Premium Cuba

9 Days | Step back in time and delight in Cuba’s vintage charm

5 out of 5 based on 23 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
AUD $3,428
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This Premium adventure through Cuba plays out to the soundtrack of a sizzling salsa beat, against a vibrant backdrop of colonial architecture, sweeping beaches and verdant countryside. Cuba’s colourful history still dominates most aspects of daily life, painting the country with an atmosphere like no other. Explore Havana in all its faded glory, uncover the easy beauty of rural Vinales, wander the cobblestoned streets of Trinidad and soak up the coastal vibe of Cienfuegos. Let Cuba’s charm wash over you on an unforgettable journey.

Trip overview

Map of Premium Cuba including Cuba
Start
Havana, Cuba
Finish
Havana, Cuba
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Cuba
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
QUPC
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation
Premium experiences
Premium knowledge

Why you'll love this trip
  • Discover the cobblestone streets of colonial Trinidad, learn some salsa steps in slow-paced Vinales, and take in the colours of Soroa, the valley known as the 'Rainbow of Cuba'.
  • Explore Havana’s main sights during a tour in a classic American car – a nod to the city’s colourful vintage past.
  • Visit the home of a local family in Trinidad for an Exclusive Experience where you’ll enjoy a festive homecooked dinner, paired with the local drink, Canchanchara, made from 'fire water', local honey and lime juice.
  • Admire the colours of Soroa during an Exclusive Experience. Visit a vibrant orchid garden with a local expert and take a private tour to learn about the region’s diverse array of flora and fauna.
  • Your local leader will help you learn the story of the Cuban Revolution, as well as a visit to the memorials dedicated to revolutionary hero Ernesto Che Guevara in Santa Clara.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Hotels in Cuba are government-run, which means renovations are few and far between. As for the guesthouses (casas) we use, they are much nicer than your average Cuban dwelling but keep in mind that each and every room is unique. That said, regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country. To help set your expectations correctly, please read the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
  • Internet in Cuba can also be scarce, unreliable and expensive. Treat this trip as a holiday from emails and social media.
  • Cuba is different, and that's a big part of its allure. Things don't always go according to plan, and many things don't work the same way as back home. Patience and good humour will go a long way in this beautiful destination.

Itinerary

Map of Premium Cuba including Cuba

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (1 nights), Premium Guesthouse (4 nights), Feature Stay (3 night)

Premium Inclusions
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Havana - Welcome Dinner
  • Havana - Revolution Square
  • Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
  • Havana - American Vintage Car Tour (No guide and transport included)
  • Havana – Granma Memorial (entrance fee)
  • Soroa – Orchid Garden Tour (entrance and guide fee)
  • Vinales - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Havana - Deshidratados Havana Visit
  • Vinales - Half-day Valley tour on foot including Tobacco Farmhouse
  • Vinales - Salsa dance lesson (1 hour)
  • Vinales - Farm-to-table dinner at an eco-friendly ranch
  • Bay of Pigs - Coastal swim stop
  • Cienfuegos - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (from entrance fee)
  • Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Trinidad - Dinner at a local farmhouse
  • Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (entrance fee)
  • Trinidad - Valle De Los Ingenios Scenic Viewpoint and Drink
Add on activities
  • Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide) - USD10
  • Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee) - CUP250
  • Havana - Museum of the Revolution (entrance fee) - EUR8
  • Havana - Jose Marti Memorial tower entrance fee - CUP200
  • Vinales - Live music venues (entrance fee) - Free
  • Trinidad - Massage - from - EUR24
  • Trinidad - Bicycle rental (full day) - EUR5
  • Trinidad - Musical Instrument Lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion) per hour - EUR10
  • Havana - Buena Vista Social Club Performance (entrance fee & dinner) - USD35

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. Travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers entering Cuba. You may be asked to show proof of your travel insurance by immigration staff upon arrival at Havana Airport.
4. Please advise bedding configuration requests to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel to aid guesthouse and rooming allocations. You may request your confirmed list of accommodation inside 7 days of departure from your booking agent.
5. We recommend you bring enough cash to last your whole time in Cuba. This is currently the best option and will provide you with the best value for money. Please see the ‘Money Matters’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
6. For non-US passport holders, we recommend travelling to Cuba via Canada, Europe, South or Central America. Please refer to the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
7. For US passport holders this trip operates under the “Support for the Cuban People” category (§ 515.574) and requires a signed and countersigned travel affidavit. Our licensing agreement only allows one night of pre-tour accommodation to be booked and no post-tour accommodation. Please refer to the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 23 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Randall · Traveled February 2024
Recently booked an Intrepid tour to Cuba. Our guide Ivan was incredible. He has been in Cuba his whole life and is very passionate about his country. His local knowledge is so complete. He was able to answer questions we asked and always provided answers that helped us all understand Cuba. If I were booking again I would definitely request Ivan.
Review submitted 26 Feb 2024

Jessica · Traveled April 2023
Our trip was amazing! Our guide was wonderful! She was so lovely, caring, knowledgeable and eloquent! She pushed us to try everything Cuban, even if it was slightly out of our comfort zone! By the end she felt like a friend. It was so so lovely, I can’t wait to go back!
Review submitted 20 Aug 2023

Anna · Traveled April 2023
Absolutely fantastic trip thanks to Barbara’s energy, knowledge, insight, and patience. Salsa, sea, sun, fast&furious classic car drive, cigars, architecture, nature and history - delicious “ropa vieja”, fabulous rum and son. Thank you Barbara and Intrepid for a fun itinerary that gave us insight into a fascinating country and people.
Review submitted 29 Jul 2023

Glenys · Traveled March 2023
Barbara, our tour leader, gave us a wonderful insight into life in Cuba. She shared her knowledge and passion for Cuba, providing us a really interesting insight into daily life, the diversity of the country and its complex history. The itinerary was great, loved Trinidad and Vinales, also all the included activities. Our driver was also outstanding.
Review submitted 16 Apr 2023

Christine · Traveled March 2023
Adita our guide turned this excellent trip into an amazing one. She was an outstanding guide and we had a wonderful experience in Cuba. We learned so much about this impoverished country, the people deserve so much better, they were lovely. Havana lived up to expectations and the rest of tour was equally interesting and different.
Review submitted 03 Apr 2023
Premium Cuba
From
AUD $3,428