17 days
10 places
3
Group travel
This group program takes you all over Cuba, starting in the east of the country in the city of Holguín. Then you will go to the first city in Cuba founded by the Spanish colonialists: Baracoa, where you will learn about its history. In Santiago de Cuba, popularly known as the second capital of the island, you will visit the most important sights and take a trip to a mountain formation called the big stone. You will visit the Valle de los Ingenios, one of the most prosperous sugar regions of the time. You will also discover the colorful and authentic cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad, but not before you have experienced two adventures in nature: the El Nicho National Park and a kayak tour in Guajimico. In between, you will spend a day in the Caribbean paradise of Cayo Coco, where you can enjoy numerous water activities or simply soak up the sun on the beach. You will also visit the Viñales Valley, where you will learn about the lifestyle and production processes of the region’s tobacco and coffee producers, and about the Mogotes, a unique rock formation in Cuba, and the caves in the region. You will then visit the capital Havana, where you will take a tour of the colonial quarter. Your trip ends on the white beaches of Varadero.
Day 1: Your guide will pick you up at the airport where you will receive a briefing, meet your driver and be transferred to your hotel accommodation in the city of Holguín. In the evening you will have time to explore the city and the places near your accommodation.
Day 2: Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Holguín and taken to Baracoa, where you will have lunch in the restaurant after your arrival. Then you will start the Baracoa City Tour: You will get to know the historic center of Baracoa, where the first city in Cuba was founded in 1514. Explore the emblematic squares and streets and enjoy the exciting architecture. During the tour your guide will introduce you to the history of the area and give you great tips for further exploration on your own.
Day 3: Today you will go on a trip to the Yumuri Valley, which you will end with lunch. On the way there you will visit a small cocoa farm, where you will learn interesting facts about the process of chocolate production. Once you arrive in the gorge, you will travel in a small rowing boat on the Yumuri River. There you can swim in the incredible landscape and enjoy the enchanting nature as you pass the cliffs of the canyon. At the end of the trip you will enjoy lunch right by the sea.
Day 4: During an exciting tour through Santiago’s lively city center, you will visit important squares and buildings in the city. You will also visit several important museums and enjoy a delicious Creole lunch. In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel. This will also be your accommodation for today. After dinner at the hotel, your guide will take you to the House of Son, a nightclub in the city where you can enjoy Caribbean rhythms and socialize with locals. Afterwards, your guide will take you back to the hotel.
Day 5: In the morning you will take a trip to Gran Piedra to get to know the beautiful nature of eastern Cuba. Your first destination is the Gran Piedra, a Cuban natural wonder at an altitude of over 1000 meters. Then you will visit Villa Gran Piedra and enjoy the breathtaking views during a relaxing break. During the descent you will visit an old French coffee farm where you will learn about the history of coffee in Cuba and the colonial period. Afterwards you will visit a flower grower and have lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Day 6: Transfer from Santiago de Cuba to Camagüey. Lunch will be in a restaurant. In the afternoon you will have a city tour. On this tour of Camagüey you will see the picturesque old town with its colonial buildings, small streets and large squares. You will learn a lot about the history of the city and the daily life of the people of Camagüey. You will enjoy a traditional lunch. Take a city tour to some of the most important squares and admire the beauty of the colonial buildings. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 7: Transfer from the city of Camagüey to the hotel in Cayo Coco. Today you can relax on the paradisiacal beaches of Cayo Coco or take part in numerous water activities. Enjoy refreshing cocktails under palm trees, recharge your batteries in the sun, let yourself drift in the sea or explore the dazzling underwater world on a dive
Day 8: Transfer from Cayo Coco to Trinidad. On the way you will stop in Sancti Spíritus and enjoy an authentic lunch. You will spend the night in a Casa Particular with breakfast in Trinidad.
Day 9: After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your accommodation to explore the city of Trinidad on foot. Trinidad is considered a museum city due to its well-preserved colonial architecture from past centuries and is one of the most beautiful cities in Cuba. During the tour, your guide will give you interesting information about the history of the city. You will then visit one of the local museums and the traditional tavern La Canchánchara, where you will try a legendary Cuban cocktail. After lunch, you will visit the Valle de los Ingenios, where you will learn about the industry of the time and the remains of sugar production. Both Trinidad and the Valle de los Ingenios have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Day 10: Early morning transfer from the city of Trinidad to Cienfuegos. On the way to Cienfuegos you will be taken to the El Nicho Natural Park. There you will walk along a path surrounded by lush nature and make a first stop at a natural pool to refresh yourself. Then you will continue your way to the El Nicho waterfall, where you can also swim and refresh yourself.
After arriving in Cienfuegos, lunch awaits you. In the afternoon, you will take part in a guided tour of the charismatic coastal town, learn about the history of Cienfuegos, the only city in Cuba founded by the French, and have time to admire the well-preserved colonial buildings. The trip ends at the famous Jagua Bay. In Cienfuegos, you will be accommodated in a Casa Particular.
Day 11: In the morning, transfer from Cienfuegos to Viñales with lunch in Playa Larga. On the way to Viñales, you will also visit the Taino village and take a boat trip on the Laguna del Tesoro. Accommodation in the Casa Particular includes breakfast only.
Day 12: In Viñales you will start the day with a visit to the Mural de la Prehistoria and then take a boat trip on the underground river in the Cueva de los Indios. Finally, you will visit a local coffee and tobacco producer, discover the traditional cultivation processes with him and taste coffee and tobacco made with love. You will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch. After the tour you will be taken back to your accommodation and have free time in the afternoon. Accommodation in the Casa Particular includes breakfast.
Day 13: Your tour guide will pick you up early in the morning from your Casa Particular in Viñales and drive you to Havana. You will stay in a beautiful Casa Particular, where you can relax from your trip or enjoy your first impressions of the city. Your tour guide will pick you up in the afternoon for a classic city tour through Havana Vieja y Moderna. He will accompany you throughout the group tour and will be available to give you tips if needed. On this private tour through the old town of Havana, you will get to know the wonderful architecture of the capital. The tour ends with a delicious lunch.
Day 14: Today you have a free day!
Day 15: Transfer Havana – Varadero, where fine sandy beaches and a great hotel await you. The evening is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the incredible beaches of the Caribbean.
Day 16: Optionally, you can use the day and book the Seafari Cayo Blanco from Varadero separately. Then you will travel to Cayo Blanco by catamaran early in the morning. This small, practically untouched island is a perfect example of the beauty of the thousands of tiny islands that make up the Cuban archipelago. Just a few square meters of land, surrounded by fine sand and turquoise water. On this excursion you will get to know the underwater world of the Caribbean. Otherwise you have the whole day to visit the city of Varadero or enjoy the peace and quiet on the beach.
Day 17: Transfer to Varadero airport. With wonderful memories of your trip to Cuba in your luggage, you will take your flight home.
Cuban food is often described by European palates as one-sided: too many carbohydrates, too much meat and too few vegetables, salads and fruit. Spicy, sour and salty dishes are rarely found. Sweet ones are all the more common. Nevertheless, there are many restaurants, especially the so-called “paladares” (private restaurants), which often offer very tasty and rich food, but which can also cost a little more, at prices that are hardly affordable for Cubans.
In the hotels, the food is a little cheaper, but the quality varies greatly. Cubans insist on their mojito as a welcome drink. A mojito usually costs 2.10 – 5.40 euros, a beer 1 – 2.50 euros. You can get a good bottle of rum for as little as 7 euros. In our experience, drinking tap water in Cuba is safe, but safety comes first and it is better to buy bottled water. The prices for canned and bottled drinks are generally between 0.40 and 1.30 euros, while in bars and restaurants the prices are between 0.90 and 2.70 euros.
When traveling to Cuba, you can exchange your currency after you arrive. Here’s what you need to know:
Where to Exchange Money:
Havana Airport: You can exchange your currency for Cuban pesos (CUP) at the airport as soon as you land. This is often the most convenient option for travelers.
Hotels and Exchange Offices: Most larger hotels and official exchange offices (CADECA) offer currency exchange services. Banks also provide this service, but you may experience long waiting times due to queues.
Our Tip:
Based on our travel experience, we recommend that travelers from the UK, France, and Italy use Visa credit cards for withdrawing cash at ATMs or from bank counters. Visa tends to work better than Mastercard in Cuba, though ATMs can still be unreliable at times.
For U.S. travelers, it’s important to note that U.S.-issued credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, so you should bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars (USD) or euros (EUR) and exchange it upon arrival. The import and export of Cuban pesos is prohibited, so exchange what you need in Cuba and spend it before leaving.
Important Safety Advice:
We strongly recommend not exchanging money on the street, as this can be unsafe. Always exchange your money in official places, such as at the airport, hotels, or authorized exchange offices (CADECA).
While ATMs are available in Cuba, they are not always reliable. We strongly recommend carrying enough cash to cover your expenses, as the availability and functionality of ATMs can be unpredictable.
Where to Find ATMs:
Havana and Santiago de Cuba are the main cities where you’ll find most ATMs.
In smaller towns, ATMs are much less common, so plan accordingly and withdraw cash in larger cities when you can.
Important Considerations:
A 10% fee is typically charged on ATM transactions, so it’s best to limit your withdrawals to avoid unnecessary fees.
ATMs in Cuba can sometimes retain your credit card during a transaction. If this happens, don’t panic. You can contact Centro de Tarjetas Fincimex SA at the Hotel Habana Libre for assistance. Phone: +53 7 554466.
Recommendations:
Use bank ATMs whenever possible, as these are the most reliable.
Avoid relying on ATMs as your sole source of cash. Bring enough euros (EUR), British pounds (GBP), or U.S. dollars (USD) to exchange at official exchange offices (CADECA), hotels, or banks.
For U.S. citizens, note that U.S.-issued credit cards won’t work in Cuban ATMs or businesses due to the embargo. Make sure you have sufficient cash on hand.
When traveling to Cuba, it’s important to plan ahead when it comes to money, as credit card usage is limited. Here’s what you need to know:
Cash:
It is highly recommended to bring enough cash for your entire trip. Euros (EUR), British pounds (GBP), or U.S. dollars (USD) are all accepted for exchange in Cuba. Once you arrive, you can exchange your currency for Cuban pesos (CUP) at the airport, hotels, or official exchange houses (CADECA).
U.S. citizens should be aware that U.S. credit and debit cards are generally not accepted in Cuba due to the ongoing embargo. Therefore, you’ll need to rely almost entirely on cash.
Travelers from the UK, France, and Italy may be able to use their credit cards, but it’s still advisable to bring cash, as ATMs are not always reliable and often have long waiting times.
Credit Cards:
Visa cards tend to work more consistently than Mastercard at ATMs in Cuba. However, even if you bring a Visa card, ATMs can be unpredictable and may not always have cash available.
You can also withdraw money directly from the bank counters by presenting your passport, but be prepared for long queues.
U.S. citizens: Credit cards issued by U.S. banks will not work in Cuba, so bringing sufficient cash is essential.
Important Tips:
Always carry a backup supply of cash to avoid any issues with ATMs or card acceptance.
Exchange rates and availability of ATMs can vary, so be prepared for possible delays in accessing money during your trip.
For travelers from the UK, France, and Italy, we recommend bringing multiple credit cards as a backup, but don’t rely on them as your primary source of funds.
By planning ahead and carrying enough cash, you can avoid any potential hassles during your stay in Cuba.
Driving in Cuba is no problem and very safe. But try to free yourself from the all-too-German driving style, because in Cuban traffic you will find every type of driver, from the Caribbean-relaxed to the temperamental. Road conditions and signage depend entirely on the region, as in all of Latin America. Tourist destinations and main roads are almost comparable to German quality workmanship, although on remote routes “pothole alert” and “no signs” are often the order of the day.
Petrol stations are available nationwide. However, you should of course expect national peculiarities, such as a petrol station that simply hasn’t been supplied or that unfortunately doesn’t have electricity when you visit (important when paying by credit card).
However, due to the various small peculiarities in traffic and, for example, the street lighting, night trips should be avoided so that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound. Please do not let this text put you off: driving in Cuba is always more than worth it. Exploring uniquely beautiful landscapes on your own or getting to know the country and its people in a completely different way is always best done by car.
Important: There are occasional fuel shortages in Cuba. During such times, we explicitly advise you against using rental cars during our travel consultation, as these shortages can lead to you standing in queues for hours or simply not being able to get any petrol.
If you have any questions or problems during your trip, first contact the emergency numbers provided in your travel documents. You can reach our office in Havana at this number. If you have any questions for the Cuban Embassy, you can use the following contact details:
In Germany
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
Stavangerstrasse 20, 10439 Berlin
Email: consulberlin@t-online.de
Homepage: www.botschaft-kuba.de
In Austria
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
Kaiserstrasse 84 Vienna 1070
Email: secembajador@ecuaustria.at
Homepage: www.ecuaustria.at
In Switzerland
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
Gesellschaftsstrasse 8, Bern 3012
Email: consulcuba.berna@bluewin.ch
For emergencies that need to be dealt with locally, such as if you have lost your passport, you can always contact your respective embassy in Cuba:
German Embassy Havana
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Calle 13, No. 652, esq. B, Vedado, Havana, Cuba
Phone: +53 7 833 25 69
Emergency telephone number: +53 5280 5942 (can also be reached via SMS and WhatsApp if necessary)
Swiss Embassy in Cuba
Embassy of Switzerland
5ta Avenida no. 2005, between 20 and 22, Miramar, Playa, Havana, Cuba
Phone: +53 7 204 26 11
Austrian Embassy Havana
Embassy of Austria
Avenida 5ta A No. 6617, esq. a calle 70, Miramar, Havana, Cuba
Phone: +53 7204 28 25
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