Overview
They say no one knows a place as well as an insider. In this five-day experience in Cuba, you’ll enjoy a hosted home, stay coupled with authentic experiences, guided by your own private escort. You’ll be welcomed to your home-based accommodation in a lovely neighborhood of Havana and wake up to warm hospitality every day before setting out to explore this island, nations, fascinating history, and modern reality.
Itinerary
Arrive to Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. After customs our local guide will meet you and escot you on a Havana Panoramic Drive onto 5 th Avenue and Old City along the Malecon for your first experience in Cuba. People-to-People presentation of your itinerary, commitments and expectations. Lodging in a B&B accommodation. Dinner on your own.
After breakfast included at the hotel, we are off to explore this sprawling metropolis of 2 million inhabitants. Founded in 1519 Old Havana, by the 18th century, Havana was the most important port of the region. Old Havana, whose walls define its boundaries, retains an interesting mix of Baroque and Neoclassical monuments and an ensemble of private houses adorned with balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. We will visit a privately own art gallery, then stop by the University of Havana , before we begin our walk-through Old Havana making- our way to El Templete. It is here where the City of Havana was founded in 1514. Nearby we’ll encounter the Office of the City Historian and many historical Spanish plazas including the Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and Plaza San Francisco. La Cathedral Square and La Bodeguita del Medio Bar-Restaurant, Hemingway’s favorite stop for a Mojito Cocktail. (Mojito Cocktail & lunch included for you). Lunch in a private paladar. Continue to Havana’s “Museo de Bellas Artes” and walk the famous Central Park where local Cubans discuss their favorite pastime, Baseball! You’ll see the Bacardi Building, famous for its Art Deco architecture, Tonight at 9 PM, enjoy the ceremonial firing of the canon El Cañonazo at La Cabaña fortress. The world’s longest cigar is on display in the fort’s gift shop. Return to your ho e host in Havana. Meals B/L
Breakfast included. Morning departure to “Finca La Vigia” former home of Ernest Hemingway where he wrote many of his novels.A visit to Regla Community where traditions and religion mixture are a true sample of Cuban culture and nation; a magnificent opportunity to share and mingle with authentic Cuban people . Continue to Cojimar where Hemingway keep his boat “Pilar”, and embarked on daily fishing trips to the Caribbean and found inspiration for his novel, “The Old Man and the Sea”. Lunch at a local paladar. Continue to the monument honoring Hemingway built by local fisherman with their boat anchors. On our return to Havana, stop by “El Castillo del Morro”, (Morro Castle) and “Fort La Cabana”. The tour continues walking up Obispo Street to enjoy a panoramic tour outside to the Ambos Mundos Hotel where in a room, now a museum, Ernest Hemingway wrote his famous novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls”. The walk continues through Havana’s former banking district and on to “El Floridita”, Hemingway’s favorite bar for his favorite trademark drink, the“ Daiquiri”, (included for you) . Tonight, the SHOW CABARET at the Hotel Nacional 1 cocktail is included. MEALS B/L
After breakfast, depart Havana towards the Province of Pinar del Rio. The main highway goes along the Sierra and the beautiful landscape is quite stunning in all its way up to EL PARAISO AGROECOLOGICAL FARM This organic family run farm initiative offers a combination of innovation and family tradition. The farm is terraced producing organic vegetables. Located along the hillside over looking Viñales Valley, this is a privately owned family farm, organized with others like it in a credit and service cooperative. Your hosts will share their experiences about the farm, entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in starting a local business in this rural community. This is a great opportunity to share with the locals their experiences. Next, we will try the local gastronomy with a traditional Cuban lunch At the farm. Then we continue the drive to the Viñales Valley National Park ,UNESCO World Landscape Heritage Site and an important geological attraction with spectacular limestone Mogotes rising 900 feet above surrounding farmland. There are numerous caves scattered on the slopes inhabited for many centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. We being our exploration of the cave formations of Cueva del Indio by boat. Then stop at the Prehistory Mural Project before the return to Havana. Meals B/L
Today we drive to the International Airport Jose Marti in Havana in time for your departure flight to the U.S. Meals B
END OF SERVICES
Includes:
- Accommodation 4 nights in a private house in Havana with breakfast
- English speaking tour guide service
- Services detailed in the program
- Comfortable and air-conditioned transportation
Excludes:
- Other visits not detailed in the program
- Tips, laundry service, telephone calls or other personal expenses.
- International Airfare
Casa Boutique Punto M
Finding the ideal small boutique hotel in Havana doesn’t have to be complicated. Welcome to Casa Boutique Punto M, a fantastic option for travelers like you.
While staying at Casa Boutique Punto M, guests can visit Callejon de Hamel (0.5 km) and Paseo del Prado (2.2 km), which are some of Havana’s top attractions.
Casa Boutique Punto M has room service. Additionally, guests can enjoy included breakfast, which has made it a popular choice among travelers visiting Havana.
REQUIREMENTS:
This program requires walking on cobblestone streets and uneven pathways, climbing stairs, and most importantly participating in a full-time schedule of people-to-people activities.
Due to the special requirements to visit Cuba, participants will be required to complete visa application and travel reservation forms and sign an affidavit confirming that they are traveling under a people-to-people license and are aware of the travel rules. Participants are also required to send a copy of their passport photo page.
This educational people to people Cuba tour is operated under Sunny Land Tours Cuba Travel License Case #20CT-2015-317165-1
Trip Interruption Insurance is required
Note:
* Tour participants must observe Strict compliance to the itinerary schedule.
* Tour Operates with min 2
* Travel Insurance required to enter Cuba
USEFUL TIPS:
*What Do I Bring? Currency & Money
•Currency: Bring bills only, no coins. US dollars subject to a 10% surcharge
•You will need your PASSPORT to exchange money
• Credit Cards & Traveler’s Checks: US-issued credit cards, debit cards, and ATM cards do not work in Cuba. Only credit cards issued in other countries may be issued (other than US). You must have cash in order to make any purchases in Cuba or pay for any services. Most places will not take USD, so you must exchange currency upon arriving. Tips however can be given in any currency. Traveler’s Checks may also be difficult to cash while in Cuba.
•Parallel Currencies CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos) and the CUP (Cuban Peso) 1 CUC = 24 CUP. You are unlikely to come across, or need, the CUP if you are staying at a resort hotel.
*Exchange: You can exchange USD for CUC at any airport, hotel, exchange bureau in town centers and some banks. The current fee for exchanging is 13%, i.e. for 100 USD you will get 87 CUC. The fee is the same no matter where you exchange your currency. In Cuba, they will not accept bills that are torn or written on when exchanging into CUC. When exchanging money into CUC , try to get small denominations to make purchases easier ,as many places(little stores, bars and restaurants do not always have the possibility to break down larger notes for you).
*Clothing: Despite its subtropical climate, Cuba has distinct summers and winters. Winter is between November and April, with nice temperatures between 75º to 80º F. Cool, Periodically it rains due to cold fronts moving through the island. The climate is very similar to South Florida in comparison. May through October is off-season and is the hottest period with temperatures between 85º and 90º F, and the possibility of severe storms and hurricanes, most notably in July – September. Casual, comfortable, and light clothes are your best bet. It is always wise to bring a poncho or light wind-breaker (water resistant) in case it rains. Unless you are in Cuba for business, there is little use for a suit and tie. However, a cocktail dress or pair of kakis may be needed for a night out at the club or restaurant. Always bring comfortable walking shoes, and pack a lot of socks.
*Adapters/Electric Converters: All of Cuba runs on 110 volts and 60hz. The outlets are for flat prongs. However, the Parque Central Hotel has 220 volts. If staying there, make sure you bring an adapter/converter like the ones use in most of Europe (round prongs).
*Hair Dryers: The rooms at are equipped with hair dryers, however, they are attached to the wall and are not the most convenient and comfortable to use. For the ladies that are accustomed to blowing their hair properly, you may want to bring your own compact hair dryer.
*Medical Supplies and Sundries: Although larger hotel stores carry some goods, travelers to Cuba should bring their own medicines, vitamins, bandages, contraceptives, sunscreen, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, soaps, prescription medications (in their original bottles) and other essentials as none of these items are readily available. It is best to assume you will have difficulty finding daily essential items in Cuba. It is recommended that travelers also pack rolls of toilet paper, tissues, pre-moistened towelettes, and anti-bacterial wash to anticipate the chronic shortages one can encounter on the road at locations outside of the hotel.
*Laundry: There are no coin laundries in Cuba, and most hotels offer a laundry service that charges on a per piece basis.
*Water: We recommend that you only use island water for brushing teeth etc. Drinking water should be bottled.
*Tipping Is expected in Cuba. Suggest 10% on Tipping.
CALLS AND INTERNET
*Cell Phones: US cell phones do not work in Cuba, even if you have an international plan.
*Calling Home: It is possible to call home from your hotel by visiting the business center or dialing direct from your room. If you wish to use the phone in your room, you will need to leave a cash-deposit at the front desk, so that they activate your line. It can be expensive to call home, sometimes more than 2.50 CUC per minute, and connection charges may also apply. You can also purchase local calling cards to use at pay phones or land lines.
*Internet: Wi-Fi is not available throughout Cuba except at some hotels. Most hotels also have a business center with computer, with limited hours, where internet service is available. Charges can up to 12 CUC per hour depending on the hotel. Because of the limited technology in Cuba, it is not uncommon to have internet outages.
*Communication with the US: Though internet is the best way to communicate with family back at home, you may want to warn them of the difficulty in communications between Cuba and the US. Not only can it be costly, but sometimes business centers are not open at the hours that are convenient to your schedule, internet may be experiencing difficulties, or you may have problems getting a line to the US from Cuba, since they are often rerouted through third countries.
*Electrical Current
Both 120 and 220 watts are used in Cuba. The older historical hotels have 120 watts in the rooms. The newer or remodeledhotels, run on 220 watts.
Important Contact Information
US EMBASSY:
CALZADA E/ L Y M
VEDADO, HAVANA
53-5-286-1607 AFTER HOURS
WHAT CAN I BRING BACK?
$400 Total of all Cuban goods (except as noted below). This includes a maximum of $100 of both Cuban alcoholic and/or tobacco products. Please note that the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) impose duties if more than one liter of alcohol, 50 cigars or 300 cigarettes are imported into the US—even If the total value was less than $100.
Any value of Art and Other Informational Materials. There is no value limitation on informational materials (including art, books, magazines, CDs, DVDs).
CBP will seize Cuban items that exceed the value limitations above.
SAFETY
-Safety Deposit Boxes: Hotels are equipped with safety deposit boxes and may charge a per day fee. Check with the front desk. It is advisable to leave valuables, including passports in the safe. A copy of the passport should suffice for ID purposes. You will however need your passport for exchanging of currency.
–Pick-pockets: though Cuba is generally a very safe place to travel (more than other parts of the world), it is always best to watch your belongings and beware of pick-pockets and purse snatchers. Leave expensive jewelry in the safe and only carry what you need for that day. You may see some kids or older adults begging on the streets, sometimes asking for soap, pens, etc. Though a nuisance, this is not considered to be dangerous
If you have purchased air transportation with us note:
Baggage policy and DAY OF TRAVEL
Licensed persons are expected to check-in 3 hours before the charter flight is scheduled to depart. The direct air carrier will close each charter flight 70 minutes prior to departure. If any passenger arrives after the flight has been closed, ABC cannot process the passenger. In this case, the passenger will not be permitted to board the charter flight.
BAGGAGE POLICY:
ABC Charters guarantees to transportation of checked baggage per person.
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES:
$20.00 will be charged for each checked baggage.
ADDITIONAL EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES:
Each passenger will have all of his or her baggage weighed—including the carry on luggage. Anything over 44 lbs. will be charged at EXCESS FEE. Excess Baggage Fee charges are to $2.00 per pound, boxes are $3.00 per pound.
CARRY ON ALLOWANCE:
Passengers may one small carry-on bag, plus one personal item. The carry-on bag cannot exceed the dimensions of the airline baggage size: 22 long x 14 wide x 9 tall
