Essential Cuba
Essential Cuba
$1140
Essential Cuba
8 Days Starting in Santiago De Cuba, Cuba and ending in Havana, Cuba
Visiting: Santiago de Cuba, Guardalavaca, Cayo Coco, Havana
Tour operator:
Tour code:
30717
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
36 - 72
Age range:
3-85
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Essential Cuba" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of Cuba's rich cultural and historical tapestry. Begin in Santiago De Cuba, where live Cuban music at Casa de la Trova sets the tone. Explore the revered Basilica of our Lady of Charity of Copper and the historic Santa Ifigenia cemetery. Discover the archaeological wonders of Museo Chorro de Maita in Guardalavaca and enjoy a serene boat ride through the mangroves at Laguna de la Redonda. Delve into history at the Che Guevara Mausoleum Museum in Santa Clara and stroll through the vibrant streets of Colonial Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the iconic Revolution Square and the University in Havana, and savor the local flavors at paladares. This tour offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, history, and cultural immersion, promising an unforgettable Cuban adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Santiago De Cuba
Location: Santiago de Cuba
Accommodation Name: hotel
Arrival. Welcome to SANTIAGO. Transfer to hotel and free time. In the evening we will go to Casa de la Trova a meeting place for Cuban music lovers, with its live performances.
Day 2 : Santiago De Cuba
Location: Santiago de Cuba
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
We include a tour of SANTIAGO, Cuba’s second city and one of contrasts, capital of the ‘son’ and the revolution. Around 20 km from the city, in the mountains, we will go to the Basilica of our Lady of Charity of Copper, where we will be surprised at the veneration for the virgin patron of Cuba. After that we will go to the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where Fidel Castro and José Martí are buried. We will see the Ron Bacardí factory and go to the CASTILLO DEL MORRO, an impregnable citadel on a promontory declared a world heritage site, which houses an interesting museum on Piracy. Lunch included. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 3 : Santiago De Cuba, Banes, Guardalavaca
Location: Guardalavaca
Accommodation Name: resort
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Among beautiful landscapes of tropical hills, we travel to the north coast. A walk through the quiet center of HOLGUIN before continuing to GUARDALAVACA, where we see the Museo Chorro de Maita archaeological park that protects the remains of a village and an Indian cemetery with the remains of 62 human skeletons, and Taina Village, which reproduces scenes of how the Indigenous peoples. We see the magnificent surroundings of BARIAY BAY. Lunch included. Afternoon free at the resort by the beautiful Guardalavaca beaches. Dinner included in the hotel.
Day 4 : Guardalavaca, Holguín, Cayo Coco
Location: Cayo Coco
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We travel to the west of the island. Stop at PUERTO PADRE, a small town stopped in time, which was once the largest sugar port on the planet. Lunch included on route. In LAGUNA DE LA REDONDA, we will include a beautiful one-hour boat ride between the mangroves, foliage-covered tributaries and small inland lakes. After that, spectacular landscapes on the road that crosses the sea towards CAYO COCO. Arrival mid-afternoon, dinner included.
Day 5 : Cayo Coco, Remedios
Location: Cayo Coco
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Free morning to enjoy the beach. After lunch (included) we will leave for YAGUAJAY, where the Camilo Cienfuegos museum-cemetery is located. Night in REMEDIOS, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Cuba. Dinner included.
Day 6 : Remedios, Sugarcane Mill, Santa Clara, Havana
Location: Havana
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
On the outskirts of Remedios, we see the old Marcelo Salado sugar mill, a former sugar mill closed after the fall of the USSR, and today a museum that shows us what traditional sugar production was like. We include a 20-minute ride on an old train with a steam engine. After that we travel to SANTA CLARA, where we see the Constantino Pérez cigar factory (Montecristo and Partagas cigars). After lunch (included) we visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum Museum. Return to Havana. Arrival at about 19:00.
Day 7 : Havana
Location: Havana
Accommodation Name: hotel
This morning we include a visit of about 4 hours; we will include a stroll through Colonial Havana; declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a panoramic tour of Revolution Square and the University. We will include a boat trip across the bay in the little boat to Regla where we will see the church of the Virgin of Regla, a place of great devotion where there is a strong syncretism between the Catholic religion and the Afro-Cuban. Will you buy flowers and have a daughter of Ochun read your hand? After this, at lunchtime, we will take you to the area of the ‘Callejón del Chorro’, an area with multiple “paladares” (private restaurants) where you can have lunch. Afternoon free.
Day 8 : Havana
Location: Havana
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, end of our services.
What's Included
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Arrival Transfer
Transfer to hotel upon arrival in Santiago De Cuba.
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Casa de la Trova Visit
Evening visit to Casa de la Trova for live Cuban music performances.
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Santiago De Cuba Tour
Tour of Santiago De Cuba including the Basilica of our Lady of Charity of Copper, Santa Ifigenia cemetery, Ron Bacardí factory, and Castillo del Morro.
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Guardalavaca Tour
Visit to Museo Chorro de Maita archaeological park, Taina Village, and Bariay Bay.
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Puerto Padre Visit
Stop at Puerto Padre, a historic sugar port.
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Laguna de la Redonda Boat Ride
One-hour boat ride in Laguna de la Redonda.
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Free Morning in Cayo Coco
Free morning to enjoy the beach in Cayo Coco.
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Camilo Cienfuegos Museum-Cemetery Visit
Visit to the Camilo Cienfuegos museum-cemetery in Yaguajay.
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Marcelo Salado Sugar Mill Visit
Visit to the Marcelo Salado sugar mill museum and a 20-minute ride on an old steam train.
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Santa Clara Tour
Tour of Santa Clara including the Constantino Pérez cigar factory and Che Guevara Mausoleum Museum.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights to and from Cuba are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees for entry into Cuba are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy seamless transfers including arrival transfer in Santiago De Cuba, scenic drives through Cuba's landscapes, and a boat ride through the mangroves at Laguna de la Redonda.
Accommodation
Stay in comfortable hotels and a resort, offering a mix of city and beach experiences in Santiago De Cuba, Guardalavaca, Cayo Coco, Remedios, and Havana.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of music experience can I expect at Casa de la Trova?
At Casa de la Trova, you can enjoy live Cuban music performances, which is a meeting place for Cuban music lovers.
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What historical sites will be visited in Santiago De Cuba?
In Santiago De Cuba, you will visit the Basilica of our Lady of Charity of Copper, Santa Ifigenia cemetery where Fidel Castro and José Martí are buried, the Ron Bacardí factory, and Castillo del Morro.
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What activities are included in Guardalavaca?
In Guardalavaca, you will visit the Museo Chorro de Maita archaeological park, Taina Village, and enjoy free time at the resort by the beautiful Guardalavaca beaches.
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What is unique about the boat ride at Laguna de la Redonda?
The boat ride at Laguna de la Redonda is a beautiful one-hour experience through mangroves, foliage-covered tributaries, and small inland lakes.
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What can I do during the free morning in Cayo Coco?
During the free morning in Cayo Coco, you can enjoy the beach at your leisure.
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What is special about the Marcelo Salado sugar mill visit?
The Marcelo Salado sugar mill visit includes a tour of a museum that shows traditional sugar production and a 20-minute ride on an old steam train.
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What will I see during the Havana tour?
During the Havana tour, you will stroll through Colonial Havana, take a panoramic tour of Revolution Square and the University, and enjoy a boat trip to Regla.
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Europamundo requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of europamundo charges.
Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 10 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 2 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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