9 Days • 8 Nights
Classic Cuba: Cars, Cigars & Colonial Towns
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Old Havana, the Malecon and vintage convertibles
- Vinales tobacco valley and hand-rolled cigars
- Elegant, French-flavoured Cienfuegos
- Che Guevara's memorial in Santa Clara
- Colonial Trinidad and its rooftop music
- Live son, salsa and warm Cuban hospitality
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Met at Havana airport and transferred to your hotel or casa, you take a first evening stroll along the Malecon before a welcome dinner at a characterful paladar.
A morning walking tour of Old Havana's plazas and the cathedral, and an afternoon riding a vintage convertible along the seafront, ending with live music in a historic bar.
A free day for the Museum of the Revolution, a cigar factory, Hemingway's haunts or the art of Fusterlandia, followed by a night of salsa.
Drive west to the Vinales valley, visiting a tobacco farm to see cigars rolled and enjoying the dramatic mogote scenery at sunset.
After a morning in the valley you cross the island to Cienfuegos, the graceful 'Pearl of the South' with its French-influenced architecture and seaside boulevard. Explore its elegant centre in the afternoon.
A short drive along the coast brings you to Trinidad, a perfectly preserved colonial town. A walking tour takes in Plaza Mayor and the pastel mansions, with the evening free for rooftop music.
A free day to explore the Escambray mountains and waterfalls, relax on Playa Ancon, or browse Trinidad's craft markets, ending on the famous Casa de la Musica steps.
You travel back towards Havana via Santa Clara, visiting the Che Guevara mausoleum and monument. Arrive in the capital for a final free evening of Cuban nightlife.
After breakfast you are transferred to Havana airport for your onward flight, carrying home the rhythms of Cuba.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation in hotels or casas particulares
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a classic-car city tour
- Airport transfers
- Touring and activities as per itinerary with English-speaking guides
- Ground transfers between cities
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- a Havana walking tour, a Vinales tobacco-farm tour, and Cienfuegos and Trinidad guided tours
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Tourist card: Almost all visitors need a Cuban Tourist Card (visa) to enter, which we help you arrange before travel, along with a passport valid for at least six months. Requirements vary by nationality and by the country you fly from
- US travellers: US citizens and residents face specific restrictions and must travel under one of the authorised categories rather than general tourism, and US-issued bank and credit cards do not work in Cuba; we will advise you carefully if this applies to you
- Cash is king: Cuba is largely a cash economy and many foreign cards, especially those linked to US banks, do not work; bring enough cash (euros, pounds, Canadian dollars or US dollars) to exchange for local currency and cover your trip
- Currency: The local currency is the Cuban Peso. Exchange rates and rules change frequently, so we brief you on the current situation before you travel and recommend carrying cash in good condition
- Medical insurance: Proof of travel medical insurance is required to enter Cuba and is strongly recommended in any case; we can advise on suitable cover
- Internet: Internet access is limited and can be slow, typically via wifi in hotels and public squares using prepaid cards; embrace the chance to disconnect and enjoy Cuba's music and street life
- Best time to visit: The dry season from November to April offers the most pleasant weather and is ideal for sightseeing and beaches; the summer is hotter and wetter and falls within the Atlantic hurricane season
- Casas particulares: Staying in a casa particular, a licensed private guesthouse, is a wonderful way to meet Cubans and enjoy home cooking; we can mix these with hotels to suit your comfort and style. Tipping in cash is customary and appreciated
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is spent travelling between cities?
Cuba's colonial cities are spread across the centre and west of the island, so there are several scenic drives of a few hours each. We keep them comfortable, with stops along the way, and the changing landscapes are part of the experience.
Can I buy cigars and rum to bring home?
Yes — you can buy genuine Cuban cigars and rum, and visiting a tobacco farm and a cigar factory is a highlight. Be aware of your home country's import allowances (US travellers face restrictions), which we can advise on.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner. Cuba's paladares (private restaurants) and casa home-cooking are a highlight, so most lunches and dinners are left free, and we are happy to recommend the best.
Do I need a visa for Cuba?
Almost all visitors need a Cuban Tourist Card, which we help arrange before you travel. US citizens and residents face additional rules and must travel under an authorised category; we advise you fully based on your nationality.
Can I use my credit card and ATMs in Cuba?
Cuba is largely a cash economy, and many foreign cards, especially US-linked ones, do not work. Bring enough cash in euros, pounds or Canadian dollars to exchange; we brief you on the current money situation before departure.
When is the best time to visit Cuba?
The dry season from November to April is the most comfortable and popular, ideal for Havana, the colonial towns and the beaches. Summer is hotter, wetter and within the hurricane season.
Is Cuba safe for travellers?
Cuba is generally very safe for visitors, with low levels of violent crime and warm, welcoming people. As anywhere, take normal precautions with valuables, and your guides are on hand throughout to help.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, colonial towns and beach, mix hotels and casas particulares, add regions like Santiago or the cays, and tailor the pace to your interests.
More Cultural Journeys
Cultural
Customizable
El Salvador Colonial & Culture: Suchitoto & Beyond
El Salvador Colonial & Culture: Suchitoto & Beyond
El Salvador
Cultural
Customizable
El Salvador & Guatemala Highlights Combo
El Salvador & Guatemala Highlights Combo
El Salvador
Cultural
Customizable
El Salvador Coffee & Highlands
El Salvador Coffee & Highlands
El Salvador