CUBA: from East to West with Cayo Santa María
DAYS / NIGHTS
14 days / 12 nights
REGION
West / Central / East
ACCOMMODATION
Private Accommodations / Hotels
TRANSPORTATION
Private Transfer / consult Car Rental / Combination Private and Collective Transfers
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Santiago de Cuba
2 nights
Cienfuegos
1 night
Camagüey
2 nights
Havana
2 nights
Trinidad
2 nights
Viñales
1 night
Cayo Santa María
2 nights
ITINERARY
Spain - Santiago de Cuba
Day 1
Depart by regular flight from Madrid.
Upon arrival in Santiago de Cuba, a member of the airport's VIP Service staff will greet you with a sign bearing your names as you exit the plane's boarding bridge. They will assist you through immigration and escort you to the VIP Lounge. There, they will request your luggage tags to retrieve your bags while you enjoy a complimentary coffee or drink and access the internet for 30 minutes. Once your luggage is collected, they will guide you to the airport exit where our staff will meet you.
Private transfer to your accommodation is arranged. Check-in. Dinner at leisure.
Pick up of the rental car, if required.
Santiago de Cuba
Day 2
Breakfast
Private Tour: Santiago de Cuba, the Living Essence of the Caribbean
With the guidance of a specialist from the Office of the Curator of the City of Santiago de Cuba, explore the city that stood as Cuba's first colonial capital and now ranks as the country's second most significant city. Facing the Caribbean Sea in the island's southeastern region, Santiago de Cuba was established in 1515 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez.
Our itinerary includes:
- The Castle of San Pedro de la Roca, also known as El Morro, acclaimed as the most complete and best-preserved example of Spanish military architecture in the Americas, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
- The Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, the final resting place for many of Cuba's notable figures, including National Hero José Martí, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Emilio Bacardi, and Fidel Castro.
- Historical landmarks such as the Diego Velázquez House (considered the oldest dwelling in Cuba), the Dranguet House, the City Model, the Rum Museum, and the Bacardi Museum.
- The Basilica National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, home to the venerated original image of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba's Patron Saint. This sacred site, perched atop Cerro de Maboa and located 27 kilometres from Santiago de Cuba, welcomes an estimated 500 visitors daily. The present Sanctuary of El Cobre was inaugurated on September 8, 1927.
Dinner at leisure. We recommend St. Pauli (private restaurant).
Santiago de Cuba - Bayamo - Camagüey
Day 3
Breakfast. Departure to Camagüey.
Stop in Bayamo, the second of the first seven villages on the island, established by Diego Velázquez in 1513.
It is the capital of Granma province and the birthplace of Cuba's independence movement in 1868.
If you have a rental car, consider to make a stop in Bayamo on your trip from Santiago de Cuba to Camagüey.
We recommend having lunch in Las Tunas in a private agroecological project.
Arrival in Camagüey. Check-in.
Dinner at leisure
Camagüey
Breakfast. Morning and lunch at leisure.
Private City Tour: Discovering Camagüey by Pedicab
Guided by a knowledgeable local in pedicabs, delve into the Historic Centre of Camagüey, a colonial city established in 1514 (originally named Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe), recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 for its outstanding heritage.
The tour includes visits to the foundational squares, where you'll uncover the city's traditions and legends:
- Plaza San Juan de Dios, Camagüey's most well-preserved colonial setting, showcasing historical and architectural marvels alongside top art galleries.
- Agramonte Park, the city's original nucleus and vibrant hub, epicentre of city life, surrounded by cultural venues and services. In this place the model of the city is located
- José Martí Park, where diverse architectural styles merge, reflecting the city's evolution over three centuries.
- Plaza de la Soledad, a bustling crossroads linking three major streets, starting point for the themed Calle de los Cines walk.
- Plaza de los Trabajadores, once Plaza de la Merced, a site of unique historical and urban significance, home to the Nuestra Señora de la Merced church and the Ignacio Agramonte y Loynaz Birthplace Museum, a key figure in the Cuban Liberation Army during the Ten Years' War.
- Plaza del Carmen, the city's second best-preserved colonial ensemble, adorned with sculptures by artist Martha Jiménez, whose workshop is located in the square.
Dinner at the private restaurant 1800 and end of the tour.
Day 4
Camagüey - Sancti Spíritus - Trinidad
Day 5
Breakfast. Departure to Trinidad.
If you have a rental car, we recommend a stop in Sancti Spíritus on the way from Camagüey to Trinidad.
Stop at the central square of one of the seven founding villages of Cuba, Sancti Spíritus. We recommend lunch at El Mesón de la Plaza.
Continue to Trinidad.
Arrival. Check-in. Dinner at leisure.
We recommend dinner at San José (private restaurant).
Trinidad
Day 6
Breakfast
Private Tour: Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios, History and Nature
This tour offers a blend of history and nature as it explores the Villa de la Santísima Trinidad and the Valley of the Sugar Mills. The journey starts with a detailed description of Trinidad's historic center, a well-preserved colonial city in the Caribbean. Its mid-street ditches, the Plaza Mayor, and vernacular architecture give the impression that time has stood still. Recognized for its significant role as a sugar trading hub in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, along with the Valle de los Ingenios. The excursion will highlight the town's characteristic architectural features and discuss various points of interest about the society that flourished there during its most prosperous era.
Following our stroll through the city's historic centre, we will explore the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a vast plain spanning approximately 250 km2. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this valley experienced its golden age due to the sugar boom. This prosperity was built on the backs of thousands of slaves and led to the accumulation of immense wealth by the landowners who resided there. Our journey through the valley will immerse us in various colonial-era elements and traditions, such as savoring sugar cane juice or guarapo; witnessing a sugar mill in operation; sampling the local Cimarrón coffee; or exploring estates like El Papayal, La Pastora, and El Abanico, all emblematic of the enduring conservation efforts by the city's and valley's residents throughout history.
During the tour, you will also have the opportunity to observe native birds and trees characteristic of the island of Cuba. To conclude, you may enjoy a swim in a river, waterfall, or natural pool for an hour, tailored to your preferences.
We take an alternate route back to the city through the mountains, a path made vibrant by stunning views that offer the perfect opportunity for panoramic photographs of the Valley of the Sugar Mills, providing a comprehensive perspective of its entire extension.
The tour, lasting between four to six hours depending on client schedules, is conducted on horseback or in carriages, requiring the use of a protective helmet at all times. The package includes admission to the Nature Reserve, coffee, guarapo, a meal, a bottle of water, transportation, and guide service.
Dinner at leisure
Trinidad - Santa Clara - Remedios (if you go with driver) - Cayo Santa María
Day 7
Breakfast. Departure to Cayo Santa María crossing the countryside.
Make a stop in Santa Clara to explore the Ernesto Guevara Monumental Complex, which houses the museum and memorial that hold the remains of Che and his fellow fighters.
Continuation of the trip to Cayo Santa María, making a small stop in the Villa de Remedios.
Lunch at leisure
Arrival. Check-in. Accommodation in an all-inclusive hotel.
Cayo Santa María
Day 8
Day off to relax in a paradisiacal key.
Cayo Santa María - Cienfuegos
Day 9
Breakfast. Departure to Cienfuegos.
Private City Tour: Cienfuegos, the Southern Pearl of Cuba
With the guidance of a specialist from the Office of the Conservator of the City of Cienfuegos, you will explore this central Cuban city, also known as "the Pearl of the South." Established by French immigrants in the early nineteenth century, Cienfuegos is nestled in a magnificent natural bay, home to Cuba's largest coral, named Notre Dame. The tour's itinerary includes the city's most iconic streets and avenues, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Highlights of the visit include Martí Park, the Tomás Terry Theatre, the House of Cultural Assets, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Private excursion: Cienfuegos, city of the sea
Discover Cienfuegos uniquely with the Prada, an authentic fishing family. Departing from the dock in a private boat, we'll explore the Cienfuegos Bay, a trading bay home to 14 small keys. We'll visit the only inhabited key, Cayo Carena, to explore its ancient church, stroll through the streets, observe local life, and enjoy its two beaches. We will continue sailing through La Milpa and Las Damas. The tour concludes with a visit to the Village of the Castle of Jagua, where we'll enjoy our meal.
Return to the pier.
Cjeck-in. Dinner at leisure.
Cienfuegos - Havana
Day 10
Breakfast. Departure to Havana.
Check-in. Afternoon off to enjoy the charms of the city.
Dinner at leisure. We recommend Iván Chef Justo (private restaurant).
Havana
Day 11
Breakfast. Pick-up from the accommodation.
Private City Tour: Colonial Havana + Modern Havana in a Classic Car
Colonial Havana
We will embark on a guided walking tour through the Historic Center of Old Havana, established by the Spanish crown on November 16, 1519, as Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana. Surrounded by numerous buildings from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, Old Havana stands out as one of the most architecturally rich colonial complexes in Latin America. Its extraordinary heritage value and preservation earned the Historic Center of Havana and its fortification system the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
The tour's itinerary includes the four main squares of Old Havana:
- Plaza de Armas, the town's original square, established in the early sixteenth century with a military purpose due to its proximity to the Castillo de la Fuerza. It later became known for its governmental roles, marked by the nearby construction of the palaces of the Captains General and the Second Cape, historically and architecturally significant buildings now repurposed as museums.
- Plaza Vieja, a spacious square that appeared in the mid-sixteenth century to act as a public space for the town, a role it continues to play today, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, hotels, and art galleries housed in some of the finest examples of Cuban eclectic architecture.
- Plaza de San Francisco de Asís was established in the early seventeenth century primarily for commercial purposes, serving as a water supply point for fleets arriving at Havana's port. Surrounded by notable buildings such as the Church of San Francisco de Asís, the Lonja del Comercio, and the Cruise Terminal/Customs of the Port, it is affectionately known as Plaza de las Palomas.
- Plaza de la Catedral, initially called Plaza de la Ciénaga due to its marshy terrain, took on a religious role in the mid-eighteenth century with the erection of the Havana Cathedral, an illustrious example of Cuban Baroque architecture and the seat of the Archdiocese of Havana.
During the tour, we will also explore Central Park and the exteriors of the National Capitol and the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater of Havana. Our walk will take us down Obispo Street, located in the Historic Center's core. We will stop by El Floridita bar, a city landmark famous for being a favourite haunt of the American author Ernest Hemingway.
Lunch in Doña Eutimia (private restaurant)
Modern Havana
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Havana in classic convertible cars, venturing outside the city walls. The journey includes:
- A visit to the Morro-Cabaña military complex with a brief stop at the Christ of Havana statue. Travel along the boundaries of Old Havana and Centro Habana on Prado and Zulueta streets, passing the iconic Bacardi building, Manzana de Gómez, and the Asturian Society of Havana. There will be a short stop outside the former Presidential Palace, now the Museum of the Revolution.
- A drive through El Vedado, including the University of Havana, and a panoramic view of Colón Cemetery, renowned for its sculptural works and architectural significance, ranking third globally. The tour will pause at Plaza de la Revolución to view the José Martí Memorial, followed by a visit to the Havana Forest, where you can relish the verdant surroundings with a refreshing Havana cocktail.
- A cruise through the Miramar neighborhood, a residential district established in the early twentieth century. The route includes the National Schools of Art, known for their Catalan vault construction technique, exemplifying fine contemporary Cuban architecture.
- A stop at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, a historic building noted for its eclectic styles and storied past. Explore the Hall of Fame, showcasing photographs and memorabilia of distinguished guests since its opening in 1930, and savor a classic Cuban mojito.
* Please note that the sequence of this city tour's stages may vary based on current weather conditions or the preferences of clients/guides at the time of the tour.
Dinner at leisure. We recommend private restaurant Cha Cha Chá.
Havana - Viñales
Day 12
Breakfast. Departure to Pinar del Río, Cuba's westernmost province, renowned for cultivating the world's finest tobacco.
Private Tour: Viñales Valley, Cuba's Treasure, World Heritage Site
Characterized by the distinctive "mogotes," the small limestone hills with rounded tops, Viñales Valley is renowned as one of the island's most breathtaking natural landscapes, designated a National Park of Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Upon arrival at a guajiro's home (the colloquial term for a Cuban peasant), the journey begins either on horseback or by horse cart. The tour starts with a visit to a vega (tobacco plantation), where a local farmer details the entire process from planting to cigar production. The path then leads to a lookout point offering a breathtaking view of the countryside.
The walk resumes through the valley's heart, showcasing the genuine rural life of the Cuban guajiros. The tour concludes at the Casa del Café, where they explain the coffee pilón and guarapo, and guests sample Guarapirón (a blend of Guayabita del Pinar and Guarapo). Along the way, visitors will encounter plantations of cassava, beans, sweet potatoes, and other crops, some of which may be seen for the first time.
Lunch is served at a Creole restaurant.
The itinerary includes a visit to the Mural of Prehistory, a significant open-air fresco depicting the evolutionary process of life in the Sierra de los Órganos; and the Cueva del Indio, a cave featuring ancient cave paintings and pre-Columbian archaeological finds, navigable by boat along the internal river.
The tour culminates with a climb to the Mirador del Valle for a panoramic view of the landscape and a refreshing piña colada.
*The sequence of visits can change based on the operating hours of the venues.
Check-in. Dinner at leisure.
Viñales - Havana - Airport - Departure
Day 13
Breakfast. Morning and lunch at leisure. Depart for Havana International Airport at the scheduled time to catch your flight back home.
Delivery of the rental car at the airport, if required.
Arrival in Spain
Day 14
THE PRICE INCLUDES
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VIP service upon airport arrival
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Private transfers in and out
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Program listed in DBL room
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12 nights of accommodation, allocated as per the table below
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Private City Tour of Colonial Havana + Modern Havana in a Classic Car, with meal included
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Private tours with local guides in Viñales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Camagüey, with meal included; and Santiago de Cuba.
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Tourist Card (visa)
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Basic travel assistance insurance
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A phone with a local line for 24/7 support contact
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All private interprovincial transfers by air-conditioned tourist vehicle or rental car –Economy Mechanical category (2 pax) and Medium Automatic category (4 pax), subject to availability. Includes: Mandatory CDW Insurance + 1st Tank of Fuel (full-empty policy)
- General car rental conditions in Cuba: https://booktocuba.com/es/conditions-cars/
- Car rental cancellation policy: https://booktocuba.com/es/terms-and-conditions
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
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International flights
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Optional insurance with cancellation policy: 70€ per person
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Optional excursions
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Local payments with Visa or MasterCard cards (non-American) in Cuba, directly at the rental point when picking up the vehicle.
- Security deposit: 150€ for a manual car; 200€ for an automatic car, refundable upon the car's return.
- Supplement for airport delivery if the pick-up is from another city office: 25€.
- Drop-off charge in Havana: 100€
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Any service not mentioned in the "Price Includes" section will be considered additional.
TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
To enter Cuba, you need:
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A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity.
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A Tourist Card provided by FFV.
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The completed Entry Form in Cuba – D'Viajeros, available at the official website: https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/datosPersonales
D'VIAJEROS is a system designed to streamline and enhance the travel experience through the Republic of Cuba by providing advanced information to speed up entry procedures. It is mandatory for every traveller to accurately fill out the information requested by the Directorate of Identification, Immigration and Aliens, the General Customs of the Republic, and the Ministry of Public Health.
For more information:
- https://youtu.be/FxocT5xK1Ic
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcGwSCltiJE
IMPORTANT: To enter the U.S it is currently necessary to obtain a U.S. visa. if you have travelled to Cuba after January 11, 2021, since the presentation of the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is not sufficient. This visa can be applied for at any U.S. Consulate General or Consular Section. Thus, if you plan to travel to the U.S. after visiting Cuba, it is advisable to review the U.S. authorities' guidelines at the official ESTA website (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en), by searching for "Cuba" in the "Search Help Topics" section.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Planned accommodations - Option 1
Planned accommodations - Option 2
NOTES
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This budget does not constitute any flight holds or ground services reservation
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Prices are subject to change and depend on availability at the time of booking.
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The departure times for each excursion will be determined based on the itinerary and client requirements.
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The maps and travel durations provided in the program are for reference only.
BOOKING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS
Booking:
For a reservation to be confirmed, we require an email that confirms the acceptance of the quote, details the services being contracted, and includes proof of payment.
Payment terms for ground services:
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30% of the total amount upon confirmation
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70% of the total amount 20 days prior to the trip's start date
Cancellation fees for ground services:
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10% of the total cost if cancellation is made 30 to 20 days prior to departure.
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25% of the total cost if cancellation is made 19 to 8 days prior to departure.
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100% of the total cost if cancellation is made less than 7 days prior to departure.
BANK DETAILS
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A
Owner: VIAJES Y REPRESENTACIONES S.L.
IBAN: ES0501824464220201626025
SWIFT: BBVAESMMXXX