Hotel Las Cuevas

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

MS, Hampton

Trinidad was our favourite place, closely followed by Cienfuegos. Relaxing at the Hotel Melia Buenavista was wonderful at the end of a packed but well paced tour around the highlights of Cuba.

TR, Leicester

Many happy memories but loved the guided tour of Havana in the vintage car (huge 1953 Ford pink and cream convertible) Also enjoyed walking in the beautiful Vinales valley, it was like travelling back in the past with oxen ploughing and tobacco drying in huge thatched barns. It exceeded my expectations. Great organisation, informative guides, careful and punctual drivers and accommodation in convenient yet quiet locations, near to tourist attractions and restaurants.

JR, Cambridge

Highlight?: Rafting in Tena

RF, Dorking

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

Highlights: Our lovely hosts in all the homestays  and especially being looked after by Mirtha in Trinidad.

BG, Bristol

Highlight? Driving across Cuba and the fact that having a car allowed you to go off the beaten trip and experience life there at our own pace. Walking round Havana - spent hours walking round both the old town, Centro and Vedado, which was totally fascinating. Groups of horsemen riding the wrong way down the Autopista!
 

RF, Henley on Thames

With JLA's help, got an excellent choice of locations and accommodation. Really felt that I got to see a lot of the country and a great variety in just 10 days. No way of knowing how the new trade agreement between Cuba and America will pan out (clearly going to be good for the Cuban economy), but it's interesting that everyone I spoke to said there was a tourism influx at a normally quiet period BECAUSE people wanted to see Cuba before it potentially changed, and not necessarily, tourism-wise, for the better.

PW, Norwich

Highlight?: Our stay in Trinidad

PD, Woking

The only additional info might have been that travellers should take a box of tissues - although we always do anyway to wherever. Cuba doesn't do tissues.......

PR, Edinburgh

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 experiences: Visiting Las Terrazas, exploring Havana, brief stop in Santa Clara, and contact with Cubans along the way

HP, King's lynn

Highlights?: There were so many!  We took an excursion  to the forest ; truck, walk, waterfall swimming...loved it.  But we really enjoyed everywhere.

ER, London

Highlight?: The walk through the 3 valleys in Vinales.

MK, Brentford

Cuba is such a different place that it is hard to pick out an individual experience....Overall, the tour was fantastic. All the guides allocated gave us an excellent description of the area, in each of Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Trinidad and Vinales. We used our free time to retrace part of our guided tour, to explore further ourselves, or to enjoy the food and ambience, especially the music and dancing of Cuba! We were warned that the food provided at Homestays (breakfasts and dinners) would be huge, and indeed they were. We were unable to finish any meal because of the quantity!  We did a few of our own trips, catching a taxi to the beach in Trinidad, being driven around Havana in a classic car, museum visits and trips on bicycle taxis. We found the people friendly and very helpful.

IB, Stockbridge

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

Highlights: Meeting the local guides and owners of casas particolares, who were unfailingly helpful, friendly and genuinely keen to welcome us to their country. On of the highlights of the trip was probably the transfer in a wonderful red and cream American classic car with a skilful driver (you have to be on Cuban roads!)

RP, London

Highlights? The wonderful beautiful Cuban people. The stunning landscape the memorable architecture. The wild weather. Just the sense of being propelled back in time but also to a possible future of less empty consumerism, less intensive agriculture, mores social connection and less social media allowing for more actual sociality

DM, Brighton

We had a great time in Cuba, very pleased with the literary suggested and implemented by JLA. Hannah (W) was a pleasure to deal with. We would certainly recommend JLA to anybody thinking of travelling to South America / Cuba etc.

JH Bedford

Highlight?: Havana, trip to the ballet at the Opera House

PF, London

Most memorable experiences: The vibrancy of the music,friendliness of the people and the sheer variety of Landscapes,cities and coastlines. Particular highlights were the 1950's cars,Trinidad and vinales...We would definitely consider travelling with journey Latin America again and the efficiency and organisation of our trip was superb from start to finish. Cuba is a fascinating country to visit and a great destination for families with teenagers. Thank you for a memorable,fun  and enriching experience!

LVK, Sevenoaks

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

SW, Woking

Most Memorable Moment?: Horse riding to the waterfall in Trinidad

CJC,

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

SS, Newcastle upon tyne

Most memorable experiences: "Driving around the country seeing beautiful buildings and plants. The music in Bayamo - a special festival. Going to the Granjita near Santiago where Castro planned the 26th July."

AH, London

Most memorable experience: "Witnessing the culture of Cuba. Seeing the state of buildings, the 50s cars and there really is great music in every bar!"

HC, Cheltenham

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

LW

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 experience: "It had to be La Guarida paladar in Havana, travelling in the vintage cars and also the Casa de la Musica in Trinidad, just sitting outside in the evening."

ZEW, London

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