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Walking in Cuba travel guide

As Cuba’s cities fill up with travellers, its mountains, forests and valleys still offer plenty of space where you can immerse yourself in stunning natural landscapes and rural Cuban culture. Our walking holidays in Cuba travel guide reveals how to make the most of a walking holiday here – with suggested locations, activities and packing advice.

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Walking in Cuba travel guide

Walking holidays in Cuba are becoming more popular as previously off-limits parts of the island are opening up to tourism, and specialist guides are available to reveal the secrets of these stunning natural landscapes. Over 20 endemic bird species, the eerie ruins of slave-built plantations, sombrero-wearing tobacco farmers and Fidel’s former HQ can all be found tucked into rainforests, mountain slopes and valleys that buzz with the sound of waterfalls and hummingbirds.

One of the best ways to explore the Caribbean’s largest island is by stepping away from the vintage cars and lacing up your walking boots.

Multi-day treks ascend to the island’s highest peak; day tours explore coffee fincas and natural pools; and two-week walking holidays can take you across the country, hiking each of the highlights along the way, or following in the footsteps of the revolutionaries from the Sierra Maestra to Havana. There will be plenty of time to kick back in the cities between treks, as well as soothing sore feet in the warm Caribbean waters with a day or two at the beach.

Find out more in our walking holidays in Cuba travel guide.

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Things to do…

The Sierra Maestra is a hiking Mecca, and spending a few days exploring these soaring tropical mountains is a must on a walking holiday in Cuba. Shorter itineraries take you through the tropical forests of the valleys to Fidel’s former hideout. Three- or four-day treks take you up and over the summit of Pico Turquino – Cuba’s highest peak – staying in mountain refuges along the way, and appreciating what the revolutionaries endured during their time ensconced in the sierra. You won’t just be exploring natural landscapes on your Cuba walking holiday; these mountains, forests and valleys have sheltered revolutionaries including Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, along with escaped slaves, meaning that as you trek you will be following in the footsteps of history. Discover abandoned plantations, where slaves were forced to build their own tiny shelters, and the thatched, wooden, Comandancia de la Plata, which was Castro’s jungle HQ during his guerilla days. Cuba’s forests and mountains shelter a number of particularly pretty birds. The striking Cuba trogon, known locally as tocoloro, is the island’s national bird, and it appears to have been painted in the colours of the Cuban flag. The trogon is one of 25 endemics found here; others include the bee hummingbird, Cuban oriole and Cuban parakeet. A total of 368 bird species have been observed in Cuba; bring your binoculars if you’re keen to get a closer look.

Things not to do...

Be ill prepared. Supplies are few and far between in Cuba – particularly in some of the remote areas you may be walking in. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat, as well as long sleeved shirts and suitable walking shoes or boots, depending on the level of trek you’re undertaking. And we’d recommend bringing energy bars or trail mix too – these won’t be available in Cuba. Expect people to speak English. Although most guided tours or day trips will include the services of an English speaking guide, English is not widely spoken in Cuba. You should do your best to learn a few words of Spanish in order to be able to communicate with your hosts if staying in casas particulares, to order food, or to chat with people in bars or cafes. Be inflexible. In Cuba, things don’t always go to plan – but Cubans believe that everything is possible. That is to say, if a car breaks down, if there is a storm, if something you want is not available – they will find a way around it. This may mean your trip does not go exactly as planned, or some things may take a little longer than anticipated – but this is Cuba, and understanding this process is a big part of learning about Cuban culture. Tranquilo…

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BEST TIME TO GO WALKING IN CUBA

Trekkers will appreciate the cooler climes of November to March, when the Caribbean winter brings blue skies and lower humidity.

As the best time to go on a walking holiday in Cuba is also the busiest season, booking a good six to nine months ahead is advisable. Things start warming up in April, with rains arriving towards the end of the month, or in early May. May can be a good option however as you may still have decent weather, along with fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer sees rising temperatures and discomfort, particularly in the southeast, where some of the best walking trails are located. Heavy downpours, although not daily, can make treks unpleasant – and hurricanes are more likely to occur between August and October.

Call us for the best time to go on an Cuba walking Holiday

Havana Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

110

JUN

200

JUL

140

AUG

150

SEP

190

OCT

180

NOV

DEC

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Written by Vicki Brown

Walking in Cuba travel guide