9-Day Custom Cuba: Food, Culture, Nature and Fun!
Experience Cuba's charismatic culture along with her alluring land and seascapes, colorful villages, and classic cities on our specially designed, private Cuba adventure. The "People-to-People" approach embedded throughout our itinerary offers compelling personal encounters with inspiring Cubans eager to share their skills, experiences and history in a rapidly transforming Cuba. With your professional bilingual Cuban guide, you'll explore World Heritage Sites and learn about the best of urban and rural life as we enjoy personal interactions with our Cuban hosts.
For decades, Cuba has been off-limits to most U.S. citizens, however since 2011, under a special avenue through the U.S. Treasury Department, the nation has opened specifically for educational journeys that provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, arts and insights with Cuban scientists, performers, naturalists, academics, farmers, community leaders, artists, street vendors and more. See and experience the real Cuba with Adventures Within Reach!
On other Cuba tours, you're lumped in a bus with large groups. With Adventures Within Reach, you see the best of Cuba with a private tour leader and private local Cuba guides accompanying you: there is no better way to maximize your time in this special place, at this special time, than on a private tour with us. Besides the experience bonus, you also have the advantage of picking your start date, and enjoying the maximum degree of flexibility allowed under the current rules of Cuba-US travel.
It's important if traveling over the high season (December-March) to try to book your trip as early as possible.
Cuba is unique! Flexibility is important. Your Cuba experience is certain to be a fantastic trip, but it's essential to have a spirit of patience and flexibility with the private trips both before you go and during the tour.
Because communication between Cuba and the US is slow, it can take days or weeks to confirm a trip. Once you make your deposit, we work diligently to confirm your arrangements ASAP however we'd ask that you do not make your Miami flight reservations until we have your arrangements 100% confirmed.
On the trip, we'll stay in wonderful upscale private bed and breakfasts. Private bed and breakfasts are a tasteful and comfortable alternative to government-controlled hotels in Cuba. This is a booming private sector in Cuba. These artful properties allow for a fun and highly personal channel of interaction with Cubans much more than we would ever have in a hotel. All of the bed and breakfasts offer private rooms with private bathrooms. Some private bed and breakfasts have terraces to relax on while others may have access to open roofs. Each property is uniquely different but all have warm and welcoming hosts.
** Single rooms are available on request (2018-2019: US$650)
** For best value, it's best to book our Cuba tour with friends, colleagues and family, ideally forming a group of 3 or more travelers. The "from" price listed is for parties of 3-4 people. For parties of 5-6, take US$250/person off the "from" rates. For parties of 7-12 travelers, take US$500/person off of the "from" rates.
** For groups 6 and fewer, travelers will be traveling under the "Support for the Cuban People" license, and parties would have a professional bilingual Cuban guide. For parties of 7 or more, a US tour leader will often accommpnay you along with the local guide.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Miami and overnight
Arrive Miami anytime today. Grab the hotel's conveient shuttle bus and transfer to the property for your overnight.
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Marriott Miami Airport Hotel
Day 2: Fly to Cuba, Tour of Havana (BLD)
Transfer to the airport. Fly to Havana – welcome to Cuba! Join your guide for a visit to Cabana fortress, then lunch at a classic paladar, then enjoy a Revolution Square visit. From there, we’ll head to the hotel for check in. Dinner at another distinctive paladar in Old Havana. Then time free to experience Saturday night in Havana!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 3: Bici Ride and Walking Tour in Old Havana (BLD)
Bici ride (bici’s are like a Cuban rickshaw) in Old Havana continued with a delightful walking tour of all four plazas. Interact with bicycle taxi drivers to learn more about what it’s like to have a private business in Cuba. Tour Ernest Hemingway’s room at Ambos Mundos Hotel in the heart of Old Havana. After lunch, visit the Fine Arts Museum with a Cuban arts specialist. There may be a unique opportunity to see the National Ballet or baseball game depending on schedule and season if anyone is interested.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Visit Ernest Hemingway's home, a local fishing village, and a handicraft market (BL)
We’ll head to the outskirts of Havana to beautiful Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway's home when he was living in Cuba. Afterwards, we’ll continue on to enchanting Cojimar, a small fishing village with a beautiful harbor, and interact with fishermen who are members of the local fishing cooperative. After lunch in Cojimar, visit the handicraft San Jose Market. Dine in one of Havana's many paladares tonight on your own, your guide or tour leader can make excellent recommendations.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 5: Tour of Cienfuegos and drive to Trinidad (BLD)
Drive to Cienfuegos. After lunch on the seaside harbor at a paladar, enjoy a short walking tour of historic Cienfuegos before hiking through the refreshing botanical gardens just outside of Cienfuegos. Continue on to Trinidad and dinner in Trinidad.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 6: Tour of Trinidad (BD)
Walking tour of Plaza Mayor in Trinidad. Explore the historical UNESCO city by foot, with a visit to a local weaving cooperative. Interact with the inspiring founder of the cooperative and her family. Lunch on your own at one of the many paladares in Trinidad. After lunch, visit the home of a well-known artist who has had international exhibitions around the world. There will be time in the afternoon for free exploring in Trinidad and walk on own. Dinner at a paladar in Trinidad.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 7: Topes de Collates National Park (BL)
Leave for Topes de Collates National Park. Hike to a nearby waterfall and learn about the and fauna of the national park from a park conservationist. If interested, there’s an opportunity to go for a swim. Have a traditional Cuban lunch in the countryside, with roasted pork, yucca and rice and beans. Interact with local Cubans and enjoy live music and dancing at the Casa de la Musica after dinner on own.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 8: Tour of Santa Clara (BLD)
Head to the beautiful colonial town of Santa Clara in the morning. Visit the main square of Santa Clara and take a trip to a bodega, a local ration store where many Cubans buy their everyday goods. After lunch, head to Che Guevara's mausoleum to visit the final resting place of one of Cuban’s revolutionary heroes. Check into hotel. There will be time free in the afternoon for exploring Santa Clara on own or with your guide. Farewell dinner at a local paladar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Private Bed and Breakfast
Day 9: Transfer to airport, depart back to Miami (B)
Transfer to the airport, and fly from Santa Clara to Miami. End of services – thank you for joining us to fantastic Cuba!
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
9-Day Custom Cuba: Food, Culture, Nature and Fun!from $3995 USD
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
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