Best of Cuba

15 Days | Salsa your way from the colourful capital of Havana through the very best of Cuba.

4.5 out of 5 based on 57 reviews submitted.
Unfortunately this tour isn’t available for sale in your country or region.
Explorer
From
USD $1,680
View dates and book

From Cuba's historical streets of Havana to the pristine shores of the Caribbean, stroll through World Heritage cities, relive a fascinating colonial history and experience the rich heritage of music and dance that Cuba is renowned for. Dive into the incredible marine world and history of the Bay of Pigs, prepare to be wowed as you discover Baracoa’s mountainous surrounds, visit the birthplace of salsa and admire Trinidad’s unrivalled ambience on this two-week adventure. From historic cars to fragrant cigars, and with plenty of rum and rumba in between, this adventure will take you into the heart of all things Cuban.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of 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
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QUSH
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.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Old-world charm, rich history, exciting nightlife – evocative Havana is like nowhere else on Earth. See the difference between city and coastal life on a guided walking tour of the old capital.
  • Receive a fascinating insight into the rise and fall of the charismatic and highly celebrated Cuban revolutionary – Che Guevara – at his mausoleum and museum in Santa Clara.
  • With its vibrant music scene and Afro-Cuban roots, sultry Santiago de Cuba is a great place to bust out some moves and hit the dance floor with the locals.
  • Experience old-world charm in the colourful coastal town of Trinidad. Delve into the city’s sultry Latin rhythms with a salsa class and enjoy plenty of free time for seaside relaxation.
  • Take inspiration from the locals and mix things up with a bicycle-taxi tour of Camaguey – roll through the winding streets on two-wheels, visiting markets, plazas and an art gallery.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Internet access can be hard to come by, and when it's available it's often unreliable and expensive. Treat this as a great opportunity to take a break from modern devices and have a true holiday.
  • 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.
  • As this trip covers a lot of land, you'll be spending quite a bit of time travelling.Cuba's road condition and infrastructure is still fragile in various parts of the country so delays may often happen. 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.

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Cuba including Cuba

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Taxi

Accommodation

Standard guesthouse (14 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
  • Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (entrance fee)
  • Holguin - La Loma de Cruz (sunset lookout)
  • Holguin - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Baracoa - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Santiago de Cuba - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Guantanamo Bay Viewpoint (time & weather dependent)
  • Santiago de Cuba - Half-day City Tour including El Morro Castle, Santa Ifigenia Cemetery & Moncada Barracks (guide, transport &entrance fees included)
  • Santiago de Cuba - night live music
  • Camaguey - Leader - led orientation walk
  • Bayamo - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Camaguey - Rum tasting in a local bar
  • Camaguey - Bicycle Taxi City Tour (guide and transport included)
  • Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Ciego de Ávila - Jewellery workshop (Community-based project)
  • Trinidad - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour)
  • Cienfuegos - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (entrance fee)
  • Bay of Pigs - Coastal swim stop

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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 7 days prior to travel
3. 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.
4. Please advise bedding configuration requests to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel to aid guesthouse and rooming allocations, which are finalized 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 departure from your booking agent. Rest assured, the transfer driver will know the address of your assigned guesthouse.
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.

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

4.5 out of 5 based on 57 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

Filter by rating

Michael · Traveled July 2023
A very comprehensive overview of Cuba. Gloria and Ivan were very kind and helpful. Cuba is not the easiest destination but it was very rewarding. Don't forget to bring much-needed medicine for the locals.
Review submitted 11 Aug 2023

Marina · Traveled July 2023
This tour exceeded my expectations. I have visited the Cuba that not everybody has the privilege to visit, with a tour leader who could not have done any more to make our experience so unique and marvellous! I would recommend this trip to anybody eager to learn about this incredibly fascinating country, its multifaceted culture, history, architecture, natural environment and much more…in a nutshell: thank you to Intrepid and its Cuba based team for providing me with a truly unforgettable experince! 💙
Review submitted 23 Jul 2023

KEITH · Traveled May 2023
Adrian our tour guide was exceptional. His enthusiasm knowledge and love of his country was ‘full on’. -this he shared with us. His amicable easy going nature made travelling a breeze and each day a pleasant adventure. He was both the guide and driver on our journey, he admirably contended with the petrol shortage, which meant we were limited to 10 liters, at garages, and had to navigate queues and frustrating local bureaucracy. Never without a smile. An unforgettable tour. Highly Recommended!
Review submitted 19 Jun 2023

Maria J · Traveled April 2023
great trip thou lacking cultural exposure on each stop besides dancing salsa
Review submitted 22 Apr 2023

jeannie · Traveled March 2023
A most enjoyable, educational and well organised trip; disturbing at times but a must for anyone who needs to have a clearer understanding of a failing communist government. A beautiful country with endless opportunities and that wonderful Latin joyfulness still apparent through their wonderful music and at times by their friendliness. Cubans deserve whatever it takes to improve their present situation. Some knowledge of the language would be a definite advantage.
Review submitted 03 Apr 2023
Best of Cuba
From
USD $1,680