Welcome at the Havana¹ airport by your tour guide or a local representative. Transfer to your casa particular. Dinner at own expense.

Accommodation: Casa particular, e.g. San Lázaro 115 or similar, Havana

¹ Transfer (Varadero Airport - Havana) on arrival in Varadero not included. See Caribbean Tours transfer rates for suplement.

Immerse yourself in the everyday life of Cubans. Your day kicks off hopping on a bicitaxi that will take you to the Old Square in the historical center of the city. During this walk you will have the opportunity to learn a little about the history of Cuba through its vehicles presented in the Automobile Museum. Continue for a tour of four iconic squares of Old Havana. In the afternoon, after combing by foot the main attractions of the old town, get on what Cubans call a “cocotaxi”, a coconut-shaped vehicle that will take you to iconic sites like the Revolution Square and a not-so-well-known classic car repair shop. In the latter, you will be amazed by the ingenuity of the mechanics who keep those collectibles not just running, but in excellent shape thanks to home-made handcrafted spare parts. Your day will close in style with a tour on board of one of those beautiful cars to explore the modern part of Havana and its emblematic neighborhoods, including Vedado and Miramar, ending with a panoramic tour along the breezy Malecón. (B)

Accommodation and breakfast: e.g. San Lázaro 115 or similar, Havana

In the morning, head for Pinar del Río, the greenest of Cuba’s provinces and home to the best tobacco in the world. Stop at the lookout point Los Jazmines to appreciate the stunning Viñales Valley with its distinctive limestone outcrops called Mogotes. A traditional lunch awaits in a place full of nature, where you will also enjoy a cocktail session to learn the secrets behind the recipes of some of the most delicious Cuban cocktails. Back to Viñales, you will be able to admire one of the largest murals in the world, “El Mural de la Prehistoria”. Conceived by painter Leovigildo González, 21 local farmers helped in this monumental work that recreates life in Cuba in the times of the dinosaurs. After a short tour of the valley, rest of the afternoon at leisure. (B/L)

Accommodation with breakfast: e.g. Villa Marilin or similar, Viñales

In Viñales, time seems to stand still. Nature, almost unspoiled, and the local fauna definitely contribute to the ideal portrait. Enjoy a morning walk by the lush greenery and cultivated fields. Chances are you will run across a farmer working the traditional way, with rustic tools and ox-drawn carts. You can look forward to a candid talk about his work and life experiences. After the trek, savour a delicious lunch, courtesy of Alberto Vitamina, a singular local farmer with a keen creole sense of humor. Alberto rose to notoriety selling fruits, his trademark being his loquaciousness with guests. After the re-energizing pause, rid yourself of any source of stress in our special adventure: the canopy tour². With every stretch, enjoy the sensation of literary having the valley at your feet. (B/L)

Accommodation with breakfast: e.g. Villa Marilin or similar, Viñales

² Canopy is a unique experience that requires comfortable and non-slip footwear and we recommend to wear pants. A moderate level of fitness
is an advantage, as some steps and small hills have to be climbed between the various platforms.

Depart in the morning for Cienfuegos, only city in Cuba founded by the French. On your way there, stop at the ruins of the Angerona coffee plantation, an estate owned by the German immigrant Cornelio Souchay back in the 19th century. Vestiges of the property that have withstood the passing of time include parts of the manor house, the walls of the slaves’ quarters and the reservoirs used to water the coffee cultivation. The place is wrapped with a mystic atmosphere of legends and stories about slavery and love. Shortly after, visit an agro-ecological paradise, a finca where local food production is transformed into culinary delicacies in the hands of an experienced chef. After lunch and a approx. 300 km haul, arrive to the charming maritime city of Cienfuegos, the Pearl of the South. Benny Moré, the most celebrated Cuban “sonero”, is among the many national idols born here. Do not miss the opportunity to snap a photo alongside his bronze statue in the Prado Promenade. (B/L)

Accommodation with breakfast: e.g. Casa Maikel or similar, Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos City attracts and delights its visitors due to its colonial charm and the distinctive sea breeze of a cosmopolitan city surrounded by water. In every column or street, you can feel the splendorous ambience of a growing city since the beginning of the XIX Century. The journey today it is designed to combine the beautiful nature of Cienfuegos’s surroundings with its splendid architecture. Start the day by visiting Guanaroca lagoon, a natural sanctuary that holds a colony of the gorgeous pink flamingos and some other aquatic birds. In the afternoon, back in town, you will visit José Martí square, and the astonishment theatre Tomas Terry just crossing the street. There are lots of interesting stories about the theatre including Caruso´s performance in 1920. Right at the end of the afternoon you will have a delicious cocktail with a wonderful view from the terrace of the majestic Valle Palace, which is located at the south point of the city and afterwards could enjoy a tasty dinner at your private accommodation. (B/D)

Accommodation with breakfast: e.g. Casa Maikel or similar, Cienfuegos

Leave in the morning for Trinidad, one of the wealthiest villas of the 19th century, where the unique colonial architecture remains essentially untouched to this day. A tour through the old cobblestone streets of the city will suffice to understand why it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk by the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by magnificent ancient mansions. One of them is the Brunet Palace, nowadays the Romantic Museum, where you will be able to appreciate a collection of pieces that belonged to the sugar estate owners back in the 19th century. To crown a day of traditions, learn about the Trinitarian pottery-making heritage in “La Casa del Alfarero”. In the evening, after tasting the local cuisine at an authentic paladar you will have the opportunity to dance to the rhythm of the Cuban music at Casa de la Trova. (B/D)

Accommodation with breakfast: e.g. Osmary y Alberto or similar, Trinidad

Today is all about the Caribbean Sea. Leave the fishing village of Casilda on a catamaran. Sail in the Caribbean Sea and see the southern Trinitarian shore slowly draw away until you arrive in Cayo Iguana. There will be a stop so you can jump into the crystal clear water and enjoy some time for snorkelling. Both, on the boat and at Cayo Iguana you will have the opportunity to sunbathe and relax while listening to the Cuban rhythms. A typical creole style lunch with seafood specialties will be offered on the island before returning to Trinidad in the afternoon with the feeling of having revived Robinson Crusoe’s deeds. (B/L)

Accommodation with breakfast: e.g. Osmary y Alberto or similar, Trinidad

Traveling through the Sugar Mills Valley, where the iconic Iznaga Tower stands, you will head for Santa Clara. This city witnessed the most important victory of the iconic guerrilla fighter Ernesto “Che” Guevara. To learn about this clash, visit the place from the outside where his troops derailed an armoured train⁴ in an action that effectively determined the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Continue for a refreshing drink at a local bar, surrounded by a pleasant atmosphere. Visit the “Che” Guevera Memorial⁵, the final resting place of the epoch-making revolutionary. En route to Havana, stop in Varadero to drop off clients opting for a beach extension (not included). (B)

Note: When participating in a group tour, a timely connection to an international return flight on the last day of the round trip cannot be guaranteed and is therefore not recommended on the same day. Arrival in time to the airport is not guaranteed in those cases and Caribbean Tours does not take responsibility for that. Instead, it is recommended to book a beach stay in Varadero or an extra night in Havana as an extension to your vacation. In case you nevertheless fly back on the same day, we advise you to book a private direct transfer from Trinidad to the airport separately to ensure punctual arrival at the international airport.

³ Route via Santa Clara with stopover in Varadero to Havana 535 km, without stopover in Varadero only 315 km.

⁴ The open-air museum "Tren Blindado" is closed on Sundays, but can still be visited from the outside.

⁵ The “Che” Guevara Memorial officially closes on Mondays but, occasionally; it can close any other day without notice. Caribbean Tours does not take responsibility for those changes. However, even from the outside, the visit to the monument, with its impressive image of “Che”, is recommended.

• The tours are always carried out in air-conditioned vehicles (Taxi/Microbus/Bus) of the quality customary in the country with a professional driver and tour guide. Depending on the number of passengers, the following vehicles are used:
  • Up to 2 people: standard taxi (Please note that the vehicle has a maximum of one piece of luggage per person as the driver and tour guide are in the same vehicle and carry luggage according to the duration of the trip.)
  • With 03 - 07 participants by minivan/microbus (6 - 10 seats)
  • With 08 - 10 participants by minibus (15 - 16 seats)
  • With 11 - 12 participants by bus (24 seats)
• Transfer from Havana airport to Havana accommodation on the starting day of the tour
• Return transfer to Havana airport or, for guests with a beach extension, to the beach hotel in Varadero, if this takes place on the last day of the round trip (transfers from/to the airport might be escorted by a Caribbean Tours representative instead)
• Multilingual local guide service all 9 days of the tour
• Excursions, visits and entrances as per program
• 8 overnights at selected privately-owned houses
• 8x breakfast, 4x lunch, 2x dinner

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program
• Optional excursions and shows incl. transfers (contact sales@caribbeantours.ch)
• Extensions e.g. beach extension in Varadero or additional nights in Havana
• Transfer to the Havana airport after extension
• Personal expenses and tips

• The tours are always carried out in air-conditioned vehicles (Taxi/Microbus) of the quality customary in the country with a professional driver and tour guide. Depending on the number of passengers, the following vehicles are used:
  • Up to 2 people: standard taxi (Please note that the vehicle has a maximum of one piece of luggage per person as the driver and tour guide are in the same vehicle and carry luggage according to the duration of the trip.)
  • From 3-6 pax in a minivan/microbus (6-10 seats)
• Transfer from Havana airport to Havana accommodation on the starting day of the tour
• Return transfer to Havana airport or, for guests with a beach extension, to the beach hotel in Varadero, if this takes place on the last day of the round trip (transfers from/to the airport might be escorted by a Caribbean Tours representative instead)
• Local guide service all 9 days of the tour
• Excursions, visits and entrances as per program
• 8 overnights at selected privately-owned houses
• 8x breakfast, 4x lunch, 2x dinner

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program
• Optional excursions and shows incl. transfers (contact sales@caribbeantours.ch)
• Extensions e.g. beach extension in Varadero or additional nights in Havana
• Transfer to the Havana airport after extension
• Personal expenses and tips

• Transfer from Havana airport to Havana accommodation on the starting day of the tour
• Caribbean Tours Car Rental Comfort Set: Personal assistance during the rental car pick-up.
• 8 overnights at selected privately-owned houses (subject to availability)
• 8x breakfast

• Rental car (booked separately, based on Caribbean Tours rates)
• The following services need to be paid directly by the client at the rental office with credit card: the one-way drop-off charge (additional charge applied for handing in the car in a rental office other than the one where it was received) / fee for any additional drivers, if applicable / deposit or any other additional costs for the car rental.
• Main meals, drinks, entrance-fees, sightseeing, guide and drive
• Optional excursions and shows incl. transfers (contact sales@caribbeantours.ch)
• Extensions e.g. beach extension in Varadero or additional nights in Havana
• Transfer to Havana airport¹ at the end of the roundtrip or after an extension
• Personal expenses and tips

¹ As the airport transfer at the end of the round trip is not included, we recommend for the case that you fly back on the last day of the round trip, to plan the drop-off of the rental car directly at the airport.

• Round trip in an air-conditioned vintage car of national quality standard with a chauffeur (max. 2 persons per vehicle due to luggage capacity; as of 3 pax, tour is done in 2 classic cars with one guide. for every 2 additional persons an extra classic car is provided without guide)
• Transfer from Havana airport to Havana accommodation on the starting day of the tour
• Return transfer to Havana airport or, for guests with a beach extension, to the beach hotel in Varadero, if this takes place on the last day of the round trip (transfers from/to the airport might be escorted by a Caribbean Tours representative instead)
• Local guide service all 9 days of the tour
• Excursions, visits and entrances as per program
• 8 night-stay at selected privately-owned houses
• 8x breakfast, 4x lunch, 2x dinner

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program
• Optional excursions and shows incl. transfers (contact sales@caribbeantours.ch)
• Extensions e.g. beach extension in Varadero or additional nights in Havana
• Transfer to the Havana airport after extension
• Personal expenses and tips