Discovery of Cuba

Arrival in Havana (flight is not included). Welcome by our representative. Transfer by private taxi to your accommodation and we present:

Acosta 65: boutique accommodation 5 minutes' walk from Plaza Vieja, lively colonial square. Breakfast included.
ACOSTA 65: Acosta 65 street between San Ignacio and Inquisidor Old Havana.

9:00 am your English-speaking guide visits you to take you an orientation tour of the city. In an American vintage car from the 1950s with an open roof, you drive through the different districts of the city and the guide explains the history and present of the country. We also have a walk in the Old Town from square to square. So you are well informed for this trip.

Free day in Havana with lots of things to do:

- Try a salsa dance lesson at Casa del Son
- Take the Hemingway trail with his house Finca Vigia, the village Cojimar or visit the many bars he frequented in the Old Town.
- Discover Cuban art in the Museum of Fine Arts and visit galleries or workshops of contemporary painters. They welcome you to show their work.
- Follow the Cuban Revolution route with the Museum in the Old Town, the José Marti memorial on Revolution Square or the Che Guevara command post in La Cabaña Castle.
- Take an architectural tour with lots of recently restored buildings such as the Capitol or the Grand Theater.

Or just go to the bars of the Old Town for music and mojitos.

At 4.30 p.m. meeting with our rep to give you explanations for the circuit. He goes with you to the rental office to pick up the car. You have an economical car (Kia Piccanto, or similar) with insurance included. A second driver can sign up for the contract by paying 3 cuc / day. There is a deposit of 150 cuc (to be returned). The insurance does not cover tires and mirrors.

We advise you to download the http://maps.me app with maps of Cuba. It works like a perfect GPS without the need for internet access on site.

Departure of the roundtrip with car. Today you have the road to Viñales (3 hours).

Suggestion en route: visit to Las Terrazas Park, reforestation project in the mountainous area of ​​the Sierra del Rosario. You visit the village, the reconstruction of a 19th century French coffee tree, the waterfalls of the San Juan river (possibility of swimming). (entry 10 euros pp).

You continue to Viñales, a pretty valley in the tobacco area of ​​Cuba. Upon arriving there is a view of the Jasmines valley.

Overnight in a casa particular in the center. 

Free day in Viñales.

Suggestion: Go on foot to discover the valley, the mogotes and especially the tobacco farmers or do a horse ride in the fields and visit them to see how they do their job. The 3 hour light hike ends in Finca Paraiso, an organic farm that you can visit and with a superb view over the valley. Here we recommend lunch with of course food from the garden. (Horse ride 15 euros pp for 2 to 3 hours / meal at Finca Paraiso 15 euros)

Today the goal is the famous Bay of Pigs (5 hours drive) where the young Cuban Revolution fought against an invasion supported by the United States. Monuments are everywhere. Now the region is visited a lot for snorkeling enthusiasts.

Suggestion: on arrival we visit a crocodile breeding center under scientific control. We see different ponds with crocodiles by age group.

We stay in a house in Playa Larga near the beach. Breakfast included.
Suggestion: Casa de Carlos and Dayana.

You have the day at the Bay of Pigs with lots of things to do.

Suggestions:

Here is paradise for diving. You only have to show up in the morning in one of the diving centers in front of the coast (Playa Larga hotel, Caleta Buena, Cueva de los Peces, Hotel Playa Giron, etc.).

Take a nature walk around the bay in the morning. We see everywhere birds and the flora of this marshy area. The walk ends in a cenote, a natural pond in the middle of the forest where you can swim. (Go to the Center of the Park at the entrance of Playa Larga to buy the 10 euro ticket).

Visit the Attack on the Bay of Pigs Museum or go to Cueva de los Peces where there is the option of snorkeling in the sea just off the coast. (Entrance of 2 euros).

Today the goal is Trinidad. On the way you pass through Cienfuegos, a colonial town founded by French settlers 200 years ago. Visit the city center with its eclectic style of Martí Park, the Terry Theater, Prado Boulevard, Palacio Valle and the Punta Gorda district.

Also in the Marina you find a boat that crosses the bay and visits the Jagua Castle at the entrance of the Bay. (Bay Bake: 10 euros)

Visit the Cienfuegos dolphin center to swim with the animals in the sea water. (50 euros for swimming)

You can observe pelicans and flamencos in Guanaroca Park by small boat. (early in the morning: 10 euros)

You can go to the mountains behind Cienfuegos and visit the El Nicho waterfalls. (entry 9 euros)

We continue to Trinidad, colonial city and a "highlight" of your trip. (1 hour drive).

In Trinidad you stay with a local in a house in the city center. You have your own room with private bathroom and air conditioning. Accommodation with breakfast. Suggestion: Casa Cubata.

Day free in Trinidad.

Suggestions: visit the historic city center with entry to one of the city's museums. Continue with a visit to the Valley of the Ingenios with Manaca Iznaga or another hacienda from the 18th century active in the production of sugar cane. (without entries)

Other suggestions: go to the mountains to visit the Topes de Collantes park. There are lots of walks in the forest which ends at a waterfall surrounded by vegetation. (trail to buy at the park office in Topes de Collantes: 10 euros at the trail entrance)

Day at leisure in Trinidad.

Suggestions: spend a day at Trinidad beach with swimming and snorkeling possibilities.

Another suggestion: from the Trinidad Marina (Ancon), boats leave daily to go to the cayos with a day of snorkeling, eating lobsters and relaxation. (60 euros pp)

You continue to Havana airport for your return flight (5 to 6 hour journey).

We suggest going through the Valley of los Ingenios and the villa of Santa Clara. Here there is the mausoleum of the hero of the International Socialist Revolution Che Guevara. Also a museum about his life you find here. (without entry).

You return the car to the rental office at the airport.