Cuba Tours

Venture into Cuba, a melting pot of Caribbean culture, Spanish history and time-warp cities.

On our Cuba tours you will discover pristine wilderness, world heritage nature reserves, exceptional diving and snorkelling and thousands of kilometres of white sandy beaches.

Well-developed for tourism with resorts and hotels, Cuba offers far more than the ubiquitous mid-century cars and cigars. There is an astounding 500 year history of architectural styles to explore, a lively music and food scene and an incredibly warm welcome from a country that relies on tourism for much-needed foreign currency.

We hope you’ll spend a few weeks in Cuba, exploring the many delights of this nation of 4,000-plus islands, islets and keys. And in case you can’t manage a full fortnight, we’ve designed a few shorter itineraries to tantalise your interest as an add-on to a longer journey or as a taste for future travels.

Find out more about our South America, Mexico and Central America tours.

Want to find out more about our South America, Mexico and Central America tours?

Highlights

Cuba

Havana

Old & New Havana

Wonderfully vibrant, Havana oozes history, art and music from every square and side street.

This cosmopolitan city is filled with theatres, galleries, museums, nightclubs and cafes. You will easily succumb to the Cubans’ love of music and dance, whether at one of the fabulous floorshows at the famous Tropicana nightclub, or watching an impromptu salsa at a street cafe. Explore Old Havana (Vieja Habana), founded by the Spanish in 1519 and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is filled with forts, castles, mansions and cathedrals, including the Baroque Cathedral de San Cristobal. Take a tour by vintage car or stroll along the famous Malecón, a picturesque waterfront avenue and sea wall. In new Havana, visit the Capitol Building, the Museum of the Revolution and Revolution Square.
Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos, Pearl of the South

Situated on Cienfuegos Bay, this picturesque port city is often called “the Pearl of the South”.

Settled by French immigrants in the 19th century, it is renowned for its colonnaded city centre and elegant neoclassical buildings, built in an original grid pattern inspired by the ideals of the Spanish Enlightenment. Elegant, pastel painted facades line the wide avenues, with the most iconic building being the Teatro Tomás Terry, decorated with frescos and gold-leafed mosaics. Also worth seeing are the flamboyant 20th century mansions at Punta Gorda, in particular the eclectic Palacio de Valle. Near the entrance to the bay is the impressive Castillo de Jagua, built by King Philip V of Spain in 1742 to repel marauding pirates – like many of the other forts in the Caribbean.
Trinidad

Trinidad, World Heritage Town

Another of Cuba’s magnificent towns which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Trinidad de Cuba is a treasure trove of colonial architecture.

Its historic centre, founded in 1514, is an open air museum of carefully preserved palaces, churches and squares presided over by the campanile of the Convento de San Francisco in the main Plaza Mayor. Wander cobblestone streets and plazas, past pastel-painted houses with decorative iron grilles. See the remains of the once flourishing sugar industry in the Valley of the Sugar Mills with its defunct sugar mills, plantation houses and slave quarters. The nearby Escambray Mountains are renowned for their coffee plantations as well as great hiking, beautiful forest, waterfalls and grottos, in particular in the Topes de Collantes Nature Reserve.
Santiago de Cuba

Vibrant Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is a lively city featuring a strong Afro-Caribbean flavour and is renowned for its rich traditions of music and dance.

Situated on the southeast coast between the Sierra Maestra Mountains and the sea, most of Cuba’s famous rhythms and dances originated here, like trova and son. The city hosts many colourful and vibrant festivals like the Carnaval and Festival del Caribe. Take a city walking tour to discover its fascinating history and architecture, colonial buildings, the El Morro Castle and the stunning Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, the most sacred site in Cuba.
Camaguey

Historic Camaguey

The well preserved historic centre of Camaguey dates back to 1528 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city’s labyrinth of narrow streets were designed to confuse marauding pirates, like the infamous Henry Morgan who set fire to the city in the 17th century. Today they simply add to Camaguey’s immense charm. Check out the city’s famous earthenware jars, or “tinajones”, once used to collect rainwater, which decorate the streets. Discover the many squares, churches, houses and museums, in particular Plaza San Juan de Dios with the Museo de San Juan de Dios, once an old hospital.
Cayo Santa Maria

The beautiful island of Cayo Santa Maria

The perfect finale to your tour of Cuba is a relaxing few days on the beach on the idyllic Cayo Santa Maria.

This area is part of the Jardines del Ray archipelago and a protected Biosphere Reserve due to its ecological value. This tropical paradise is surrounded by the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean, long stretches of pristine beach, waving palm trees as well as marshes and mangroves home to large colonies of flamingos, herons, pelicans and iguanas. The Cayo is connected to the mainland by a 48 km causeway and is perfect for water sports, scuba diving and birdwatching. There are a number of excellent hotels to choose from and we can arrange flights or land transfers easily from Havana or other Cuban cities.

Cuba Overview

Why Cuba: Cuba, with its Spanish and African roots, is easily one of the most vibrant and unforgettable islands in the Caribbean. With exotic rhythms emanating from every corner, beautiful palm fringed beaches, expressive and friendly people, as well as a fascinating modern history, a visit to Cuba is sure to be an exhilarating and uplifting experience.

When to Go: Cuba is a year-round destination, with an average temperature of between 20ºC and 35ºC. The dry season runs from Nov-Apr, with the most popular time being Mar-Apr when you are pretty much guaranteed good weather, sunny skies and low rainfall. The rainy season is from May to October. It doesn’t rain all day however, and a visit in these months can be a great chance to witness some spectacular thunderstorms, which bring welcome relief from the heat and humidity.

Combine With: Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica or Colombia.

Getting There: The easiest way to travel to Cuba is via North America or Mexico. Alternatively, flights can be arranged via Panama City or Lima.

More of South & Central America