HIGHLIGHTS OF CUBA Group Tour

Welcome to Havana! Your plane will land at the Jose Marti International Airport where we can have a car waiting for you upon request! Tonight you will stay at the elegant Hotel in Habana.

Thank you! How exciting to arrive in Havana, a vibrant city full of history, culture and Caribbean charm. Here's a quick guide to make the most of your visit:

Your Accommodation: Hotel in Havana - 5 Star Standard. Enjoy comfort and high-level services. Perfect to rest after your days of exploration.

Transportation from the Airport: Option 1: Pick up included - A driver will meet you upon arrival and take you directly to the hotel. Option 2: Transportation on your own - You can take a licensed cab from the airport (~25-30 USD to the city).

Not to be missed in Havana: History and Architecture

• El Capitolio - Imposing and majestic, one of Havana's icons.
• Plaza de la Catedral - Surrounded by baroque architecture and charming cafes.
• Plaza Vieja - Colorful, lively and perfect for a walk.

Guided city tour through Havana’s old town, followed by a nostalgic ride in a vintage car. Overnight in Havana, 5* level hotel, (breakfast, lunch).

08:30 hrs - Your tour guide will be waiting for you at the hotel reception to start a guided walk through the historic center of Havana, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. What you will see: Lively streets, colonial architecture, emblematic squares and historical monuments. Included visit to the Havana Club Rum Museum - Discover the history and the process of making Cuban rum. Enjoy a special tour, a vintage car ride through the modern part of the city: El Vedado, Malecón, Plaza de la Revolución, among others.

Gastronomic Suggestions: Iconic bars:

• El Floridita - Famous for its daiquiris and frequented by Hemingway.
• La Bodeguita del Medio - Home of the mojito, bohemian and typical Cuban atmosphere.

Recommended restaurants (paladares):

• La Guarida - One of the most famous and sophisticated paladares, ideal for a special dinner.
• Doña Eutimia - Traditional Cuban cuisine with excellent value for money, very close to the Cathedral Square.

After breakfast you will drive to the Pinar del Rio province. This western province is known for growing best tobacco in the world. In the town of Pinar del Rio you will visit a cigar factory where you will learn how the famous Cuban cigars, called puros, are produced. Later on, your journey will take you past green tobacco plantations and monumental limestone rocks called Mogotes, which are characteristic of this area. Accommodation in 3* hotels in Viñales, (breakfast).

Excellent! Today, an unforgettable day awaits you, heading to one of Cuba's most spectacular landscapes: Viñales. After breakfast, depart for Viñales, an approximate 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Havana (approximately 185 km). Enjoy the change of scenery: from the colonial city to rural Cuba, with views of royal palm trees, hills, and farmland. Stops and Activities for the Day: Visit a "Casa del Veguero" (Vegger's House) where you can learn about the artisanal process of tobacco cultivation and drying. You will learn how the famous Cuban cigars are hand-made. You can try a freshly rolled cigar (optional) and enjoy a Creole coffee. Afterwards, you will explore the "Cueva del Indio" (Indian's Cave), an impressive underground tour where you can explore part of the cave on foot and the rest by boat on the underground river.

Viñales is an ideal spot for photos and learning about the local geology. The landscapes will leave you breathless. The valley is ideal for panoramic photos, short hikes, or simply enjoying the silence of the Cuban countryside:

• Los Mogotes: Rounded limestone rock formations that emerge from the green fields. This valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty and sustainable traditional agriculture.

Travel through the Bay of Pigs, with a boat tour on the Laguna del Tesoro. Continue to Cienfuegos for a guided city tour. Hotel overnight in Cienfuegos, 4* level (breakfast, lunch).

Another spectacular trip through the heart of Cuba awaits you today! From the tobacco fields to the southern coast, you'll discover nature, history, and architecture in a full day. The route: Viñales → Bay of Pigs → Cienfuegos has an estimated total travel time of 6–7 hours, including stops. Leave early to make the most of the day. Stop at the Bay of Pigs for a boat trip to Laguna del Tesoro, a serene journey through mangroves, natural canals, and tropical vegetation. Guamá is a place steeped in Taíno legends; you can visit the Taíno Village, a recreation of an indigenous settlement. It's an ideal spot for photos, mingling with nature, and a relaxing walk. Lunch is included during the tour.

Arrive in Cienfuegos – "The Pearl of the South." Founded by French settlers, this city combines European elegance with Caribbean flavor. Stroll along Paseo del Prado and Plaza José Martí, and admire the Tomás Terry Theater. The Cienfuegos boardwalk offers spectacular sunsets.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cienfuegos – 4-star standard, includes breakfast and lunch. Enjoy a central location or a bay view, depending on the hotel.

Dining Suggestions in Cienfuegos: If you want to end the day with a good dinner, here are some excellent local options:

• Paladar Aché – Gourmet Cuban food in an intimate setting.
• Villa Lagarto – Oceanfront, ideal for fresh seafood.
• Casa Prado – Wide variety and good service, located on the main avenue.
• Doña Nora – Very popular for its authentic Creole cuisine.

Visit El Cubano Park, then travel to the colonial town of Trinidad.

Today you travel to a colonial gem of the Caribbean: Trinidad! This city, frozen in time, with cobblestone streets and 19th-century architecture, is one of Cuba's most charming destinations. You will take the route: Cienfuegos → El Cubano Park → Trinidad, with an estimated total trip duration of 3–4 hours, including the excursion. Climb from the plains to the green heights of Topes de Collantes National Park. Excursion to El Cubano Park: Located within the National Park, this is an ideal spot for nature lovers. It's an easy to moderate trail: "Footprints of History" (approx. 2 km) that crosses hanging bridges, rivers, and tropical forests until you reach your final destination: El Javira Waterfall, where you can swim in its natural pool. Lunch will be served at a local, traditional, rustic restaurant, inside or near the park. Bring a swimsuit, insect repellent, and comfortable shoes.

Arrival in Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its impeccable preservation of the colonial sugar-producing era.

Accommodation: Standard 3-star hotel, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alternatively, choose a converted colonial house or a more modern hotel near the historic center.

Suggestions for exploring Trinidad:

• Plaza Mayor, the nerve center of Trinidad, surrounded by colonial palaces, museums, and palm trees.
• Museo Romántico: A restored old mansion, it showcases the luxury of 19th-century aristocratic families.
• Valle de los Ingenios: A few kilometers away: an old sugar production center with towers, ruins, and plantations. If you have extra time tomorrow, a guided tour is worthwhile.

Optional nightlife:

• Visit the Casa de la Música, an open-air restaurant with live salsa music in front of the church.
• You can also enjoy a mojito on a terrace overlooking the old town.

Full day to explore Trinidad’s colonial center, with an optional afternoon beach excursion.

Perfect! Today you'll enjoy the essence of Trinidad, a city that blends history, music, architecture, and the sea in one place. In the morning, you'll take a guided tour of the historic center of the heritage city. Immerse yourself in the colonial heart of the city with a cultural walk, enjoying its highlights: its cobblestone streets flanked by colorful houses with wrought iron railings, the Plaza Mayor, and the historic center surrounded by colonial palaces. Visit the Brunet Palace (now the Romantic Museum): a collection of 19th-century furniture and decorative art, a reflection of the luxury of the sugar-producing elite. Visit the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, with its history and majestic location. Additionally, during the tour, you'll learn about the wealth generated by the sugar industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the role of slavery in the colonial economy, and the preservation of Trinidad as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After so much history, it's time to unwind. The afternoon is at your leisure. We recommend taking the optional excursion to Ancón Beach, located just 15 minutes from Trinidad. This beautiful white-sand beach with crystal-clear Caribbean waters is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or snorkeling. There are bars and palapas nearby where you can enjoy a cocktail or lunch by the sea (not included today).

Your trip to Cuba is coming to an end, but a day full of history and a final night to savor Havana at your own pace still await you! After breakfast, the route begins: Trinidad - Santa Clara - Havana, with an estimated total duration: Trinidad - Santa Clara: 2 hours / Santa Clara - Havana: 3 hours. Total with stops: approximately 6-7 hours. During the stop in the city of Santa Clara, you can visit and explore the Che Guevara Mausoleum. A powerful and symbolic visit: The complex includes the Mausoleum where the remains of Che and other fighters rest, the Museum that traces his life, from Rosario (Argentina) to his revolutionary legacy in Cuba and Bolivia, as well as the Plaza and monumental statue of Che with a panoramic view. Important note for visiting this solemn site: Respectful dress is recommended; photography is not permitted inside the mausoleum.

Arrival and accommodation in Havana: 4-star standard hotel. Last night in total comfort. Breakfast included.

This will be the last night of the program, ideal for resting, treating yourself, or preparing for your return trip. Enjoy your last night in Havana. Here are some options to suit your style:

• 1. Photo Tour: Explore the Historic Center of Old Havana at sunset. Capture the Cathedral, Plaza Vieja, and Plaza de Armas in their golden light.
• 2. Souvenir Shopping: Look for local crafts, cigars, Cuban coffee, or art at Almacén San José or small shops in Obispo.
• 3. Jazz or Live Music Club: Visit your choice of La Zorra y el Cuervo – authentic Cuban jazz; El Submarino Amarillo – Cuban rock and international covers; or the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) – art, concerts, and cocktails in an industrial space.
• 4. Rooftop Cocktail Party: La Guarida Rooftop or the bar at the Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel – unbeatable views of illuminated Havana.
• 5. Dinner at a memorable paladar: San Cristóbal – Celebrity visit and Creole dishes, Doña Eutimia – Cuban classic next to the Cathedral or El Cocinero – Modern atmosphere with excellent food and wine.

See you soon, Cuba! Today is the day you bid farewell to this vibrant and hospitable land. Here's a quick guide to ensure your departure is smooth and seamless. We can arrange your transfer to the airport for your departure flight. We'd be happy to help you book a few extra nights in one of Havana's hotels, where you can enjoy the Cuban spirit for a few more days!

Key tips for your departure:

• 1. Arrive early. Show up at the airport at least 3 hours early for international flights. Allow for possible traffic delays or lines at security.
• 2. Have documents ready: Valid passport, Tourist Card/Visa (if applicable), Boarding pass or reservation code, Travel insurance documentation (if requested).
• 3. Last souvenirs: Take advantage of the airport shops to buy cigars, rum, coffee, or handicrafts. Spend your last few CUCs or MLCs, if you have any left. Cuban pesos are not usually exchanged outside the country.

Have a safe trip and see you next time! Thank you for exploring Cuba with such interest. If you ever decide to return, an island full of warmth, music, and natural beauty awaits you.