Cuba birding safari tour
Cuba birding safari tour overview
We are pleased to host licensed people-to-people birding tours to Cuba. The island promises some of the best birding opportunities in the Caribbean. Cuba is the largest nation in the West Indies with an incredible variety of habitats from interior tropical and montane forests to extensive wetlands and mangrove swamps. Just 90 miles from Florida, Cuba is home to 372 species of birds, 26 of them endemic species.
Leading our exclusive tours is master birder, educator, and renowned birding guide Arturo Kirkconnell. Arturo is the bird curator at the National Museum of Natural History of Cuba. His curriculum vitae features 77 scientific papers. He is the co-author of two books: “A Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba” and “A Birdwatchers’ Guide to Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Caymans”. His new book “The Birds of Cuba” will be published by the British Ornithologists Union’s BOU Checklist Series. Arturo has been leading birding tours in his native Cuba since 1988 and is one of the most sought after birding guides in the Americas. He has guided more than 200 birding groups and has developed the best birding itineraries and strategies in Cuba.
These exclusive birding tours connect participants to the warm beautiful people of Cuba and their culture in addition to a strong emphasis on natural history. You will experience Cuba in a most personal way, through the eyes of the Cubans. We also meet with local biologists and naturalists during our visits to pristine reserves and other habitats where Cuban endemic, regional and migratory species congregate.
Cuba birding safari tour map
Cities and provinces you’ll visit
Day 1 • Saturday • Say hello to Cuba!
- Arrival at Havana's José Martí International Airport
- Expedited immigration and custom service
- Meet your tour leader, guide and bus driver
- Transfer to your hotel in Havana
- Check-in to hotel and private welcome cocktail with hotel staff
- Dinner is served at your hotel’s restaurant
Day 2 • Sunday • Endemic birds and Viñales
- Breakfast in hotel (included)
- Departure to beautiful Viñales, bird watching along the way.
- Lunch at a private restaurant in Viñales
- Check in at your hotel in Viñales
- Bird watching around Viñales Valley based on bird movements patterns.
- Dinner at hotel (included)
- Free time in the evening
Day 3 • Monday • Zapata - The best birding in Cuba!
- Breakfast at hotel and early birding
- Depart for Zapata birding area
- Birding and discussions on the natural history of Cuba
- Late afternoon birding opportunity
- Dinner and overnight in Playa Larga
Day 4 • Tuesday • Birding Bermeja & Playa Giron (Zapata)
- Breakfast at hotel
- Bird the Bermeja refuge - a critical area of National Significance
- Observe several endemic species - only found in Cuba
- Late afternoon birding opportunity to observe critical species
- Dinner and overnight in Playa Larga
Day 5 • Wednesday • La Turba (Zapata)
- Breakfast at hotel
- Travel to La Turba, a marshland National Refuge
- Observe regional endemics as well as migratory bird species
- Dinner and overnight in Playa Larga
Day 6 • Thursday • Birding and Depart to Camaguey
- Early morning birding in Zapata Swamp
- Return for hearty breakfast
- Drive to Camaguey (arrive approximately 5 PM)
- Free time to rest in beautiful Camagüey
- Dinner and overnight in Camaguey
Day 7 • Friday • Spectacular Najasa and La Belen Reserve
- Breakfast at hotel
- Bird the palm groves for a reported 120+ species recorded
- Semi-deciduous woods offer excellent opportunities for other endemics
- Continue to Cayo Coco - second largest key in Cuba
- Bird the mangrove habitats that has produced over 200 species!
- Dinner and overnight in Cayo Coco
Day 8 • Saturday • Paredon Grande & Cayo Guillermo
- Breakfast at hotel
- Bird the spectacular sandy coast where over 100 species have been reported
- Additional endemics including the rare Bahamas Mockingbird may be observed
- North American migratory species are highlighted
- Relax in this Caribbean paradise
- Dinner and overnight in Cayo Coco
Day 9 • Sunday • Cayo Coco to Santa Clara
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning birding in Cayo Coco
- Drive to beautiful Santa Clara and explore the city
- Opportunity to observe rare endemics in this beautiful city
- Dinner and overnight in Santa Clara
Day 10 • Monday • Return to Havana
- Drive to Havana (approx 3 hours)
- Explore the city and converse with the Cubans
- Enjoy a farewell dinner and lively discussion on Cuban birds
- Dinner and overnight in Havana
Day 11 • Tuesday • Say goodbye to Cuba
- Breakfast in hotel
- Transfer to Havana’s José Martí International airport
- Air departures
- Missing Cuba so much already
Reserve your tour now. Take 48 hours to shop and compare. Move mouse over calendar for available dates and costs.
Included in Cuba tour package cost
- Cuban Tourist Visa and delivery, up to a $100 value
- Certificate of Legal Cuba Travel ensuring compliance with US regulations
- Small group size – ten guests or fewer
- Knowledgeable, fun, attentive Cuban guides from arrival to departure
- Flexible tour payment options, you decide payment schedule
- Quality accommodations as listed in this itinerary
- Air-conditioned transport, professional chauffeur, and bottled water daily
- Airport-accommodation transfers on tour start and end days
- All activities and fees listed unless noted as optional or suggested
- Emergency telephone and internet access from Cuba to America
- Cash advances for participants caught short of funds in Cuba
- Ongoing support from our US and Cuban staff before, during and after travel
- Participants become Club Cubano alumni and receive future tour discounts
Tasty meals included each tour day
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Not included
- Air flights – List of commercial flights to Cuba
- Cuban Visitor Visa – Purchase a Cuban Tourist Visa
- Gratuities for Cuban tour guide and bus driver – Review tipping guidelines
- Trip interruption insurance is strongly advised – See options and rates
Weekend in Havana
Havana extravaganza
Old Havana and the sea
Wild Cuba adventure
Western Cuba culture
Create a private Cuba tour
Study abroad in Cuba
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