An ultimate three week journey of historical, cultural and political Cuba
Sightseeing tour of Havana in a classic American car
Las Terrazas Community, Nature and History excursion
Trinidad Art & History guided walking tour
Drive through the Topes del Collante mountain range and visit the el Nicho waterfalls.
Explore one of Cuba’s oldest settlements Camaguey with its lovely pedestrian centre, art galleries, restaurants and old cinemas.
Visit Comandancia de la Plata complex where Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra planned the revolution against Batista.
Stay in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s cultural capital and where Fidel Castro studied and launched his revolution.
Take the pilgrimage to El Cobre – the shrine of Cuba’s patron saint La Virgen de la Caridad.
Visit Catedral de la Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Baracoa to see the Cruz de la Parra, the last surviving cross left that Columbus erected when he landed nearby in 1492.
Make a detour en-route to Remedios and visit Che Guevara’s mausoleum in Santa Clara.
Over 3 weeks you’ll circumnavigating the whole island.
The route takes you from Havana to the eastern region of Viñales with its Mogotes (limestone rock formations) and the Las Terrazas eco-village, along the Bay of Pigs to Cienfuegos.
You can continue along the coastal road to Trinidad or drive through the Tropes del Collante mountain range and visit the el Nicho waterfalls. Drive further south and you’ll end up in one of Cuba’s oldest settlements Camagüey. From here it’s a long drive to Villa Santo Domingo in the Sierra Maestra mountain range, close to Fidel Castro’s base during the Cuban revolution.
Leaving the mountains behind, you’ll head for Cuba’s second-largest city Santiago de Cuba. Continue along the southern coast and you’ll enter the Guantanamo region, which is well-known for all the wrong reasons. From Baracoa, you head north again and drive via Gibara, Ciego de Avila and Remedios back to Havana.
Arrival in Havana, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your accommodation, where you will stay for 2 nights.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Raquel
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel by your English-speaking guide for a grand tour of Havana in a Classic American car. You’ll pass the famous Malecon (Seafront promenade), the Capitol building (Capitolio), the Revolution Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, the Parque Central (Central Park) and the Gran Teatro de la Habana. There will be short stops along the way and once you get to Revolution Square, you’ll have plenty of free time to take pictures of the surrounding buildings. After two hours, you’ll continue your guided tour on foot in Havana Vieja, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and visits include the Plaza de Armas, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the Templete, the Palacio del Segundo Cabo and the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the main street ‘Calle Obispo, Ambos Mundos hotel, Havana’s first University San Geronimo de la Habana, the Plaza de la Catedral and the Bodeguita del Medio.
There will also be time to visit the Palacio de la Artesania to buy some souvenirs.
You’ll need to pick up your car in the evening and can park near your hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Raquel
Leave Havana behind and drive westwards to the province of Pinar del Rio, famous for being Cuba’s tobacco capital and its distinctive limestone rock formations called Mogotes. Enjoy the rolling green scenery and the agricultural region’s typical red dirt and arrive at the small farmer’s town of Viñales.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E Central Viñales
Today you’ll see more of the countryside during your horse ride through the Viñales valley, dotted with small farms and stop at a local tobacco farm. Here you’ll learn about the growing and drying process of the region’s most famous product. You’ll also visit a cave inside a ‘Mogote’ and there’s the opportunity to go for a swim in a natural pool inside the cave, so don’t forget to bring your swimming gear. After the ride, continue your journey to Las Terrazas, a tiny eco-village located inside the Sierra del Rosario biosphere reserve. A successful ecological restoration project turned land that had been badly damaged by extensive monoculture farming of coffee, into a biosphere reserve in the seventies. Nowadays the area is lush with a rich birdlife and looks as if it’s been pristine and untouched by human hands for centuries. There’s only one hotel in the eco-village, which is where you will be staying, on a hill with lovely views of the small lakes.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel la Moka
Today’s route will take you from Las Terrazas to Cienfuegos, with an optional detour to the infamous Bay of Pigs, where the CIA-backed invasion of Cuban expats took place. You can visit the local museum commemorating the battle for a trip down the island’s history. You’ll arrive in Cienfuegos in the late afternoon, in time for a stroll along the city’s boulevard to enjoy a lovely sunset. Cienfuegos is a relatively young city, founded in the 19th century, by mostly French colonists from Louisiana and Haiti, after France lost both colonies, and much of the city’s buildings are reflections of the French architectural style of the time
Accommodation on this day: Hotel La Union
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cienfuegos, where you can enjoy its many colonial buildings, art galleries, museums, and artisanal markets.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel La Union
Continue from Cienfuegos to Trinidad along the coastal road with its many small coves and beaches. Another option would be to drive through the Topes del Collante mountain range and visit the El Nicho waterfalls, again with the opportunity to dip into the natural pools beneath the waterfalls.
Accommodation on this day: Casa la Casona
One of the highlights of the trip is our 4 hour guided walking tour of Trinidad, which will leave your head spinning at the end after all the knowledge you had to absorb. You’ll hopefully get a grasp of the art and history of this intriguing place as not only will you learn about the original inhabitants the Taino Indians, you’ll also get to know more about the Spanish colonial heritage, the sugar plantations and its slaves, the independence wars and social revolution. You’ll visit several important Plazas, the home of the former professor at the Art Academy in Trinidad, Carlos Mata who collects and restores antique, and the art gallery of Lazaro Niebla who makes portraits of wood.
Accommodation on this day: Casa la Casona
Today you’ll leave Trinidad and drive through the Valle de los Ingenios, an area dotted with former sugar plantations and, which it in heyday made Trinidad the sugar-producing capital of colonial Cuba. You can visit the attractive city of Sancti Spiritus along the way. Founded in 1514, this city also claims to have designed the original Guayabera shirt. Finally arrive in Camagüey, often called ‘the maze city’ for its confusing road grid.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Avellaneda
Often overlooked, the city is a real treasure and one of Cuba’s oldest settlements. Why not get deliberately lost in Camagüey and explore its warren-like streets and stumble into hidden gems like plazas, churches, and interesting art galleries. Originally founded on the northern coast of the province, the settlement was moved further inland, where it was safe from pirate raids.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Avellaneda
It’s going to be a day from Camagüey to the province of Granma, and if you have time you could stop in the town of Bayamo. Today’s destination is Villa Santo Domingo, located high in the Sierra Maestra mountain range, the tallest in Cuba. These jungle-covered mountains are breathtakingly beautiful and it’s here where Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries had their base during the Cuban revolution.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Villa Santo Domingo
We have included a guided visit to the old camps of Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra where they planned the revolution against Batista. The excursion starts from the hotel Villa Santo Domingo where you will be picked up to go to the starting point in the mountains. It’s a short hike to the camps and a lunch box is included.
After the visit, you continue your journey and cross the Sierra Maestra mountains to Cuba’s southernmost coast. Along the way, you can’t miss out on visiting the church of El Cobre, dedicated to Cuba’s patron saint, the lady of Charity and the island’s most sacred pilgrimage site. The church displays many medals and other artifacts from Cubans wishing to show devotion to the patron Saint, and even Ernest Hemingway donated his Nobel Prize for his book ‘The Old man and the Sea’, which he wrote in Cuba. After your visit continue to Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city of Cuba.
Accommodation on this day: Iberostar Imperial Hotel
On your second day, you could stroll along the large and lively pedestrian centre, to its many monuments. Santiago de Cuba was the original capital of Cuba and it was also the city where Fidel Castro studied. You can visit the Santa Ifigenia cemetery where he is buried alongside several other important Cuban heroes.
Accommodation on this day: Iberostar Imperial Hotel
From Santiago de Cuba, head along the southern coast to Baracoa, a small town on the Eastern tip of the island. You’ll find many small beaches and beautiful scenery where the mountains plunge into the sea. The road will take you past Guantanamo, but don’t expect to be able to catch a glimpse of the infamous Guantanamo Bay, as it is a cordoned off, military zone.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Porto Santo
Starting from the village of Recontra, we have included a guided walk along the beautiful Baracoan countryside, where you can observe a wide variety of flora and fauna. Lunch is included and there’s also time to have a swim in a local river, so do not forget to bring swimwear.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Porto Santo
Drive from Baracoa along the Northern road to the fishing village of Gibara. It is said that when Cristopher Columbus set foot on Cuba near Gibara, he claimed that it was the most beautiful land that human eyes have seen.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E Arsenita
Another long drive will take you to Ciego de Avila, located in the middle of Cuba.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Rueda
Spend the day in Ciego de Avila, another charming place and often overlooked, even though it played an important historical role during the first Cuban Independence war. It has a lovely boulevard and a city centre with impressive colonial buildings and art galleries. The locals refer to their city as the City of Porches as it has many ornate colonnaded house fronts.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Rueda
Continue to the colonial town of Remedios, with a possible detour to the city of Santa Clara, where the final battle of the Cuban revolution took place and where you can visit Che Guevara mausoleum where his remains are buried.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E Camino del Principe
The final leg of your journey takes to you back to Havana where you’ll stay for one more night.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Raquel
Today you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight home.
There is so much more to Cuba than sitting on the beach in the Caribbean. With 211 protected areas and 12 designated National Parks, there is much to discover.
Hike for approximately three hours through the Viñales countryside past various farms and fields. During the walk you'll learn about the farming processes and the local flora whilst enjoying the beautiful views of the Valley.
What better way to see the sights of Havana than from the back seat of a classic American car. Your English-speaking guide will take you through the different neighbourhoods of Havana and along various important landmarks.
After two hours you'll leave the car behind and continue on foot for another two hours where you'll explore the colonial part of Havana.
The Manaca Iznaga is a former sugar plantation and the best-preserved sugar mill and plantation in the Valley the los Ingenios or Valley of the Sugar Mills. Founded in 1750, it has a haunting history as its owner became one of Cuba's wealthiest man through slave trafficking. The 44 metre high tower was used to watch the slaves. Nowadays you can climb the tower for views of the valley.
You’ll be surprised how different your surroundings look when you’re riding a horse. Suitable for non-experienced riders, this ride takes you through the countryside of the Viñales Valley which is dotted with farms. We’ll stop at a local tobacco farm where we can see the growing and drying process of the region’s most famous product. Another stop will be at the limestone cliffs called mogotes and visit a cave where you can go for a refreshing dip in its natural pool.
An educational visit to the eco-village of Las Terrazas and the surrounding park in the Sierra de los Órganos mountain range should definitely be included on any trip to Cuba. You’ll learn a lot about the history of this biosphere reserve, which became a UNESCO World heritage site in 1999.
If you’re a bit of a thrill-seeker, like the adrenaline rush, and would like to see the interesting and beautiful landscape with its mogotes (limestone outcrops) from high up, then you should definitely have a go at zip lining. The six different zip lines will give you a bird's eye view of your surroundings when you soar over the treetops and across the Las Terrazas Lakes.
Kayak silently along the coast and take in the natural beauty and exotic wildlife of the mangroves. Starting at the beach of Guajimico, which means 'place of the fishes' in the language of the Cuban natives, there will also be time to rest, swim and lunch, so make sure to bring your swimwear and snorkelling gear.
Spend the day cycling around Havana or Cienfuegos. Even better, spend a week or two exploring Cuba on one of our supported bike tours.
During this 4-hour guided walk you'll learn everything you need to know about the art & history of the well-preserved colonial town of Trinidad. The guide can adapt the tour according to your interests whether its historical, cultural or political.
Hike through the forest to get to the old camps of Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra from where they planned the revolution against Batista.
Visit the Che Chevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara where the final battle of the Cuban Revolution took place.
Stop at a local tobacco farm where the growing and drying process of the region’s most famous product is explained and see how they are really rolled.
It was recently renovated without losing its original Cuban architecture style. From the rooftop terrace, you’ll have magnificent panoramic views of the historic old town, bay and mountains in the far distance.
The hotel has a total of 39 modern and spacious en-suite rooms with high ceilings – all with A/C, television, phone and either a king, queen, or twin-size beds. You could either have a drink in the Don Fernando lobby bar or sit outside on the rooftop and watch the sunset from the El Dorado Roof Garden, before you head down to the La Francia restaurant that serves gourmet cuisine.
Within walking distance of Santiago de Cuba’s art galleries, historic monuments and bars, this hotel is the perfect base for a few nights.
It boasts one of the most beautiful views of the Viñales Valley (if not Cuba). With its impressive limestone cliffs and mogotes and painted pink, the property is surrounded by lush gardens and close to several walking trails that cross the fields around the hotel.
The 78 en-suite rooms have big shutters that open up to a balcony and has all the modern amenities you can expect from a standard accommodation like A/C, telephone, and television. It’s the ideal base to explore Viñales, whether you’re a keen hiker, rock climber or birdwatcher. At the end of the day, after your horse-riding trip or your excursion to Las Terrazas, you can relax by the swimming pool.
The hotel has a restaurant, a massage room and a medical clinic.
It’s housed in an attractive building and has successfully combined colonial architecture with modern comforts.
The red structure with its impressive white columns and high ceilings has 26 en-suite rooms. All have A/C, a safe, telephone, television and mini bar, with some overlooking the plaza.
Within driving distance from both Santa Clara and Cayo Santa Maria, the hotel is the perfect stopover, but is fast becoming an interesting place to visit in its own right, as it celebrated its 500th anniversary. It is after all one of the oldest settlements in Cuba and is currently undergoing a complete makeover to attract more visitors.
There’s a spacious restaurant, a bar and you can also sit outside on the patio.
Painted in terracotta and with majestic columns and arches on the outside, the interior has tiled floors and hallways decorated with mosaic tiles, as well as the contemporary art pieces on the walls.
The 30 en-suite rooms are spacious with high ceilings and big wooden shutters that open up to a French balcony. The rooms either have a queen bed or two double beds and come with A/C, telephone, television, mini bar, safe and WIFI.
The Mezquita restaurant serves a fusion of Cuban and international dishes, made with fresh and local produce.
In its heyday, it used to be an important sugar-exporting town. Sadly it dropped off the map after the main highway Carretera Central was built in the 1920s and a hurricane swept through the region in 2008.
More recently the town has seen a bit of a revival, due to the local government’s focus on renovating the town’s historical buildings. Hopefully, the newly renovated hotel with only 15 rooms, will entice some visitors to stay in the town.
All the rooms are en-suite with high ceilings and decorated with vintage furniture. The rooms all have A/C, television and safe. The roof terrace has splendid views of the town and beaches and the restaurant serves the best Creole and international cuisine. As the areas offer one of the best diving in Cuba, it’s a perfect base for divers and snorkellers, who want to explore the local reefs.
Named after the tiny island of Porto Santo near Madeira in Europe, where Columbus lived for a short period when he married a local girl.
The hotel consists of 4 separate buildings each with two floors and 24 lodges set in lush gardens. All 83 en-suite rooms have A/C, a telephone, television, safe and either a terrace or balcony overlooking the bay. The hotel has a swimming pool and there’s a small beach nearby
The Santa Maria restaurant (again named after Columbus’ ship) serves international cuisine, or you can head to the town where you can taste the food the region is famous for. Unlike the rest of Cuba, the food here comes prepared with coconut, spices and exotic fruits.
From the hotel, you can tour the mountains, admire La Farola viaduct or go on a boat trip on the nearby Toa river to spot birds.
Located right next to the gateway to Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra with its cloud forests and along the Yara River, the hotel has a total of 40 cabanas, some built of concrete and newer wooden buildings. It’s without a doubt an excellent spot if you are interested in bird watching.
Both the Castro brothers have stayed here on separate occasions. Fidel, most likely when he established his rebel HQ Comandancia de la Plata, high up in the cloud forest and where he planned his revolutionary campaigns, whilst Raul stayed there when he climbed Cuba’s highest mountain Pico Turquino (1972m)
We have included a guided excursion to Fidel’s remote rebel complex, where you can still see Casa del Fidel, visit the small museum, the hospital and higher up the radio communications buildings.
If you’re staying for a few nights, you can go mule and horseback riding and go on hikes in the cloud forest. The actual village of Santo Domingo is also the venue of lively Guateques (Cuban countryside fiestas).
The colonial architecture of the hotel is nicely combined with the works of art that can be found throughout the hacienda-style property. The 9 en-suite rooms are on the ground floor, around a rectangular shaped tiled courtyard surrounded by columns.
All the rooms are furnished in a colonial style and have A/C, television, telephone, minibar and safe. The restaurant only serves breakfast, light snacks and drinks, but is within walking distance of many restaurants, museums and art galleries.
Located within Cuba’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it’s the perfect place to relax and soak up the vibrancy of the art community that resides in the village.
Built by local workers in order to promote tourism to the area, the hotel is designed in a traditional Cuban style and set in lush gardens.
There are 42 rooms altogether, and the en-suite standard rooms are spacious and with large glass windows and balconies with lovely views of the surrounding area. The rooms have A/C, television, telephone, safe and a minibar A/C. If you are interested in staying with the locals, the hotel also offers five community rooms with shared facilities.
There is a swimming pool, tennis courts and a restaurant that uses local produce. The hotel can also organise tours in the area (like canopy tours, hiking and fishing trips) and is particularly popular with birdwatchers due to its location in the reserve and nearby lakes.
Converted to an outstanding establishment that has maintained its architectural heritage, it was originally built in 1869 and completely restored in 2000. This elegant colonial-style property has 49 rooms.
Managed by the same company that also owns the Melia Buenavista in Cayo Santa Maria, the hotel has two most impressive open-air inner courtyards surrounded by spacious en-suite rooms. The rooms are all fitted out with colonial-style furniture and have A/C, safe, minibar and satellite television.
Other rooms either have a city or pool view. The hotel has an exclusive terrace bar, a meeting room and a restaurant that serves internationally renowned gastronomic dishes.
Especially if you appreciate the Art Nouveau style and history of this beautiful establishment. Originally built to house offices and used as storage space, the building was renovated and turned into a hotel with 25 rooms.
The impressive atrium with coloured light panels gives the building an ethereal look. The en-suite rooms with all its modern amenities look down into the covered courtyard.
As its name indicates the hotel has strong links with the Hebrew culture, which can also be found in the Jardin del Eden where dishes are prepared according to the Hebrew tradition.
It feels more like a boutique hotel than a homestay. Set in its own grounds of 2 hectares, the casa is a haven for birds, colourful flora and the home of some amazing thoroughbred horses.
With only eight en-suite rooms, the colonial hacienda style homestay exudes peacefulness and serenity you only find in a few places. Each room has A/C, a minibar, safe and WIFI and either a living area or outdoor patio.
The open-air thatched roof restaurant serves a wide selection of food prepared with local produce from their own garden. Horseback rides departing from the Casa can be arranged (advance booking recommended), for rides up the Valle de Los Ingenios and includes lunch at the family farm La Victoria.
Where is Cuba?
Cuba is an archipelago of 4195 islands and cays in the Caribbean. It’s south of the United States and the Bahamas, with Mexico to the west, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to the south and Haiti and the Dominican Republic to the southeast.
When is the best time to visit Cuba?
Cuba has two seasons – a dry one from November to April (with January the coldest month), and a wet one from May to October. Although July and August are the hottest months, the trade winds provide a welcoming cool breeze. The official hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the height of the season between the end of August and end of October.
How do I get to Cuba from the UK?
From the UK, you can fly with Air Europa, Iberia, and KLM via Madrid, or Amsterdam to Havana or direct with TUI from Manchester to Varadero.
From Canada, there are direct flights with WestJet from Toronto to Varadero
From the US, you can fly from Miami with American. Travel to Cuba for US citizens is complicated as you have to prove your not supporting the state by using government owned hotels etc.
Be aware that you need proof of onward travel when you arrive in Cuba, for example an onward flight ticket.
Do I need a visa for Cuba?
First of all, you will need a passport to enter Cuba which should be valid for six months beyond the date of your return to your home country. You will also need a tourist card, which we can arrange for you and will normally be included in the tour price. The card is valid for 30 days after arrival in Cuba.
How safe is travel in Cuba?
Cuba is a pretty safe country with low crime rates, but, just like at home, you should always be aware of your personal security. We recommend you leave your passports, credit cards, cash, and any other documents in the hotel’s safe if you’re not travelling around.
First impressions when you arrive If staying in old Havana and arriving late at night, it can feel very run down; however, you soon realise this can be misleading, and although there is some dereliction there are also many hidden surprises as you wander the back streets.
What language do they speak in Cuba?
The national language is Spanish, and even though most Cubans in the tourism industry will be able to speak English don’t hesitate to practice your Spanish as they’re always keen to communicate with you in their own language and they will appreciate your efforts. This may be different in rural areas, so you may want to bring a guidebook which has some useful phrases.
What vaccinations do I require when visiting Cuba?
It’s always good to check with your doctor whether you’re up to date with all necessary vaccinations.
Is malaria a problem in Cuba?
There is no malaria risk in Cuba. In the UK you can also check out the Fit for Travel website.
Should I drive when in Cuba?
There are cars to hire, but driving is a bit of a challenge due to the current fuel restrictions – you know when a garage has fuel by the queue! In Cuba they drive on the right and there are speed limits ranging from 40 kph to 100 kph on major roads. It’s best not to bring your own SatNav to the country as it will probably be confiscated by customs, but rather use the GPS on your phone. We include a good roadmap. Even so, you may still get lost as there’s a lack of road signs. Locals, though, are always willing to help, so a bit of basic Spanish will come in handy. As with any foreign country where you’re not familiar with the roads avoid driving in the dark.
How do I get around if we don’t hire a car? At the moment, we’re suggesting exploring Cuba using a mix of private transfers, shared shuttles and driver guides – This is definitely the most relaxed way to current see the country.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Cuba?
All you require is a standard, valid driving licence and your passport with entry stamp. It’s advisable to carry your driving license, passport, and rental papers when driving in Cuba.
What can I expect from the accommodation in Cuba?
Casa Particulares or Homestays are popular and these range from the more basic to the very comfortable (with quite a few boutique style ones appearing). Along the coast it’s hard to avoid the larger all-inclusive resorts; however, we try to offer some that are more in keeping with the Archipelago Choice style of international hotel. We often mix and match different styles of hotels because at times it’s the place we’re visiting that is more important and sometimes you will have to lower your expectations slightly for a night or two to experience the best the country has to offer.
What are the health and medical services like in Cuba?
There’s a government run national health system with well-trained doctors for Cubans, but tourists will need to go to Servimed health and are expected to pay in cash, so be sure you have a good travel insurance that also covers Cuba and that you have notified the insurance company of any pre-existing medical conditions. As medical supplies may be scarce and priority should be given to locals, make sure you bring plenty of your own and that you have a copy of your prescription with you in case you run out or if it gets lost.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Cuba?
It’s a condition of travel with Archipelago Choice that you have adequate travel insurance. If travelling independently, then we highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents, as well as personal liability and repatriation, and, above all, that it covers Cuba (as some don’t)! There is a variety of activities in Cuba like hiking, horse riding and diving, so it’s good to know beforehand that you are covered for all the activities you may be interested in. Don’t forget to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions you have when you purchase your insurance.
Do I have to pay a departure tax when leaving Cuba?
Since 2015 there is no need to pay a departure tax anymore if you’re leaving Cuba by plane as this should be included in the price of the flight.
Can I get Wi-Fi and internet in Cuba?
As of 2019 the country has 830 Wi-Fi hotspots to get internet access in Cuba. There are internet cafes and some big hotels may have Wi-Fi in certain areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Cuba?
You can use your mobile in Cuba, but it will be very expensive. To avoid any high calling charges, you should contact your provider before you travel and check their international roaming charges. The other option would be to buy a pre-paid phone card at the post office or hotel desk, which you can use at a payphone. Inform people back home that it may be very difficult for them to get in touch with you.
What is the food like in Cuba?
Simple but good is how you can describe Cuban food. Traditional staple is rice and black beans (arroz congris), pork (puerco), chicken and fresh fish. Lobster and shrimp are also available but mostly reserved for the bigger hotels. Of course there’s the famous Cuba Libre (rum and Coke) and the Mojito (rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint). Good drinkable local beers are Cristal and Bunaro. And of course, Cuban coffee which has a very distinct rich taste.
Can vegetarians and vegans be catered for in Cuba?
Vegetarians can eat like a local (rice, beans ,eggs, omelettes, fried plantain and salads). Other than the rice, beans, vegetables and plantains, vegans will find it more difficult in Cuba. There will be plenty of fresh fruit, but we would advise you to bring your own food / supplements.
Are credit cards accepted in Cuba?
You can use your credit card to withdraw money at the bank (Visa/Mastercard/Eurocard), but please note that cards issued by American banks ,American Express and Diners Club are not accepted. There are some ATMs in Cuba. Please note though that since 2004 USD are no longer accepted. You can bring euros and exchange them at banks or hotels. In some parts of Cuba they do accept euros (Varadero, Cayo de Coco). As it’s a closed currency make sure you change your money back to euros or dollars.
What type of a charger do I need in Cuba?
Cuba’s electric current is 110V. Plugs are two flat prongs (same as the USA), so you will need a US adapter if you’re coming from Europe.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cuba?
Avoid drinking water straight from the tap. Although it’s safe to clean your teeth with, use bottled water to be on the safe side. If you’re travelling off the beaten track, then it’s best to avoid tap water, unless it’s boiled, filtered or chemically treated (iodine tablets/ drops).
When are the public holiday in Cuba?
There are nine public holidays in Cuba as well as some main religious holidays like Easter and Christmas. October 10th is their Independence Day. It’s advisable to check whether shops and public offices are open on those days.
Do I need to tip in Cuba?
If you have a guide or driver for a day, then it’s usually customary to give them a small token of your appreciation and we would suggest a small tip of between $2 and $10.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Cuba with Archipelago Choice?
The holidays on our website and in our Escape Magazine are designed to give you ideas of what’s possible. The best holidays are those that are tailored to your interests and we’d suggest you call or email us to discuss how to create a very memorable tailor-made Cuban adventure.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Cuba?
Cuba is a small country with limited accommodation if you’re not interested in staying at big all-inclusive beach resorts. Our advice is to start planning around six to nine months before your visit as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Cuba?
This is certainly possible; however, you may need to be flexible on with the dates so that we can find the best airfares, and also bear in mind that some hotels of choice may not always be available.
Sightseeing tour of Havana in a classic American car
Las Terrazas Community, Nature and History excursion
Trinidad Art & History guided walking tour
Drive through the Topes del Collante mountain range and visit the el Nicho waterfalls.
Explore one of Cuba’s oldest settlements Camaguey with its lovely pedestrian centre, art galleries, restaurants and old cinemas.
Visit Comandancia de la Plata complex where Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra planned the revolution against Batista.
Stay in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s cultural capital and where Fidel Castro studied and launched his revolution.
Take the pilgrimage to El Cobre – the shrine of Cuba’s patron saint La Virgen de la Caridad.
Visit Catedral de la Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Baracoa to see the Cruz de la Parra, the last surviving cross left that Columbus erected when he landed nearby in 1492.
Make a detour en-route to Remedios and visit Che Guevara’s mausoleum in Santa Clara.
Over 3 weeks you’ll circumnavigating the whole island.
The route takes you from Havana to the eastern region of Viñales with its Mogotes (limestone rock formations) and the Las Terrazas eco-village, along the Bay of Pigs to Cienfuegos.
You can continue along the coastal road to Trinidad or drive through the Tropes del Collante mountain range and visit the el Nicho waterfalls. Drive further south and you’ll end up in one of Cuba’s oldest settlements Camagüey. From here it’s a long drive to Villa Santo Domingo in the Sierra Maestra mountain range, close to Fidel Castro’s base during the Cuban revolution.
Leaving the mountains behind, you’ll head for Cuba’s second-largest city Santiago de Cuba. Continue along the southern coast and you’ll enter the Guantanamo region, which is well-known for all the wrong reasons. From Baracoa, you head north again and drive via Gibara, Ciego de Avila and Remedios back to Havana.
Arrival in Havana, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your accommodation, where you will stay for 2 nights.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Raquel
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel by your English-speaking guide for a grand tour of Havana in a Classic American car. You’ll pass the famous Malecon (Seafront promenade), the Capitol building (Capitolio), the Revolution Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, the Parque Central (Central Park) and the Gran Teatro de la Habana. There will be short stops along the way and once you get to Revolution Square, you’ll have plenty of free time to take pictures of the surrounding buildings. After two hours, you’ll continue your guided tour on foot in Havana Vieja, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and visits include the Plaza de Armas, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the Templete, the Palacio del Segundo Cabo and the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the main street ‘Calle Obispo, Ambos Mundos hotel, Havana’s first University San Geronimo de la Habana, the Plaza de la Catedral and the Bodeguita del Medio.
There will also be time to visit the Palacio de la Artesania to buy some souvenirs.
You’ll need to pick up your car in the evening and can park near your hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Raquel
Leave Havana behind and drive westwards to the province of Pinar del Rio, famous for being Cuba’s tobacco capital and its distinctive limestone rock formations called Mogotes. Enjoy the rolling green scenery and the agricultural region’s typical red dirt and arrive at the small farmer’s town of Viñales.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E Central Viñales
Today you’ll see more of the countryside during your horse ride through the Viñales valley, dotted with small farms and stop at a local tobacco farm. Here you’ll learn about the growing and drying process of the region’s most famous product. You’ll also visit a cave inside a ‘Mogote’ and there’s the opportunity to go for a swim in a natural pool inside the cave, so don’t forget to bring your swimming gear. After the ride, continue your journey to Las Terrazas, a tiny eco-village located inside the Sierra del Rosario biosphere reserve. A successful ecological restoration project turned land that had been badly damaged by extensive monoculture farming of coffee, into a biosphere reserve in the seventies. Nowadays the area is lush with a rich birdlife and looks as if it’s been pristine and untouched by human hands for centuries. There’s only one hotel in the eco-village, which is where you will be staying, on a hill with lovely views of the small lakes.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel la Moka
Today’s route will take you from Las Terrazas to Cienfuegos, with an optional detour to the infamous Bay of Pigs, where the CIA-backed invasion of Cuban expats took place. You can visit the local museum commemorating the battle for a trip down the island’s history. You’ll arrive in Cienfuegos in the late afternoon, in time for a stroll along the city’s boulevard to enjoy a lovely sunset. Cienfuegos is a relatively young city, founded in the 19th century, by mostly French colonists from Louisiana and Haiti, after France lost both colonies, and much of the city’s buildings are reflections of the French architectural style of the time
Accommodation on this day: Hotel La Union
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cienfuegos, where you can enjoy its many colonial buildings, art galleries, museums, and artisanal markets.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel La Union
Continue from Cienfuegos to Trinidad along the coastal road with its many small coves and beaches. Another option would be to drive through the Topes del Collante mountain range and visit the El Nicho waterfalls, again with the opportunity to dip into the natural pools beneath the waterfalls.
Accommodation on this day: Casa la Casona
One of the highlights of the trip is our 4 hour guided walking tour of Trinidad, which will leave your head spinning at the end after all the knowledge you had to absorb. You’ll hopefully get a grasp of the art and history of this intriguing place as not only will you learn about the original inhabitants the Taino Indians, you’ll also get to know more about the Spanish colonial heritage, the sugar plantations and its slaves, the independence wars and social revolution. You’ll visit several important Plazas, the home of the former professor at the Art Academy in Trinidad, Carlos Mata who collects and restores antique, and the art gallery of Lazaro Niebla who makes portraits of wood.
Accommodation on this day: Casa la Casona
Today you’ll leave Trinidad and drive through the Valle de los Ingenios, an area dotted with former sugar plantations and, which it in heyday made Trinidad the sugar-producing capital of colonial Cuba. You can visit the attractive city of Sancti Spiritus along the way. Founded in 1514, this city also claims to have designed the original Guayabera shirt. Finally arrive in Camagüey, often called ‘the maze city’ for its confusing road grid.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Avellaneda
Often overlooked, the city is a real treasure and one of Cuba’s oldest settlements. Why not get deliberately lost in Camagüey and explore its warren-like streets and stumble into hidden gems like plazas, churches, and interesting art galleries. Originally founded on the northern coast of the province, the settlement was moved further inland, where it was safe from pirate raids.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Avellaneda
It’s going to be a day from Camagüey to the province of Granma, and if you have time you could stop in the town of Bayamo. Today’s destination is Villa Santo Domingo, located high in the Sierra Maestra mountain range, the tallest in Cuba. These jungle-covered mountains are breathtakingly beautiful and it’s here where Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries had their base during the Cuban revolution.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Villa Santo Domingo
We have included a guided visit to the old camps of Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra where they planned the revolution against Batista. The excursion starts from the hotel Villa Santo Domingo where you will be picked up to go to the starting point in the mountains. It’s a short hike to the camps and a lunch box is included.
After the visit, you continue your journey and cross the Sierra Maestra mountains to Cuba’s southernmost coast. Along the way, you can’t miss out on visiting the church of El Cobre, dedicated to Cuba’s patron saint, the lady of Charity and the island’s most sacred pilgrimage site. The church displays many medals and other artifacts from Cubans wishing to show devotion to the patron Saint, and even Ernest Hemingway donated his Nobel Prize for his book ‘The Old man and the Sea’, which he wrote in Cuba. After your visit continue to Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city of Cuba.
Accommodation on this day: Iberostar Imperial Hotel
On your second day, you could stroll along the large and lively pedestrian centre, to its many monuments. Santiago de Cuba was the original capital of Cuba and it was also the city where Fidel Castro studied. You can visit the Santa Ifigenia cemetery where he is buried alongside several other important Cuban heroes.
Accommodation on this day: Iberostar Imperial Hotel
From Santiago de Cuba, head along the southern coast to Baracoa, a small town on the Eastern tip of the island. You’ll find many small beaches and beautiful scenery where the mountains plunge into the sea. The road will take you past Guantanamo, but don’t expect to be able to catch a glimpse of the infamous Guantanamo Bay, as it is a cordoned off, military zone.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Porto Santo
Starting from the village of Recontra, we have included a guided walk along the beautiful Baracoan countryside, where you can observe a wide variety of flora and fauna. Lunch is included and there’s also time to have a swim in a local river, so do not forget to bring swimwear.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Porto Santo
Drive from Baracoa along the Northern road to the fishing village of Gibara. It is said that when Cristopher Columbus set foot on Cuba near Gibara, he claimed that it was the most beautiful land that human eyes have seen.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E Arsenita
Another long drive will take you to Ciego de Avila, located in the middle of Cuba.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Rueda
Spend the day in Ciego de Avila, another charming place and often overlooked, even though it played an important historical role during the first Cuban Independence war. It has a lovely boulevard and a city centre with impressive colonial buildings and art galleries. The locals refer to their city as the City of Porches as it has many ornate colonnaded house fronts.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E La Rueda
Continue to the colonial town of Remedios, with a possible detour to the city of Santa Clara, where the final battle of the Cuban revolution took place and where you can visit Che Guevara mausoleum where his remains are buried.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel E Camino del Principe
The final leg of your journey takes to you back to Havana where you’ll stay for one more night.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Raquel
Today you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight home.
There is so much more to Cuba than sitting on the beach in the Caribbean. With 211 protected areas and 12 designated National Parks, there is much to discover.
Hike for approximately three hours through the Viñales countryside past various farms and fields. During the walk you'll learn about the farming processes and the local flora whilst enjoying the beautiful views of the Valley.
What better way to see the sights of Havana than from the back seat of a classic American car. Your English-speaking guide will take you through the different neighbourhoods of Havana and along various important landmarks.
After two hours you'll leave the car behind and continue on foot for another two hours where you'll explore the colonial part of Havana.
The Manaca Iznaga is a former sugar plantation and the best-preserved sugar mill and plantation in the Valley the los Ingenios or Valley of the Sugar Mills. Founded in 1750, it has a haunting history as its owner became one of Cuba's wealthiest man through slave trafficking. The 44 metre high tower was used to watch the slaves. Nowadays you can climb the tower for views of the valley.
You’ll be surprised how different your surroundings look when you’re riding a horse. Suitable for non-experienced riders, this ride takes you through the countryside of the Viñales Valley which is dotted with farms. We’ll stop at a local tobacco farm where we can see the growing and drying process of the region’s most famous product. Another stop will be at the limestone cliffs called mogotes and visit a cave where you can go for a refreshing dip in its natural pool.
An educational visit to the eco-village of Las Terrazas and the surrounding park in the Sierra de los Órganos mountain range should definitely be included on any trip to Cuba. You’ll learn a lot about the history of this biosphere reserve, which became a UNESCO World heritage site in 1999.
If you’re a bit of a thrill-seeker, like the adrenaline rush, and would like to see the interesting and beautiful landscape with its mogotes (limestone outcrops) from high up, then you should definitely have a go at zip lining. The six different zip lines will give you a bird's eye view of your surroundings when you soar over the treetops and across the Las Terrazas Lakes.
Kayak silently along the coast and take in the natural beauty and exotic wildlife of the mangroves. Starting at the beach of Guajimico, which means 'place of the fishes' in the language of the Cuban natives, there will also be time to rest, swim and lunch, so make sure to bring your swimwear and snorkelling gear.
Spend the day cycling around Havana or Cienfuegos. Even better, spend a week or two exploring Cuba on one of our supported bike tours.
During this 4-hour guided walk you'll learn everything you need to know about the art & history of the well-preserved colonial town of Trinidad. The guide can adapt the tour according to your interests whether its historical, cultural or political.
Hike through the forest to get to the old camps of Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra from where they planned the revolution against Batista.
Visit the Che Chevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara where the final battle of the Cuban Revolution took place.
Stop at a local tobacco farm where the growing and drying process of the region’s most famous product is explained and see how they are really rolled.
It was recently renovated without losing its original Cuban architecture style. From the rooftop terrace, you’ll have magnificent panoramic views of the historic old town, bay and mountains in the far distance.
The hotel has a total of 39 modern and spacious en-suite rooms with high ceilings – all with A/C, television, phone and either a king, queen, or twin-size beds. You could either have a drink in the Don Fernando lobby bar or sit outside on the rooftop and watch the sunset from the El Dorado Roof Garden, before you head down to the La Francia restaurant that serves gourmet cuisine.
Within walking distance of Santiago de Cuba’s art galleries, historic monuments and bars, this hotel is the perfect base for a few nights.
It boasts one of the most beautiful views of the Viñales Valley (if not Cuba). With its impressive limestone cliffs and mogotes and painted pink, the property is surrounded by lush gardens and close to several walking trails that cross the fields around the hotel.
The 78 en-suite rooms have big shutters that open up to a balcony and has all the modern amenities you can expect from a standard accommodation like A/C, telephone, and television. It’s the ideal base to explore Viñales, whether you’re a keen hiker, rock climber or birdwatcher. At the end of the day, after your horse-riding trip or your excursion to Las Terrazas, you can relax by the swimming pool.
The hotel has a restaurant, a massage room and a medical clinic.
It’s housed in an attractive building and has successfully combined colonial architecture with modern comforts.
The red structure with its impressive white columns and high ceilings has 26 en-suite rooms. All have A/C, a safe, telephone, television and mini bar, with some overlooking the plaza.
Within driving distance from both Santa Clara and Cayo Santa Maria, the hotel is the perfect stopover, but is fast becoming an interesting place to visit in its own right, as it celebrated its 500th anniversary. It is after all one of the oldest settlements in Cuba and is currently undergoing a complete makeover to attract more visitors.
There’s a spacious restaurant, a bar and you can also sit outside on the patio.
Painted in terracotta and with majestic columns and arches on the outside, the interior has tiled floors and hallways decorated with mosaic tiles, as well as the contemporary art pieces on the walls.
The 30 en-suite rooms are spacious with high ceilings and big wooden shutters that open up to a French balcony. The rooms either have a queen bed or two double beds and come with A/C, telephone, television, mini bar, safe and WIFI.
The Mezquita restaurant serves a fusion of Cuban and international dishes, made with fresh and local produce.
In its heyday, it used to be an important sugar-exporting town. Sadly it dropped off the map after the main highway Carretera Central was built in the 1920s and a hurricane swept through the region in 2008.
More recently the town has seen a bit of a revival, due to the local government’s focus on renovating the town’s historical buildings. Hopefully, the newly renovated hotel with only 15 rooms, will entice some visitors to stay in the town.
All the rooms are en-suite with high ceilings and decorated with vintage furniture. The rooms all have A/C, television and safe. The roof terrace has splendid views of the town and beaches and the restaurant serves the best Creole and international cuisine. As the areas offer one of the best diving in Cuba, it’s a perfect base for divers and snorkellers, who want to explore the local reefs.
Named after the tiny island of Porto Santo near Madeira in Europe, where Columbus lived for a short period when he married a local girl.
The hotel consists of 4 separate buildings each with two floors and 24 lodges set in lush gardens. All 83 en-suite rooms have A/C, a telephone, television, safe and either a terrace or balcony overlooking the bay. The hotel has a swimming pool and there’s a small beach nearby
The Santa Maria restaurant (again named after Columbus’ ship) serves international cuisine, or you can head to the town where you can taste the food the region is famous for. Unlike the rest of Cuba, the food here comes prepared with coconut, spices and exotic fruits.
From the hotel, you can tour the mountains, admire La Farola viaduct or go on a boat trip on the nearby Toa river to spot birds.
Located right next to the gateway to Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra with its cloud forests and along the Yara River, the hotel has a total of 40 cabanas, some built of concrete and newer wooden buildings. It’s without a doubt an excellent spot if you are interested in bird watching.
Both the Castro brothers have stayed here on separate occasions. Fidel, most likely when he established his rebel HQ Comandancia de la Plata, high up in the cloud forest and where he planned his revolutionary campaigns, whilst Raul stayed there when he climbed Cuba’s highest mountain Pico Turquino (1972m)
We have included a guided excursion to Fidel’s remote rebel complex, where you can still see Casa del Fidel, visit the small museum, the hospital and higher up the radio communications buildings.
If you’re staying for a few nights, you can go mule and horseback riding and go on hikes in the cloud forest. The actual village of Santo Domingo is also the venue of lively Guateques (Cuban countryside fiestas).
The colonial architecture of the hotel is nicely combined with the works of art that can be found throughout the hacienda-style property. The 9 en-suite rooms are on the ground floor, around a rectangular shaped tiled courtyard surrounded by columns.
All the rooms are furnished in a colonial style and have A/C, television, telephone, minibar and safe. The restaurant only serves breakfast, light snacks and drinks, but is within walking distance of many restaurants, museums and art galleries.
Located within Cuba’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it’s the perfect place to relax and soak up the vibrancy of the art community that resides in the village.
Built by local workers in order to promote tourism to the area, the hotel is designed in a traditional Cuban style and set in lush gardens.
There are 42 rooms altogether, and the en-suite standard rooms are spacious and with large glass windows and balconies with lovely views of the surrounding area. The rooms have A/C, television, telephone, safe and a minibar A/C. If you are interested in staying with the locals, the hotel also offers five community rooms with shared facilities.
There is a swimming pool, tennis courts and a restaurant that uses local produce. The hotel can also organise tours in the area (like canopy tours, hiking and fishing trips) and is particularly popular with birdwatchers due to its location in the reserve and nearby lakes.
Converted to an outstanding establishment that has maintained its architectural heritage, it was originally built in 1869 and completely restored in 2000. This elegant colonial-style property has 49 rooms.
Managed by the same company that also owns the Melia Buenavista in Cayo Santa Maria, the hotel has two most impressive open-air inner courtyards surrounded by spacious en-suite rooms. The rooms are all fitted out with colonial-style furniture and have A/C, safe, minibar and satellite television.
Other rooms either have a city or pool view. The hotel has an exclusive terrace bar, a meeting room and a restaurant that serves internationally renowned gastronomic dishes.
Especially if you appreciate the Art Nouveau style and history of this beautiful establishment. Originally built to house offices and used as storage space, the building was renovated and turned into a hotel with 25 rooms.
The impressive atrium with coloured light panels gives the building an ethereal look. The en-suite rooms with all its modern amenities look down into the covered courtyard.
As its name indicates the hotel has strong links with the Hebrew culture, which can also be found in the Jardin del Eden where dishes are prepared according to the Hebrew tradition.
It feels more like a boutique hotel than a homestay. Set in its own grounds of 2 hectares, the casa is a haven for birds, colourful flora and the home of some amazing thoroughbred horses.
With only eight en-suite rooms, the colonial hacienda style homestay exudes peacefulness and serenity you only find in a few places. Each room has A/C, a minibar, safe and WIFI and either a living area or outdoor patio.
The open-air thatched roof restaurant serves a wide selection of food prepared with local produce from their own garden. Horseback rides departing from the Casa can be arranged (advance booking recommended), for rides up the Valle de Los Ingenios and includes lunch at the family farm La Victoria.
Where is Cuba?
Cuba is an archipelago of 4195 islands and cays in the Caribbean. It’s south of the United States and the Bahamas, with Mexico to the west, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to the south and Haiti and the Dominican Republic to the southeast.
When is the best time to visit Cuba?
Cuba has two seasons – a dry one from November to April (with January the coldest month), and a wet one from May to October. Although July and August are the hottest months, the trade winds provide a welcoming cool breeze. The official hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the height of the season between the end of August and end of October.
How do I get to Cuba from the UK?
From the UK, you can fly with Air Europa, Iberia, and KLM via Madrid, or Amsterdam to Havana or direct with TUI from Manchester to Varadero.
From Canada, there are direct flights with WestJet from Toronto to Varadero
From the US, you can fly from Miami with American. Travel to Cuba for US citizens is complicated as you have to prove your not supporting the state by using government owned hotels etc.
Be aware that you need proof of onward travel when you arrive in Cuba, for example an onward flight ticket.
Do I need a visa for Cuba?
First of all, you will need a passport to enter Cuba which should be valid for six months beyond the date of your return to your home country. You will also need a tourist card, which we can arrange for you and will normally be included in the tour price. The card is valid for 30 days after arrival in Cuba.
How safe is travel in Cuba?
Cuba is a pretty safe country with low crime rates, but, just like at home, you should always be aware of your personal security. We recommend you leave your passports, credit cards, cash, and any other documents in the hotel’s safe if you’re not travelling around.
First impressions when you arrive If staying in old Havana and arriving late at night, it can feel very run down; however, you soon realise this can be misleading, and although there is some dereliction there are also many hidden surprises as you wander the back streets.
What language do they speak in Cuba?
The national language is Spanish, and even though most Cubans in the tourism industry will be able to speak English don’t hesitate to practice your Spanish as they’re always keen to communicate with you in their own language and they will appreciate your efforts. This may be different in rural areas, so you may want to bring a guidebook which has some useful phrases.
What vaccinations do I require when visiting Cuba?
It’s always good to check with your doctor whether you’re up to date with all necessary vaccinations.
Is malaria a problem in Cuba?
There is no malaria risk in Cuba. In the UK you can also check out the Fit for Travel website.
Should I drive when in Cuba?
There are cars to hire, but driving is a bit of a challenge due to the current fuel restrictions – you know when a garage has fuel by the queue! In Cuba they drive on the right and there are speed limits ranging from 40 kph to 100 kph on major roads. It’s best not to bring your own SatNav to the country as it will probably be confiscated by customs, but rather use the GPS on your phone. We include a good roadmap. Even so, you may still get lost as there’s a lack of road signs. Locals, though, are always willing to help, so a bit of basic Spanish will come in handy. As with any foreign country where you’re not familiar with the roads avoid driving in the dark.
How do I get around if we don’t hire a car? At the moment, we’re suggesting exploring Cuba using a mix of private transfers, shared shuttles and driver guides – This is definitely the most relaxed way to current see the country.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Cuba?
All you require is a standard, valid driving licence and your passport with entry stamp. It’s advisable to carry your driving license, passport, and rental papers when driving in Cuba.
What can I expect from the accommodation in Cuba?
Casa Particulares or Homestays are popular and these range from the more basic to the very comfortable (with quite a few boutique style ones appearing). Along the coast it’s hard to avoid the larger all-inclusive resorts; however, we try to offer some that are more in keeping with the Archipelago Choice style of international hotel. We often mix and match different styles of hotels because at times it’s the place we’re visiting that is more important and sometimes you will have to lower your expectations slightly for a night or two to experience the best the country has to offer.
What are the health and medical services like in Cuba?
There’s a government run national health system with well-trained doctors for Cubans, but tourists will need to go to Servimed health and are expected to pay in cash, so be sure you have a good travel insurance that also covers Cuba and that you have notified the insurance company of any pre-existing medical conditions. As medical supplies may be scarce and priority should be given to locals, make sure you bring plenty of your own and that you have a copy of your prescription with you in case you run out or if it gets lost.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Cuba?
It’s a condition of travel with Archipelago Choice that you have adequate travel insurance. If travelling independently, then we highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents, as well as personal liability and repatriation, and, above all, that it covers Cuba (as some don’t)! There is a variety of activities in Cuba like hiking, horse riding and diving, so it’s good to know beforehand that you are covered for all the activities you may be interested in. Don’t forget to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions you have when you purchase your insurance.
Do I have to pay a departure tax when leaving Cuba?
Since 2015 there is no need to pay a departure tax anymore if you’re leaving Cuba by plane as this should be included in the price of the flight.
Can I get Wi-Fi and internet in Cuba?
As of 2019 the country has 830 Wi-Fi hotspots to get internet access in Cuba. There are internet cafes and some big hotels may have Wi-Fi in certain areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Cuba?
You can use your mobile in Cuba, but it will be very expensive. To avoid any high calling charges, you should contact your provider before you travel and check their international roaming charges. The other option would be to buy a pre-paid phone card at the post office or hotel desk, which you can use at a payphone. Inform people back home that it may be very difficult for them to get in touch with you.
What is the food like in Cuba?
Simple but good is how you can describe Cuban food. Traditional staple is rice and black beans (arroz congris), pork (puerco), chicken and fresh fish. Lobster and shrimp are also available but mostly reserved for the bigger hotels. Of course there’s the famous Cuba Libre (rum and Coke) and the Mojito (rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint). Good drinkable local beers are Cristal and Bunaro. And of course, Cuban coffee which has a very distinct rich taste.
Can vegetarians and vegans be catered for in Cuba?
Vegetarians can eat like a local (rice, beans ,eggs, omelettes, fried plantain and salads). Other than the rice, beans, vegetables and plantains, vegans will find it more difficult in Cuba. There will be plenty of fresh fruit, but we would advise you to bring your own food / supplements.
Are credit cards accepted in Cuba?
You can use your credit card to withdraw money at the bank (Visa/Mastercard/Eurocard), but please note that cards issued by American banks ,American Express and Diners Club are not accepted. There are some ATMs in Cuba. Please note though that since 2004 USD are no longer accepted. You can bring euros and exchange them at banks or hotels. In some parts of Cuba they do accept euros (Varadero, Cayo de Coco). As it’s a closed currency make sure you change your money back to euros or dollars.
What type of a charger do I need in Cuba?
Cuba’s electric current is 110V. Plugs are two flat prongs (same as the USA), so you will need a US adapter if you’re coming from Europe.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cuba?
Avoid drinking water straight from the tap. Although it’s safe to clean your teeth with, use bottled water to be on the safe side. If you’re travelling off the beaten track, then it’s best to avoid tap water, unless it’s boiled, filtered or chemically treated (iodine tablets/ drops).
When are the public holiday in Cuba?
There are nine public holidays in Cuba as well as some main religious holidays like Easter and Christmas. October 10th is their Independence Day. It’s advisable to check whether shops and public offices are open on those days.
Do I need to tip in Cuba?
If you have a guide or driver for a day, then it’s usually customary to give them a small token of your appreciation and we would suggest a small tip of between $2 and $10.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Cuba with Archipelago Choice?
The holidays on our website and in our Escape Magazine are designed to give you ideas of what’s possible. The best holidays are those that are tailored to your interests and we’d suggest you call or email us to discuss how to create a very memorable tailor-made Cuban adventure.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Cuba?
Cuba is a small country with limited accommodation if you’re not interested in staying at big all-inclusive beach resorts. Our advice is to start planning around six to nine months before your visit as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Cuba?
This is certainly possible; however, you may need to be flexible on with the dates so that we can find the best airfares, and also bear in mind that some hotels of choice may not always be available.