HAVANA - VIÑALES

Havana, Culture and Traditions.

The Capital of all Cubans, Havana is simply a lively and colorful city plenty of bustle and entertainment, with an awesome architecture from the Colonial period and beyond. Founded in 1519 as Saint Christopher of Havana, it is still today the main economic, political, cultural and social city of the country. Its amazing buildings, historical museums, glamorous nightlife and enchanting people invite you to get deeper within the street maze. Its defence system, together with the oldest section of the city, where time seams to stand still, are considered the historical heart of Havana and the largest colonial center in Latin America. It was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.

• Picking up at the accommodation by a local guide in your language.
  • Varadero: 8.30 a.m.
  • Jibacoa: 9.00 a.m.

• Walking tour around the Old Havana, including Arms Square, Saint Francis of Assisi Square, Old Square, and Cathedral Square. Ambos Mundos Hotel, La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita bars. Museums, churches, local markets, souvenir shops and cigar, rum and coffee place.
• Optional lunch break. Our suggestion is to try typical Cuban food at a local Paladar.
• Ride on a Classic American Convertible car all through the new part of the city.
• Panoramic tour to the Modern Havana, including a ride all along the seafront avenue known as Malecon, Revolution Square, Central Park, Capitol Building, Opera House, former Bacardi Building and Museum of the Revolution, former Presidencial Palace. Visit to the Statue of Jesus Christ and the surroundings of Morro-Cabaña fortresses complex. Optional stops for pictures.
• Free time at the Flea Market.
• Accommodation at a B&B in Havana.
• Free night.

The options listed below could be added to this tour upon your request: To be paid on spot.

Visit to:

• Havana Club Rum Museum.
• Cigar Factory.
• Christopher Colombus Cemetery.
• The Cultural Community Project known as Fusterlandia, run by José Fuster, a famous Cuban artist. 

Choices for night activities:

• Cannon Shot Ceremony at La Cabaña Fortress. (admission fee: pay on spot)
• Tropicana Show. (price depends on the location. Starts at 9.00 PM)
• Buena Vista Social Club Show. (price includes show and typical Cuban Meal. Service starts at 8.00 PM)
• Jazz Clubs La Zorra y el Cuervo or Jazz Café. (admission fee varies depending on the band performing every night)
• Fábrica de Arte Cubano.

Viñales: Where visitors feel like home.

Located in the western most region of Cuba, it is very well known for the high quality of tobacco fields and amazing landscapes. Viñales Valley, with its spectacular Mogotes, very peculiar limestone formations that resemble huge rocks settled down by aliens in the middle of the valley, is located in Sierra de los Organos mountain range in Pinar del Rio province. It was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the category of Cultural Landscape. It treasures a wide variety of botanical species and more than 47 archeological sites, most of them related to aboriginal communities and settlements of African slaves. Our invitation is to explore the most colorful Natural Park of Cuba.

• Picking up at the accommodation by a local guide in your language 7.00 a.m.
• On the way to Viñales we will have a look of the rural side of Cuba. It could take few hours so we can make an optional stop half way.
• Stop at Los Jazmines Hotel, a balcony to Viñales Valley, to enjoy the unique landscape and have a look of the mogotes.
• Visit to a tobacco farm to be in contact with the local tradition of growing the best tobacco in the world and learn how to make your own.
• Visit to Cueva de los Indios, to enjoy walking in and riding on a boat along an underground river.
• Optional lunch break. Nice choices of local cousine.
• Back in town to enjoy free time, souvenir market, shop and a little bit of Viñales village.
• Visit to Mural de la Prehistoria, where a local painter recreated the evolution of human beings on the face of one of the mogotes.
• Drive back to the accommodation in Jibacoa or Varadero.

The options listed below could be added to this tour upon your request: To be paid on spot.

• Visit to Soroa to spend time in the waterfalls and visit the most important orchidarium in Cuba. (20.00 USD for the ride, admission fee: pay on spot)

• Horse back ride.
• Hiking.
• Climbing.
• Visit to El Palenque de los Cimarrones, former shelter for runaway slaves.