Discover Cuba
7 Days and 6 nights
Day 1 La Habana
Arrive at La Habana’s Jose Marti Airport. Baggage collection, Customs and Immigration takes about 60 minutes. Pick up at airport in a chauffeured Classic Convertible. Following, sit back in your chauffeured vintage convertible and embark on a panoramic Instagram-worthy tour of La Habana. Then, lunch at La Guarida paladar (a paladar is a restaurant Not owned by the communist Cuban government). La Guarida is where President Obama and his family ate when they visited Cuba. Enjoy a Historical and architectural walking tour of La Habana Vieja (old Havana) with our La Habana specialist, Alejandro, and get to know the story behind this 504-year-old city. Then we will visit the Cuban Capitol building for a tour. Newly remodeled, it is similar to the US capitol building, except it’s a meter taller and wider. Tonight, we will have dinner at “El Cocinero.” This restaurant became an instant hit when it opened. Located in an old vegetable oil factory, this paladar attracts a mixed crowd of affluent Cubans. Followed, by live Jazz at La Zora y el Cuervo.
Day 2 La Habana
Today, we will visit entrepreneur and winemaker, Orestes Estevez. His La Habana-based winery churns out unique concoctions made not just from Cuban grapes but also ingredients like tropical fruits (such as guava) and vegetables (like beets). Orestes keeps costs down by using condoms instead of more expensive equipment. Afterwards, we will visit the kaleidoscopic world of Fusterlandia, a sprawling, mosaic-covered labyrinth of streets and bungalows on the Western outskirts of La Habana. Then, lunch at paladar Van Van, where the food is delicious and the atmosphere is artistic and charming. Subsequently, enjoy a tour of the Museo Del Automovil (the Automobile Museum). Despite La Habana being the greatest free open air classic car show in the world, it is still worth checking out this little museum in La Habana Vieja (old La Habana). There are only around 30 vehicles on display and they are mainly in an unrestored state which is rare to see nowadays. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city as you wish. This evening we will have dinner at Antojo paladar, one of Havana’s most chic places to eat. Followed by salsa dancing at La Casa de La Música.
Day 3 Day Trip to Viñales
Viñales is a town in western Cuba. Its main street is lined with colorful colonial-era wooden houses. Viñales serves as a gateway to the Sierra de los Organos mountains and the Viñales Valley. The valley’s tall, steep-sided limestone hills, known as mogotes, draw rock climbers. You will visit a tobacco farm, a tobacco sorting center operated solely by women (their hands are more delicate to handle the tobacco leaves), go horseback riding (optional) and visit an organic farm where you will have lunch. Later, we will head back to La Habana where we will dine at Tierra, a paladar built out of shipping containers. Its Latin American inspired menu is a delight to choose from. Afterwards we will head downstairs and visit La Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC). It is the best night time cultural proposal in La Habana. There is always something new to experience at FAC. It has a theater, 6 bars, a coffee shop, a dance floor, features contemporary dance recitals, concerts starring Cuba’s greatest musicians, DJ’s, art exhibitions and more. It has been featured by the New York Times and listed by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 places in the world to visit.
Day 4 Cienfuegos
This morning we will depart La Habana and drive along the countryside on our way to Cienfuegos (“100 fires”). Cienfuegos is a lovely, yet extremely underrated destination in Cuba. Cienfuegos is dubbed La Perla del Sur (Pearl of the South). Though the vast majority of Cuba is known for the Spanish colonial style architecture, Cienfuegos is truly different, as it has a more French architectural style. It’s so unique that in 2005, the historical center was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arrival we will have lunch at Camila’s paladar and check into our accommodations. Then we will meet your Cienfuegos specialist Beatriz, who will take you to all the important historical and architectural sites in the city including stops at Parque Jose Marti, Boulevard, Benny More Statue, Palacio de Valle, Punta Gorda and Teatro Terry. Then we will go shopping along the boulevard. This evening we will dine at El Patio Andalu where we will also enjoy a Flamenco show. Later we will listen to live music at the Cienfuegos Musician Union’s Garden.
Day 5 Trinidad
After breakfast we will depart Cienfuegos for Trinidad. While those with limited time or desire stick to La Habana, those in the know take the time to swing by the colorful city of Trinidad, Cuba’s colonial masterpiece located between mountains and a beautiful ocean. Trinidad exudes a relaxed energy and seems as if stuck in the 17th Century. La Habana may have the reputation for being Cuba’s delightfully colorful city, but charming Trinidad really steals the show. One of the most complete and best-preserved examples of colonial architecture, it’s cobbled streets, wooden balustrades, long balconies, horse-drawn carriages and its friendly and simple people, are all distinguishing features of this UNESCO World Heritage Protected Site. A real treasure, a wealth of riches of urban gems and historical architecture. After checking into our accommodations, we will embark on a tour of the town center led by Leo, an expert in everything Trinidad. We will meet him on Plaza Mayor, an open-air museum of Spanish Colonial architecture from where he will guide you through the historic plaza, its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, wrought-iron grilles, and colonial-era edifices such as the Santísima Trinidad Cathedral and Convento de San Francisco. La Plaza is also home to various museums including el Museo Romántico (Romance Museum), the Museum of Colonial Architecture, the Parroquial Mayor church, and the Museo Nacional de la Lucha contra Bandidos, with its famous bell tower. Afterwards we will have lunch at Bistro Trinidad. This dreamy beautiful place is quite a gem with one of the cutest terraces in Trinidad. Bistro Trinidad specializes in Cajun-Creole and seafood dishes. The remainder of the afternoon Is yours to explore Trinidad as you wish; perhaps you would like to go to the beach? This evening we will have dinner at la Taberna La Botija. The food is terrific and the live music is excellent; don’t be surprised if everyone gets up and starts dancing including all of the staff and the chef!
Day 6 Trinidad
This morning we will tour the Valle de los Ingenios (valley of the sugar cane mills) with Leo. This was the origin of the Cuban sugar industry which emerged in the 18th century. It is home to numerous sugar cane mills, as well as cattle ranches and tobacco plantations. We will then have lunch at Museo 1514. After lunch we will visit La Taverna La Cancháchara and immerse yourself in a Canchanchara, a refreshing local cocktail made with honey. Management will present you with a special welcome gift. Then we will head to el Parque el Cubano, part of the Topes de Collante National Park. It is located only 5 km north of the city. It is a hike of about three kilometers along the Rio Guaurabo (River). You will see colorful birds, tropical plants and exotic-looking flowers and deep green foliage. It’s an intermediate level hike on a well-trod path that allows the mind to wonder. It ends with the Salto de Javira, a waterfall where you can put a beautiful end to your visit to the park by swimming in its crystalline waters. For dinner, we will visit paladar San Jose, the best restaurant in all of Trinidad. Afterwards we will enjoy live music and dancing outside at La Casa de La Música Trinidad and or visit the Cueva disco, a nightclub built inside a cave.
Day 7 Santa Clara Airport
After an early breakfast we will leave Trinidad for Santa Clara International Airport. Depart on American Airlines flight #2130 at 11:05 AM and arrive Miami at 12:19, then connect to your flight home.
