Colors of Cuba
Experience Cuba: Havana, Santa Clara, the colonial treasure of Trinidad & Cienfuegos, "the pearl of the south"
Overview
Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packaged, may accommodate up to 24.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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Departures | February – December 2024 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
Themes | History & Culture, Bucket List, City Stays | ||
Activity Level | Moderate | ||
What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted program includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Discover Cuba in-depth on this exciting and educational 8-day journey to the once-forbidden island! Explore Havana, Cuba's colorful capital; Santa Clara, the country's cultural hub; the picturesque town of Trinidad, and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Latin America; and Cienfuegos, the "pearl of the south." Cuba's culture is rich with contributions from its indigenous, African, and European roots. But above all, the people of Cuba are the island's greatest asset. They are friendly, welcoming, resourceful, and full of life. Spend your days meeting the wonderful locals as they teach you about photography, lead you in a private dance lesson, guide you through cooking a delicious Cuban meal, and more!
This comprehensive program includes visas, flights, accommodations, daily breakfast, numerous lunches and dinners, guided touring, and an immersive itinerary packed with local interactions and hands-on experiences. You don't want to miss this opportunity to step inside the daily life of the Cuban people!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana, including taxes & fees
- Health insurance in Cuba, included in the cost of your airfare
- U.S. Treasury Department, OFAC License Certification
- Cuban Tourist Visa
- All land transportation & transfers in Cuba
- 7 nights accommodations in Cuba at a well-located & completely renovated 'casa particular' (Cuban bed and breakfast)
- 16 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 3 dinners
- Comprehensive support for the Cuban people program, including entrance fees
- Professional, English-speaking guide
Optional add-ons
- Pre-Night or Post-Night stay in Miami is available on request. Call us for availability.
Why you'll love it
- Explore the cobble-stoned streets of Old Havana with your local, expert guide.
- Walk the grounds of Finca Vigía, Hemingway's former residence.
- Meet with a famous revolutionary Cuban photographer in his private home studio.
- Interact with the children and teachers at the Clave Sol community project, and witness their performance rehearsals.
- Visit Santa Clara and meet with the artists and musicians of a dynamic community project.
- Discover Trinidad, including Casa del Alfarero, the Templo de Yemaya, open-air craft markets, and numerous historic landmarks.
- Feel the rhythm during a private dance class.
- Try your hand at cooking a traditional Cuban meal, later enjoying your creation.
- Explore Cienfuegos, "the pearl of the south".
- Step back in time with a tour in one of Havana's classic American cars.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Miami/Havana
- Depart the USA on your flight for Havana
- Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local paladar
La Distancia or similar Dinner
Full Day Itinerary¡Bienvenidos a La Habana! Upon arrival to Cuba's capital city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, our representative welcomes you with a Friendly Planet sign outside the arrivals terminal at the Havana Airport. Board your air-conditioned vehicle and transfer to the casa.
Check into the casa and enjoy a welcome drink. You'll meet your tour manager and have time to rest or stroll to the nearby Malecon before dinner.
Enjoy your welcome dinner at a local paladar (privately-owned restaurant) this evening.Day 2 Old Havana
- Walk through Old Havana, including the used booksellers market and various private enterprises to engage with and support Cuba's growing private business sector
- Indulge in lunch at El Café
- Explore Finca Vigía, Hemingway’s old home
La Distancia or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, your expert guide will lead you on a leisurely walk through the labyrinthian streets of Old Havana. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of Cuba while walking along the cobblestone streets. Explore the used booksellers' market, a cross-cultural treasure trove for readers of every genre. Meet local independent booksellers, and converse with Cuban readers about popular Cuban and American literature. Enjoy lunch at a paladar El Café.
Later, venture out to Finca Vigía, where Hemingway lived and wrote his most famous novel, The Old Man and the Sea. At Finca Vigía, which is supported by independent organizations, you can meet the local caretakers as you walk the perimeter of the house and peer through the windows to see how it was kept when he lived there. The walls are lined with bookshelves and covered with paintings, some of them depicting Hemingway on his African safaris. The heads of many of the animals he encountered are mounted in several rooms. Then, see the tower next to his house where he did much of his writing, and get a glimpse of his typewriter and fishing boat.
Return to the casa and enjoy dinner on your own. We recommend dining at a paladar for a delicious Cuban dinner. Please choose one from the list we provide or ask your guide for any additional recommendations.Day 3 Old Havana
- Interact with an art connoisseur to learn about the collection at the Museum of Fine Arts
- Meet with a Cuban photographer
- Interact with members of the community project, Clave Sol
La Distancia or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryThere is no better way to learn about Cuban art than with a local. You will support the work of a local art connoisseur as you learn about the history and Cuban artwork housed inside the Museum of Fine Artes, Cuban Section.
Then, meet with a famed Cuban photographer at his private home studio. Hear his stories about the revolutionary leaders he met and photographed and learn about life as a photographer on the island today.
Enjoy lunch at a local paladar.
Finally, visit the Clave Sol community project, established by parents in the San Augustin neighborhood to provide safe, wholesome after-school activities for their children. Children select among various string instruments and then learn to play them, performing Cuban as well as international music. Meet the young musicians and their teachers during your visit and hear them rehearsing for upcoming performances.Day 4 Havana, Santa Clara & Trinidad
- Travel to Santa Clara
- Stop for lunch at a local paladar
- Visit an inclusive community project to experience music and the arts in Cuba
- Travel to Trinidad
Altos Lola Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryExperience the world of art in Cuba at one of Santa Clara's dynamic community projects. Take the opportunity to interact with the artists and musicians by asking questions or participating in the creative process.
Continue to the picturesque town of Trinidad. It is one of the original seven cities founded in Cuba by the Spanish five centuries ago, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Latin America, a World Heritage Site since 1988 for its architectural and historical importance.
Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. We recommend dining at a paladar. Feel free to choose one from our list or ask your guide for alternative recommendations.
After dinner, a great option to meet with local Cubans awaits at the Casa de la Música to experience an evening of music and dance. Here, people from all walks of life and generations come to eat, drink, dance, build friendships, and discuss community issues or current events.Day 5 Trinidad
- Explore Trinidad’s historic city center along its cobblestone streets, with landmarks waiting for you at every turn
- Learn about the religion of Santeria at the Templo de Yemaya
- Have lunch at a local paladar
- Visit Casa del Alfarero, a pottery house
- Visit the local artisan’s market
Altos Lola or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, explore Trinidad's historic city center, where privately-owned, open-air craft markets, shops, museums, and bars line its Spanish colonial cobblestone streets. This lively area is also a great place to take unforgettable pictures.
Visit the Templo de Yemaya, where a Santeria practitioner explains the basic principles of Santeria, a fascinating and complex blend of African religions and elements of the Catholic faith.
Enjoy lunch at a paladar in Trinidad.
This afternoon, visit Casa del Alfarero, a pottery house founded and managed by the Santander Family for generations. Learn the ceramic production process and create a piece of your own.
Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. We recommend dining at a paladar. Feel free to choose one from the list we provide, or ask your guide for alternative recommendations.
Day 6 Trinidad
- Step into Cuba’s world of dance with a private demonstration and lesson
- Participate in a traditional Cuban cooking class experience followed by lunch
- Make your very own Cuban cocktails in a hands-on, beach-side workshop
Altos Lola or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryStep into Cuba's world of music and dance with a private dance class. Watch as your local dance instruction demonstrates the island's traditional dances before you have the chance to give it a try! Learn about the importance of music to life in Cuba as you learn the basic moves.
Next, participate in a hands-on cooking class where you'll learn the secrets of a Cuban kitchen! The chefs will teach you how to make some of Cuba's iconic dishes before you sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor together!
Later this afternoon, visit a local beach where the owner of a private paladar will teach you all about Cuban cocktails! Make your very own drink before heading to dinner with your fellow travelers.Day 7 Trinidad, Cienfuegos & Havana
- Drive to Cienfuegos
- Walk through the beautiful center of Cienfuegos on a privately-guided tour
- Tour Havana in style in a classic American convertible
- Enjoy a farewell dinner in Havana
La Distancia or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, hop back into your comfortable vehicle and drive to Cienfuegos, another beautiful Cuban colonial city.
Take a guided walking tour through French Colonial Cienfuegos, known as "the pearl of the south" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will share the significance of Cuba's only triumphal arch and the history of its many ornate buildings, statues, and palaces.
After lunch, continue to Havana.
Travel back in time in one of Havana's classic American cars as you enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Enjoy picturesque views of Havana from your incredibly maintained automobile and arrive at dinner in style.
Join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner at one of our favorite paladars tonight. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes as you enjoy live, traditional Cuban music and salsa dancing reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club.Day 8 Havana/Miami
- Transfer to the airport and board your flight back to Miami
Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryToday, bid farewell to Cuba as you transfer to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport and check in for your flight back to Miami. ¡Adiós!
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
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What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
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Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
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Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
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Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 12 or older at time of travel.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
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What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
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What should I know about Cuba? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.