In our opinion, Cuba is a superb vacation spot so as to add to your journey bucket listing. Wealthy in historical past, colonial structure, tradition, stunning surroundings, and so many issues to do in Cuba, it’s a vacation spot that enables for an ideal mixture of journey, relaxation, and rest.
We spent 3.5 weeks exploring Cuba on our latest go to, however even only a week in Cuba will probably be value it. If there may be one factor we’ve discovered throughout our journey, it’s that Cuba is filled with fascinating cities and distinctive experiences. There is sufficient to do there to maintain vacationers entertained for properly over a month.
However for those who’re planning a visit to Cuba, ironing out the entire particulars will be tough. Based mostly on our expertise, we’ve put collectively our instructed Cuba itineraries for these planning to spend 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks exploring the nation and the highest issues to do in Cuba for every timeframe.
Learn on to search out out all the main points!
Getting Round Cuba
While you’re planning a visit to Cuba, it’s vital to remember the way you’re going to get round, so plan your Cuba Itinerary in accordance to that. We primarily took Collectivos, native and vacationer buses and would advocate you do too. Plus they’re a way more eco-friendly manner of getting round Cuba versus renting a automotive.
There are many methods to get round Cuba
Vacationer Buses
Viazul vacationer buses are the principle manner travellers get round Cuba. They provide greyhound fashion buses from most main cities across the nation. You might be assured a seat once you guide, and you’ll guide on-line prematurely. We’d extremely advocate this feature for longer journeys.
Consider you may be paying for the entire length of the journey, even in case you are getting on mid-route. For instance, the journey from Havana to Baracoa and the journey from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa are each $15 USD as a result of Santiago de Cuba is a cease on the Havana to Baracoa route.
Viazul vacationer bus
Collectivos
Collectivos are fixed-rate taxis, that run on a predetermined route and depart when they’re full. Basically a shared taxi.
These are an excellent choice for travelling shorter distances between cities. Your lodging or locals will be capable to level you within the course of a Collectivo stand. Fares are barely greater than native buses however nonetheless very low-cost. Fares ought to be paid in CUP.
Collectivos, and taxis are generally previous traditional automobiles like this one
Native Buses
Native buses supply an genuine Cuban expertise and the least expensive manner to get from place to position. Like anyplace else they run lengthy and brief distances and have routes between cities and inside them.
Buses are sometimes very full, and very popular. Routes are written on boards on the native bus stations, and fares ought to be paid in CUP once you get on the bus.
Taxi
Taxis ought to be metered in Cuba, nonetheless, generally the motive force will supply a barely cheaper charge for a set charge. That is in order that he can pocket the money relatively than hand it over to the state (bear in mind Cuba is a nonetheless a communist nation).
Taxis are sometimes very protected and handy for getting round a metropolis.
Cuban Taxi
Automotive Leases
Automotive leases offer you a sure freedom that different modes of transportation can’t. Nevertheless, roads are very poor, and signage is restricted making getting round Cuba by way of automotive very tough. Particularly when there isn’t any cellular phone information to make use of Google Maps.
This feature may get fairly costly. With some automotive leases beginning at $100/per day and one-way drop off expenses tending to be very excessive. The automotive rental corporations are state-owned, however you rent a non-public driver and automotive and keep away from coping with authorities paperwork.
There are simpler and greener choices for renting a automotive in Cuba
Parking will also be difficult, and there are tales of automotive leases being reserved after which having the automotive not be accessible when the vacationer arrives. So, for many travellers renting a automotive is extra hassle than it’s value.
Rail
It’s doable to journey inter-city by rail. Nevertheless, the railway system is underdeveloped and infrequently delayed in Cuba. So, usually it’s far more dependable to go for different transportation choices. For extra info on railway journey in Cuba try Seat 61.
Get your self to Cuba!
Issues to Do In Cuba & Prime Locations
Havana
In case you are concerned about experiencing some Cuban tradition (and we positive hope you’re), we advocate beginning your journey in Havana, because it’s the most effective locations to go to in Cuba.
A few of our greatest recollections from Havana had been from the times we spent getting misplaced within the streets of Outdated Havana, sipping cocktails, and having fun with people-watching in Plaza Vieja. The longer you keep in Havana, the extra you’ll come to like this previous colonial metropolis.
What to do in Cuba? Admire the colonial structure in Havana
El Capitol, Outdated Havana
Vinales
In case you are in want of some rest in nature and questioning the place to go in Cuba, then head to Vinales. This stunning and laid again lush valley in Pinar del Río province of Cuba supplies a stark distinction to the hustle and bustle of Havana. It’s an excellent choice for nature lovers on the lookout for issues to do in Cuba.
What to see in Cuba? Try the luxurious Valley in Vinales
Varadero
If you happen to’re escaping the chilly and snow again house and questioning the place to go in Cuba, to spend just a few days on the seashore, there are a few okay seashores about 30 minutes outdoors of Havana.
Nevertheless, one of the best locations to go to in Cuba for seashores with the whitest and most pristine stretches of sand in Varadero (situated about 3 hours east of Havana).
Whereas we wouldn’t often advocate a go to such busy Cuba vacationer points of interest as Varadero, the reality is, good seashores with out the hordes of vacationers and all-inclusive resorts simply don’t exist in Cuba.
However not like the opposite seashore sizzling spots within the nation, Varadero truly affords some options to the overpriced all-inclusive, as the realm can be stuffed with Casa Particulars (Cuban homestays), catering to backpackers and people on a tighter funds.
If you happen to’re on a funds and questioning the place to go in Cuba, then hit the seashore in Varadero
Cienfuegos
In case you are like us and wish to get off the crushed monitor a little bit bit and are questioning what to do in Cuba that gives you that genuine expertise, then Cienfuegos ought to be in your Cuba itinerary. It provides you the prospect to expertise Cuba with out the vacationers.
Past the Cuba vacationer points of interest are the charming streets of Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos Waterfront
Cienfuegos was considered one of our favorite locations in Cuba, not due to its sights and points of interest, however exactly as a result of it didn’t have any. Other than a quiet Malecon and the central avenue, Calle 37 that comes alive with locals round sundown, there actually isn’t a lot to do or see in Cienfuegos.
However we discovered Cienfuegos to be a spot the place you can simply roam round, peeking into locals’ properties, or chatting them up on the streets. Cienfuegos is pleasant, it’s easy, and it simply so occurred to be the house to one of the best cocktail we had in all of our time in Cuba.
If you wish to expertise some Cuban nightlife and are questioning the place to go in Cuba, try the small bar El Botellon (Calle 33, Between Avenue 52 and 54).
Cienfuegos Marina at Evening
Che Guevara Mausoleum, Santa Clara. Picture by Alex Schwab by way of Flickr CC
Trinidad
Regardless of being one of the vital touristy locations in Cuba, Trinidad is a gem value visiting and the most effective locations to go to in Cuba. This completely preserved Spanish colonial settlement is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site boasting a historic centre, cobblestone streets, an excellent collection of eating places and outlets, and many close by actions to entertain even the pickiest customer.
Passing the time in Trinidad, was considered one of our favorite issues to do in Cuba
Stunning Playa Ancon in Trinidad
Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest metropolis in Cuba and one which performed a big position within the historic and cultural growth of Cuban. Town is house to a wealthy mixture of cultures and Afro-Caribbean heritage and is usually described as probably the most Caribbean metropolis within the nation. In July, the town additionally hosts the Santiago de Cuba Carnaval, one of many largest celebrations in all of South America.
Foremost Plaza in Santiago de Cuba
Parade at Santiago de Cuba’s Carnaval
However with or with out Carnaval, Santiago is an excellent vacation spot to really feel the rhythm of the nation. It’s the place the place salsa lovers and those who respect reside music will match proper in.
Baracoa
A small city of Baracoa, probably the most japanese level in Cuba, simply so occurred to be considered one of our favorite locations in Cuba. In October 2016 (about 2 months after our go to), Baracoa was devastated by Hurricane Matthew. Now in 2018, you’d barely discover {that a} devastating hurricane as soon as swept by the city.
Vibrant Streets of Baracoa, the most effective locations to go to in Cuba
Humboldt Nationwide Park
Humboldt Nationwide Park
Steered Cuba Itineraries
Cuba Itinerary – 1 Week
Havana to Vinales or Varadero
If you happen to solely have per week in Cuba, we recommend that you simply focus your Cuba itinerary on only one or two locations. The nation could look small on the map, however the lack of excellent infrastructure makes it onerous to hop round from metropolis to metropolis. One week in Cuba could not sound like a lot, however you may nonetheless tick a number of the greatest locations to go to in Cuba off of your listing.
When you’re determining what to do in Cuba for per week, you’ll need to spend at the least 3-4 days in Havana. This gives you simply sufficient time to discover most of Outdated Havana, go to the Malecon, and get an opportunity to make a journey out to Vedado. However even those who determine to spend a complete week in Havana gained’t get bored. Town itself is without doubt one of the hottest Cuba vacationer points of interest, and it’s straightforward to see why.
Spend 2-3 days in Vinales. Benefit from the surroundings of the Karst mountains, take a horseback using tour, go on a hike, or go to one of many many tobacco farms to get the lowdown on considered one of Cuba’s largest exports.
Cuba Itinerary – 2 Weeks
Havana to Trinidad
2 weeks in Cuba gives you sufficient time to go previous Havana, Vinales, and Varadero and discover extra of the island.
It’s simply sufficient time to pattern extra of the distinctive issues to do in Cuba. If you happen to’re planning on 2 weeks in Cuba, there are 2 locations which you could now add to your Cuba itinerary: Cienfuegos and Trinidad.
Plan to spend 1-2 days within the quiet city of Cienfuegos. It’s the solely city in Cuba that was based by the French and thus it seems and feels completely different from the opposite components of the nation.
Plan to remain in Trinidad for 1-2 days to get a really feel for the place and discover the previous colonial middle, and add one other 2-3 days if you wish to pay a go to to the encircling points of interest, like Playa Ancon (one of many nicest non-all inclusive seashores within the nation) or the waterfalls simply outdoors of the city in Topes de Collantes Nationwide Park.
When you have time, add one other day to your Cuba itinerary and plan a visit to Santa Clara (you are able to do this as a day journey from Cienfuegos or Trinidad) the place you may study extra concerning the historical past of Cuba.
Santa Clara affords most of the most fascinating issues to do in Cuba. Pay a go to to the resting place of Che Guevara, and the Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, the positioning of one of the vital vital battles in Cuban historical past.
Cuba Itinerary – 3 Weeks
Havana to Santiago de Cuba
With a further week up your sleeve, you may cowl the cities within the 2-Week Cuba itinerary and head additional south in direction of Santiago de Cuba and past including to your listing of what to see in Cuba as you go!
Plan to spend at the least 3 days in Santiago de Cuba and funds one other 2 for getting there and again. If you happen to occur to be visiting Cuba in July, don’t miss an opportunity to attend Santiago de Cuba Carnaval.
Cuba Itinerary – 4 Weeks
Havana to Baracoa
That is the Cuba itinerary that we adopted throughout our time in Cuba and permits you ample time to expertise all of the greatest issues to do in Cuba. Since we solely had 3.5 weeks as an alternative of the complete 4 weeks, the itinerary did appear a bit rushed, so maintain that in thoughts in case you are this feature.
Plan to spend at the least 3-4 days in Baracoa to benefit from the city, go to the Humboldt Nationwide Park, try the close by seashores, or climb Mt. El Yunque. Funds one other 1-2 days for transit as attending to Baracoa is an journey in and of itself! The city is situated a bumpy 5-hour experience from Santiago de Cuba.
Sluggish Down As a substitute of Including Extra to Your Cuba Itinerary!
When you have greater than an additional week to spare, we recommend that you simply decelerate your tempo as an alternative of including extra locations to your Cuba itinerary.
Give your self just a few additional days in Havana to drink, eat, dance, and simply soak on this fascinating metropolis. It’s the melting pot of one of the best issues to do in Cuba.
Spend just a few strong days enjoyable on the seashore (or by the pool). Whereas we don’t often advocate all-inclusive resorts, we spent 4 improbable enjoyable days on the Reminiscences Playa Jibacoa Resort having fun with their beautiful non-public seashore, yoga courses, nice meals, and good facilities. It was a much-needed escape after 2 weeks of exhausting bus/Collectivos journey within the southern a part of Cuba.
Add just a few additional days to your time in Trinidad to go to the close by mountains and waterfalls. We heard it was a visit value making, though we didn’t have the time to expertise it ourselves.
Keep in mind that on the finish of the day, a number of the most fascinating and memorable moments will most likely happen once you least anticipate it. So give your journey the additional area it wants so you may have the time to take all of it in, to replicate, and to study extra concerning the historical past of Cuba and the day by day lives of its folks.
Viva Cuba!