Explore big-city Havana and the ancient landscape of the Viñales Valley — a perfect counterpoint for visitors who want to go right to the heart of Cuba’s national story and its natural beauty. On a brief, carefully planned and intimate itinerary that starts in Havana and goes west, enjoy a deep experience of history, culture and outdoor adventure in Cuba. All of Journeys’ programs in Cuba are known for offering unusually personal entrée into the country, with many opportunities to meet Cubans where they live and work and to go behind the scenes and off-trail. In addition, this program offers unusual flexibility. It’s typically a week-long, but trip length can be modified.
Titled Havana and the Valley of Viñales, this trip stands alone as a satisfying and efficient introduction to the country. Alternatively, it can be merged with Journeys’ Rhythm of a Lively Land or serve as an extension to Journeys’ Essence of Eastern Cuba.
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Great For
Personal connection with local people
Flexibility
Variety
People should go to Cuba NOW in order to see all of the exciting changes that are currently taking place.
Joslin Fritz, tour guide
ADay 1Havana, Plaza de la Revolution and Jaimanitas
Arrive in Havana, proceed through immigration, and step outside to meet your Cuban guide.
Enjoy your first drive-thru of Havana with two iconic stops. In central Havana, at the Plaza de la Revolution, walk across the enormous square and view the monument to Cuban hero José Marti. On the outskirts of the city, roam through whimsically charming Jaimanitas where Cuban artist José Fuster, inspired by Gaudi and Picasso, has turned his own home and the surrounding neighborhood into a showcase of fanciful, brightly colored murals and sculptures.
Depending on flight arrival time, lunch and orientation meeting, settle into the first of the many paladars you’ll sample on this trip. As restaurants that are privately owned rather than government-owned, paladars are a recent and welcome phenomenon in Cuba. Some have two tables and some have thirty. Each was started by a family in their own home or on their own property, and each is unique.
Arrive late afternoon at your bed and breakfast accommodation. Also known as a casa particular, these are privately owned houses or apartments. Enjoy a short orientation walk around the neighborhood, and dinner at paladar in Old Havana.
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
BDays 2-4Old Havana, Cojimar and special options
Many visitors on a week-long trip, spend their arrival day and then three more days exploring Havana and nearby locales. Cross the harbor for a spectacular view across the water at the full vista presented by Havana. Devote at least a full morning to exploring the four distinct plazas and the cobblestone walkways of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, stroll on the Malecon, the iconic seaside boulevard. Ride a bici-taxi to the local market. Visit one of the great history or art museums. Enjoy the street musicians during the day and live performances of jazz or salsa in the evening. An English-speaking Cuban guide will accompany you on your explorations. A professor of history or political science or architecture or music can offer you a formal lecture. The learning, through planned meetings and spontaneous encounters, is continuous.
Enjoy a short day trip out of Havana to Finca Vigía, the farm, and estate of Ernest Hemingway. Visit the nearby picturesque small seaside town of Cojimar and enjoy the story and the food produced at an entrepreneurial farm-to-food restaurant. Cooking class is optional.
Meals
3 Breakfast, 2 Lunch
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
CDay 5Viñales Valley
Drive westward to beautiful Pinar Del Rio province. Visit a tobacco farmer’s home and family, and learn about the working of their farm. Continue onward toward Viñales National Park and Preserve. Lunch at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the valley.
In the afternoon, visit a well-known artist in his home and enjoy a private tour of his artwork. Later explore the town of Viñales. Check into your bed and breakfast and enjoy a beautiful view of the Viñales Valley. Enjoy a homemade Cuban meal.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
DDay 6Viñales Valley
This morning walk the national park trails. Stop at the home of locals for some freshly cut pineapple and a chat to see what’s being planted in the area for the season. Lunch in Viñales Valley.
In the afternoon, explore the unspoiled coastline of western Cuba. Local and migratory birds are found on the white sand beach at Cayo Jutías; explore with a local expert naturalist. Return to Viñales town in the early evening and choose from a number of delicious paladars for dinner.
Dinner on own. Opportunity to visit the cultural house in town for live music.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
EDay 7Viñales to Las Terrazas, Soroa and Havana
After breakfast, drive to Las Terrazas in Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Las Terrazas was Cuba’s first eco-community; the residents here make their living by maintaining the hardwood forests and engaging in small-scale ecotourism. Tour the area with a local specialist who will explain the history of the program and the challenges and successes it has endured.
Also, today, it’s possible to visit the Orquideario (Orchid Garden) in Soroa, a collection of over 700 species, including 250 endemics. This is a beautiful place to walk, and depending on the seasonal climate, the orchids may still be in bloom at the time of your trip.
Visit the home of a well-known artist and learn about his inspirations for his unique work. Traditional Cuban countryside lunch.
Back in Havana, stop by an artisanal market to see the private enterprise in Cuba and have an opportunity to make last-minute purchases of artwork or handicrafts.
Check into your private bed and breakfast in Havana. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner in one of the best paladars in Havana and enjoy our last night in the fabulous city.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
A casa particular (private B&B)
FDay 8Flight back to Miami
Bid fond farewell to Cuba.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Explore big-city Havana and the ancient landscape of the Viñales Valley — a perfect counterpoint for visitors who want to go right to the heart of Cuba’s national story and its natural beauty. On a brief, carefully planned and intimate itinerary that starts in Havana and goes west, enjoy a deep experience of history, culture and outdoor adventure in Cuba. All of Journeys’ programs in Cuba are known for offering unusually personal entrée into the country, with many opportunities to meet Cubans where they live and work and to go behind the scenes and off-trail. In addition, this program offers unusual flexibility. It’s typically a week-long, but trip length can be modified.
Titled Havana and the Valley of Viñales, this trip stands alone as a satisfying and efficient introduction to the country. Alternatively, it can be merged with Journeys’ Rhythm of a Lively Land or serve as an extension to Journeys’ Essence of Eastern Cuba.
ADay 1Havana, Plaza de la Revolution and Jaimanitas
Arrive in Havana, proceed through immigration, and step outside to meet your Cuban guide.
Enjoy your first drive-thru of Havana with two iconic stops. In central Havana, at the Plaza de la Revolution, walk across the enormous square and view the monument to Cuban hero José Marti. On the outskirts of the city, roam through whimsically charming Jaimanitas where Cuban artist José Fuster, inspired by Gaudi and Picasso, has turned his own home and the surrounding neighborhood into a showcase of fanciful, brightly colored murals and sculptures.
Depending on flight arrival time, lunch and orientation meeting, settle into the first of the many paladars you’ll sample on this trip. As restaurants that are privately owned rather than government-owned, paladars are a recent and welcome phenomenon in Cuba. Some have two tables and some have thirty. Each was started by a family in their own home or on their own property, and each is unique.
Arrive late afternoon at your bed and breakfast accommodation. Also known as a casa particular, these are privately owned houses or apartments. Enjoy a short orientation walk around the neighborhood, and dinner at paladar in Old Havana.
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
BDays 2-4Old Havana, Cojimar and special options
Many visitors on a week-long trip, spend their arrival day and then three more days exploring Havana and nearby locales. Cross the harbor for a spectacular view across the water at the full vista presented by Havana. Devote at least a full morning to exploring the four distinct plazas and the cobblestone walkways of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, stroll on the Malecon, the iconic seaside boulevard. Ride a bici-taxi to the local market. Visit one of the great history or art museums. Enjoy the street musicians during the day and live performances of jazz or salsa in the evening. An English-speaking Cuban guide will accompany you on your explorations. A professor of history or political science or architecture or music can offer you a formal lecture. The learning, through planned meetings and spontaneous encounters, is continuous.
Enjoy a short day trip out of Havana to Finca Vigía, the farm, and estate of Ernest Hemingway. Visit the nearby picturesque small seaside town of Cojimar and enjoy the story and the food produced at an entrepreneurial farm-to-food restaurant. Cooking class is optional.
Meals
3 Breakfast, 2 Lunch
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
CDay 5Viñales Valley
Drive westward to beautiful Pinar Del Rio province. Visit a tobacco farmer’s home and family, and learn about the working of their farm. Continue onward toward Viñales National Park and Preserve. Lunch at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the valley.
In the afternoon, visit a well-known artist in his home and enjoy a private tour of his artwork. Later explore the town of Viñales. Check into your bed and breakfast and enjoy a beautiful view of the Viñales Valley. Enjoy a homemade Cuban meal.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
DDay 6Viñales Valley
This morning walk the national park trails. Stop at the home of locals for some freshly cut pineapple and a chat to see what’s being planted in the area for the season. Lunch in Viñales Valley.
In the afternoon, explore the unspoiled coastline of western Cuba. Local and migratory birds are found on the white sand beach at Cayo Jutías; explore with a local expert naturalist. Return to Viñales town in the early evening and choose from a number of delicious paladars for dinner.
Dinner on own. Opportunity to visit the cultural house in town for live music.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Local Bed and Breakfast
EDay 7Viñales to Las Terrazas, Soroa and Havana
After breakfast, drive to Las Terrazas in Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Las Terrazas was Cuba’s first eco-community; the residents here make their living by maintaining the hardwood forests and engaging in small-scale ecotourism. Tour the area with a local specialist who will explain the history of the program and the challenges and successes it has endured.
Also, today, it’s possible to visit the Orquideario (Orchid Garden) in Soroa, a collection of over 700 species, including 250 endemics. This is a beautiful place to walk, and depending on the seasonal climate, the orchids may still be in bloom at the time of your trip.
Visit the home of a well-known artist and learn about his inspirations for his unique work. Traditional Cuban countryside lunch.
Back in Havana, stop by an artisanal market to see the private enterprise in Cuba and have an opportunity to make last-minute purchases of artwork or handicrafts.
Check into your private bed and breakfast in Havana. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner in one of the best paladars in Havana and enjoy our last night in the fabulous city.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
A casa particular (private B&B)
FDay 8Flight back to Miami
Bid fond farewell to Cuba.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Land Cost from
$4,550
Single Supplement
+ $550
The cost quoted is the Land Cost and is subject to change. This covers accommodations, transfers, activities, touring, guide services and meals as described in Journeys’ Trip Notes. The quoted Land Cost will apply when group size falls in the specified range and when travel is on the indicated dates.
Please note that this trip operates under different payment and cancellation policies than those described in our complete Terms & Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please review the complete Terms & Conditions prior to submitting a deposit.
Journeys International is traveling to Cuba through the people-to-people general license from the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control as detailed in CACR (Cuban Assets Control Regulation) 31 CFR 515.565 (b). Our itinerary focuses on meaningful cultural interaction with the Cuban people. Due to circumstances outside of our control, all activities are subject to change.
Expenses covered
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
Payment and Deposit Schedule
Deposit is $800 per person per trip or the applicable amount based on the trip and the proximity of the departure date. Full balance per person is due 120 days prior to departure. (Note: this schedule supersedes that listed in the general Terms and Conditions.) The deposit may be made by Visa, Master Card or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. Full payment schedule and cancellation penalties are described in our Terms and Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please request these if you do not have them before submitting a deposit.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Insurance
When you make your reservation, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 8 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost. The total number of days includes the time required to travel between the USA and the destination country.
Group Size 2 - 8
The stated range indicates minimum and maximum numbers for terms as stated on the scheduled dates.
Comfort Level
Superior
Activity Level
Gentle
Itinerary includes options for activities that go beyond Level 1.
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.