12 days from £998 per person
If you are adventurous in spirit, the most rewarding way to travel around Cuba is to drive your own hire car. Several of us at Journey Latin America have done it.
Choose your own time and rhythm; stop wherever a glorious view or quirky little village tempts you. Fill up where you can – fuel supplies are erratic, as is the electricity to power the pumps (sometimes done using a fixed bike!).
Maps and signage are poor, but roads are lined with local people who are happy to help, most speak a little English, though if you speak a bit of Spanish it certainly helps. With a Silva compass and a decent map (we’ll give you one), you can find you’ll get to your destination safely (NB: Sat navs don't work properly in Cuba).
The following itinerary includes pre-booked hotels from which you can explore some of the most attractive and interesting parts of the island.
Holiday itinerary
Day 1: Fly from the UK, arriving Havana the same evening. Private transport to Hotel Sevilla in the centre of the city.
Day 2: Collect your hire car.
Days 3-5: Drive west through the fertile countryside of Pinar del Rio to Las Terrazas (80km direct from Havana), a Biosphere Reserve and community project, and the rural retreat La Moka Ecolodge 3 days to explore the area.
Day 6: Drive east to coastal Cienfuegos, ‘pearl of the south’, a nautically orientated city of seafaring legends and eclectic architectural styles―French influence is strong here. Stay at Hotel La Union.
Days 7-9: Drive to the colonial masterpiece of Trinidad. Hotel Brisas del Mar is on the white sand beach 8kms’ drive away. Nature lovers will find time to drive up into the Escambray Mountains, an area of rivers and waterfalls only accessible by car.
Day 10: Drive back to Havana (318km direct) and drop off your car.
Day 11: Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, arriving day 12.