Captivating Cuba
An encompassing Cuba tour: Havana, Cojimar, Varadero, Trinidad & Santa Clara
| 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 reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. 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. | ||
Get updates about this package
You’ll truly be captivated and delighted by all the aspects of Cuba you’ll discover on this engaging and comprehensive tour covering a large swath of the island. From the picturesque Spanish Colonial towns of Santa Clara, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, to one of the best beaches in Cuba, Varadero, to the bustling city of Havana, Cuba's political and cultural center, you’ll meet and interact with Cubans, where they work, live and play. You'll discover why the world loves Cuban music, meet some of the best up-and-coming artists on the island, and enjoy meals at local paladars where young entrepreneurs are taking advantage of relaxing laws to build private business in Cuba.
With included, scheduled flights, fully guided touring, great hotel accommodations in boutique properties and 5-star hotels and beach resorts, fully inclusive programming and 17 included meals, this is one of the best bargains in Cuba travel available anywhere.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana, including taxes & fees
- Health insurance in Cuba, included in the cost of your airfare
- U.S. Treasury Department, OFAC License Certification
- Cuban Tourist Visa
- All land transportation, transfers & porterage in Cuba
- 7 nights superior first class hotel accommodations in Cuba
- 17 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners
- Comprehensive educational 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
Why you'll love it
- Take a ride in a vintage car to a privately-owned workshop that maintains these antique treasures.
- Enjoy lunch and engage with the family and local staff at Coincidencia Farm.
- Attend a student performance at the Santa Clara Music and Performing Arts School.
- Create your own ceramic art at a family-owned pottery house in Trinidad.
- Engage in discussions with owners of a casa particular to learn how bed and breakfasts offer Cubans new entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Meet talented fashion designer Mariela Alemán Orosco, and watch her create original fabrics followed by a fashion show.
Itinerary at a Glance
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Miami/Havana
- Depart the USA on your flight for Havana
- Welcome dinner at a local paladar (privately owned restaurant)
Melía CohibaDinner
Day 2 Old Havana
- Stroll through Old Havana, stopping 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
- Visit an artist's private studio
- Meet with staff at Clandestina, Cuba's first online clothing retailer and renowned design shop
- Enjoy lunch at a local paladar
- Walk Havana's grand San Rafael Boulevard and visit with private business owners to learn more about how private enterprises work in Cuba
- Take a ride back in time in a classic American auto
Melía CohibaBreakfast & lunch
Day 3 Havana, Santa Clara & Trinidad
- Travel to Santa Clara
- Stop for lunch at a local paladar
- Visit an inclusive community project to experience music and the arts in Cuba
- Travel to Trinidad
- Check in to hotel
Hotel La PopaBreakfast & lunch
Day 4 Trinidad
- Visit Casa del Alfarero, a pottery house
- Stop by a casa particular (a private bed and breakfast) and learn from local business-owners
- Have lunch at a local paladar
- Learn about the religion of Santeria at the Templo de Yemaya
- Explore Trinidad’s historic city center along its cobblestone streets, with landmarks waiting for you at every turn
- Visit the local artisan’s market
Hotel La PopaBreakfast & lunch
Day 5 Trinidad, Cienfuegos & Varadero
- Drive to Varadero via Cienfuegos
- Walk through the beautiful center of Cienfuegos on a privately-guided tour
- Visit Coincidencia Farm, an agricultural and artistic gem of the area, for lunch and a unique tour and insider look at creative expression through art and farming
- Continue to the beautiful Caribbean beach town of Varadero
- Check into your hotel in Vardero
- Enjoy dinner at your hotel
Melía VaraderoBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 Varadero
- Learn about Cuba's national dance and musical genre at the private Danzón Club
- Visit a local farmer's market
- Stop at the one-of-a-kind craft workshop of artist Mariela Alemán Orosco
- Return to the hotel for lunch
- Explore the Varadero artisan market
- Enjoy dinner at your hotel
Melía VaraderoBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Varadero, Cojimar & Havana
- Drive to Havana
- Visit 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
- Visit the private mechanic workshop that restores the vintage American cars we all so adore
- Check into your hotel
- Take a ride in a classic American car en route to one of our favorite paladars
- Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner
Melía CohibaBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Havana/Miami
- Transfer to the airport and board your flight back to Miami
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Reviews & Photos
We love hearing your stories and seeing your photos! Here are some moments other travelers captured on this package. Or check out our entire fan photo gallery.
No reviews yet! Check back soon to see what our travelers are saying.
Traveled with us, but haven't received an invitation to review your trip? Contact us at reviews@friendlyplanet.com.
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 18 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.
Other Packages
Take in the heart & soul of this colorful & cultural island: Havana, Cojimar, Guanabacoa & Lawton
From
$1999W/ Flights
From
$1699Tour Only
Days
Explore the magic and magnificent heritage of Cuba from the culture and communities of Havana to the spectacular vistas of the Viñales Valley
From
$2199W/ Flights
From
$1899Tour Only
Days
Experience Cuba: Havana, Santa Clara, the colonial treasure of Trinidad & Cienfuegos, "the pearl of the south"
From
$2999W/ Flights
From
$2699Tour Only
Days
Dive deep into the authentic life in Havana: a journey that will open your eyes, expand your understanding, and fill your heart
From
$1199W/ Flights
From
$899Tour Only
Days
Take in the heart and soul of this colorful & cultural island: 41st Havana International Jazz Festival | Optional 3-night Pre-Tour Extension w/ Opening Jazz Performance
From
$3299W/ Flights
From
$2999Tour Only
Days
