A Taste of Cuba

What's Included

• All breakfasts, two lunches, four dinners

  The tour includes all breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners.

• All accommodation

  All accommodation during the tour is included.

• All transport and listed activities

  All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.

• Tour leader throughout

  A tour leader will accompany you throughout the trip.

• Free arrival and departure transfers on trip start and end date

  Free transfers are provided on the start and end dates of the trip.

• Cuban tourist card for most UK/Ireland residents

  A Cuban tourist card is included for most UK/Ireland residents.

What's Not Included

• Travel insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.

• Single accommodation (available on request)

  Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.

• Visas or vaccinations

  Visas and vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.

Accommodation

We stay in casas particulares, guesthouse-style accommodation that provides a unique insight into local life – an experience you just wouldn’t get in a traditional hotel!



Understanding casas







Casas are privately owned homes with rooms to rent. Some call them Cuba’s answer to the B&B, but the truth is they offer a far more personal experience. Typically, the owner (and often family) will live at the property, meaning you have meaningful interactions with them as soon as you wake. The hosts are warm, welcoming and gracious – expect generous breakfasts, plenty of smiles and friendly conversations in Spanglish. Who knows, you may make a friend or two!



The properties we use have been handpicked by our local team and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, reflecting the personality and lifestyle of the owners. As family homes, they tend to have a maximum of three or four bedrooms each, so we often use several different properties in close vicinity to accommodate our group. We do our best to ensure those in single-room accommodation are within a house where other group members are staying.



The rooms are often vibrant, simply furnished and with tiled floors, sometimes with wooden shutters in place of windows. All have air conditioning and a private bathroom.



Worth knowing



Power cuts are part of daily life in Cuba, so please prepare for blackouts that may last several hours. Please bring a torch (flashlight) with you in case of evening
ight-time occurrences. Also pack mosquito repellent for these periods – you’ll want to open your window, too.

Internet connections can be unreliable.

Hot water supplies are not always guaranteed and water pressure can be temperamental.

Casas do not have lifts (elevators) so you should be able and prepared to carry your luggage up stairs.

Many casa owners can help with laundry for a small fee.

Most casas do not have hairdryers.

There are often pets (a cat or dog) at the casas – please advise at the time of booking if this is problematic.

Food

All breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners are included.



The paladares are likely to be a highlight of any visit to Cuba – they are one of the few types of private enterprise allowed (although still heavily regulated). Think soul food – rice, black beans, slow-roast pork or chicken, fresh fish, lobster and plenty of tropical fruit. The atmosphere in private paladares and the opportunity to integrate with Cubans will absolutely enhance your stay!



In general, Cuba is not renowned for its culinary excellence (although it is improving) and some ingredients are just not possible to acquire. Food tends to be simple and relatively expensive – in no small part due to the long trade embargo implemented by the US. Dishes tend to be simple, with most mealtimes consisting of meat or fish accompanied by rice and salad or vegetables. Seafood is widely available on the coast, including cheap and abundant lobster! Vegetarians will find that choices are limited, but it's still possible to eat well. Snacks are not freely available in Cuba so you may wish to bring some with you – particularly energy snacks, as food shops, cafes and restaurants are scarce in many of the rural areas we visit. It can be difficult to find quick lunches on the go as Cubans typically eat two meals a day – we provide packed lunches during the day and there are plenty of water and fruit refreshment stops. While food choice can be basic, on the plus side there is absolutely no shortage of rum! Havana Club, Black Tears, Ron Santiago, Caney… after your visit, you will be an expert.



Some drinking water is available on the bus, but we ask that you bring a filter water bottle to refill at public fountains and taps along the way. This helps to cut down on plastic and the need to buy water.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Cuba in style with a mix of classic cars, e-tricycles, and private transfers. Enjoy the convenience of free arrival and departure transfers, and explore the vibrant streets of Havana in a classic car, offering a truly authentic Cuban experience.