Havana and Eastern Cuba luxury tour

Planet

Accommodations on this trip do their upmost to reduce their environmental impacts, recycling and minimising their packaging with locally produced goods, rewashing and saving plastic bags. All the accommodations uses renewable energy with the fitting of solar panels and the electricity grid in Cuba being fed by renewables.

For our part in the UK, we are a small, independent family run business with our office in our home, so avoid commuting fuel consumption. And our main vehicle is a hybrid car. We are actively reducing the waste we produce. All printer cartridges and paper is recycled, we recycle and where possible reuse plastic, and use composting methods for waste.

All entry fees to National Parks and Protected Areas are included and contribute to the conservation of species and wildlife. Qualified expert nature guides are from the local community and offer visitors information about to reducing their impacts on nature and respect the environment they are visiting. During this tour you visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad on a customized walking tour, discovering its rich history and architectural marvels.

Local transport in Cuba is not recommended as it is unreliable and the road conditions very bad, so a private car is used on this tour, however we have selected a car company that has electric cars available in Havana. During the trip there are bike tours, and we can advise travellers of how to reduce the carbon impacts of their holiday when booking.

Vegetarian and vegan food is available throughout the holiday with great suggestions of the best Cuban local restaurant and cafes, and vegan breakfasts options at hotels. Emphasizing locally-sourced, seasonal, and vegetarian/vegan-friendly options, with many meals are provided fresh from the market each day, supports small-scale farming and the environment. And at the same time providing authentic Cuban dining experiences, such as a memorable dinner at La Guarida, a celebrated restaurant with a magical ambiance, at Paladar Los Mercaderes, known for its exquisite Cuban and international cuisine, Más Habana, a chic restaurant with an artful interior and exquisite cuisine, La Redacción, a seafood haven serving traditional dishes.

People

All the accommodations in this trip are locally owned, with some homestays, allowing tourism to directly generate income opportunities for the local the communities they are visiting. Other ways this is done is through employment of local Cubans as hotel, restaurant staff and guides for tours, and being paid at least minimum wage. We make an effort to be inclusive choosing reputable tour companies that value equal employment and diversity not discriminative of race, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. And tours suitable for people with limited mobility, vision or hearing issues.

Visits to local villages and crafts markets also means money reaches the people and the business in the local area who need to benefit from tourism the most, such as visits to working farms to show the traditional way of life of tobacco farmers still living off grid, trying to make a living. And visits to two artist studios and the Museo de Bellas Artes to discover the thriving Cuban art scene. And a percussion class with a master drummer at Brenda’s terrace to experience firsthand the legacy of Yoruba culture when playing the mystical batá drums.

We also believe it is important to preserve and showcase the local culture of heritage that Cuba is famous for by offering guided tours with experts with years of knowledge. Such as a tailored walking tour of Old Havana with a bilingual expert where you can immerse you in the history, culture and nature of the country. Learn the art of salsa dancing and groove to the rhythm in a salsa club. A bespoke guided tour of Santiago de Cuba with its symbolic landmarks. A visit to Camagüey’s UNESCO World Heritage Site to admire its magnificent churches and discover the cultural legacy of the city, and finding out about the birthplace of a famous Cuban poet and home to a renowned ballet company.