Self-Drive: Explore Cultural Cuba

15 days from £1869 per person

Starting your holiday in Havana, you’ll cruise around the city in a classic car taking in the iconic sights and atmosphere of the country’s bustling capital. From here you will take a short flight to Santiago de Cuba, the birthplace of Cuba’s diverse musical flavours. You’ll pick up your hire car at the airport and drive the length of the country, dropping it back off in Havana at the end of your trip. On the way you’ll stop off to explore Fidel’s rebel camp hidden deep within the Sierra Maestro mountain range, amble through the labyrinth of streets in Camaguey and learn to salsa with the locals in Trinidad. As you drive through the country, you’ll spot countless road signs that celebrate the heroes of the revolution and pass lush green vegetation, sugar plantations and forests of palm trees. Your journey takes you on to the magnificent Vinales Valley where you’ll cycle around the small town before spending your last night back in Havana.

Havana – Santiago de Cuba – Sierra Maestra – Bayamo – Camaguey – Trinidad – Vinales – Havana

Itinerary Highlights

Santiago de Cuba is the birthplace of Cuba’s musical diversity, steeped in Afro-Caribbean influences and colonial grand buildings, it’s a vibrant city that’s certainly got a buzz to it.

Hike to Comandancia de la Plata, Fidel Castro’s hide-out, high up in the Sierra Mountain range where the military plans that brought about the demise of the Batista government were formed.

With a passion for music, a flair for creating tasty food and a relaxed town that’s near the sea; Trinidad is often visitor’s favourite place to stay, and it’s easy to see why.

Itinerary: Self-Drive: Explore Cultural Cuba

Day 1 UK to Havana

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international flight to Havana. On arrival you will be met by your private driver and transfer to your hotel in Havana Vieja, the heart of the old town. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel or head out into Havana Vieja. There are many colonial plazas and plenty of cobbled streets that lead to delightful music halls near to your hotel. (N)

Accommodation: Hotel Raquel (or similar)

Day 2 Havana

After a brief welcome meeting you will be met by your English speaking guide who will take you on a 3 hour tour of Havana’s iconic sights. You will spend the first 2 hours in a classic car, stopping off at revolutionary landmarks, cruising past colonial buildings and learning about local Cuban life, before embarking on a 1 hour walking tour of the old town. This afternoon, you could ask your hotel for a map and venture out to explore more of Havana’s colonial buildings and impressive monuments. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Raquel (or similar)

Day 3 Havana to Santiago de Cuba – by air

After breakfast today you will be collected from your hotel by private car and transfer to the airport for your short flight to Santiago de Cuba (flight time approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival in Santiago de Cuba you will collect your hire car from the airport and drive to your centrally located hotel, where you will spend the next 2 nights. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your own pace. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Casa Granda (or similar)

Day 4 Santiago de Cuba

From your centrally located hotel, you are in the perfect spot to explore the main sights of this Caribbean city. You might choose to visit the Museum of Cuban History, the Bacardi Rum Factory or slip on your trainers and go for a walk around the UNESCO San Pedro de la Roca del Morro Castle which provides stunning views over the bay. If you fancy something a little more relaxed, head to the Trivioli neighbourhood, where Cuba’s finest musicians gather to jam. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Casa Granda (or similar)

Day 5 Santiago de Cuba to Sierra Maestra -189 km

Later on this morning you will get in the car and drive through a sublime mountain range of green peaks and a humid cloud forest to reach the small and secluded Villa Santa Domingo in the Sierra Mountains (drive time approximately 4 hours). This hotel is the starting point of the hike you will embark on the following morning, so we recommend relaxing amidst the beautiful jungle-clad scenery of your rustic accommodation for the rest of the day. (B)

Accommodation: Villa Santo Domingo (or similar)

Day 6 Sierra Maestra to Bayamo - 62 km

After an early breakfast, you will meet your English speaking guide outside your hotel for your hike to Comandancia de la Plata, Fidel Castro’s pre-revolution hide-out. From this mountain base, Castro and his rebels orchestrated the military strikes which brought about the demise of the Batista government. After your hike, you will drive to the low-key town of Bayamo (drive time approximately 1 hour). This evening you might choose to visit Casa de la Trova where you can soak up the lively atmosphere and listen to some live Cuban beats that are guaranteed to get your foot tapping. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Royalton (or similar)

Day 7 Bayamo to Camaguey - 206 km

Bayamo is renowned for housing nearly half of the most significant historical sites in the country. You might choose to take a stroll around the town to discover these impressive sites for yourself this morning, including the birthplace of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the cathedral or the Plaza de la Revolucion. Later on, you will begin your drive to Camaguey (drive time approximately 4 hour). When you arrive at Camaguey, spend the rest of the day exploring the maze like streets, which were built this way to confuse invaders and protect the long-suffering residents. (B)