Viva Cuba

8 Day Escorted Tour

Cuba, Latin America
20 Meals Included
7 Excursions
Intermediate Pace

Cuba is a land of contrasts, pulsing with the energy of its Spanish and Afro-Caribbean roots, yet peppered with reminders of its revolutionary past and Communist present. Take in classic Cadillacs, the faded grandeur of colonial-era buildings and the ever-present sounds of salsa as you tour Havana, explore the country's revolutionary past in Santa Clara, experience rural Vinales and make your way to Caribbean shores in Cienfuegos, all on our tour of this unique and fascinating island.

Highlights

  • Explore the lively city of Havana on a walking tour
  • Visit the iconic Revolution Square, Floridita's Bar and the Hemingway Museum
  • Wander along Trinidad's pretty streets & Plazas
  • Enjoy a tour of Che Guevara's mausoleum in Santa Clara
  • Visit a tobacco plantation, ancient river cave and Cuban cigar factory
  • Mix up authentic Cuban cocktails during a masterclass
  • Witness a cannon ceremony at La Cabana Fortress

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Havana

Dinner

Depart the UK on your flight to Havana. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy tonight’s welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2
Havana

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Havana teems with iconic symbols of Cuban life – old Cadillacs rumble past colourful colonial-era buildings, live salsa music pours out of restaurants and cafes, locals lounge on balconies smoking the country’s famed cigars, and murals of Che Guevara adorn walls and T-shirts. Today starts with a walking tour through Old Havana, or Havana Vieja, an area of the city built during the 16th century Spanish occupation. Wind your way along the cobbled network of streets, through wide squares and past the faded grandeur of old buildings. Stop at Floridita’s Bar, the famous hangout of Ernest Hemingway which boasts a life-size bronze statue of the writer seated at the bar. Enjoy one of the bar’s famed daiquiris before lunch at a local restaurant. Make your way to the city’s lively craft market and browse through the multitude of stalls hawking everything from linen shirts and cigars to paintings and percussion instruments. Continue on to Revolution Square where the towering Jose Marti memorial pays homage to this national hero, looked over by a huge steel casting of revolutionary Che Guevara. This evening, after dinner at a local restaurant, witness the Nine Cannon Ceremony at Morro Fortress, where soldiers dressed in 18th century military regalia fire a cannon over Havana Bay. Next, experience Cuba’s rich musical culture with a Cabaret Parisien Show and a cocktail at the Hotel Nactional de Cuba, before returning to your hotel for the night. Please Note – Shorts or Sports Clothing cannot be worn to the Cabaret Parisien Show.

Day 3
Havana to Vinales

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Following breakfast, journey to the nearby fishing village of Cojimar, the inspiration behind Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”. Visit Finca Vigia, the writer’s former home which now serves as a dedicated museum, and delve into his life at this hilltop villa where many of his belongings are on display. Next, enjoy a Don Gregorio cocktail, named in Hemingway’s honour, before lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, depart for Viñales, stopping en route at Las Barrigonas, a tobacco farm that grows some of the world’s finest tobacco using traditional farming methods that have existed in this valley for hundreds of years. Explore the tobacco plantation and farmhouse then travel onward to Viñales for your overnight stay.

Day 4
Vinales

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After the energy of Havana, soak in the slower pace of rural life in breathtaking Viñales, a town framed by limestone hills and dotted with the greenery of tobacco farms. A scenic drive through the rural landscape takes you to the cigar factory and tobacco plantation in Pinar del Rio where you can witness how Cuba’s famed cigars are toasted and rolled. Travel onward into the surrounding valley then board a boat and float downriver to Cueva del Indio, an otherworldly river cave that was once an ancient, indigenous dwelling. Your boat ride then carries you to Mural de La Prehistoria, a fantastic 120-metre-long rock mural that took over four years to paint. After lunch, return back to the hotel to enjoy a Cuban cocktail lesson, followed by a sunset dinner.

Day 5
Vinales to Cienfuegos

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Depart Vinales and drive onward to spectacular Soroa, whose natural beauty has earned it the name "Rainbow of Cuba". Wander the fragrant pathways of Soroa's Orchideary, surrounded by the delicately coloured foliage of over 700 orchid species then travel to Las Terrazas, a small rural community set in the heart of a picturesque 25,000 hectare UNESCO biosphere reserve. Explore one of the many trails that crisscross this verdant area as a local guide takes you through its nature, community and history. After lunch, drive onwards to the seaside city of Cienfuegos, your home for the next two nights.

Day 6
Cienfuegos

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The nearby town of Trinidad has charmed visitors for decades with its brightly coloured buildings, lovingly restored plazas and churches, and donkey-drawn carts rolling down cobbled streets. After breakfast, make the short trip from Cienfuegos to Trinidad for a morning tour of the city. Admire the stately architecture and fascinating artefacts of the Romantic Museum, which offers a window into the world of the wealthy sugar baron, Conde de Brunet, who once owned this mansion. Catch a glimpse of the pretty yellow and green bell tower of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, located a stone’s throw from the museum, as you continue on to Bar La Canchanchara for a taste of the bar’s signature cocktail, made of local rum, honey, lemon and water. Visit the soaring bell tower of Manaca Iznaga before lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, return to Cienfuegos for a tour of this city on the shores of the Caribbean. Enjoy a leisurely walk down the central boulevard as you make your way to the magnificent Palacio de Valle and wander the towers and hallways of this lavishly designed marble and alabaster mansion, built by a wealthy businessman in the early 1900s. Before returning to your hotel, visit the Cigar Factory in Cienfuegos.

Day 7
Cienfuegos to Varadero

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, travel to Santa Clara, the centre of revolutionary Cuba. In 1958, the revolutionary forces of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos attacked the city and derailed a train carrying military supplies for the dictator Fulgencio Batista, a move that led to Batista's fall. Explore the Che Guevara Square, Museum and Mausoleum - the memorial and resting place of the revolutionary and the museum which retells his life's work, then visit the Armoured Train Monument where the remnants of the derailed trains lie. Make your way to tranquil Parque Vidal, the city's central park, and take in the elegant neo-classical buildings which line its borders. Drive onward to the seaside resort town of Varadero for your overnight stay and an afternoon at leisure, allowing you to enjoy the powder-soft sands and warm waters of the town's spectacular beaches.

Day 8
Varadero to UK

Breakfast

A morning at leisure gives you ample time to soak up some sunshine on the nearby beachfront. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport in Havana for your return flight to the UK, or continue on to your chosen extension.

View Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Melia Cohiba
2 nights
Havana, Cuba
More details
Central Mystique Hotel Vinales
2 nights
Vinales, Cuba
More details
View More

Extend Your Tour

Viva Cuba with Varadero 7 Night Beach Stay

8 Day Extension
from

£3,138

pp

Viva Cuba with Varadero 4 Night Beach Stay

5 Day Extension
from

£2,788

pp

Important Information

Please be advised that Cuba is a communist country and at times local restrictions are put in place at short notice, therefore the order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

A visa (Tourist Card) is required for entry into Cuba. British passport holders will need to obtain a tourist card for travel to Cuba. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote Mercury Holidays. The cost of the visa is approx £70 per person. The visas take around 10 working days to issue and are only valid for 2 months from the date of entry. We therefore recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel. However, please be aware that your passport will be required for the application so make sure that you will not need it during this time. Alternatively, you can visit the Embassy of Cuba in London: 176 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6PA. Your passport must be valid for at least 2 months after departing from Cuba. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.

For future travel to the USA

The US Government enforces restrictions on people who have travelled to Cuba since on or after 12 January 2021. These travellers may not be eligible to apply for the ESTA Visa Waiver program when travelling to the USA, as a result, you may need to apply for a US visitor visa via the US Embassy.

Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP). You will be able to buy local currency when you arrive in Cuba. The best currency to take is either Euros or US Dollars, however US Dollars are subject to an additional 10% Tax. It is recommended to take currency in small denominations where possible. The notes should not be damaged as some places will refuse them if they are not in perfect condition.

Cash machines will be available in major cities, where you can withdraw local currency. However, relying on them as your sole source of funds is not recommended. Cash machines do not always work and do not always have cash available due to Cuba's economic and political climate.

As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Please be advised that American Express Cards are not accepted or any Credit /Debit Cards from American Banks

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £300-£400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. Tipping is at your discretion; however, we would recommend approximately £28 per person for the duration of your tour. For any accompanying guides, we suggest approximately £3 per person per day and for the driver, we suggest approximately £1 per person per day. All tips will be collected by your guide at the beginning of your tour for your convenience. Tips are accepted in the local currency; however, it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency and pay only with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 9, and the maximum will be 25. If in the unlikely event there are less than 9 people booked on your tour date, you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable

This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.

Triple Rooms are available, but please note that these are on a request basis and the 3rd bed is a “rollaway” bed and may reduce the overall floorspace of the room.

Where an international flight arrives during early morning, we will endeavour to provide an Early Check In to your hotel, this is subject to availability. The usual hotel check in time is from 2pm onwards.

Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner will be taken in local Cuban restaurants or at your hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.

Vegetarian and Vegan meals can be catered for. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.

It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed counties water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way as the UK. Bottled Water will be available to purchase at Shops, Hotels & Lodges.

On your arrival in Havana you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Cuba For Groups, holding a sign displaying: “Cuba For Groups”. The Mercury Holidays/Cuba For Groups representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.

Please find below the emergency contact details:

Diana Sanchez – Operations – diana@cubaforgroups.com +53 53885844