Epic Mexico & Cuba

22 Days | Get manic in Mexico and colourful in Cuba.

18 to 29s
From
CHF  3,385
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This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

Mexico and Cuba are a bit of culture, a dash of sandy beaches, a splash of lush jungle and a sprinkling of delicious food all mixed together. Smash some street tacos in Mexico City, taste the best mezcal around in Oaxaca, swing through San Cristobal, Lacanja and Palenque, then finish up snorkelling, tanning and eating by the Caribbean before hopping over to Cuba. Cycle through the streets of retro Havana, head to Santa Larga for a dip in the crystal-clear waters, soak up the sunshine on the beaches of Trinidad and sip on Cuban cocktails with the locals in Vinales. Get right to the heart of these fiery nations on a 22-day epic adventure, and oh boy, they sure are pumping.

Trip overview

Map of Epic Mexico & Cuba including Cuba and Mexico
Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Havana, Cuba
Theme
18 to 29s
Destinations
Mexico, 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
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QBYMC
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.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • Escape the Mexican heat in the culturally-rich highlands of Chiapas. San Cristobal de las Casas has an old-world town vibe, surrounded by ancient tribal villages.
  • Head deep into the jungle and experience the lush wilderness and cultural significance of Palenque and Lacanja – a real Indiana Jones moment.
  • Take an optional tour to the historic site of Chichen Itza to understand why these ancient Maya ruins are one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Cycle through the culture-soaked streets of Old Havana and immerse yourself in the eclectic history of Cuba’s capital on a half-day walking tour of the city.
  • Venture to the village of Vinales, where the small-town charms are many. Spend your time smoking fat cigars with locals and exploring hidden caves in the mountains.
  • Learn the lingo with an informal lesson in the Spanish language. From Hola to Hasta Luego to the all-important phrases – like how to order a cerveza!
  • Sip on Cuba’s famous liquor on a visit to a local bar for a rum tasting – as far as the rum world is concerned, Cuba is home to some of the best out there!

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle and public bus with your group, including an overnight bus journey. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • Mexico's climate is sultry and tropical, so can get really hot and humid. Wear loose clothing and make sure stay hydrated, especially while out on walking tours.
  • The guesthouses (casas) we use are much nicer than your average Cuban dwelling and each room is unique. Regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water supply are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country – but we believe that this is all a part of the local experience. To help set your expectations correctly, please read the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
  • Part of Cuba’s appeal is its old-fashioned style – this includes the banking systems. Funds in Cuba can be difficult to access. Please read our Essential Trip Information to be fully prepared
  • Luxuries such as air conditioning, plush pillows, and fly screens, are often scarce. Part of the experience here is learning to appreciate everyday Cuban resourcefulness.
  • You might have to save your status updates and photo posts for when you get home, as Internet is hard to find, unreliable and expensive. Treat Cuba as a holiday from social media too!
  • 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 Epic Mexico & Cuba including Cuba and Mexico

Inclusions

Meals

1 breakfast, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, local bus, Overnight public bus, Taxi, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights), Overnight public bus (1 night), Cabin (1 night), Standard Guesthouse (7 nights)

Activities
  • Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
  • Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
  • San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Palenque - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport)
  • Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Playa del Carmen - Paleteria visit (Mexican Ice-cream store)
  • Izamal - Convento de San Antonio de Padua (Entrance)
  • Izamal - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
  • Bay of Pigs - Coastal swim stop
  • Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Trinidad - Rum Tasting in a Local Bar
  • Vinales - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Havana - Leader-led Bicycle Ride to Revolution Square
Add on activities
  • Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee) - MXN35
  • Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN600
  • Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN90
  • Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN80
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN250
  • Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN90
  • Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN85
  • Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN900
  • Oaxaca - Tule Tree, Teotitlan weaving town, mescal distillery - USD27
  • Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1300
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - MXN65
  • Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport) - MXN565
  • Lacanja - Half-day Rafting, Waterfalls & Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) (Minimum 4 people) - MXN800
  • Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN1035
  • Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1400
  • Havana - Museum of the Revolution (entrance fee) - EUR8
  • Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee) - EUR5
  • Trinidad - Cave Disco (entrance fee) - EUR14
  • Trinidad - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour) - EUR10
  • Trinidad - Afro-Cuban folklore show (entrance fee) from - EUR3
  • Trinidad - Musical Instrument Lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion) per hour - EUR10
  • Trinidad - Trek to El Nicho Waterfall (entrance fee, guide and transport included) - EUR257
  • Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (per hour) - EUR10
  • Vinales - Live music venues (entrance fee) from - EUR2
  • Vinales - Farm-to-table dinner at an eco-friendly ranch - EUR13
  • Vinales - Vinales valley guided walking tour - EUR10
  • Vinales - Santo Tomas cave visit - EUR8
  • Havana - Jose Marti Memorial tower entrance fee - EUR3
  • Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide) - EUR12
  • Havana - Camera Obscura by Leonardo da Vinci (entrance fee and guide included) - EUR2
  • Havana - Tourist Bus Day Pass (Hotel Plaza Buro) - EUR10

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Overnight bus) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Multishare typically includes triple and quad rooms. You may be required to share with group members of the opposite sex and couples, and people travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
3. To save you money and the hassle of booking multiple trips, this journey is a combination of some of our most popular adventures. Your leader and the composition of your group may change with the start of each adventure.
4. Please advise bedding configuration requests to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to arrival into Cuba to aid guesthouse and rooming allocations, which are finalised 10 days prior to departure based on the configuration of each travelling party. You may request your confirmed guesthouse name and address inside 7 days of the Cuba departure date from your booking agent. Rest assured, the transfer driver will know the address of your assigned guesthouse.
5. A visa or tourist card, organised prior to arrival, is required for all nationalities visiting Cuba.
6. The Cuban government has declared that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers. Proof of insurance may be requested at Havana Airport by immigration officials.
7. 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.

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

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Epic Mexico & Cuba
From
CHF  3,385