Cuba is one of the most beguiling travel destinations on the planet. Gorgeous neo-classical buildings, classic American cars, the best music and dance on the planet, and super friendly locals put Cuba firmly on everyone’s bucket list.
Two weeks of adventure in Cuba featuring cultural immersion through Spanish lessons & volunteering as well as adventure activities to explore and connect with nature.
Day 1 Arrival Arrive at Havana International Airport and transfer to your Casa Particular in the heart of Old Havana. If time allows, enjoy a short welcome walk to get your bearings and discover nearby services.
Day 2-5 Discover Habana
Shortly after breakfast Monday to Friday morning features intensive Spanish lessons. After a short written assessment and discussion to establish your level and objectives lessons commence taking the format of 3x45 minute lessons, making approximately 3 hours of Spanish lessons each morning. Lessons finish at 12 noon followed by lunch at 12:30. After lunch we enjoy cultural excursions and volunteering activities to engage with local people and practise our Spanish. We begin with a group ‘orientation’ walk around Habana Vieja & Centro, during which we visit our projects and bring everyone comfortably up to speed. InSurGentes is a partnership with a local community who are ‘greening’ vacant lots to make fun and safe spaces. This includes planting medicinal plants and creating nice places for kids to play and locals to congregate for relaxation and/or exercise. We are also upgrading spaces in a local preschool and depending how many volunteers we have and what is happening at the time we will allocate resources accordingly so each afternoon Monday through Thursday is fun and productive! Friday afternoon after lunch we pack our bags and hit the road; a 2 hour drive to Viñales.
Day 5 Discover Viñales
On arrival late afternoon a short welcome tour of the village to get your bearings. The best way to explore the valley and lush plantations is as the local formers do; on horseback* . We enjoy a gentle horseack trot through the countryside to take in the scenery and traditional farming techniques. We stop at one of the distinctive tobacco drying houses and learn more about this crop. Continue to the spectacular ‘Mirador’ viewing point before returning to our Casa and free evening to chill or head into town. *If you prefer, this activity can be taken as a walking tour – without the horse!
Day 6 Discover Viñales
After a later than usual breakfast (it is the weekend after all) we hop on bicycles and head out of town to explore one of the many limestone caves that make Viñales so distinctive. Take a boat ride inside to admire its limestone formations. Optional swim in a natural pool. Free afternoon and evening to hike, relax, or explore.
Day 7 Discover Viñales & Departure to Playa Giron
Our final morning in Viñales and we have a particularly early start as we aim to catch a spectacular sunrise with a local community, Los Acuáticos. We enjoy stories about the history of this community. After a coffee or fruit juice we continue to the famous ‘prehistory mural’ – actually an art piece created in the 60’s. Back to our Casa ready for breakfast, pack and enjoy a cross country transfer to Playa Giron on the south coast for some quality beach time arriving early evening.
Day 8 & 9 Discover Playa Giron
We are staying right on the beach and there are wonderful snorkel and scuba opportunities as the tropical reef is only 30m from the shore. We include a guided snorkel excursion as part of your package but you will have free time to enjoy additional snorkelling. While in Playa Giron we will also do two half day volunteering sessions, either beach clean-up/ other initiatives to keep the coastal area from littering or work at the local baseball field and sports facilities!
Day 10 Discover Playa Giron & Departure to Trinidad
A slow morning with plenty of time to enjoy the beach. After lunch it’s time to pack up and head to our final new destination; the beautiful colonial town of Trinidad, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement where time stopped back in 1850. After checking-in to our new Casa Particulare we take a guided tour to see the numerous churches and beautiful colonial buildings of Trinidad. In the evening, take a salsa lesson with a local instructor!
Day 11 Discover Trinidad
After breakfast, we begin an adventure with a 1-2 hour horseback ride. Ride through the cobbled streets of Trinidad and into the rolling countryside, arriving at Cubanito Natural Park. Enjoy a 30-minute hike along the scenic river with lots of opportunities for spotting birds and flora. Arrive at the grotto and waterfall, where you can jump into the fresh clean waters of a deep pool surrounded by high rock walls. Swim into the cave behind for a magical experience. After some chill time and a picnic or snack lunch (not included) we walk back to the horses for the ride back to your casa particular, arriving mid-afternoon.
Day 12 Discover Trinidad
Enjoy optional activities such as visiting a nearby beach, ziplining in the forest, or exploring more of Trinidad at your own pace.
Day 13 & 14 Return to Habana & Departure
After breakfast, return to Old Havana for a final evening of music and nightlife. On Sunday, enjoy some last-minute shopping before your airport transfer.
