A Private Group Tour of Cuba from Havana to Havana

As the plane descends, you view tall grass rippling across the countryside, edging the runway. Palm trees rise intermittently above the grass, creating the perfect image of a tropical paradise. Your flight arrives in Havana, and the group is excited for your first view Cuba. Your transfer meets the group at baggage claim, helping you navigate the bustling energy of Havana evident even in the airport. Travel along the Calzada del Cerro. Vibrant murals painted the same colors of the Cuban flag promote the wonders of the Cuban spirit. The closer you travel to Old Havana, the more classic American cars you see on the road.

The polished frames harken back to a different time. The cars contrast the dilapidated colonial buildings lining the avenues of Central Havana. The history of the city is palpable in the framework of former grandeur. The people maintain a relaxed pace, contrasting the frenetic movement of horses and cars in Old Havana. On the cobbled street of Calle Obispo, historical ceramic medicine jars fill the wood-clad walls of the old pharmacy. The jars connote the types of remedies physicians once used, and in some cases continue to prescribe to their patients. Chandeliers dangle from the center of ceilings, decorating with crown molding. The art deco décor provides as interesting and inspiring as the medical history of the antique pharmacy.

In the morning, the sunlight washes over the Malecón, the seaside boulevard framing the cityscape. The sea crashes against the wall and splashes mist onto the sidewalk. The breeze carries the aroma of salt water and coconut. The imposing edifice of the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro has stood watch over the bay since the 18th century, protecting Havana from pirates and invading ships. Its figure acts as a reminder of Cuba’s strong and proud history.

After breakfast, your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts the group along a scenic drive to the Valley de Vinales. In the suburbs of Havana, you pass the canals of Marina Hemingway, along with a large medical school with facilities able to support nearly 3,500 students. Locals in the countryside walk alongside the road, picking up rides from Cubans traversing the highways. Horses pull buggies down wide unpaved lanes. Your transfer stops at a cigar factory in the region of Pinar del Rio, an area known for its rich tobacco.

The crops tend to soak up the heavy minerals of the red soil around the province. Your guide leads the group through fields of lush tobacco plants, which provide around five ounces of tobacco each. During the curing process, a well-ventilated barn houses tobacco leaves for up to eight weeks. An earthy, mineral rich aroma fills the structure. The farmer takes the group into a small room offering to roll cigars fresh. You can even take part in the process, gaining hands-on experience in rolling Cuban cigars.

In the morning, the emerald leaves and plants glint against the region’s red soil. Karts rise out of the flatlands, casting shadows over small plots of farmland. The aroma of freshly roasted coffee bean drifts down the street. The day is yours to discover the splendor of Vinales at your preferred pace, traveling along the trails on foot, horseback, or bicycle. In Cuba, the limestone hills are referred to as mogotes. The group can saddle up and trot past traditional thatched roof houses. Farmers maintain their traditional look, wearing khaki coats and pants, wide-brimmed hats, and chewing on a thick cigar.

Gigantic oxen pull metal plows through the soil. At the end of the trail stands a cave. A guide leads you into the pitch-black cavern. He shines a flashlight over the slick stalactites sloping down from the ceiling. Step along narrow, smooth stones. You feel like an archeologist on a historical dig. You reach the edge of the cave, more than 600 feet inside the limestone hill. Your guide shines his light over the large trickling pool. Underground springs feed into the pool. If you feel daring, you can step into the water and swim to its edge almost 30 feet away from where the group stands.

In the morning, you listen to the sound of horse hooves clopping against the road. The scent of fresh coconut drifts down the main street of Vinales. The Mural de la Prehistoria encompasses nearly 400 feet of a limestone cliff. The painting took four years to complete and depicts the theory of evolution. After breakfast, you venture westbound to Cuba’s edges at Maria la Gorda. The legend of the point tells of a woman abducted by pirates, stranded at the stunning beachside location, and turned to running an inn to accommodate passing sailors.

Mangrove trees tower over patches of sand and brush. You can hear the rolling waves along the shore before you see them. When the trees separate, the group has a view of the pristine Caribbean Sea shimmering with various shade of blue. The aroma of guava and pineapple add a sweet quality to the salty aroma of the water. Once the group settles into the gorgeous surroundings, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the slice of Cuban paradise.

The beach is removed from the bustling streets of Havana and the striking mogotes of Vinales. In the late afternoon, you board a small catamaran and set out to sea. The refreshing mist sprays up from the bobbing boat. The breeze catches the sail and urges the vessel forward. Looking back at the coastline, you can see white sand, traditional huts, and waving palm trees. The sun sets in the west and overtakes the horizon. Layers of orange, red, and pink decorate the sky, dripping into the water.

The sun stretches over the canopy of mangroves and palm trees. At breakfast, you listen to the soothing sound of waves brushing against the white sand beach. Your guide meets the group at the hotel and leads you to the westernmost tip of Cuba. The crystal-clear water feels warm on your skin. Light can penetrate calm waters up to 654 feet deep, allowing you to see the seafloor as clear as day. Scuba divers love to explore the megalith formations inhabiting a seven square mile area, possibly belonging to a sunken pre-classic civilization.

The group meets with an expert in sea turtle conservation to learn about the second largest breeding population of green turtles in Cuba. The region harbors more than 300 nests per season. At dusk, your guide leads you to the protected beaches to search for turtles returning from the water. Their shells range from olive green to black. They can grow to five feet long and weigh up to 420 pounds. They push themselves through the sand by digging their fins into the powder and propelling themselves forward. Females crawl along the beach and dig nests into the soft area. Cuba Marine Research and Conversation estimated over 14,00 hatchlings have been saved through the years.

When you see the turquoise sea, you can’t help but think of the turtles from the previous night crawling to their nests. At breakfast, you savor the aroma of freshly brewed and locally roasted coffee. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel. The scenic drive takes you through the sprawling rainforest. The ocean disappears behind the lush canopy. The Town of Soroa is called the “Rainbow of Cuba,” known for undulating mountains, heavy rainfall, and blossoming orchids. Stop at one of the local 19th-century coffee plantations reaching across the foothills at an elevation of more than 780 feet above sea level.

A long walkway divides the agricultural terraces. You search for the scent of coffee but find the earthy aroma of the region’s rich soil. The French began coffee cultivation in Cuba in the early 1800s. Follow the trails through the underbrush in search of Salto de Soroa, a stunning waterfall cascading from between the trees. You can hear the splashing water before the trees open. Palms rise above the cliff. Rugged boulders rise out of the shallow pool. The waterfall pours over a protruding rock, making the water look like beads as it falls.

Las Terrazas is a celebrated eco-community situated between Soroa and Havana. The lush rainforest continues to overtake the Sierra El Rosario Mountain Range. The community at Las Terrazas replanted the area after centuries of deforestation, ensuring success in the trees' flourishing greenery. The settlement began with 45 homes but soon the area grew, filling with Cubans passionate about building a functional community connected to the landscape. The group meets with local school children learning the treasured methods of an eco-friendly lifestyle. The white and blue structure of the school stands out from the lush green canopy. An artist studio overlooks the serene water of the lake.

The group travels into the treetops with a guide, each person eager to fly from one platform to another, gliding down more than 2,600 feet of ziplines. Once in the canopy, you can see the blossoming petals of orchids glowing in the emerald leaves. Enjoy the unparalleled view of the lake beyond the trees turning into a blur. After your exploration of Las Terrazas, the group returns to Old Havana. In the evening, you celebrate the end of your tour with a meal at Este No Es Un Café. The intimate restaurant fills with the sound of vivacious live music. The bartenders take their time perfecting strawberry daiquiris, blending fresh fruit, ice, and rum into a smooth swirl held in a large goblet. The delicious cocktails accentuate the group’s celebratory disposition.

The City Museum is located inside a Cuban Baroque palace erected at the end of the 19th century. The Hall of Heroic Cuba displays preserved artifacts from the Cuban Revolution. Elegant 19th-century mirrors adorn the Salon de los Esperjos, the room in which the Spanish rule over Cuba was proclaimed officially over. The museum resembles Cuba, an artifact filled with culture cherished by locals but expressing much more than what is shown. After breakfast, your private transfer meets the group in the lobby of your hotel. You make your way to Jose Marti International Airport for your flight home, carrying with you the unforgettable moments that exceptional company provides.