Havana to Santiago de Cuba

Once you have arrived in Havana, you will be met and transferred to our accommodation. Once you have checked in, look for a letter from our local guide with the details of the welcome meeting, which will take place later today. After this, we will venture out to a local paladar - a privately owned restaurant and a symbol of Cuba’s market shift. Get to know the rest of the group over an included dinner!

Please note: Our Cuba tours comply with all regulations for travellers from both the United States and other countries. However, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct licenses and documentation to gain entry to Cuba. We suggest researching Cuban visa and border rules before booking your tour, as these rules are subject to change. We are unable to assist with visas, general licenses or other documentation.

Today, we’ll discover Havana's Old City with a guided walk through its main plazas. Along the way, our guide will explain Cuba's dual currency system and its impact on everything from street food to fine dining. We’ll also learn how the legalization of private business has sparked a culinary revival and have the chance to sample bites from local street vendors.

In the afternoon, we’ll cruise through Havana in a beautifully restored vintage car, always a highlight for travellers to Havana! Afterwards, we’ll witness an old tradition: El Cañonazo, a ceremonial cannon blast once used to indicate the closing of the walled city of Havana.

Havana - Playa Larga (Bay of Pigs) - Cienfuegos. This morning, we begin with a visit to the Ernest Hemingway Museum, located on the outskirts of Havana. The famous writer lived in this building for around 20 years, from 1939 - 1960. After our visit, we’ll head toward Cienfuegos, making a stop at the Bay of Pigs. It was here that the failed American-backed invasion landed in 1961, triggering the Cuban Missile Crisis and almost a nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union. You can opt to swim or snorkel in the bay - equipment is available for rent if you wish to dive in.

Once we arrive in Cienfuegos, we’ll stroll through the city to explore its history. We’ll also visit the ornate Palacio del Valle, where we can enjoy beautiful views of the bay. In the evening, we will make our way to a family run paladar for dinner.
Havana to Cienfuegos via Bay of Pigs travel time: 4.5 hours

Cienfuegos - Trinidad. Today, we depart for Trinidad, a city rich in churches and colonial architecture. For many visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is the highlight. This colonial city is remarkably well-preserved and has a fantastic nightlife scene - it's the place to get acquainted with Cuban rum! Here, we’ll embark on a cultural walking tour through the city, including a stop where you can enjoy some local cocktails.

We’ll then check out some local art galleries, where we’ll have the chance to interact with the artists. Afterwards, we’ll head to a dance school to enjoy an included Cuban salsa dance performance and lesson. Later, you’ll have the opportunity to show off your new moves amid the vibrant nightlife.
Cienfuegos to Trinidad travel time: 1.5 hours

This morning, we’ll embark on a hike to a waterfall on the outskirts of the city. On the way, we’ll visit a local campesino, a rural farm where a farmer will share insights into their way of life. Once we have arrived at the waterfall, we will spend some time in the refreshing natural pools before making our way back to the city - remember your swimsuit and a towel!

Back in Trinidad, we’ll join a bartending lesson to learn how to prepare local cocktails and discover the history behind them. Later, depending on the weather, we’ll visit Ancon Beach, where we can sunbathe, enjoy live music and interact with the locals. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special meal featuring live music and a tempting selection of traditional Cuban dishes.

Trinidad - Camaguey. This morning, we depart from Trinidad and head to Camagüey, Cuba’s third-largest city, located roughly halfway between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Along the way, we'll stop at the Manaca Iznaga sugar plantation to learn about the industry that built Trinidad off the back of the slave trade. The giant watch tower here is where guards used to keep watch over the plantation, revealing a darker side to Cuba's history.

Next, we visit the small town of Ciego de Avila to visit the Pauyet art gallery, known for its unique upcycled art. We then arrive in Camaguey. The city was designed in the 17th century to confuse potential invaders such as pirates and plunderers. This led to a labyrinth of narrow, twisting alleys where no streets run parallel, creating a distinctive layout designed to protect the city’s inhabitants. We'll enjoy an included orientation walk on arrival, and the evening is at leisure.
Trinidad to Camaguey travel time: 4.5 hours

Today we enjoy a unique bicitaxi ride (a bicitaxi is a pedal-powered three-wheeled taxi) through the labyrinth of narrow streets of Camaguey, making our way to the Camaguey ballet school. Here, we learn more about the importance of dance in Cuban culture. We're spending a second night in Camaguey.

Camaguey - Holguin. It's time to leave Camaguey behind as we head to Holguin, a city founded in 1752 and known for its green spaces and colonial architecture. We'll enjoy a walking tour around town once we've arrived and will then make our way to Loma de Cruz, a hilltop offering panoramic views back over the city. Your evening is at leisure in Holguin.
Camaguey to Holguin travel time: 3.5 hours

Holguin - Baracoa. It's a beautifully scenic drive along the coast today to reach our next destination: Baracoa. On arrival, enjoy an included walking tour to highlights of the town including the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. It boasts a bust of the indigenous leader Hatuey, who was burned at the stake here after refusing to bow to Spanish demands that he convert to Catholicism.
Holguin to Baracoa travel time: 6 hours

Baracoa is the place in Cuba where Christopher Columbus first set foot, and he wrote in his logbook that it was the most "beautiful land that human eyes could set upon". Lots has changed in Cuba since, but Baracoa remains incredibly picturesque. You'll take in more of the surrounding countryside as we visit a local farm to find out more about Cuban flora and farming practices.

This evening, we meet with a local family to watch a cooking demonstration, and will then be able to tuck in to Baracoan specialties like calalu, made using vegetables and coconut milk.

Our final day in Baracoa is spent at a local cocoa farm, where we'll watch a chocolate making demonstration. Baracoa is regarded as the best chocolate-producing region in Cuba, so make sure you try some chocolate while you're here!

Later, we enjoy a relaxing tour along the Yumuri River, with a swim stop or two for you to cool off in the clear water. Back in Baracoa, your final night is at leisure - we suggest you head out for a dinner of teti, tiny fish that are something of a regional specialty in Baracoa.

Baracoa - Santiago de Cuba. It's time to head to our final destination: Santiago de Cuba. Along the way, we'll pass the controversial US detention centre, Guantanamo Bay. We can also stop at a lookout from where you can peep into the US Navy Base, Mirador los Malones. Before we reach Santiago, we'll also stop at a local home to learn about and taste cucurucho, a sweet treat made from honey, nuts and coconut.

We then arrive in Santiago de Cuba, the first capital of Cuba. Santiago de Cuba was founded in 1515 and is home to many of the country's most important sites. We'll enjoy an orientation tour and then head out for a night of live music with local Santiagueros.
Baracoa to Santiago de Cuba travel time: 6 hours

We'll enjoy a comprehensive tour of the city today, taking in Santiago's top museums, colonial churches and historic buildings. We'll visit the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where historic figures including Fidel Castro are buried. And we'll see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of Jose Marti, iconic Cuban poet and philosopher.

Santiago is also Cuba's music capital, and we'll end our day with a tour of some of the city's best live music venues and rehearsal spaces with a local expert. It's then time to head to a local restaurant for an included farewell dinner.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check out. An included transfer will take you to the airport in Santiago, though if you are heading back to Havana, this is not included. We can arrange a transfer for you, however. Safe onward travels!