Cuba Snapshot

Travel Just 4U's representative in Cuba will meet you at the airport upon arrival in Havana. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you on check-in at your hotel and present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Cuba. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in the country. If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

Since 1997, the Cuban government has allowed residents to rent rooms in their houses to tourists, they are called Casas Particulares. 

This is one of the most authentic way to get to know they culture as you are essentially staying in someone's home as their guest. These casas are generally simple in nature but they will provide you with a rich experience when exploring Cuba. 

In some areas of the country, there are hotels that we recommend over casas. Hotels in Cuba are simple and often are not to the same standard as other places in Latin America. However, your experience in the culturally rich country will well make up for any perceived lack of luxury on the accommodation front.  

If you have questions as to our recommendations in any of your Cuban destinations, please let your consultant know.

Casa Prado Colonial is located in the World Heritage Site of the historic center in Havana. These old colonial houses retain the original neoclassical style, with spacious rooms, luxury tiled floors and high ceilings between 5 and 7 meters. We offer our Bed & Breakfast and all rooms are equipped with private bathroom, hot and cold water, air conditioning and fan.

Our three properties are situated five minutes away from each other and all the old part of the city can be explored by walking. Nearby are the Museum of Arms, the Fortress “Real Fuerza” and the Cathedral.

After breakfast, enjoy a drive in a classic car exploring the Havana through the alleys of the colonial city: Malecon, 5th Avenue, Jaimanitas, Casa Carlos Fuster, Cementerio Colon, plaza de la Revolucion and callejon de Hamel.

In 1982, UNESCO declared Havana’s historic city center as a world cultural heritage site. There is no city in the whole of Latin America with a larger colonial center.

You will then return to Havana Vieja for a walking tour exploring the old city centre through the alleys and over the “plazas” of Old-Havana: Plaza de Armas, Templete, Palace of the Generals, Cathedral Square, Plaza Vieja, Hemingway’s “Bodeguita”.

Old Havana is safe and fun to walk around and explore, especially during the day. You can wander the streets at leisure on your own without worries.

Things to do in Havana:

• Visit the Museo de la Revolucion
• Take a vintage car tour
• Visit Habana Vieja
• Walk along the Malecòn
• Visit Plaza de la Revolucion
• Taste the local food
• Explore the nightlife in Havana

For the duration of your private tour within Cuba you will have a private vehicle and a driver guide to accompany you for the duration of your Cuban adventure. While your driver guide does speak English, the level may be slightly more basic than city based guides you will encounter on other guided tours. 

This is an amazing opportunity to interact with a local Cuban who will be incredibly proud to show you their country on this unique road trip

After breakfast, you will be picked up and continue your Cuba exploration with a road trip to Viñales.

This drive to Vinales will have stops along the way at Soroa and the orchid gardens, Mural de la Prehistoria, Cueva del Indio and a tobacco farm.

Lunch is at agro-ecological restaurant ‘el Paraiso’, in Viñales. It is situated on top of a hill, with a lovely view. It has no menu and you will simply be served every dish they have (in abundance) including fish, chicken, pork, beef, soup, various plates of vegetables and various types of potatoes. 

After Lunch you will visit the Mural de la Prehistoria, Cueva del Indio and a tobacco farm before arriving at your hotel. 

Approximate Drive Time: 4.5 hours (with stops along the way)

Set in Viñales, Hotel E Central Viñales features a bar and terrace. At the hotel, every room includes a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The units at Hotel E Central Viñales feature air conditioning and a wardrobe.

Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.

After breakfast you will begin this full day tour and drive to Cienfuegos.

Today you will visit the community and national park of Las Terazas, as well as the Buena Vista former coffee plantation. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant,

Afterwards, you will drive in the direction of Cienfuegos to check in to your hotel. Today includes visits to Jagua castle, the Tomas Terry theater, the Palacio del Valle and the Naval History museum. You will have time for an evening walk in the historic center before having the evening at leisure.

Approximate Drive Time: 5 hours (with many stops along the way)

Hotel La Union by Melia Hotels International is situated in Cienfuegos and features a beautiful terrace. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also has a restaurant and an outdoor pool. 

At the hotel, all rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is available each morning.

After breakfast, you will begin the journey to Trinidad. 

On the drive, you will stop to visit the waterfalls of El Nicho in the Topes de Collante mountain range. After a short hike, you can swim in the natural pools near the waterfalls and enjoy the surroundings in the dense jungle.

Lunch at a local resturant before continuing to Trinidad and checking in to your hotel. In the evening, visit the Casa de la Musica, where you can enjoy live music in an open air venue.  

Approximate Drive Time: 2.5 hours (with stops along the way)

History and luxury in Trinidad, Cuba - these make up the perfect combination for many people. 

This hotel in the Spanish chain Iberostar is located in the lovely city of Trinidad, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its cultural wealth. This luxury hotel offers exceptional charm which you can experience in its luxury suites, its gourmet culinary offer in its restaurants, its wonderful architecture and the superior services it offers all travellers. Experience the luxury and exclusivity that this Iberostar hotel offers.

Explore Trinidad, including visits to the museum of colonial architecture, the museum of the counter-revolutionary war and bar Canchanchara to try the local drink of the same name. Go for a visit to the Manaca Iznaga former sugar plantation and return to town to visit the museum of romance, the museum of architecture, museum of the counter-revolutionary war. Stroll along the handicraft market, enjoy a drink at Bar Canchanchara and Live music at the casa de la musica.

Optional: Not included in starting price

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Marina in the Ancon's Peninsula to board a sailboat that will take you to an uninhabited island. The sailboat or catamaran will sail through the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea to the Cayo Iguana (lizard island). On your way you will see the bay, the port and fishing village of Casilda.

Also included is snorkeling at the coral reef with the gear included. There is an open bar on board and on the island you will be able to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. 

After lunch there will be free time at the beach for swimming and sunbathing or enjoy the local fauna. You will then  return to the Marina.

Today you will drive through the offshoots of the Escambray mountains to Sancti Spiritus, a colonial town not yet discovered by mainstream tourists. Stroll through the city and visit the Yayabo Bridge. 

Continue to the historic Santa Clara, where Ché Guevara celebrated his biggest victory and found his last rest. Afterwards, continue to the little colonial town Remedios, known countrywide for its Parrandas tradition. Stroll over the idyllic main square with the church Parroquia San Juan de Bautista (16th century).

This impressive monument* of Che Guevara, one of the most famous guerrillas worldwide, was erected in  1988 and finished in 1997 with the transfer of Che Guevaras remains from Bolivia to Santa Clara.

You can visit the main monument with the statue of “Che”, the mausoleum and a small museum which collects details of Che´s life and death.

* Entrance fee included: Manaca Iznaga, Yayabo Bridge and Mausoleum of Che Guevara.

Approximate Drive Time: 3 hours (with stops along the way)

The 24 rooms stylishly restored and modernly equipped surround the interior courtyard of Hotel E Barcelona (opened 2012). These central indoor terraces - patios – characterize Cuba’s historical buildings from the colonial period. They invite cozy and vibrant conversations. There is even a sun terrace on the roof. With all these facilities Barcelona offers both privacy and social interaction.

Nevertheless those beaches can be visited later on, they are located nearby. First, just step out your hotel and explore lovely Remedios on foot as all sites are within walking distance. The property doesn't have a lift.

After breakfast you will visit the museum Parandas Remedianas and then continue the drive in the direction to Havana. You will stop for lunch on the way in local restaurant, and after check in you have the rest of the afternoon to explore Havana. 

Old Havana is safe and fun to walk around and explore, especially during the day. You can wander the streets at leisure on your own without worries.

Things to do in Havana:

• Visit the Museo de la Revolucion
• Take a vintage car tour
• Visit Habana Vieja
• Walk along the Malecòn
• Visit Plaza de la Revolucion
• Taste the local food
• Explore the nightlife in Havana