Cycle Cuba

14 Days | Explore Cuba by bike, from vibrant Havana to Varadero and the peaceful beauty of the pristine Yumuri Valley.

4.8 out of 5 based on 5 reviews submitted.
Cycling
From
ZAR  48,640
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Experience Cuba from two wheels as you cycle around this laidback Caribbean island. Travel the colourful streets of Havana, the dusty roads past the farms and tobacco plantations of Vinales, cycle alongside vintage cars on your way to the verdant Bay of Pigs, discover UNESCO Word Heritage Sites of Cienfuegos and Trinidad and experience Cuba beyond the rum and cigar scene. Pay homage at Che Guevara’s final resting place in Santa Clara, cycle the pristine and untourised Yumuri Valley, and enjoy the perfect beaches of vibrant Varadero, Cayo Jutias’ clear blue waters and cool off in bubbling river pools near Las Terrazas. Soak up the best of Cuba as you traverse this fascinating country.

Trip overview

Map of Cycle Cuba 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 14
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QBXCC
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
  • Cycling through Caribbean Cuba gives you unique access to parts of the island that are off the beaten track.
  • Cycle through the lush valleys of Soroa and Yumuri, one known as Cuba's Rainbow and rich in plant and wildlife, the other an untouched paradise far off the usual tourist track.
  • Cuba is recognised as the world’s finest cigar manufacturer. Learn how to roll a cigar with a local tobacco farmer near the small town of Vinales.
  • After a visit to the temporary HQ of Cueva de los Portales, a guided walking tour of Old Havana, and a visit to his final resting place in Santa Clara, you’ll understand Che Guevara's important role in the Cuban Revolution.
  • Ride through an often surprising variety of scenery; from the decaying charm of Old Havana to long dusty farming roads to dramatic limestone karst landscapes. Cuba has it all!

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.
  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed)
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Internet access can be hard to come by, and when it's available it's sometimes unreliable. This is, on the other hand, a great opportunity to take a break from modern devices and have a true holiday.
  • Cuba's roads aren't always paved, but when they are they can range from smooth to downright terrible. That being said, it’s a fun experience to share the road with tractors, vintage American cars and horse-drawn carriages.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Itinerary

Map of Cycle Cuba including Cuba

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Bicycle, Support Vehicle (Bus)

Accommodation

Standard Guesthouse (13 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
  • Havana - Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Cienfuegos - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (entrance fee)
  • Havana - Leader led City Tour of Old Havana
  • Matanzas Bicycle Tour
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
  • Classic American Car Tour of Havana - Urban Adventures (guide & transport included - USD67
  • Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee) - CUP250
  • Havana - Buena Vista Social Club Performance (entrance fee & dinner) - USD35
  • Havana - Half-day Ernest Hemingway Tour (guide and transport included 2 clients min required) - USD68
  • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (from entrance fee) - CUP250
  • Trinidad - Romantic Museum (entrance fee) - CUP120
  • Trinidad - Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos (entrance fee) - CUP70

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

4.8 out of 5 based on 5 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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Jeffrey · Traveled January 2024
Cuba was an amazing place . Our guide , Rainer ( as well as Ariel and Raul ) was Great . He did an excellent job . Cuba was a place , I’ve looked at traveling to for a while . I’m very happy to have gone , and would recommend it . Keep an open mind and “ don’t sweat the small stuff ! “
Review submitted 26 Jan 2024

Reymondon · Traveled November 2023
It's really interesting to visit Cuba by bike. We're much closer to the nature and the population ( children, peasants, merchants etc...)
Review submitted 01 Dec 2023

Suzanne · Traveled February 2023
This trip was an outstanding adventure! Our tour leader was absolutely phenomenal, as was the entire support crew. Cycling was a bit tougher than expected due to heat, hills and rough terrain. BEWARE- bring $US (do not bring $CDN). Most places accept $US dollars and even prefer them to the local currency.
Review submitted 04 Mar 2023

Peggy · Traveled December 2022
Excellent crew , beautiful country, extremely good food and lovely hosts. Bikes and guides outstandingly good! Make sure to bring more than enough foreign cash (EUR are good; bills to be in excellent condition). It is impossible to get foreign money withing Cuba, Cuban Pesos are not well accepted, credit cards only accepted at major stores / hotels which you typically do not visit.
Review submitted 16 Jul 2023

Amanda · Traveled August 2022
I would highly recommend Cycle Cuba. Professional and passionate guides, and a great itinerary to see Cuba.
Review submitted 04 Oct 2022
Cycle Cuba
From
ZAR  48,640