Tour info
The tour is an 18-30 something’s trip (18-39 only), 8 days, Havana to Havana.
Cuba for me is a must visit, to immerse yourself in a culture that has so much rich history was an incredible life moment.
Here’s my honest review, along with some personal tips to help you make the most of your trip.
Havana
I flew into Havana on the start day of the tour. We had a welcome meeting the first night, went out for dinner, and then headed back to the rooms to get some sleep. The next day is when the real fun started. We began with a tour of Havana in the morning, learning a lot about this unique country, its history, and culture.
In the afternoon, we headed to Viñales with a stop at a tobacco plantation. It was very cool to see how Cuban cigars are made. We even had the chance to smoke one if we wanted. I don’t smoke, but I did take one puff just to say I’ve smoked a Cuban cigar in Cuba.
Viñales
The next day in Viñales, I opted for a hike in the stunning nature, which was a great way to see the region. For dinner we went to a restaurant that overlooked a stunning big green plain, the food was your average food, but the view made up for it.
Playa Larga
The following day, we set off for Playa Larga, transitioning from beautiful green landscapes to the beach. Unfortunately, there are no pigs at this beach! I was a little disappointed, I learned it’s named after fish that resemble pigs. Regardless, it was a beautiful spot where we chilled on the beach, had dinner on the sand, and even went for a late-night swim with the group.
Trinidad
Then we headed to Trinidad, which was probably my favourite place. The houses were beautiful and colourful, giving the town such a vibrant charm. We had a salsa dancing lesson included, which was so much fun! That night, we went out to a club inside a cave—such a cool experience to dance in a stunning underground setting.
We also explored a beautiful nearby beach, relaxed, and swam in the turquoise waters.
Back to Havana
The next day was a long bus ride back to Havana, where the tour ended the following morning. A few of us were staying an extra day or two at the end to explore more of the capital. We wanted to do a vintage car ride, so our tour leader organised it for us. Turns out, we ended up in the same car Madonna sat in! That was a fun bonus. It was great speaking to a local driver about his life in Cuba while cruising around Havana and seeing iconic sights like the Capitol building.
Additional Info
- The bus we used throughout the trip was the same big, comfortable coach with plenty of space for all of us.
- You stay in casa particulares, which are Cuba’s version of homestays—a fantastic way to experience local life.
- Breakfast was included each morning, and it was always homemade by our casa hosts, adding to the authentic experience.
- We visited a Planeterra Project, Proyecto Manacú, which was really good to see and hear about the good they are doing for Cuban women. It was also a great opportunity to buy souvenirs to support.
- To be a tour guide in Cuba, you must be a resident of the country. Having a local guide was invaluable—we got to ask so many questions about life in Cuba, politics, and culture.
I fell in love with Cuba and wanted to go back before the trip was even over!
Tips for Traveling to Cuba
- Plan and research ahead of time! Cuba is a more challenging destination to travel to, so being prepared is key.
- Bring cash. Many ATMs are empty. I recommend bringing EUR or GBP, as they are the best currencies to exchange.
- Do NOT exchange money at the airport. Ask your tour leader for the best way to exchange cash, as it’s done in a very specific way in Cuba.
- You need a physical visa to visit. Some airlines provide an option to get it, but others don’t—so research ahead of time. It may need to be mailed to you in advance.
- Important for U.S. travellers: Due to the current embargo, visiting Cuba means you won’t be eligible for a U.S. ESTA visa for 10 years. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a full visa when visiting the U.S.
This tour was an incredible experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore Cuba in a fun and immersive way. Let me know if you have any questions!
View tour here: Cuban Rhythms: Beachfronts & Havana Vibes
Planning a trip to Cuba? If you would like to read more about my trip for more tips, you can see all my Central America & Caribbean blogs here.
