Cuba ADVENTURE
June OF 2019!
Eight days of endless cultural adventure in Santa Clara, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Playa Ancon.
This fantastic package is $2,200.00 per traveler.
Your Cuba Travel team brings you a culture and safari adventure that offers a unique educational journey. Experience colonial Spanish and French architecture, UNESCO heritage sites, dramatic valleys, pristine beaches and untouched, rural communities that open their arms to travelers for an authentic greeting into their lives. Explore the beautiful town of Trinidad which offers a window into the past with its sprawling colonial palaces, plazas, and the remnants of sugar mills and slave barracks from another era. Snorkel with rare aquatic life in a preserved marine ecosystem.
Trinidad’s nightlife is also vibrant and unconventional. The Discoteca Ayala is a dance club in a natural cave 100’ below the earth’s surface. La Cueva (The Cave) has several dance floors and three bars with a central large marble dance floor. If the beats of modern Latin music and colorful lights amongst the stalagmites and stalactites isn’t fascinating enough, the Casa de la Musica is also a well-known live music venue off of Plaza Mayor. This favorite spot features a 10pm salsa show and music with dancing throughout the night in the casas courtyard and along the beautiful Spanish colonial steps which distinguish the historical heart of the city.
Your Trip Includes:
8 days, 7 nights in Santa Clara, Trinidad, & Cienfuegos for an educational adventure experience in Cuba
Round-trip airfare to Santa Clara from originating city of the tour
Cuban visa processing and fee (There is an additional fee for Cuban born travelers)
Medical insurance while visiting Cuba
All airline and airport fees (U.S. & Cuba except baggage & excess weight fees)
Ground transportation within Cuba
All accommodations while visiting Cuba (Private Bed & Breakfast)
Entrance fees when applicable
All restaurant gratuities
Experienced tour guides when specified in the itinerary
Included meals: Full breakfast made to order each morning, as well as lunches and dinners. Please advise us about any dietary restrictions or food allergies. (2 alcoholic National Cocktails provided with dinner)
Not Included:
Baggage and excess weight fees are common upon check-in at the airport. These fees are the responsibility of the passenger
Fees for theatrical or live performances outside of our tour itinerary are the responsibility of the passenger
Travel insurance is recommended for all travelers, in the event that they have need to cancel
Items from the Mini-Bar in private Bed & Breakfast
Lodging arrangements for travelers who do not live in the originating city can be made for an additional fee
We can assist clients who need travel arrangements to the originating city of the tours
Snorkel Gear Rental
Itinerary
DAY 1:
SANTA CLARA - TRINIDAD, CUBA
* Arrive at Abel Santamaria, Santa Clara, Cuba. Hola, Cubita Linda! After clearing customs and getting luggage, we will stop at one of the exchange stores for currency conversion.
Lunch is Included.
* This afternoon we visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum. It houses the remains of famous Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and twenty-nine of his fellow combatants who were killed in 1967 during Guevara's attempt to spur an armed uprising in Bolivia. There is a very detailed museum at the base of the monument which explores Che’s life and involvement in the successful Communist revolution of Cuba.
* We then travel to the beautiful city of Trinidad this afternoon which will be our operating town for this wonderful adventure. Trinidad is a wonderful colonial town which displays many of the geographical wonders the island of Cuba has to offer. From crystalline Caribbean waters, to lush jungles and rugged mountains, Trinidad is central to the island in many ways.
Dinner is Included.
* After dinner we will take an educational walk through the colonial town which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will visit several lively bars and music clubs where the world famous Mojito, Daiquiri and Cuba Libre are served, as well as a special local favorite called Canchánchara.
DAY 2:
TRINIDAD, CUBA
Breakfast at your home. During our adventure, we start every morning with breakfast at the homes where we are staying so members of the group can interact with each other in a relaxed environment to start the day. While enjoying breakfast, the wonderful home owners will often share stories of Cuban life as seen through their eyes.
* This morning we will visit the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugar Mills) with its hiking trails, waterfalls and natural beauty. This area is also critical to the historical foundation of the city, as this valley contained the sugar plantations and mills which gained Trinidad its wealth and allowed the prominent families of the area to build the mansions and towers which continue to give the area fame.
** Enjoy the views from the Escambray Mountains, as we zip line through this unique paradise. **
** Climb the Manaca Iznaga Tower (for amazing views of the valley), home of one of the wealthiest men in Cuba as a result of slave trafficking in the 1790’s.**
Lunch is included: Traditional Cuban fare, a lunch of full immersion into the Cuban food and cooking traditions.
* After lunch we spend some time on the beautiful beach of Playa Ancon, sipping wonderful mojitos, or simply catching some rays of sun. The friendly bartender here offers free mojitos if you can offer a better place to find them on the island!
Dinner is included: Guitarra Mia
*This evening we enjoy traditional music and dancing on the steps in the center of the Plaza Major. Everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms, Salsa, Son, Bolero, and Bachata can be heard on these steps from some of the biggest acts on the island.
DAY 3 (overnight)
TRINIDAD - CIENFUEGOS, CUBA
Breakfast at your home.
This morning takes us to the beautiful area of Cienfuegos, with an early departure to the French Colonial city that preserves a special charm among the people of Cuba for both its architectural and its geographical importance due to the fact that it is one of Cuba’s chief seaports.
The walking city of Cienfuegos is known for the longest Prado (Boulevard) in Cuba, influenced by unique French colonization and still today retains its flare. This is the only city on the island to have been founded by French settlers. This is readily apparent as you arrive in the pristine city. The “Pearl of the South” as the city is famously known, will impress you with its clean white facades and a very different flavor as compared to either Santa Clara or Trinidad.
* Cienfuegos Cemetery, one of the most beautiful and grand on the island, as well as a tour of the Flamingo reservation are both opportunities today. We may visit the flamingos as long as they are not in mating season.*
Lunch in Cienfuegos old town center is included.
*Teatro Terry is a must see when you visit Cienfuegos. Still standing majestically since 1889, the 2,000 seat theatre gives you a feeling that you are stepping back into that bygone era.*
* We will visit Cienfuegos Yacht Club, located in the southern point of the most upscale neighborhood in the city, Punta Gorda. This sleepy part of the town is known for its beautiful sunset views.*
Once in the neighborhood of Punta Gorda we will enjoy a National Cocktail at the Moorish styled Palacio del Valle. The Palace was owned by a sugar cane Baron in the early 1900s who turned the project into his life’s work. The Palace was donated to the government after his death and became a fine dining restaurant. The building enjoys beautiful roof top panoramic views of the bay.
Dinner is included.
DAY 4
CIENFUEGOS - TRINIDAD, CUBA
Breakfast at your home.
*Early start this morning as we travel to one of Cuba’s most impressive and swimmable waterfalls, El Nicho. Most of the day will be spent in this oasis enjoying one of the most excellently preserved natural beauties in all of Cuba.*
Lunch is included
We will travel back to Trinidad at about 3pm.
Dinner is Included: La Botija with live music
DAY 5
TRINIDAD, CUBA
Breakfast at your home.
Today we live and enjoy Trinidad!
*Walking tour of the colonial section of this UNESCO World site (Plaza Mayor, Bell Towers of the Old San Francisco Convent, Mayor Church)*. This is a beautiful and very colorful tour.
Along the way, we will stop at the local stores and street markets to see what the artisans of the area are creating. This region is very well known for its Linen’s, both clothing and table clothes, as well as pottery. The town is home to a very well-regarded Silversmith.
Lunch is Included: Café Tuti, authentic Italian pizza and pasta in a creatively designed space.
* We will visit the Afro-Cuban Templo Llemaya to learn about the Santeria religion of Cuba.*
*Did we hear Salsa Lessons? This is always a very fun group activity!*
*Enjoy some free time to explore this afternoon prior to more evening activities. *
Dinner is included: San Jose
*Rumba drums with African rhythms and dancing – Calle Echerri. Throughout the streets of Trinidad at night, you hear the sounds and steps of the locals as they enjoy the rhythms of the Afro-Cuban Music and Salsa. We will enjoy live music and people watching from the steps at the Plaza Mayor, or can start here and move to any of the other fantastic options for live music throughout the city.*
DAY 6
TRINIDAD, CUBA
7:30am - Breakfast at your home.
*Today we venture to experience the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea on a catamaran launching from Playa Ancon. We will explore the area which contains amazing coral reefs with healthy vibrant species of all kinds. There are over 30 dive locations nearby and many more areas suitable for snorkeling.*
* If the catamarans are operating (DEPARTURE 9:00am) we can cross the bay to Cayo Blanco which is a quiet, “mostly” uninhabited island with friendly hermit crabs and the “Dragons” (Iguanas). A day of great snorkeling and studying the biological sea-life, or spent relaxing on the white sand should capture everyone!
Lunch is Included.
* Upon return from the catamarans (4:00pm), we will meet to share the experiences of the day, and to plan how we would like to spend the evening as a group.
Dinner is included.
DAY 7
TRINIDAD, CUBA
Breakfast at your home.
*Casa del Alfarero is our first stop today, as we step back in time in this family owned pottery shop. For six generations pottery that has engulfed the spirit and the uniqueness of the people of Trinidad has been produced here. Who knows, we might get lucky and get our hands dirty this morning as we look on or partake in this families’ history and experience with pottery making. *
*Time for some last-minute shopping opportunities for linens and artisanal pieces prior to lunch.*
Lunch is Included: Traditional Cuban fare
*Final afternoon in Trinidad. Some more beach time? WE know just the spot! Don’t forget your snorkel gear…...*
Dinner is included.
*Tonight, we enjoy our final evening together in a literal underground mecca (The Cave Disco) of salsa, electronic music, reggaeton, pop, and other contemporary styles for your listening and dancing pleasure.*
DAY 8 (today will be planned based on deptarture times)
TRINIDAD – SANTA CLARA, CUBA
Breakfast at your home.
Preparation for departure today.
The price for this all-inclusive itinerary as above delineated is USD $2200.00 per guest.
$150.00 Single Supplement
*** Cocktails in excess of those provided in the package are the responsibility of the travelers.
Travel authorized by license through the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that authorizes registered guests of our programs to legally travel to Cuba to participate and engage in a full time schedule of authorized exchange activities in Cuba, which will involve meaningful interaction between travelers and people in Cuba.
Deposit
A $500 deposit is required to guarantee your reservation, which will be applied towards the cost of your tour. Deposits are generally non-refundable, except in rare cases when we cannot confirm all components of a booking at the purchase price.
Final Payment
Any pending balance must be paid in full at least 60 days prior to departure. If your booking falls within the 60 days, payment in full is expected at the time of booking.
