Cuba Art, History, culture, Viñales, Varadero

CUBA 

HAVANA - VIÑALES - VARADERO

Note: It is still illegal for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba for general tourism and/or recreational activities.  However, the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued 12 categories of legal travel to Cuba under a General License, one of which being “support for the Cuban people”.  ITAGLOBAL is able to offer a legal trip to Cuba under the General License of Support for the Cuban People.  Our itinerary provides a full-time schedule of activities designed to result in support of local businesses and individuals in Cuba.  United States law requires that all participants in our trip adhere to the full-time schedule of our itinerary. The experience will be unique, authentic and most important educational in all aspects.

Trip Details 

Travel on this exquisite trip to one of the most beautiful Islands in the Caribbean, Cuba. For 8 days and 7 nights enjoy a wonderful colorful and rhythmic world of Cuba. Learn about the incredible history, arts, culture and cuisine.

Trip Summary: 

3 Nights in Havana

2 Nights in Varadero

2 Nights in Viñales

Day 1: Welcome to Havana (B) 

Arrive at the International Airport Jose Marti, after exiting customs and collecting all your bags our Cuban Tour Guide and expert will give you a brief introduction of Cuba and what to expect over the next 7 days. You'll soon discover that Cuba is a time-capsule and your mind will be stimulated with music, colors, people and classic architecture and classic cars. Once dropped off at your hotel and settle your guide will take you to a local restaurant for your welcome dinner and give your palate an introduction to delicious Cuban cuisine. Make sure you ask your guide and driver about  their life in Cuba and local traditions.

Day 2: Walk the streets of Old Havana (B, L) 

Get your cameras ready, put on your walking shoes and welcome to the colorful Old Cuba, where every street is filled with classic cars from the 30s, 40s, 50s, colonial buildings, colorful homes, and Afrocentric rhythms. UNESCO-Recognized “Habana Vieja”  as a historic center, learning about the history, architecture and traditions and stop at some local shops and art galleries. You will visit Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Catedral all iconic squares in Havana many date back to early 1500's. Don't miss the opportunity to meet local street artist, music bands and dancers who will be more than happy to share a bit of their history and passion of their Cuban culture. At lunch we will stop at one of the classic restaurant in Old Havana Doña Eutemia where you will be welcome by a happy staff, fantastic mojitos and exquisite food. Following lunch we will visit local art galleries, and crafts market to meet with local artists and learn about the techniques they use to make remarkable crafts. Soon you will return to your hotel for some rest. The evening will be celebrated by being part of the "CAÑONAZO DE LAS NUEVE" 9:00 pm Cannon Shot. During colonial times, the cannon was used to announce that opened and closed the doors of the walls , the historian Emilio Roig said , ” forming a huge belt of stone, surrounded and defended as impregnable fortresses of his time, the primitive , modest, simple , patriarchal and small town of San Cristobal de La Habana.

Day 3: El Malecón  (B) 

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, the guide will be picking you guys up for a tour of the other side of Havana, you'll visit the Classic Bar where the Daiquiri was invented "FLORIDITA" La Cuna del Daiquiri. Visit Museums such as Museo de La Revolución an iconic building remembering the fight of the Cuban people. You'll walk long the Malecon an incredible retaining wall along the Vedado area of Havana. as you drive around Havana, you'll see many important areas of the city, such us, Plaza de la Revolución which is the most important center for political talks and cultural celebrations. It is here at the Plaza de la Revolución where many iconic personalities of Cuban history delivered their monumental speeches. The monuments of Cuba's national hero Jose Marti, revolutionary heroes such as Camilo Cienfuegos and Che Guevara are also found. 

Day 4: Visit Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero  (B, L, D) 

Welcome to Varadero, home to the number one beach in Cuba. You'll settle in an all-inclusive Hotel with all the modern amenities. You can either spend your day at the resort or visit some of the local points of interest. Cueva de Ambrosio (Ambrosio Cave) Series of historic caves with ancient art, various geological features & many resident bats. The cave is only a few minutes from the hotel. 

Day 5: Visit Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero (B, L, D) 

Enjoy your last day in Varadero. Take the city bus to visit Downtown Varadero. Once in town visit "El Ranchon" for a great sea food platter, just across the street of the largest artisan market in town. The town has many great little restaurants, coffee shops plenty of things to see and opportunity to converse with locals.

Day 6: Visit Pinar del Río - Viñales (B, L) 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel say goodbye to Havana and head out to Pinar del Río known as the land that produces the world’s best tobacco, Pinar del Rio offers a landscape of unusual and incomparable beauty, from the highest mountains to the sea floor. This region is characterized by its valleys, mountains, caves, rivers, cliffs and fertile land. There are two National Parks, the Valley of Viñales and the Biosphere Reserve of Peninsula of Guanahacabibes, declared as cultural landscape heritage sites by UNESCO for the rural  life centered on its tobacco farming. Your guide will introduce you to local cigar makers, producers and farmers, this will give you the opportunity to learn about the live of Pinar del Rio. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and you'll be lodging at a Hotel with impressive views of the valley.

Day 7: Pinar del Rio - Viñales  (B) 

Waking up in this area is so amazing. Head into town for walk along the main street, which is lined with colorful colonial-era wooden houses, including the Municipal Museum, which explores the region’s history. Orchids and palms fill the sprawling Casa de Caridad Botanical Gardens. The area is sorrounded by beautiful trails, near by rivers, farms and picture perfect landscapes. 

Day 8: Until Next Time Cuba (B) 

We hope you have enjoyed your visit to Cuba, one of the most iconic and beautiful countries in the Caribbean. You'll be picked up from the Hotel by noon and take the 2 hour journey back to Havana. If time permits we can stop for a few more pictures, food or last minute shopping.  

You'll be dropped off at the airport 2 hours before your flight. 

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Local Tour director
• Cuban Driver & Transportation
• Cuban Bilingual Guide
• Activities as indicated in your itinerary
• Meals as indicated in your itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• 3 nights accommodations in Havana hotel
• 2 nights accommodations in Viñales Hotel
• 2 nights accommodations in Varadero hotel 
• Break (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D) as indicated in your itinerary
• Viñales Day 1 guide will be with you Day 2 you'll be instructed what places to visit at your leisure. 
• Varadero: Day 1 & 2: You'll be dropped off at the resort, you'll be instructed what places to visit at your leisure. 
• CUBAN VISA INCLUDED

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Tips for housekeeping personnel
• Tips for Tour director, guide or drivers
• Travel insurance
• Dinner not included unless specified in your itinerary
• Arrival and departure times outside of the group flight and departures
• Extra luggage fees
• Not responsible for any missing, lost or stolen items

CLICK HERE CUBAN VISA - 

Cuban Visa can be purchase at an additional fee via Cuban Visa Services you must have your flight details, Flight Number, Confirmation number arrival and departure dates.

NOTE: Cuba requires that all arriving travelers have a Tourist Card or Visa to enter the country. This visa is to be purchased for all non-Cuban born travelers that are traveling under one of the 12 permitted categories. There are two documents you must have to travel to Cuba, a passport and the tourist card. The traveler must fill it out with black ink and no mistakes. In case a mistake occurs the traveler needs to purchase a new visa. The Tourist Card is perforated in two sections, the immigration representative will keep one perforated portion and the second section will be turned in upon departure. *Please do not detach the two separate sides. Customs in Cuba is responsible for this.

MONEY EXCHANGE
In Cuba, cash is king, and for spending money, you will need to bring cash to exchange, as your debit and credit cards will not work. There are 2 official
currencies in Cuba:

• Cuban Peso Convertible (CUC) Value: CUC1 = US$1.00
• Cuban Peso (CUP or Moneda Nacional M.N) Value: CUP24 = CUC1

The exchange rates of these currencies are fixed by the Cuban Government, and can change at any time. The ‘local’ Cuban Peso has very limited use, especially for travelers, and is mostly used for transactions between locals. What’s confusing for
travelers is that the Cubans call both currencies ‘pesos’, so make sure they are giving you the price in CUC (“coo"), also called “convertibles”

ATMs // At present, the only cities with ATMs are Havana, Camaguey, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba.
While U.S. financial institutions are now permitted to process credit card and debit card transactions in Cuba related to authorized travel expenses, currently most U.S. financial institutions and Cuban vendors are not set-up to process such transactions.
ATMs can be quite temperamental in Cuba, so funds may not be accessible electronically.

More information

Unless you have a Credit Card from another country other than the USA you can’t use Cards or ATM from the United States.

You must exchange your US dollars once you get to Hotel Ibero Star in Havana, you can exchange money as you go. Exchange rate is 0.87 CUC for $1 USA 

Travelers Insurance

Must obtain Medical Health Insure before arriving to Cuba, if you purchase with Alaska Airlines, Travelers Insurance is included. 

• * AIR AMBULANCE PROFESSIONALS
• * EUROP ASSISTANCE INTERNATIONAL (LOS ANGELES)
• * MEDEX
• * MERCURY INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
• * MONDIAL ASSISTANCE
• * MONEY GRAM
• * NATIONAL AIR AMBULANCE
• * ON-CALL INTERNATIONAL (IAG)
• * USA ASSIST-DEMOCRACY CENTER
• * WORLD NET

Contact information: 

Email: Travel@itaglobal.com | 213-293-6422 | ITAGLOBAL.COM | INSTAGRAM

ITASA, Tour Operator - 198 Colonia Los Robles, Managua, Nicaragua