Transport

5 road journeys.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip is in mid range properties, and a homestay in Trinidad.  In Cuba standards of amenities and service, though constantly improving, can be erratic. You’ll find well-equipped rooms, private bathroom and air-conditioning in most and some local colour and special features.

The homestay concept in Cuba is not dissimilar to that of the bed and breakfast in the UK.  Rooms are rudimentary but homely and comfortable with en suite facilities. Most homestays in Trinidad are in a good central location. When we send your final confirmation we’ll be able to give you the name of the house in which you’ll be staying.

Meals

Breakfast daily, lunch days 4, 9.

Guides

We carefully select our local partners; their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return. Drivers on short transfers are likely to have very limited English. 

Summary Of Nights

14 days, 13 nights: Havana 2; Trinidad 3; Cienfuegos 2; Las Terrazas 2; Viñales 3; Havana 1.

Currency

The unit of currency in Cuba is the Cuban peso.

How To Take It

Cuba imposes a 10-15% charge on dollar exchange. To avoid this, you should travel with a reasonable quantity of sterling or euro cash (no more than is covered by your insurance). Notes should be in good condition, soiled or torn ones may be refused. Both euros and sterling are accepted in most banks and some of the larger hotels. You can change these into convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) on arrival. Keep the official receipt from your transaction, because you will need this should you want to change any currency back to sterling or euros at the end of your trip. 

Credit cards (not issued by US banks) are also accepted in some places, but be aware that there is a 11% surcharge on payments made by card, including on cash advances. Havana has a few ATMs and there are a few more popping up in other cities, although these cannot be relied on. Maestro cards are not accepted in Cuba. 

Daily Spend

It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around £25 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more although in Cuba the best food tends to be in the smaller family-run eateries.

Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income. 

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.

Many Cubans lack what we consider to be daily necessities, such as soap, plasters, bras, aspirin and stationery.
If you have room in your case for some such things, they will be hugely appreciated by the islanders.

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. Cuban authorities require visitors to have travel insurance, and specifically for the medical and repatriation element of cover to be from an approved provider. For example, Journey Latin America’s recommended insurance company is Campbell Irvine, and their medical and repatriation cover is handled by International Medical Assistance, who are approved by Cuba. Please check with your insurance company that their provider is similarly approved.  

Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page. 

Airport Tax

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the outbound international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.

Departure tax from Cuba is included in  the price of your ticket.

Journey Grade

Generally this holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors. The hiking and cycling is not strenuous, but some experience is advantageous. 

In Cuba there are often delays and occasionally cancellations – patience and a flexible attitude will be a virtue in these situations. 

Climate

As Cuba lies in the Caribbean, it has a tropical climate that is split into two seasons, one wet and one dry. 

However, Cuba is generally hot throughout the year (18-32°C) with regular rainfall and high humidity. The rainy season runs from May to October; from July to September, humidity can be very high. The east of the island is hotter and more humid that the west. Hurricanes and tropical storms are possible from July to October.

Clothing And Special Equipment

No special clothing or equipment is required although comfortable walking shoes or trainers, and sandals would be useful. Light, summer clothing will be adequate for these hot temperatures, and the dress code is very casual everywhere. Thin, long-sleeved garments may be useful for evenings, and a lightweight raincoat is the best protection against tropical downpours. We also recommend that you pack a torch as lighting can be poor at night.

Protection against the sun (sunblock, sun hat) and mosquito repellant are essential and you should bring swimwear. A daypack is useful for carrying sunblock, guidebook, water and any extra layers.

You might wish to bring your own helmet and padded cycle shorts , though helmets can be hired in Havana if you don’t have one.  

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in Cuba.

Vaccinations

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP. 

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website. 

Visas

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins.  A completed Cuban tourist card is essential for all UK citizens travelling to Cuba; we will organise this for you. Clients with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the Cuban consulate.

When's the best time to visit Cuba?

The high season for visitors is Dec - Apr when the weather is usually sunny, mostly dry and not too humid, though there can be cool days. Hurricane and tropical storms are possible Aug - Nov.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What's the official language of Cuba?

Spanish.

What's the official currency in Cuba?

Since 2021, the Cuban National Peso (CUP) has been the only legal cash currency in Cuba. Bring Sterling (or Euros) to exchange into CUPs. At government-owned Cadeca exchange houses, banks and some larger hotels you will be given the official rate of exchange. US Dollars cash are not accepted by any government-owned businesses.

Private hotels, bars, restaurants often accept payment in Sterling or Euros cash using an unofficial (often much better) exchange rate. US Dollars cash may also be also welcomed by such private businesses. Tourists often stock up on CUPs by paying using hard currency in this way and getting their change in CUPs. We think it’s best to only change small amounts at a time into CUPs and be alert to forgeries.
Using street money changers is not recommended and you should also avoid having CUPs left over at the end of your trip.

Sterling/Euro/US Dollar bank notes should not be damaged in any way and coins won’t be accepted. ATMs are quite widely available and will apply additional charges to those of your own bank.

You’ll need a credit card to cover transactions in most shops, as well as hotel extras and car-rental extras such as petrol. Some clients have reported difficulties using cards in Cuba so do not rely on them as your only source of funding. Be sure to check with your bank that your cards are accepted in Cuba (cards issued by US banks are not accepted, for example).

What's the time difference between Cuba and UK?

GMT -5 hours.

What places combine well with Cuba?

Mexico’s Yucatán, with flights from Cancún to Havana, 1 hour 15mins.

What are the festivals and cultural events in Cuba?

Carnival:  There are carnivals throughout the country on different dates. Havana’s carnival moves around date-wise year upon year, but is always accompanied by parades, music, drumming and dancing. Santiago’s carnival in July is probably the biggest and the best.
International Jazz Festival: Havana, Dec. Workshops and concerts. One of the world’s best.