5-day Cuba Trip

Due to the early start time, we encourage you to arrive the night before. At 9:30 am you’ll meet your tour leader and group members for a warm welcome before we dive into a historic tour of Old Havana, a must-see UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the four main plazas on a 2-hour walking tour, followed by a delicious lunch at a paladar, a Cubanism for privately owned restaurant.

How do you take an impoverished neighborhood known as the ‘Ugliest Street in Havana’ and turn it into a successful community project that catches the notice of President Obama? We’ll find out on our Off Beat Havana Tour, walking the less visited streets of Old Havana. End the evening with a cocktail lesson and dinner at a classic paladar.

• Included Activities:Historic tour of Old Havana, Offbeat Old Havana tour walk, Cocktail lesson
• Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Included accommodations: Vieja Habana or similar

The next day, we take a panoramic city tour in vintage convertible cars where you’ll visit the Havana forest and learn about its deep spiritual significance. Enjoy a traditional Afro-Cuban lunch before sampling a taste of Cuban heritage with a maridaje ceremony, the marriage of rum with tobacco. Afterwards we dive into the fascinating history of the American Mafia and its role in pre-revolutionary Cuba.

Tonight’s dinner is at a river-view restaurant, founded by an internationally recognised local sailing enthusiast where we will dine on fresh seafood in a unique atmosphere.
This evening we visit the famous Fabrica de Arte Cubano. Named one of Time Magazine’s World’s 100 Greatest Places, you’ll see why as we tour the oil factory turned arts complex. Featuring five salons showcasing various types of art, from textiles, to architecture, music, dance, and eye-catching installations, plus bars and pop-up shops, you’ll marvel at the innovation and talent of ‘New Cuba’.

• Included Activities: Panoramic city tour in Classic Car, Maridaje ceremony, Mafia tour,  Fabrica de Arte Cubano
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll learn about how individuals used their talents to fuel positive change in their neighborhoods on this special tour to three remarkable neighborhoods in Havana, including one which caught the notice of President Obama on his 2016 visit to Cuba.

After lunch we cover the topic of ‘cuentapropistas’ entrepreneurship in Cuba. In 2011 the Cuban Government began opening the private sector and legalising private businesses not seen since the 1959 Revolution. We will illustrate this topic with a visit to two of Havana’s successful new businesses to hear their stories.

• Included Activities: ‘Murals and Mosaics’ local art communities tour with lunch, meet & greet at two local businesses.
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the last day of your tour, we have a full day of breathtaking natural beauty and rural charm in store. Depart by 8am in the morning for a 3-hour journey west towards the mountains and the province of Pinar del Rio. On our way into the town of Vinales we will stop at the Cuevas del Indio (Indian Caves) for a boat ride. You will also see the controversial Prehistoric Mural (is it art or eyesore?).
Arriving in the town of Viñales, we will explore tobacco fields, roll cigars, and taste local coffee with our local guide. After our light trek through the valley, we will enjoy a farm-to-fork lunch at an organic farm before returning to Havana for our final night and farewell meal.

• Included Activities: Day trip to Viñales - visit to tobacco farm, organic farm, Indian caves and Prehistoric Mural.
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today is the end of your tour and you can depart at any time, there are no included activities. Your airport departure transfer is included. If you choose to stay longer, we are happy to help you make arrangements.

Yes, outside of the included activities, you are free and encouraged to explore.

No, we want travellers to have the best possible Cuba experience, even if that means taking time away from the group. We have arranged activities that we believe provide unique experiences to our culturally curious travellers, but it is an intense tour, and you are welcome to decline activities if you need a rest. We kindly ask that you let the tour leader know in advance, and minimise disruption to the group by arranging any personal activities on your own. There are no refunds for unused portions of the tour.

Yes, this tour is designed especially to comply with the general license for Support for the Cuban People.

No, this tour is for anyone who prefers an organised tour. It offers authentic cultural experiences while maximising comfort and convenience.

Yes, we encourage you to extend your stay because there is much to do in Havana that we cannot fit into the tour. Request additional nights accommodation on your booking form or up to 2 weeks before departure. Check out our day tours to continue your cultural explorations.

No, we welcome solo travellers, and to make it more affordable, we will place you with a roommate of the same gender. If there is no one to room with, you will get a solo room at no extra charge. To guarantee your own room, you will need to pay the single supplement.

Day 1 is the arrival day, however, since the tour starts in the morning we recommend arriving the day before. Day 4 is when you depart, you will say goodbye to your group and guide the night before unless you have selected the Viñales extension, then your departure day will be Day 5.

In Cuba it is easy to avoid gluten, as the staples of Cuban food are proteins, rice, beans, and root vegetables. Havana has many restaurants that are friendly for the plant-based diet, we are happy to accommodate Vegans and Vegetarians. The guides have been trained on these types of diets not common in Cuba and will be able to help travellers find suitable meals. We recommend these vegan friendly Havana restaurants.