One Week Cuba Culture and History Tour
What to expect on this itinerary
Embrace the mystique and bask in the heritage of colonial architecture and cobbled squares during this 7-day customizable Cuba culture and heritage tour. From vintage cars that cruise down the seaside Malecon to extravagant plantation homes of 19th-century sugar barons, Cuba evokes a snapshot of life frozen in time for an immersive experience in the countryside, cityscapes, and along the edge of the Caribbean Sea.
Customizable Itinerary
Santiago de Cuba – Introduction to Santiago de Cuba
Your private transfer will meet you upon your arrival at Frank Pais International Airport. As you travel outside of Holguin, you will venture toward Santiago de Cuba. You will first stop in the town of Biran to visit the birthplace of Fidel Castro at the Finca las Manacas. The collection of small homes resembles a small town and an established ranch that once sat on the main colonial road. During your time here, you will be able to find old photos, assorted clothes, and a 1918 Ford motorcar that represents the childhood of the former leader.
What's Included:
Santiago de Cuba – Sites of the Spanish-American War
Santiago de Cuba – Landmarks of the Communist Revolution
Trinidad – Sancti Spiritus and Valle de Los Ingenios
Havana – Contemporary Bay of Pigs
Havana – The Culture and History of Havana
Havana – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the rituals and habits of Ernest Hemingway when visiting his Cuban home, which is now a museum
- Follow in the footsteps of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders when visiting sites connected to the Spanish-American War
- Indulge in a visit to the birthplace and childhood home of Fidel Castro at the opulent plantation of Finca las Manacas
- Experience the Bay of Pigs from the Cuban perspective when visiting the gorgeous seaside and informative museum
- Immerse yourself in the colonial charms of Sancti Spiritus when touring the elegantly preserved streets at your preferred pace
- Reveal the sophisticated exuberance of 19th-century sugar barons on a guided tour of regal plantations and manor houses
- Traverse sites connected to the Communist Revolution in Santiago de Cuba, including the infamous Moncada Barracks
- Embrace the distinctive pace and captivating rhythm of Old Havana on a private tour that highlights the colonial architecture and local culture
Detailed Description
You will experience the wonders of the largest Caribbean island during your one-week Cuba tour that will bring to light the history and culture of the nation. As you travel with a private transfer and enjoy privately guided tours throughout your journey, you will find diversity in the tropical terrain and elegance in the preserved colonial architecture. The bright and clear colors of the sea will contrast the tumultuous history of revolutions, while the vintage American cars will overshadow decades of the American trade embargo. The beauty, history, and heritage across Cuba will provide you with an inspiring glimpse, resulting in a unique and indelible adventure.
Your immersion into the history and culture of Cuba will begin with your arrival at the airport in Holguin. Your private transfer will meet you at customs and lead you on a brief tour of the colonial architecture and relaxed ambiance of the city, which is often overlooked for the western point of the island. Before reaching Santiago de Cuba, you will spend time traversing the birthplace and childhood home of Fidel Castro at Finca las Manacas, which reflects the power, prestige, and opulence of the late Communist leader. Three nights in Santiago de Cuba will allow you plenty of time for an immersive experience with private guides that will lead you to a variety of landmarks connected with the Spanish-American War. Inside the city, you can explore the strong connections to the revolutionary spirit when visiting Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia, which houses the tombs of both Jose Marti and Fidel Castro.
When traveling to Trinidad, you will first stop in the captivating city of Sancti Spiritus to enjoy the charismatic ambiance of its colonial architecture and elegant plazas. The opulence preserved in Valle de Los Ingenios reflects the former prestige of the sugar barons, which can be found in manor homes, slaves’ quarters, and the Manaca Iznaga tower. A private tour of Trinidad will highlight the conservation of the culture and architecture as you witness donkeys pulling fruit carts, musicians filling the streets with song, and colonial design spanning the museums and private homes.
When traveling from Trinidad to Havana for two nights, you will visit the Bay of Pigs for a more in-depth view of the invasion from the Cuban perspective. Your time in Havana will shine within the heart of the historic city center as your private guide highlights Spanish architecture in the cathedral and fortresses, the vibrant ambiance along the public plazas, and the remarkable life of Ernest Hemingway.
Starting Price
$3,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 37 reviews
We had a wonderful time in Cuba and our guide, driver, and Zicasso tour director were all very professional and welcoming! We visited beautiful sites, including Havana and Trinidad, and felt we learned something about Cuban culture.
For future travelers, please pack a flashlight, as power can intermittently go out. Cubans are prepared for this and life goes on as normal.
We were well taken care of on this trip and since it was all-inclusive, bringing a lot of extra cash was not necessary. We recommend bringing cash for tips and souvenirs.
Our tour was in a charming 1952 Chevy, equipped with AC and plenty of trunk space. The food was great, especially for seafood lovers, and there were plenty of places to hear live Cuban bands. We highly recommend this tour and this travel agency!
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After a very shaky start, the trip turned out great. We became alarmed and almost aborted the trip when we were given a translator whose English skills were poor AND no one picked up our friend at the airport which had been prearranged. By the time we had gathered her, it was 4 pm and we were supposed to set off on a 7 hour journey to Trinidad. It didn’t seem wise to embark on such a trip so late in the day. We were also concerned about the “vintage “ cars without seat belts or headrests. If we had been better informed regarding the situation, we would have understood and agreed to this arrangement without question. Cuba is, after all, in economic crisis. Our agent heard our concerns and responded beautifully. She couldn’t do anything about the old cars without safety features but she recommended that we stay the night in Havana. She put us in a fabulous hotel. From then on, the trip was spectacular. She sent a new translator who was fabulous. Our accommodations in Trinidad were just lovely as were the restaurants and activities. The hike could have been better described. It was very difficult. We turned back because we didn’t have enough water or walking sticks. Bay of Pigs was interesting. We would have loved a guided snorkeling tour. I would recommend this group provided they use our translator or equally competent translator and that they upgrade their descriptions of the “vintage “ cars and the outings.
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Our Zicasso travel expert did a great job making all of our arrangements and making changes as needed while we were in Cuba. Our local guide and driver were excellent. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, very patient, and so gracious. Our driver took good care of us too. The guest house in Havana was amazing. The guest house in Trinidad was mediocre. The guest house in Varadero was in a great location and just fine. We loved the itinerary. The activities were diverse, interesting, and fun. We could not believe the VIP treatment we received everywhere we went – the dance school, the cabaret venue, restaurants, etc.
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The trip was wonderful! Everything was so great. I would highly recommend Zicasso’s tour company to anyone traveling to Cuba. Our guide and driver were excellent, and we really loved them. Everything was taken care of, from being picked up at the airport to meals and accommodations. This also included guided tours into dance studios, museums, rum factories, an architectural tour of Old Havana, and more! Again, I would highly recommend our travel company.
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We had such an amazing family trip, learning about Cuban culture and meeting amazing people along the way. Our Zicasso trip planner and our driver for the week were professional, kind, knowledgeable, and handled all the logistics of the trip with ease. From the places we stayed to the museums, beaches, hikes, and restaurants, we were well taken care of and came away with a truly unforgettable experience.
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What a wonderful trip! Zicasso's travel agent and her team were outstanding. The trip was well planned to visit the popular Cuban cities and towns, and included a personal trip to where my son's father was born. All the tours were great. Thank you to our guide and drivers! The accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment were terrific.
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