Parakeet: Cuba Beyond the beach
12 days from £2,872
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.
You will be met at the airport by your local tour leader or a representative who will escort you to the group hotel.
A guided tour of Old Havana will show you more of this fascinating city. 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.
After a local cocktail jump in a vintage American car to be driven past some of the highlights of Havana including Revolution Square, the National Hotel, Capitol building and the former Presidential Palace. Between these grand buildings, pass pastel-hued mansions, observe the bustling street life and hear the music seeping out of every doorway. You’ll have trouble keeping your hands off your camera as iconic images flash before you around each and every corner.
In the morning continue west by road for 3 hours to Viñales, a small, rural town tucked away in the Sierra de los Órganos. The tree-shaded high street is lined with 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 which 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.
Viñales is set in a valley with a distinctive landscape, featuring domed limestone mountains, known as mogotes, which jut into the sky from a 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.
You have a guided walk through this beautiful valley. The trail passes alongside fields tilled by straw-hatted farmers and their oxen. You have the opportunity to visit a campesino family in their home and talk to them about life on the land, as well as visiting a tobacco farm to learn about the growing processes of one of Cuba’s most important crops.
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.
A journey of 4 to 5 hours brings you to the south of the island and the Zapata Peninsula. This region is full of unspoilt nature and luxuriant tropical vegetation, fringed by beautiful beaches. You will also visit the Girón Museum, a collection dedicated to the failed CIA-inspired invasion of Cuba in 1961 which became known as the Bay of Pigs. In the afternoon drive onto the elegant city of Cienfuegos.
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.
The port city of Cienfuegos was founded by French settlers from Louisiana in 1819 giving it an air and architectural style that is distinct from that of the rest of the island.
You will have a walking tour of the city led by your tour leader to experience the easy-going ambiance of the city, which has well earned its sobriquet ‘Pearl of the South’.
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.
Just outside the city is the Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos. This Garden covers 97 hectares and is one of the most important and oldest botanical gardens in Cuba. You will stop here before travelling east to Trinidad, a picturesque town which 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 life in the evenings goes on into the early hours with dancing and music outside the Casa de la Música.
The homestay concept in Cuba is not dissimilar to that of the bed and breakfast in the UK, except that generally all meals can be taken in the house. The hearty home-made food on offer can often represent the most attractive dining option in town.
But what really differentiates Cuban homestays is, of course, their unique character and the insight they offer into ordinary life in Cuba. Run by a family or couple, casas particulares are restricted to a small number of guest rooms, making the experience very much one of being a guest in a private home. The level of interaction can depend on the owners and of course the guests, but it is sure to offer a more intimate portrait of Cuba than a stay in an ordinary hotel.
The houses themselves can often be extremely charming, occupying historic buildings or bedecked with antique furniture (this being Cuba, it is kept for practical use rather than ornamentation!). Rooms are rudimentary but homely and comfortable with en suite facilities.
A walking tour allows you to wander through Trinidad’s cobbled streets and elegantly crumbling town houses which lead to vibrant plazas frequently filled with music and salsa dancing. As you visit the Plaza Mayor and Museo Romántico, you’ll be introduced to the history of the town, which seems barely touched by the modern world.
There are also several optional excursions available. You might relax beneath the shade of a palm tree at Playa Ancón (11km from the town), a wide stretch of white sand on the Caribbean or Board a catamaran and cruise in style to Cayo Blanco or Cayo Macho.
The more active might travel to Topes de Collantes, a protected area of beautiful sylvan landscapes set in the Escambray Mountains where you can spot endemic flora and fauna and hike through the verdant, fertile landscapes to reach the Caburní waterfall or make your way to the simple, yet characterful Casa Artex dance hall to pick up some fancy new footwork during an hour-long salsa lesson.
The homestay concept in Cuba is not dissimilar to that of the bed and breakfast in the UK, except that generally all meals can be taken in the house. The hearty home-made food on offer can often represent the most attractive dining option in town.
But what really differentiates Cuban homestays is, of course, their unique character and the insight they offer into ordinary life in Cuba. Run by a family or couple, casas particulares are restricted to a small number of guest rooms, making the experience very much one of being a guest in a private home. The level of interaction can depend on the owners and of course the guests, but it is sure to offer a more intimate portrait of Cuba than a stay in an ordinary hotel.
The houses themselves can often be extremely charming, occupying historic buildings or bedecked with antique furniture (this being Cuba, it is kept for practical use rather than ornamentation!). Rooms are rudimentary but homely and comfortable with en suite facilities.
Leave the coast and head inland to Santa Clara (2.5 hrs). Over 55 years ago Che Guevara, assisted by just 18 guerrillas, captured the railway here, in a move that 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 is time to visit the museum, Che’s mausoleum and a monument and plaza dedicated to the man and the Revolution.
One of the landmark buildings in Santa Clara, overlooking the main square Parque Vidal, has opened after years of renovation. Hotel Central houses 26 guest rooms in a prime location; with its graceful colonial-style colonnades and balconies it is without a doubt one of the prettiest buildings in Santa Clara.
After decades of disrepair the hotel has been restored to its 1929 glory, maintaining intact its original ornate façade, and the ample lobby showcasing the grand marble stairs. The guest rooms have high ceilings and doors maintaining the original character. Overall though it’s a mix of the nostalgic with the contemporary. There is a lobby bar and a terrace bar on the third floor which is a great spot to enjoy many beautiful tropical evenings enjoying the breeze from the square, sipping ‘mojitos’ and listening to great Cuban music.
A journey of 3 or 4 hours brings you back to Havana. The afternoon is free to further explore the atmospheric streets, visit some museums, do some last-minute shopping or simply relax with a mojito.
If you wish to explore more of Cuba by travelling east to Camaguey or spend some time at the cayes or beaches on the north coast you would leave the tour and continue with your private extension.
UK clients arrive home the following day.
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 - 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 - 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.
This group tour trip begins in Havana, Cuba’s inimitable capital, with its faded grandeur enlivened by the sound of salsa and rumba. You then head west to Viñales, a fertile valley punctuated with lumpy limestone mountains in the island’s tobacco-growing region. From here journey south to Cienfuegos and on to the cobbled streets of colonial Trinidad, before visiting Santa Clara, home to Che Guevara’s mausoleum.
Few would deny that Cuba is a unique holiday destination in a Caribbean Sea rich with gorgeous tropical islands. The turmoil and upheavals of its political and social history are overwhelmed by the sunny friendliness of the people and their love of music and dance.
Paul Winrow-Giffin
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.
- About Our Group Tours
To find out more about how our group tours including group sizes, solo travellers and why to choose us. Please click here.
- Tour Leader
On this tour, you’ll be accompanied from start to finish by one of our exceptional local Cuban tour leaders. Owing to government restrictions on foreign tour leaders working in Cuba, we always use a pool of handpicked and JLA trained local leaders. From the moment you land in Cuba until the day the tour ends they will deal with all the practicalities, expertly adapting to the circumstances and individual needs of the group. Rather than different guides in different cities, your leader will get to know the group and keep you informed and entertained as you go.
- Summary of Nights
12 days, 11 nights: Havana 2; Viñales 2; Cienfuegos 2; Trinidad 3; Santa Clara 1; Havana 1.
- Accommodation
We use a mixture of medium-class hotels, as well as private homestays. We must emphasise that in Cuba the standard of accommodation (and service) varies. All hotels have private facilities. In Trinidad you will be staying in casas particulares, or family homes. This system allows Cuban families to open up a few rooms to tourists. As each family has 2 or maybe 3 rooms, larger groups will be split among a number of different properties, but these will be located near one another and your tour leader will arrange meeting points and be on hand for assistance. Facilities within the houses vary; all have communal outside areas such as patios and roof terraces to relax in, and all offer excellent meals at additional cost. Due to Cuba’s strict regulations, casas particulares or private homes which are open to tourists are of a relatively high standard, however they do not necessarily conform to recognised hotel standards. With tourism growing the casa particulares are increasing in scale and also in development meaning most now have fridges in the rooms and even TV’s – something unheard of a few years ago. In all cases the rooms are clean and have private bathrooms with hot water. Staying in these is a great way to get an insight into the Cuban way of life and meet its friendly people.
Examples of the hotels include:
• Havana: Palacio de los Corredores
• Viñales: Nature Central
• Cienfuegos: La Union
• Trinidad: Casa Particulares
• Santa Clara: Central Villa ClaraHotels are subject to change and are dependent on availability and more so then anywhere else in Latin America can change at the last minute.
- Transport
5 road journeys (longest 5hrs with stops) all in private vehicles.
- Meals
Breakfast daily.
- Optional Excursions
On this tour the price includes excursions in all the places you visit as per the itinerary. There will however likely be some free time when you may choose to take part in an optional excursion. These are booked locally through your tour leader once you are in Latin America, however we are more than happy to advise you of what is on offer in advance of your holiday so you can best plan the excursions that suit you.
- Travelling Alone
There is no extra cost for single travellers who are willing to share a room. You will be accommodated with another same-sex member of the group who is also travelling solo. For single travellers who wish to have their own room there are a limited number of single rooms available, which carry a surcharge.
- Climate
Cuba is generally hot throughout the year, although due to higher temperatures in the summer and also the risk of hurricanes we do not run this tour during that period.
A comprehensive overview of the weather in all the regions you are visiting can be found in our Destination pages. Our Travel Experts can answer your questions on climate and further details will be sent with your confirmation documents.
- Clothing, Equipment and Luggage
A daypack is essential for carrying rainwear, snacks, books/tablet and a water bottle. Light, summer clothing will be adequate for this hot climate, and the dress code is very casual everywhere. Thin, long-sleeved garments may be useful for evenings, and a lightweight raincoat is the best protection against tropical downpours. Your footwear should include comfortable walking shoes or trainers and sandals. We recommend that you pack a torch as lighting can be poor at night.
- Money
Please see the Country Info tab on this holiday for our latest currency information and advice about how to take your spending money. Tipping in Latin America is almost always done using cash. It is customary to tip tour leaders, local guides, drivers, boat crews and other service providers such as restaurant staff and porters. Full tipping guidelines are sent with your confirmation documents as is advice on local costs.
- Health, Entry Requirements and Insurance
For health information on travelling to Cuba including recommended vaccinations, please see https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
A completed Cuban tourist card is essential for all UK citizens travelling to Cuba. The cost of this is included in the holiday price and the card will be issued with your final documents.
Travel insurance is essential and documentation must be shown so please take it with you. Details of our recommended policy can be found on the Travel insurance website.
Our full briefing dossier contains more information on vaccinations, visas and insurance and will be provided with your final travel documents or can be requested from your travel consultant at any time.
- 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.
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
A unique way to get to know the real Cuba: stay in one of these atmospheric and often historic family homes, offering a similar type of accommodation to a Bed & Breakfast.
Hotel Central Santa Clara is a beautifully restored colonial mansion in Santa Clara.
Smart and well-maintained hotel in an attractive colonial building in the heart of Cienfuegos.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Featured Articles
To round the corner of a mountain and see the lost citadel of Machu Picchu unfold beneath you remains one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Latin America, one of those dreamlike experiences that makes travelling here truly extraordinary.
The Pantanal wetlands cover an area almost the size of the British Isles and offers better wildlife opportunities than the Amazon. Writer and photographer Alex Bellos discovers them.
Small, breathtakingly beautiful Costa Rica is a treasure trove for the nature lover. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals and hummingbirds, while the Caribbean shore hosts volcanic beaches and palm-sheltered coves.
