Difficulty Information
This journey is classified as Category A
The difficulty of our trips varies greatly. Added to this is the fact that travel difficulty is a very personal perception. To give an impression of the difficulty of a particular journey, we have developed a classification system.
Category A: Light travel, possible for anyone. Short travel distances, good hotels, low travelling speed.
Category B: Feasible for anyone who prepares for the trip. Sometimes longer distances, good hotels or camping facilities, some adventure nights, average travelling speed.
Category C: Feasible for anyone who prepares well and is flexible, though some parts of the journey are difficult, distances may be long or require a day’s walk, there may be some accommodation with rather basic facilities.
Category D: Reasonably difficult trip because of long travel distances, often primitive facilities or tents, long walks.
Category E: Difficult trip. The traveller knows him/herself and is well prepared, he or she realises that the journey can be demanding.
The Cuba-tour falls under category A. Any healthy person can make this trip; the travel distances are average and most hotels comfortable. We overnight in mid-class hotels, but take into account that you are in a developing country, with a much lower standard of living than your are used to at home. A flexible and positive attitude is much more important than physical fitness.
Nature of the trip
Who doesn’t want to experience the Carribean’s most swinging country? Cubans are very friendly people who love their salsa, cigars and rum. It seems like there is music on every corner of the street. Every visitor gets greatly charmed by this tropical island with its beautiful colonial towns, abundant nature, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and impressive Havana City, America’s oldest Spanish town accommodates numerous museums and a bustling nightlife. Cuba boasts a unique lifestyle and has until now successfully managed to protect this style against the influence of its big American neighbour. After Fidel Castro the experiment will probably end. The tour has a relaxed pace and in most places you will overnight in a hotel with swimming pool.
Day-to-day schedule
Day 1: Havana
Welcome to Havana, the capital of Cuba and one of the America’s oldest cities. The old town, La Habana Vieja, is the most interesting part of Havana to visit. Locals meet on the famous boulevard, the Malecón. The hotel is situated in Havana's most luxurious district, Miramar, and is a short shuttle-bus ride from Old Havana and the city centre.Day 2 -
3: Havana
Two days off in Havana. Havana is a wonderful city. Its streets and squares breathe a unique atmosphere. Enjoy its museums and baroque architecture or sit yourself down at a cosy terrace and watch the world go by. A special feature of Cuba is the big “fifties” American cars driving by, shining as if they were brand new.
If you want to know more about the revolution, you can visit museums, parks and monuments. You may like to have drinks in one of the bars Hemmingway used to frequent, and where he found his inspiration. At night, you will probably dine in one of the friendly, family-owned restaurants and listen to the ever-present Caribbean music.
Some streets in the old town have two names: the old, usually Catholic saint name and the new, revolutionary or freedom fighter's name. Even more confusing is seeing the new names on street signs while hearing the locals use the old names. On maps, both names are usually indicated. Like any other town in Cuba (and other Spanish colonies), the historic part of Havana is designed in a chessboard pattern. In 1573, Philip II issued a law that required a rectangular central square, the length being one and half times the width. This central square, Plaza de Armas, marks the starting point of the four main streets, which follow the course of the four wind directions. The most important social, political and cultural institutions are situated around this square. Most of them could do with a new coat of paint but, on the other hand, this faded glory adds to the unique charm of the city.Day 4: Havana
Today is your last chance to enjoy a mojito in one of Havana’s bustling plazas, shop for authentic Cuban souvenirs, cigars and rum or visit one of Havana’s many museums and historical monuments.
Day 5 -
6: Havana - Viñales
The beautiful Viñales valley is located to the west of Havana and is great for walking or horse riding. The eroded karst scenery is reminiscent in many ways of South China. We start driving in the morning and arrive in the valley in the afternoon. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation and the beautiful Soroa waterfalls. It’s a very enjoyable journey, where you can relax and take in the charming hilly scenery with its elegant king’s palms, deeply eroded rivers and simple wooden houses. You will stay in Viñales for two nights. The hotel is beautifully located and great for chilling out and relaxing in the swimming pool. There will be lots of optional excursions on offer, including cycling and walking tours of the valley and horse riding.Day 7 -
8: Viñales - Trinidad
Today we travel by bus to the romantic town of Trinidad, giving you a chance to admire Cuba’s varied countryside along the way. You will see hilly regions with king’s palms and large plains with cattle ranches, sugar cane and banana plantations. There is almost no traffic and you will encounter more horses and ox carts than cars. We will stop at Cienfuegos where, time permitting, you will have the opportunity to wander around.
By the end of the afternoon we will arrive at a hotel in or just outside Trinidad. One of Cuba’s oldest cities, it was designated a UNESCO world heritage site because the city has managed to remain so beautifully intact for hundreds of years. You will stay here for two nights, allowing you to enjoy the town, the sea and the green mountains that form the town’s backdrop. In Trinidad, breakfasts and dinners are included.
Day 9 -
10: Trinidad - Camagüey
On the way to Camagüey, you will travel through endless fields of sugar cane, from which the famous rum is distilled. In Camagüey, the country's third largest town, you will notice the presence of many tinajones. These are large earthenware jars that were originally used to store water in times of drought. The larger ones have a perimeter of four meters and a height of one and a half metres. The whitewashed colonial buildings have beautiful patios boasting Bougainvilleas and other colourful plants. The old town is great for strolling around. People from the rural surroundings often come to Camagüey and during the weekend a lot of partying goes on. Enjoy the local beer and (very cheap) rum. You’ll spend two very enjoyable nights here.Day 11: Camagüey - Santa Clara
Today you will head for Santa Clara, home of the monument and mausoleum in honour of the famous freedom fighter Che Guevara. The Cubans nicknamed Ernesto Guevara ‘Che’ because of his greeting; "che" (hey!), which used to be very fashionable in his native country of Argentina. In 1956, he arrived in Cuba with a group of revolutionaries in a boat called the Granma. In 1957, he became Commandante and an important figure at Fidel Castro's side during the first years of the revolution. In 1967, he was shot and died in La Paz during the Bolivian battle for independence. In Santa Clara on the Plaza de la Revolucion you will find his monument ‘Hasta la victoria siempre’, which means ‘Forever onwards towards victory’.Day 12 -
14: Santa Clara - Varadero
After visiting Santa Clara we continue to Varadero, a bathing resort located 140 km east of Havana, boasting a stunning white beach and a turquoise sea. We will drive down the coast for a while. Enjoy sun, sea and beaches (depending on the season) and the bustling nightlife. You will stay here for three wonderful nights.
Varadero is also a good base for diving, snorkelling, taking a boat trip or deep-sea fishing. The hotel is situated directly on the beach and is the perfect place to finish the tour.
Day 15: Varadero
On day 15, the group will say their goodbyes at noon in Varadero. But rather than being about ‘Goodbye’ your thought should be ‘Go further’!
Visit your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website. ‘my.shoestring’ is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals and photo albums based on Shoestring trips. Visit my shoestring today.