Signature Cuba: The best of the highlights
14 days from £2,300
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Private transport to your atmospheric hotel in the lively historic centre of Havana.
Madero Bed and Breakfast is one of a new generation of small Cuban properties which are considerably more upmarket, contemporary and stylish than the traditional homestay.
This popular and well-regarded choice is in the heart of historic Havana, just a quick stroll from the city’s principal squares. The six guest rooms and one larger suite with a balcony are distributed over three floors, all tastefully furnished in modern muted colours and pale wood with up-to-date private bathrooms.
You are welcome to make use of a spacious living room and kitchen on the ground floor and there is a rooftop terrace with comfy armchairs. The property is also known as Hostal Madero, but it is certainly much better appointed than what we would normally expect from a hostel, with excellent service from helpful, mainly English-speaking staff.
Your introduction to the city is a guided walking tour of Old Havana. The streets of La Habana Vieja were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, and the subsequent restoration of this part of town has transformed it into arguably Latin America’s finest colonial quarter, in marked contrast to the rambling, potholed streets and crumbling façades around it.
Stroll along the cobbles, between grand, pastel-hued mansions and bustling street life; music seeps out of every doorway and the narrow streets are clogged with gargantuan, crumbling 1950s American cars, which you will have the option of hopping into and cruising down the Malecón. You’ll have trouble keeping your camera by your side as iconic images flash before you round each and every corner.
Madero Bed and Breakfast is one of a new generation of small Cuban properties which are considerably more upmarket, contemporary and stylish than the traditional homestay.
This popular and well-regarded choice is in the heart of historic Havana, just a quick stroll from the city’s principal squares. The six guest rooms and one larger suite with a balcony are distributed over three floors, all tastefully furnished in modern muted colours and pale wood with up-to-date private bathrooms.
You are welcome to make use of a spacious living room and kitchen on the ground floor and there is a rooftop terrace with comfy armchairs. The property is also known as Hostal Madero, but it is certainly much better appointed than what we would normally expect from a hostel, with excellent service from helpful, mainly English-speaking staff.
Continue by road to Viñales, a small, bucolic town tucked away in the Sierra de los Órganos. The shady high street is lined with trees, wooden colonnades and one-storey, red-roofed houses. Horse and carts clatter along the main road and local children play baseball with sticks and stones outside the dilapidated whitewashed church in the main square. There is a splendid old chemist’s shop and a few other bare-shelved stores, as well as a couple of salsa bars that attract a lively crowd in the evening.
This low rise, colonial style hotel, located in the centre of the town, has a pleasant white-washed façade with a red tiled roof and shady terrace. Bright shiny floor tiling is offset by traditional dark wood furnishings in the public areas, which include a bar/restaurant on the ground floor, and the large windows throughout allow for the passage of cooling breezes. The 23 guest rooms have slatted doors opening to a terrace overlooking the main square, the street or the interior. They have one or two queen-sized beds and are well equipped with TV and air-conditioning. There’s free parking on the street outside and Wi-Fi is included throughout the property.
The valley has a distinctive landscape, with dramatic limestone mountains, known as mogotes, which jut into the sky from a lush, fertile plain. Using oxen and carts, local farmers cultivate the red soil of the valley floor for fruit, vegetables and tobacco, and the countryside is peppered with thatched curing barns for drying the tobacco leaves. Included is a 9KM walk through this beautiful valley; the trail passes alongside fields being tilled by straw-hatted farmers driving their oxen, and you may have the opportunity to visit members of a campesino family in their home, where they’ll brew you up a coffee, roll a cigar and talk to you about life on the land.
This low rise, colonial style hotel, located in the centre of the town, has a pleasant white-washed façade with a red tiled roof and shady terrace. Bright shiny floor tiling is offset by traditional dark wood furnishings in the public areas, which include a bar/restaurant on the ground floor, and the large windows throughout allow for the passage of cooling breezes. The 23 guest rooms have slatted doors opening to a terrace overlooking the main square, the street or the interior. They have one or two queen-sized beds and are well equipped with TV and air-conditioning. There’s free parking on the street outside and Wi-Fi is included throughout the property.
Travel on by land to visit the community project of Las Terrazas in the Sierra del Rosario UNESCO biosphere reserve. This is Cuba’s premier centre for ecotourism, which offers the opportunity to get close to the local community, who coexist harmoniously with their surroundings.
The unusual Hotel Moka Las Terrazas overlooks a lake in acres of restored forest. It has a coloured tiled roof and a multi-tiered lobby built around a large lime tree, which climbs through two floors and up through the roof via a skylight.
Tropical light filters throughout the hotel, and the place is brimming with larger than life flowers. The ensuite rooms are decorated in colonial style and arranged over two blocks built along the ridge of the hillside. Rooms are accessed by a walkway, and have a secluded balcony that looks over the forest and valley below.
The large swimming pool, tennis courts, café and restaurant are reached by a path which winds through the verdant landscaped gardens. Activities include hiking, bird-watching, bathing in natural pools 2km away, and a canopy tour whizzing through the jungle foliage by zipline.
At leisure at Las Terrazas. Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve sits on an impressive mountain range of tropical and semi-deciduous forest within the coffee-producing region of Pinar del Rio. The reserve is rich in flora and fauna and offers some the island’s best bird-watching. Other notable wildlife includes bats, frogs and lizards. You have time to choose between optional activities such as hiking the trails, swimming under the waterfalls, bird watching or visiting an orchid farm or old coffee plantation.
The unusual Hotel Moka Las Terrazas overlooks a lake in acres of restored forest. It has a coloured tiled roof and a multi-tiered lobby built around a large lime tree, which climbs through two floors and up through the roof via a skylight.
Tropical light filters throughout the hotel, and the place is brimming with larger than life flowers. The ensuite rooms are decorated in colonial style and arranged over two blocks built along the ridge of the hillside. Rooms are accessed by a walkway, and have a secluded balcony that looks over the forest and valley below.
The large swimming pool, tennis courts, café and restaurant are reached by a path which winds through the verdant landscaped gardens. Activities include hiking, bird-watching, bathing in natural pools 2km away, and a canopy tour whizzing through the jungle foliage by zipline.
Today you head through the central heartland of Cuba, a transition between the pre-Revolutionary prosperous western plantations and the cattle pasture of the poorer east. The elegant city of Cienfuegos is an important port town founded by French settlers from Louisiana in 1819. Its French founders left their mark in broad neoclassical boulevards, art deco façades and blond inhabitants but there’s also a strong Afro-Caribbean presence. This is a seafaring city with salt in the air; it’s the world’s primary sugar port. The ambience and architectural style is distinct from that of the rest of the island.
Hotel La Unión is an attractive colonial building in the centre of the lively port of Cienfuegos, with a lovely view of the bay from the upper floors. This is a smart and tasteful boutique-style hotel, with pale blue, pinks and yellow tones striking a breezy tropical note.
The guestrooms have marble-effect bathrooms and period wooden furniture, but the colonial style is not ornate or overdone: the understated decor and furnishings and large windows lend a feel of space and light.
Other facilities include an attractive outdoor pool in an enclosed tiled area, surrounded by loungers, as well as a Jacuzzi and gym. The restaurant serves an à la carte menu and a buffet, and there’s also a small snack bar. It’s popular and friendly, but note there is a weekend disco nearby.
You have a walking tour of this easy-going place, identified by the sobriquet the ‘Pearl of the South’, so very different from the other cities in Cuba. Later drive on to the city of Trinidad.
This attractive, extensively restored colonial hotel is set a short walk from the heart of Trinidad, near the lively Parque Cespedes. There is a central patio which all 40 rooms surround. Rooms are spacious and equipped with air-conditioning, TV, minibar and en suite bathroom. Many also have a balcony or terrace, with some having pleasant vistas of the park and others with no view to speak of, but which tend to be quieter. Facilities include a public restaurant, lobby bar and small shop. There is free parking available on the street in front of the property.
Trinidad was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Its popularity has not affected its colonial charm and unhurried atmosphere. Low-rise, brightly painted houses with vast shutters open out onto cobbled streets, palm trees dot the main plaza and evening entertainment continues into the early hours with dancing and music each night.
You’ll have a guided tour of the city and venture into the surrounding countryside, the Valle de los Ingenios (valley of sugar mills). In the 18th and 19th centuries, this region was one of the wealthiest as a result of its participation in the sugar boom. Visit the Manaca-Iznaga tower, climb to the top and enjoy some of the best views in Cuba. From here, the plantation owner kept a watchful eye on the slaves working in the fields below. The views across the valleys of sugar cane fields are breathtaking in the late afternoon light.
This attractive, extensively restored colonial hotel is set a short walk from the heart of Trinidad, near the lively Parque Cespedes. There is a central patio which all 40 rooms surround. Rooms are spacious and equipped with air-conditioning, TV, minibar and en suite bathroom. Many also have a balcony or terrace, with some having pleasant vistas of the park and others with no view to speak of, but which tend to be quieter. Facilities include a public restaurant, lobby bar and small shop. There is free parking available on the street in front of the property.
Continue by road to Santa Clara (2 hrs). Half a century ago the capture of the railway here, by Che Guevara assisted by just 18 guerrillas, was instrumental in the triumph of the Revolution. Today, this vibrant university town is home to an excellent museum dedicated to the events of the late 1950s and to Che Guevara. There’s a guided tour with time to visit the armoured train ambushed by Che Guevara’s revolutionaries, Che’s mausoleum and a monument and plaza dedicated to the man and the Revolution.
Continue by road to the beautiful Caribbean beaches of Cayo Santa Maria.
The beachfront all-inclusive resort Melia Cayo Santa Maria is on the eponymous island in the Caribbean archipelago of Jardines del Rey.
The emphasis here is on wellness and relaxation, ideal for couples although the resort welcomes families and groups of friends. There are bright, sunny rooms decorated in tropical colours, situated in one and two storey buildings. Suites have separate living room, Jacuzzi and ocean or garden views. All have en suite bathroom and balcony or terrace and can accommodate up to two adults and two children. The guest rooms have a good range of amenities including beach umbrellas, satellite TV and digital safe.
Resort facilities include tennis courts, gym with sauna, spa, water sports centre, and open-air swimming pool with poolside bar. The main restaurant is buffet style, and there is more informal poolside restaurant serving Creole style barbecues and pasta dishes. There are two other smarter restaurants specialising in Japanese and French cuisine.
Transfer to Cayo Santa María, one of a string of small tropical coral cayes (they form part of the Jardins del Rey archipelago) connected to the town of Caibarién on the mainland by a 48km causeway. The little island (2 x 13km) is blessed with gorgeous powdery white sand beaches, mangroves and calm turquoise waters, ideal for snorkelling and diving. The eponymous national park has interesting wildlife, especially birds and reptiles. The island is served solely by a small cluster of resort hotels and has no real local village life. This is your beach time, relax on the sand or take part in water sports organised from your all-inclusive hotel.
The beachfront all-inclusive resort Melia Cayo Santa Maria is on the eponymous island in the Caribbean archipelago of Jardines del Rey.
The emphasis here is on wellness and relaxation, ideal for couples although the resort welcomes families and groups of friends. There are bright, sunny rooms decorated in tropical colours, situated in one and two storey buildings. Suites have separate living room, Jacuzzi and ocean or garden views. All have en suite bathroom and balcony or terrace and can accommodate up to two adults and two children. The guest rooms have a good range of amenities including beach umbrellas, satellite TV and digital safe.
Resort facilities include tennis courts, gym with sauna, spa, water sports centre, and open-air swimming pool with poolside bar. The main restaurant is buffet style, and there is more informal poolside restaurant serving Creole style barbecues and pasta dishes. There are two other smarter restaurants specialising in Japanese and French cuisine.
Transfer by road from Cayo Las Brujas overland to Havana.
Madero Bed and Breakfast is one of a new generation of small Cuban properties which are considerably more upmarket, contemporary and stylish than the traditional homestay.
This popular and well-regarded choice is in the heart of historic Havana, just a quick stroll from the city’s principal squares. The six guest rooms and one larger suite with a balcony are distributed over three floors, all tastefully furnished in modern muted colours and pale wood with up-to-date private bathrooms.
You are welcome to make use of a spacious living room and kitchen on the ground floor and there is a rooftop terrace with comfy armchairs. The property is also known as Hostal Madero, but it is certainly much better appointed than what we would normally expect from a hostel, with excellent service from helpful, mainly English-speaking staff.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Cuba - Havana
Havana holidays showcase one of the world’s most captivating cities, where grand colonial squares, colourful classic cars and faded mansions create an unforgettable atmosphere. As Cuba’s cultural and historic heart, Havana blends architecture, music and everyday life in a way few destinations can match.
Cuba - Viñales and the Sierra de los Organos
Viñales holidays reveal a slower, more rural side of Cuba, where tobacco plantations stretch beneath dramatic limestone mogotes and pine-covered hills. Explore the UNESCO-listed Viñales Valley, visit family-run tobacco farms and discover a landscape far removed from Havana’s bustle.
Cuba - Las Terrazas
Las Terrazas is one of Cuba’s most successful ecological restoration projects, where lush forests, winding trails, sparkling lakes and abundant wildlife have transformed a once-deforested landscape into a thriving UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Located just 74km from Havana, Las Terrazas offers a contrast to Cuba’s cities, providing opportunities for hiking, swimming, horse riding and nature.
Cuba - Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains
Trinidad holidays offer a captivating mix of colonial history, music and natural beauty. Wander UNESCO-listed cobbled streets, soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere and explore the waterfalls, forests and jade-green pools of nearby Topes de Collantes.
Cuba - Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs
Discover a fascinating region at the heart of Cuba, where elegant colonial architecture, revolutionary history and one of the Caribbean’s most infamous shorelines combine to create an unforgettable journey. Our Cienfuegos holidays take in the French-inspired streets of Cienfuegos, the revolutionary landmarks of Santa Clara and the historic Bay of Pigs.
Cuba - Caribbean cayes and coast
Cuba’s Caribbean coast is renowned for its sugar-white beaches, turquoise waters and excellent opportunities for swimming and water sports. From secluded coves and coral cayes to the remote western and eastern tips of the island, this diverse coastline combines pristine beaches, colonial charm and some of Cuba’s most beautiful coastal scenery.
This holiday includes the main highlights of Cuba but you’ll dig deeper, with walks and private excursions to help you to understand how this country really ticks. Cuba is unique and inspiring; a socialist stronghold, with a rebellious history, colonial splendour in many of the towns, spectacular countryside and a Caribbean heart. Its vibrancy and friendly people will make a lasting impression.
The trip begins in Havana, Cuba’s inimitable capital, with its faded grandeur and pulsating rhythms. Head west to stroll around Viñales, a fertile valley with limestone mountains in the tobacco-growing region. After a visit to forested Las Terrazas, an eco-experiment that really works, you’ll visit three of the country’s contrasting cities, Cienfuegos, colonial Trinidad and Santa Clara, each with a story to tell. There’s time to absorb it all on a sugar-white beach on one of the loveliest Caribbean cays, Santa María.
Sally Dodge
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Summary of Nights
14 days, 13 nights: Havana 2; Viñales 2; Las Terrazas 2; Cienfuegos 1; Trinidad 2; Cayo Santa María 3; Havana 1.
- Accommodation
This trip uses independent mid-range accommodation that we think is great value, comfortable, well-located and which showcases a touch of local character. Properties vary in heritage from colonial style to resort-style lodges, but will all be well-equipped with rooms that have private bathrooms. All accommodation is flexible and can be tailored to meet your specific preferences and requirements.
- Transport
8 scenic road journeys.
- Meals
Breakfast daily; lunch day 9; full board days 10-12.
- Guides
Our local, trusted and carefully selected partners understand the expectations of our customers very well, and their staff and guides are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return. On this holiday, you will be joined by different guides for each activity and or region, ensuring you benefit from specialised expertise and knowledge, often from someone local to the area.
- Optional Excursions
As well as any included activities, this Private Journey includes some free time for optional excursions. As optional excursions are often subject to availability, we recommend you discuss and arrange them with your Travel Expert as early as possible before you depart.
- When is the best time to visit Cuba?
The high season for visitors is Dec – Apr when the weather is usually sunny, mostly dry and not too humid, though there can be cool days. Hurricane and tropical storms are possible Aug – Nov.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of Cuba?
The official language of Cuba is Spanish.
- What is the official currency in Cuba?
The Cuban National Peso (CUP) is the only official cash currency in Cuba, however many outlets will accept US dollars and some may also accept Euros. We recommend you bring your funds in US$ cash and exchange a small amount into CUPs when in Cuba. You can also exchange Euros but we don’t recommend Sterling. Your bank notes should not be damaged in any way. As a foreign tourist you should receive a considerably better exchange rate than the ‘official’ rate used for commercial transactions.
A limited number of ATM’s are available around Cuba, but queues can be large, charges can be high, and the official rate of exchange is given which makes them much less attractive.
Changing small amounts at a time into CUPs will help to avoid having leftover currency when you leave Cuba (it is not always easy to exchange CUPs back to other currencies).
Private hotels, bars and restaurants often accept payments directly in US$ (or Euros) cash. For these transactions bring small denominations if possible, and note that coins will not be accepted. Change may sometimes be given in CUPs.
You’ll generally need to use a credit/debit card to cover transactions in government shops and hotels, as well as car-rental extras such as petrol and local fees. However, some clients have issues using cards in Cuba so don’t rely on them as your only source of funding. Be sure to check with your bank that your cards are accepted in Cuba (cards linked to US banks are not accepted locally). At Cadeca exchange offices it is now possible to purchase a prepaid card (Tarjeta Clasica) which can be bought in cash with US Dollars/Euros. These can be used to obtain petrol.
Using money changers in the street is not recommended as it is illegal and you are more likely to receive forgeries.
- What is the time difference between Cuba and UK?
Cuba operates daylight saving hours, so is generally 5 hours behind the UK year round, but as the dates of their time changes are slightly different, there are short periods around March and October/November when this will vary.
- Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. A completed Cuban tourist card is essential for all UK citizens travelling to Cuba, we will organise this for you. Clients with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the Cuban consulate.
APIS – Many countries now oblige airlines to provide additional information about passengers prior to the flight departure. This Advance Passenger Information (APIS) must be supplied to us promptly in order to issue tickets and avoid fare increases. We will provide the airlines with the relevant details if we are booking your international flights. If the information is not provided you may be denied boarding. - What vaccinations are recommended for visiting Cuba?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What places combine well with Cuba?
Mexico’s Yucatán is a great place to combine with Cuba. Flights from Cancún to Havana take approximately 1hr 15mins.
- What are the festivals and cultural events in Cuba?
There are carnivals throughout the country on different dates. Havana’s carnival moves around date-wise year upon year, but is always accompanied by parades, music, drumming and dancing. Santiago’s carnival in July is probably the biggest and the best.
International Jazz Festival takes place in Havana in December. This is one of the world’s best, and there are workshops and concerts to enjoy.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Take a guided stroll around an elegant and historic port city known as ‘the Pearl of the South’.
Explore the cobbled streets of colonial Trinidad. You might extend the trip with an optional tour of the old sugar mills in the surrounding Valle de los Ingenios.
Explore the underwater world of Cuba’s Caribbean cayes.
Situated in the heart of Cuba, Santa Clara is a vibrant city steeped in history as a result of its involvement in the battles which took place during the Cuban Revolution. Che Guevara is especially venerated here, the site of his Mausoleum. In 1967 Guevara and a couple of dozen of his Cuban comrades were…
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
The Iberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad is an elegant, restored colonial property, with an impressive marble staircase, cigar bar and beautifully decorated rooms.
Hotel Central is a colonial-style property close to the centre of Vinales, in the heart of Cuba’s most captivating countryside.
Madero Bed and Breakfast is a smart guesthouse in the historic centre of Havana.
Papagaio
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