Havana
No matter which country you are coming from, Havana will most probably be your landing point in Cuba. With that in mind, I will try to draft an indicative itinerary for your trip starting from Havana and progressively moving further out. In this way, my proposal will hopefully accommodate both travellers with time constraints and others enjoying a more flexible travel plan.
For useful information on how to move around in Havana, check out my previous post about Transportation in Cuba!
For your accommodation alternatives, as well as the best neighborhoods to stay at while in Havana, take a look at the dedicated Accommodation in Cuba blog post!
Optimum Duration for Visiting Havana: Havana itself is a city that totally deserves a full 4-5 days to explore and enjoy at the fullest. Therefore, my recommendation is to stay there for 3 days upon your arrival and for another 1-2 days before your departure.
Instead of writing all those things you can do and see in Havana, I strongly urge you to watch the below music video. I cannot think of a better way to immerse into the culture, the people, and the everyday life of this breathtaking capital. Ladies and Gents, this is Havana!
“Havana, if my eyes abandoned you,
if life banished me to another corner of the earth,
I swear that I’m going to die of love and desire
to walk again in your streets, your neighborhoods and your secret places…”
Viñales
From Havana you can (and should) plan a side trip in the valley of Viñales. This is the perfect place to get closer to the beautiful Cuban countryside, known for its dramatic landscape and world-famous tobacco plantations.
The valley of Viñales is a growing touristic destination, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999. It offers visitors the opportunity for relaxing exploration of the surrounding area, with plenty of activities to choose from. Depending on the time and budget you can afford, you can opt between hiking, horse-riding, biking or zip-lining!
Optimum Duration for Visiting Viñales: 1-2 days
© Photo by Thaleia Ioannou
Different Ways to Get to Viñales:
- As a day trip from Havana through an organized tour. You will be picked-up and dropped-off from your accommodation, while you will follow a predefined itinerary covering pretty much everything you need to see in Viñales. The duration of such a tour is usually 12+ hours, including transportation, guided services, horse-riding, zip-lining (as an add-on experience), a visit in a tobacco and coffee plantation, traditional drinks and meal at a local restaurant. Clearly the most comfortable and time saving option for such a trip, yet also the most expensive.
Cost: Expect to pay around 120-150 USD per person. As a personal recommendation, I would gladly refer AYC Worldwide, a local startup offering exceptional all-inclusive tours in Viñales with classic cars. Reach out on Andy via email and, just for being readers of my personal blog, he will give you a special price for the Viñales tour at 95 USD for individual travelers (joining a group tour) or 90 USD per person if you are already a group of 4+ people. Note: The recommendation is only given based on the quality of the tour offered and is by no means a sponsored content.
© Photos by Thaleia Ioannou
- Traveling independently or with a group of friends / fellow travellers, again as a day trip from Havana. Your best shot here is the use of a private taxi or a colectivo. It usually takes around 3 hours by car to get to Viñales. Once you arrive in the small town, you can negotiate a horse-ride tour to the tobacco plantations with a local. Alternatively, you can rent a bike and explore the area on your own. The Mural de la Prehistoria is a famous attraction in the area, so maybe you want to pin it on your map! To start with, this place serves as an excellent photo stop for your Instagram feed! In addition, it also makes up a very good excuse for enjoying a refreshing pina colada from the nearby cafeteria while enjoying unparalleled views of the Viñales valley.
Cost: The cost of a colectivo ride from Havana to Viñales is approximately 20 USD per person each way. As another option, a private taxi will cost you around 70-80 USD in total each way (the more you are the less you will pay per person). The horse-ride tour in Viñales will cost you 5 USD per person per hour. The locals will suggest 4-hours, allowing enough time to visit both the tobacco and coffee farm, as well as a local cave.
- Going to Viñales by bus is the most time-consuming alternative, taking an additional 1-2 hours compared to a taxi or a colectivo. However, if you are planning to stay for the night, then Viazul is very well worth considering.
Cost: A one-way bus ticket to Viñales will cost you 12 USD. Upon arrival at the bus station, local people will approach you to offer a room in their casa. As always, bargain wisely! Take your time exploring the area at your own pace. Rent a bike, walk, or simply use the hop-on / hop-off bus for visiting the main sights of the valley (a day ticket will cost you only 5 CUC). Visiting a cave might require an additional entrance ticket (Great Cavern of Santo Tomás: 10 CUC, Cueva del Indio: 5 CUC). The same goes for getting closer or hiking up the Mural de la Prehistoria: 3 CUC (including a free pina colada at the nearby cafe).
© Photo by Thaleia Ioannou
Varadero
Sitting on the Peninsula of Hicaco, a 20 km-long stretch of white sandy beach meeting the Caribbean Sea, Varadero has been attracting visitors ever since the early ‘30s. The rich Americans of those days (Al Capone himself included), converted this piece of land into their personal playground by building mansions of great architecture. Nowadays, most of these mansions are used as museums, luxury hotels or have simply been left abandoned.
Due to a large-scale development of recent years, Varadero has became one of the most popular all-inclusive resort destinations in the entire Caribbean. This might very well discourage most of you from visiting but trust me Varadero worth every single minute of your time. Coming from Greece myself, it has always been extremely hard to name a dreamy beach destination outside my own country. Yet, Varadero is the idyllic combination of sparkling white sand, palm trees and azure waters I have ever seen!
© Photos by Thaleia Ioannou
Optimum Duration for Visiting Varadero: 1-2 days
Varadero is a 2-hours drive from Havana, making it easy reachable as a day trip. If you can only afford one single day for your visit, then you’d better use a private taxi or colectivo. Using Viazul is also possible but you might find yourselves with limited time to fully enjoy the place. Note that the first bus from Havana arrives in Varadero at 11:10 a.m., while the last bus from Varadero heading back to Havana is departing at 18:00 p.m. Overall, the bus is usually slower than the car, taking 3 hours instead of 2. If you prefer to go cheap and still use Viazul, I strongly recommend considering an overnight. However, remember to book your casa well in advance as in Varadero the supply does not always meet the demand.
Time and money permitting, you can also join a full-day catamaran cruise from Varadero to Cayo Blanco. The cruise is quite costly (starting from 90 USD) but includes transportation to Cayo Blanco, snorkelling at a Cuban coral reef, swimming with dolphins (at an extra cost), and what more an open bar offering unlimited drinks and seafood. If you are interested in such a tour, you will need to plan 2 overnights in Varadero, since you will be back from your cruise in the late afternoon.
Transportation Costs from Havana to Varadero (one way):
- Colectivo: 20-25 USD
- Private taxi: 80 USD in total (the more you are, the better)
- Viazul bus ticket: 12 USD
Trinidad
Trinidad is without any doubt, Cuba’s little gem! Being one of the best-preserved colonial towns in the country, Trinidad has been accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The narrow and winding cobbled streets of the old town create such a beautiful maze that you will enjoy getting lost – pretty much on purpose!
Optimum Duration for Visiting Trinidad: 2 days
© Photos by Thaleia Ioannou
Things you simply can’t miss in Trinidad:
- Plaza Mayor, the heart of the town, surrounded by many historical buildings, churches and museums. No matter where you go, you will always end up in Plaza Mayor!
- The view from the Bell Tower of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco over Trinidad’s picturesque red-tiled rooftops.
- Tasting the world-famous La Canchanchara, a local cocktail made of five ingredients: aguardiente (an alcoholic liquor obtained by the fermentation and distillation of sugar cane), honey, freshly squeezed lemon juice, ice and water. The mixture of these five ingredients represents the mixture of Cuban cultures. Traditionally, La Canchanchara is served in a small clay mug created by the indigenous Cubans.
- Enjoying Trinidad’s nightlife; translating into dancing, singing and drinking all night long! Music is a fundamental element of Cuban life, and especially in Trinidad you’ll find a band playing in nearly every corner! The party starts early at Casa de la Musica (19:00 p.m. sharp), steps away from Plaza Mayor. Grab a take-away drink (super cheap at only 1 CUC), find a comfy spot on the stone staircase, and enjoy the sunset under the Cuban rhythm of salsa. Your next stop is Casa de la Trova, an indoor music hall with local Cuban bands performing until late hours. And if you are up for a nightclub, Disco Ayala hosted inside a natural cave is your place (5 CUC per drink).
© Photo by George Devves
- Hiking (or Horse Riding) to Parque El Cubano. The distance from Trinidad until the entrance of the park is around 6-7 km (1,5 hours on foot). From there you will need to walk another 3 km (45 minutes) along the Cimarrones de Javira trail until you reach the Javira Waterfall. It might sound a bit demanding but, in the end, the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains and the refreshing swim in the natural pool that is formed at the foot of the waterfall will compensate in full your physical effort.
The entrance ticket for El Cubano costs 10 CUC. Remember to have your passport number with you, and don’t throw your ticket as there will be another inspection when you reach the waterfall. If you decide to do this walk independently, make sure you have offline maps on your phone so that you don’t lose your way!
Note: El Cubano is a small part of the Topes de Collantes Natural Park, a top ranked destination among nature lovers. It provides the cheapest and easiest access to this massive natural reserve, hosting different endemic species of flora and fauna. For those eager to explore more, additional trails are available for the Parques of El Nicho, Altiplano, Codina and Guanayara.
© Photos by Thaleia Ioannou
- Chilling at Playa Ancón, one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of Cuba’s southern coast. The beach is stretching for about 8 kms long, so you can choose between a resort hotel beach (sunchair 2 CUC, umbrella 2 CUC) or look for another spot offering more tranquillity and seclusion.
© Photos by Thaleia Ioannou
Transportation Costs from Havana to Trinidad (one way):
- Colectivo: 30 CUC (trip duration approx. 4-5 hours)
- Private taxi: 160 CUC in total for up to 4 passengers (the more you are, the better)
- Viazul bus ticket: 25 USD (trip duration approx. 6,5 hours)
Transportation Costs from Trinidad to Playa Ancón (return):
- Private taxi: 15 USD in total (the more you are, the better). You usually agree with the driver at what time you would like him to pick you up from Playa Ancón for your ride back.
- Bus ticket: 5 CUC (day ticket)
- Bike: You can rent a bike for 5 CUC per day, but beware of the heat as the distance to Playa Ancón is rather long.
Cienfuegos
Owing its elegance and unique French architecture of the initial settlers, Cienfuegos is known as “The Pearl of the South”. The city lies peacefully on the sheltered Cienfuegos Bay, a picturesque location on the southern coast of Cuba.
Easy walkable within a few hours, Cienfuegos makes for a quick stopover on your way back to Havana (or Santa Clara). If you use Viazul, you should take the early morning bus for getting to Cienfuegos. Take a couple of hours to explore the small town, then jump on the last Viazul bus heading to your next destination.
Things you should not miss in Cienfuegos:
- The Historic Centre recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
- The protected zone of La Punta.
- The Cementerio la Reina. The cemeteries, for those who do not fear to include them on their sightseeing plan, can tell quite a lot about cities themselves. Likewise, in Cementerio la Reina you can instantly get a glimpse of Cienfuegos’ colonial past. Exquisite pieces of architecture make the place look like an open-air museum, the most popular of them being “The Sleeping Beauty”. The cemetery is an easy 20-minute walk from the city centre.
Optimum Duration for Visiting Cienfuegos: A few hours
Transportation Costs (one way):
- Viazul bus ticket from Trinidad to Cienfuegos: 6 USD (trip duration approx. 1h 30’)
- Viazul bus ticket from Cienfuegos to Havana: 20 USD (trip duration approx. 5h 15′)
- Colectivo / Private Taxi: Negotiable price around the same amount as on the route Havana – Trinidad
If you only have 10 days for your trip in Cuba, you can now return back to Havana. If not, keep on reading!
Santa Clara
The main reason why most people visit Santa Clara is for paying tribute to Ernesto Che Guevara’s Mausoleum. Those particularly interested in learning more things about the life of this revolutionary icon, should reserve a couple of hours for visiting also the museum.
If you decide to include Santa Clara in your itinerary, it makes a lot of sense to reserve an extra day for visiting one of the northern Cayos of the island. Cayo Santa María is a very good option, offering a pristine setting of beautiful beaches and emerald seas. I would not recommend staying at a Cayo for the night, as the area is filled with all inclusive resorts. You can still spend the whole day there and get back to Santa Clara by colectivo for your overnight.
Optimum Duration for Visiting Santa Clara:
- Half day for just Che’s mausoleum (might require an overnight)
- 2 days including a full-day trip in one of Cuba’s Northern Cayos
Transportation Costs (one way):
- Viazul bus ticket from Trinidad to Santa Clara: 8 USD (trip duration approx. 3h)
- Viazul bus ticket from Cienfuegos to Santa Clara: 6 USD (trip duration approx. 1h 30’)
- Colectivo / Private taxi: Negotiable price
© Photo by Joana Kruse
Camagüey
Due to the rather long distances, traveling further south requires making some stops along the way. With that in mind, you will most likely make your first stop in Camagüey. A city right in the heart of the Cuban countryside that pleasantly surprises most travellers!
Hoping that you have already worked on your orientation skills in Trinidad, Camagüey is here to challenge you even more. The Old Town is full of narrow, winding alleys that form a complicated labyrinth-like street network. No wonder why locals call it “La Ciudad Confusa”, translating into “The Maze City”.
Camagüey is a charming town full of elegant colonial buildings, magnificent churches, and public squares. Let yourself get lost and see how many of those little gems you will be able to discover!
Optimum Duration for Visiting Camagüey: 1 day
Transportation Costs (one way):
- Viazul bus ticket from Trinidad to Camagüey: 15 USD (trip duration approx. 5h 40’)
- Viazul bus ticket from Santa Clara to Camagüey: 15 USD (trip duration approx. 5h)
- Colectivo from Trinidad to Camagüey: 25 USD (upon good bargaining skills)
Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba, and also one of its former capitals. If you have decided to visit, then you already know what you will find here… An explosive combination of singing, dancing, and drinking all day and night long!
Locals take special pride of the city’s cultural heritage, revolutionary past, and what more vibrant music scene! And speaking about music, it is Santiago de Cuba that is considered as the birthplace of the legendary Cuban “trova”. Trova is a ballad-like type of music, where poetic lyrics revolving around love and romance are accompanied by an acoustic guitar. For many years trova musicians made their living by performing on public spaces, and soon became known as troubadours.
Things you should not miss in Santiago de Cuba:
- The Casa de la Trova in Santiago de Cuba is nowadays a historically cultural place. Having said that, being invited to play there is the utmost honour for local and international artists. Needless to mention, that it is out of the things you should be no means miss while in Santiago!
- The Moncada Barracks is another top listed historical site in Santiago de Cuba. Marking the first armed action of the Cuban Revolution, it is currently operating partially as a school and partially as a museum. If you are a history lover, this place definitely worth your time.
Optimum Duration for Visiting Santiago de Cuba: 2 days
Apart from the fact that the city alone is quite interesting, by the time you arrive here you will already feel exhausted. Take some time to rest, as another long and exhausting trip is coming up next!
Transportation Costs from Camagüey to Santiago de Cuba (one way):
- Viazul bus ticket: 18 USD (trip duration approx. 7h)
- Colectivo: 35 USD if you are lucky to find other people going the same direction (trip duration 6-7 hours)
Baracoa
For many years, Baracoa was considered as Cuba’s best-kept secret. It might not be a secret anymore, but still only the adventurous few make it so far! Try to be one of those few!
Some things you should know before you embark on your journey to Baracoa:
- Baracoa was the landing point of Christopher Columbus in Cuba back in 1492, and the first capital of Cuba.
- Arriving by road means you will have to put up with probably the worse road conditions in the entire Cuba. However, the stunning views over the lush landscape and while approaching this coastal little heaven will compensate you in full!
- In Baracoa the nature is mind boggling! You will find yourself surrounded by mountains and a tropical jungle-like vegetation on the one side, and the most remote idyllic beaches on the other side.
- Book a flight back to Havana to save time and unnecessary tiredness!
Optimum Duration for Visiting Baracoa: 2+ days. Since you have made is so far, make it worthwhile!
Transportation Costs from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa (one way):
- Viazul bus ticket: 15 USD (trip duration approx. 5-6 hours)
- Colectivo: 30 USD if you are lucky to find other people going the same direction (trip duration around 6 hours)
Note:
At the moment of writing, the exchange rate between CUC/CUP and USD/EUR is approximately:
1 CUC = 1 USD = 0,93€
1 CUP = 0,05 USD = 0,04€
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