Magical Havana, plus sun, fun, nature and the beach

Cuba Explorer’s Old Havana and the sea tour

Day 1 • Monday • Hello Havana, fine dining, old cars

  • Arrive at Havana’s José Martí International (HAV) airport.
  • Transfer to, and check-in at your boutique accommodations is prearranged.
  • Enjoy a welcome cocktail, freshen up, and settle in.
  • Get to know the innovative mechanics and chauffeurs who lovingly restore 1950s classic American cars during a drive along the Malecón seawall.
  • Group welcome dinner with your guide and tourmates at the private five-star restaurant Mojito Mojito.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to engage with Cubans.

Day 2 • Tuesday • Matanzas, handmade books, Varadero

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Morning departure across Cuba’s northern coast to Matanzas and Varadero. We’ll tour the city with Cubans and have a chance to meet and talk with locals.
  • Meet the artisans of Ediciones Vigía, a publishing collective that creates stunning handmade books.
  • Lunch served at your beachside accommodations.
  • Check-in to your Varadero accommodations with assistance from your guide.
  • Dinner served at your beachside accommodations.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to engage with Cubans.

Day 3 • Wednesday • Countryside, organic farm, dance lessons

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your seaside accommodations.
  • This morning we visit Finca la Coincidencia, a model organic farm in a hamlet called Guasimal del Toro. Meet and talk with members of this private collective about agriculture in Cuba.
  • Lunch is served by members of Finca la Coincidencia.
  • Cuban dance lessons by local performers – a fun way to learn about culture and customs from Cubans.
  • Return to your beachside accommodations to freshen up.
  • Dinner served at your beachside accommodations.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to engage with Cubans.

Day 4 • Thursday • Old Havana, architecture, history

  • Greet the day with tasty breakfast at your boutique accommodations.
  • Early departure to the capital city of Cuba, La Habana!
  • 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, Le Petit.
  • Visit Cuba’s National Capitol Building, a Latin American architectural treasure. Meet Cubans who maintain the facilities and learn about its recent restoration.
  • Return to your boutique accommodations and freshen up.
  • Farewell dinner at Havana’s most famous private restaurant La Guarida, where the 1997 Cuban blockbuster “Strawberry and Chocolate” was filmed.
  • Evening exploration with tourmates and time to engage with Cubans.

Day 5 • Friday • Missing Cuba so much already

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