- Tour code
CUBADV01
- Start
Havana
- End
Havana
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Comfort
- Trip pace
Relaxed
- Language
English
Havana is only a short flight from the US, yet it feels like another decade: pastel facades, old American cars and a soundtrack that never seems to stop. This trip packs a lot into a few days.
A local expert walks you through Old Havana's UNESCO-listed streets, from the Spanish colonial squares to the 19th-century mansions built on sugar and tobacco money. You'll ride through the city in a vintage convertible, learn salsa from professional dancers and then watch a live show, visit a sustainable farm in the countryside, and sample aged rum alongside fine cigars.
There's time by the sea too, with a morning at a Cuban beach, before an afternoon in a local artist's home gallery. Meals are part of the experience: dinner at a rooftop paladar, one of Cuba's privately run restaurants, a Creole farm lunch with live music, and a farewell dinner on the last night.
You travel in a group of 6 to 16 with your Soca Islands Host, who looks after the timings, the guides and the bookings, and the arrival and departure airport transfers are included.
Cuba's travel rules change from time to time, so talk to the Soca Islands team about the current requirements before you book.
Why This Journey
Havana is a city best understood through its people: the dancers, musicians, farmers, artists and cooks who keep its culture alive. This trip is built around meeting them, so instead of looking at Havana from a tour bus, you're learning a salsa step, tasting rum where it's made and hearing an artist explain their work in their own home.
It suits first-time visitors who want a full, sociable few days with the arrangements taken care of, and anyone curious about Cuban music, food and history. Five days is enough to find your favorite corners of Old Havana and leave already planning a return.
Where You'll Stay
Havana (4 nights): Casa Vitrales, a privately run boutique bed and breakfast in a restored townhouse in Old Havana, with a roof terrace for breakfast. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Rooms are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of José Martí International Airport (HAV); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Ride through Havana in a classic 1950s convertible
Order a mojito or daiquiri in the bars where each drink was born
Hear Havana's music, from street musicians to small live venues
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks other than those served during planned activities
- Optional activities
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Arrive at José Martí International Airport (HAV), where your transfer takes you to your accommodation in Old Havana. Your Havana stay begins with drinks and introductions. Order a mojito or a daiquiri, both Cuban inventions, and meet the people you'll spend the next few days with.
Then set off on foot with a local expert through the cobbled lanes of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll hear about the city's Spanish founding, the pirate raids it survived and the sugar and tobacco wealth that built its 19th-century mansions, passing grand squares, church towers and courtyards hidden behind heavy wooden doors.
Dinner is on the rooftop of a paladar, one of Cuba's privately owned restaurants, with traditional dishes and the city turning gold at sunset.
Climb into a vintage convertible for a spin around the city. These cars have become a symbol of Cuba, and riding through Havana with the top down is pure fun.
Next up is your first salsa class, taught by professional Cuban dancers. Beginners are welcome, and the teachers break the steps down until the rhythm starts to make sense.
Tonight, enjoy dinner with a live salsa show, then head to a local bar to try out your new steps.
Leave the city for the Cuban countryside and a guided tour of a farm that uses sustainable methods. Lunch is a fresh Creole meal made with local ingredients, with live music alongside.
The afternoon is all about Cuba's most famous exports. Taste aged rums with fine cigars and learn how each is made and why they matter so much here.
After dark, head to a gallery that doubles as a nightclub, one of the city's favorite spots with locals.
Spend the morning at a Cuban beach. Swim, stretch out on the sand and slow down for a few hours.
Back in the city, you'll visit a private gallery in a local artist's home. Mojito in hand, listen to the stories behind the pieces and enjoy the view from the balcony.
Later, dress up for your farewell dinner. Expect good food, one last cocktail and maybe a little more dancing.
Your Havana trip ends today after breakfast. Say goodbye to the group, and your transfer takes you back to José Martí International Airport (HAV) for your flight home.
Staying longer? Spend a slow afternoon tracking down the best ropa vieja, Cuba's national dish of shredded beef and vegetables.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Casa Vitrales
A privately run boutique bed and breakfast on the upper floors of a restored republican-era townhouse in Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits on Calle Habana near the Cinco Esquinas corner, two blocks from the Museum of the Revolution, with Old Havana's squares, bars and paladares within walking distance.
The house keeps its colonial character, with high ceilings, antiques and a central patio, and breakfast is served on the shaded roof terrace overlooking the old city. Its nine bedrooms each have a private bathroom and air conditioning.
Rooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of José Martí International Airport (HAV).
Proposed accommodation for all four nights is Casa Vitrales, a boutique bed and breakfast in Old Havana (or similar), subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers between José Martí International Airport (HAV) and your accommodation are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 curated dinners, among them the rooftop paladar dinner on Day 1, dinner with a live salsa show on Day 2, a Creole farm lunch on Day 3 and the farewell dinner on Day 4. Any other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our The Havana Trip trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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