Itinerary Notes
Right now is an exciting time in Cuba with rapidly changing legislation and local conditions. Cuba has seen a massive increase in tourism lately, which has put a strain on local tourist infrastructure. While we will strive to operate our tours as closely to published itineraries as possible, conditions often change from one day to the next, and minor tour modifications may be necessary with no advance notice.
Day 1 : Havana
Arrive at any time. Tonight take the opportunity to connect with your fellow travellers. Seek out some live music and break the ice in one of the city's iconic hideouts while toasting with mojitos to the beginning of an amazing holiday.
It is important to note that Cuba tends to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and infrastructure are generally old and may not have been maintained to the highest standard. Elevators, internet and A/C often break down, things happen very slowly and water pressure and hot water can be minimal. Cuba is an amazing place to visit but to fully enjoy and relax, western expectations should be left at home and your sense of adventure should be your guide.
Arrival Transfer
José Martí International Airport - Havana 0h30m
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the start location to start your adventure. Please note, the included arrival transfer is from Havana's José Martí International Airport (HAV). If you are flying into Varadero (VRA) you will need to pre-pay a supplement to receive a transfer. Please reach out to your G Adventures booking agent for pricing and availability.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
1h
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Acommodation
Casa Santander-Oromi
Acommodation
Casa Santander-Oromi
Day 2 : Havana/Viñales
Discover the highlights Old Havana on a walking tour with the CEO. Travel through a rich agricultural area en route to Viñales where both sugarcane and tobacco are grown. Visit a "vega" or tobacco plantation, to see how the famous Cuban cigars are made. Practice some Spanish while staying in a local homestay.
Viñales is in the Pinar del Rio province and located in a fertile valley surrounded by the unusual mogotes, or limestone pincushion hills. Arguably one of the prettiest natural areas in Cuba, we have many opportunities here to enjoy the area, whether it be hiking or simply sitting back and enjoying the view.
Havana City Walking Tour
Havana
Take a walking tour of Havana and find out what your CEO loves best about this amazing city. See city highlights that may include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes (one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement). Use this walk as a jumping off point to explore the rest of this lively city.
Private Vehicle
Havana - Viñales 2h30m 189km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Travel time includes stops.
Sit down with the CEO for a brief lesson on some important words and phrases in español to prepare for the upcoming adventure.
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Acommodation
Homestay Mayra
Acommodation
Homestay Mayra
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 3 : Viñales
Enjoy a free day to explore the area. Opt to take a day trip to beautiful Cayo Levisa or Cayo Jutías, both paradises of white sand surrounded by the bluest waters. It is a perfect spot for snorkelling or just blissing out on the beach.
Free time:
Viñales Full day
Chill out in this tropical paradise.
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Acommodation
Homestay Mayra
Optional Activities - Day 3
Day Trip Cayo Judias or Cayo Levisa
Cayo Levisa
Channel your inner Gilligan and strand yourself on one of the beaches off the north-west coast of Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province. On Cayo Levisa or Cayo Judias, ther than a few restaurants with delicious seafood, a bunch of palm trees and a mangrove, there isn’t much here except a gorgeous white sand beaches accented by aquamarine waters—but what else could you need? Bliss out. Snorkel. Swim. Enjoy!
Put your mask on and get to know the local marine life with by snorkelling in this gorgeous spot.
Acommodation
Homestay Mayra
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 4 : Viñales/Playa Larga
Travel to Playa Larga. Stop at the Bay of Pigs en route for a swim in the beautiful blue water, and opt to go snorkelling.
Private Vehicle
Viñales - Bay of Pigs 5h 370km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Opt to swim or snorkel during free time.
Private Vehicle
Bay of Pigs - Playa Larga 0h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Acommodation
Casa Sol y Caribe
Acommodation
Casa Sol y Caribe
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 5 : Playa Larga/Trinidad
Travel to the seaside town of Cienfuegos, and enjoy free time to explore. Continue to Trinidad. Enjoy an orientation walk of the town before a free afternoon to explore the area. In the evening, learn some moves during a salsa dancing lesson.
Trinidad is a haven for anyone interested in outdoor activities. If a beach sounds like what you're looking for, try snorkelling or diving in nearby Playa Ancón, just 12 km (7.5 miles) from town.
Private Vehicle
Playa Girón - Cienfuegos 1h30m - 2h 100km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Cienfuegos - Trinidad 1h - 1h30m 80km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Trinidad 0h30m - 1h
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free time:
Trinidad Afternoon
Explore this beautiful colonial town and its surrounding beach and attractions.
Salsa Lesson
Trinidad 1h Evening
Loosen up those hips and get ready to salsa. Led by expert Cuban instructors, rumba, mambo and cha-cha-chá your way across the floor. Never danced salsa? Have no fear, Cubans are happy to share the secrets behind one of their national pastimes.
Trinidad Homestay
Trinidad
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. Enjoy an open-air meal on top of the main house one evening. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Acommodation
Homestay Jesus Pineda
Optional Activities - Day 5
Rent a bike, pack some water, put on a hat and head south of Trinidad toward the beaches. La Boca is a small seaside village at the mouth (“boca”) of a river about 5km (3 mi) from town. Keep going and end up at Playa Ancón. Avid cyclers can head towards Sugar Mills Valley 18kms (11 mi) away to explore the historical site, but just a heads-up, the route is very hilly.
The waters around Cuba are known for their gentle tides, warmth and diversity of underwater flora and fauna. Grab a mask and tank, pull on some flippers and head down into the depths to discover all this for yourself. Off the Ancón Penninsula, find a narrow shelf with a sandy bottom, home to marine sponges, black coral and schools of colourful tropical fish.
Rent a mask and snorkel and head out into the warm blue-green waters off the Ancón Peninsula. Centuries of ocean currents have created beautiful beaches, a perfect backdrop to see coral, fish and shells. Explore the reef just offshore from Playa Ancón and be sure to wear lots of sunscreen!
Acommodation
Homestay Jesus Pineda
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 6 : Trinidad
Enjoy a free day to explore the area. Enjoy a group dinner at a local host's house.
Explore this beautiful colonial town and its surrounding beach and attractions.
Trinidad Homestay
Trinidad
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. Enjoy an open-air meal on top of the main house one evening. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Acommodation
Homestay Jesus Pineda
Optional Activities - Day 6
The waters around Cuba are known for their gentle tides, warmth and diversity of underwater flora and fauna. Grab a mask and tank, pull on some flippers and head down into the depths to discover all this for yourself. Off the Ancón Penninsula, find a narrow shelf with a sandy bottom, home to marine sponges, black coral and schools of colourful tropical fish.
Rent a bike, pack some water, put on a hat and head south of Trinidad toward the beaches. La Boca is a small seaside village at the mouth (“boca”) of a river about 5km (3 mi) from town. Keep going and end up at Playa Ancón. Avid cyclers can head towards Sugar Mills Valley 18kms (11 mi) away to explore the historical site, but just a heads-up, the route is very hilly.
Rent a mask and snorkel and head out into the warm blue-green waters off the Ancón Peninsula. Centuries of ocean currents have created beautiful beaches, a perfect backdrop to see coral, fish and shells. Explore the reef just offshore from Playa Ancón and be sure to wear lots of sunscreen!
Acommodation
Homestay Jesus Pineda
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 7 : Trinidad/Havana
Start the day with a visit to the Manaca Iznaga community, where G Adventures and Planeterra helped create a textiles centre that enables local women to sell traditional textiles. Stop by Santa Clara en route to Havana and visit important historical sites, including the famous Che monument. Discover Old Havana on a short walking tour with the CEO.
Private Vehicle
Trinidad - Havana 8h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Travel time does not include stops.
Proyecto Manacú Visit
Manaca Iznaga
Visit the Manaca Iznaga community and get further immersed in the local life and meet Cuba’s rural families, where G Adventures and Planeterra helped create a textiles centre in 2019, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local embroidered techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how local women organization has impacted the community and those who visit it. Planeterra and G Adventures have supported with providing technical assistance to start up the business, capacity building and guidance to create a local experience.
Santa Clara Visit
Santa Clara
Stop by Santa Clara en route to Trinidad and visit important historical sites, including the famous Ché monument. Santa Clara played a key role in the Cuban Revolution. In 1958, rebels led by Ernesto (Ché) Guevara captured an army garrison and they bulldozed and derailed a train full of troops and supplies bound for Havana. Visit the monument and site (referred to as “Tren Blindado”), as well as the Museo Histórico de la Revolución, which chronicles the Battle of Santa Clara and honours the revolutionary hero with a large bronze statue.
Havana City Walking Tour
Havana
Take a walking tour of Havana and find out what your CEO loves best about this amazing city. See city highlights that may include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes (one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement). Use this walk as a jumping off point to explore the rest of this lively city.
Live amongst the locals in this “casa particular”, Cuba’s equivalent of a bed & breakfast homestay. Learn about the lifestyle, culture and real-life realities of our hosts. More intimate than a hotel, experience a slice of Cuban life as it’s actually lived.
Acommodation
Casa Santander-Oromi
Acommodation
Casa Santander-Oromi
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 8 : Havana
Depart at any time.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Optional Activities - Day 8
Fusterlandia Visit
Havana
Explore the neighbourhood of Fusterlandia in Havana. Cuban artist José Fuster reclaimed his impoverished neighbourhood in Havana and transformed it with unique whimsical installations. Enjoy free time to explore the neighbourhood and take in the eccentric street art.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
