Cuba road cycling tour

Planet

Beyond promoting a carbon-neutral form of transport, we do all we can to make sure our cycling trips have as positive an impact as possible on the surrounding environment. Where possible, we only use minor roads and well-established trails and make sure we dispose of our litter responsibly. We aim to book our travellers into casas particulares or small hotels which use less energy and waste less food than larger properties. Similarly, all meals included in the trip are made with seasonal produce grown locally.

To reduce plastic consumption we encourage our clients to invest in a filter bottle before coming to Cuba. Modern filter bottles are able to filter up to 99.9% of bacteria and can be refilled at any water source, including rivers and even puddles! This saves travellers having to rely on mineral water. Until filter bottles become the norm we will continue to provide mineral water for cycling days on our tours. Every 5 litre plastic bottle we use is recycled by local communities. Equally, any old bike parts are donated for recycling.

On this trip you will have the chance to visit Cuchillas del Toa biosphere reserve outside Baracoa in eastern Cuba, home to more than 900 endemic plant species. Within its 208,000 hectares Cuchillas del Toa holds the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, one of Cuba`s 9 Unesco World Heritage sites. When you visit Cuchillas del Toa your entrance fee goes towards the reserve`s tireless work educating locals about the environment and sustainability, as well as their ongoing conservation projects.

In eastern Cuba you will also visit Gran Parque Nacional Sierrra Maestra, one of the most stunning mountain ranges in Cuba. Considered the heartland of the Cuban revolution, the Sierra Maestra is also home to Cuba`s highest peak, Pico Turquino. Pulsing with rich plant and animal life, your entrance fee to Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra goes towards preserving this verdant oasis.

People

This tour takes you all around the island of Cuba, visiting communities in eastern and central Cuba that are usually left off the tourist trail. By interacting with these smaller settlements and purchasing local snacks and drinks we contribute to their economies and offer the opportunity for cultural exchange.
We encourage our clients to eat in paladares, privately-owned, family-run restaurants that use local produce and reinvest directly in the local economy. Equally, we will often be staying in casas particulares, local homes offering a B&B experience. Not only does staying in casas particulares offer a unique insight into Cuban home life, it also gives local families and their communities an essential income. Our guides assist in communication between guests and hosts, deepening our travellers` understanding of life in Cuba.

In Cuba all hotels are owned at least 51% by the Cuban government and any profit made from them is reinvested in national infrastructure such as the health care system, education and maintenance. Where as in most places a stay in a big multi-national hotel would result in very little money being reinvested in the local economy, Cuban law means money stays in Cuba.

All of our guides and suppliers are Cuban, as well as the vast majority of our office staff. We offer generous wages, great incentives and opportunities for continual training and progression. Our guides and drivers have flexible schedules to make sure they have plenty of time with their families between trips.
We do not support begging but offer the opportunity for our clients to donate to appropriate organisations.