Private Journeys
Luxury Cuba: Colonial classics and coast
10 days
from £2,260pp

Essentials
Transport
3 private road journeys ( the longest is approx 6 hrs)
Accommodation
Accommodation on this trip is in the most luxurious hotels Cuba has to offer in the chosen places. In Cuba standards of amenities and service can be erratic, but are constantly improving. You’ll find well-equipped rooms, private bathroom and air-conditioning.
Meals
Breakfast daily. Dinner day 5, full board days 6-8.
Summary Of Nights
10 days, 9 nights: Havana 2; Trinidad 3; Cayo Santa María 3; Havana 1.
Currency
The unit of currency in Cuba is the Cuban peso.
How To Take It
Cuba imposes a 10-15% charge on dollar exchange. To avoid this, you should travel a reasonable quantity of with sterling or euro cash (no more than is covered by your insurance). Notes should be in good condition, soiled or torn ones may be refused. Both euros and sterling are accepted in most banks and some of the larger hotels. You can change these into convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) on arrival. Keep the official receipt from your transaction, because you will need this should you want to change any currency back to sterling or euros at the end of your trip.
Credit cards (not issued by US banks) are also accepted in some places, but be aware that there is a 11% surcharge on payments made by card, including on cash advances. Havana has a few ATMs and there are a couple more popping up in other cities, although these cannot be relied on. Maestro cards are not accepted in Cuba.
Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around £25 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
Tipping
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Insurance
Travel insurance is essential. Cuban authorities require visitors to have travel insurance, and specifically for the medical and repatriation element of cover to be from an approved provider. For example, Journey Latin America’s recommended insurance company is Campbell Irvine, and their medical and repatriation cover is handled by International Medical Assistance, who are approved by Cuba. Please check with your insurance company that their provider is similarly approved.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
Airport Taxes
Departure tax from Cuba is now (as of May 2015) included in the price of your ticket.
Journey Grade
Generally this holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors, including families.
Bear in mind that there are some walking tours on this trip, though nothing especially demanding. This journey uses a combination of tourist bus services and private transport. Be aware that although there are timetables for buses in Cuba, there are often delays and occasionally cancellations – patience and a flexible attitude will be a virtue in these situations.
Climate
As Cuba lies in the Caribbean Sea, it has a tropical climate that is split into two seasons, one wet and one dry.
However, Cuba is generally hot throughout the year (18-32°C) with regular rainfall and high humidity. The rainy season runs from May to October and from July to September, humidity can be very high. The east of the island is hotter and more humid that the west. Hurricanes and tropical storms are possible from July to October.
Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. A completed Cuban tourist card is essential for all UK citizens travelling to Cuba, we will organise this for you. Clients with a different nationality should contact us or check with the Cuban consulate.
Clothing And Special Equipment
Protection against the sun (sunblock, sun hat) and mosquito repellant are essential and you should bring swimwear. A daypack is useful for carrying sunblock, guidebook, water and any extra layers.
Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
Country info
When's the best time to visit Cuba?
The high season for visitors is Dec - Apr when the weather is usually sunny, mostly dry and not too humid, though there can be cool days. Hurricane and tropical storms are possible Aug - Nov.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
What's the official language of Cuba?
Spanish.
What's the official currency in Cuba?
You can purchase Cuban Convertible Pesos at the airport or in banks or cadecas (money exchanges) in principal towns. US dollars are not accepted so you need to take cash in sterling. Euros are also accepted but the rate may not be as favourable. There are some ATM machines which supposedly accept debit cards but they are not always reliable. You can also get cash with a credit or debit card (not issued by a US bank). You can change surplus money back to convertible currencies at the airport at the end of your trip.
What's the time difference between Cuba and UK?
GMT -5 hours.
What places combine well with Cuba?
Mexico’s Yucatán, with flights from Cancún to Havana, 1 hour 15mins.
What are the festivals and cultural events in Cuba?
Carnival: There are carnivals throughout the country on different dates. Havana’s carnival moves around date-wise year upon year, but is always accompanied by parades, music, drumming and dancing. Santiago’s carnival in July is probably the biggest and the best.
International Jazz Festival: Havana, Dec. Workshops and concerts. One of the world’s best.
What's included in the price
- Services of our team of experts in our London office
- Services of Journey Latin America local representatives and guides
- All land within Latin America
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified
- Excursions as specified, including entrance fees
Included Excursions
- Guided vintage car tour of Old Havana
- Tropicana Club cabaret
- Guided city tour in Trinidad
- Guided city tour by night Trinidad
- Included activities at beach resort
What's not included in the price
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals other than specified
- International flights to Latin America
- Airport taxes, when not included in the ticket
- Optional excursions
What's included in the price
- Services of our team of experts in our London office
- Services of Journey Latin America local representatives and guides
- All land within Latin America
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified
- Excursions as specified, including entrance fees
Included Excursions
- Guided vintage car tour of Old Havana
- Tropicana Club cabaret
- Guided city tour in Trinidad
- Guided city tour by night Trinidad
- Included activities at beach resort
What's not included in the price
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals other than specified
- International flights to Latin America
- Airport taxes, when not included in the ticket
- Optional excursions
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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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