An unparalleled introduction to Cuban life and culture

Cuba Explorer’s Havana extravaganza tour

Day 1 • Saturday • Hello Havana!

  • Arrival at Havana’s José Martí International (HAV) airport.
  • Transfer to, and check-in at your boutique accommodations are prearranged.
  • Enjoy a welcome cocktail, freshen up, and settle in.
  • Group arrival dinner with your guide and tourmates at your boutique accommodations.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to meet Cubans.

Day 2 • Sunday • Historic Havana and its people

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Explore landmarks of modern Havana with your guide, including Plaza de la Revolución, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and other key historical sites.
  • Human powered bicycle taxi excursion through the streets of Old Havana.
  • Walking tour of the four historic plazas in Old Havana with a local guide. Meet residents and shopkeepers along the way, many of whom are beneficiaries of our humanitarian travel project.
  • Welcome lunch at the private restaurant, Mojito-Mojito.
  • Visit Casablanca neighborhood with Cubans. It is home to the giant marble sculpture “Christ of Havana,” and the National Weather Observatory.
  • Return to your boutique accommodations and freshen up.
  • A hidden gastronomical gem. Group welcome dinner featuring an open menu at Paladar Café Laurent.
  • Evening event: Meet with Cuban dancers.

Day 3 • Monday • Cuban cooking, and Hemingway’s house

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Cooking lessons with renowned chefs of private paladar El Ajiaco. Followed by a group lunch, you helped prepare.
  • Walk with Cubans through the fishing village Cojímar, the inspiration for Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea.”
  • Visit Ernest Hemingway’s Finca Vigía home and meet the docents and curators who maintain his vast library, manuscripts, and personal belongings.
  • Return to your boutique accommodations and freshen up.
  • Dinner not included in tour cost. It’s an occasion to sample Havana’s stellar private eateries.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to meet Cubans.

Day 4 • Tuesday • Capitol building and marine life

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Meet the chauffeurs of Havana’s coconut cabs. They’re eager to talk and give you a ride through different Havana neighborhoods.
  • Visit Cuba’s National Capitol Building, a Latin American architectural treasure. Meet Cubans who maintain the facilities and learn about its recent restoration.
  • Visit Playas del Este, 30 minutes east of Havana. We’ll meet locals in this rural seaside community.
  • Lunch is not included. Explore the many families serving delicious homemade food.
  • Return to your boutique accommodations and freshen up.
  • Dinner not included in tour cost. It’s an occasion to sample Havana’s stellar private eateries.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to meet Cubans.

Day 5 • Wednesday • Havana’s big heart and great art

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Visit Convento de Nuestra Señora de Belén, a humanitarian healthcare and community service project in Old Havana.
  • Visit Arte Corte [Art Cut] hair museum and salon. It’s also a community center, park, and barber academy staffed by vibrant creative Cubans.
  • Enjoy lunch with tourmates and Cubans at El Fígaro paladar.
  • Discuss the art and history of Cuba with docents and artists at Palacio de Bellas Artes, Havana’s Museum of Modern Art.
  • Return to your boutique accommodations and freshen up.
  • Get to know the innovative mechanics and chauffeurs who lovingly restore 1950s classic American cars during a drive along the Malecón seawall.
  • Special group farewell dinner at the private restaurant Los Naranjos, in Vedado.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to meet Cubans.

Day 6 • Thursday • Adios Havana

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Transfer to Havana’s José Martí International (HAV) airport for flights home.