Cuba Cycling Tour

Welcome to Havana! Home of the most fascinating architecture and the famous seawall, el Malecón. Your included airport arrival transfer will take you to your guesthouse in Havana. The tour leader will conduct a welcome meeting at 6:00pm in the main guesthouse. Your optional snack kitty of US$20 will be collected. This money will be used to buy additional water, sodas, crackers, fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc for the road because it is difficult to buy food in remote areas. It is a good opportunity to learn about how the locals like to fuel themselves between meals and to try new foods. We offer this as a convenience, it is optional but those who don’t contribute will not have access. Due to the scarcity of snacks in Cuba, we also recommend you bring your own packaged snacks from home.

In the morning we meet the crew for bike fitting and mechanical check, then it’s off we go on our first riding adventure as we tour the modern part of Havana on two wheels. You’ll cycle through the neighborhoods Vedado, Nuevo Vedado, Havana Forest, and Miramar. We’ll stop for a photo op at the Revolution Square where the state buildings are adorned with metal sculptures of some of Cuba’s most important historical figures. We’ll have a delicious lunch at a paladar (private restaurant) in Old Havana before we stretch our legs on a two-hour walking tour of Old Havana four main plazas after which we will hop on our support vehicle and head to one of the top-rated beach destinations in the world, Varadero!

• Included Activities: Cycling tour of Modern Havana (20km, elevation gain 132m), 2-hour walking tour of Old Havana
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise and shine for an early 30 min drive to Camarioca, just outside of Matanzas, where we start our first cycling route. We ride to Matanzas on a lightly undulating road in good condition. Matanzas is known by many monikers such as the “Athens of Cuba” “Venice of Cuba” or “City of Bridges”, it is rich in art and music heritage and is birthplace of many of Cuba’s most important cultural figures as well as Afro-Cuban history and culture. This hidden gem is often neglected by tourists in favor of the crystalline waters of nearby Varadero, we explore its treasures of everyday life on bike tour though the city.  Afternoon is at your leisure, you can enjoy the sun and sand, bike around on your own, or watch the sunset on the beach.

• Included Activities: Cycling for 40km (elevation gain: 138m), Bike tour of Matanzas
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We hit the pedals early to our next destination Santa Clara. The cycling route is mostly flat through agricultural fields, small villages, and interesting cities such as Cardenas and Colon. Santa Clara is the city of Che, as here is where the national hero is laid to rest near a gigantic bronze statue of his likeness. Another city overlooked by tourists, Santa Clara is unapologetically edgy, its large student population means that subcultures are well-represented here. It is a city of creativity, and rebellion. Today dinner is included.

•  Included Activities: Cycling for 50km (elevation gain 156m), entrance to the Che Guevara Museum and Memorial.
•  Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Make sure you fuel up with a good breakfast this morning as we will be uphill riding for much of today’s route. We cycle early to the mountains of Guamuaya, with an average incline of 4% during 10km. We’ll meet a farmer family in Jibacoa who will prepare a farm to fork meal while we rest our legs and enjoy the conversation. After lunch we take our support vehicle to colonial jewel Trinidad where we’ll do an orientation walking tour in the historic center. For many visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is their standout favourite destination. No other colonial city in Cuba is so well preserved, and the local residents are extremely friendly and festive. Trinidad is steeped in religiosity, none the least of which is Santeria, which is one of several Afro-Cuban religions. After the tour the rest of the evening is free. If you have some excess energy to burn, we recommend a salsa lesson followed by a night of dancing in arguably one of the best places for nightlife in Cuba.

• Included Activities: Cycling for 30km (elevation gain 390m), orientation walking tour in Trinidad
• Included Meals: Breakfast, farm lunch in Jibacoa, Dinner

With the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea at our side, we ride along the coast from Trinidad to Cienfuegos, or “The Pearl of the South”. Expect the terrain to be slightly undulating in the first 5km, then it flattens out with the sea to the left and mountains to the right for about 40km. The last 20k will be hilly. We’ll take the rest of the journey in the support vehicle. French inspired boulevards and architecture await you in the elegant and peaceful city of Cienfuegos. After an orientation tour of the center of the city, around Parque Jose Marti, you are free to explore on your own. Don’t miss some of Cuba’s most beautiful buildings on Punta Gorda. There is nothing like an ice-cold beer at the Yacht Club or the astounding Palacio del Valle while watching the sun set.  

•  Included Activities: Cycling for 60km (elevation gain 356m). Orientation walking tour of Cienfuegos.
•  Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We start our last day of the tour with a ride in the support vehicle to Bay of Pigs, site of the infamous U.S. invasion during the JFK presidency. We’ll learn the Cuban side to this story with a cycle on flat terrain to the Museum of the Invasion. Afterwards we’ll have an hour to enjoy the beach snorkeling or swimming and lunch on the road. Back in Havana for our bittersweet farewell dinner (not included). Who could say good-bye to Cuba without a final night out for music and mojitos? Perhaps at the Buena Vista Social Club or the Time Magazine honored Fabrica de Arte Cubano, art and nightlife megaplex (optional).

•  Included Activities: Cycling for 30km (elevation gain 64m), entry to the Museum of the Invasion
•  Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you can depart at any time, there are no activities or cycling today. We suggest you stay longer to enjoy the many wonderful restaurants, museums, and galleries that Havana has to offer. Your departure transfer is not included but a taxi can easily be arranged with your casa host.

•  Included Meals: Breakfast

This tour is best for medium to highly experienced cyclists who are comfortable cycling 20-40km (12.5-25 miles) every other day. A person who cycles frequently should find this tour enjoyable, rather than overly strenuous. However, you must be prepared for the year round heat, humidity, and hills. The support vehicle is always available.

Cuba is hot year round but in January and February, there are cold fronts and temperatures in some areas have dropped as low as the mid-40s. May starts the rainy season which lasts through November, but downpours happen throughout the year, so you will need to bring rain protection, and sun protection. Summers are very hot and humid, August in particular is very humid although humidity exists year round.

If you are particular about these things you should bring them. The bike mechanic will have no problem installing them for you.

No, and although you are able to bring your own pedals, the guides and past travellers do not recommend clip pedals. The terrain is mostly flat, and regular shoes are more comfortable for exploring during the stops. 

While cycling is a fundamental part of this tour and is central to the experience, travellers who don't want to cycle can ride in the support vehicle. There will still be fun and interesting experiences to enjoy, but with the understanding that they should not expect special arrangements to be made for them.

The itinerary describes the terrain for each ride, you can also see the cycling maps here.

See the pack list below.

We have E-bikes available upon request. Please be aware that there is a very limited supply of these bikes in Cuba. If you are a moderately experienced cyclist, we encourage you to do the tour with the standard bike, and rest on the support vehicle when needed. 

To secure an e-bike for the tour: You will need to pay the US$264 amount in full when paying your tour deposit. 

Please read the Terms and Conditions clause on damages (number 29). 

See the type of e-bike we use here.

The bike mechanics are able to provide cycles that will work for people with a short stature. Once you have reserved the tour we will ask for your height so we can make sure we have a suitable bike.

The bikes do not have a rack, just a water bottle holder. Travellers usually leave their items on the bus and take just what they need while cycling. It is not necessary to carry a backpack while riding.

This tour supports small privately owned businesses and aside from cycling, will give you many opportunities to engage with locals. Our accommodations, restaurant choices, and optional activities are all selected to give an authentic Cuban experience and have a positive economic and social impact on the communities we visit. As long as the traveller chooses appropriate cultural activities during their free time (to maintain the required "full schedule" of activities) this tour complies with the rules for the general license under Support for the Cuban People 515.574. Read about the rules here.

Typically, breaks are every 10-20km, which is more or less a half hour. These stops allow you to explore your surroundings and receive explanations of interesting historical or cultural information.