The Best of Cuba: 11-Day Tour

11-Day Tour Details

Day 1: Arrival in Havana

We'll begin this 11-day tour of the best of Cuba after picking you up from the airport in Havana. We'll then take you to your hotel, where you'll spend the first night. Once checked into the hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free and at night, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner before resting for the next day.

Day 2: Havana

The second day will start with breakfast at the hotel. Then, we'll head to the historic center of Havana.

First, we'll visit the most emblematic squares of the Cuban capital, where the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, the Plaza de Armas, and the Plaza de la Catedral stand out. After, we'll head to the Museum of Rum. Are you ready to delight your taste buds? Here, you'll discover how the famous Cuban rum is crafted, and we'll finish the tour of the museum with a tasting of a 7-year-old Havana Club Añejo. Cheers!

Next, we'll enjoy a tasty lunch at a restaurant in the center. After lunch, we'll embark on a scenic route around the Plaza de la Revolución, passing by the buildings of the Museum of the Revolution, the Colina Universitaria (University Hill), and, of course, the famous Malecón.

We'll also visit the Gran Teatro de Havana and the impressive National Capitol of Cuba. You'll see how you can't help taking pictures of this gigantic building! Then, we'll return to the hotel to rest. We'll regroup later to visit the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (Fortress of Saint Charles), where you'll witness the Cannon Shot Ceremony.

Finally, we'll have dinner at a restaurant and finish the day by returning to the hotel.

Day 3: Havana – Pinar del Río – Havana

After breakfast, we'll leave Havana behind and start a 2-hour road trip to Pinar del Río, where they say that the best tobacco in the world is made. Time to find out!

During the trip, we'll make a short stop at the Las Barrigonas Tourist Center to stretch our legs and enjoy the natural environment. After, we'll reach Pinar del Río, where we'll visit a tobacco farm.

Are you ready to see how an authentic Cuban cigar is made? We'll join a tour to witness the harvest, selection, and grading of tobacco leaves. You'll see how tobacco is shaped and discover why Cuban cigars are the world's most highly valued cigars.

Then, you'll enjoy a scrumptious lunch at a restaurant in Pinar del Río. With happy bellies, we'll begin our journey back to Havana.

Lastly, you'll have dinner at the hotel and have the night off to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Day 4: Havana – Cienfuegos - Trinidad

Ready for the day? After breakfast at the hotel, we'll say goodbye to Havana and head to Cienfuegos. We'll enjoy a nice road trip of approximately 3 hours. Before reaching our destination, you'll enjoy a well-deserved lunch.

Afterward, we'll start exploring the streets of one of Cuba's most beautiful cities. Did you know it's one of the best-designed cities in the Caribbean? We'll walk past the buildings of Tomás Terry Theatre, the José Martí Park, the Casa del Fondo de Bienes Culturales, the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and the Palacio del Valle. Get your cameras ready, because you'll fall in love with this last building!

To finish the day, we'll go on a 1-hour road trip to the town of Trinidad, where we'll end the day at a hotel. See you tomorrow!

Day 5: Trinidad – Cayo Iguana - Trinidad

Ready to spend a day exploring the Caribbean Sea? Sounds nice, doesn't it? After breakfast at the hotel, we'll set off to Marina Gaviota, where we'll hop on a catamaran that will take us to Cayo Iguana.

During this 1.5 to 2-hour boat ride, you'll admire the beautiful scenery as we reach a strategic point where you'll be able to snorkel. What species will you find in the key's crystal-clear waters?

After snorkeling, you'll have lunch at the beach, and we'll begin our journey back to Trinidad. Once we arrive, you'll get settled in at the hotel, where you'll have dinner and spend the night. 

Day 6: Trinidad – Topes de Collantes

We'll start the day after breakfast at the hotel. Once we're ready, it'll be time to head to the Valle de los Ingenios de Trinidad or Valley of the Sugar Mills to soar the heights by ziplining over a tropical forest.

Afterward, once we return to the center of Trinidad, we'll explore the city by visiting the Iglesia Mayor de la Santísima Trinidad and the Museo de la Historia Municipal. Did you know Trinidad was the most thriving town in the Antilles region in colonial times? After learning about the town's past, we'll go to the La Canchánchara bar to toast with a refreshing Cuban cocktail.

Before embarking on a road trip of about 1 hour to Topes de Collantes, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch at a Trinidad restaurant. Before the day ends, we'll drop you off at the hotel, where you'll have dinner and spend the night.

Day 7: Topes de Collantes – Guanayara – Topes de Collantes

Good morning! After breakfast, we'll hop on a traditional vehicle to set off to Guanayara, where we'll visit its national park. After a 20-minute drive traveling for 7.4 miles (12 kilometers), we'll reach the starting point of our hiking route, where we'll walk through Guanayara's luxurious tropical vegetation.

After this adventure in the jungle, we'll head to the Casa de la Gallega restaurant to enjoy a well-deserved Creole lunch. Feeling revitalized, we'll return to Topes de Collantes, where you'll have the afternoon off to rest. Later, we'll meet again to savor a mouthwatering dinner at the Mi Retiro restaurant. Yum!

Lastly, we'll return to your hotel so that you can rest for the next day.

Day 8: Topes de Collantes – Santa Clara – Cayo Santa María

Welcome to day 8! Once we've had breakfast at the hotel, we'll leave early toward Santa Clara on a 3-hour journey. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a guided tour of its picturesque historic center. You'll walk by an iconic sculpture honoring Ernesto Che Guevara as we tell you the history of Santa Clara and its ties to Cuba's revolutionary period. 

Afterward, we'll stop at a local restaurant for a tasty lunch. Next up, we'll start an approximately 2-hour trip to the paradisiac Cayo Santa María. Along the way, we'll pass by Remedios, a city that looks like it's from the 16th century. Are your cameras ready? You'll be captivated by its colorful streets!

Finally, we'll reach your hotel in Santa María, where you'll have dinner and spend the night.

Day 9: Cayo Santa María

Ready for a relaxing day at the beach? After a peaceful, breakfast, you'll have the day off to enjoy the all-inclusive hotel on the northern coast of Cuba. You'll have the chance to lay on the beach's white sand, taste the local cuisine, and have fun in the hotel's lively ambiance.

Everything will be included at this hotel, so all you'll have to do is make the most of your day at the beach with all the comfortable services. You deserve it!

Day 10: Cayo Santa María – Havana

After breakfast, you'll have free time to enjoy the hotel's facilities until 3 pm. Afterward, we'll start our journey toward Havana. Seatbelts on! During this approximately 5-hour road trip, we'll drive on the Autopista Nacional (National Motorway) until we reach the Cuban capital.

We'll reach the hotel at dinner time, where we'll say goodbye to rest and be ready for our last day together.

Day 11: Havana

On our last day, we'll enjoy our last breakfast at the hotel in Havana, and we'll take you to the José Martí International Airport with plenty of time for you to take your return flight. Safe travels!

Tour Accommodation

This tour includes 10 nights' accommodation with breakfast at the following 4-star hotels:

• Havana (4 nights): Hotel Meliá Habana or similar
• Trinidad (2 nights): Hotel Trinidad del Mar or similar
• Topes de Collantes (2 nights): Hotel Los Helechos or similar
• Cayo Santa María (2 nights): Hotel Meliá Cayo Santa María or similar

Return Flight 

Please note that your return flight must be after 11 am.

Children Under 2

As children under 2 share a room with an adult and travel on an adult's lap, they can participate in this tour for free.