** Scroll down this page to view the complete, day by day, itinerary**

Please note that why travel to the island IS legal for US citizens, using the name of the country on the trip description page can cause problems for our third-party payment processor. Therefore, we will be referring to the country as "the island" on this itinerary and its people as "the islanders". 

We are excited to partner with GLTer-owned Heart of Travel to bring you to this beautiful island to ring in 2023 the best way we know how!

The island is easily one of the most unique and interesting destinations to visit in all of Latin America, if not the world. While you may come here looking for answers, you're more than likely to return home with even more questions. The island's vibrant culture is reflected in its art, music, dance, food, drink, and overall energy. However, it's important to recognize the struggles that islanders have been facing for years, with their fate in the hands of an oppressive government and the outdated US embargo. 

Our island tours immediately immerse you as you settle into your "casa particular" owned and run by a local family. From there you will jump into learning about the island's historic and cultural past and present while traveling throughout both urban and rural parts of the island. Our in-country host families, local guides, and drivers look forward to sharing the real island with you! 

As much as we want for this trip to go exactly as planned, we can not plan for complications that arise especially due to inclement weather or closures due to extenuating circumstances like Covid-19.  

While we hope all attendees choose to get vaccinated against Covid 19 - we are not requiring proof of vaccination for this trip.  We do require a NEGATIVE ANTIGEN COVID TEST prior to arrival. The at home tests are acceptable. Please email tests to glttrips.covid@gmail.com

We will do our very best to make onsite scheduling adjustments as needed, but please note that all listed and intended activities are weather and trail permitting.  No refunds will be given if an activity has to be cancelled or adjusted.  

Additionally, the tour is listed as a package, and no price adjustments will be given if someone wants to "opt-out" of an included activity. 

Full payment for this trip is due 60 days prior to arrival- October 30. 

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, these fees will be applied:

• Between Now- October 30, GLT retains only nonrefundable deposit ($500)

• Between October 31 and November 14 before your arrival date, GLT retains 50% of the entire tour price ($1400) 

• Between November 15 and November 29, GLT retains 75% of the entire tour price ($2100)

• Starting November 30, GLT retains 100% of the entire tour price ($2800)

Add ons can be added to your package until November 29. After November 30 (30 days before the trip), add-ons are norefundable. 

Arrival: 

We recommend arriving to the airport (HAV) before 3pm on the December 30 so you have time to arrive, head to the hotel and check in before the welcome dinner that evening!

Departure: 

We recommend departing from the airport (HAV) after 12pm on January 7, so you have time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you leave.

You'll arrive and be transferred to your "casa particulares" to settle into your new home for the next few days!. 

In the evening, we will head to dinner and live music at Kilometro Zero to kick off the trip! 

We will finish the night off with post-dinner drinks and live music at a local venue.

Included Meals: Dinner

After having breakfast at your casa particular, we will head off on a walking tour of the capital city. You will immerse yourself in the local history and culture, while taking in all the colors around you. 

We will stop to have lunch at a local restaurant, Antojos, to dine al fresco. 

After we are full and happy, we meet with some local musicians to learn about local music and the arts of the island.  We’ll have a discussion with a handful of local artists and learn how the arts have helped to depict themes from their country's history and culture, as well as have their voices heard surrounding current events.

We will have some "siesta" time before we head out to dinner at  El Cocinero. El Cocinero is an old cooking oil factory that has been transformed into a stunning rooftop terrace and lounge. It is an incredibly hip and modern establishment, especially by local islander standards, and offers an extensive menu with everything ranging from freshly caught seafood, veggie dishes, and mouthwatering desserts. 

To ring in the new year, we will celebrate at La Fabrica de Arte. The unique mixed-medium venue is frequented by locals and tourists alike, so its the perfect way to enjoy local music, meet new people, and experience New Years celebrations on this vibrant island!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a late morning start and a good breakfast, we will have an afternoon visit to local markets/gardens to discuss the food system on the Island.

We will then try our hand at prepping a meal! We'll take part in a cooking class with a local family, and enjoy our creations together! It will be an immersive experience to learn about the local food culture and get to know the locals. 

After we ate all the food we could, we'll take part in a truly local experience- playing dominos with locals in a local park! Learn all about the game, and learn the cultural significance of the activity from your new friends!

The evening is up to you, you can get lost in the streets of the capital city, find a salsa bar, or just relax. The night is yours!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll be making the 2.5-hour journey from the capital city to the countryside to visit Viñales Valley. A UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the heart of the tobacco and coffee-growing region of the island, Viñales is a beautiful rural area known for its kind people and stunning landscapes.

We'll do a hike or horseback ride through the valley to learn about the local flora and fauna. W'll visit a tobacco and coffee farmers home, with a chance to learn about the tobacco industry, taste local coffees, purchase cigars and sip on a  canchánchara, a delicious local beverage!

After working up an appetite, we'll have lunch at El Cuajani, a farm-to-table restaurant serving us fresh and vibrant produce. Take in the serenity of the countryside while dining on local dishes.

In the evening, we'll take a salsa class at Mogote cafe. Learn the basic Salsa steps with a private teacher in our one-hour dance lesson. Post lesson you’re free to head out into the town of Viñales for more dancing at a local bar! Be sure to break out your best moves! 

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

For those looking for a little morning exercise with a gorgeous reward, there is an optional hike to watch the sunrise at Los Aquaticos. Los Aquaticos is a small community up in the mountain range of Viñales where you can enjoy an epic sunrise. 

Enjoy some fresh breakfast with some incredibly fresh produce found in the valley, what a great way to start the day!

You'll have free time during the day to explore, and an option to zipline if you're looking for an adrenaline rush!

Nothing says the island countryside like a “lechon asado”, a pig roast. Enjoy the friendly company of the locals as we help to roast our very own pig, drink delicious cocktails, and surely dance with a few abuelas and abuelitos of the town!

For those who are looking to extend the fiesta later into the night, we can visit this one-of-a-kind bar nestled inside of a cave in the Viñales Valley. Adored by both locals and foreigners alike, this bar is always popping and is always a good time.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we're hading back to the capital city!

On the way back, we'll make a quick stop at the impressive Jazmines lookout, which allows you to appreciate expansive panoramic views of the valley. 

We'll have lunch at El Jíbaro, which is a charming and artsy restaurant with lots of delicious cuisine. We’ll cool off with freshly prepared cocktails and delicious plates, before heading out to explore the city in the iconic classic cars!

Prepare to be awed by not only the beautiful cars but also the ingenuity of the local people who have kept these cars running for more than 50 years. Out of necessity due to embargos and lack of materials, islanders have had to keep their cars in commission using sheer brainpower. We’ll visit a few different neighborhoods in our cars, stopping for plenty of photo ops along the way and discussing the history over the past 5 centuries. 

After the tour, we will learn how to prepare cocktails and mocktails with a local bartender!  We will pair our drinks with local “tapas” and are sure to leave this experience with fully bellies and an extra pep in our step!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it's time to head to the beach! 

There are options to relax, snorkel, swim, or even do an optional beach cleanup! We will have trash bags and gloves available to do an optional beach clean-up at a nearby beach.

 We’ll then enjoy a lunch of freshly caught seafood as we dine directly on the beach. Local vendors also walk the shores of the beach selling fresh tamales, which we also highly encourage you to try!

After lunch, we'll take a local art your to learn about the graffiti, murals, and sculptures, and how art expression is important to the local community, while enjoying local art. During this time, we will also learn more about the African influence on local culture with a particular focus on the Yoruba religion.

The evening will be free for you to explore, enjoy local food, visit a salsa bar, or relax. The night is yours for the taking! We are happy to give recommendations for places to visit!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you have a day to anything you please!

Take today to make sure you squeeze the most out for your final hours in Cuba and live an authentic experience while supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses on the island. Some activities we are very excited to set up for you are:

• Pamper yourself: Get your hair or nails done by Na Loca. 
• Get a tattoo to remember your time in on the island while supporting a small, privately owned business. 
• Learn about female entrepreneurs making artisanal soaps, honoring their roots, and fighting for a better future 
• Visit Clandestina, the island's first ever privately owned fashion brand that upcycles old garments into fresh new pieces using 100% local designs 
• Get your heart rate up in a personal training session along the malecón 

Just let us know what time of experience you’re interested in and we will bring it to life for you! Likewise, we highly recommend simply sipping a cafecito al fresco as people-watching in the city is unmatched!  

At the end of the day, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner together and reflect on what an amazing trip we had!

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On our final day, we will have breakfast at our casa particular before heading to the airport to catch our return flights. We hope to see you on another trip soon!

Included meals: Breakfast