Premium Cuba

9 Days | Discover Cuba’s vintage charm on a Premium experience

5 out of 5 based on 32 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CHF  2,457
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This Premium adventure through Cuba takes you through colourful architecture, vast beaches and lush countryside. The colourful local history still dominates most aspects of daily life, and you’ll explore Havana in all its faded glory. See the beauty of rural Vinales, wander the cobblestoned streets of Trinidad and soak up the coastal vibe of Cienfuegos. Visit the home of a local family for dinner, learn some salsa moves and hop in a classic American car for a real Cuban experience.

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

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

Premium experiences

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Premium knowledge

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders


Why you'll love this trip
  • Visit the home of a local family in Trinidad for an Exclusive Experience where you’ll enjoy a festive home-cooked 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.
  • Discover the cobblestone streets of 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.
  • 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.

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. These rooms may also be quite different than what you’re used to back home. That said, regardless of where you stay, power cuts, patchy wi-fi 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, but it’s not a luxury destination. 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 country.
  • Cuba experiences significant electricity problems, so power outages are common. It’s recommended you travel with a flashlight. It’s also recommended you bring ear plugs as the walls are thin.
  • Your accommodations on this trip will likely have stairs with no elevators, so keep in mind that you’ll be taking the stairs more often than not. If you’re concerned about mobility, let your booking agent know and we can try to accommodate you with rooms closer to the ground level if possible.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

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 32 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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Tennille · Traveled August 2024
This was a great introduction to Cuba! We learned a lot and had so many great experiences. It’s such a beautiful country and having Adita as our guide really enhanced the trip. Bring plenty of USD, snacks, and patience and you’ll love it! It helped going prepared for frequent power cuts, limited WiFi, not being able to use US credit cards.
Review submitted 12 Sep 2024

Medea · Traveled July 2024
The trip was really great, made even better trough our guide, Adita. Her knowledge was amazing. The guesthouses were great, and the owners were very attentive. I would really recommend this trip!
Review submitted 11 Aug 2024

Daniel · Traveled May 2024
Our guide Emilio provided a comprehensive perspective of the Cuban culture, history and current challenges. Highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 29 May 2024

Catherine · Traveled April 2024
Please see above.
Review submitted 18 Apr 2024

Marian · Traveled April 2024
The Premium Cuba trip was a fascinating experience. Our guide, Emilio, was incredibly knowledgeable of all the history. He was enthusiastic, funny, organized, attentive, and everything you would want in a guide. I highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 15 Apr 2024
Premium Cuba
From
CHF  2,457