Santa Clara, Cienfuegos and Trinidad
(choose your dates)
3 travelers, starting at $3,495 per person*
4 - 10 travelers, starting at $2,995 per person*
Immerse yourself in Cuba's Caribbean South Coast, Historic Trinidad, French Colonial Cienfuegos, and learn about Cuba's Revolution in Santa Clara.
*price will vary with length of stay and time of year
Although less visited by tourists, Santa Clara is one of the largest cities of Central Cuba, and the capital of the Province of Villa Clara. During the visit here, we learn about one of the most important moments in the final stages of the Revolution. We will visit the site of where General Batista's train was captured (today a museum), as well as the grandiose Che Guevara Memorial. From here we will head to the Southern Caribbean coast, to Cienfuegos, also known as "the Pearl of the South", where we will visit its stunning plazas, quaint shopping streets with art galleries and beautiful French Colonial architecture. The journey ends in UNESCO heritage marked Trinidad, with its' cobble stone streets, street vendors selling beautiful artifacts and textile , amazing eateries and a bustling music and dance scene better than Havana's!
Upon arrival in Santa Clara, you will meet your Cuban guide and drive to your Casa Particular in Santa Clara. After checking in, we will spend the evening at a local paladar featuring traditional Cuban food and music. Santa Clara Accommodation (D)
Begin your first full day in Cuba by visiting the Che Guevara Memorial and get a city tour by your local guide. Lunch is included at a local paladar. After lunch, we will visit the famous site of the Batista train, and learn about one of the most pivotal points in Cuba's Revolution, before we board our mini-van to travel to our next stop of Cienfuegos. Settle in to your room, and venture out on the town to explore a local eatery on your own, and perhaps followed by an evening salsa dancing at Casa De la Trova. Cienfuegos Accommodation (B/L)
After breakfast, we take a tour of the city center and its plazas, and a visit to the architecturally stunning Terry Theather. Lunch on your own. The afternoon will be free for visit the local art galleries, shopping a strolling along the streets of Cienfuegos, maybe visit the Cienfuegos marina, or a stop at the local Coppelia ice-cream shop. After a day of exploring this charming middle class Cuban town, we will embark our bus again, to travel the 1.5 hours to our next and final stop of Trinidad. Dinner will be prepared for you by your local hosts, and awaiting you upon arrival. Trinidad Accommodation (B/D)
After breakfast enjoy a walking tour through Trinidad's historical streets with a local guide and historian, ending at the Museo Romántico. Enjoy lunch near the main plaza on your own. In the afternoon, visit the Casa de Velazquez colonial era house for a guided tour of the oldest intact house in Cuba and the home of the first governor of Cuba in the 1500’s. Here we can envision what life was like at that time. For our farewell dinner we will gather at the popular Paladar Ache, before we experience the best of the nightlife Cuba has to offer! Trinidad Accommodation (B/D)
Following breakfast, we bid Cuba farewell as we transfer back to the airport for our flight home. (B)
Day-by-day itinerary
INCLUDED: Tailored itinerary for the general OFAC category "Support for the Cuban People" for legal travel from the US to Cuba; daily breakfast at your Casa Particular, l plus 1 lunch and 3 dinners (B/L/D per itinerary); Cuban English speaking local guide; all entrance fees on itinerary; preparation materials; tips for included meals on itinerary; bottled water on the bus.
NOT INCLUDED: International airfare; Cuba Entry Card; departure tax; medical insurance while in Cuba; meals not on itinerary, 2 lunch and 2 dinners (B/L/D per itinerary); alcoholic drinks; excursions not on the itinerary; tips for local guide and driver (optional, yet customary); travel cancellation and evacuation insurance (strongly recommended, info will be sent upon registration).
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change to take advantage of the serendipity of the moment when we are in Cuba... to meet someone special, to engage in an activity that might occur unexpectedly, or to accommodate circumstances beyond our control. Restaurants or hotels may change in similar category.
TRAVEL PROTECTION: Cross Cultural Journeys is not responsible for cancellation expenses that you might incur before or during our trip. You may want to check first to see if your current insurance policy covers travel abroad, but we have found that most do not. We strongly encourage considering taking out travel interruption and evacuation insurance to cover any emergencies abroad such as evacuation, or reimbursement for cancellation due to your own illness or an illness in your family. Some plans require you to take out this insurance within 21 days of your deposit to cover pre-existing conditions. CCJ has partnered with TravelSafe. You can visit our online portal to explore different plans. We encourage you to choose a plan covers travel interruption before you depart, as well as during the trip. CCJ is not responsible for events beyond our control in this regard.
Please visit the Cross Cultural Journeys - TravelSafe online portal to find a plan that works for you. You can also call TravelSafe directly at 1-800-523-8020. Make sure you mention that Cross Cultural Journeys is your tour operator to receive our special rates.
