Cuba

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Cuba is a fascinating and unique island located just 90 miles south of the United States. Known for its rich culture, colorful history, and stunning natural beauty, Cuba is a special destination for travelers looking for something different and a bit undiscovered. 

The blend of African, European, and indigenous influences, makes for a vibrant and eclectic mix of music, art, and cuisine. On The Nomadic Network’s Cuba tour, we will take you into the homes, restaurants, farms, and patronize small businesses of Cuban people. We’ll stay in bed and breakfasts called casa particulars run by Cuban families. We’ll take you to locally-owned cafes and even join some local farmers in a backyard pig roast! Our itinerary is packed and carefully planned to ensure that what you’re doing directly impacts Cuban businesses and families. During your tour, you’ll make friends with Cuban artists, musicians, farmers, homestay hosts, domino enthusiasts, and salsa dancers.

We’ll stroll the streets of Havana taking in 5 centuries of unique architecture, vintage cars, and a lively music scene. We will also visit the gorgeous Viñales Valley, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to tobacco fields and farmers, rare limestone rock formations and caves, and the charm of small-town life in rural Cuba. Here we will see the countryside on foot and horseback, join a traditional Cuban pig roast and visit farms to learn about tobacco production as well as crops in this region. You’ll even get to hand-roll your own cigar!

And certainly no trip to Cuba would be complete without trying all the local foods! As part of our tour, we sample all sorts of delicious Cuban dishes, from traditional favorites like ropa vieja and lechon asado, and of course we’ll drink some world-famous Cuban rum!

Our Cuba tour is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you absolutely don’t want to miss out on!

Tour Itinerary

You can arrive any time today. Once you leave the airport, you’ll be met by a tour leader and accompanied in a private taxi or shuttle to your casa particular (private room in a homestay similar to a bed & breakfast) in La Habana Vieja to get you settled, exchange money, and provide you with a brief orientation of the neighborhood. 

Rest before heading to one of our favorite rooftop restaurants. Enjoy an incredible meal prepared by talented local chefs, craft cocktails, and stunning views from the terrace. 

Then we’ll meet with local musicians to hear them play and discuss music and the arts in Cuba during this private concert with a trio of young Cuban musicians and composers. Engage in a riveting discussion with a handful of local artists and learn how the arts have helped to depict themes from their country’s history and culture, as well as have their voices heard surrounding current events, a task that isn’t always easy or safe for all Cubans to do. The rest of the night can either be for nightlife or sleep – it’s up to you!

Included meals: Dinner

Start your day cruising around Havana during a classic car tour. Prepare to be awed by the ingenuity of the Cuban people who have kept these cars running for more than 50 years! We’ll visit a few different neighborhoods in our cars – stopping for photo ops and discussing Cuban history. 

Then, we’ll take you on a walking tour of the historic center, stopping at all major plazas, points of interest, as well as our favorite hidden gems such as shops, bars, cafés, art galleries, restaurants, and small businesses worth checking out and supporting. Additionally, we will get a bit “off the beaten path” to discuss the modern-day reality in Cuba and the unique hurdles its citizens have to overcome daily in order to complete basic tasks, such as grocery shopping or repairing a common household appliance. Bicitaxis will be used to cut down on walking time when there are long stretches between destinations. 

It wouldn’t truly be a trip to Cuba unless you find yourself sitting in a park or on a terrace, playing a round of dominós. We’ll visit our friend’s house for a very traditional and immersive experience. Lunch will be served family style to share with our new friends. 

After a siesta, we’ll join a local young artist for a guided tour. You will meet a Cuban street artist who will share the stories behind his work, the hidden symbolism and socio-political messaging, along with the artist’s hopes and fears for the future. This unfiltered and uncensored look into Cuban art, culture and economy will deepen your appreciation and admiration for Cuba’s emerging generation of artists, creators and change-makers. 

At sunset, we’ll learn how to prepare cocktails and mocktails with a local bartender! Whether it’s a Piña Colada, Mojito, Daiquiri, or Canchanchára, you’ll be able to try your hand at different drinks, tasting them as you go and learning more about Cuba’s most iconic spirit – rum! All while we enjoy a private concert by musicians we’ll get to meet as well.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we’ll journey into the countryside. A UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the heart of the tobacco and coffee-growing region of the island, Viñales is a beautiful rural area known for its kind people, stunning landscapes and agricultural production. 

We’ll head to a locally-owned organic farm for a short tour that will give us insight into food production in Cuba, the cost of food on the island, and these farmer’s innovative organic farming techniques before enjoying a family-style meal. 

Upon arrival to the town of Viñales, we will get you checked into your casa particular and enjoy a siesta – free time to relax, rest or explore independently. In the early evening, we’ll learn some basic salsa moves (and maybe merengue and bachata too) in a short class followed by a cocktail at a cute cafe. We’ll be right in the heart of small town Viñales so you can grab a bite to eat, go for a drink, or continue dancing the night away!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

For those looking for a little morning exercise with a gorgeous reward, you’ll get to participate in a starlit hike to watch the warm sunrise at Los Acuáticos – a small community up in the mountain range that gets its name from the nearby water pools that are said to have healing and restorative powers. Hikers will be met with breakfast at the top lookout point. If you’d prefer to hang back you can. 

Next, whether you hiked or not, you’ll get to enjoy cable zip-line experience. After, you’ll enjoy either a light hike or horseback ride throughout Viñales Valley to learn about flora and fauna. Here, we will visit a tobacco and coffee farmer’s home. This is a great opportunity to try, and purchase, cigars, snap an iconic photo, and sip on a delicious local cocktail known as canchánchara! While here, you will learn about the tobacco industry in greater detail as well as the overall way in which the island’s economy works. This experience will deepen your appreciation of the work that goes into creating products and experiences for tourists and the way in which your visit to the country can have a positive impact on the lives of individuals. A family style, farm fresh lunch will be served.

If you feel called, you’re able to bring supplies to donate to our trusted local contact in Viñales. She will meet us to share about the communities, schools, and individuals that will be receiving the supplies. Out of respect for people’s privacy, we will not be doing a mass distribution, rather, we will allow our contacts in Cuba to handle the disbursement of the donations. Nothing says the Cuban countryside like a lechon asado (pig roast). Enjoy the friendly company of the local farmers as we help to roast our very own pig, learn to make mojitos, play dominó, listen to live music, and dance the night away in true guajiro style. There is no official end time and we’ll typically go out afterward and invite our hosts to join us!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Time to head back to La Habana and head straight to the beach, Playa Mar Azul, to go for a dip or even do some snorkeling! Here, we will enjoy a lunch of freshly caught seafood as we dine directly on the beach. Local vendors also walk the shores of the beach selling fresh tamales, which we also highly encourage you to try. 

Once you’re ready to head back to la Habana Vieja to freshen up for your last evening exploring the city just let us know! Take some free time to relax, rest or explore independently. 

Then, tonight we’ll hop in little coco-taxis and speed on over to the modern Vedado neighborhood for dinner at this hip, modern spot that was an old cooking oil factory transformed into a stunning rooftop terrace restaurant and lounge!

On our last night together, we’ll spend the night among Cuban art – everything from photography to sculptures, fashion to architecture, as well as film, live music, and much more. This mixed-medium art space contains multiple galleries, stages, dance floors, and social areas for eating and drinking and is frequented by both locals and foreigners on a nightly basis. 

This is a perfect chance to meet and interact with people from the island as well as many other parts of the world! Plus, live music will start at 10pm and if you’re looking for something more laidback there are quiet lounges and various patios for a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re hitting the dance floor or taking in the local art, this place truly has something for everyone. Transportation will be available back to the casa particular upon request anytime between 10pm and 2am (we can make as many trips as necessary so people are not bound by other’s schedules).

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On our final day, we will have breakfast together at our casa particular before heading to the airport to catch our return flights. Transportation provided 3 hours prior to departure. If you’d like to stick around, there’s plenty to do in Havana for the day. Our guide will be around to help point you in the right direction to make sure you end your trip to Cuba well.

Included meals: Breakfast

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Cuba

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Tour Essentials

Accommodation

Casa particulares are like bed & breakfasts. They are locally-owned simple, but well maintained, and boast welcoming hosts, AC, mini-fridges, (slow) WiFi access, most have porches or garden areas. Our group will be divided among houses within a block of each other.

Transport

During the trip, we’ll travel via a private van throughout the country. You’ll get the chance to ride around in classic cars, bicitaxis (bicycle with a passenger trailer), private taxis, shuttles, and on horseback.

Meals

Daily breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners are included (including one alcoholic beverage or specialty non-alcoholic beverage at dinners). Due to visa restrictions, we include nearly every meal during your trip.

Sustainability

We are here in “Support for Cuban People” so local communities will benefit from our trip every step of the way. We aim to offer as sustainable an experience as we can. Trash is recycled whenever possible.

Small Groups

This tour will have 8-16 travelers on it so we can provide a great small group tour experience. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy unique, rewarding activities that would not be accessible with more people.

Expert guides

You’ll be led by a licensed, bilingual, local expert guide who will always be around to provide extra information, create spontaneous experiences, join the group for non-included activities and meals, and ensure that the trip is as informative, fun, and memorable as possible!

What’s Included

What’s Included

  • Accommodation
  • Transportation, including driver
  • Entrance fees and guide fees for activities listed
  • All included meals listed above
  • One alcoholic or specialty drink at dinner
  • Local guides during activities
  • Bilingual Cuban Tour Leader throughout the trip

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to/from the destination
  • Any passport/visa fees
  • Meals not listed
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Optional activity fees
  • Tips to local guides and drivers

FAQ

Yes! This trip is fully compliant with U.S. rules and regulations regarding travel to Cuba under the “Support for Cuban People” general license.

Please select the “Support for the Cuban People” category when filling out paperwork at check-in. Before boarding your final flight into Havana you will be able to purchase a tourist visa from the airline at the gate or you can purchase it online before the trip. 

Cuba requires that all visitors purchase travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay in the country. The good news is that this is included in your airfare if you are traveling with a US airline, so simply hang on to your boarding pass as proof of travel medical insurance. This is not the same as trip insurance. We will send out specific details on the visa process as we get closer to our trip. You can also purchase travel medical insurance at the airport in Cuba, however, you can only pay with Euros or if you have a credit or debit card issued from a country other than the United States. 

Fly into and out of Havana Airport (HAV). A variety of commercial airlines offer daily flights in and out of Havana from major U.S. cities like New York, Tampa, Miami, and Atlanta. You can also fly through México and Panamá. In the case of Mexico, you would need to go through customs and immigration and then go back through security. In Panamá there is no need to go through customs or immigration when you are just transiting through. We recommend searching for flight options on Google Flights and then booking directly with the airline. For flights to Cuba, you might have to finalize your purchase over the phone depending on the airline. Online check-in will NOT be available for most of these flights so please arrive at the airport 3 hours early.

  • On the first day, our orientation dinner meeting takes place at 7pm. It’s best to arrive by the afternoon so you have enough time to get settled in before we meet up. 
  • On the last day, you can depart at any time. We’ll have breakfast available for you and the rest of the day is yours to explore.

Yes! Once you are cleared to exit, please walk outside of the airport where you will find your Tour Leader holding a sign with your name on it. They will accompany you in a private taxi or shuttle to your casa particular in La Habana Vieja to get you settled, exchange money, and provide you with a brief orientation of the neighborhood.

On the last day, we will have breakfast at our casa particular before heading to the airport to catch our return flights. Transportation provided 3 hours prior to departure.

Cuba can be very warm and humid depending on the time of year you’re visiting, remember to stay hydrated and come ready for the heat! The dry season in Cuba runs from December to April, with temperatures from 68-82° Fahrenheit. The rainy season begins in May and continues until October. Expect warm temperatures in the upper 80’s and 90’s during the wet season. Even in the rainy season, downpours are short and heavy and should not hinder travel plans.

We will send you a packing list ahead of time to help you prepare.

While Cuba is one of the safest countries in Latin America for tourists, we recommend going out at night in pairs just to be safe! Catcalling on the street is more culturally accepted in Cuba. Unless you feel threatened by physical assault, it’s best to ignore it, look ahead and continue walking.

Cuba uses standard North American plug outlets (Plug Types “A” and “B”), and occasionally standard European plug outlets (Plug Types “C”). There’s no guarantee which outlet you’ll find, so even if you’re coming from the US or Canada, we recommend bringing a universal adapter in case you run into any Type “C” plugs. You can easily find cheap ones online, so we’d suggest shopping around.

As for electricity, most mobile phones, laptops, and other devices can handle a voltage range of 110-220v when charging. The standard voltage in Cuba is 110v/60Hz, however, some newer hotels and casa particulars sometimes use 220v. Check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 220v. If that range is listed on the charger, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.

We recommend going to Cuba with the mindset that you will be more or less out of communication during most of the duration of your trip and we encourage taking this as an opportunity to detox from social media and soak in all that Cuba has to offer by being fully present at the moment.

Contact your cell phone service provider ahead of time to discuss a package for international roaming, specifically for Cuba. Communication will be limited while on your trip, as WiFi is still not widely available, so expect to be a bit more disconnected. We will assist you in getting WiFi cards so that you can connect, however, the internet is very slow, and not all US websites will load, particularly banks or any government sites. Texts and calls are very expensive too and service can be hit or miss so please remind your friends and family that you may be unreachable at times.

However, your guide will have more regular access to text, calls, and the internet so you’re welcome to have people reach out to us via text or email if they need to communicate with you.

As you will learn during our time in Cuba, the country has a very unique and complex economic system. While the vast majority of businesses and services are owned and operated by the government, Cuba does allow for small and medium-sized private businesses to exist and operate. The tourism industry was one of the first areas where private enterprise got off the ground on the island. As per US regulations, we will be supporting small, private businesses on the island by staying at casa particulares.

These are like bed and breakfasts that are privately owned and legal for US citizens to stay in. Not only are these a better option for travelers to have a higher quality and more personal experience for less money, it is also illegal for US citizens to stay in official hotels due to their direct affiliation with the Cuban government so this is not only a better choice it’s your only choice.

In Viñales, there is little variation in regard to the quality and style of the casa particulares. Almost all of the homes that are available for rent in town have 2 to 4 rooms available and boast charming garden areas and front porch rocking chairs. The homes are simple but well maintained and cheerful, with welcoming hosts, AC, mini-fridges, and breakfast included. WiFi access, albeit slow, is also available. 

Our group will be divided into various houses but they will be within a block of one another, or possibly even right next door. 

Twin share rooms:

  • If you are traveling solo, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender in a room with two single beds.
  • If you book two spots, you’ll get the entire room for you and your travel partner. 

Private rooms:

If you’d like to get your own private room, you can add that option at checkout for $275 USD. There are a maximum of 16 single rooms available. Private rooms run on a first come, first served basis.

This tour requires a certain level of physical activity. Please note that the trip can involve somewhat long days, journeys by van (with stops), walking tours, horseback rides, a variety of temperatures and early morning wake-ups. While there is no super strenuous hiking involved on this tour, you should be prepared to be on your feet a lot.

Daily breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners are included (including one alcoholic beverage or specialty non-alcoholic beverage at dinners). On our tours to Cuba specifically, we include almost every meal to ensure that:

  • You’re patronizing local businesses (to comply with the “Support of the Cuban People” visa)
  • You’re getting great meals at tried and tested places 

All dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice.

No, use purified water only. We will provide water to refill your bottle in the van and most restaurants will serve you a glass of purified water upon request, this would be safe to drink. The tap water is fine for showering and brushing your teeth.

Even though it’s always optional, during our Cuba tours we include some cocktails, rum tastings, and experiences that include alcohol. A major reason is that in Cuba a Coke can cost as much as, if not more than a beer, so we can easily include it in the cost.

Note that this is different from our other TNN tours which do not include alcohol.

You should budget an average of $30 USD per day for all your extra needs. Most of your expenses are covered in your trip price, but you will need cash for non-included meals and any additional purchases (rum, cigars, art, etc). Due to the fact that you cannot take money out of an ATM in Cuba (or pay a business) with a US bank card, we recommend bringing anywhere from $30-150 a day, just in case (especially if you’re planning on shopping)!

Withdraw cash to bring with you to Cuba. US cards will not work so you need to bring enough dollars to last your entire stay in Cuba. We will exchange your US dollars into local currency for you. We will exchange money for you on day one of our trip at our casa particular so you won’t have to worry about going to a CADECA. Keep in mind exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, so be sure to check the current exchange rate prior to travel. We recommend exchanging $200 USD initially, if you later need to exchange more money just let your program director know and they will be happy to assist you.

Tips are not included in our tour costs, aside from tips for the included meals.

During your time in Cuba, you may feel inspired to tip the people who are working hard to make your trip enjoyable and memorable. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Restaurants and bars: 10% is standard, 15-20% for fine dining
  • Bar: 20 Cuban pesos per drink
  • Accommodation: the owner host $10-20 at the end and/or give gifts, cleaning personnel – $2 per day
  • Drivers: $5-10 per person per day
  • Local guides: $10-20 per person per day

Find our general FAQ here to get any of your other questions answered.

Book A Tour

Cuba

October 10

–

October 15, 2023

15% OFF FLASH SALE

from

$2,295

now from

$1,951
Book now

Book with confidence. Your deposit is 100% refundable for 30 days after your booking is made, as long as it’s 60 days prior to departure, so you don’t lose out in case your plans change.