Cuba small group tour
Highlights
Havana | Soroa | Vinales | Bay of Pigs | Cienfuegos | Trinidad | Santa Clara | informal salsa lesson included |Description of Cuba small group tour
This week long Cuba group tour lets you discover the history and heritage of this stunning Caribbean island alongside the natural attraction and the cultural splendour that make Cuba group tours the hottest tickets on the planet right now.From the American invasion to political posturing, this is your chance to go on a Cuba group tour and see the traditional sights and experience the Latin American rhythm and flair before things change beyond all recognition.
Hats off to Havana, soak up the mountain air around Soroa and the sunshine of Playa Ancon before heading to Trinidad for some laid back vibes to stop you in your tracks. Cuba group tours will take you all over the island with a back story of classic cars, fat cigars and a whole lot of hot and spicy salsa in between – so what are you waiting for?
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
Check dates, prices & availability
Small group adventure - Comfort trips
What is a small group adventure?It's a great way to travel! Whether you are travelling on your own, with a partner or with friends, a small group trip is a fantastic way to see the world. You'll travel on a fixed itinerary that has been designed to help you discover the best of region. From the known highlights, the hidden gems that you won't find in the guidebooks.
Itineraries run on set departure dates, accompanied every step of the way by an English speaking local group leader. You chose the itinerary and the date that suits you best and you book on.
Why travel on a small group adventure?
Small groups allow us to explore where larger tour groups can't. Our maximum group size of 16 travellers allows us to use local transport to get from A to B, to visit rural villages, spend time with the locals and even stay at a local home overnight, and it allows us to give our travellers genuine, real life experiences of the countries we are visiting; what you'll be doing and how you'll travel depends entirely on your chosen itinerary.
Is an adventure right for me?
The word adventure means something different to everyone, and our range of trips reflects that. Whether you want to explore local markets, visit out of the way temples and meet local people or go on an early morning safari drive searching for the 'big five', we'll have a trip for you. If you are looking for a physical challenge such trekking the Kokoda Track or summiting Kilimanjaro, we can help with that too.
So what can I expect on this trip?
This is one of our Comfort trips, designed for travellers looking for more inclusions in their itinerary, a higher standard of accommodation and more focus on private vehicles over public transport.
Comfort trips are aimed at the adventure traveller who wants to discover the world up close, but with some creature comforts along the way. Dependent on the itinerary, there may still be a night multi-share accommodation (at a homestay for example), but this will be to ensure you don't miss out on a fantastic experience. Camping trips will usually stay in permanent, tented camps or some of the safari options may be lodge based.
You'll stay in predominantly 3 ½ star and above tourist class hotels with private, en suite facilities, although some itineraries will still include the opportunity to stay with a local family, spend a night on an overnight train or camp out somewhere amazing (without the hassle of putting up your own tent!).
You'll find a number of the meals are included (as per your itinerary) and when eating together we'll focus on smaller, often family run restaurants, often eating where the locals eat and ensuring that you are still getting an authentic travel experience.
Can I book my flights with you?
Yes! We are a fully ATOL bonded tour operator meaning that we can book flights from the UK as part of your holiday package. Just ask us for a quote including flights when you make your enquiry.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.Our trips are known for being small group tours and in Cuba our maximum group size is 12 people. This not only allows our travellers to have a more authentic and intimate experience, but also means we’re able to minimise the impact we have on the local environment and the communities we visit. We always ensure that the transportation we use is of an appropriate size, meaning no 12-seater vehicles if only four people are travelling.
Our small group sizes also make it possible to stay in family-run guesthouses, which are a lot more environmentally-friendly than the bigger hotel chains. Cuban guesthouses or casa particulares are especially charming and contribute significantly to travellers’ overall experience of the country. Not to mention, they help to create jobs for the Cuban people and enable us to directly invest in the local economy.
One of the biggest problems Cuba faces is the inadequate disposal of waste and the government has now invested in a program to raise environmental awareness amongst the population. To contribute towards these efforts, we avoid using single-use plastic bottles and opt for refillable ones instead. During the initial welcome meeting, our guides will discuss this issue with the group making them conscious of the situation as early on as possible.
The Impacts of this Trip
We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travellers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.
On this tour you will get the opportunity to visit some rural villages and experience the local way of Cuban life. You will get to mix with locals and find out more about their life in this fascinating country. They are very sociable people and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. You will also get the opportunity to experience Cuba’s rich and varied dance and music tradition whilst visiting a folklore dance and music show. This show will also give you an insight into the strong Afro-Cuban community and some of the Afro-Cuban religions whilst joining in with the locals and learning a few Salsa steps for yourself.
We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travellers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team from the local community. This not only gives a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.Our trips are known for being small group tours and in Cuba our maximum group size is 12 people. This not only allows our travellers to have a more authentic and intimate experience, but also means we’re able to minimise the impact we have on the local environment and the communities we visit. We always ensure that the transportation we use is of an appropriate size, meaning no 12-seater vehicles if only four people are travelling.
Our small group sizes also make it possible to stay in family-run guesthouses, which are a lot more environmentally-friendly than the bigger hotel chains. Cuban guesthouses or casa particulares are especially charming and contribute significantly to travellers’ overall experience of the country. Not to mention, they help to create jobs for the Cuban people and enable us to directly invest in the local economy.
One of the biggest problems Cuba faces is the inadequate disposal of waste and the government has now invested in a program to raise environmental awareness amongst the population. To contribute towards these efforts, we avoid using single-use plastic bottles and opt for refillable ones instead. During the initial welcome meeting, our guides will discuss this issue with the group making them conscious of the situation as early on as possible.
The Impacts of this Trip
We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travellers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.
On this tour you will get the opportunity to visit some rural villages and experience the local way of Cuban life. You will get to mix with locals and find out more about their life in this fascinating country. They are very sociable people and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. You will also get the opportunity to experience Cuba’s rich and varied dance and music tradition whilst visiting a folklore dance and music show. This show will also give you an insight into the strong Afro-Cuban community and some of the Afro-Cuban religions whilst joining in with the locals and learning a few Salsa steps for yourself.
We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travellers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team from the local community. This not only gives a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
5 Reviews of Cuba small group tour
In depth story review
Reviewed on 05 Feb 2020 by Susan Parker
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting parts of Cuba that most Cuban tourists never experience.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Some of the suggested items to bring are not necessary.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent
Reviewed on 06 Jul 2018 by Mary Atkins
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our guide was educative warm, and talented...he talked history, sang and played music with us. As well as teaching us salsa!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Come the day before tour starts to recover from jet lag. Pace yourself because there is a lot packed in...
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes staying in casas and tipping local guides seemed to but difficult to be sure
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a great experience ...but personally would have liked a slower pace..but we did get food poisoning so missed a couple of
days..
Reviewed on 03 Jun 2017 by Alison McPhillips
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The catamaran ride to a perfect island
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with an open mind.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, water was provided on the bus. Local cafes used. Stayed in local Casas.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Loved it.
Reviewed on 15 Jan 2017 by Ann Weiler
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming in the Carribean (Bay of Pigs) and walking and swimming in El Parque Cubano. Walking around Trinidad and Havana.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get small change when changing money at the airport, rather than large bank notes.
Get clear understanding of the way and where wifi works.
Don't overload your suitcase with warm clothes.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, supported some local people eg. homestay hosts and taxi drivers. Also private restaurant owners and musicians. Saw very little conservation or environmental impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really good introduction to Cuba. We enjoyed watching the films on the tour bus. Informative and approachable guide. Excellent command of English. THANK you, Yanni.
Reviewed on 19 Feb 2016 by Richard Hotchkis
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Vinales
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't expect luxury but enjoy what is given you; you will find it rewarding
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just what I wanted
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