Cuba creates legends and imbues folklore. Everyday items such as a rolled cigar, a glass of rum spiked with sugarcane juice, a colorful classic car become more—gain a near-mythical status and a story that endured in the American consciousness even when Cuba’s doors were closed. Join this Cuba cycling tour and see for yourself why Cuba is not only breathtaking, but legendary. Explore vivacious Havana and its streets paved in revolution. Pedal through spring green fields of tobacco plants where the haunting sounds of vagueros harmonize with the rustling leaves. Stand in front of caves whose eroded faces tell stories of former indigenous inhabitants hiding from invaders or towering walls of limestone in Valle de Viñales. Cycle along white-sand beaches, by crumbling but lavish buildings, and through verdant biospheres on a trip that might leave you speechless even as it turns you into a storyteller.
Highlights
Cycle through western Cuba, and see the many sites
Visit the Museo de Ernesto Hemingway, his former home at Finca Vigía
Ride through Cuba's tobacco mecca, San Juan y Martínez
Explore Havana on foot while enjoying the art of José Rodriguez Fuster
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. Meet your tour leader and local guide before heading to a local paladar restaurant to meet fellow travelers and taste the local cuisine. Spend the afternooon on a walking tour of iconic Habana Vieja (Old Havana), exploring its Spanish colonial architecture, lively plazas, and vibrant culture. Savor dinner at another paladar restaurant and then enjoy an evening of live Cuban music.
Have an early breakfast at your hotel and then transfer to San Antonio de Los Baños, home to the Museo del Humor, partly founded by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez. Your cycling adventure begins with a ride through the rural Artemisa Province, an agricultural region. On your way to Las Terrazas, pass through the towns of Vereda, Caimito, Guayabal, and Cayajabos. Pause for a People-to-People experience with a local manager to learn about the role of cooperatives in the Cuban market and sample their fruit.
Reach the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Las Terrazas, habitat for more than 117 bird species including the endemic tocororo and zorzal. Walk along its trails and perhaps visit a local artisan workshop. Overnight and enjoy dinner at the iconic Hotel Moka, unique for its 100-year-old tree in the lobby.
Biking Distance: 50km/31.2m
Day 3: Cycle Las Terrazas to Viñales
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today pedal through some of the most picturesque landscapes of Western Cuba. Ride through La Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, a species-rich mountain range with unique rock formations. Lunch is in Bahia Honda. Continue your ride through the towns of Cabañas, Palma Rubia, and La Palma. Transfer by bus to Viñales, where you can admire the dramatic Valle de Viñales with its limestone cliffs, numerous caves, and lush landscape. Tonight dine and relax at your hotel, Casa Particular.
Biking Distance: 65km/40.6m
Day 4: Explore Puerto Esperanza and Viñales
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today's route winds through tobacco plantations, rural villages, and authentic landscapes. Enjoy lunch in a seaside restaurant in Puerto Esperanza, a fishing village with 19th-century mango trees and sleepy streets reminiscent of the past. After lunch you are transferred back to your accommodations in Viñales.
Refuel from your cycling with an afternoon spent exploring the spectacular Valle de Viñales. Hike along the vertical mogotes (rounded limestone hills) or travel to a local organic farm, where you can meet the residents and learn about their lifestyle. Tonight be treated to an authentic dinner made from locally-sourced ingredients.
This morning transfer to the small town of Puente de Cabezas and then travel on through the tobacco fields and limestone bluffs of the San Carlos Valley, enjoying a picnic box lunch along the way. Pass through San Juan y Martínez, producer of some of Cuba's finest tobacco, and tour the Alejandro Robaina Tobacco Plantation. Learn about the process of quality cigar-making from start to finish as you visit this plantation in operation since 1845.
Ride on to Pinar del Río, a city lined with pines and neoclassical architecture. Check into the Pinar del Río Hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Biking Distance: 75km/46.8m
Day 6: Bike Pinar del Río to San Diego de Los Banos | Havana
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Continue your travels through rural Cuba as your cycle today take you along the La Carretera Central highway passing through Herradura, Capilla, and Paseo Real de San Diego until you arrive in Fierro. Enjoy a picnic at a scenic spot en route and have the opportunity for a People-to-People interaction with local beekeepers. Other surprises await as you discover and learn from local Cubans you meet along the way.
After your ride, board your bus and head into Havana for the night. After getting settled into your hotel, dine of one of the city’s fine paladars and for those who wish, there’s plenty of music to explore later in the evening.
Biking Distance: 31.8 miles
Elevation: +1175/-1122 ft.
Day 7: Havana
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today is a day on foot as you explore Havana. In the morning, drive a short distance west to Jaimanitas where you'll find the fantasy-world of artist José Rodriguez Fuster. Fuster took the streets of the formerly average town and shaped it into a widespread art exhibition Picasso would have felt at home in. Walk through Fusterlandia and witness the incredible world where roofs, doorways, benches, and city blocks become expressions of the artist and iconic Cuban images.
Driving east back through Miramar, you'll see leafy suburbs where embassies line the streets, and upscale Havana plays. Your next stop is the Museo de Ernesto Hemingway located in his former home at Finca Vigía. With a local guide, tour the restored facilities to gain insight the life and mind of Cuba’s favorite literary expatriate. Afterward, you'll visit the seaside hamlet of Cojimar where Hemingway kept his boat, Pilar, and find a couple of excellent paladars to choose from for lunch.
In the afternoon you'll have time to explore more of old Havana on foot. Walk along the Malecón, amble along the narrow streets of Habana Vieja, and if you wish, visit one of several excellent museums in the city. It’s an immersive day of architecture, history, and the ever-evolving Cuban culture as you follow the labyrinthine paths of Havana’s history.
Late in the day, start your final night out on the town. Explore the city as night falls as Cubans do—in classic cars that haven’t lost their 1950s glamour—before making your way to a paladar for dinner. Enjoy Havana’s salsa-filled nightlife before returning to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow’s flight!
Day 8: Depart Havana
1 Breakfast
Have an early breakfast before transferring to Jose Marti International Airport for your flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,1904+ travelers
$70 fee for the Cuban Tourist Visa
Notes
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Rates are guaranteed for a minimum of 4. Pricing for less than 4 people, please contact us for a custom quote.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
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