Cycle Cuba

Bienvenido! Welcome to Cuba. To make your arrival a little bit easier, you’ll have a complimentary transfer from the airport to your accommodation (guesthouse) in Havana. Then, your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to join the locals for a stroll past the fading facades along the oceanside Malecon or hire an open top vintage American car and cruise the streets and boulevards of Havana. After the meeting, why not get to know your riding companions over an optional group dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.

Take a short drive to Vedado this morning to meet your support crew and be fitted to your bike. Take your new wheels for a spin on a leisurely ride from Outer Havana back to Old Havana, passing John Lennon Park, the Grand Theatre and the Capitol building along the way. Enjoy lunch in a nearby cafe before stretching your legs on a guided walking tour of Old Havana, taking in the four most historic plazas before heading to Soroa in the support vehicle. Known as the 'rainbow of Cuba', Soroa is a landscape of unique flora and fauna. Have dinner over sunset, then maybe head to a local guesthouse for cocktails and maybe a game of dominos. Be warned, the locals (and your support team) are fiercely competitive and have spent countless hours honing their domino skills!

This morning, you’ll take a guided tour of the Soroa Orchid Garden. Set among seven acres, this oasis of flora features 250 plant varieties native to Cuba as well as numerous species of birds. After, you’ll hop on your bike and cycle west (on well-paved roads), sharing the streets with local traffic – tractors, vintage American cars, old Ladas and horse-drawn carriages. When you arrive at a hillside lake, you’ll take a break before heading for the San Juan River for lunch and a refreshing swim. After, drive to the small but renowned lakeside eco-village of Comunidad Las Terrazas – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to a lively art community. Grab a coffee near the main square then visit the former home of the celebrated Cuban musician Polo Montanez. Return to Soroa and spend the evening relaxing, playing pool or taking the opportunity to improve on your domino skills.

Drive to the hilly Cueva de los Portales, where the legendary Che Guevara stayed and trained the Western Army of the Cuban Revolution. From here, cycle on to the UNESCO-listed town of Vinales. Set among low-lying mountains, this beautifully remote area is reminiscent of the limestone karst scenery of Vietnam and is the perfect place to ride with very little traffic on the roads. Push your pedals a short distance uphill and be rewarded with spectacular views before continuing on to meet the delightful Mama Luisa – a seasoned farmer who will treat you to a delicious local meal. After, ride to a tobacco farm where you’ll meet another farmer who’ll show you how tobacco is dried and then rolled into cigars – here you have the chance to purchase this Cuban speciality directly from the maker. Jump back into the support vehicle and return to Vinales in time for a farm-to-plate experience at a hillside restaurant. The food here is 100% organic and grown locally, and although drinks aren’t included, you only pay for the mixers as the rum is free!

After breakfast, drive to the Diego Rivera-inspired Mural de la Prehistoria. Painted on a cliff at the foot of the Sierra de Vinales, the huge eye-catching mural took 18 people four years to finish. From here, leave the towering limestone karsts behind as you cycle to Cayo Jutias, traversing smaller roads through dry and flat farmland, with barely a vehicle to be seen, until you reach white beaches and pale blue water. After your ride, stretch out on the shoreline and sit down for a packed lunch with fresh juice. Then, enjoy some free time to relax – swim in the warm waters or walk to the neighbouring beach where the locals often park their old cars on the sand. After some time to soak up the atmosphere, take the support vehicle back to Vinales. The rest of the evening is free – why not try one of the many live music venues or salsa the night away ata dance class.

After breakfast, drive to the nearby lookout point for a view of the Vinales Valley before descending to the flat plains where you’ll begin your final ride in the west – cycling through rural landscapes, you’ll pass many small towns and communities on some of the smoothest tarmac in Cuba. Finish on top of a small hill, where you’ll celebrate with one last meal before re-boarding your transport for the drive back to Havana. When you arrive, check into your guesthouse and make the most of a free afternoon to reacquaint yourself with Cuba's charming capital and maybe visit the Jose Marti Memorial Tower or organise a group meal in one of the many paladars in Old Havana.

Today is a free day to explore Cuba's cosmopolitan capital before meeting new travelling companions at a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Your evening is then free to relax or enjoy an optional welcome dinner to get to know your new riding companions a bit better.

Start the day with a bike fitting, then transfer to the Bahia de Cochinos (the Bay of Pigs) for your first in the east of Cuba. You’ll begin at Playa Larga – sitting at the head of the bay, this is one of the two beaches that was invaded by US-sponsored exiles in 1961. Cycle along the tree-lined eastern shoreline, past a flooded cave called Cueva de los Peces (the Cave of Fish) to the peaceful sandy arc of Playa Giron – the second beach that was invaded. Here, you’ll get to rest your weary legs in the crystal-clear Caribbean water. The bay boasts a deep underwater well and a huge variety of coral and fish – the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing dip. When you've finished swimming in the salty sea, simply cross the road and jump in the fresh waters of the nearby cenote – a flooded cave that’s full of tropical fish. After, head to Cienfuegos, where you’ll take a leader-led orientation walk to get acquainted with the area.

After fuelling up on breakfast this morning, you’ll set out on today’s bike ride to Trinidad. Cycle along the rolling hills and mango trees through the countryside to reach the sea. Sitting on the Caribbean coast, Trinidad boasts well-preserved Spanish architecture, large plazas and a big salsa scene, making it a popular destination. When you arrive, get acquainted with the town’s once-grand mansions, pastel-hued buildings, cobbled streets and gardens on an orientation walk. In the evening, why not practice your dance moves at one of the many live music venues or head to a folklore show at one of the open-air venues. Your local leader can suggest a few of the latest hotspots for a fun night out on the town.

From Cuba’s coast, you’ll discover the country’s lush, tropical side at Parque Natural Topes de Collantes. This heavily protected nature reserve is home to jungle-covered limestone mountains, waterfalls, caves, grottoes and diverse flora and fauna. Drive north of Topes de Collantes, stopping at Mirador del Escambray on the way for the fantastic view of Trinidad and the Caribbean. From here you’ll climb on the bikes and explore the Guanayara section of the reserve. Avoiding the long climb, you’ll start at the Mirador del Hanabanilla for sweeping views of Lake Hanabanilla before a section of mixed tarmac and gravel terrains, both within and outside of the reserve. Sit down for lunch with the locals, then take a swim in a natural pool beside the waterfall. Ride on, then board the support vehicle for the drive to Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. Check out the bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle and learn about his incredible life before arriving in Santa Clara, where you’ll take an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings.

After breakfast, drive east towards Matanzas province to the small town of Jovellanos where you’ll begin today’s ride. This province is largely flat, with an enormous marsh to the south, rocky terrain to the northwest and cays and mangroves to the northeast. Uncover part of this vast land on a bike tour, enjoying mostly flat roads as you pass through small towns and citrus and sugar cane plantations before arriving in the maritime port city of Cardenas. This is a historical city where many things happened for the first time in Cuba, including the first ever raising of the modern Cuban flag. It’s also considered to be the Cuban city of bicycles! From here, it’s just a short drive to the resort town of Varadero. Your accommodation for tonight is a bit more authentic than the string of all-inclusive resorts that line the coast – you’ll be staying in a Varadero guesthouse.

Experience Cuba’s version of beach life with a free day in Varadero. After the past few cycling-heavy days, free time in the sun and sand is bound to be a welcome change of pace. Ask your leader about possible water-based activities and optional excursions on offer - snorkelling ais a popular option. You can also head out on a dolphin-watching expedition or take a boat trip to nearby mangroves where flamingos, crocodiles, parrots and other wildlife can be found. Alternatively, simply find a patch of golden sand, grab a pina colada and enjoy the glorious views. Alternatively, if you want to explore further on your bike, just let your leader know the night before so the bike doesn't get packed away.

Today is an early start as you start cycling directly from your guesthouse in Varadero. Hug the coast as you enjoy a ride alongside the white sand beaches that line the blue waters of the Straits of Florida all the way to Matanzas city – the capital of the Matanzas province. As part of Matanzas literary and musical heritage, the city is known for its poets, Afro-Cuban folklore and as the birthplace of danzon and rumba (two important Cuban dances). On arrival, park the bikes and take a guided walking tour with your leader. Later this afternoon, you’ll say goodbye to your bikes and return to Havana. When you arrive, take a closer look at Old Havana on a leader-led walking tour, finishing up at a micro-brewery where you can toast to the end of an excellent active adventure.

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after checking out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you have not already organised a transfer to the airport, your guesthouse can usually arrange one for you – please discuss this with them the day before you need to depart.