Classic Cuba biking vacation

Planet

Though biking in itself is a carbon free activity, we also do all we can to make sure our cycling trips have as little adverse effect on the surrounding environment as possible. Where possible, we only use minor roads and well-established trails and make sure we dispose of our litter responsibly.

We recycle at every opportunity; we will give leftover plastic bottles from your trip to local communities who use them to sell home-made fruit juices at food markets. Any tyres and other spare parts which can no longer be used on our bikes are also donated to locals.

On this trip you will visit Las Terrazas biosphere reserve, Cuba’s first ever self-sufficient community dedicated to the research and protection of the local ecosystem. Included in the price of your trip is the entrance fee to Las Terrazas, which goes directly to the community’s ongoing environmental initiatives.
Similarly, entrance fees to places such as Topes de Collantes nature reserve park and Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens contribute to the maintenance and preservation of local plant and wildlife.

On day 11 you get the chance to snorkel in Caleta Buena, a protected natural pool that forms part of Cienaga de Zapata National Park. Cienaga de Zapata is the largest and best-preserved wetland in the Caribbean, home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, including the bee hummingbird, the world´s smallest bird, and the endemic Cuban crocodile. Your entrance fee to Caleta Buena will contribute to the maintenance and protection of Zapata swamp´s rich ecosystem.

People

We believe that Cuba’s most attractive quality is its people, and we like to give our clients as many opportunities as possible to interact with Cubans. On this trip you spend a few nights in casas particulares (homestays), where you will get the chance to better understand the realities of daily life in Cuba. Not only this, but when you use a casa particular, your money goes straight into the local community, rather than into the pockets of multinational corporations. Similarly, where possible we use locally-run restaurants, paladares, where profit stays within the community.

We discourage hand-outs to beggars and instead give our clients the opportunity to make donations to appropriate organisations during their travels. Your guide will be happy to advise.

Our guides are very proud of their country and will take every opportunity to further your knowledge of Cuba´s rich culture and history. Historical highlights on this trip are Santa Clara, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, the Bay of Pigs and of course, Havana. Entrance fees to sites such as Che Guevara´s mausoleum in Santa Clara and the Bay of Pigs museum are included in the tour price and help preserve artefacts and monuments integral to Cuba´s unique heritage.

In many of the places we visit there will be handicraft stalls selling locally-produced artisanal goods such as lacework, musical instruments and jewellery. Whilst biking your guide will also stop at stalls selling local fruit and sweet treats.