Small group tours to Cuba
Includes: • Tour leader • Internal flights • Transfers in Latin America on tour dates • Transport and accommodation • Meals and excursions as per tour profile
Description of Small group tours to Cuba
This 12-day cultural tour of Cuba explores the western side of the Caribbean island, as you travel from Havana to Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and finally Santa Clara. Wherever possible, you will be accommodated in family-run homestays, known as casas particulares, which as well as offering a valuable income to local Cubans also gives you a culturally immersive experience.
Begin with one of the great Havana experiences, a city tour in a classic American automobile, a triumph of Cuban mechanical ingenuity resulting from the Castro government’s embargo on imported cars and car parts. From Havana you travel by private vehicle to the charming rural town of Vinales, where farmers till the fields with oxen and dry their tobacco leaves in barns. You can visit a campesino family in their home, and learn about their lives, and how tobacco is grown.
A journey through the Zapata Peninsula brings you to Cienfuegos, on the south coast, with its French colonial architecture and laidback atmosphere. You then travel further east, to Trinidad. The great joy of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is strolling the plazas in the evening, experiencing local life and listening to the strains of salsa in the air. You can even book a salsa class here if you like. The final destination before your return to the capital is Santa Clara, an ideal location to learn about the Cuban Revolution as well as the role played by Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable tour leader throughout, and meeting up with a series of local guides, this small group tour is a superb introduction to Cuban history, nature and culture. Unfolding over 12 days, it allows you to take a relaxed pace, allowing for a deeper immersion into Cuban life than you would get on a whistlestop tour.
Price information
Includes: • Tour leader • Internal flights • Transfers in Latin America on tour dates • Transport and accommodation • Meals and excursions as per tour profile
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Vacation information
Reviews
2 Reviews of Small group tours to Cuba
Reviewed on 09 Dec 2024 by Phil Linley
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Old Havana
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take dollars to last the whole vacation and take toothpaste, soap and kids toys for the locals.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Helped local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good however food on Air France was poor.
Reviewed on 28 Apr 2016 by Isabel Lewzey
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walking through the Sierra Maestra to Fidel Castros's mountain hideout. Very evocative of the history, beautiful views and we saw Cuba's national bird (tocororo, I think). Also the homestays were very enjoyable with the one in Trinidad having a beautiful roof terrace
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Toiletry items appear to be welcome so consider taking extra soap and
moisturising creams. Take soap powder for washing clothes which will dry quickly
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Staying in homestays and eating in private restaurants felt as though our
money was going directly to the local people which was good.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very enjoyable. Very good guide who fostered a sense of group cohesion on the tour and a nice mix of being guided and time to explore independently
Responsible Travel
Planet
Our Cuba itinerary prioritises sustainability and environmental stewardship. By using locally owned homestays instead of large hotels, we reduce the environmental footprint associated with mass tourism and support low-impact accommodation practices.Traveling with local guides means we follow responsible routes and respect protected areas, including national parks and UNESCO sites. Activities such as exploring Viñales Valley and Topes de Collantes National Park promote eco-tourism, encouraging conservation efforts and funding for biodiversity protection.
We minimise waste by dining in small, locally sourced restaurants, which typically use seasonal produce and avoid excessive packaging. Group travel also reduces carbon emissions compared to individual trips, and we encourage walking tours in cities like Havana and Trinidad to limit vehicle use.
By choosing experiences rooted in nature and culture rather than resource-heavy attractions, our tour helps protect Cuba’s landscapes and ecosystems for future generations. This commitment ensures that tourism supports environmental health while offering travelers an authentic, sustainable experience.
People
Our Cuba tour is designed to create meaningful connections and support local communities at every step. By staying in locally owned homestays, we ensure that your accommodation spend goes directly to Cuban families, helping them maintain their homes and livelihoods.We work exclusively with local guides who share authentic insights into Cuban history, culture, and daily life, providing employment opportunities and preserving traditional knowledge. Dining in family-run restaurants and paladares supports small businesses and promotes culinary heritage, while visits to museums and cultural centers contribute to the preservation of Cuba’s rich artistic and historical legacy.
In rural areas like Viñales, we engage with farmers and artisans, offering a platform for sustainable income and cultural exchange. This approach empowers communities economically and socially, fostering pride in local traditions and creating a tourism model that benefits people rather than large corporations.
Every interaction is a chance to learn, share, and contribute positively to Cuban society.
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