Highlights of Cuba by Bicycle
Highlights of Cuba by Bicycle
Highlights of Cuba by Bicycle
8 Days Starting and ending in Havana
Visiting: Havana, Bay of Pigs, Yaguanabo, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Santa Clara
Tour Overview
Hop in the saddle for a unique way to explore a one-of-a-kind destination. Cuba is an unparalleled country, teeming with verdant countryside, colonial towns, and revolutionary history. From the crumbling, colourful streets of Havana to the historic Bay of Pigs and the charming, cobbled streets of Trinidad, we'll explore it all on this week-long cycling holiday. Along the way, learn about modern day Cuba, staying with locals and sipping classic mojitos.
Cycle Cuba - With little traffic, cycling is one of the best ways to see the landscapes of this iconic country.
Revolutionary history - Walk in the footsteps of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro as we tick off Cuba's revolutionary sites, including the Bay of Pigs.
Topes De Collantes - Explore the lush scenery of the Sierra Escambray Mountains by bike.
Why not extend your stay? - Cap off your Cuban adventure with a two-night stay at an all-inclusive hotel on the beach in Playa Jibacoa (Tripe code: CSCB).
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Tour In Havana
Location: Havana
Accommodation: Casas Particulares
Accommodation Name: Casa Particulares - Havana
Our tour starts today in Havana - home to salsa, mojitos, and revolutionary spirit. Cuba's capital is one of the most impressive cities in the Americas, almost frozen in time with crumbling tenement blocks and 1950s American Cadillacs rubbing shoulders with grand colonial buildings and monuments to the revolution.
Due to the number of evening flights into Havana, our tour leader will meet you for a welcome meeting after breakfast at 8am on Day 2. Details of timings will be left in the hotel reception, as well as information about anything else you'll need for the day.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Havana's Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) which is around a 30-minute drive from the airport. A representative from our local partners in Cuba will meet you at Havana Airport and assist you with the transfer formalities.
During our tour, we'll stay in 'casa particulares' (local guesthouses), a type of accommodation that's unique to Cuba. The industry began in the early 1990s when entrepreneurial homeowners would rent out rooms in their home. The side hustle was initially illegal as communist Cuba didn't allow for private enterprises but was legalised in 1997. Today, it's common to find large casas that run as bed and breakfasts, however, the majority - particularly in Havana - are still a couple of rooms in the owner's house. This gives you a truly unique, local experience as no two casas are the same - you'll have ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, and a delicious breakfast across the board but that's where the similarity ends. We choose to use these casas particulares as they give a truly authentic Cuban experience, an alternative to standard hotels, and a new perspective on local life.
Whilst some casas still have live-in owners (giving you a great opportunity to interact with locals), others are entirely independent. In Trinidad, your casa might offer some outdoor space, however, in Havana, many are in communist-style apartment blocks.
Your airport transfer will take you to a 'reception' casa in Havana (Hostal Saxo Habana: Ave 3ra, #56 entre E y F, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba), where you'll be met by the host and shown to your room in one of the other nearby casas. We use different casas for each group and all are located in the Vedado area of Havana. You'll find several restaurants and bars within walking distance and Old Havana is just a short taxi ride away. Check in is anytime after 4pm.
Day 2: Cycle The Bay Of Pigs. Drive To Yaguanabo Via Cienfuegos
Location: Bay of Pigs, Yaguanabo, Cienfuegos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Villa Yaguanabo
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we'll depart Havana and drive for three hours to the Zapata Peninsula and the Bay of Pigs - the infamous site of a failed US-backed invasion by Cuban exiles in 1961. There, we'll enjoy a relatively easy warm-up ride along the flat roads, following the Caribbean coast from Boca de Guama to Cueva de los Peces - a flooded tectonic fault (or cenote) with resident tropical fish, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip.
Afterwards, there'll be time for an optional visit to the museum dedicated to the failed invasion before we resume our journey by road, travelling on to the colonial city of Cienfuegos. We'll have the chance to take in some of the city's 19th-century architecture on a short walking tour of the centre, before continuing by bus (a 45-minute journey) to our hotel at Yaguanabo beach.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 28 kilometres/17.4 miles along flat terrain.
Day 3: Coastal Ride To Trinidad. Afternoon Walking Tour And Cocktail Making
Location: Trinidad
Accommodation: Casas Particulares
Accommodation Name: Casa Particulares - Trinidad
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continuing south-east this morning, we'll cycle along the Caribbean coast to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Trinidad, one of the best preserved colonial towns in the country. Founded in 1514, Trinidad was a haven for pirates and slavers before the arrival of the French in the early years of the 19th century. Today, it remains one of Cuba's cultural gems.
This afternoon, we'll have a walking tour of the town, taking in the quaint setting of the central square and the cathedral. Then, later on, we'll enjoy a cocktail making class making Cuba's most famous cocktails - mojitos and daiquiris.
For the next two nights, we'll enjoy local hospitality staying in local casas particulares.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 150 metres/492 feet.
Day 4: Free Day In Trinidad For Additional Rides Or Relaxation
Location: Trinidad
Accommodation: Casas Particulares
Accommodation Name: Casa Particulares - Trinidad
Meals Included: Breakfast
We'll have a chance to enjoy Cuba's beautiful Caribbean coastline today.
Options include a day relaxing on the beach, or perhaps a trip out onto the azure waters on a catamaran. For those still wanting to stretch their legs, we also have the option to cycle out to the Ancon Peninsula (30 kilometres/18.6 miles return). Alternatively, you can relax on the white sands of nearby Playa Ancon, or return to wander through Trinidad's colonial streets.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles (this is an optional and unescorted ride).
Day 5: Ride Through The 'Valley Of The Sugar Mills'
Location: Trinidad
Accommodation: Casas Particulares
Accommodation Name: Casa Particulares - Trinidad
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's cycle ride through the scenic Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), with its ruined mills and infamous slave watchtower, is possibly the most rewarding (and longest) of the trip. By the mid-19th century, the valley was responsible for a third of all Cuba's sugar production, before the wars of independence saw the mills destroyed.
We'll cycle to the watchtower of Manaca Iznaga, before continuing through the valley. Re-joining our bus, we'll drive a short distance to the colonial town of Sancti Spiritus where we'll stop to pay a short visit to the old town, before returning to our casas in Trinidad by bus.
Today's ride is a moderate grade that encounters some ascents and descents throughout the day. You'll have the option to hop onto the support bus if you'd prefer.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres/37.3 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 500 metres/1,641 feet.
Day 6: Scenic Downhill Ride From Topes De Collantes; Bus To Santa Clara
Location: Santa Clara
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Los Caneyes Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Just a few miles behind Trinidad looms the Sierra Escambray, one of the three main mountain chains in Cuba. It has peaks up to 1,100 metres/3,609 feet, an incredible abundance of tropical and semi-tropical vegetation on its slopes, and some of the best Cuban coffee is also produced here.
Climbing up into the Sierra on the road from Trinidad is an experience, with slopes as steep as 20% (don't worry, we do this bit by bus!). However, those keen to take on a challenge (the most challenging ride in Cuba to be exact) might want to leave in the early hours of the day to give it a go before being picked up by the group later.
We'll start cycling on the highest sections of the road with some ascent still to go, near Topes de Collantes, a village and mountain retreat built in the early 1950s. From the village, we'll have a scenic downhill through the jungle. Before leaving the mountains, we can stop at a local coffee farmer's home to enjoy a meal (not included) and see the process of coffee tasting and, of course, try it, too. We'll then head north, passing through the village of Jibacoa, before finally reaching Manicaragua where we'll finish our final ride. We'll then take a short bus ride to our hotel on the outskirts of Santa Clara.
The town of Santa Clara is less popular than other Cuban cities and so has an authentic, provincial feel. It played a vital role in the revolution, as the place Che Guevara won the decisive battle which would lead to the fall of Havana in December 1958. There are plenty of monuments to Guevara and the revolution to visit and, depending on the time, we'll do so either today or tomorrow morning.
The 'Tren Blindado' gives us insight into the battle to take Batista's armoured train. The most remarkable site is the Che Guevara monument and mausoleum together with a museum dedicated to the life of the Cuban revolutionary.
The first 10 kilometres/6.2 miles of today's ride is generally ascending and, while not steep, there is one section with a couple of kilometres of ascent. For those not up to the challenge, you can hop on the bus to avoid this section. The rest of the ride is generally descending but with some undulations later.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/21.8 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 450 metres/1,476 feet.
Day 7: Visit Che Guevara Mausoleum. Afternoon Tour Of Havana
Location: Havana
Accommodation: Casas Particulares
Accommodation Name: Casa Particulares - Havana
Meals Included: Breakfast
There is no cycling planned today and, depending on our activities yesterday, we'll either drive straight off after breakfast or visit the remaining places of interest. The Che Guevara Monument is the final resting place of one of the world's most iconic figures and one of the country's most emotive shrines to its revolutionary heritage.
Continuing to Havana (a three-hour drive), we'll spend this afternoon wandering through the heart of the old capital, exploring the neo-classical architecture of the Vieja District and taking in the baroque grandeur of the 18th-century Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana among other fine buildings.
No cycling today.
Day 8: Tour Ends In Havana
Location: Havana
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our casa particular in Havana.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Havana at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Havana's Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel.
What's Included
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Fully Guided
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Bike rental
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Accommodation
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Meals – Breakfast Only
What's Not Included
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
Why Book this Tour
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday: you don't need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a support vehicle, spare parts and take care of day to day bike maintenance. All you need bring is your own helmet.
Meals
Breakfasts: 7
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
No
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
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