Budget holiday in Cuba
| country: | Cuba |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Between 3 - 5 departures per month throughout the year |
| price: | From £795 (15 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 8 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
From the 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. Prepare to be wowed as you discover Baracoa’s mountainous surrounds, visit the birthplace of salsa and admire Trinidad’s unrivaled 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.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Havana. Swinging to the beat of the rumba, Havana is unlike any other capital in the world. Wander along crumbling boulevards and plazas to revel in the charm of this vibrant city. Don't miss sunset along the Malecon where the city come to stroll and watch the sunset. |
| Days 2-4: | Baracoa. Board a flight bound for Santiago and then continue on to Santiago. Climb over the old forts - built to withstand pirate raids - or explore the mountains and black sand beaches. In town, seek out the Torcedores to see cigar-rolling in action. Pick up basic Spanish skills during an informal Spanish lesson. These newfound language skills are sure to come in handy during a salsa lesson the following day. |
| Days 5-6: | Santiago de Cuba. This historical city played a pivotal role in the Cuban Revolution - but it is better known for its smooth tunes. Set between the indomitable Sierra Maestra and the azure Caribbean, this city's historical center retains a time-worn air ideal for photographers. After a day of sightseeing, stay out all night dancing to the Latin rhythms of Cuba's sexy salsa in the city that gave birth to the dance. During the day explore the city?s wealth of museums and admire its colonial architecture. |
| Day 7-8: | Camaguey. There is a lot of fun to be had getting lost among the winding streets of Camaguey. Find a terrace cafe for a drink and enjoy the city views, or visit the busy farmer's market. |
| Days 9-11: | Trinidad. Home to Spanish-style churches and great museums, Trinidad is also the gateway to the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugarcane plantations pan out across the land. Playa Ancon is close by and there's plenty of time to relax on its long, unspoiled beaches. Make an optional visit to a folklore dance and music show to see mambo, cha-cha-cha and rumba intertwined with Afro-Cuban religious ceremonies. |
| Day 12: | Cienfuegos. Stop by the Palacio del Valle, the architectural pride of Cienfuegos and soak up the relaxed vibe of this town. |
| Days 13-15: | Havana. Pass by the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial to learn about this much-loved revolutionary's extraordinary life before winding along the coast on the way back to Havana. Back in the capital there is time for an optional dance lesson or to take a vintage car ride through the central barrios before bidding adios. |
travellers' tales
Amazing. It exceeded all of my expectations and I'd recommend this type of tour to anyone travelling to Cuba. The tour is perfectly paced, with three full days spent on most of the stops. (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. The central tenet of the Awards, in which winners are nominated by tourists, is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
We just can't get enough of the Amazon, not only as a jaw-dropping travel destination but also as a global treasure and this trip will help to ensure that the incredibly Amazon Rainforest is here for us to enjoy for generations to come! Our Amazon Fund will help support on the ground projects by the Foundation's long time partners Greenpeace and WWF. By booking your Latin American adventure with us you're helping us work towards a sustainable future for the Amazon.
This trip gives you plenty of opportunities to get to know the culture and vibrant history of Latin America. There are numerous chances for local interaction as we cover so much ground using all means of public transport. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from a friendly local who strikes up a conversation during your journey. Your leader and the occasional local guide will be able to direct you to many local eateries throughout the trip, helping you discover real local fare at real local prices (and probably helping you learn some Spanish at the same time). All travellers are encouraged to explore with the group and on their own, learn a few words of the language and interact with the locals as much as possible. Local guides are employed to help explain as much as possible about the cultural differences and the historically significant places that we visit. This also allows us to appreciate the importance of preserving and respecting these sites and to help us minimise the impact of our visits. There are plenty of opportunities to support local merchants in the markets and stalls that we pass along the way. We can purchase traditional handicrafts from local artisans and learn more about the importance of preserving these crafts. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |