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Western and South Central
9 Days Cuba Tour

SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE LEGAL TOUR FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS

 

OCTOBER 28 -NOVEMBER 5  2023    NOVEMBER 4 -12  2023
JANUARY  6 -14 2024

Day 1  Havana

Arrival at Havana International Airport 

Collect your bags and go through customs.

You're welcomed at the airport lobby by your bilingual guide and professional  driver.

Private transfer to your Casa Particular 

Check-in with assistance from your guide 

General information briefing.

Dinner tonight will be at a local paladar, a privately owned restaurant and a great example of Cuba’s incremental shift to a more free-market economy. We might have the opportunity to meet the owners of the Paladar. Paladar means “palate” and is named after a chain of restaurants in a Brazilian soap opera popular in Cuba.

-Rest of the evening to rest 

 

* Accommodation La Habana 

 

 

Day 2 Havana

Breakfast at Casa particular 

After a good sleep we have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city of Havana.  La Habana was founded in 1515 by conquistador Diego Velazquez as a trading port and became the capital of the Spanish Colony of Cuba in 1607.

It includes visits to sites of major interest starting with a walking tour through the main streets and squares of the Historical Centre, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site:

Plaza de la Catedral (Cathedral Square), named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana built by the Jesuit order. The Cathedral's baroque facade is simultaneously intimate and imposing, and one of the two towers is visibly larger, creating a pleasing asymmetry. As with many churches in the city, the building material of Havana Cathedral includes coral, cut and hauled from the edge of the sea by slaves. Look carefully and you'll see fossils of marine flora and fauna in the stone of the cathedral.

Plaza de Armas (Square of Arms), ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings such as:

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former official residence of the governors (Captains General) of Havana, Cuba.          

It is home to the Museum of the City of Havana. It houses exhibitions of art and historical artifacts and many of the

rooms are preserved with their original Colonial decoration.

Palacio del Segundo Cabo (Palace of the Second Lieutenant) dates from 1770, the seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing concerns.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. The castle was recently renovated and reopened in June 2008 to hold the impressive maritime museum. Well laid out exhibits a chart of Spain and Cuba's naval history.

Plaza de San Francisco de Asís (San Francisco Square), named after the Convent of San Francisco, this square was conceived in 1628, with the objective of supplying water to the ships trading with the metropolis. For many years it also served to stockpile the goods arriving from the harbor. Chronicles of the time say that the square had a busy commercial life. The people, in humble carts or afoot, sold and bought a variety of goods. It’s important to know that through this place the Spanish immigrants arrived to Cuba.

Plaza Vieja (Old Square), the only civic square of colonial times. Notice it doesn't have a church or government building and is in contrast surrounded by opulent aristocratic 17th century residences. Here we will visit important institutions for visual arts.

Lunch at a typical paladar, complete menu with one drink included.

Visit to Fusterland, also referred to as Callejón de Fuster, is a quaint town of wonders crafted by the renowned artist José Rodríguez Fuster in the Jaimanitas neighborhood.

Nestled in the west of Havana, in close proximity to the Artemisa province boundary, Jaimanitas is a coastal town that has gained popularity thanks to this community initiative that has transformed Fuster's home and its surroundings into a sprawling art exhibit.

Fusterland is the brainchild of this visionary artist who dared to showcase his work in its purest form. His artistic masterpieces have transcended the confines of his home-studio, occupying the streets with an array of sculptures and murals that showcase diverse shades and nuances of Cuban culture.

Dinner at local restaurant. 

Free time to explore Havana. 

* Accommodation La Habana

 

Walking tour Old Havana

 Habana was founded in 1515 by conquistador Diego Velazquez as a trading port and became the capital of the Spanish Colony of Cuba in 1607.

-It includes visits to sites of major interest starting with a walking tour through the main streets and squares of the Historical Centre, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site:

-Plaza de la Catedral (Cathedral Square), named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana built by the Jesuit order. The Cathedral's baroque facade is simultaneously intimate and imposing, and one of the two towers is visibly larger, creating a pleasing asymmetry. As with many churches in the city, the building material of Havana Cathedral includes coral, cut and hauled from the edge of the sea by slaves. Look carefully and you'll see fossils of marine flora and fauna in the stone of the cathedral.

Plaza de Armas (Square of Arms), ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings

such as:

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former official residence of the governors (Captains General) of Havana, Cuba.          

It is home to the Museum of the City of Havana. It houses exhibitions of art and historical artifacts and many of the

rooms are preserved with their original Colonial decoration.

Palacio del Segundo Cabo (Palace of the Second Lieutenant) dates from 1770, the seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing concerns.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. The castle was recently renovated and reopened in June 2008 to hold the impressive maritime museum. Well laid out exhibits a chart of Spain and Cuba's naval history.

-Plaza de San Francisco de Asís (San Francisco Square), named after the Convent of San Francisco, this square was conceived in 1628, with the objective of supplying water to the ships trading with the metropolis. For many years it also served to stockpile the goods arriving from the harbor. Chronicles of the time say that the square had a busy commercial life. The people, in humble carts or afoot, sold and bought a variety of goods. It’s important to know that through this place the Spanish immigrants arrived to Cuba.

Plaza Vieja (Old Square), the only civic square of colonial times. Notice it doesn't have a church or government building and is in contrast surrounded by opulent aristocratic 17th century residences. Here we will visit important institutions for visual arts.

Rest of the evening at leisure. 

 

Dinner at one of many delicious paladars, private businesses owned by Cuban families. 

* Accommodation La Habana 

 

 

Day 3 Viñales Valley

Breakfast at Casa particular   

Departure to Viñales Valley and for a full day excursion.(UNESCO World Heritage Site). The valley is particularly famous for its great freestanding rock formations called Mogotes.

Drive through the valley with stops at Los Jazmines Hotel View-Point to absorb the beauty of the area.

See a Tobacco Plantation next to the Tobacco Planter's House in Viñales.

Talk with the local farmers and learn about their organic farming.

Swim at the lake of the valley of silence 

Lunch at organic farm Finca Paraiso. Complete typical Cuban menu with one drink included

learn about how locals harvest wild honey and grow organic coffee.

Dinner at a paladar in Havana. 

Evening at leisure

 

* Accommodation La Habana 

 

 

Day 4 Cienfuegos

Breakfast at Casa particular 

Departure to Cienfuegos Province known as the Pearl of the South 

Lunch at local Paladar.

Visit to Castillo de Jagua fortress built in the 1700’s,, take a water taxi across the bay of Cienfuegos and walk in the little fishing town of Castillo de Jagua, great opportunity to interact with the locals and learn the fascinating history fo the colonial times in Cuba and the Spanish -American war that led Cuba to it’s independence from Spain.

Walking tour in Cienfuegos led by a Cienfuegos local guide.

Diner at Casa particular

 

*Accommodation Cienfuegos 

 

Day 5 Trinidad 

 

Breakfast at Casa Particular 

After breakfast we will board our private transportation and drive to La Villa de la Santísima Trinidad founded by Don Diego Velázquez in 1514 and declared Cultural World Heritage by UNESCO in 1988.

on route to Trinidad we will stop at Park El Cubano. 

A beautiful trail along the Guamuahaya river where at the end of the trail there is a cave with a waterfall called Salto Javira. Amazing bird watching along the trail.

Time to swim at the refreshing waterfall 

Lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch we will check in at our casas particulares and have a break to relax.

Before dinner we will go on a nice walking tour in Trinidad and learn the fascinating history of the town.                               

Dinner at local Paladar.                                   

Salsa dancing lessons (optional).                                   

 

*Accommodation Trinidad

 

 

Day 6 Playa Larga 

 

 

After a hearty breakfast  we start our day driving 2 hours to the southwestern The Bay of Pigs in Zapata Peninsula.

Check in to our Casa particular and rest of the afternoon free at leisure. You may go for a walk to the beach 20 yards from our casa or enjoy the beautiful ocean view from the terrace, read a good book with mojito in hand and around 7:00 pm we will enjoy another delicious dinner in our casa particular.

*Accommodation Playa Larga

 

 

 

Day 7 Playa Larga

After breakfast we will drive 25 minutes to Punta Perdiz which is an exclusive attraction of Playa Girón and unknown diving and snorkeling destination in Cuba. The area holds 10 diving sites, where corsairs and pirates arrived centuries ago and where visitors can enjoy crystal clear waters and large variety of tropical fish offering fantastic snorkeling and diving conditions, incredibly there are colorful fishes right up to the water edge in surrounding bays and natural pools.

Snorkeling is included so you will enjoy swimming among schools of Sardines. Optional: SCUBA Diving.

Lunch at Punta Perdiz. Complete menu with drinks included.

Visit to the museum of Playa Girón also known as the Museum of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. The town’s name comes from the French pirate Gilbert Girón. Girón’s decapitation at the hands of angry locals has been remembered by history through his Playa namesake.

Meeting at our Casa Particular terrace followed by a special dinner and local music.

(Great chance to practice your salsa dancing moves)

*Accommodation Playa Larga

 

Day 8 La Habana

 

Breakfast at Casa particular 

After breakfast, we will drive back to Habana  

Lunch at Habana Paladar

check in at your Casa particular 

Visit to the famous Handicraft Market of Old Havana, and meet local Cuban artists. The market is located inside the Almacenes de Depósito San José, an old warehouse on the harbor side.

Private city tour in convertible vintage cars.

Experience the glamor of the 50´s during our  exclusive tour. A private chauffeur will drive you in a nostalgic classic car through the city of cities: Havana.  Visit Hotel Nacional, Plaza de La Revolucion (Revolution square) and other important sites.

 

Dinner at local restaurant 

Visit to Casa de la Música de Miramar  (optional) to enjoy a salsa concert by one of the most popular bands in Cuba 

*Accommodation La Habana

Day 9 La Habana

 

  The Program includes:

* Meet and greet at Havana International Airport

* All Meals Starting at dinner day 1 and until breakfast day 9

* Transfers Airport/Hotel/Airport.

* 8 Accommodation nights.

* Attractions and sightseeing fees as per itinerary.

* All transportation in air conditioned Van.

* English speaking guide.

* Local Representative.

 

Not Included:                                                                            

*Airfare Cuba.                                                      

*Personal Incidentals and Tipping

*Activities and excursions outside the above Program.

PRICE:  $2,800 USD BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEE 400 USD

La Habana.jpg
walking tour to El Floridita bar
GRUPOnov19Fuster.JPG
La Bodeguita del medio
Viñales Valley
flamingos in Guanaroca Lagoon
support for the cuban people Trinidad
Enigma de las rocas Hike in Bay of Pigs Cuba
Punta Perdiz.
Musicians
Havana Capitol
mapa cuba
Casa colonial 1930
Casa colonial año 1923
Casa Enrique Playa Larga
Casa Particular
Modern B&B Havana
Casa Particular Nuvia

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

CASAS PARTICULARES

Cuban B&B

 

Staying in a casa particular is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience authentic Cuban life, immerse yourself in its vibrant culture, and enjoy the warmth of its people. After years of organizing trips to Cuba, we have developed a network of top-quality casas particulares, featuring excellent service and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms that meet the highest standards.
 

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