The East of Cuba

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Cuba

  We arrive in Santiago or Holguín. Our French-speaking guide-driver welcomes us and takes you to Gibara, a small colonial town in the north of Cuba (3 hours by car from Santiago, 45 min from Holguín). Gibara is a little gem by the sea. Here, time seems to have stopped. Around the central square, there are houses in the Caribbean colonial style, with pastel colors and large doors in front. The atmosphere is peaceful. We recommend a short walk on the Malecón, facing the sea. Behind the town, there is a pretty mountain which, according to some versions, was the first view of Cuba that Christopher Columbus observed. We stay at the charming Ordoño hotel, in the center of the town. Overnight stay with breakfast.

• day 2

  Exploration of a cave and visit to Los Caletones beach.

  In the morning, we visit, with a local guide, the El Silencio cave. Equipped with lamps and helmets, we enter the cave, which has different chambers decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. We end the visit in an underground pond where we can swim. In the afternoon, the guide takes us to Los Caletones beach. This beach is truly unspoiled, with only a few houses belonging to local fishermen. We can swim in the sea or in the "caletones," these natural coves. Free evening in Gibara.

• day 3

  African safari at Cayo Saetia

  We set off with our guide along the north coast. The road is not in good condition, but the region is fabulous, with lush nature and small, little-visited villages. We stop at Cayo Saetía, an island accessible by a bridge. This 40 km² island is inhabited by African wild animals such as zebras, antelopes, reeboks, buffalos, etc. We observe them safely from our jeep. We also visit the beach, which is incredibly beautiful and natural. In the afternoon, we continue to Maguana, a virgin beach on the north coast that is part of the Alejandro Humboldt natural park. (Today, 5 hours of driving) Overnight stay with breakfast at the Villas Maguana hotel.

• day 4

  Humboldt and Baracoa Park

  Today, we visit the Alejandro Humboldt Natural Park. With a local guide, we take a walk through the forest, ending at the waterfalls. Everywhere, there are birds, butterflies, flowers, and trees. The park is one of the best in Cuba and the Caribbean, with a truly wild and little-visited forest. Late in the afternoon, we continue to Baracoa (1 hour drive). It is the first city founded by the Spanish in Cuba and it really feels like it is at the end of the world. Here, we find the cross planted by Columbus during his visit to Cuba. It is kept in the town's church. We stay at the Castillo hotel, which is a former Spanish castle. Overnight stay with breakfast.

• day 5

  The El Yunque mountain

  

  El Yunque mountain is located just behind the town of Baracoa, surrounded by jungle. At first glance, it seems impossible to climb, but with the guide, via a walkable path, we will reach the summit. The path is an experience in itself and, after the 4-hour walk, we cool off in a natural waterfall. In the afternoon, we stroll with the guide in the center and, in the evening, we will surely visit the Casa de la Trova for some music.

• day 6

  Route to Santiago passing through Guantanamo

  Today, we are heading to Santiago, a major city in eastern Cuba and the birthplace of the wars of Independence and the Cuban Revolution (5 hours by road). The route passes through La Farola, a fascinating mountain road. We will also be very close to the famous American military base at Guantanamo. We will see it from afar, of course, as it is impossible to enter. We arrive in the afternoon and stay at our charming hotel, the Casa Granda, on Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Park. Here, you are in the musical district with the Casa de la Trova, birthplace of Cuban music.

• day 7

  Visit of Santiago

  

  With the guide, we take a tour of the city and its surroundings. We start the day with a visit to the Cathedral of Santiago. Next, we visit the oldest house in the Americas: the House of Velasquez, conqueror of the island. We continue with revolutionary memory at the Plaza de la Revolución, where the gigantic statue of Antonio Maceo is located, then the Ifigenia cemetery with the tombs of the great patriots José Martí and Fidel Castro. We continue with religion and a visit to the pilgrimage site, the Basilica of El Cobre, with the small statue of the Virgin, image of Cuba. We continue at the entrance to the Bay of Santiago with a visit to Morro Castle and also the small Granma islet, inhabited by fishermen. We finish with a visit to the Vista Alegre neighborhood and the historic house of the Bacardi family. We also pass by San Juan Hill, where the Americans defeated the Spaniards in 1898, which led to the independence of Cuba. In the evening, we will surely visit the music cafés in the center.

• day 8

  Last day in Cuba

  It's the last day in Cuba, unless you continue with a beach stay in Guardalavaca. The guide will drop us off at the airport on time, according to your flight.