Travel to Cuba – Episode 940

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