Tour overview

This 15-day small-group tour travels the length of Cuba, from Havana to the far eastern tip of the island and back, taking in its revolutionary history, colonial cities, music and nature. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout. You travel by private vehicle, local taxis and boat, and stay 14 nights in standard casas particulares, family-run guesthouses with private en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning; larger groups may be split between two or three nearby houses. Breakfast is included daily, with an arrival transfer in Havana.

The tour begins with a walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of colonial plazas, faded mansions and classic cars. Heading east, you visit Che Guevara's mausoleum and museum in Santa Clara, a jewellery workshop that trains young people in Ciego de Ávila, and the historic town of Bayamo, birthplace of the Cuban national anthem. Evenings are free to explore Havana's bars and live-music venues.

Read more

Remote Baracoa, Cuba's first Spanish settlement, sits between forested mountains and the sea. Here you visit a cocoa plantation and travel to the Yumurí canyon, walking in the forest and taking a ride in a traditional cayuca boat. A spectacular drive along the coast brings you to Santiago de Cuba, the heart of Afro-Cuban music and the cradle of the revolution, with a city tour of El Morro castle, the Santa Ifigenia cemetery and the Moncada barracks. The town is also famous for its traditional changüí music.

Camagüey's deliberately confusing street plan, designed to disorient pirates, is best explored by bicycle taxi. Colonial Trinidad offers free time and an informal salsa class, and Cienfuegos, the Pearl of the South, has elegant Parisian-style boulevards. On the way back to Havana you stop at a cigar factory and the Bay of Pigs. Cienfuegos was founded by French settlers in 1819.

The physical rating is low, with some long travel days. This tour suits travellers who want to understand Cuba properly, beyond Havana and the beaches, at an affordable price with a local leader. Single rooms are available for a supplement.

Trip highlights

  • A walking tour of Old Havana (Day 2)
  • Che Guevara's mausoleum in Santa Clara (Day 3)
  • Baracoa and the Yumurí canyon (Days 5–6)
  • Santiago de Cuba and El Morro castle (Day 8)
  • Camagüey by bicycle taxi (Day 10)
  • Trinidad and a salsa class (Days 11–12)

Your route

10 stops from Havana to Havana

15-day route: Havana – Santa Clara – Baracoa – Santiago de Cuba – Camagüey – Trinidad – Cienfuegos – Havana
  1. Havana Days 1–2
  2. Santa Clara Day 3
  3. Bayamo Day 4
  4. Baracoa Days 5–6
  5. Santiago de Cuba Days 7–8
  6. Camagüey Days 9–10
  7. Trinidad Days 11–12
  8. Cienfuegos Day 13
  9. Playa Girón Day 14
  10. Havana Days 14–15

Why choose this tour

The whole of Cuba in two weeks, including the rarely visited east. Family-run guesthouses and a local leader for an authentic, affordable trip.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who want to see the real Cuba
  • History and music lovers
  • Budget-conscious travellers
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
The Che Guevara memorial in Santa Clara

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Havana, Cuba to Havana, Cuba

  1. Day 1 · Havana Arrive in Havana

    A welcome meeting at 6pm.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
  2. Day 2 · Old Havana Old Havana

    A walking tour of Old Havana's plazas and colonial streets.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Santa Clara Santa Clara

    Visit Che Guevara's mausoleum and museum.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Ciego de Ávila, Bayamo To Bayamo

    Visit a community jewellery workshop on the way to Bayamo.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Guantánamo, Baracoa To Baracoa

    Travel past Guantánamo to remote Baracoa.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Boca de Yumurí Yumurí canyon

    Visit a cocoa plantation and walk and ride a cayuca in the Yumurí canyon.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Santiago de Cuba To Santiago de Cuba

    A spectacular drive through the mountains and along the coast.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · El Morro, Santa Ifigenia, Moncada barracks Santiago de Cuba

    A half-day city tour of El Morro castle, Santa Ifigenia cemetery and the Moncada barracks.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Camagüey To Camagüey

    Travel along the Carretera Central and explore Camagüey's winding streets.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Camagüey Camagüey

    A guided tour by bicycle taxi.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Trinidad To Trinidad

    Travel to colonial Trinidad on the Caribbean coast.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Trinidad Trinidad

    Free time and an informal salsa class.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Cienfuegos Cienfuegos

    Explore the elegant boulevards of the Pearl of the South.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Playa Girón, Havana Back to Havana

    Visit a cigar factory and the Bay of Pigs on the way to Havana.

    Hotel
    Cuban guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Havana Trip ends in Havana

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Old houses and the sea in Baracoa, Cuba

Where you stay

  • Havana (2 nights) Cuban guesthouse
  • Santa Clara (1 night) Cuban guesthouse
  • Bayamo (1 night) Cuban guesthouse
  • Baracoa (2 nights) Cuban guesthouse
  • Santiago de Cuba (2 nights) Cuban guesthouse
  • Camagüey (2 nights) Cuban guesthouse
  • Trinidad (2 nights) Cuban guesthouse
  • Cienfuegos (1 night) Cuban guesthouse
  • Havana (1 night) Cuban guesthouse

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in guesthouses with en-suite rooms and air-conditioning
  • Meals 14 breakfasts
  • Transport private vehicle, local taxis and boat
  • Leader-led walking tours in Havana, Santa Clara, Bayamo, Baracoa, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Trinidad and Cienfuegos
  • Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum entry
  • Santiago de Cuba city tour, a cocoa plantation, the Yumurí canyon and a Camagüey bicycle taxi tour
  • Airport arrival transfer
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Cuba
  • Cuban tourist card
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Revolution Square in Santiago de Cuba

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want hotels — you stay in Cuban guesthouses
  • You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
  • You want most meals included — breakfasts only
  • You dislike long drives — some travel days are long

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Cuba
A colourful colonial street in Cuba

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,660 per person, twin share, tour only. 19 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What are casas particulares?

Family-run guesthouses in private homes, with en-suite rooms and air-conditioning. Groups may be split between nearby houses.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily. Your leader will recommend paladares, Cuba's private restaurants, for other meals.

How long are the drives?

Some days involve long journeys, especially to and from the east.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors need a Cuban tourist card, arranged before travel.

Is internet available?

Wi-Fi is limited and often slow. Many travellers buy a local data card.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

Similar routes

14 days · 12 departure dates

Cycle Cuba: Viñales, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad & Varadero – 14 Days

From £2,080
8 days · 1 departure date

Cuban Highlights by Bike: Havana, Cienfuegos & Trinidad – 8 Days

From £2,019
9 days · 16 departure dates

Cuba Small Group Tour: Havana, Viñales, Trinidad & Cienfuegos – 9 Days

From £2,610
7 days · 12 departure dates

Cycling in Western Cuba: Havana, Viñales & Cayo Jutías – 7 Days

From £995

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

32 days · 57 departure dates

Mexico to Costa Rica Overland: Six Countries for 18–35s – 32 Days

From £2,230
4 days · 30 departure dates

Mexico City Short Break: Teotihuacan, Frida Kahlo & Coyoacán – 4 Days

From £825
10 days · 3 departure dates

Jamaica Tour: Blue Mountains, Negril & Treasure Beach – 10 Days

From £2,430

Explore more

From £1,660
See dates & prices