Cuba Libre
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Classic cars in Havana
Havana has a distinct, exotic personality that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. During this trip, you’ll stay in a Casa particular near the heart of timeless Old Havana and take a city tour by classic car and foot. It’s the perfect way to explore the mix of crumbling colonial beauty, peeling bygone glamour and colossal Caribbean soul.
Days 3-5 – Las Terrazas eco experience
After breakfast, you’ll leave Havana and travel either by hire car or private transfer for roughly 90 minutes to Las Terrazas. Las Terrazas, Cuba’s pioneering eco-village is a beautiful natural playground just begging to be explored. Walk to hidden waterfalls, get to know the forest on foot and discover a unique biosphere saved from the brink of destruction. You’ll spend 2 nights tucked away in the nature reserve of Las Terrazas, staying in a truly unique resort built around a giant tree. The area is an example of eco-tourism at its very best
Days 5-7 – Rolling through tobacco hills
This morning you’ll travel to the tobacco town of Viñales. Whether you’re travelling by hire car or transfer, the journey will take about an hour and a half through one of Cuba’s most beautiful provinces. Horse ride through the rolling hills of Viñales, Cuba’s rustic cigar region. You’ll stay in a local Casa and explore the valley on horseback or by foot, learning about the art of cigar-rolling and meet the local guajiros. If you’re looking for an authentic Cuban countryside experience, you’ve found it. Life isn’t staged in Viñales, it simply unfolds.
Days 7-10 – Cuba, the Cuban way – Trinidad
Whether you’re travelling by transfer or hire car, there is a long journey ahead of you today – roughly 7 hours. If you’re travelling by transfer then it’s an early start as you head to Trinidad. If you are travelling by hire car, it’s possible to stop at Cienfuegos, which is known as “Cuba’s little Paris”. Trinidad was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. On the day after your arrival, you’ll check into your Casa and head out for a tour of the outskirts of Trinidad with a local guide on a bici-taxi. He’ll take you on a voyage of discovery and show you life behind the facades of the coloured cobblestone streets. During your trip, he will also show you schools, tobacco and cigar factories, laundry facilities, and local outlets of fresh fruit. It will give you a real insight into life in Cuba.
Days 10-14 – Cuba’s secret soul
Today you’ll leave Trinidad and head to Sancti Spiritus by hire car or private transfer. Your travel time will be roughly 1.5 hours. Explore two of Cuba’s relatively undiscovered colonial gems over the next few nights, take a break from the bustle of the bigger cities and tourist hot-spots whilst gaining an insight into everyday Cuban life.
First stop Sancti Spiritus – a small, attractive city, known for its welcoming spirit. Amongst the beautiful parks, ‘unusual’ museums and colourful streets you’ll find some great places to eat and drink, and you may even feel like staying a little longer. In the evening you’ll be welcomed into a local lady’s home to learn how to make (and eat) some classic Cuban dishes.
You’ll then head to is Remedios – a friendly, serene little town near to the beautiful northern coast. During your 2 nights here, you’ll take a day-trip across the nearby causeway in a classic car, to visit some of the country’s best beaches.
You’ll be staying in locally owned casa particulares throughout, and your hosts will be more than happy to tell you all about the highlights of their hometowns.
Days 14-15 – Overnight in Havana
Today you make your way back to Havana for your final night in Cuba. The journey takes approximately 4h. You’ll return to Havana and stay in Havana Vieja. This is your chance for a final wander and to visit any sites you may have missed previously. The many art galleries and local craft markets mean you can stock up on any last minute souvenirs. Maybe you’ll have time to visit some of Hemmingways’ old haunts as well.
The following day we’ll arrange a private driver to collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the airport, all in good time to catch your international flights home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Travel by hire car
For a little extra freedom, you can choose to travel by hire car. The signposts can be a little confusing at times, and you’ll have to avoid the occasional pothole on the rural roads, but there’s very little traffic around and we think it’s a really lovely and adventurous way to explore the country. You’ll have a modern car complete with a map and insurance cover, so you’re all good to go!
