Most flights go into Havana so this is a great place to start off. No trip to Cuba is complete without discovering the revolutionary heart of the city. Explore the historic Old Vieja, take a ride in a meticulously maintained classic American car along the famous Malecon, sip on a mojito in Hemingway’s favourite spots, visit the Tropicana show… the choices are endless. You can spend weeks in Havana and never get bored.
One of the highlights of the country includes trekking or horse-riding in the Vinales. This is were the best tobacco is harvested and the vistas are second to none. This is the reason we include Vinales in all our tailor-made trips.
Of course you can’t think of Cuba without the image of pristine white beaches. The closest one from Havana is Varadero, but if you are looking for a less busy beach location, we recommend Cayo Santa Maria.
If you only have a week in Cuba, we’d recommend combining Havana and Varadero with a day trip to Vinales to get the feeling of rural life.
If you have a few more days or a second week, you could also visit the fascinating city of Trinidad, one of our favourites, with its colourful facades and cobbled streets. Trinidad is worth staying a few days in and exploring the surrounding areas, the nearby Playa Ancon (considered the most gorgeous in the Southern part of the island), the national park of Topes de Cojjantes (an ideal place for trekking and visiting some of the best waterfalls) or discovering the slavery past in the Sugar Valley. You may also wish to stop off at Santa Clara. The city is best known for the Che Guevara Mausoleum, and for being the site of the last battle in the Cuban revolution in late 1958.
No matter what time of the year you visit, the sand, rum and music will be waiting. Weather-wise, the best time to visit is from November till June. The summer months are very hot and humid, but are still considered as high season – so worth booking ahead. If you opt for the month of September & October you can expect rain but the prices are at their lowest and tourist numbers drop.
With so much to see, it is important you plan your time carefully. Scroll down the page to view our interactive map and have a look at our Cuban itineraries page for ideas or better still give us a call for a chat.
