Hotel Central Santa Clara

Would definitely recommend Cuba as an interesting and varied holiday destination, and JLA as an efficient and knowledgeable agent 

MS, Hampton

The hiking tour above Topes de Collantes lead by Valentine was fantastic. Wonderful sights and sounds lead by an experienced guide with a good sense of humour.

DM, Edinburgh

Most memorable experience: "Swimming in a pool fed by a waterfall with no one else within sight or sound. Closely followed by spending my birthday on a tiny Caribbean beach."

MG, Dunstable

There is no one experience that I would single out. What was memorable were the people, their friendliness and helpfulness, and the real feeling of safety everywhere we went - even when the street lighting suddenly failed in the back streets of Trinidad.

DM, Nottingham

Every part of the trip on Cuba.  It is an amazing destination.  If we had to pick out one part it would be the amazing unspoint scenery.

ES, Brackley

The visit to Vinales - we loved the scenery and the remoteness - and the Escambray mountains.

LJ, Wokingham

Highlights: The music/case da la culturas. driving and getting off the beaten track.

RGJ, London

Highlight?: Time in Trinidad: - enjoyed the town and also did a tour to the mountains to see coffee plants, drink good coffee and see waterfalls and a lovely pool for a refreshing swim. 

FW, Cardiff

The food was better than we had feared (but they routinely overcook seafood, so stick with chicken) and there was more English spoken than we had expected. Weather was great. The state of the buildings generally was better than we had been led to expect - although there is a lot of work outstanding in the southern parts of the Old Town in Havana. People are helpful. The country is clearly at an interesting stage of its development - which is why we wanted to go - and might go in many directions from here; not all of them favourable. Roads, particularly outside towns, were empty.

PR, Edinburgh

Highlights “We really liked Cuba overall. There is not just one thing but the best were 1.The private tour in Havana was excellent as the guide was first rate. The town of Trinidad which we just loved. We thought it was really good to stay at a Casa and would recommend that experience for at least one section of a holiday” 

PD, Dublin

Amazing

The fact that Cuba is so far removed from 21st century life - Cubans seem to have an indestructible soul! Music is their Prozac.

Ck, London

Most Memorable Moment: Seeing so much of Havana and the amazing countryside around Vinales.

GF, London

Loads of music. Watching sax player at sunset, Hotel Melia Buenavista, Cayo Santa Maria Buenavista, Cafe Taberna, Christmas Day.

JP, Bedford

Most memorable experiences: "The self drive itinerary and experience gave us a window into the real Cuba, off the beaten track but never too scary. We were sad to hand the car over in Santiago! We had an amazing trip to Cuba; a lifetime experience. thank you all for making it happen."

NC, Reading

Highlight?: The road journeys through eastern Cuba.

JB,

Driving was fascinating & not too stressful due to lack of traffic . We felt we saw bits of CUBA not seen by many tourists.

DM, Falmouth

Cuba is a fascinating, beguiling, enchanting, confusing and sometimes challenging country caught in a 60 year timewarp. It is almost as though the clock stopped in 1960. If you can't live without creature comforts you'll find plenty to complain about; if you like a challenge and adventure, thrive on the unexpected, then go quick before it's too late! The only way out of their economic and social chasm is private sector capitalism and it's waiting less than 100 miles away...

SM, Madrid

Most Memorable Moment?: The perfect travel arrangements, staying int he homestays, seeing how much things have changed The refurbished Alicia Alonso theatre is amazing and not to be missed.

AW, Watford

Highlights? Everything! The casas for showing us how Cubans live, the guides and their information, the sunset from the Palacio at Punta Gorda (Cienfuegos), the casa at Punta Gorda, the music everywhere, the food, the cocktails, the nice and hospitable people.

EV, Enfield

All of it was great. It was amazing to visit cities, mountainous areas and the beach. The Rolling Stones weren't bad either!!

LW, Tonbridge

Most memorable aspect: “The ballet; the coast; bird watching at Las Terrazas and Zapata, La Moka; our stay in a Casa Particular in Trinidad. The whole holiday was very good. Driving in Cuba and life on the roads!!” 

JA, Street

Wonderful trio

Highlights included dancing and watching dancing in Guantanamo, Santiago and Trinidad. There's music everywhere - it gets inside your head and is wonderful. Also the road trip from Guadalavaca to Baracoa (6.5 hours) was amazing. Beautiful views driving through the mountains.

SZ, Bungay

Best Bit?: Just the huge contrasts in the country.

LW

Most Memorable Moment?: The bronze statues by Martha Jimenez in Camaguey were very memorable. The Cubans were all extremely friendly.

SO, Abingdon

Most memorable experiences: Trinidad, the town and evenings full of local music were fantastic

SS, Newcastle upon tyne

Highlights: “Freewheeling through Cuba and exploring Old Havana brilliant – as were Maria La Gorda – beautiful spot, unspoilt, simple but perfectly adequate hotel.  Also the people – lovely”.  

ES, Buntingford

We got engaged at La Guarida in Havana on the second night, so the whole trip is going to be a memorable one for a very long time!

TO, London

Spending time with the guides gave us an insight into other aspects of life in Cuba.

SW, Woking

Hiking in Topas de Collante - swimming in a natural pool and bar hopping in Old Havana. 

RS, Twickenham

Most memorable experience: "Difficult to choose one! Sunrise boat trip on the Laguna del Tesoro with mist coming off the water and variety of bird life, watching the sun go down behind mogotes in Vinales with a mojito or humming birds flying around while having breakfast in Trinidad. Or even dancing the conga with the rest of the audience at the Buenvista Social Club!...The holiday was fantastic - every place we went to has its own unique character and feel so we felt that we had experienced at least something of what Cuba is about. The contrasts between the way of life in the cities and the countryside were extraordinary - mobile phones, brand name clothes, immaculately manicured and painted nails to a single ox drawn plough. Stunning landscapes and views through to urban decay and piles of rubbish in the streets. It's an experience that we thoroughly enjoyed and won't forget."

AW, High Wycombe