Best of Cuba

Thanks for choosing our tour service! When you arrive at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport, your English-speaking guide will pick you up. After a warm greeting, your guide and driver will send you to the hotel. 

Truly, you will be directed to Cuba’s magical aspects like its tropical breaches, cigar, rum and salsa dancing, but these bright sides won’t mask the harsh realities of the country, which you will encounter for yourself. Approaching local life, you will find even basic necessities like foodstuffs and medicine here are in shortage, which is why the government still counts on the rationing system, hoping that the scanty amount of basic stuffs would be well distributed. See what locals called thelook like - it’s where Cuban people are rationed with rice, sugar, eggs, among other items; good news is that the prices are only the equivalent of a few US cents. This is reminiscent of the Soviet era of the early 1930s, when the tragic famine in Ukraine was ongoing. But Cuba has a reality of its own - with all the beautiful buildings waiting for funds to be restored, a prospect where private economy joins the fight, tourism that gives it momentum to rise, Cuba is looking forward to a brighter future.

★ Remember to Pack These Things in Advance:

In Cuba, everything is stuck in 1959 - a quote from a local driver – the year when Fidel Castro won his revolution and rose to power, which means it’s a country lack of modern economic prosperity and convenience and even daily necessities. For this reason, apart from the must-take passport, Cuban tourist card, and proof of health insurance, we highly recommend you bring these items with you:

a. Medicines for common diseases like diarrhea and fever. Keep in mind that it’s even hard for locals to come by medicines. You should be aware of Cuba's poor sanitary conditions, especially the water quality, which you should be careful not to let it enter your eyes or digestive system when using it directly. 

b. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Cuba offers plenty of delights, as well as a tropical sun and mosquitos!

c. Portable charger, voltage converter, and plug adapter. Although Cuba operates officially on 110v/60Hz, you will also find 220v/50Hz in most resorts, except that the appliances may run slowly. Please note that plug types in Cuba are of A, B, and C. 

d. Toilet tissues. Don’t count on the quality of tissues here and don’t forget Cuba’s shortage of basic necessities.

e. Enough cash. Cash is king in Cuba! As you are sure to be deterred by crazily long queues before ATM and banks, it’s strongly recommended you prepare enough cash beforehand. Please note that any America-issued credit cards cannot work here, and usability of Visa and MasterCard credit cards is also at the mercy of Cuban’s fluctuant economic conditions. However, it’s not recommend to use credit cards here, as the official exchange rate is 1 USD = 120 CUP (Cuban peso). Both the airport and the hotel offer official exchanging channels. If you want higher rate, the informal market would averagely get you 250 CUP per US dollar. Taxi drivers, hotel porters, and tour guides would all be glad to exchange 240 CUP for 1 dollar, and people on the streets in Old Havana would offer as much as 260 CUP for 1 dollar, but it’s not suggested you exchange money with strangers.

Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana (4 stars)

At the agreed time, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Old Havana for a walking tour. We will first pass the Greek-style El Templete to explore Plaza de Arms, famous for a second-hand-book-selling market and its historical attractions, like Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, now the City Museum of Havana and which we will go inside, and Palacio del Segundo Cabo, both of which enjoy neo-classical charms. Go on to walk the artistic cobblestoned streets of Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, a square by Havana Port, especially known for the white-marble Los Leones Fountain. Plaza Vieja, the aged Old Square to find an architectural feast of edifices in Art Nouveau, Baroque, and modern styles side by side; here, you get to dive into Museo del Ron Havana Club, the museum of rum, for some rum history and tasting. Hang around Plaza de la Catedral, where Havana Cathedral, a breathtaking Cuban Baroque architecture that allows quiet visit, sits.

Out of the cathedral, we will amble along the alley of Empedrado for a hundred meters to reach Ernest Hemingway’s favorite bar, La Bodeguita del Medio, for a glass of mojito. Mojito might be traced back to the 1500s, when Caribbean pirates drank it to prevent scurvy and took it to start a day. Barrels of sugarcanes stored in cabins fermented to rum, and with mint leaves and fruity flavors, they became mojito and loved by those sea travelers. It has mesmerized many legends, including Hemingway and Marilyn Monroe. Inside the bar, you can still see one of Hemingway’s quotes “My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita” hanging on the wall. We will then pass Obispo Boulevard, Central Park, and a statue of José Martí – one of the greatest Cuban heroes to set Cuba free from Spain’s rule - to see the Grand Theater of Havana and National Capitol of Cuba. If today falls between Monday and Friday, Partagás Cigar Factory is also on our itinerary.

For lunch, we recommend you try Restaurante 5 Sentidos, which receives rave reviews for offering upscale Cuban dining experience.

In the afternoon, to get you acquainted with Havana as a whole, the guide will take you for a city tour via classic American vintage car. While in Havana, one thing that would immediately draw your attention would be those fancy old American cars whizzing by. They can date back to the 1950s before the revolution and the US trade embargo. As such, you can say those cars were also witness to Cuba’s history and life of a bygone time. Without further ado, let’s roll! We will drive along the seaside road of Malecón, have a photo stop at Morro Castle, drop by University of Havana and Colón Cemetery to appreciate them from the outside, and visit Revolution Square, where you will witness the giant likeness of Che Guevara.

Please note:
A blemish in the overall exciting experience on the vintage cars is that there is no safety belt to secure you to seat, so when you are rolling on the road, remind your driver to keep a mild speed whenever you feel it’s necessary.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana (4 stars)

After breakfast, drive to the Viñales Valley. We will stop by two UNESCO-honored biosphere reserves of Las Terrazas and Soroa to admire Cuba’s natural beauty. In Las Terrazas, you will visit Interpretation Center (to learn about the eco-project), Spanish-style La Moka Hotel, San Juan Lake, and the French coffee plantation of Cafetal Buenavista; sip a cup of Cuban coffee while we stay at café de Maria! While in Soroa, stroll the Orchid Botanical Garden and climb the hotel of Castillo de las Nubes for panoramic mountain vistas.

Continue on to Viñales Valley. Viñales is planted with the best tobacco in Cuba. Here in a tobacco farm, you get to see how tobacco is dried and rolled into cigars. Just like rum, cigar is also part of Cuba’s identity. When Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba in the 15th century, Indians were already found consuming tobacco leaves, which explains why cigar is rooted in Cuba’s culture. Hey, why not try a cigar yourself? Cuban cigar won’t fail you - consider a tradition passed down through generations and the ideal tropical climate and soil conditions to grow the tobacco leaves! Please note that it is illegal to bring any cigars (in addition to coffee and rum) to the US, or they will be confiscated and you fined by the US government.

Around noontime, visit the organic farm of Agro-ecological El Paraiso to learn the planting of farm products; here, we will savor a traditional Cuban lunch over enjoying the surrounding scenic beauty. You get to sample Arroz Moro, a dish of mixed rice and black beans often with minced pork, a component of Cuban daily diet. After lunch, transfer to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you.

Recommended restaurant for dinner: 
Want some seafood? The highly-rated Restaurante Bar Razones is the place to go: spend 10 USD and you get to put delicious lobster meat into your stomach, while it would cost double back in Havana! For American fellows, get your fill of Cuban lobsters here, since you won’t find them back home for the trade embargo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel E Central Viñales (3 stars)

Today, your local guide will take you on a 4-hour drive and hike, through the Coco Solo and Palmarito Hills in Viñales. You will take in its magical karst landscape and breathe refreshing air on the way.

In the afternoon, escape heat and jump on a boat on a subterranean river to explore Indian Cave. Today's last stop is Mural de la Prehistoria, painted in the 1960s on a mountain side in a psychedelic way implying the theory of evolution.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel E Central Viñales (3 stars)

Today we will drive 5 hours to Cienfuegos. Before we reach our destination, we will stay for a while in Bay of Pigs. Yes, this is where the Bay of Pigs Invasion happened, a far-reaching attack in 1961 staged by American-assisted Cuban exiles against Fidel Castro, one that made Cuba seek alliance with Soviet Union and paved way for Cuban Missile Crisis. We will learn some relevant history at Museo de la Intervención, which was based on the site of a major battle. Later, relax on the popular Playa Coco beach for some time, before we continue to Cienfuegos.

Start your tour in Cienfuegos with Plaza José Martí and seeing its surrounding historic buildings, including Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Tomás Terry Theater, and Ferrer Palace. We will then drive through the sea breeze down a beachfront road to check out what’s inside the palatial Palacio Del Valle. Later, kick back and hit the Malecón de Cienfuegos to enjoy the seascape.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Melia San Carlos (4 stars)

Drive 1 hour to Trinidad. On arrival, go for a welcoming drink at Taberna La Canchánchara Bar. We will then visit Cantero Palace (Municipal Museum), Plaza Mayor, and Romance Museum - the beautiful Church of the Holy Trinity is just a stone’s throw away. Cantero Palace can offer you an insight into Trinidad’s history with a tower from which you can overlook the cityscape, while Romance Museum is one of the most beautiful palaces in Cuba. 

Enjoy some time in the afternoon marveling at Cuban handicrafts and craftsmanship at the family enterprise Casa del Alfarero Potter House. Drive back to hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Mystique Trinidad La Popa (5 stars)

Today we will head to Topes de Collantes Nature Reserve first and follow the local guide to hike on La Batata Trail which leads to a small waterfall, where you get to have fun swimming!

This afternoon, drive to visit the once sugar industry center of Cuba, Valley of the Sugar Mills. We will reach Manaca Iznaga Tower and climb it to soak up the beautiful view of the valley. While here, you will also enjoy a glass of guarapo, a freshly-pressed sugarcane juice with lime. 

Optional activity for today:

If you are interested, to perfect your tour in this amazing city we can also arrange for you an informal lesson of salsa dance, an indigenous Latin dance loved by Cubans wild and easy-to-learn.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Mystique Trinidad La Popa (5 stars)

This morning, drive 4 hours back to Havana. We will stop at Santa Clara to take a peek into the revolutionary history starred by Che Guevara. Oh, Che Guevara! The man that led the Cuban Revolution, the symbol of struggle and liberty, the idol with fans from all over the world. Today, we will pay respects to him at Che Guevara Mausoleum where his remains were buried amid a state funeral, and approach Taking of Armored Train Monument to learn the prelude of Cuban Revolution. It’s none other than this train, armored with dictator Batista’s troops, that was derailed by Guevara-led revolutionaries before they seized the city.

Continue to drive to Havana for hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri La Habana (4 stars)

Today your 9-day Cuba best tours come to an end. Hope you have enjoyed our service! We will send you to the airport according to your flight's schedule and see you off. It’s suggested that you arrive at the airport three hours prior to departure and print out your flight ticket in advance, in case the old facilities are just too old to function properly, not to mention there is a slow check-in process ahead where the working staff would try every way to ask queuers for tips. A smooth trip home!

★Recommended Sites for Self-guided Exploration of Havana
Havana, and by extension Cuba, is much more than you have experienced. If you have enough time before leaving, why not make good use of it to enjoy more at your own pace? Finca Vigía, Earnest Hemingway’s residence in Cuba where he wrote The Old Man and The Sea, would be worth your while. Another gem is House of José Martí, where Martí was born and which has turned to a museum keeping records of the great’s life since his childhood. If you are a history buff, don’t miss Museum of the Revolution, whose collections recount the fall of Batista’s regime; although it’s currently under renovation and the reopening date is uncertain, to just see this architectural masterpiece alone is a joy in itself.

Please note:
In case you want to dive deeper in Old Havana, you are sure to encounter, some of which have only precarious walls left, with no signage to warn passers-by. Just don’t indulge yourself in too much curiosity and avoid those hazards as much as you can. Another thing of note is the water dripping from above – you can’t be sure whether it’s really water or… not.
Meals: Breakfast