Cycle Cuba: West

7 Days | Feel the rum-filled breeze from the back of two wheels on this cycling adventure through Cuba’s west.

4.9 out of 5 based on 16 reviews submitted.
Cycling
From
ZAR  21,900
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Want to know how it feels to ride alongside tractors and vintage cars, past tobacco farms and the smell of cigars, to have the Caribbean wind whip through your (helmet-covered) hair on a two-wheeled journey through the rich history and crumbling ruins of Old Havana? Find out, on this small group cycling adventure through Cuba’s west. Experience Cuban culture from handle-bar height as you take a leisurely peddle through the capital’s colourful streets, cycle to the pristine shores of Cayo Jutias to cool-off from the heat, and end a rewarding day in the saddle in Vinales with a farm-to-plate feast. From the flora and fauna-filled valleys of Soroa to the welcoming arms of renowned farmer Mama Luisa, take a ‘brake’ from the beaten path and access unique parts of the island that you can only reach on a trusty bicycle.

Trip overview

Map of Cycle Cuba: West including Cuba
Start
Havana, Cuba
Finish
Havana, Cuba
Theme
Cycling
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 17
Trip code
QBXC
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
  • Experience Cuba’s dynamic scenery on two-wheels, from the decaying charm of Old Havana to the dramatic limestone landscapes of Vinales.
  • Immerse yourself in everyday life as you share the Cuban roads with local traffic: ride alongside tractors, vintage American cars, old Ladas and horse-drawn carriages.
  • Enjoy a delicious farm-to-plate experience in a hilltop restaurant – the produce is 100% organic and locally grown, oh, and the rum is free!
  • Recognised as the world’s finest cigar manufacturer, top-off your Cuban experience at a tobacco plantation and witness a local farmer expertly roll an iconic Cuban ‘habana’.
  • Stretch your legs along the pristine beaches of Cayo Jutias, enjoy free time to flop and drop on the sands or go for a refreshing dip in the Caribbean.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

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.
  • This is a cycling trip, so it requires a certain amount of cycling fitness. This being said, there’s always a comfortable, air-conditioned support vehicle following close by.
  • To complete this trip, it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
  • Import restrictions make the purchase of new bicycles a difficult challenge. Our bikes come from a variety of different manufacturers but are all mechanically sound.
  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a backmarker where needed).
  • The Caribbean climate can be very hot and humid. It's important to wear the appropriate clothing, drink plenty of water and apply sun protection regularly. Lycra cycling shorts are ideal for warmer temperatures.
  • Cuba's roads aren't always paved, but when they are, they can range from smooth to downright terrible. However, it’s a fun experience to share the road with tractors, vintage American cars and horse-drawn carriages.
  • 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.
  • While Cuban food can sometimes seem limited due to a ban on imported goods, your guide will steer you towards the best eateries in each destination you visit.
  • Cuba is different and that’s what makes it such a fascinating destination. You will find that things don’t always go according to plan or work the way they do back home. Regulations concerning foreigners and currency may appear strange to you, transport sometimes runs late and sometimes the water in your bathroom can run cold and the electricity fail. In order to get the most out of your holiday, a degree of patience, good humour and understanding is a definite advantage. Cuba may not be wealthy in a monetary sense, however if you approach your holiday with an open and enquiring mind, the warm welcome you receive from Cubans will ensure you a rich and rewarding holiday experience.

Itinerary

Map of Cycle Cuba: West including Cuba

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Bicycle, Support Vehicle (Bus)

Accommodation

Standard Guesthouse (6 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Cycling Outer Havana
  • Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
  • Las Terrazas - Eco-village Visit
  • Soroa - Orchid Garden (entrance fee and guide included)
  • Las Terrazas - Casa de Polo entry
  • Vinales - Tobacco farm visit
  • Vinales - Beach excursion to Cayo Jutias
Add on activities
  • Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide) - USD10
  • Havana Bike Hire - Ruta Bikes - USD20
  • Havana - Morro Castle (entrance fee, no guide, no transport)10 am-9 pm - CUP200
  • Havana - American Vintage Car Tour (No guide and transport included) - USD30
  • Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (per hour) - USD10
  • Vinales - Live music venues (entrance fee) - Free
  • Havana - Jose Marti Memorial tower entrance fee - CUP200

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. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so we can organise a suitably sized bike.
4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. You are unable to purchase or hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
5. 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.
6. 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 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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

4.9 out of 5 based on 16 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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JESSICA · Traveled February 2024
Rainer Companioni was an amazing guide for our Cuba West trip! His priority for safety was first and his ability to lead and educate a group from all over the world was excellent. I'd take another trip with him leading again! the trip itself was awesome- the locations and experiences were perfect and well-planned!
Review submitted 20 Feb 2024

Shun Wai · Traveled December 2023
Highly recommend this trip! Cycling is such a fun unique way to feel the spirit of Cuba. Our leader Rainer, and the support crew are amazing, knowledgeable, and attentive, and give us a whole new perspective on the beauty of Cuba. There are a few challenging hills but overall it's a pleasant enjoyable ride.
Review submitted 08 Jan 2024

Justin · Traveled December 2023
What a fantastic trip, seeing this beautiful country is simply different on two wheels. The sections of cycling are well picked, a good balance between fun and challenge. Rainer was such a great leader!
Review submitted 17 Jan 2024

Kari · Traveled November 2023
I’ve just complete a week long cycling tour of West Cuba. And the whole experience was amazing. Wow what a way to see and experience it. This trip has created experiences and memories for a life time.
Review submitted 27 Nov 2023

Wendy · Traveled February 2023
Excellent trip with varied activities which gave a good overview of the west of Cuba. Supportive guide and crew who listened to the individual needs and abilities of the group and acted on them.
Review submitted 07 Mar 2023
Cycle Cuba: West
From
ZAR  21,900