Book ¡EXPERIENCE CUBA! Self-Drive Tour. Departure from Havana, Cuba.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend that clients take out full travel and health insurance for the activities included in the itinerary.
We recommend wearing light clothing and footwear, short-sleeved shirts and shorts, hats, caps and creams to protect the skin from the sun and mosquito repellents and bathing clothes for swimming in streams, rivers and / or beaches.
It is important that the client, prior to their travel dates, check the weather forecasts in the different countries and regions visited in the program, so that they can prepare the most appropriate clothes and shoes.
Beware of the burning sun. We recommend you bring your own protective lotions.
We may need a small backpack for personal belongings abroad.
In most of the countries that are visited in the program we have a widely extended medical assistance, with clinics in the most remote areas of the countries. Anyway, if you suffer from a chronic disease or allergy, etc., we recommend you bring your first aid kit or personal medications, especially when you are away from major cities.
It is suggested to wear sunglasses and photographic and video cameras to keep the beautiful memories of your vacation.
We recommend you always drink bottled and sealed mineral water during your stay in the different countries visited in the program.

Category : Self-Drive tour
Languages: Spanish and English

Collective Roundtrip

SERVICES INCLUDED

Guaranteed fixed departures without minimum passengers.
Assistance in airports and tourist destinations visited by the program.
Includes arrival transfer.
Accommodations according to the program: 7 nights with breakfast at mentioned the accommodation (according to availability).
Qualified English speaking guide throughout the tour.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

Intercontinental flights to and from the destination of the start and end of the program.
Car Rental (to be booked separately as per manual).
Main meals, drinks, entrance-fees, sightseeing, guide & driver (the mentioned programs are only a proposal).
Insurance (compulsory), fuel, drop off charges (where necessary), deposit, 2nd driver must pay on the spot. (Details see Caribbean Tours CAR RENTAL MANUAL & RENTAL CONDITIONS).
Optional excursions and shows incl. transfers (see supplements).
Extending nights e.g. in Varadero.
Transfer to Havana airport after the extending nights in Varadero.
Personal expenses and tipps.

IMPORTANT NOTES

IMPORTAN NOTES:

Net package prices are expressed in USD, Euros, Cad o GBP per pax.
This quotation doesn’t constitute a service reservation until your final confirmation.
Prices are valid according to the specified amount of pax.
It is NOT included in our prices drinks with the meals, airport tax, tips and porters service.
Our prices do NOT include supplements for special dinners in Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Booking including any of the mentioned dates are subject to hotels’ availability confirmation.

day 1 HAVANA.

Destinations to visit: Havana

Transports used: Modern car or microbus

Welcome to Cuba! Reception at the airport by an English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in Havana. Dinner at own expense.

day 2 HAVANA.

Destinations to visit: Havana

Transports used: Car Rental

Old and Vibrant Havana:

After breakfast, an English-speaking representative of Holiplus will be waiting at the car rental agency. He will assist you at the delivery of documents and when filling in the contract, as well as answer questions regarding the route. (Caribbean Tours Car Rental Assistance) Beginning of your self-drive tour.

day 3 HAVANA.

Destinations to visit: Havana

Transports used: American classic cars

Scenic Havana: Suggestion for today´s program:

There is no authentic Havana experience without a 1950s classic American car. Today you will do a sightseeing tour of some of the most beautiful places of Havana in a convertible. In the morning, visit the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. Proceed to the sculpture of Jesus Christ, a monumental work that was blessed by Pope Pío XII and erected on December 1958, just before the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Ironically, it was precisely that ground-breaking event what the statue was commissioned to safeguard against. Cruise along the underwater tunnel of the bay, onto the Malecón, the most famous avenue in Cuba and romantic hotspot in the warm Havana nights. Admire icons of the city, such as the Revolution Square, the Columbus Cemetery, the Metropolitan Park and Parque de los Jagüeyes. Continue onto the 5th Avenue to appreciate the mansions of the neighbourhood of Miramar, and finish at the Hotel Nacional with a refreshing mojito. Return to your accommodation. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

day 4 HAVANA - VUELTABAJO - VIÑALES.

Destinations to visit: Havana Viñales, Pinar del Río

Transports used: Car Rental

Suggestion for today´s program:

Head early for the westernmost Cuban province, Pinar del Río. Also known as Vueltabajo, this region produces the best tobacco leaves in the world, which are used to make the famous Cuban habanos. Arrive at the vega of Héctor Luis, the youngest “Hombre Habano” in the word, who will walk you through the whole production process. Enjoy a traditional lunch and continue to Viñales. En route, stop at the lookout point of Los Jazmines to take a memorable picture of the Viñales Valley and its typical limestone outcrops of mogotes. Proceed to the town and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore the picturesque countryside place.

Included meals today: breakfast Total km today: 260 km Total driving time today: 3 h 30 min - 4 h

day 5 VIÑALES - SOROA - LAS TERRAZAS.

Destinations to visit: Las Terrazas, Artemisa Soroa, Artemisa Viñales, Pinar del Río

Transports used: Car Rental

Suggestion for today´s program:

In the morning, leave for Soroa, in the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, to visit its orchid garden with more than 350 species. Continue to Las Terrazas, an environment-friendly community built in 1968 as part of a forestry project. Short break for lunch at one restaurant of the complex. Trek along the trail “El Contento” to learn more about the community and the surrounding area as you climb the hill of El Taburete, visit some old coffee plantations and refresh at the natural pools of San Juan River.

Included meals today: breakfast Included services: - Total km today: 140 km Total driving time today: 2 h

day 6 LAS TERRAZAS - BAY OF PIGS - CIENFUEGOS.

Destinations to visit: Cienfuegos city, Cienfuegos Las Terrazas, Artemisa

Transports used: Car Rental

Suggestion for today´s program:

Travel in direction of Central Cuba, through the Zapata Peninsula, a wetland area with numerous endemic species of birds, plants and reptiles, including the Cuban crocodile (crocodylus rhombifer). Stop at Cueva de los Peces, an impressive crystal-clear natural pool with a depth of over 70 meters, which links with the sea through an underground tunnel. Take the opportunity to swim or snorkel. Continue to Cienfuegos, a city founded by the French at the turn of the 19th century. Walk through the Paseo de Prado and Parque Martí Explore to admire the beautiful architecture, including the Terry Theatre, where famous Italian tenor Enrico Caruso once sang. Continue to Punta Gorda, an exclusive area overlooking the bay, and enjoy a cocktail at one of the most iconic buildings in Cuba, the Palacio de Valle. Dinner at a paladar

Included meals today: breakfast Total km today: 290 km Total driving time today: 4 - 5 h

day 7 CIENFUEGOS - EL NICHO - TRINIDAD.

Destinations to visit: Cienfuegos city, Cienfuegos Trinidad, Santic Spíritus

Transports used: Car Rental

Suggestion for today´s program:

In the morning, depart for El Nicho Natural Park, a heavenly place in the Escambray Mountain Range. Meandering across small villages, arrive at this exceptional place, which boasts a great variety of animal and plant species. Take the opportunity to refresh in the transparent natural pools and the water fall. After lunch, proceed to Trinidad. Walk through the historical center to take in the untouched architecture dominated by colonial houses with large windows and gorgeous courtyards. Wandering among the cobblestone streets feels like a journey to the times when the sugar industry flourished and wealthy barons amassed these great mansions. The city is also rich in traditions, such as pottery, sculpture and warping. After a refreshing cocktail, enjoy your afternoon at leisure

Included meals today: breakfast Total km today: 150 km Total driving time today: 2 h

day 8 TRINIDAD - VALLE DE LOS INGENIOS - SANTA CLARA - VARADERO/HAVANA.

Destinations to visit: Santa Clara, Villa Clara Trinidad, Santic Spíritus

Transports used: Car Rental

Suggestion for today´s program:

Leave early in the morning for the Valle de los Ingenios, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in conjunction with the city of Trinidad. The sugar industry saw a boom here with the establishment of more than 20 mills in the 19th century, leading to the creation of great fortunes that allowed for the development of the city and the surrounding area. Visit the famous estate Manaca-Iznaga, marked by its imposing lookout tower. Continue to Santa Clara, important cultural, industrial and scientific centre of the country. Notable for the clash that determined the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, Santa Clara is the final resting place of the Argentinian-Cuban guerrilla commander Ernesto Guevara de la Serna and his fellow fighters in Bolivia. Visit the Memorial dedicated to the epoch-making personality and continue to Havana.

Important: The mausoleum of Che Guevara is closed on Mondays and can be closed on other days without prior notice. Holiplus assumes no guarantee for the opening times. However, the monumental memorial itself, with an imposing statue of Che, is worth a visit.

Climb the tower at own risk.

End of the program.

Included meals today: breakfast Total km today: 305 km / 370 km Total driving time today: 4 h / 5 h