restaurant. You will then settle into your classic 1950s American car with a driver for a two-hour ride during which you will discover the city's main sites, such as the Malecón seafront promenade, the elegant Miramar district, and Revolution Square. The car will then drop you off at your hotel for a quiet evening. You may consider attending a cabaret show at the famous Tropicana nightclub in Havana, which features more than two hundred artists, a fabulous orchestra, and amazing acrobatic feats. We can arrange tickets for you. Overnight at the Sevilla hotel.

• day 3

  The Viñales Valley

  Destination: the province of Pinar del Rio, in the west of Cuba, in the small village of Viñales, located in a valley of the same name. This region has some of the most spectacular landscapes on the island and is undoubtedly the region that produces the best tobacco in the world. The beautiful fertile valley is surrounded by rather impressive limestone hills, known as Mogotes. It is a very picturesque stopover that will allow you to discover life in the Cuban countryside. You will have lunch on site in a traditional Cuban restaurant. Upon arriving from Havana, you will visit a cigar factory and a working tobacco farm, where you will discover the lifestyle of local farmers as well as tobacco cultivation. Next, head to the Mural de la Prehistoria, where the history of evolution is painted in bright colors on the side of a Mogote. Finally, you will enjoy an underground boat ride in the Cueva del Indio, one of the many fascinating caves in Viñales. Your afternoon will be free and you will find an abundance of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Why not explore the landscape on horseback or simply take a walk in the amazing valley? The terrace of the Los Jasmines hotel, where you will stay, offers magnificent panoramic views of the Viñales valley. We highly recommend tasting a cocktail by its pool while admiring the sunset over the limestone outcrops and lush tobacco fields. Overnight at the Los Jasmines hotel.

• day 4

  Discovery of Cayo Levisa

  Your guide will take you on your excursion to Cayo Levisa. You will visit the idyllic island of Cayo Levisa, accessible only by boat, which boasts white sand and turquoise waters. Your driver will drop you off at the port, leaving you some time alone to enjoy the calm, tranquility, and breathtaking beauty of the island. You will have lunch on site while enjoying the splendid and relaxing scenery. Overnight at the Los Jasmines hotel.

• day 5

  Cienfuegos, port city

  Head to the colonial port city of Cienfuegos, an essential stop for your discovery of Cuba. Along the way, you will stop on the Zapata Peninsula to visit a local crocodile farm. Upon your arrival in Cienfuegos, you will settle in at the Hotel La Union, one of the most charming boutique hotels in Cuba, before having lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, your guide will take you on a walking tour of this laid-back maritime city, known as the Pearl of the South, due to its prime location on a picturesque Caribbean bay. You will stroll through the city's well-preserved colonial center and discover its proud musical tradition as well as its famous musicians, such as Benny Moré. The evening is free. We recommend relaxing by the hotel pool or having a drink on the rooftop terrace, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the sea. Overnight at Hotel La Union.

• day 6

  Trinidad, the soul of Cuba

  

  Heading to the city of Trinidad, a highlight of the island, often called the soul of Cuba. Upon arrival, you will start with a guided tour of the city's main tourist sites. Founded in 1514 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez, Trinidad was, for two hundred years, an important center for the sugar and slave trade. The wealth generated by landowners during the region's dark past is reflected in the stunning colonial architecture of Trinidad's historic center, which has been fully restored and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring the city's cobbled streets and having lunch in a local restaurant, you may consider an excursion to Playa Ancón, the beautiful beach a few kilometers from the city – your guide/driver will be happy to take you there. In the evening, attend an Afro-Cuban cultural show or traditional music concerts before heading to Disco Ayala, a local nightclub located in a cave! Overnight at Casa Osmar y Alberto hotel.

• day 7

  Trinidad and Playa Ancón

  Today, you can choose between relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Playa Ancón or further exploring the city. If you wish, you can also consider a day trip to the Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, a wooded natural park renowned for its hiking trails and bird watching. You will also find rivers and refreshing waterfalls there for swimming. Other interesting places in the region are waiting to be discovered. Feel free to discuss this with your guide/driver, who can take you there. Night at the Casa Osmar y Alberto hotel

• day 8

  Santa Clara and the Che

  Your discovery of Cuba continues: on the way to Cayo Santa Maria, a paradise island on the north coast of the island, where you will spend four days relaxing. It has long stretches of powdery white sand beaches, bathed by warm turquoise waters. On the way, you will stop in the city of Santa Clara, a key place in the history of the Cuban Revolution. You will visit several fascinating historical sites, including the imposing Che Guevara monument and mausoleum, his final resting place. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will continue to Cayo Santa Maria, where dinner will also be available at your all-inclusive hotel. Night at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria hotel

• day 9

  Idleness in Cayo Santa Maria

  Two days of free time with all meals and drinks included. Cayo Santa Maria offers secluded beaches and is one of the country's best-kept secrets. With fewer than 10 hotels and more than 50 km of spectacular beaches, it is the ideal choice for those who simply want to relax. Night at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria hotel.

• day 10

  Isolated beaches and snorkeling

  The waters around the island offer a variety of activities, including snorkeling, diving, fishing, and birdwatching. In fact, nearly 200 species of birds can be found on the island, including herons, ibises, pelicans, cormorants, and oystercatchers. Overnight at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria hotel.

• day 11

  Back to Havana

  You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Havana airport for your departure flight. Most flights are in the evening, but if you leave very early, we may have to shorten your stay in Cayo Santa Maria by one night and replace it with a final night in Havana.