Captivating Cuba
27 Dec –
9 Jan 2025
- 14 Days
- 4 – 5 Star Hotels
- 19 Meals
- Group size: 15
Menu
Itinerary
Your adventure starts at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, where you meet the rest of the group and check in for your overnight flight to Cuba.
Fondly nicknamed the Pearl of the Antilles, this beautiful island nation is a product of diverse cultures and history, with influences from Spain, Africa, and many other cultural groups.
Cuba is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Viñales Valley, which we’ll explore on tour. On the shores of Cuba, you will find the smallest bird in the world. The colourful bee hummingbird weighs less than 2 grams and is only 6 cm long from beak to tail. They can beat their wings up to 80 times per second.
The roads of Cuba are essentially showrooms for vintage American automobiles, such as Chevrolets, Buicks and Chryslers – with an estimated 70,000 still being driven on the island. The 1962 United States trade embargo against Cuba prevented the import of new cars and car parts. Most of the classic cars on the road today are older than their owners, and their excellent condition is a testament to the ingenuity of Cuba’s mechanics. Even after the sanctions were lifted in 2016 and new vehicles became available to purchase, the maintenance of these old models is still significantly cheaper.
The spirit of Cuba truly lives within its music, dance, food and retro style.
On arrival, we are met at the airport by our local English-speaking guide and transferred to our hotel. Catch glimpses of Havana’s famous streets as we pass through the vibrant city.
After checking in, we have some time to refresh before heading to the Havana Club Rum Museum. Here, we learn about the rum-making process, from freshly cut sugar cane to finely aged liquor. Try a cocktail at the museum bar and stock up on some of their renowned rum at the gift shop.
We have lunch at a local restaurant and then return to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure. This evening, rejoin the group for a buffet dinner in the hotel restaurant. Afterwards, you may want to step out and discover Havana’s fantastic nightlife.
Any concern about jet lag? Cuba is six hours behind South Africa. One of the biggest secrets is to adapt to your current time zone and forget about the time lost or, in this case, won. Drink lots of water and stick to your new routine.
This morning, we depart for the Viñales Valley, an area of spectacular natural beauty and the location of the country’s best tobacco plantations. The valley is surrounded by mountains and scattered with mogotes, craggy limestone monoliths that erupt towards the sky. These rocky outcrops form part of a more extensive network of geological features, including caves and underground rivers.
We stop at the Los Jazmines, a lookout that overlooks the unusual but lush landscape, to take in the view. Then we continue to a 5th generation tobacco farm run by the charismatic Benito C. Nodarse. We learn more about the farm and its history and enjoy lunch in Benito’s home with his family.
Next, we see the Mural de la Prehistoria. This colourful mural stretches across the wall of the Pita mogote and was designed by Mexican artist Leovigildo González Morillo. He was taught and influenced by the infamous painter Diego Rivera, who was married to Frida Kahlo.
We return to Havana in the late afternoon and relish an evening of leisure at the hotel or head out to explore Havana.
Today, we visit a cigar factory to learn the secrets of a fine Cuban cigar. Afterwards, we continue by bus for a panoramic tour of Havana. We pass through the metropolitan and modern areas and see the University of Havana, Revolution Square, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and the famous Malecón seawall.
Next, we take a walking tour of Old Havana, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. We discover the four famous plazas: Plaza de la Catedral, San Francisco de Asis Square, Plaza Vieja, and the magnificent Plaza de Armas. Historic buildings flank these squares, each with a unique character.
We visit the Capitolio, the National Capitol Building. Large and imposing, it reminds of the Capitol in Washington D.C. but was actually modelled on the Panthéon in Paris. Next, to the Gran Teatro de la Habana, the official stage for the Cuban National Ballet Company.
We end our tour in Calle Obispo. This long, narrow street is one of Havana’s most famous, packed with art galleries, shops and bars. We stop at El Floridita, a fish restaurant and cocktail bar and a favourite haunt of the writer Ernest Hemmingway in the 1930s. We sit down for a daiquiri, the author’s drink of choice.
We have lunch at a local restaurant and then continue our walking tour to the San Jose Handicraft Market for some shopping.
We return to the hotel in the afternoon. The evening is spent at leisure.
After breakfast, we say adiós to Havana and depart for the beautiful seaside city of Cienfuegos, known as the Pearl of the South. It was founded by the French immigrant Don Luis D’Clouet in 1819 and blends French style and Caribbean flair.
The beautiful and historic city centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. A cluster of Neoclassical buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries are the pride and joy of Cienfuegos alongside its colourful streets and vintage cars.
We visit the extravagant Teatro Tomás Terry. The opulent theatre was built in 1887 in honour of a successful Venezuelan business magnate by the same name, who made his fortune in Cuba. Decorated with Carrara marble, carved wood, and a splendid ceiling fresco, the 950-seat auditorium is truly something to witness.
We explore the city’s historic centre, visiting Parque Jose Marti and viewing the Palacio Ferrer, the Palacio de Valle and the other buildings from Cienfuegos’ golden age.
Next, we have some free time in Cienfuegos. Have lunch at leisure and then explore the town. Later in the afternoon, we check into the hotel. We gather for dinner in the hotel restaurant, enjoying some Cuban hospitality.
After breakfast, we’ll check out and head to the Jardin Botanico de Cienfuegos, the oldest botanical garden in Cuba. It was founded in 1901 by Edwin F. Atkins, an American sugar factory owner. The exquisite garden has over 2,000 species of trees and teems with birds. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll see the tiny bee hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world.
After some quiet time in the botanical gardens, we embark on our journey to Trinidad, one of Cuba’s most beautiful and authentic colonial cities. Built on the back of the huge sugar fortunes amassed in the nearby Valle de los Ingenios, Trinidad is an exciting mix of extravagant mansions and quaint cobbled streets.
We walk through the historic centre and visit La Canchanchara, Trinidad’s most famous and oldest tavern. The building still has its original cedar roof, built in 1723, and you can even try a beverage drunk by the liberation army in the 19th century, the Canchanchara. This authentic drink is made of water, lime, honey and sugarcane liquor.
We make our way to our hotel and have lunch before checking into our rooms. The rest of the day and evening is spent at leisure.
In the morning, after you’ve had breakfast, we will depart for Santa Clara, the capital city of the Villa Clara province.
Founded in 1689, Santa Clara is the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. Two guerrilla columns (small land units) attacked the city in 1958. One was led by the infamous Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and the other by Camilo Cienfuegos, a Cuban revolutionary. After a chaotic battle, they captured the city, an event seen as a decisive moment in the Cuban Revolution, as the former president, Fulgencio Batista, fled the country less than twelve hours later.
Santa Clara is Guevara’s final resting place. In Plaza Che Guevara, we’ll visit his mausoleum and a museum dedicated to his life. For many Cubans, communists and admirers, the monument holds an almost religious significance.
We have lunch in Santa Clara at a local restaurant and continue to Varadero, a resort town in the province of Matanzas, famous for its sandy beaches and warm water. Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel.
After days spent getting to know the culture and character of Cuba, it’s time to relax. In tropical Varadero, 20 kilometres of white sand beaches stretch into the clear blue water along the narrow Hicacos peninsula. Sunbathing, snorkelling, and siestas are on the cards as we delight in the facilities of our all-inclusive resort on this island paradise.
Included in your stay is a full-day catamaran excursion on the azure waters. You’ll be transferred to the marina in the morning, where you’ll board your catamaran. Soak up the Cuban sun and indulge in refreshments on board as you sail to one of the neighbouring desert islands. Snorkel, explore the coral reefs and eat lunch at a waterside restaurant before returning to Varadero.
The rest of your time is spent at leisure. You might want to visit the northeastern end of the peninsula, home to a nature reserve filled with virgin forests, a salt mine, and several caves, an excellent option for outdoor enthusiasts. For culture lovers, there are the neighbouring towns of Matanzas and Cárdenas. Or, you can flop-and-drop by the pool and have a cocktail; the choice is yours.
Thanks to a pre-arranged late check-out, we have the use of our rooms and the hotel’s facilities as we enjoy a leisurely morning in Varadero.
After lunch at the hotel, we depart for Havana. On arrival, we check into our hotel and have some time to freshen up before we set out on a quintessential Cuban experience.
We hop into a fleet of vintage cars for a nighttime drive through the streets of Havana to a paladar (private restaurant). A night of good food and great music lies ahead as we enjoy a farewell dinner and a live tenor performance. We return to the hotel with a private bus at the end of dinner.
Early this morning, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
We arrive in Johannesburg, our journey at an end. On our tour, we’ve dived into the culture clash of Cuba. From Spanish colonial architecture and mid-century American influences to irresistible Cuban flair, the island is entirely unique. We hope that some of Cuba’s vibrancy, colour and spirit will stay with you as you return to routine. And, with your wanderlust sparked, we hope to see you again soon.
Your adventure starts at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, where you meet the rest of the group and check in for your overnight flight to Cuba.
Fondly nicknamed the Pearl of the Antilles, this beautiful island nation is a product of diverse cultures and history, with influences from Spain, Africa, and many other cultural groups.
Cuba is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Viñales Valley, which we’ll explore on tour. On the shores of Cuba, you will find the smallest bird in the world. The colourful bee hummingbird weighs less than 2 grams and is only 6 cm long from beak to tail. They can beat their wings up to 80 times per second.
The roads of Cuba are essentially showrooms for vintage American automobiles, such as Chevrolets, Buicks and Chryslers – with an estimated 70,000 still being driven on the island. The 1962 United States trade embargo against Cuba prevented the import of new cars and car parts. Most of the classic cars on the road today are older than their owners, and their excellent condition is a testament to the ingenuity of Cuba’s mechanics. Even after the sanctions were lifted in 2016 and new vehicles became available to purchase, the maintenance of these old models is still significantly cheaper.
The spirit of Cuba truly lives within its music, dance, food and retro style.
On arrival, we are met at the airport by our local English-speaking guide and transferred to our hotel. Catch glimpses of Havana’s famous streets as we pass through the vibrant city.
After checking in, we have some time to refresh before heading to the Havana Club Rum Museum. Here, we learn about the rum-making process, from freshly cut sugar cane to finely aged liquor. Try a cocktail at the museum bar and stock up on some of their renowned rum at the gift shop.
We have lunch at a local restaurant and then return to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure. This evening, rejoin the group for a buffet dinner in the hotel restaurant. Afterwards, you may want to step out and discover Havana’s fantastic nightlife.
Any concern about jet lag? Cuba is six hours behind South Africa. One of the biggest secrets is to adapt to your current time zone and forget about the time lost or, in this case, won. Drink lots of water and stick to your new routine.
This morning, we depart for the Viñales Valley, an area of spectacular natural beauty and the location of the country’s best tobacco plantations. The valley is surrounded by mountains and scattered with mogotes, craggy limestone monoliths that erupt towards the sky. These rocky outcrops form part of a more extensive network of geological features, including caves and underground rivers.
We stop at the Los Jazmines, a lookout that overlooks the unusual but lush landscape, to take in the view. Then we continue to a 5th generation tobacco farm run by the charismatic Benito C. Nodarse. We learn more about the farm and its history and enjoy lunch in Benito’s home with his family.
Next, we see the Mural de la Prehistoria. This colourful mural stretches across the wall of the Pita mogote and was designed by Mexican artist Leovigildo González Morillo. He was taught and influenced by the infamous painter Diego Rivera, who was married to Frida Kahlo.
We return to Havana in the late afternoon and relish an evening of leisure at the hotel or head out to explore Havana.
Today, we visit a cigar factory to learn the secrets of a fine Cuban cigar. Afterwards, we continue by bus for a panoramic tour of Havana. We pass through the metropolitan and modern areas and see the University of Havana, Revolution Square, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and the famous Malecón seawall.
Next, we take a walking tour of Old Havana, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. We discover the four famous plazas: Plaza de la Catedral, San Francisco de Asis Square, Plaza Vieja, and the magnificent Plaza de Armas. Historic buildings flank these squares, each with a unique character.
We visit the Capitolio, the National Capitol Building. Large and imposing, it reminds of the Capitol in Washington D.C. but was actually modelled on the Panthéon in Paris. Next, to the Gran Teatro de la Habana, the official stage for the Cuban National Ballet Company.
We end our tour in Calle Obispo. This long, narrow street is one of Havana’s most famous, packed with art galleries, shops and bars. We stop at El Floridita, a fish restaurant and cocktail bar and a favourite haunt of the writer Ernest Hemmingway in the 1930s. We sit down for a daiquiri, the author’s drink of choice.
We have lunch at a local restaurant and then continue our walking tour to the San Jose Handicraft Market for some shopping.
We return to the hotel in the afternoon. The evening is spent at leisure.
After breakfast, we say adiós to Havana and depart for the beautiful seaside city of Cienfuegos, known as the Pearl of the South. It was founded by the French immigrant Don Luis D’Clouet in 1819 and blends French style and Caribbean flair.
The beautiful and historic city centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. A cluster of Neoclassical buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries are the pride and joy of Cienfuegos alongside its colourful streets and vintage cars.
We visit the extravagant Teatro Tomás Terry. The opulent theatre was built in 1887 in honour of a successful Venezuelan business magnate by the same name, who made his fortune in Cuba. Decorated with Carrara marble, carved wood, and a splendid ceiling fresco, the 950-seat auditorium is truly something to witness.
We explore the city’s historic centre, visiting Parque Jose Marti and viewing the Palacio Ferrer, the Palacio de Valle and the other buildings from Cienfuegos’ golden age.
Next, we have some free time in Cienfuegos. Have lunch at leisure and then explore the town. Later in the afternoon, we check into the hotel. We gather for dinner in the hotel restaurant, enjoying some Cuban hospitality.
After breakfast, we’ll check out and head to the Jardin Botanico de Cienfuegos, the oldest botanical garden in Cuba. It was founded in 1901 by Edwin F. Atkins, an American sugar factory owner. The exquisite garden has over 2,000 species of trees and teems with birds. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll see the tiny bee hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world.
After some quiet time in the botanical gardens, we embark on our journey to Trinidad, one of Cuba’s most beautiful and authentic colonial cities. Built on the back of the huge sugar fortunes amassed in the nearby Valle de los Ingenios, Trinidad is an exciting mix of extravagant mansions and quaint cobbled streets.
We walk through the historic centre and visit La Canchanchara, Trinidad’s most famous and oldest tavern. The building still has its original cedar roof, built in 1723, and you can even try a beverage drunk by the liberation army in the 19th century, the Canchanchara. This authentic drink is made of water, lime, honey and sugarcane liquor.
We make our way to our hotel and have lunch before checking into our rooms. The rest of the day and evening is spent at leisure.
In the morning, after you’ve had breakfast, we will depart for Santa Clara, the capital city of the Villa Clara province.
Founded in 1689, Santa Clara is the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. Two guerrilla columns (small land units) attacked the city in 1958. One was led by the infamous Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and the other by Camilo Cienfuegos, a Cuban revolutionary. After a chaotic battle, they captured the city, an event seen as a decisive moment in the Cuban Revolution, as the former president, Fulgencio Batista, fled the country less than twelve hours later.
Santa Clara is Guevara’s final resting place. In Plaza Che Guevara, we’ll visit his mausoleum and a museum dedicated to his life. For many Cubans, communists and admirers, the monument holds an almost religious significance.
We have lunch in Santa Clara at a local restaurant and continue to Varadero, a resort town in the province of Matanzas, famous for its sandy beaches and warm water. Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel.
After days spent getting to know the culture and character of Cuba, it’s time to relax. In tropical Varadero, 20 kilometres of white sand beaches stretch into the clear blue water along the narrow Hicacos peninsula. Sunbathing, snorkelling, and siestas are on the cards as we delight in the facilities of our all-inclusive resort on this island paradise.
Included in your stay is a full-day catamaran excursion on the azure waters. You’ll be transferred to the marina in the morning, where you’ll board your catamaran. Soak up the Cuban sun and indulge in refreshments on board as you sail to one of the neighbouring desert islands. Snorkel, explore the coral reefs and eat lunch at a waterside restaurant before returning to Varadero.
The rest of your time is spent at leisure. You might want to visit the northeastern end of the peninsula, home to a nature reserve filled with virgin forests, a salt mine, and several caves, an excellent option for outdoor enthusiasts. For culture lovers, there are the neighbouring towns of Matanzas and Cárdenas. Or, you can flop-and-drop by the pool and have a cocktail; the choice is yours.
Thanks to a pre-arranged late check-out, we have the use of our rooms and the hotel’s facilities as we enjoy a leisurely morning in Varadero.
After lunch at the hotel, we depart for Havana. On arrival, we check into our hotel and have some time to freshen up before we set out on a quintessential Cuban experience.
We hop into a fleet of vintage cars for a nighttime drive through the streets of Havana to a paladar (private restaurant). A night of good food and great music lies ahead as we enjoy a farewell dinner and a live tenor performance. We return to the hotel with a private bus at the end of dinner.
Early this morning, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
We arrive in Johannesburg, our journey at an end. On our tour, we’ve dived into the culture clash of Cuba. From Spanish colonial architecture and mid-century American influences to irresistible Cuban flair, the island is entirely unique. We hope that some of Cuba’s vibrancy, colour and spirit will stay with you as you return to routine. And, with your wanderlust sparked, we hope to see you again soon.
This island nation truly is a must-see destination. It’s a place frozen in time, with great weather and friendly people. Moreover, Cuba’s vibrant culture shows the influences and effects of both colonialism and communism.
Travelling through Cuba is like drinking a cocktail; the secret lies in the ingredients and how you mix them. With Seagull’s Captivating Cuba tour, you will see all the right places, discover unique sights, and learn about all things Cuban. This tour was planned carefully, ensuring that you will leave Cuba with a full heart.
For nearly 30 years, Seagull has prided itself on planning and creating tours of the highest standard with an added personal touch.
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The tour leader collects a set amount from each member of a tour. This kitty is then used to tip the local tour guide and city guides, bus drivers, any other assistants, and restaurant staff. We believe in tipping for good service as a token of appreciation, especially as many workers in tourism rely on tips to supplement their income.
Although we cannot apply on your behalf, we are more than willing to give guidance and assistance with completing forms. We do this for many clients on a near-daily basis. It does, however, remain the responsibility of the client to ensure that they get the correct visa on time.
Remember that we limit the number of guests on our tours. This means more time at stops and sites. We definitely do not do groups of 30 pax, where guests are rushed from one site to the other. There is enough time to explore on your own.
We always suggest USD/Euro 50 to USD/Euro 100 per person per day. As we mostly include two meals per day on our tours, this will be enough for lunch/dinner, some snacks, and memento shopping. Should you want to buy larger items, we suggest taking along your credit card. Remember to advise the bank that you will be travelling.
