The melody of horns floating through the air, classic cars parked in colonial squares, revolutionary statues — get over the resort wall and discover the real Cuba! Travel east to Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa and encounter the birthplace of Cuban rhythms and revolutionary fervour. Soak in Spanish heritage while exploring churches, forts, and cobblestoned streets. Stay overnight in homestays for an immersive Cuban experience few travellers get to enjoy. Don't just walk down the road less travelled — dance down it. Viva la Revolución!
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Baracoa Community Experience, Baracoa
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Havana Homestay, Havana
Your Hands-On Moment: Salsa Lesson, Trinidad. Arrival transfer. Che Guevara mausoleum and museum visit. Beach time in Baracoa. Comandancia de la Plata hike. Havana city tour in vintage car. Old Havana walking tour. Orientation walks in Sancti Spíritus, Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad. Free time in Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Bay of Pigs, and Havana. Informal Spanish lesson. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Salsa dance with the locals, Walk in Che Guevara's footsteps, Gain insight on Cuban life at local homestays, Explore breathtaking beaches
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels/casas particulares (homestays) (14 nts).
Itinerary
Havana
Arrive at any time. An arrival transfer is included to the tour's starting point, a "casa particular" (Cuban home used as a bed and breakfast), for an authentic Cuban experience. Check into the Casa Particular and enjoy the city before an evening welcome meeting.
Havana
Tour the city by vintage car before a walking tour of Old Havana with the CEO. In the afternoon, opt to visit museums, or attend a cabaret performance at the Tropicana.
Havana/Sancti Spíritus
Travel to Sancti Spiritus today and enjoy an orientation walk of this beautiful, but often overlooked, colonial city.
Sancti Spíritus/Bayamo
Travel overland across Eastern Cuba to Bayamo. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore – opt to hire a horsecart like the locals to tour the area or people watch in the pedestrian only Plaza de la Revolución.
Bayamo/Baracoa
Continue on to Baracoa, and get the lay of the land with an orientation walk. The area offers everything from beaches to waterfalls to hiking opportunities and museums. The best way to get around this colonial town, situated on the bay with mountains towering in the background, is on foot and with 2 1/2 days to explore the area, there's plenty of time to see it all.
Wander the malecón (boardwalk) and visit the forts built to defend the city from pirates.
Baracoa
Explore Cuba’s rural communities and small businesses in Baracoa, a G Adventures-supported project. Enjoy a free evening to wander the seaside boardwalk or to find a bite to eat in town.
Baracoa
Take advantage of a full free day to enjoy everything that Baracoa and its surroundings have to offer. Opt to hike or explore one of the many breathtaking beaches nearby for which this area of Cuba is famous. Take some time to visit the city then head further afield to the mountains or visit the striking black sand beaches.
Playa Maguana and the smaller Playa Nava are both nearby and accessible by bike or taxi. Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt is approximately 40 km outside of town and well worth a visit.
Baracoa/Santiago de Cuba
Drive along the rugged coast towards Santiago de Cuba and take an orientation walk with the CEO on arrival. Enjoy free time to explore this Afro-Cuban city by visiting important revolutionary sites, like the Moncada Barracks. Santiago de Cuba is the cradle of the Revolution and home of traditional son rhythms. Opt to visit museums, colonial churches and buildings like the Moncada Barracks. Santiago has a vibrant traditional music scene that will entice even the shyest dancer out to experiment with some salsa moves.
Santiago de Cuba/Sierra Maestra
Travel into the heart of Sierra Maestra National Park, and stay in quaint wooden cabins next to the Yara River. Enjoy free time for hikes or relaxing in nature.
Sierra Maestra/Camagüey
Hike through the Sierra Maestra mountains in the footsteps of Che Guevarra and Fidel Castro and learn more about Cuba's history. Arrive in the afternoon to Camagüey with some free time to explore. Opt to hop in the back of a "bicitaxi" (bicycle-taxi) and tour the local markets and plazas, or take in the city's nightlife. Your journey will continue west across the Carretera Central to Camagüey, the third largest city on island. It retains much of its colonial heritage in its buildings, plazas and its tinajones, large clay pots traditionally used in Spain and in its New World colonies for collecting rain water. Explore the narrow winding streets and impressive sites.
Camagüey/Trinidad
Enjoy an orientation walk and included salsa lesson in Trinidad. Enjoy the beautiful scenery continuing on to the colonial city of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to lovely Spanish-style churches and great museums, Trinidad is a hub of cultural activity, never out of earshot from a group of musicians playing local salsa or son. Enjoy an included salsa lesson during your time in Trinidad.
Trinidad
Enjoy free time in Trinidad. Opt to hike in nearby Topes de Collantes National Park to see the Salto del Caburni waterfall, or visit Ancón Beach for diving, snorkelling or lounging. Savour a local dinner as a group hosted by one of the homestay families. For outdoor enthusiasts, Trinidad is a haven for activities. If a beach is in the cards, try snorkelling or diving in nearby Playa Ancón. Enjoy a local meal together with one of the host families on Day 10 or 11.
Trinidad/Cienfuegos
Travel along the coast to colonial Cienfuegos. Detour along the way through Santa Clara to visit the Che Mausoleum. Then continue on to Cienfuegos and enjoy an orientation walk to learn more about this city.
Cienfuegos/Havana
Drive along the picture-perfect Bay of Pigs, and learn more about the Cuban victory in 1961 at the Giron Museum. Enjoy free time for swimming and snorkelling before returning to Havana. Enjoy a final evening with the group in Cuba's vibrant capital.
Havana
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
