Authentic Havana & the Scenic Viñales Valley
Explore the magic and magnificent heritage of Cuba from the culture and communities of Havana to the spectacular vistas of the Viñales Valley
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 16 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted program includes a significant amount of walking or hiking, sometimes on uneven terrain and slippery terrain with the caves in Viñales, requiring a high level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the trip. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Our comprehensive western Cuba tour, Authentic Havana & the Scenic Viñales Valley, takes you right into the heart and soul of Cuba! Start your immersive experience in Havana where you'll marvel at the city's unique blend of baroque and neoclassical architecture. Stay four nights in a casa particular and taste the flavors of Cuba as you enjoy included meals in privately-owned restaurants called paladares. Walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway at his famous home Finca Vigia, watch the masters roll cigars, and so much more! Then spend two days exploring the stunning views and breathtaking panoramas of the Viñales Valley as you learn about the multi-ethnic communities there that have passed down traditional agricultural techniques for generations. Go beneath the surface at the Indio Cave and stand in awe of the geological structures and underground pools. Stop for sunset views of the verdant valley below for a moment you won't forget.
With included flights, fully guided and legal Support for the Cuban People touring, high-quality accommodations and a fully inclusive itinerary - you don't want to miss this chance to take a step inside the daily life of the Cuban people.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana, including taxes and fees
- Health insurance in Cuba, included in the cost of your airfare
- U.S. Treasury Department, OFAC License Certification
- Cuba Entrance Visa
- All land transportation, transfers & porterage in Cuba
- 4 nights accommodations in Havana at a well-located 'casa particular' (Cuban bed and breakfast) & 2 nights at a new, superior hotel in Viñales
- 13 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinners
- Comprehensive exchange program, including entrance fees
- Friendly Planet Representative
- Professional, English-speaking local guide, who will facilitate the exchanges with Cubans
Optional add-ons
- Pre-Night stay in Miami
- Post-Night stay in Miami
- Casa Suite Upgrade in Havana (Very Limited: Call us for availability)
Why you'll love it
- Gain an authentic, friendly Cuban experience by staying at a casa particular, located in a Centro Havana neighborhood.
- Acquaint yourself with Old Havana on a walking tour through the lively streets.
- Converse with locals about popular Cuban and American literature at the used booksellers market.
- Learn how the leaves are grown, aged and rolled into world-famous cigars at a privately-owned tobacco farm.
- Meet rural Cuban families and see how they live and work in the Viñales Valley, a region renowned for the cultivation of tobacco, cassava and taro.
- Experience the future of Cuban acrobatics with the children’s community project Angeles del Futuro.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Miami/Havana
- Depart the USA on your flight to Havana
- Welcome dinner at a local paladar
Day 2 Old Havana
- Walk through Old Havana, including stops at the used bookseller’s market, Hotel Ambos Mundos (Ernest Hemingway’s first home in Havana), and at various private enterprises to engage with and support Cuba’s growing private business sector
- Meet with staff at Clandestina, Cuba’s first online clothing retailer
- Enjoy lunch at a local paladar
- Visit an artist’s private studio
- Step into Cuba’s world of dance with a private demonstration and lesson
El Encanto de PerseveranciaBreakfast & lunch
Day 3 Havana, Cojimar, Guanabacoa & Lawton
- Travel to Cojimar, the local fishing village that was the setting for Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea
- Participate in a traditional Cuban cooking class experience, from gathering ingredients from a local "organopónico" (organic garden), to putting them to use in the kitchen (and bar) itself
- Learn about Afro-Cuban culture with private enterprise Beyond Roots in Guanabacoa
- Visit an inspiring community project, such as Muraleando
- Stop at the independent Artisan’s Market
El Encanto de PerseveranciaBreakfast & lunch
Day 4 Havana & Viñales
- Transfer to the scenic Viñales Valley
- Visit a family-owned tobacco farm
- Enjoy an authentic lunch at the farm
Hotel E Central ViñalesBreakfast & lunch
Day 5 Viñales
- Meet rural Cuban families at a tobacco, cassava and taro farm
- Explore the Indio Cave
- Enjoy lunch at a local farmhouse in the Valley
Hotel E Central ViñalesBreakfast & lunch
Day 6 Viñales & Havana
- Return to Havana this morning
- Experience the future of Cuban acrobatics with the children’s community project Angeles del Futuro
- Enjoy lunch at a local paladar
- Stop by the workshop of artist Beatriz Santacana
- Explore modern Havana; stop at a famous Havana plaza and bar
- Take a ride in a classic American convertible to tour picturesque Havana in style
- Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local paladar
El Encanto de PerseveranciaBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Havana/Miami
- Transfer to the airport and board your flight back to Miami
Breakfast
Note: Itinerary sequence and visits are subject to change based on local availability.
This itinerary provides a full time schedule of activities that will result in meaningful interactions between you and individuals in Cuba. U.S. law requires that all persons who participate in this program adhere to this full time schedule, and imposes on Friendly Planet the obligation to ensure such adherence.
Infrastructure in Cuba, including even the best hotels, may not always be up to U.S. standards. The hotels really do try to maintain quality accommodations, and in the properties we select for our tours, they generally do a good job. However, Cuba's resources and climate do sometimes impact a hotel's ability to keep up with maintenance and indoor air quality. For example, in Cuba's tropical climate, you might notice musty odors in some buildings, including hotels. We do our best to select the highest quality hotels, restaurants and paladars that Cuba has to offer, but we appreciate your flexibility and understanding when you encounter a minor imperfection. Cuba has a long way to go before its hotels, highways, public restrooms and other features reach U.S. levels, but all in all, you will not suffer any major difficulties in tolerating the small issues that may occur. If you have any medical or dietary concerns, however, please inform us when you make your reservation, so we can take whatever special precautions are required to assure your comfort and wellbeing.
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 12 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Cuba?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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