Discover Eastern Cuba
Dates
November 22 - December 4, 2019
Pricing
$2600 USD per person
Length
12 nights/13 days
Group Size
12 Travelers Maximum
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Immersive Travel
Engage with locals, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Immersive yourself in the daily life of the destination you visit as you experience the best food, art, and nightlife.
Group Photographer
Live in the moment. Our group photographer will capture your journeys so you can stay unplugged and fully engaged. You’ll receive a daily batch of edited photos.
Socially + Environmentally Responsible
We empower the communities we visit with social initiatives and respectful tourism practices.
Give Back to the Community You Visit
We donate a percentage of our fees to either a charity or a small business in the destination we visit.
What People Are Saying
The Itinerary
Day 1: Camaguey
- Arrive in Camaguey
- Private airport transport to the casa particular (guesthouse)
- Explore Camaguey as desired on your own
- Homemade welcome dinner at the casa particular
Meals included: Welcome dinner at the casa particular
Nightlife (optional): Teatro Principal (second only to shows in Havana)
Day 2: Camaguey
- Explore Camaguey on a private walking tour with a local guide
- Private art gallery walking tour led by a graduate of the Academy of Arts in Camaguey
- Visit art studios, galleries, and houses of important artists of Camaguey
- Learn about underground art and interact with local artists
- Options to consider: Martha Jiménez Pérez Studio, Cinema Street, Mercado Agropecuraio Hatibonica, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Plaza Agromonte & Casa de Arte Jover, and Casa de la Diversidad
Meals included: Breakfast
Meals on your own: Lunch and dinner
Nightlife (optional): Noche Camagueyana on Saturday (Up Republica from La Soledad) with food and drink stalls, music, and crowds. Casa de Trova Patricio Ballegas on Sunday
Restaurants: Mercado Agropecuario Hatibonica, Plaza de Carmen, or Lago de Los Suenos, Casa Austria, El Paso, Mesón del Principe, El Bucanero, Restaurante 1800
Note: Those unable to travel on Friday, Nov. 22 may arrive in Camaguey on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Day 3: Holguin
Private transport to Holguin
- Private walking tour with a local guide - a university student well-versed in the Holguin way of life.
Options to consider: Parque and Museum Calixto García, Centro de Arte for art exhibitions and/or largest book collection in Holguin at the Biblioteca Alex Urquiola, La Loma de la Cruz (has 465 steps to bar and restaurant, Organ Factory, Parque Cespedes, Plaza de La Revolucion, Museo Chorro de Maita (Taino Indian settlement in Guardalavaca)
Meals included: Breakfast at casa privada in Camaguey
Lunch at casa privada in Holguin
Sugar cane juice and coffee on the walking tour
Meals on your own: Dinner
Restaurants: Restaurant atop La Loma de la Cruz, Restaurante 1910, Ranchon Los Almendros, Salón 1720
Nightlife (optional): Casa de la Trova for live music and drinks or other things, as desired.
Day 4: Holguin
- Round trip transport to the beach at Playa Esmeralda - great snorkeling
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Meals on your own: Lunch at Playa Esmeralda
Nightlife (optional): UNEAC, Salon Beni More, Jazz Club
Day 5: Bayamo
- Private transport to Bayamo
- Late afternoon private guided walking tour
- Options to consider on your own: Plaza de La Revolución (Parque Cespedes), Teatro Bayamo, Fabrica de los Coches (observe Cuba's only horse cart production line), Paseo Bayamés, Parque Chapuzon, Casa Natal de Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, and Plaza de La Patria
Meals included: Breakfast at casa privada in Holguin and lunch at casa privada in Bayamo
Meals on your own: Dinner
Restaurants: Salvador de Bayamo, La Bodega
Nightlife (optional): UNEAC, Teatro Bayamo, Casa de La Trova Bayamesa
Day 6: Bayamo
- Day excursion by jeep to Santo Domingo and the Sierra Masestra where Fidel launched the Revolution. About a 3-hour hike altogether. Enjoy the flora, fauna and mountain views. See Castro's hideout and radio tower as well as the museum.
Meals included: Breakfast at the casa privada and Lunch in Santo Domingo
Meals on your own: Dinner
Restaurants: Villa Santo Domingo (en Santo Domingo), Restaurante San Salvador de Bayamo, La Bodega
Nightlife (optional): UNEAC, Teatro Bayamo, Casa de La Trova Bayamesa (assuming not dog tired!)
Day 7: Santiago de Cuba
- Private transport to Santiago de Cuba
- Arrive and relax/explore on your own. Places of interest include Museo del Carnaval (Afro-Cuban dance show each day at 3:00 PM)
Meals included: Breakfast at casa privada in Bayamo and dinner at the casa in Santiago de Cuba
Meals on your own: Lunch
Nightlife (optional): Casa de La Trova, Iris Jazz Club, Club Nautico, Casa de Las Tradiciones, Tropicana Santiago, UNEAC
Day 8: Santiago de Cuba
- Private guided walking tour of Santiago
- Round trip transport to Santa Ifigenia Cemetery (where Fidel Castro in buried)
Options to consider: Bacardí museum, Moncada Barracks museum, shopping strip, Bacardi Rum Factory, Museo de La Lucha Clandestina, Casa de Diego Velazquez, Calle Heredia, Castillo de San Pedro, Cayo Granma with ferry ride
Meals included: Breakfast at casa privada
Meals on your own: Lunch and dinner
Restaurants: St. Pauli, Rumba Café, Melia Santiago Hotel
Nightlife (optional): Noche Santiaguera (street party), Iris Jazz Club, Club Nautico, Casa de Las Tradiciones, Casa de La Trova, Tropicana Santiago, UNEAC
Day 9: Santiago de Cuba
Half day excursion to Gran Piedra at Bacanao Park. Visit the botanical garden before you hike up to the rock. Learn about the coffee culture at the Isabelica Museum.
Meals included: breakfast at casa privada and lunch
Meals on your own: Dinner
Day 10: Guantanamo
- Private transport to Guantanamo
- Guided walking tour
Options to consider: percussion at Casa de Changüí, home of local architect Leticio Salcines Palacio Salcines, Casa del Son, Parque Marti, Museo Provincial (with aboriginal exhibits), US Military Base
Meals included: breakfast at casa privada
Meals on your own: Lunch and dinner
Restaurants: Sabor Melian, Olimpia, Girasoles
Nightlife (optional): Tumba Francesa Pompadour (Haitian style dancing), Casa de La Trova at Parque Marti, Casa del Son
Day 11: Baracoa
- Private transport to Baracoa
- Private guided walking tour with local guide
Options to consider: Museo Municipal del Fuerte Matachin, Museo Arqueológico La Cueva Del Paraiso, Parque Independencia, Fabrica de Chocolate, Fabrica de Cucuruchu
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner at casa privada
Meals on your own: Lunch
Restaurants: La Terraza – Casa Nilson, El Buen Sabor, La Punta
Nightlife (optional): Casa de La Trova Victorino Rodriguez, Casa de La Cultura
Day 12: Baracoa
Day excursion to the Humboldt National Park, unmatched in the Caribbean and a World Heritage Site, with an experienced guide. Enjoy nature on the northern coast, take a boat trip on the river, swim, taste local fruit, seafood and cocoa.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner at the casa particular
Meals on your own: Lunch at or near the National Park excursion
Restaurants: La Terraza – Casa Nilson, El Buen Sabor, La Punta
Day 13: Travel home
No activities planned for today
Private transport to airport in Santiago
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: As of April 23, 2019, the only flight by a US carrier (American) leaves at 8:35PM and arrives in Miami at 10:14PM.
Additional info
Getting there: Book your flight to arrive at the Camaguey-Ignacio Agramonte (CMW) airport. Please choose a flight that arrives in the AM or afternoon. Our group activities start around 5pm on the day of arrival. Give yourself enough time to arrive and get settled so you don’t miss out. Once you arrive in Camaguey and get through customs, you will be greeted by a Fisheye Journeys driver who will bring you to our casa.
Leaving Cuba: Book your flight to depart from the Santiago airport (SCU).
Included:
Group photographer to capture your journey. A batch of edited photos will be delivered a few weeks after the trip
Accommodation for 12 nights
Transportation to and from the airport
In-country transportation (public transport: shared taxis and buses)
Meals as noted
Activities as noted
Reservations at top restaurants
Trip leader and 24/7 concierge service for the duration of the group trip
Not included:
Airfare in and out of the country
Mandatory travel insurance
Visa
Health insurance*
Souvenirs
Other incidental expenses (just ask if you're not sure)
Alcohol, except where noted
Accommodations: We will be staying in casas particulares (homestays), which are similar to a bed and breakfast. Cuban homes are so charming and vibrant, you're gonna love 'em!
U.S. Citizens Traveling to Cuba: Updated June 10, 2019. Yes, travel to Cuba is still legal and safe! Travel to Cuba is permitted through the “Support for the Cuban People” category authorized by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The itinerary is intended to provide a cultural experience and patronizing places that support the Cuban people.
*Health Insurance: Cuban authorities require proof of health insurance upon entering the country. Save a copy of your insurance card ready to show.
Most airlines include this mandatory health insurance coverage in their flight cost. Scroll down on your flight receipt to view the cost breakdown and see if this is included. If so, you do not have to worry about printing any proof of health insurance.
What to expect in Cuba: While we try our best to stick to the itinerary, traveling in Cuba requires flexibility and changes to accommodation, transportation, and activities may occur. Cuban infrastructure has not been maintained according to western standards, hot water may be minimal, wifi connection may be slow when available, and the general pacing is slow but vibrant. Bring your sense of adventure and enjoy the moment!
Pricing: The trip cost is $2600 per person. A $500 initial non-refundable deposit per person is required to reserve your spot and is included in this total price. The remaining balance can be split up into two payments with the final payment due no later than 30 days prior to departure. All payments must be made by credit card.
Please read our FAQs page and Booking Terms and Conditions before booking.