Best of Cuba

15 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
From Cuba's historical streets of Havana to the pristine shores of the Caribbean, stroll through World Heritage cities, relive a fascinating colonial history and experience the rich heritage of music and dance that Cuba is renowned for. Dive into the incredible marine world and history of the Bay of Pigs, prepare to be wowed as you discover Baracoa’s mountain...
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$2,931
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Old-world charm, rich history, exciting nightlife – evocative Havana is like nowhere else on Earth. See the difference between city and coastal life on a guided walking tour of the old capital.
    • Receive a fascinating insight into the rise and fall of the charismatic and highly celebrated Cuban revolutionary – Che Guevara – at his mausoleum and museum in Santa Clara.
    • With its vibrant music scene and Afro-Cuban roots, sultry Santiago de Cuba is a great place to bust out some moves and hit the dance floor with the locals.
    • Experience old-world charm in the colourful coastal town of Trinidad. Delve into the city’s sultry Latin rhythms with a salsa class and enjoy plenty of free time for seaside relaxation.
    • Take inspiration from the locals and mix things up with a bicycle-taxi tour of Camaguey – roll through the winding streets on two-wheels, visiting markets, plazas and an art gallery.

What's this trip about?

    From Cuba's historical streets of Havana to the pristine shores of the Caribbean, stroll through World Heritage cities, relive a fascinating colonial history and experience the rich heritage of music and dance that Cuba is renowned for. Dive into the incredible marine world and history of the Bay of Pigs, prepare to be wowed as you discover Baracoa’s mountainous surrounds, visit the birthplace of salsa and admire Trinidad’s unrivalled ambience on this two-week adventure. From historic cars to fragrant cigars, and with plenty of rum and rumba in between, this adventure will take you into the heart of all things Cuban.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityHavana
End CityHavana

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Central America
  • Cuba

Attractions

  • Bar
  • Baracoa
  • Camaguey
  • Caribbean
  • Havana
  • Santiago
  • Santiago de Cuba
  • Trinidad

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
    • Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (entrance fee)
    • Holguin - La Loma de Cruz (sunset lookout)
    • Holguin - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Baracoa - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Baracoa - Boca de Yumuri Canyon boat tour
    • Baracoa - Cocoa plantation visit
    • Santiago de Cuba - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Guantanamo Bay Viewpoint (time & weather dependent)
    • Santiago de Cuba - Half-day City Tour including El Morro Castle, Santa Ifigenia Cemetery & Moncada Barracks (guide, transport &entrance fees included)
    • Santiago de Cuba - night live music
    • Camaguey - Leader - led orientation walk
    • Bayamo - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Camaguey - Rum tasting in a local bar
    • Camaguey - Bicycle Taxi City Tour (guide and transport included)
    • Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Ciego de Ávila - Jewellery workshop (Community-based project)
    • Trinidad - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour)
    • Cienfuegos - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (from entrance fee)
    • Guanaroca Lagoon - boat tour
    • Cienfuegos - cigar factory visit
    • Bay of Pigs - Coastal swim stop

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Havana

Bienvenido a Cuba! Welcome to Cuba! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, the day is yours to explore. Consider a stroll through Old Havana to acquaint yourself with its colourful mix of '50s Americana, colonial architecture and bu...

Day 2 Havana

Havana's history is as colourful as its cars and buildings, and today you’ll get to experience the magic of Old Havana on a walking tour with your local leader. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1982, this well-preserved area within Cuba’s capital remains virtually ...

Day 3 Sancti Spiritus

Say goodbye to Havana for now and head towards Santa Clara (approximately 4 hours), the final resting place of Cuba’s most famous son, Che Guevara, where you’ll visit his mausoleum and memorial. Che's remains were brought here after they were found in a remote corner ...

Day 4 Holguin

Hit the road this morning for a longer drive to Holguin (approximately 6 hours). The journey may be long, but there will be plenty of chances to stop and stretch and the awe-inspiring scenes of central Cuba will make you wish it would never end. On arrival to Holguin...

Day 5 Baracoa

This morning, hop back on the bus and travel to Baracoa (approximately 7 hours) through central Cuba, tucked between lush green forests and the vast Caribbean sea. Clinging to the coastline, Baracoa was Cuba’s first town, and stories of its past are every bit as intri...

Day 6 Baracoa

This morning, head to Boca de Yumuri Canyon to experience the stunning nature that awaits. Stop enroute to visit a local cocoa plantation and learn about these magic beans that concur the world. On arrival at Boca de Yumuri,take a walk in the nature and ride in cayuca...

Day 7 Santiago de Cuba

A spectacular journey to Santiago de Cuba will take you through verdant mountains from Baracoa, along the dramatic Atlantic coastline to the dry region surrounding Guantanamo, dotted with cacti and wiry goats. The drive to Guantanamo Bay is about 3 hours, then if time...

Day 8 Santiago de Cuba

Set off on a 3-hour city tour of Santiago. You'll visit El Morro Castle, Ifigenia cemetery and the Moncada barracks and learn about the city’s rich history. For nearly a century, the city was the island's seat of power and it also played a vital role in the Revolution...

Day 9 Camaguey

Head east along the Carretera Central to Camaguey. The journey takes about 5-6 hours with plenty of stops for you to relax and stretch your legs. An essential stop on the way is Bayamo, also one of the original Spanish settlements and a city that’s frozen in time – yo...

Day 10 Camaguey

Enjoy a tour of Camaguey by bicycle taxi. Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cuba, and bicycle taxis are very common – in the confusing streets of Camaguey, it's a particularly good way to get around. On the tour, you'll visit a local market, parks, plazas and ...

Day 11 Trinidad

Travel through the centre of the country to Trinidad, which sits on the scenic Caribbean coast. First stop is at Ciego de Ávila (after approximately 2 hours) for a lovely visit to a local jewellery workshop that sprung from a community-based project that trains the yo...

Day 12 Trinidad

Today is a good opportunity to visit the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Martires de Trinidad – both chronicle the struggles of the revolutionary period in the town's history. At some point while you're here you'll have the opportuni...

Day 13 Cienfuegos

Travel on to Cienfuegos (approximately 1 hour), known affectionately as 'The Pearl of the South'. Part of the city's appeal lies in its colonial centre, which features wide Parisian-style boulevards and elegant colonnades. On the way, stop at Guanaroca Lagoon, one of ...

Day 14 Havana

Onwards to the peaceful sandy arc of Playa Giron (approximately 2 hours), which sits on the eastern side of the Bahia de Cochinos, better known as the Bay of Pigs. It was famously here that the CIA sponsored a failed invasion by exile forces in 1961. It’s not just the...

Day 15 Havana

Your trip comes to an end this morning. Check-out time from the guesthouse is 10 am.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,019
Price per day$135
Last Updated: 3/19/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
07 Apr 2024
21 Apr 2024
$2,218
6 spots left
21 Apr 2024
05 May 2024
$2,565
2 spots left
12 May 2024
26 May 2024
$2,019
7 spots left
23 Jun 2024
07 Jul 2024
$2,375
13 spots left
07 Jul 2024
21 Jul 2024
$2,285
11 spots left
21 Jul 2024
04 Aug 2024
$2,285
11 spots left
18 Aug 2024
01 Sep 2024
$2,171
15 spots left
22 Sep 2024
06 Oct 2024
$2,285
12 spots left
20 Oct 2024
03 Nov 2024
$2,375
13 spots left
03 Nov 2024
17 Nov 2024
$2,470
6 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,308
Great
672
Average
144
Disappointing
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Terrible
195
A

Anna

Jan 2017

Written on

Incredible tour leader.

I thoroughly enjoyed the approach of our tour leader, Ivan. He was warm, friendly, professional, knowledgeable and looked after every aspect of our trip. He is an in...

A

Alison

Jan 2017

Written on

Superb trip!

The organization and help I received pre trip from Tracy Hopkins was excellent and reassured me that I would be well looked after - a consideration as I was travelin...

E

Erik

Jan 2017

Written on

A truly amazing trip of a fascinating island.

Our tour guide Ivan organized everything extremely we...

A

Anna

Oct 2015

Written on

I thoroughly enjoyed the approach of our

I thoroughly enjoyed the approach of our tour leader, Ivan. He was warm, friendly, professional, knowledgeable and looked after every aspect of our trip. He is an in...

J

John

Oct 2015

Written on

I have now been on 2 Intrepid trips.

I have now been on 2 Intrepid trips. The prospectus of the tours tells y...

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (10 nights),Hotel (4 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,Taxi,Boat,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle,Taxi,Boat
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services TRAVEL INSURANCE: The Cuban government has declared that travel insurance (which covers at least medical expenses) is compulsory for all travellers to Cuba. Proof of travel insurance may be requested at Havana airport by immigration officials. Travellers failing to produce a valid document will be required to purchase a new policy at the airport, before being granted access to Cuba. Cuban authorities also announced that they will not recognise any insurance policy issued or underwritten by any insurance company which has an affiliation with a US company. You should take this into account when purchasing your insurance before departure from your home country.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements CUBA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS This trip is not for US passport holders. If you hold a US passport, we encourage you to book our Hola Cuba – for US Citizens trip. To view this trip you may need to change the website region at the bottom of the page if you are viewing our website from outside the US. Passport holders from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are required to obtain a Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista) which is valid for 30 days from date of entry. You may be required to buy the card at your departure airport (eg YTO, MEX, CUN, SJO, LIM, PTY) at the check in counter or at the flight departure gate. Alternatively, you may need to buy the tourist card from your travel agency, but policies vary (eg Canadian airlines give out tourist cards during the flight), so you'll need to check ahead with your airline. In some cases, you can arrange a visa prior to departing your home country but this is usually more expensive and time consuming. If you are British or reside in Great Britain with a passport from the EU, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you can apply for a Tourist Card here https://www.cubavisa.uk/cuba-visa-application-form/ This type of Tourist Card is not valid for travel to Cuba from the USA, Puerto Rico or US Virgin Islands. You may use this local address to apply for your Tourist Card: Casa La Gargola, 1st floor #82 Cuba street, Old Havana. 48 hours before departing for Cuba, you will need to fill out the customs, immigration, and health declaration form on the D'Viajeros website. This generates a QR code that you will need for the airport check in process. https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio To enter Cuba travellers are required to have evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, proof of travel medical insurance, as well as onward travel ticket. GETTING TO CUBA FOR NON-US PASSPORT HOLDERS We recommend travelling to Cuba via Canada, Europe, South or Central America. If travelling via the US, you will require a US Tourist Visa after visiting Cuba – not an ESTA. Please refer to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for more information. Travel to Cuba may also impact your eligibility for an ESTA in the future. Remember to check the entry requirements of all countries you will visit or transit through. PROHIBITED ITEMS WHEN TRAVELLING FROM CUBA TO THE US Travellers cannot bring alcohol or tobacco products from Cuba into the US for personal use. More information can be found here: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-82?language=en_US
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. The laws around health and safety in Cuba are very different than in more developed countries, even for government licenced accommodation. While we endeavour to source accommodation that is compliant to our own health and safety standards there will be occasions where the accommodation will not have a marked fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. Please ask your guesthouse owner to explain the fire evacuation plan to you when you check in. WATER SAFETY: Please take care when taking part in any activities in the ocean, river or open water, where waves and currents can be unpredictable. It's expected that anyone taking part in water activities is able to swim and have experience in open water. All swimmers should seek local advice before entering the water.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information
Finish point Hostal Casa Vieja Habana 203, Old Havana Havana 10201 CUBA
Trip ID
intrepid-QUSH

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