Travel to Cuba – Episode 940

categories: caribbean travel

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Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country. (Podcast)

Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country.

Here’s a summary of the 2025 Amateur Traveler’s Private Hola Cuba itinerary:

Trip Overview

  • Trip Name: Amateur Traveler’s Private Hola Cuba
  • Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
  • Start & End Location: Havana, Cuba
  • Group Size: 17 travelers
  • Travel Style: Comfortable, immersive, support-for-the-Cuban-people focused
  • Accommodation: Locally-owned guesthouses
  • Meals Included:
    • 8 breakfasts
    • 6 lunches
    • 7 dinners
  • Transport: Private transport throughout

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Havana

  • Complimentary airport transfer.
  • Evening welcome meeting and dinner at a local paladar (private restaurant).

Day 2 – Havana Exploration

  • Morning Afro-Cuban religion tour.
  • Classic American vintage car tour of outer Havana.
  • Walking tour of Old Havana (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Day 3 – Havana → Las Terrazas → Viñales

  • Visit Fusterlandia, a mosaic-filled neighborhood created by artist José Fuster.
  • Tour and community visit in Las Terrazas (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve).
  • Cooking lesson for Cuban cuisine

Day 4 – Viñales

  • Orientation walk in Viñales. Visit to a tobacco farm: learn about cigar-making and sustainable agriculture.
  • Salsa dance lesson
  • Farm-to-table dinner at an organic farm.

Day 5 – Viñales → Bay of Pigs → Cienfuegos

  • Visit Korimakao Cultural Project in Ciénaga de Zapata (arts education in rural areas).
  • Quick stop at the Bay of Pigs
  • Dinner in  Cienfuegos

Day 6 – Cienfuegos → Topes de Collantes → Trinidad

  • Orientation walk in Cienfuegos (UNESCO-listed French colonial city).
  • Swim at a waterfall and lunch at a family-run farm in Topes de Collantes.
  • Visit a traditional pottery workshop in Trinidad

Day 7 – Trinidad & Playa Ancón

  • City tour of Trinidad (UNESCO site).
  • Afternoon relaxation and picnic at Playa Ancón beach.

Day 8 – Trinidad → Santa Clara → Havana

  • Visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum & Museum in Santa Clara.
  • Return to Havana.
  • Final night celebration with dinner and live music at Buena Vista Social Club style club.

Day 9 – Departure

  • Trip concludes after breakfast.
    Airport transfer included.

Trip Notes

  • Visa & OFAC compliance: Trip qualifies under Support for the Cuban People license for U.S. travelers.

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Show Notes

Intrepid Hola Cuba: A Week-Long Cuba Tour for Americans
Hola Cuba

Community

Amateur Traveler Trips

Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country. (Podcast) #cuba #havana #travel #vacation #trip #holiday #itinerary #tour Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country. (Podcast) #cuba #havana #travel #vacation #trip #holiday #itinerary #tour Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country. (Podcast) #cuba #havana #travel #vacation #trip #holiday #itinerary #tour

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Chris Christensen

by Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen is the creator of the Amateur Traveler blog and podcast. He has been a travel creator since 2005 and has won awards including being named the "Best Independent Travel Journalist" by Travel+Leisure Magazine.

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