Cuba Tours
highlights: Old Havana | Cigar Factory | Culinary School | Ernest Hemingway's Home | Private Art Gallery | Ballet Company | Cucurucho Farm | Grupo Nengon Kiriba-Baracoan | Bayamo Choir | San Pedro de la Roca Castle | 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The intriguing island nation of Cuba is roughly 780 miles long. It’s a rich, geographically disparate stretch where virgin forests hug rustling tobacco fields, colonial cities sprout from the foot of rugged mountains, and rivers reach blue tentacles around fertile valleys. We wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to see it all.
In fact, that’s exactly why we created the 12-day Undiscovered Cuba Tour. For those of you with a desire to leave no stone unturned, this is the ultimate tour. From the moment you touch ground in Havana, your Cuban guide is here to not only help navigate country roads and labyrinth streets, but to offer a unique perspective and understanding of the place they call home.
After clearing immigration and customs at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, you’ll take a short drive to the Meliá Cohiba hotel for check-in and a tour orientation*. This evening, we’ll celebrate your arrival over a welcome dinner.
Meals | Dinner
*Check-in begins roughly at 3pm ET. The tour start time will vary slightly depending on flight arrivals.
Begin the day with a visit to a cigar factory. Then we'll journey through Old Havana's labyrinth cobblestone streets for a walking tour of the old city. Along the way we'll meet the creative minds at the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) to learn about social, political and economic challenges Cuba faces today. After lunch, we'll continue our walking tour of Havana Vieja before returning to the hotel. Tonight, we'll dine at a popular paladar, a private, family-owned restaurant.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we'll visit a farmer's market and experience firsthand how Cubans shop daily for groceries and the unique challenges they face. Then we'll meet with artists at the inspiring Muraleando Community Art project. After lunch, we’ll join in a discussion with leaders in Cuba's film industry and take a tour of the film institute. We'll finish off the day with a visit to Ernest Hemingway's famed home, Finca Vigia, in the seaside town of Cojimar. Tonight, you’ll dine on your own at one of many recommended paladares.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we'll journey to the colonial town of Santa Clara, where we'll meet with a specialist at a community children's project at a local art gallery. After lunch, we'll visit with with members of a traditional music troupe and listen to a performance. The troupe will demonstrate their unique style of music, common in theatrical performances and silent movies at the beginning of the 20th century. Then we'll visit the Che Guevara memorial and museum before checking in to our hotel in Santa Clara.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll depart for Camagüey, and have lunch in the beautifully restored square, Plaza de Carmen. Afterwards, we'll meet with a sculptor and painter in her studio. In keeping with the day’s artistic theme, we'll visit a local art school. We'll end the day with an interesting visit to a polyclinic to learn about socialized medicine and medical practices in Cuba. Tonight, you'll dine at a local paladar.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During our second day in Camagüey, we'll visit an inspiring community project for children. Then, meet creative minds at Camagüey's National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC). After lunch at a paladar, we'll meet with the dancers of a local ballet company. We'll dine tonight at the hotel.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll make our way to Santiago de Cuba by way of Bayamo and other picturesque points of interest in between. After stopping for lunch in Bayamo, we'll meet with the members of the Choir of Bayamo and be treated to a special performance. Continuing our journey toward Santiago de Cuba, we'll stop at Cuba’s most important church, La Caridad del Cobre, frequented by the Pope on visits to Cuba. After arriving in Santiago de Cuba, will dine at the favorite Meliá Santiago hotel restaurant.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we'll meet with local musicians to learn about the unique rhythms of Santiago de Cuba and have a dance lesson. After, we'll take a 20-minute boat ride to the lovely Cayo Granma, where we'll also dine for lunch. After visiting El Morro de Castillo, the historic colonial Spanish fort, and taking in the magnificent views, we'll explore the old town of Santiago de Cuba. Enjoy the evening and dinner on your own tonight in Santiago de Cuba.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch
The day begins with a drive along one of Cuba's most scenic highways and through the lovely town of Guantanamo (not the prison) on our way to one of Cuba's most unique city's, Baracoa. We'll stop for lunch along the way.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your first morning in Baracoa will include a visit and tour of the quaint town center to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Next, we'll visit the Matachin Fort Museum, rich in the history of Baracoa's fortification. After a short boat ride, we'll stop for lunch at Rancho Toa. After lunch, we'll visit the Fabrica de Cucuruchos, where sweets from palm leaves, coconut, sugar, and pineapple are handmade. Tonight, dine on your own at a paladar.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we'll meet with Grupo Nengón Kiribá, a traditional Baracoan music and dance ensemble, for a performance and discussion. After lunch, we'll head back to Santiago de Cuba, where we'll have a farewell dinner.
Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, depart for Holguín and visit an artist community, where we’ll meet local painters. Then, bid farewell to Cuba as you board your flight from Holguín’s Frank País Airport back home.
Meals | Breakfast
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. Due to the unique nature of our programming, each departure is custom designed and not every activity listed on this itinerary is always available. Please rest assured that our team in both Cuba and the U.S. take special care in planning each excursion and draws from almost two decades of experience, relationships, and activities to make each itinerary exceptional. Each tour provides a full-time schedule of educational people-to-people exchange activities and is fully compliant with U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations regarding travel to Cuba. These same regulations provide that guest participation on each tour is mandatory.
Three nights at the Meliá Cohiba Hotel in Havana
Three nights at the Meliá Santiago Hotel in Santiago de Cuba
Five nights standard accommodations in provincial hotels outside of Havana and Santiago de Cuba
InsightCuba exclusive-guided programming
Expert Cuban guide
11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 8 dinners
Certification of travel to Cuba under the U.S. Department of the Treasury general license
Small group size (usually 10 or fewer guests; never more than 24)
All entrance fees to scheduled activities and events
All in-country ground transportation and airport transfers via luxury motor coach*
Private Cuban driver
Fresh bottled water while touring
InsightCuba travel guidebook
24 hour emergency customer service hotline
Gratuities for luggage handling, restaurant service, and programmed activities throughout tour**
Flight concierge service (flight cost additional)
Cuban visa ($99 fee applies)
*Transfers available for group blocks or recommended flight arrival and departure times.
**Customary end-of-tour gratuities for the Cuban guide, driver, and tour leader are left to the guest’s discretion and should be based on your satisfaction with the level of service received.
| Date | Double Occupancy (per person) | Single Occupancy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15 – Apr 26, 2019 | $5,695 | $6,290 | |||
| May 20 – May 31, 2019 | $5,695 | $6,290 | |||
| Jun 10 – Jun 21, 2019 | $5,495 | $6,090 | |||
| Jul 1 – Jul 12, 2019 | $5,495 | $6,090 | |||
| Aug 5 – Aug 16, 2019 | $5,495 | $6,090 | |||
| Sep 16 – Sep 27, 2019 | $5,395 | $5,990 | |||
| Oct 21 – Nov 1, 2019 | $5,495 | $6,090 | |||
| Nov 18 – Nov 29, 2019 | $5,795 | $6,390 | |||
| Dec 23, 2019 – Jan 3, 2020 | $5,995 | $6,590 |
PREPAYMENT DISCOUNT: Pay in full at the time of booking and receive $200 OFF the full price! Must book 120 days in advance of the departure date. This may not be combined with any other promotions. Normal terms and conditions apply.
GROUP RATES: 5% off land for groups of 5 - 9 guests. 10% off land for groups of 10 or more. Not combinable with any other offer, private departures, or custom-made tours. Will be applied at final payment.
Once you have booked your tour, our flight concierge team will gladly assist you with all your flight needs. Call us at 914-380-8303 or click here for an air quote. Please note that domestic and international flight costs are not included in your tour or travel package.
The recommended flights* for all guests on this tour are:
American Airlines 1447 MIAMI-HAVANA (MIA-HAV)
American Airlines 1345 MIAMI-HAVANA (MIA-HAV)
American Airlines 1482 HOLGUIN-MIAMI (HOG-MIA)
Flight times may vary, please consult the airline's website for the most up to date flight information fon your dates of travel.
*Group airport transfers are included for recommended flights only.
PURCHASING AIR ON YOUR OWN
If you wish, you are welcome to purchase the above recommended flight on your own, however due to two to three-hour transfer times from Santiago de Cuba to the airport in Holguin, we advise ONLY using the recommended flights to ensure you receive a group transfer.
Authorized airlines - Not all airlines are authorized by the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly to and from Cuba. While this information may change, the currently authorized airlines are: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Please contact the carrier for up to date flight schedules and routes.
Correct Airport - Please note that flights for this tour arrive in one destination in Cuba and depart from another. If you purchase air on your own, please make sure to book the proper airport or destination. Booking the wrong airport can result in expensive ticket change fees, or airport transfer.
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