Trips

Havana

Bienvenido a Cuba! Kick off your adventure in Cuba’s gloriously old-school capital – you'll be dodging ’50s Cadillacs as you stroll the Malecon and smile at every local you pass. There are no activities planned until your important welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have time, you might like to visit Museo de la Revolucion – a museum focusing on the events leading up to, during and immediately after the Cuban revolution – or perhaps check out one of Havana’s many cool cafes or bohemian bars and grab a cheeky mojito! After your welcome meeting, why not dig into some delectable street snacks and join the group for some traditional Cuban cuisine at one of the many street vendors – churros anyone?

Havana / Bay of Pigs / Playa Larga

This morning, get ready for your leader-led walking tour of Old Havana – one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical city centres. Wander through the oldest square in town – Plaza de Armas – stroll around the architecturally eclectic buildings that line the 16th century Plaza Vieja – admire the basilica of San Francisco de Asis and visit the Cathedral – with its elaborate baroque facade. This afternoon fuel up at Espacios – a laidback, trendy tapas bar hidden in the backstreets of Havana. Continue in your private vehicle to Bay of Pigs (approximately 2.5 hours) and learn some lingo along the way. Practice simple greetings from Hola to Hasta Luego to the all-important phrases – like how to order a cerveza! With crystal clear Caribbean waters, a deep underwater wall and an outstanding variety of coral and fish – Bay of Pigs is a haven for snorkellers. If time permits, you can enjoy an afternoon swim in either Playa Giron or Cueva de los Peces (Cave of fishes) – before travelling to Playa Larga where you’ll spend the night.

Trinidad

Enjoy a sleep-in this morning before taking the tourist bus at 9:55 am to Trinidad; one of Cuba’s standout destinations (approximately 3 hours). Trinidad is everything you imagine Cuba to be – horses trot down cobblestone streets, old men strum guitars on doorsteps and stretches of white sand are ripe for exploring. Join your leader for a short orientation walk before enjoying the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Why not climb the bell tower of Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos for epic city views or sip on a canchanchara – an invigorating Cuban cocktail invented by guerrillas during the war of independence. In the evening, your leader will take you to a local bar for a rum tasting – as far as the rum world is concerned, Cuba is home to some of the best out there!

Trinidad

Trinidad is a bucket-list destination for many visitors to Cuba, due in no small part to a friendly populace, old-fashioned feel and particularly well-preserved colonial buildings. The Santeria religion (a voodoo-like Afro-Cuban tradition) which is practiced here makes the town even more intriguing. Today you can enjoy a free day of exploration. For some beachside fun and perhaps a little snorkelling, head down to Playa Ancon – just be careful you don't stand on a sea urchin! There are excellent walking trails in the nearby Sierra del Escambray mountains or you might like to hire a bike to discover the local area but a heads-up – Cuba's bicycles, like its cars, are vintage! Why not throw yourself into the Trinidad culture with an informal music lesson, a casual salsa class, or a folklore show at one of the town's numerous open-air venues.

Vinales

Get prepared for a long day of travel to Vinales (approximately 7 hours) – but the journey will be well worth it! From quaint bars to fragrant cigars – Vinales is known for being one of the most scenic parts of the country, where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and the mojitos are made with honey. This small and charming rural village is probably the easiest place in Cuba to mingle with the locals – who are very sociable and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. In the evening we suggest you choose to dine at an ecological farm that has sweeping views of the valley.

Vinales

Enjoy free time in picturesque Vinales – today is yours to soak up the slow, old-world pace of rural Cuba. The valley feels like something out of Jurassic Park, with huge mounds of rock covered in vegetation thrusting out of the earth at random spots. There’s plenty to do depending on your levels of energy and interests – for a culture fix – maybe stroll to the main square and the 19th century Casa de la Cultura and the next door Galeria de Arte with its collection of paintings by local artists – or if you're itching for something outdoorsy – you might like to cruise around the area on a bicycle, hike through the tobacco fields or visit Gran Caverno de Santo Tomas (one of the biggest cave systems on the American continent). If you can’t decide – ask your leader for their recommendations on how to make the most of charming Vinales.

Havana

It's time to head back to the capital today by tourist bus at 8:00 am (approximately 3 hours). Upon arrival, get a taxi to the guesthouse before getting on your bike and pushing your pedals through the streets of Havana on an included bicycle ride to Revolution Square (5 km each way). This famous plaza is a historic symbol of Cuba and has been home to some seriously important speeches. Later tonight maybe drop by the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and take the chance to toast to your trip and fellow travellers with a mojito. You can also join the hundreds of locals lining up to eat a Coppelia ice-cream – then why not shake the night away with a salsa lesson at Casa de la Musica.

Havana

There are no activities planned for today – so you might like to head out in a classic 1950s convertible on a Classic American Car Tour of Havana with Urban Adventures. Ride through the streets in style as you cruise through the capital and wind up with a Cuban cocktail at the swinging Hotel Nacional. For more information – visit urbanadventures.com.