Best of Cuba

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cuba. Your adventure begins in Havana with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, consider a stroll through Old Havana to acquaint yourself with its colourful mix of 1950s Americana, and range of architectural styles from Spanish-influenced to Cuban Baroque and Neoclassical. There are plenty of good museums to check out, like the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts). Maybe line up with the locals for a taste of Coppelia ice cream or wander along the Malecon – the sea wall that skirts the coastline.

Havana's history is as colourful as its cars and buildings, and today you’ll get to experience the magic of Old Havana on a walking tour with your local leader. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982, this well-preserved area remains virtually unchanged, making it one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical cities. An air of faded glory comes through in the peeling paint of the grand old buildings, and the narrow streets, spacious plazas and Spanish architecture make it a charm to explore on foot. Visit La Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras and the Plaza de Armas, and pop into the Museo de la Revolucion to learn about the history of the Cuban Revolution. Then, have some free time to explore on your own. Perhaps check out a cigar factory or cruise around outer Havana in a vintage American car.

Say goodbye to Havana and head towards Santa Clara – the final resting place of Cuba’s most famous son, Che Guevara. Visit his mausoleum and memorial – Che's remains were brought here after they were found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the CIA-backed Bolivian army. Check out the impressive bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle and learn about his life. After, check into your guesthouse, join your leader for an orientation walk, then enjoy the rest of the afternoon free.

Today, continue your journey to Bayamo. On the way, stop at Ciego de Avila to visit a local jewellery workshop that sprung from a community-based project that provides training to young people and the unemployed. Much of the work on display here is from local artisans, made from discarded silverware that’s repurposed and recycled. After checking it out, continue to Bayamo, one of the original Spanish settlements – you’re more likely to see locals travelling on horses than in cars here. Take a walk through the slow-paced city, then settle in for a restful night.

This morning, hop back on the bus and travel through central Cuba to Baracoa, tucked between forests and the Caribbean Sea. On the way, stop at Guantanamo Bay and, if time permits, visit a lookout over the Guantanamo Naval Base and surrounding bay. When you arrive in Baracoa, get your bearings on a walk with your leader. The town was only accessible by sea until 1960, and even after a road linking Baracoa to Guantanamo was built, the settlement maintains a small-town feel. Then, have some free time, maybe to wander along the beautiful Malecon, chill at the beach or explore the forts that were built to withstand pirate attacks. Or, perhaps you’d like to visit the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion to see the bust of the Indigenous leader Hatuey.

After breakfast today, it’s on to Boca de Yumuri Canyon. On the way, visit a local cocoa plantation and learn about these magic beans. When you arrive in Baracoa, take a walk through the lush natural landscapes and hop in a cayuca (traditional boat) for a cruise through the canyon, formed by the Yumuri River. From the boat, maybe cool off with a swim in the river. Then, return to Baracoa for a free evening. As one of Cuba’s major agricultural zones, Baracoa is a great place to try local foods like chocolate, prawns in coconut sauce and banana-stuffed tamales. Don’t miss the cucurucho (a sweet treat of coconut, sugar and fruit wrapped in dried, cone-shaped palm leaves).

Today’s spectacular journey to Santiago de Cuba will take you through the mountains and along the Atlantic coastline to the arid region surrounding Guantanamo. Arrive in the hottest place in Cuba – both in temperature and atmosphere – in the mid-afternoon. Set between the Sierra Maestra Mountain Range and the Caribbean, Santiago de Cuba’s historical centre retains a timeworn atmosphere, making for some great photo opportunities. After an orientation walk with your leader, perhaps join with some of your travel buddies and head out for a group dinner. Or, get a good night’s rest before a day of exploration tomorrow.