audley travel cuba itinerary

2 Weeks In Cuba Itinerary for the Independent Traveller

01 apr 2024 13 feb 2024 | danielle.

Explore the very best of Cuba’s west with our 2 weeks in Cuba itinerary for the independent traveller , taking in the highlights of Havana, Viñales, Playa Larga, Cienfuegos and Trinidad.

Sipping a mojito at sunset, watching vintage cars cruise Havana’s seaside boulevard, the Malecón , time seems to slow to a crawl.

Two weeks in Cuba could easily stretch to two months, wandering the evocative streets of the cities, and watching rural life play out in the serene countryside. Ernest Hemingway came for a visit and stayed twenty years.

The fact is though, most of us have limited travel time and Cuba is a deceptively big island. Two weeks might feel like a good amount of time to explore most of the country, but when travel between some of Cuba’s cities can take the best part of a day, having a realistic itinerary can mean the difference between a great trip, and one you need a vacation from.

With this in mind, the plan for our two week itinerary for Cuba was to seek out the country’s distinctive history and culture, spend some time outdoors in nature and on the beach, and get underwater on a scuba dive.

After plenty of research, we decided to focus our time in the island’s western half, flying in and out of vibrant Havana, and travelling by bus and collectivo (shared taxi) to rural Viñales, beachside Playa Larga, and the World Heritage cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad.

With this Cuba itinerary, we had time in each place to explore, immerse, get active and relax as well.

Sound like your kind of travel? Here’s our guide to what we got up to and our recommendations if you’re planning on independently travelling or backpacking Cuba over 2 weeks.

We aim to keep this post updated where we can but this is Cuba and things are ever-changing. Also, fuel shortages, supply issues and power outages are a reality right now, which is having an impact on transport and tourism services. Be sure to check ahead where you can and have contingencies in your plans. Let us know about your own trip in the comments at the end of this post!

2 Weeks in Cuba Itinerary Snapshot Start & Finish: Havana, Cuba Distance: appx. 1,060km (660 miles) plus tours and day trips. How long do I need: This is a two week itinerary for Cuba, focusing on the island’s western half. Overnight stops: 3 nights in Havana, 3 nights in Viñales, 2 nights in Playa Larga, 2 nights in Cienfuegos, 2 nights in Trinidad and 1 night back in Havana.

What’s in this post?

Preparing for a Cuba trip Travelling to Cuba What’s the route? 2 weeks in Cuba Itinerary Day 1 – Arrive in Havana Day 2 – Havana Day 3 – Havana Day 4 – Viñales Day 5 – Viñales Day 6 – Viñales Day 7 – Playa Larga Day 8 – Playa Larga Day 9 – Cienfuegos Day 10 – Cienfuegos Day 11 – Trinidad Day 12 – Trinidad Day 13 – Return to Havana Day 14 – Depart Havana

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Preparing for a Cuba trip

For us, travelling around Cuba felt a little bit like our younger backpacking days, when internet cafes were just emerging, our only insights into a place came via other travellers and a brick-sized Lonely Planet guide, and we carried a wad of travellers cheques.

Things aren’t quite as old school as that in Cuba (and internet access is apparently getting better and better), but there are still various things you need to be aware of, and be ready for, before you visit.

We’ve pulled together information on some of the practicals like visas, money, internet, getting around and accommodation in this Planning a trip to Cuba post.

Travelling to Cuba

Havana is the start and finish point for our Cuba trip and you can fly to Havana direct from various cities in Europe, the US, South America, the Caribbean and Mexico.

It’s important to check in with your home government’s travel advisory body and your nearest Cuban embassy or consulate for specific information on the requirements and documents you’ll need to travel to Cuba.

This can vary depending on your nationality, your purpose for travel to Cuba, as well as where you’ll be travelling to Cuba from (and where you’re headed after you leave).

Also, things change often, so please do research this thoroughly, and well in advance of when you plan to go.

What’s the route?

If you spend 2 weeks in Cuba following this itinerary for independent travel on the island, you’ll start with a couple of days in Havana, exploring the highlights of this vibrant city.

From Havana, you’ll make your way by bus to the spectacular karst country of Viñales, where colourful colonial houses line the streets and tobacco is still farmed in traditional ways. After a couple of days getting out and about in this World Heritage valley, you’ll travel by collectivo (shared taxi) to the low-key coastal town of Playa Larga on the infamous Bay of Pigs for time on the beach, in the sea and in the surrounding nature.

From Playa Larga, you’ll head east by collectivo and bus to the World Heritage cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad, taking a couple of days to explore each of these beautiful colonial towns and their historic and natural attractions.

Finally, you’ll make your way back to Havana by bus, with time to enjoy one more afternoon and evening in the city before you farewell Cuba.

2 Weeks in Cuba Itinerary

Day 1 – arrive havana.

Highlights: City street wander | Sunset on the Malecón Overnight: Havana

Welcome to Havana! Today is set aside for arriving in Havana and getting settled into your accommodation.

Havana’s José Martí International Airport is around 20km (12 miles) south-west of the city centre. You can arrange a taxi when you arrive at the airport, or book a transfer in advance here .

Cuba’s 500-year-old capital is a crumbling, eclectic, photogenic and incredibly evocative city.

While the old town of Habana Vieja is the city’s tourist heartland, the colourful streets of Vedado and Habana Centro are buzzing at all hours as locals go about their business and socialise on their front steps.

We arrived in the early afternoon and, once we’d dropped our bags at our charming casa particulare (a private home that rents rooms), we set out to explore by foot.

Havana is a city to be walked. If you have time on your first day, we recommend doing the same and getting a feel for the city with a wander through the streets of Habana Centro and Habana Viejo.

As the sun drops, make your way to the Malecón , the city’s 8km (5 mile) seaside boulevard on the north side of town.

The seafront strip comes alive in the late afternoon and early evening as locals gather and vintage cars cruise the stretch. Grab a mojito in one of the bars along the street and soak up the atmosphere. This was the moment for us that it really sunk in we were in Cuba!

Where to stay in Havana

The city of Havana covers a large area but most visitors will stay in and around the vibrant centre, in the neighbourhoods of Habana Viejo (Old Havana), Habana Centro and Vedado .  

If you want to be based close to the major sites and in the heart of the action, look to Habana Viejo. Vedado is a little further out, but it’s a lovely, tranquil area full of beautiful historic houses. Between the two is Habana Centro which, while a little frayed-around the-edges, is a good spot for budget stays.

You’ll find a huge range of accommodation options in Havana, from cheap and cheerful casas particulares (rooms or areas in privately owned homes) through to high-end hotels and resorts.

Our stay in Havana, Casa Mirador La Colina , was a wonderful little oasis with a rooftop terrace in the suburb of Vedado, opposite the grand buildings of Havana University. While it was an easy taxi ride to Habana Vieja, we also enjoyed the 45-minute walk via Habana Centro.

Travel tip: Book your onward bus travel today. During your time in Havana, preferably on your first day if possible, book your forward bus ticket to Viñales. Buses can fill up quickly in Cuba, and buying tickets can be a less-than-straightforward process, so it’s important to get this organised at least a full day in advance. It’s also important to be aware that Cuba is currently experiencing fuel shortages, which may impact public bus and taxi services. Be ready with a back-up plan, just in case. There are a few bus companies in Cuba, but the main two we used are Viazul and Cubanacan/Conectando. Viazul has a website with an online ticket purchase function, though we haven’t used it and we’ve read it can be glitchy, not all routes are available, and you can’t use the website to buy tickets once you’re in Cuba without a VPN. In theory though, you could look at buying your tickets online before you arrive in Cuba (or make sure you arrange a VPN before you arrive – actually, do that anyway).   Once in the country, Viazul bus tickets can be bought at the Viazul bus station in each city, which is also where the buses depart from. In Havana, the bus station is near Plaza de la Revolución. When we were in Cuba, tickets for Cubanacan/Conectando could only be bought at ticket desks in some hotels and travel agencies, and at last check this still seems to be the case. These buses do, however, pick up from certain hotels, which can be more convenient than travelling out to the Viazul bus station. Alternatively, you can travel between cities by shared taxis called ‘collectivos’, which can usually be arranged through your casa particulare or hotel. This can be a more expensive option than the bus but it’s convenient, and especially awesome if you end up with a vintage car for the journey, as we did on a couple of occasions. For more information about transport and travel in Cuba, check out our Planning a trip to Cuba post.

Day 2 – Havana

Highlights: Guided walking tour of Habana Vieja | Colonial plazas and streets | Taquechel Pharmacy | Havana museums Overnight: Havana

On Day 2, immerse yourself in Havana’s cultural highlights . The city is full of diverse period architecture, historic forts, vintage cars and a range of museums. Many museums are in beautifully-restored colonial mansions worth a visit for their architecture alone.

For a guided introduction to the city and to get beyond the façade of historic Habana Vieja, we recommend joining a  guided walking tour. There are a couple of free walking tours in Havana, including this 3 hour tour of the city’s colonial highlights .

Afterwards, discover more of this area with a wander through the colourful streets, popping into the small galleries and peeking into the courtyards of shops along the way. 

Be sure to visit the city’s beautiful squares – Plaza Vieja , Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de San Francisco de Asis , where you can visit the historic San Francisco de Asis convent.

Check out the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (also known as the Museo de Arte Universal) for a foray into Cuban art, and pop into Taquechel Pharmacy Museum to see its beautiful colonial woodwork interior.

If you want to know more about Cuba’s political story and the revolution of 1959, head to the Museo De La Revolución , located in the old Presidential Palace in Habana Vieja.

We also recommend a visit to the Museo Napoleónico in Vedado, a beautiful Florentine Renaissance-style mansion now housing an excellent Napoleonic collection.

There are also a range of themed tours that will help you delve further into the street food, music and dance, culture and history of this vibrant city.

Don’t worry if you don’t get to see everything you want to in your first couple of days in Havana, you’ll have a bit more time in this ambient city at the end of this Cuba 2 week itinerary.

For more ideas on what to do while you’re in Havana, we’ve captured ten of our favourite Havana highlights in this post .

Day 3 – Havana

Highlights: Plaza de la Revolución | Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón | Cristo de Habana statue | Sunset over Havana skyline | Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabaña Overnight: Havana

On the morning of Day 3, head out to explore some of the sites outside of Havana’s city centre.

One way to do this is aboard the hop-on-hop-off bus . There are mixed reviews about the bus as a tour in and of itself, but we found it a useful way to see some of the city’s more residential areas and to get to sites such as the Plaza de la Revolución and the Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón .

The Necropolis is the city’s sprawling, marble mausoleum-filled cemetery. It was a surprise highlight for us, and worth at least an hour of exploring. You can pick up a guidebook and map at the entrance to the necropolis and go your own way. Or join this free guided tour .

If you stay on the bus, the full loop takes around two hours. If a hop-on hop-off bus isn’t your thing, you could taxi to the Plaza and the Necropolis instead.

In the afternoon, make your way to the public ferry terminal a couple of blocks south of the Basilica San Francisco de Asis in Habana Vieja.

Take the ferry to Casablanca  across the bay and walk up to the iconic marble Cristo de Habana statue with its panoramic views. Time your visit right and enjoy the views over Havana as the sun sets behind the city.

From there, you could head to the sprawling walled fortress of Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabaña , the largest fortress in the Americas and part of Havana’s vast, World Heritage-listed fort system. There’s plenty to explore within the sturdy walls of the fort, which was built in the 18th century to protect this prize city from pirates, buccaneers and covetous imperial nations like Great Britain. It’s open late and there are some restaurants, bars and several museums within the walls.

Hang around for the 9pm Cañonazo , a nightly ceremony in which soldiers re-enact the historical firing of the cannon that once announced the closing of the city gates.  

You can also see more of the sites around Casablanca with a guide before heading into the fortress on this late afternoon free guided Casablanca Neighbourhood tour .

Day 4 – Viñales

Highlights: Viñales town wander Overnight: Viñales

On the morning of Day 4 of your Cuba travel itinerary, board your booked bus from Havana to picturesque Viñales. It’s a journey of around three to four hours to the south-west.

Charming Viñales is without doubt one of the best places to visit in Cuba. Life moves more slowly in this small rural town, and you can too. But there’s also plenty to do in the beautiful surrounding countryside . Three days gives you the chance to do both.

On your first afternoon, get to know this colourful town with a wander . Pop into the shops and stop for a spot of people watching in the main square as locals go about their day. Swing by the small handicrafts market off the main street, and drop by the small, lovingly-tended botanical garden at end of the road.

This is also a good time to swing by the local tourist offices in town and check out or book activities and excursions for the coming days.

Where to stay in Viñales

While the Valle de Viñales is more than 130 square kilometres (50 square miles), the town of Viñales feels more like a friendly village. It’s centred around the long main street, whereabouts you’ll find most of the restaurants, bars and services.

We stayed at Casa Campo Gladys Suarez , a fifteen minute walk from the centre, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the town and the valley’s mogotes, and sensational breakfasts and dinners prepared by the wonderfully hospitable Gladys.

Day 5 – Viñales

Highlights: Guided horseback (or walking ) tour to Valle del Silencio | Coffee and tobacco farms Overnight: Viñales

For our second day in Viñales, we set off into the countryside on a guided horseriding tour to the evocatively-named Valle del Silencio . We organised this through the casa particulare we stayed at, and we absolutely recommend this experience while you’re here. If you’d prefer to book ahead, check out this Viñales horse riding tour .

On our tour, we visited a small cave, a coffee farm and, of course, a tobacco plantation, where we learned the art of producing and rolling a classic Cuban cigar.

The Viñales Valley is also a wonderful place for hikes into the countryside, so an alternative to horse riding (or as well as horse riding) is a guided hike like this one to the Cave of Silence.

Wrap up your day with a home-made mojito at sunset on the porch or rooftop of your casa.

Travel tip: If the skies are clear, be sure to pop outside at night while you’re in Viñales. With little light pollution, the stargazing here is amazing.

Day 6 – Viñales

Highlights: Cave tour | Bike ride through Viñales National Park | Mural de la Prehistoria | Los Jazmines lookout Overnight: Viñales

Kick off your third day in Viñales with a cave tour. The Viñales valley is scattered with mogotes , limestone outcrops that are riddled with caves.

We took a taxi out to Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás , just 15 minutes from town, where we donned head torches for a 90-minute tour of Cuba’s largest cave system. We organised our tour through the local Infotur office in the centre of town.

Travel tip: You’ll find Infotur tourist information offices in all of Cuba’s main towns. These offices provide free information on the destination and things to do, including tours and activities that you can book.

If you’ve still got energy this afternoon, consider a hike through Viñales National Park , or hire a bike and explore the valley by pedal power.

We hired a bike in town and cycled out to the region’s quirky Mural de la Prehistoria . Rather than try and describe this unusual, 120 metre-long cliffside painting, we say go see it for yourself. There’s an entry fee although it can be seen well enough from the road.

It’s a lovely ride to the mural, with fantastical mogotes rising from the landscape and tobacco drying houses making for a very photogenic scene.

From the mural, we biked our way up to the lookout at Hotel Horizontes Los Jazmines . It’s a solid ride uphill; if you’re after something less strenuous, take a taxi or the hop-on-hop-off bus but don’t leave town without checking out the spectacular valley vistas from this viewpoint.

We biked around independently but you can go with a guide on this Viñales Valley bike tour .

If you’d rather spare your legs altogether, there’s a hop-on hop off bus which is apparently a great way to get to a number of the sites around Viñales, including the Los Jazmines lookout and the Mural del la Prehistoria, as well as other attractions such as the Cueva del Indio , where you can take a short boat tour through the caves, the Canopy zipline park, and a couple of tobacco farms. The bus departs from Parque de Viñales on the main street at various times throughout the day (check the bus signs at the square).

Day 7 – Playa Larga

Highlights: Afternoon on the beach | Freshly caught seafood dinner Overnight: Playa Larga

You could easily spend more days enjoying the country life in Viñales, but it’s time for a change of scenery. Next up on our 2 weeks in Cuba itinerary is some beach time at Playa Larga on the south coast.

As Playa Larga is off the main city-to-city routes, we found the easiest way to get there is by collectivo (shared taxi). We organised our collectivo through our casa particulare in Viñales. It’s a journey of around five hours door-to-door, and you’ll likely have a car swap en route (we did), as the first collectivo will be doing the Viñales to Cienfuegos run and will meet up with a taxi from Playa Larga on the way.

Playa Larga is a charming beachside fishing village on the shores of the infamous Bay of Pigs. Further south, the village of Playa Girón is the site of the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961, a failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro.

This afternoon, after checking in, explore the town, take a walk along the shore, maybe chill out on the beach. Watch the sun set and then enjoy a delicious home-cooked feast of fresh lobster at your casa. The seafood meals we had in Playa Larga were epic.

Where to stay in Playa Larga

Playa Larga is a very small town with a couple of restaurants and bars. Many locals have converted their homes into warm and welcoming casas particulares with outdoor terraces.

Some, like our accommodation Casa Mesa , are literally on the beachfront. Our two-day stay here rates as one of our favourite Cuba highlights.

Find out more about staying in Cuba’s casas particulares in our Planning a trip to Cuba post .

What about the beaches in Varadero? If you haven’t already heard of it, you will very likely come across Varadero in your Cuba trip planning. Varadero, on the island’s north side, is home to the country’s most famous stretches of pearly white sand and crystal clear water. Varadero is very popular with tourists seeking a tropical island holiday and a no-fuss, all-inclusive beach resort break. By all accounts though, while Varadero is a beautiful beach escape, it’s a world away from the real Cuba.  Which is why we decided not to include it in our itinerary. Cuba’s south also has some gorgeous beaches and Playa Larga, which is not at all upmarket, is off the beaten track, low-key and very local. We also include beach time in this itinerary at pretty Playa Ancon in Trinidad and Rancho Luna beach in Cienfuegos. If you’re keen to include a stay in Varadero during your Cuba trip, you might consider adding a couple of days at the end of this itinerary. Or check out this day trip to Varadero from Havana. Alternatively, you could skip Playa Larga and do a couple of days in Varadero instead on the way back to Havana. 

Day 8 – Playa Larga

Highlights: Diving or snorkelling in Bay of Pigs | Nature tour or activity in the afternoon Overnight: Playa Larga

Today we’re exploring the highlights in and around Playa Larga.

This is the gateway to Cienaga de Zapata National Park , a vast wetlands area of mangroves, seagrass beds and reefs, and a UN Biosphere Reserve. There’s plenty to see and do, from walking and birding tours to diving and snorkelling.

We opted to spend the morning scuba diving in the glassy waters of the Bay of Pigs.

If you have your own snorkelling gear, you can head straight off the beach, but organised scuba and snorkelling trips, including gear, can also be arranged through your accommodation, which is what we did. If you’re after specific dive sites, it’s best to make your own arrangements direct with your selected dive company.

Alternatively, or this afternoon, you might consider some of the other sites and activities around Playa Larga, a few of which we’ve outlined below.

• Guided tours of the Zapata Wetlands or the Bermeja Forest Reserve in the National Park can be arranged at the National Park office in Playa Larga.
• To the south of Playa Larga, you’ll find the Cueva de los Peces , a deep cenote that can be snorkelled and dived.
• Further south still, near Playa Girón, is the Sendero Enigma de Las Rocas , where you can join a guided nature hike to spot endemic wildlife and flora (tours here may also include a swim stop at Cueva de los Peces).  
• For the Cuban take on the Bay of Pigs invasion, head to Museo Girón in Playa Girón (if you don’t speak or read Spanish, have Google Translate handy as the interps at the museum are in español).
• To the north of Playa Larga, there’s a crocodile breeding centre, Criadero de Cocodrilos , established to protect the Cuban and American species which were nearly wiped out in Cuba. We didn’t go here and we’ve read mixed reviews so we suggest doing your research before you go.

We really enjoyed Playa Larga and we’d love to go back and explore this fascinating area further. For us though, our short time here proved a very welcome rest stop ahead of our next destination, Cienfuegos.

Day 9 – Cienfuegos

Highlights: Parque José Martí | Paseo del Prado | Museo de las Artes Palacio Ferrer | Teatro Terry | Malecón wander | Rooftop drink at Palacio de Valle Overnight: Cienfuegos

Founded by French migrants in 1819, the World Heritage city of Cienfuegos is around 90-minutes from Playa Larga and an easy collectivo ride.

We organised a shared taxi through our casa particulare and – unexpectedly – made the journey in a beautifully restored vintage Chevrolet Bel Air. Definitely the coolest taxi we’ve ever been in.

Historic Cienfuegos is centred around the lovely Parque José Martí . Spend today strolling the streets around the park and the wide, column-lined Paseo del Prado , snapping the French-inspired neoclassical architecture, and admiring the historic buildings that line the square.

Keep an eye out for the triumphal arch, the Arco de Triunfo (also called the Arco de los Obreros, or the Worker’s Arch), and the Palacio del Gobierno .

Head into the Museo de las Artes Palacio Ferrer to see its beautiful interiors and take in the views from the rooftop. Also on the square is Teatro Terry , worth a visit for its elegant marble and timber decor.

For a guided insight into the culture and history of this World Heritage city, check out this free 2.5 hour walking tour .

This afternoon, wander the Malecón seaside promenade around the bay to Punta Gorda , a neighbourhood of beautiful, eclectic old mansions. Pop into the Spanish-Moorish-style Palacio de Valle for a drink at the rooftop bar overlooking the bay, before heading back into town for dinner.

Where to stay in Cienfuegos

After Viñales and Playa Larga, Cienfuegos will feel like the bigger town it is. As we have just two nights here, we recommend staying within walking distance of the historic centre.

For a unique casa experience, and if you can get a booking, we recommend a stay at Casa El Patio Andalú , a highly rated casa particulare around 15 minutes’ walk from Parque José Martí. The hosts are artists and perform Cuban music and flamenco in their garden, where they also serve up delicious meals.

Travel tip: Book your forward bus travel to Trinidad today. If you’re planning on travelling from Cienfuegos to Trinidad by bus the day after tomorrow, then at some point today (and if you haven’t already sorted it out), arrange your onward bus travel as you need to buy your ticket at least a day in advance. You can either head to the Viazul bus station in Cienfuegos or find a Cubanacan desk to buy Conectando bus tickets. Your accommodation provider should be able to tell you where you can find a Cubanacan desk; they’re usually in the hotels where the Conectando bus picks up from.    Alternatively, as it’s only a 90 minute trip, consider joining another shared taxi for this journey.

Day 10 – Cienfuegos

Highlights: Laguna Guanaroca | Castillo de Jaguan | Rancho Luna | Sunset drink at Hotel la Union Overnight: Cienfuegos

On your second day in Cienfuegos, explore some of the highlights surrounding the city. Hire a taxi for the day (easily organised through your accommodation) and plan an itinerary to suit your interests.

We visited three sites over the course of the day, starting at the mangrove-lined Laguna Guanaroca . There, we enjoyed a short walk to the lagoon where we boarded a row-boat for a trip out to see the site’s famous pink flamingoes.

Next, we ferried over to Castillo de Jaguan , a beautifully restored fortress built in the 18th century to protect the coast from marauding pirates.

Our last stop was Rancho Luna , a pretty beach resort, for a late lunch and some time on the sand.

While we found it easy to sort out our experiences as we went, and did it all in a day, you can book guided tours in advance for both Guanaroca Lagoon and Castillo de Jaguan (this is a longer trip that also includes a cruise around the Cienfuegos bay).

An alternative experience for today, and one we’re sad we didn’t have time to squeeze in, is a day trip to the waterfalls of El Nicho , in the jungles of the Escambray Mountains. Check out that cool guided trip here .

However you roll today, wind up your day back in Cienfuegos with a drink at the rooftop Bar Terrazas  at Hotel la Union. It serves up impressive views over the city and the bay.

Day 11 – Trinidad

Highlights: Plaza Mayor | Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad | Museo de Arquitectura Colonial | Bell tower of Iglesia y Convento de San Francísco de Asís Overnight: Trinidad

The penultimate destination of our 2 weeks in Cuba itinerary is Trinidad, another World Heritage site  and the second oldest city on the island.

Trinidad is only 90 minutes from Cienfuegos. If you’re taking the bus from Cienfuegos, you’ll need to have organised your bus ticket to Trinidad at least a day before you travel. Alternatively, you could organise a collectivo ride through your accommodation.

Spend your first day in Trinidad wandering the cobblestone streets of the city. More than five centuries of history weave their story through the town’s brightly painted homes, colonial mansions and towers.

In the heart of this historic city is Plaza Mayor , framed by beautifully restored colonial buildings and churches. Head into the impressive Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad , and also swing by the Museo de Arquitectura Colonial for an insight into what these wonderful old colonial buildings looked like inside in their heyday.

Climb the bell tower of the Iglesia y Convento de San Francísco de Asís for beautiful views over the town. Inside the former convent, you’ll also find the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos , a curious military museum.

If you’d like to learn more about historic Trinidad in the company of a guide, book your spot on this free guided walking tour .

Plaza Mayor and the surrounding streets are usually buzzing with people throughout the day and evening. Walk a couple of blocks away from the main square though, and you’ll find yourself in Trinidad’s quiet backstreets; just you, a handful of locals, maybe a horse.

Travel tip: Book your bus back to Havana today. As buses departing Trinidad fill up quickly for all destinations, we recommend sorting out your bus back to Havana the day you arrive in town. Ask your accommodation where you can find the nearest Cubanacan desk for Conectando buses, head to the Viazul bus station to buy tickets, or visit the local Infotur office for information.

Where to stay in Trinidad

Lovely Trinidad is a small town centred on the historic area around Plaza Mayor. Even on the outskirts of town, you’ll only be a 20 minute walk from the main square.

Our casa particulare here was a lastminute switch from our first choice after a guest fell ill and couldn’t check out. Hostal La Esperanza is a charming little green house with a terrace, just five minutes’ walk from Plaza Mayor.

Day 12 – Trinidad

Highlights: Tour of Valle de los Ingenios | Afternoon at Playa Ancon Overnight: Trinidad

On your second day in Trinidad, arrange a tour to see some of the sights in the World Heritage Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), a stunning landscape scattered with the ruins of sugar mills, the source of Trinidad’s once-great wealth.

On our day trip, we toured the historic ruins at San Isidro de los Destiladeros , and climbed the soaring watchtower at Manaca Iznaga before stopping for lunch there.

Having a guide for some or all of your visit to the Valle de los Ingenios is recommended. The history of the sugar mill industry and the stories of the people who owned them and the many thousands of slaves who worked in them form an important and complex weave in the fabric of Cuba.

While we arranged our own transport to the Valle de los Ingenios, and guides at the sites, there are organised guided tours from Trinidad that you can join, as well as guided horse riding tours through the valley.

We’ve also heard about a tourist train that runs trips through the valley but this wasn’t rolling when we visited, and we’re finding it difficult to confirm whether it’s running at present. Check with a tourist office in Trinidad if you’re interested in doing this.

In the afternoon, make your way by taxi to Playa Ancon for a couple of hours relaxing on the beach. This is said to be one of the loveliest stretches of sand on Cuba’s south coast. There are some bars and restaurants at the beach, and you can rent umbrellas and sun lounges.

Travel tip: There’s lots to do around Trinidad so if you have more time, we suggest adding an extra day or two to your Cuba travel itinerary and spending longer here. You can hit the white sands of Playa Ancon and enjoy more time chilling on the beach, just 15 minutes from town. Or you could join a guided hiking tour in Topes de Collantes , a nature reserve in the Escambray mountains. While we didn’t get to do it ourselves, we also heard great things about the challenging 7km (4.4 mile) round-trip hike to Salto del Caburni , a 60-metre high waterfall with a natural pool to cool off in.

Day 13 – Return to Havana

Highlights: Hit up those sites or activities you didn’t get to on your first days here! Overnight: Havana

The last night of our two weeks in Cuba is spent back where we started, in Havana.

As the bus journey from Trinidad to Havana can take anywhere from 5 to 7 hours, aim to be on the earliest bus you can out of Trinidad so that you arrive in Havana in the afternoon.

Once you’ve dropped your bags at your accommodation, head out for a final afternoon and evening of sightseeing. Head to that museum you didn’t get to last time, or sample Havana’s famous local tipple on a tour of the Museo del Ron Havana Club .

If you’re a  classic car apprecianado , you could take the opportunity to do a vintage car cruise along the Malecón at sunset, or enjoy a final mojito overlooking the promenade at Havana’s famous Hotel Nacional .

Day 14 – Depart Havana

Sadly, we farewell Cuba today.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. The car journey will take around half an hour or more, depending on traffic. Book your transfer back to the airport here .

If your flight leaves later today, make the most of your final hours in Havana and tick off any last sites or attractions you’ve been wanting to see.

Otherwise, wrap up your trip back in Habana Vieja with a daiquiri at Hemingway’s favourite haunt, Floridita , and reflect on an amazing two weeks in Cuba.

Then start planning your return to explore the island’s east!

If you have any questions or comments about our 2 weeks in Cuba itinerary, drop us a message below. For more tips on travelling to Cuba , check out some of our other posts, including our Planning a Trip to Cuba guide .

14 thoughts on “2 Weeks In Cuba Itinerary for the Independent Traveller”

My favorite places in Cuba are Trinidad and Vinales.

Hi Greg, they are both fantastic places to visit in Cuba!

That’s a great article. I’m going to be travelling to Cuba in March and will be following a similar route. I’m getting my budget together. Roughly how much does it cost to hire a taxi for the day?

Hi Anne, thanks so much for your message. Taxi costs can be a bit of a grey area as they are often negotiated per trip, some taxis (collectivos) are shared, some are private, etc. Prices can also vary between cost per kilometre or set rates, depending on whether you’re travelling around a city, travelling between cities or hiring a taxi to day trip to different sites. The hosts at our casa particulares were always happy to help us arrange taxis too. When we daytripped the Valle de Ingenicoes from Trinidad, we arranged a taxi for the day with a couple of other travellers staying at our casa to share the costs. That was around USD20 per couple for the day, though prices have likely gone up since. There are some posts online with detailed taxi cost breakdowns that you may find useful.

All the very best for your trip, we hope you have a wonderful time! Dan

Thanks Dan.

Hi Anne. Did you end up going to Cuba in March? I’m considering going there next week actually, but I’m having second thoughts based on the difficult economic situation there.

Great information, it is really helping us plan our trip.

One question: when did you go? Specifically, what time of year? I ask this because you seemed to book a lot of things last minute, but as we are going in December (no choice), we are trying to work our if that is feasible for us.

Thanks. Ian

Hi Ian, thanks for your feedback and questions! We visited Cuba in late January/early February so well and truly within the peak period, but we are conscious that Cuba is becoming ever more popular as a destination and the first quarter 2023 tourism statistics bear that out. Were we to visit again, we would certainly be inclined to book ahead where possible. Actually, we’ve been finding we need to book ahead more often just about everywhere we travel post-Covid! All the best with your planning and your trip – Cuba is a fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Great itinerary,

Although I have visited Cuba twice already, there are still plenty of things I’d like to do.

Thanks for giving me some fresh ideas for my next trip!

Thanks very much for the kind comment, we’re really glad you found the post useful.

Like you we’d love to go back and see more – I hope we both do.

All the best John and Danielle

Hi John & Dan, your itinerary looks amazing and it looks like you did a great job in maximizing your time there! May I ask what time of year you were in Cuba?

Hi Nic, thanks for your lovely feedback! We travelled through Cuba in February during the dry season. We lucked out with bright sunny days for most of the trip and daytime temps in the mid-20s Celsius. Hope you have a chance to visit. Happy travelling! Dan & John

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How to Plan the Perfect Cuba Itinerary: A Guide To The Top Destinations (2024)

• Last Updated: August 15, 2024
• Caribbean & Central America , Cuba , Destinations

Vibrant, warm and addictive, Cuba is a unique and amazing place to explore. However, the largest island in the Caribbean is deceptively big, and picking the highlights can be tricky.

This post will help you plan the perfect Cuba itinerary, however much time you have to spend there. I’ve spent almost a month in Cuba and am excited to help you discover this fascinating country.

I’ll suggest a few different itineraries and routes, introduce you to some of my favourite places to visit in Cuba, and give you some additional hints and tips for getting the most out of your visit.

Table of Contents

10-Day Cuba Itinerary

Cuba is larger than many people realise.  The island is about 1,250 km long , with an area almost the size of England.  Many roads are in poor shape, and it can take a fair amount of time to get from place to place.

I’d strongly suggest not trying to cram too many destinations into a 10-day Cuba itinerary.  Rushing from place to place, you will miss a lot of what makes Cuba so special.

In 10 days, you should be able to see many of the highlights in western/central Cuba.  Assuming you are flying into and out of Havana, I’d suggest the following itinerary:

• Day 1:  Arrive in Havana
• Day 2:  Havana
• Day 3:  Havana
• Day 4:  Travel:   Havana > Viñales
• Day 5:  Viñales
• Day 6:  EITHER enjoy a second full day in Viñales   OR take a day trip to Cayo Levisa
• Day 7:  Travel:  Viñales > Trinidad
• Day 8:  Trinidad
• Day 9:   EITHER  enjoy a second full day in Trinidad, OR travel > Santa Clara OR Cienfuegos
• Day 10:  Travel:  Trinidad  (/Santa Clara /Cienfuegos) > Havana

An alternative itinerary for those who would prefer to visit the eastern half of the country might be:

• Day 1:  Arrive in Havana
• Day 2:  Havana
• Day 3:  Havana
• Day 4:  Fly:    Havana > Santiago de Cuba
• Day 5:   Santiago de Cuba
• Day 6:  Santiago de Cuba
• Day 7:  Travel:  Santiago > Baracoa
• Day 8:   Baracoa
• Day 9:  Baracoa
• Day 10:  Travel:  Baracoa > (taxi/bus) >  Santiago > (fly) > Havana *

* If you can find a direct flight from Baracoa to Havana, try and book that instead.  However, these flights aren’t always available, so you might need to go via Santiago.

1 Week Cuba Itinerary

If you only have one week, you’ll need to be even more selective.  Again, don’t try to cram too much in.

A possible 1 week Cuba itinerary might look something like this:

• Day 4:  Travel:    Havana > Viñales
• Day 5:  Viñales
• Day 6:   EITHER enjoy a second day in Viñales  OR  take a day trip to Cayo Levisa
• Day 7:  Travel:  Viñales > Havana

2 Week Cuba Itinerary

You can see a decent amount of Cuba in two weeks.  However, I’d still suggest either sticking to the western/central or eastern halves of the island.  

Trying to do both in two weeks would be too rushed in my opinion.

I recommend starting with something similar to the 10-day itinerary above.

As you’ve got another four days to spare, you can also spend a couple of nights on Cayo Levisa, and maybe an extra night in Santa Clara and/or Cienfuegos.  

Of course, if you’d prefer more time on the beach, feel free to play around with the below to suit your preferences:

• Day 4:  Travel:    Havana > Viñales
• Day 6:  Viñales
• Day 7:  Travel:  Viñales > Cayo Levisa
• Day 8:  Cayo Levisa
• Day 9:  Travel:  Cayo Levisa > Trinidad
• Day 10:  Trinidad
• Day 11:  Trinidad
• Day 12:  Travel:  Trinidad > Santa Clara
• Day 13:  Travel:  Santa Clara > Cienfuegos
• Day 14:  Travel:  Cienfuegos > Havana

3 Week Cuba Itinerary

If you are lucky enough to be in Cuba for 3 weeks (or more), you’re in for a treat!  

With this amount of time, you’ll be able to explore both the western and eastern halves of the island.  (Or just spend even longer in each place, if you prefer.)

My suggested 3-week Cuba itinerary would be as follows:

• Day 9:  Travel:  Cayo Levisa > Trinidad
• Day 10:  Trinidad
• Day 12:  Travel:  Trinidad > Santa Clara
• Day 13:  Travel:  Santa Clara > Cienfuegos
• Day 14:  Travel: Cienfuegos > Havana
• Day 15:  Fly:    Havana > Santiago de Cuba
• Day 16:  Santiago de Cuba
• Day 17:  Santiago de Cuba
• Day 18:  Travel:  Santiago > Baracoa
• Day 19:  Baracoa
• Day 20:  Baracoa
• Day 21:  Travel:  Baracoa > (taxi/bus) > Santiago > (fly) > Havana *

* If you can find a direct flight from Baracoa to Havana, book that instead.  However, these flights aren’t always available, so you might need to go via Santiago.

Best Places to Visit In Cuba

Here are some of my favourite places to visit in Cuba. It’s not an exhaustive list by any means, but it’s a good starting point for your trip.

One of the most iconic cities in the world, there’s nowhere quite like  Havana .

Wandering the streets of the Cuban capital, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a movie set.  And a really cool one at that.

Colourfully painted, elaborate, crumbling buildings.  Shiny, classic vintage cars.  Irresistible music wafts through the warm, tropical air.  Everywhere you look, there’s no mistaking you’re in Havana.

Things to do in Havana

Every Cuba itinerary should include at least a couple of days in Havana.  However, the longer you can spend here, the more you’ll get a sense of its unique feel and rhythm.

Unless you’re really pressed for time, I’d recommend spending at least  3 days in Havana.  There’s a lot to see and experience here.

Habana Vieja

Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is the historical centre of the Cuban capital.  Despite being one of the most recognisable tourist locations in the country, it still feels very authentic.  

People live and work here, surrounded by the most amazing faded grandeur.

Old Havana is full of crumbling colonial architecture, colourful buildings, narrow side streets, attractive little squares, tiny shops and galleries.  

Music drifts down from many of the balconied apartments, and cigar smoke lingers in the air.

The best way to experience Habana Vieja is to get lost in the backstreets, exploring wherever the fancy takes you.  It’s a magical place.

The Malecon

The Malecon is Havana’s iconic waterfront, stretching from Centro Habana to the upmarket residential neighbourhood of Vedado.

It’s a perfect place for a stroll, stopping off at some of the quirky little cafes and bars along the way.

You could also take a cruise along the Malecon in one of Havana’s amazing 1950s classic cars, which serve as taxis throughout the country.

El Capitolio

The National Capitol Building – El Capitolio , to the locals – is one of Havana’s most photographed buildings.

Before the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the building housed the country’s Congress.  Abandoned for decades, today it is being restored to its former glory.  

Once it’s finished, the government has stated that it intends to move the National Assembly back into the building.

You can take a tour of the beautifully ornate interior, assuming it’s not closed (which, frequently, it is… this is Cuba).

Paseo del Prado

Paseo del Prado is a wide, leafy pedestrianised street that runs between El Capitolio and the Malecon.

It’s a popular place where many locals, young and old, like to meet.  Children play football and other games, couples and friends take strolls or sit under the trees and chat.  

Sometimes there are exhibitions and art sales here.

Paseo del Prado is a perfect place to wander, or just hang out, as the locals do.  Take a walk, sit, and watch the world go by.

Plaza de la Revolución

Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Square) is a large square about 3.5 kilometres southwest of El Capitolio.  Surrounded by austere, grey buildings, this is the political-administrative centre of Cuba.

The plaza has hosted many political rallies, and Fidel Castro made countless addresses from here.  

Several important governmental buildings are located around the square, including the Palace of the Revolution – the current house of the Cuban government and Communist Party.

A large, iconic steel mural of Che Guevara is located on the side of the Ministry of the Interior building.

The Valle de Viñales (Viñales Valley) , in the western region of Pinar del Río (about 3 hours from Havana), is famous for its tobacco plantations.  Some of the best quality Cuban cigars are made here.

Valle de Viñales is green and lush, with  unusual limestone rock formations (called “ mogotes “), which are riddled with elaborate caves.  

Some of these contain underground lakes, where you can swim, in the pitch dark (very disorienting but quite cool!).

The small town of Viñales itself, although fairly touristy, is a good place to get a sense of life in rural Cuba.  The majority of people here are farmers, who work in the tobacco and coffee plantations.  

It’s a great place to relax, surrounded by the beautiful Cuban countryside.

The valley is easily explorable on foot , and I’d recommend spending at least a day doing just that.  It’s very tranquil, you’ll see lots of wildlife and some beautiful scenery.

You can also take a tour of the area, either walking or on horseback.  

These tours typically include a visit to one of the tobacco plantations, where you will be shown how the region’s world-famous cigars are produced.  

Some tours also include a visit to the local coffee plantations and/or one of the many large caves.  Tours are easily arranged on the day through your casa particular – no need to book in advance.

3. Cayo Levisa

Forget Varadero (the popular resort town in the north of Cuba ).  

Okay, to be fair, Varadero’s probably great if you like touristy all-inclusive hotels with spa complexes and golf courses, full of European and North American tourists.  

But that’s not why you want to come to Cuba, right?  Good. 

Cayo Levisa , on the other hand, has equally stunning white sand beaches and clear, turquoise waters , but with a fraction of the number of tourists.  So much better.

Much of the southern half of the island is a mangrove forest.  The northern shore is one long (3-kilometre) stretch of perfect, mostly untouched, beach.  

There are several dive sites in the surrounding coral reefs, and you can also snorkel from the beach.

Cayo Levisa is accessible via a tiny ferry, which runs twice daily from Palma Rubia on the mainland.  You could easily visit the island as a day trip (Palma Rubia is about an hour’s drive north from Viñales).

For those with more time, there is one small hotel on the island, with several bungalows and huts next to the beach.  The hotel is fairly basic but perfectly fine.  

Once the day trippers have caught the boat back to the mainland, you can have the island virtually to yourself.

It’s your own beautiful slice of tropical paradise.  I could easily spend weeks here.

*If you’re into idyllic tropical paradise beaches (who isn’t?), check out this guide to Praia da Almada, Brazil .*

4. Trinidad

The beautiful town of Trinidad is probably my favourite place in Cuba .

Trinidad’s picturesque old town is full of colourful colonial buildings and winding cobbled streets.  It’s the perfect place to get lost, chatting to the friendly locals, and soaking up the atmosphere.

Walking past open doors, you’ll see incredible artists painting on canvas.  People might smile and wave to you through their windows.  

Old-timers sit on doorsteps smoking cigars and chatting with friends.  Music drifts through the air wherever you go.

Trinidad has some great nightlife.  Casa de la Musica , near the Plaza Mayor, hosts regular live musical performances.  

I heard a fantastic band play here, they were equally as good as the famous Buena Vista Social Club.  The outdoor square was packed, and the atmosphere was electric.  

By the end of the show, most of the audience was dancing.

There are many great bars and restaurants here too.   Taberna La Botija is a particularly good one and has an amazing house band.  

Try their  Canchánchara – a delicious cocktail made with sugar cane spirit, honey, and lime.

Salsa is HUGE in Trinidad.  You see people dancing everywhere – in their homes, in the bars, and in the streets.  It’s amazing.  

Passing the Club Amigos del Danzon  one evening, I was beckoned in by a friendly local who spoke no word of English but who gave me a (very large) glass of rum, saying “ Dance and be happy! “.  

A totally spontaneous and great evening.

Check out this excellent guide to Trinidad , written by my friend Yvonne over on Willas Cherry Bomb.  (The post is written in German, but there’s a handy translation bottom at the top right of the page.)

5. Santa Clara

The large town of Santa Clara , in the centre of Cuba, was the scene of a pivotal moment in modern history.  It was here that the final battle of the Cuban Revolution was fought in 1958.  

Today, it’s known as the “City of Che”, after the man who commanded the revolutionaries who won the battle.

You can visit the  Che Guevara Mausoleum , which houses the remains of the famous revolutionary.  There’s also a small museum in town, and countless other sites dedicated to the man and his legacy.

6. Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is an attractive city built on a bay, on Cuba’s southern coast.

There aren’t many “sights” here per se, but it’s a pleasant place with colourful buildings and French -inspired architecture.

Take a wander through the backstreets near the main square. Explore the Parque José Martí and Paseo del Prado , the little cousin of the one in Havana.  

At the end of the day, enjoy a sundowner from the rooftop at Bar Terrazas , looking out over the city.

7. Santiago de Cuba

The gateway to the eastern half of the island, Santiago de Cuba feels very different to the country’s western side.  

Partly this is due to geography.  Cuba’s second-largest city is closer to Haiti than Havana  and is hotter and more humid than the western regions.  

Santiago also has a rich Afro-Cuban heritage  and is home to some of the best musicians in Cuba.

Every July, the city hosts Cuba’s most vibrant carnival.  This two-week-long party is an explosion of energy, music, street parades, colourful costumes, singing and dancing.

The city centre is fairly compact and best explored on foot.

Highlights include

• Parque Cespedes: the central plaza where Fidel Castro declared victory in the Cuban Revolution.
• Avenida Victoria de Garzón: where you’ll find some of the best street food in the country.
• Plaza de Marte: a central area, popular with the locals, with many shops, restaurants and bars.

Santiago de Cuba is world-famous for its incredible music scene , and Casa de la Trova is the city’s oldest – and best-loved – live music venue.  

This amazing bar was the birthplace of  son Cubano , the iconic genre (made famous by Buena Vista Social Club) that is often described as “ a love  affair between the African drum and the Spanish guitar “.  

Here you can watch some of the best live music in Cuba.

Near the southeastern tip of Cuba lies one of the island’s most remote, and idyllic, towns.  

Surrounded by forested mountains on one side and the beautiful Bay of Honey on the other, Baracoa  enjoys a stunning location.

It was here where Christopher Columbus first landed on the island.  Today, the town is fairly quiet, with a laidback lifestyle that’s more than a little infectious.  

If you were looking for a remote, peaceful little town to take a salsa or Spanish course, write a book, or just unwind, Baracoa would be a pretty ideal place to choose.

Baracoa is known for its chocolate and coconuts .  Both are excellent in quality and feature heavily in the region’s unique cuisine.

A popular day trip from Baracoa is to climb El Yunque, a flat-topped table mountain which overlooks the town.  

There are also several stunning beaches and attractive fishing villages within easy cycling distance from Baracoa (ask your  casa particular  host about bike hire).  

Playa Cajuajo  is a good one, but you can basically just cycle along the coast in either direction until you reach a secluded spot.

Check out this post for some useful  Spanish words and phrases !

Best Time To Visit Cuba

Cuba has a tropical maritime climate with distinct dry and wet seasons.

The best time to visit Cuba is generally during the dry season (December-April) when the weather is sunny and not too humid.  

The rainy season lasts from May until October, with the rains usually getting steadily heavier as the season goes on.  

I visited in May and it did rain most days, but rarely for more than an hour or two at a time, and usually only in the afternoon.

From August until October, there is a risk of hurricanes which can cause extensive flooding and disruption to travel.

If you’re interested in planning a self-drive Cuban road trip, The BeauTraveler has an excellent post on  how to rent a car in Cuba .

FAQs About Visiting Cuba

Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Cuba.

Is 7 days enough to visit Cuba?

7 days is enough time to visit Cuba and experience a few of its key highlights. During this time, you can explore the vibrant streets of Havana, visit historic sites, relax on some beautiful beaches, and immerse yourself in the rich Cuban culture and music. However, the longer you can spend in the country, the better. There’s a lot to see!

Is Cuba safe to visit?

Cuba is a very safe country to visit with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. However, like any travel destination, it’s wise to take standard precautions, such as safeguarding personal belongings and staying aware of your surroundings, especially in busy areas.

Do you need a visa to visit Cuba?

Most visitors need a visa to enter Cuba, often called a “tourist card”. The requirements can vary based on your country of origin, so it’s important to check the specific visa requirements for your nationality before travelling.

Can US citizens travel to Cuba?

U.S. citizens can travel to Cuba, but they must comply with certain regulations . While travel purely as tourists is not allowed, Americans can visit Cuba under specific authorized categories, like “Support for the Cuban People.” This involves engaging in activities that support local, non-government-owned businesses in Cuba.

Can I go to the USA if I have been to Cuba?

If you have visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, you will need to apply for a U.S. visa to enter the United States, as you won’t be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This policy is in place because Cuba is (bizarrely) listed on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which affects ESTA eligibility.

Final Thoughts

Cuba offers an irresistible blend of history, culture, and adventure. From exploring Havana’s vibrant streets to relaxing on pristine beaches, there’s so much to see and do on this enchanting island.

It would be impossible to cover everything in one visit. You could spend months in Cuba and still not see everything.

Embrace the rhythm of the island and get ready for an unforgettable journey!

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Essential Travel Resources

🛏️   Book cheap hotels

I always use Booking.com to find the best deals on hotels. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗  Find cheap rental cars

Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍  Book the best tours

Viator and GetYourGuide  have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️  Find cheap flights

I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights. 

Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑   Do I need travel insurance?

YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.
• World Nomads – for  adventurous travellers , covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as  skydiving, heli-skiing,  rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here ).

💻  Do I need a VPN?

YES! Always use a VPN whenever you use public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.

Alex Tiffany

I believe in transparency: Please note that some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something through them, I might earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. (For example, a s an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through some of these links.)  However, I only link to products and companies that I trust and honestly recommend. See my  disclosures page for more information. The income goes towards keeping this site up and running. Thanks for your support.

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• I’m Alex Tiffany. Originally from the UK, I’ve been travelling on-and-off for 13+ years. I love offbeat travel and discovering lesser-known spots.
• I’m here to help you explore the best off-the-beaten-path destinations & hidden gems around the world.
• Read more about me and my mission here .
• Need some help planning the perfect trip?  Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner .

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THE BEST CUBA ITINERARY: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

If you want the  ultimate Cuba itinerary  for a truly unforgettable trip, you’ve come to the right place. 

Cuba’s history , rich cultural heritage and proximity to the U.S. make it unique, unlike any place you have ever visited.  

Cuba will surprise you with its stunning beaches, lush, tropical foliage and dramatic architecture.

Here is a schedule that would make an ideal  Cuba itinerary for 2 weeks.   The itinerary can easily be reduced to 1 week or a  10 day Cuba itinerary  by concentrating your time in the western most cities of Havana and Viñales.  

The Cuba itinerary can also be stretched to  3 weeks in Cuba  by adding interesting towns along the way which you will discover as you read on.

Cuba will beguile you with its music and art and charm you with its friendly people. There is nothing quite like this magical island anywhere else in the world. So, if you are thinking of the perfect  Cuba itinerary  to make the most of your trip, read on.

Table of Contents

What you need to know for the perfect Cuba itinerary

When it comes to Cuba, there are some  key dos and don’ts  to keep in mind. These will help you choose the ideal accommodations and restaurants as well as how to understand the Cuban transportation system. 

US citizens should be aware that credit cards drawn on US banks are not accepted in Cuba and ATMs cannot dispense money from U.S. banks. US citizens must bring enough cash with them to last the entire trip.

Before traveling to Cuba, US citizens should check the travel requirements. Ordinary tourism is prohibited for US citizens. All US visitors must travel to Cuba under one of 12 US government approved categories.

“Support for the Cuban People” is the most commonly used category and can be selected when purchasing the airline ticket.

Where to stay? Your best option for accommodation in Cuba is a “casa particular,” or “casa” for short. These are homestays similar to a B&B in a Cuban home.

If your credit cards are drawn on U.S. banks and won’t work in Cuba, the option to prepay for  casa  accommodations in your home country via Homestay or a similar service- at least for the first few nights – is a major advantage.

See what it’s really like to stay in a  Cuban casa particular.  Where you stay in Cuba will be a major factor in contributing to your perfect Cuba itinerary.  

Accessing the  Internet and Wi-Fi in Cuba  has its little tricks. See what’s the best way to stay connected.

There is no shortage of transportation alternatives in Cuba.  The country uses a wide range of  Cuban transportation  options from classic American car taxis to horse-drawn carriages to various modes of public transport.. Learn how to get around the cities and navigate the country.

A taxi from Jose Marti International Airport to Havana proper should take about 30 minutes and cost about 30-35USD or equivalent.

The best time to go to Cuba

Hurricane season in Cuba, in early June to late November. That is also when it is the rainiest and most humid. So, the best time to go to Cuba is from December to late May.

This is the dry season with average temperature in winter time  a delightful 77F (22C) with ocean breezes wafting across the island and little rain. 

Let’s talk Cuban money 

The Cuban currency is the Cuban peso. It is not available outside of Cuba and cannot be traded on the international market.

You can purchase Cuban pesos at local banks and CADECAS, currency exchange offices, across the island.

Hard currencies such as US Dollars or Euros are readily accepted but you will receive the change in pesos. 

Major cities you must include in your perfect Cuba itinerary

Havana – the start of your perfect cuba itinerary.

Havana is the capital and the largest city of Cuba. The air smells slightly of the salty ocean that surrounds it. The Baroque-style colonial plazas are thick with palm trees and flaming red and purple bougainvillea.

Chevys and Buicks, classic cars from the 1950s-and even older- cruise by the Malecon, the Havana seawall that stops the ocean from crashing onto the multicolored buildings.  

The sounds of mellow Latin music waft from cafes and winding, cobblestone streets.  You’re in  Havana , Cuba’s lively, friendly capital city, the first stop on your Cuban adventure and the keystone of your perfect Cuba itinerary.

A private taxi from the Jose Marti International Airport into the center of Havana should not cost more than U.S. $25-30.  

Despite the crumbling architecture, Havana is fascinating. It is full of pastel-colored houses with leafy interior patios. Small, niche museums are everywhere exhibiting collections of posters, antiques, rum, and cigars.

There is even a museum for chocolate! You see more and more art galleries every day. The  paladares,  private enterprise restaurants, continue to push the envelope with their innovative cuisine.

The nightlife has been legendary forever, and it still is.  Havana will grow on you quickly. It beguiles, bewitches and draws you in- slowly but inescapably- with its energy and charm.

Avoid the hotels and book  casas particulares  in private homes. Choose a neighborhood that is quirky and cool like Old Havana, or one that is historical and elegant think El Vedado.

Booking a casa particular lets you interact with the local people. Breakfast can be arranged for a small extra cost. 

There is so much to see and experience in Havana but if your time is limited, on your first day, walk to the four main plazas in Habana Vieja, the  old town or Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site with its narrow streets.

That will give you the best feel for the city’s colonial history and culture and you’ll see some of the best places in Havana.

Plaza de la Catedral – don’t forget to visit the iconic La Bodeguita del Medio bar nearby -and Plaza de Armas house some of the city’s most interesting museums, churches, architecture and  paladares .

Nearby is the Hotel Ambos Mundos where Ernest Hemingway had a room full time. 

Plaza Vieja is a great place to relax and Plaza de San Francisco is a wonderful places to end your day.

Here you can listen to exceptional live music, people watch and enjoy a classic mojito (or any one of the other  classic Cuban cocktails  that circled the globe) on a plaza that was already ancient 300 years ago.

One of the best things to do in Havana is to take a classic car tour in one of the many iconic vintage cars found mainly in front of Parque Central just a short walk from “El Capitolio” the capitol building.  

Your driver/tour guide will take you around the city to see the amazing colonial architecture.

He’ll also take you to the massive Plaza de la Revolucion or Revolution Square, Havana’s main plaza, where you’ll see the enormous portraits of key figures of the Cuban Revolution like Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.

It’s best to take this classic car tour in the late afternoon or early morning when it is cooler and the light is perfect for ideal photo opportunities. These Havana activities will make for a great full day. 

If you have plenty of time, on your following day make sure to check out some of the spots and activities in  Hidden Havana  that not a lot of people know about. That’s a great way to get to know Havana.

Havana is a city of museums. Also worth your time is the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Art) and the Museo de la Revolucion, if you are interested in the history of the Cuban Revolution and its relationship to the United States. 

On the way from Havana to Cienfuegos you can stop at the Bay of Pigs and the small museum nearby explaining the history of that invasion.  

Cienfuegos  in central Cuba is a refined and elegant city founded in 1819 by French immigrants from Bordeaux and Louisiana.  I bet you didn’t know that.

The architecture you see all over the city is an unusual combination of Baroque, Gothic and Moorish styles that somehow manage to give the city the air of a town in Southern France in the early 20 th  Century.  

Jose Marti Park, the central plaza, is generally considered to be the most beautiful in Cuba.

Cienfuegos’ impressive architecture even extends to its main cemetery, La Reina, declared a national monument in 1990.

The statuary is outstanding and the local caretaker will happily provide a tour of the most significant monuments for a small tip. Don’t miss the legend of the beautiful Sleeping Beauty.

Also, note the names on the tombstones.  Many of them are French, reflecting the city’s original heritage.

Other can’t-miss activities in Cienfuegos include a visit to the popular tourist destination, El Nicho, a national park with beautiful swimming holes fed by waterfalls. A round-trip taxi will cost you about U.S. $30 including waiting time.

Two restaurants serving authentic Cuban food in town are Dona Nora on Paseo del Prado and Te Quedaras in the city center.

CENTRAL CUBA: SANTA CLARA, HOLGUIN AND GIBARA

Santa Clara, Holguin and Gibara are three Cuban towns that time forgot but you will always remember.  

Here, time seems to have stopped, but it stopped in an enchanted period of interior patios, leafy central squares and 17th-century churches.

As secondary and even third-tier cities, these pretty Cuban towns are frequently overlooked.  

The interior provinces of Central Cuba are frequently too off the beaten track for most travelers to the island to explore.

Most visitors with limited time will focus on the capital city of Havana with its striking colonial architecture, vibrant art scene and unparalleled nightlife.

Other well-known Cuban destinations that get plenty of press include  Trinidad ,  Viñales ,  Cienfuegos  and  Santiago . But there are little-known provincial gems in central Cuba that thrive beneath the radar and are worth adding to your perfect Cuba itinerary.

SANTA CLARA

Similar to many other Cuban towns, Santa Clara has a graceful plaza surrounded by a park in the center of town. One late afternoon I sat on one of the benches and just observed the local citizens going about their daily business.

All around the plaza are classic, late 19th century buildings: the museum, the theater, the town hall – all dripping beautiful, elaborately carved baroque style stonework.

As is the case with most public buildings in Cuba, these too are in dire need of repair. Many have not seen a paintbrush since the revolution of 1959. But, whoever created these structures did so as a labor of love. The architecture is stunningly beautiful.

As the day grows dark, the plaza lights come on casting a yellow glow. Musicians play around the square and in the brightly colored central gazebo. These lively plazas are the highlight of the cities and towns.

People really seem to enjoy their plazas, parks and seawalls in Cuban towns. Many Cuban apartments can be small, cramped and hot – like in many European and Asian countries – so the outdoor spaces are a welcome respite.

Another attraction in Santa Clara is the Che Guevara monument about 15 minutes outside the city.

You can get there from the central plaza by horse-drawn collective taxi for one Cuban peso, about 4 US cents. The monument is impressive but, unless you have a particular interest in revolutionary history, is probably is not worth a side trip.

A unique Santa Clara nightlife destination is Club Mejunje, next to the Hotel Santa Clara, site of Cuba’s first established drag show. There are other such shows throughout Cuba but Santa Clara’s is the most well known.

The event takes place on Saturday nights in a surreal, abandoned-looking building and is very popular and well attended.

The city of Holguin is the capital of Cuba’s western province of the same name and the fourth largest city on the island. Few travelers make it as deep into Cuba as Holguin proper. You see almost no tourists in the city. The tourism concentrations are in the nearby beach towns of Guardalavaca and Playa Pesquera.

The province was  the site of Christopher Columbus’s first landing where legend has it, he said, “this is the most beautiful land human eyes have ever beheld.”  Today, people in Holguin joke that they invented tourism because of their Columbus connection.

Known as the city of parks, Holguin is also considered the most religious town in Cuba.

The city has four pretty main parks all designed in the classic colonial style with the church in the center. It has a surprisingly extensive collection of good paladares, the nicest being Restaurante 1910 in a restored colonial mansion.

The food in 1910 is very good and reasonably priced. A three-course meal will set you back about 12 USD.

On the other end of the economic spectrum are the pizza restaurants on the plazas where an entire pie with beer goes for about 4 USD.  I see these Cuban pizza restaurants as the equivalent of a fast food joint anywhere else.

The food is fast, reasonably priced, no surprises. Although I wouldn’t call the food there “delicious,” it efficiently and quickly solves the immediate issue of what to eat.

All Cuban towns, big or small, have outstanding music venues. Holguin is no exception. It has the standard music venues found in most larger Cuban cities; La Casa de La Trova, Casa de La Musica and others.

There was one nightclub, however, that stood out from the rest, Salon Benny More. Salon Benny, named after a famous Cuban performer, is an open-air venue with excellent musicians and performers, reasonably priced drinks, a large dance floor and jovial patrons.

It is a great place to enjoy good music and get a feel for how typical Cubans enjoy themselves.

Holguin is a great anchor location from which to explore the seaside towns of Gibara and Guardalavaca, where, just like Columbus, I saw some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.

Gibara is a small coastal town bursting with colonial charm. It has one of the prettiest plazas of the Cuban towns.

For seven days every April the coastal town of Gibara hosts the International Festival of Poor Cinema; not “poor” as in not any good, but “poor” as in not rich. It is called this because the festival invites talented artists of limited means from all over the world, including the U.S., to exhibit their work here.

THE BEACHES

As appealing as Gibara is, the main draw in the area is the nearby white-sand beaches of  Guardalavaca  and Playa Pesquero.

If you have free time, grab yourself a full beach day. That’s the perfect amount of time for a Cuban beach. The sand is creamy white with a tinge of light honey color and the water is crystalline and impossibly blue.  

You can rent a deck chair for the day and just lounge.  Occasionally local people will appear offering plates of fresh fried fish and rice and beans for about US$2.00. There are little huts nearby selling the excellent local beer, Bucanero

The one drawback for this beach is that everyone else already knows about it and it is full of Canadian and European tourists.  So the secret is very definitely out.

Less than an hour from Cienfuegos is the beautifully preserved colonial town of  Trinidad , another cornerstone of the perfect Cuba itinerary. The city was founded in 1514 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.  

Visiting Trinidad feels like time-traveling back to the colonial period.

Really absorb the culture of Trinidad by checking into a local “casa” which could be in a refurbished 19 th  Century mansion.  Have a tropical breakfast in the shady interior patio amidst the sounds of crowing roosters and the aroma of Cuban coffee.

If this experience is not sufficiently authentic for you, you can witness a frenetic Santeria (an Afro-Cuban religion) dance performance, take salsa classes or dance in music venues in underground caves.

You can also hike through abandoned historical sugar plantations at Valle de Los Ingenios, another UNESCO World Heritage site.

History buffs will enjoy wandering the central Plaza Mayor with its remarkable collection of 17th-century structures, museums and cobblestone streets.

It is a good idea to take a walk up to the top of the Bell Tower for the best views of the town.

Like any self-respecting Cuban town, Trinidad also boasts a spectacular beach nearby. Playa Ancon is just 20 minutes away by bus.

Here you can rent a small boat and explore surrounding uninhabited islands or snorkel around some of the most pristine reefs in the world. You really must add Trinidad to your perfect Cuba itinerary.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA

Santiago de Cuba , in Cuba’s far east, is the island’s second most populated city and was founded in 1515.  The city is often referred to as the capital of the Caribbean.

Although frequently overlooked by travelers focusing on the Havana circuit, Santiago de Cuba is well worth at least three or four days to do it justice.

The city has a tropical colonial vibe different from other Cuban towns. It is a sultry and vibrant mix of Spanish, Haitian, French and African cultures nestled on a wide bay surrounded by red-tiled rooftops and winding colonial streets.

Many significant battles in Cuba’s turbulent history took place in Santiago. The city is packed with museums from the colonial, revolutionary and contemporary periods.  

One highlight is the  Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca , known as El Morro Fortress, another UNESCO World Heritage site.

This 17th-century fortress was constructed to defend Santiago from pirates and is a remarkably well-preserved example of Spanish-America military architecture.

Another can’t-miss site is the recently renovated 16 th  Century Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (Our Lady of the Assumption) in the town’s central plaza.

Other gems include Casa Velasquez, the oldest standing house in Cuba and the Sanctuary of La Virgen de la Caridad (Our Lady of Charity) Cuba’s patron.

Just outside of town is the cemetery of Santa Efigenia, the final resting place of Cuba’s presidents, military heroes and other dignitaries.

It is worth spending a couple of hours strolling the blindingly white marble walkways among the historical mausoleums.

And make sure to catch the changing of the guard with all its pomp.

LAS TERRAZAS

Both  Las Terrazas  and the Valley of Viñales are on the western part of Cuba, near Havana. Some folks prefer to see these areas at the beginning of their trip, others at the end depending on where you are arriving to and leaving from.

Las Terrazas started in 1968 as an ecotourism project. It is now a lush complex with tropical swimming holes, waterfalls and the ruins of 18th-century coffee plantations.

The area is home to almost half of Cuba’s native birds, thrilling zip lines, an artist colony and much more.  

It makes for a great day trip from bustling Havana.  The town is also home to one of Cuba’s biospheres and a stunning orchid garden.

THE VALLEY OF VIÑALES

The  Viñales  Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with rolling green hills and large limestone outcrops known as  mogotes  that can rise as high as 300 meters.

Besides the knockout beautiful scenery, Viñales is famous as the premier tobacco-growing region of Cuba.

One of the area’s big draws is a visit to the local coffee and tobacco plantations where you can sample Cuban coffee and purchase world-renowned Cuban cigars at a discount.

Great things to do in Viñales include taking a guided tour to the tobacco fields while horseback riding, a boat trip on an underground river in the Cueva del Indio and a vist to the mural de la prehistoria.  

About two hours from Viñales is Cayo Jutia. This is a beach with honey-colored sand and water perfect for snorkeling. Here you can also accept a local fisherman’s offer to sail to outlying islands for fresh seafood.

Viñales is also known for underground river tours through local caves, many of which run for miles.

But the highlight of a Viñales visit is nighttime and the music and dance venues that line Cisneros Street, the main drag.

What is YOUR idea of the perfect Cuba itinerary?  Are you a culture vulture that loves museums and history? Do you nap in the daytime so you can fully appreciate the nightlife?  

Are a lazy beach and beautiful nature more your style? Whatever your preference, it’s all here in Cuba.

Want to get to know a bit about Cuba before going? Or want to keep the Cuban vibe going after your return? Visit vibrant Little Havana in Miami.

Research your trip before you go and learn about Cuba’s history and culture to enrich your Cuba experience.

What are your thoughts on this Cuba itinerary? Let us know in the comments.

BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful,  money-saving links  to book your trip:

• Research and  book your flight  with  Skyscanner . I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
• For  car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend   Discover Cars .
• Book your accommodation  with  Booking.com . I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
• Protect your trip  and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use  Travelinsurance.com  and have been very happy with them.
• Looking for a  small group tour  to unforgettable destinations with top professionals?  Intrepid Trave l is your choice.
• For more  general tours  to any destination or attraction,  book with   Viator . Check them out.
• Need a visa?   Get your visa  for all countries with   Passport Visa Exp ress.
• Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
• Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
• Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
• The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.

I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.

Talek Nantes

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The Traveling Twin Mama

4-Day Cuba Itinerary 2024: The Complete Cuba Travel Guide

While visiting family in Miami, Scott’s Cheap Flights showed a flight deal with a direct flight to Havana, Cuba! After a quick search to confirm that US citizens could travel to Cuba, we were ready to plan our Cuba itinerary.

Check out my “ How To Catch A Flight Deal ” post for the strategy I used to catch this flight deal.

✔️ Click here to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights and get flight deals delivered to your inbox daily, from your selected airport(s) ✔️

To our surprise, our Cuba itinerary quickly filled up with things to do in Havana and the surrounding areas. Thus, with our 4-Day Cuba Itinerary, we chose to maximize our time there by focusing on things to do in close proximity to Havana.

Traveling to Cuba from the US

Traveling to Cuba from the US is legal; however, not for strictly tourist activities.

This means that you are required to purchase a tourist v isa and declare one of the 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba:

• Family Visits
• Support for the Cuban people
• Official government business (and certain intergovernmental organizations)
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research and professional meetings
• Educational activities
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations, research, or educational institutes
• exportation, importation, or transmission of information
• Certain authorized export transactions

We chose “support for the Cuban people” which is pretty easy to do by staying at locally owned lodging, supporting local restaurants, volunteering, etc.

You can get these visas directly from the airline, either online or directly at the gate. The cost of a visa starts at $50 and can increase depending on the airline and if you buy it in person.

We purchased ours directly at the Delta gate in Miami airport for $50. There was no pushback or questions when filling out the travel visa form.

Additional Requirements for Traveling to Cuba from the US

In addition to the travel visa and declaring one of the 12 categories, you must have travel insurance, customs, and health declaration, and fulfill any travel restrictions required by the pandemic.

Visit travel.state.gov for more detailed information.

Cuba Itinerary 2024 Overview

Day 1: things to do in havana, museo de la revolucion.

If you want to learn about the Cuba/US relationship from the Cuban government’s perspective, a visit to Museo de la Revolucion is a nice addition to your Cuba itinerary. It gives a very clear perspective of how the Cuba government feels about the United States.

There were a few galleries that explored Cuban history- key players, influencers, etc.- but the majority of the galleries (at least it felt that way) detailed how the US attempted to sabotage their country. The remaining exhibits reinforced how much the Cuban government helps and supports its people.

Please note that most of the Cubans I’ve encountered do not agree with the sentiments of the museum. In fact, some discourage visiting the museum due to how the government treats their citizens, causing many to be in poverty with a lack of basic necessities.

Personally, I wanted to get an understanding of the Cuban government’s perspective as I’m always leery of the US narrative about other countries. In my attempt to get a full perspective, our next adventure of the day was an Afro-Cuban Culture Tasting. It was the opportunity to get the actual local Cuban people’s reality.

Afro-Cuban Culture Tasting

There is no better way to learn about a culture than to go to their home, cook, and eat with them. This is exactly why the experience with Beyond Roots, which you can find here , should be on your Cuba itinerary.

We had first-hand exposure to the Afro-Cuban religions, learning the various customs, and foods they offer to the gods. I must admit, I was a bit nervous as we entered the house. I mean, we were at a stranger’s home, in a foreign country.

To make the experience even more “interesting,” they instructed us to wash our hands at the outdoor sink. We were greeted by live chickens. Being city people, it took us by a bit of a surprise.

I’d recommend this experience to anyone, hands down! Beyond the religious enlightenment and delicious food, our hosts, two local women and a few others that would stop in occasionally were so open. We honestly could ask them anything. This gave us a great perspective on how the Cuban people live.

Having a true, local, Cuban experience was a key goal of our trip. This experience gave us just that.

Fabrica de Arte

Fabrica de Arte is such an interesting place- an art museum meets a performing arts center, meets a concert hall, a restaurant, and a bar. Literally, every form of art is represented.

We went a bit early, around 9 PM, right after our Afro-Cuban experience. There was artwork, structures, live music, a DJ dance hall, and even a live play- and of course bars and a couple of restaurants. In all my travel, I haven’t been to one location that had such a variety of artistic entertainment.

Day 2: Things to do in Vinales, Cuba

Vinales day tour.

Pinar del Rio is located in the Westernmost part of Cuba, the beautiful countryside known for the country’s tobacco production. It’s about a two-hour drive from Havana.

We took a private tour with VC Tours, which you can find here . Our tour guide picked us up from our Airbnb in Tiffany, a beautiful 1954 Tiffany Blue Chevy. This car was pretty dope- until after the first hour on the interstate and my mid-30s body started to feel every bump we drove over.

But honestly, it was “vale la pena”- worth the pain.

Cuban Mogotes: Limestone Formations

After a short break at Las Barrigonas Travel Plaza with a fresh pina colada, we arrived at the beautiful limestone formation, Mogotes. Man, what a beautiful view!

We spent a few minutes taking in its beauty before we headed to the main event, the tobacco farm.

Cuban Tobacco Farm

As we neared the tobacco farm, we saw huts without any windows which are used to dry the tobacco leaves. 90% of the farmer’s tobacco leaves go to the Cuban government. The remaining 10% is used by the local farmers to make their own cigars, which are actually organic and 90% of the nicotine is removed.

Did you even go to Cuba if a Cuban tobacco farm isn’t on your itinerary?

Upon arriving at the tobacco farm, we took a quick tour of the facility to learn more about the process. Soon after, it was our turn to roll cigars and smoke them!

I WAS SO NERVOUS as I had never smoked anything- not a cigar, cigarette, or anything similar. My mind kept telling me that I was going to choke and make a fool of myself.

So I dipped my cigar in the honey (a Cuban method that helps filter the remaining nicotine). Then I slowly put the cigar to my lips, and to my surprise, I was fairly good at smoking a cigar (once I realized you blow with the exhale…don’t judge me!)

Cuban Indian Cave and Prehistoric Mural

After the tobacco farm and lunch, we explored the Indian Cave and Prehistoric Mural. The Indian Cave was a pretty amazing short boat ride experience; I recommend that you add it to your Cuba itinerary.

On the contrary, the Prehistoric Mural, which is basically roped off to the public, only allows you to see the mural from afar, on a funky side angle. This makes the experience pretty mediocre. Skip it if possible.

Stroll El Malecon

El Malecon is a 4-mile esplanade that transverses through multiple Havana neighborhoods with the communities on one side and the shore on the other. This promenade embodies the culture of Havana with locals gathering to listen to music, dance, and enjoy one another’s company. You’ll also run into some trying their hand at fishing as well.

This path through the city isn’t shaded and becomes very hot during the day. Therefore, it’s recommended to come around sunset so you can see the sun setting over the water while the heat of the day slowly starts to dissipate. If you can’t make it around sunset, you can come in the early morning, before the day’s heat arrives.

Day 3: Experience Havana’s Plazas

Old havana plazas.

Old Havana, La Habana Vieja, includes 4 main plazas that embody the history and culture of Havana. Each plaza has its own vibe and offers different elements of Cuba. You can visit the plazas via a tour if you’d like to understand the history from a local’s perspective or take your time and walk through each on your own terms.

We did the latter.

Plaza de Catedral – One of the busiest places in Old Havana. Plaza de Catedral is home to the Havana Catedral which is open to the public. If you’re a lover of architecture this is the perfect square to visit to take in the restored, historical buildings.

Additionally, you can find local Cuban Cigar Ladies dressed in their traditional garments. If you would like, you can take a picture with them, for a fee.

Plaza de San Francisco de Asis – Located across the street from the cruise terminal, Plaza de San Francisco de Asis embodies a lot of Cuban history as the Spanish would stop here on their journey from the Indies to Spain. Here you can find Fuente de Los Leones (Lion Fountain), statues, a cathedral, cafes, galleries, restaurants, and more

Plaza de Armas – The “birthplace of Havana” as it encompasses the legendary location that Havana was founded in 1519. Similarly, it’s home to Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the “Father of the Nation” who was the initiator of Cuba’s independence in 1860.

Additionally, it’s home to the oldest castle of Havana, Royal Force Castle, and Parque Cespedes, a beautiful green park with plenty of seating and shade to people-watch or enjoy a snack from the various street vendors.

Plaza Vieja – if you’re looking for a lively plaza filled with music, dancing, performers, and more, Plaza Vieja is the one for you. In addition, you can grab a cold beer and a bite to eat at one of the numerous restaurants.

Plus the architecture is filled with so much color and vibrance, similar to the plaza’s ambiance.

La Plaza de la Revolucion

La Plaza de la Revolucion is not located in Old Havana and is not within walking distance to the above-listed plazas. In fact, it’s about a 10-15 min ride from Parque Central (right outside Havana Vieja.)

It’s basically the location where Castro and other political figures addressed Cubans (by the way, we learned that Castro gave a 7-hour speech from here!!) The key attractions are the steel memorials of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.

It’s also the location where most of the classic cars line up for tourists to take pictures.

Couples Vacation Photoshoot

We had to document this experience, our first couples vacation since our twin boys! And oh man, our Airbnb Experience Photoshoot with Manuel at Cuban Soul Pictures, which you can find here , was A-MAZ-ING! Not only was it a photo shoot where he took BEAUTIFUL pictures of us (like magazine worthy) but the tour by itself was worth the money.

We toured Havana Vieja, actually very close to our Airbnb. The real experience for us was two things: 1) the convertible car ride to The Ancient Fortress of San Carlos de Cabana and 2) Chatting with Manuel to learn Cuban history and experience from a young local that has lived in Europe and visited the US frequently.

The Ancient Fortress of San Carlos de Cabana

The Ancient Fortress of San Carlos de Cabana is an 18th-century fortress complex, located on the elevated seaside of Havana.

The history. The beauty.

Man, it’s a must-add to your Cuba itinerary. Here, you will witness groups of locals hanging out and enjoying the scenery and their families and friends. As a matter of fact, I didn’t see a lot of tourists.

If you want a calm, relaxing, and historical place to relax in Havana, THIS IS IT!

Day 4: Beaches Near Havana- Playas de Este

Playas de este.

The beach is a must-add to your Cuba itinerary, especially on a couple’s vacation. Unfortunately, with our limited time in Cuba, we didn’t have time to take a day trip to Varadero Beach (about a 2-hour drive from Havana- and detailed below in the day trip section).

We were happy to find out there is a bus (T3) that leaves from Parque Central in Havana to a cluster of beaches about 30 minutes or so away from the city. The best part is the bus is only 5 CUC (about $5)  for a round trip! It’s recommended to get off at Santa Clara Beach or Santa Maria del Mar.

We got off at Santa Clara Beach which was a nice beach with beautiful water. If you’re looking for resort treatment with beautiful cabanas and whatnot, this is not the beach. It’s not touristy at all.

You can get beach chairs and an umbrella for only $6. The same guys who sell the chairs will grab food for you, for a fee of course. We realized they were going around the corner to the restaurant, a 3 min walk, where the food and drinks were 25% cheaper.

At this point of the trip, we were super broke (see the below section about currency to understand why). So every dollar made a difference.

Day Trips from Havana Cuba

Varadero is known as the best beach destination in Cuba as it’s filled with white sand beaches and resorts. If your goal is relaxation and drinking Cuban rum, you’ll be in the right place.

There are several buses from Havana to Varadero which take about 3 hours. If you hire a personal driver or go via a tour company, the ride will be about 2 hours.

✔️ Want to learn about the hidden beaches in Varadero, click here ✔️

If going to a Cuban beach is a must-do on your Cuban itinerary, but you don’t have time to go to Varadero, then take the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus, a 30-minute ride to Playas de Este. I mentioned some of the details above in the Day 4 Cuba itinerary.

I mentioned Vinales above during our private day trip to the Cuban tobacco farms in the Day 2 Cuba itinerary. If time permits, you should also do a horseback riding tour through the hills. So beautiful!

Want to experience the authentic spirit of Cuba? Then Trinidad is a must-add to your Cuba itinerary.

The history of the enslaved Africans who once occupied this now Declared World by UNESCO, is still alive today. If you want to learn more about the enslaved experience, book a Sugar Tour. Similarly, the beauty of the architecture’s vibrant colors and 50 mansions are worth the day trip itself.

If nature is more of your vibe, check out Parque Natural de Topes de Collantes’s beautiful waterfalls, Sendero Vegas Gardens, and the beautiful city of Cienfuegos.

The trip to Trinidad is a bit long with a 4-hour drive each way. Most likely you’d like to make this an overnight trip.

How Many Days Should you Spend in Cuba?

The number of days you should include in your Cuba itinerary varies depending on which things to do in Cuba best align with your interest. If it’s your first time in Cuba and you’re on a limited timeframe, then 3 or 4 days should suffice. This will give you the opportunity to have Havana as your base with 1-2 days exploring Havana, which is a must-visit in Cuba, and 1 or 2 day trips from Havana.

We chose to do 2 days in Havana and 2 day trips- 1 to Vinales and 1 to Playa de Este.

If you’d like to include more day trips or stay overnight in Vinales, Varadero, or Trinidad, then you’d want to add at least 2 or 3 more days to your Cuba itinerary, making it closer to a 7 or 10-day trip.

Best Time to Visit Cuba

The best months to visit Cuba is October to May as there is minimum rain and the weather is warm. June begins the start of hurricane season in the Atlantic and lasts until November. If you want to avoid hurricane season altogether, visit Cuba from December to May.

Things to Know About Visting Cuba

Currency exchange.

When we travel, especially on our first couples trip since becoming parents, we want to live- eat, drink, do activities, and buy stuff freely. Well, we did just that the first day until we realized that if we kept spending at that rate, we would run out of money.

US citizens have to bring all the cash that they think they will need while in Cuba. Unfortunately, no US credit cards, debit cards, or access to US banks is available from Cuba. To make matters even more stressful, most activities must be paid in cash, excluding those booked via Airbnb.

Therefore, between the 12% currency conversion rate, giving tips, and buying souvenirs to support the locals, we were spending more money than we expected. The day before we were supposed to return to the US, we were literally counting our pennies.

PRO TIP: Do not convert all of your money. Before paying for something in CUC, ask if they accept USD (or Euros) and at what exchange rate. If they do accept your currency, it’s most likely at a 1:1 rate- saving you the astronomical fee.

Spotty Wi-Fi

The other challenge is the Wi-Fi. It is not readily available.

First, you have to find a place with Wi-Fi. Secondly, you have to purchase a WIFI card to actually access the internet. It costs about $5 for one hour.

Perhaps, it doesn’t sound ridiculous, but as a mom of then one-year-old twins back in the US, I needed to see them. Unfortunately, the connection is pretty slow, so FaceTime cut in and out. Honestly, I think if I didn’t have the boys and I was on a couples trip, I wouldn’t have minded the limited and slow internet.

Leave as much as You Take

It’s undeniable that many Cuban citizens are suffering from poverty and a lack of resources. Therefore, when visiting be sure to leave as much as you take from the country. That can look like a variety of actions:

• Stay at a vacation rental owned by a local
• Bring personal items, food, and supplies for locals
• Support local, privately owned businesses, i.e. tour companies (we found ours through Airbnb experiences)
• Eat at local restaurants (i.e. not in a global chain hotel)

Where to Stay in Havana

Did you even visit Cuba if you didn’t go to Havana?

Where you choose to stay in Havana really depends on what vibe you’re looking for. There are 3 main Havana neighborhoods: Old Havana (Habana Vieja), Central Havana (Centro Habana), and Vedado.

Old Havana is home to many tourist attractions like plazas and museums. If you’re looking to stay in an area full of Havana’s culture and within walking distance of many of the attractions, Old Havana is the neighborhood for you.

Central Havana gives local vibes. Here is where you’d find the average Cuban living life. You’d be able to truly experience what it feels like to be Cuban- eating at local restaurants and walking to local attractions. Central Havana is home to the capital and sits between Old Havana and Vedado.

El Vedado is the central business district and the most modern and upscale area of Havana. The Malecon is on the northern edge of the neighborhood.

Please note that US Citizens can’t stay in Cuban government-owned hotels. Therefore, if you prefer hotels, you need to find one that’s not owned by the government or stay in a vacation rental- which is also support for the Cuban People.

✔️ Click here to research hotel options in Havana, Cuba ✔️

Best Airbnb in Havana- Apartment Chacón 201

Sit on the balcony of Apartment Chacón 201 and take in all the vibes of Old Havana. This beautiful Airbnb is centrally located to walk to all attractions including the plazas, Malecon, Museo de Revolucion, and more.

Best Luxury Hotel in Havana – Iberostar Parque Central

Iberostar Parque Centra l is smack dab in the midst of the Havana action, located in Central Havana, a few blocks away from Old Havana. Not only does the architecture and decor exude luxury but the service and views do as well. If you don’t stay here during your Cuban vacation, you have to at least stop at the rooftop bar which offers amazing cocktail options and views of the capital, city, and more.

Best Budget-Friendly Hotel in Havana- Casa Colonial Yadilis y Yoel

Clean, safe, and friendly accommodation located in the center of Old Havana. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, it’s like having a friend in Havana. Plus, enjoy a delicious breakfast on the rooftop terrace and take in the views of Old Havana.

✔️ Click here to learn more about Casa Colonial Yadilis y Yoel as they are rated 5-Stars with over 1000 reviews on Tripadvisor ✔️

Is It Okay To Travel To Cuba with Toddlers?

Honestly, I would travel with my boys to dang near anywhere that’s safe, of course. Cuba is very safe. It may look a bit shady, but that’s because some of the buildings are worn down & some streets aren’t necessarily the cleanest.

With that said, I would bring the boys to Cuba. However, our Cuba itinerary would have been different.

We probably would’ve exchanged the Vinales/Tobacco Tour for a day trip to Trinidad or Varadero Beach- because toddlers at a tobacco farm just don’t seem right. The museum, the walk to the plazas, and the majority of the other things on our Cuba itinerary would’ve worked with the boys.

Yes, the streets aren’t the smoothest. Therefore, using a stroller may have been a challenge; however, that’s not a big deal to me. I live in New Orleans and our streets aren’t smooth here either but that doesn’t stop us from going out.

Conclusion: Cuba Itinerary 2024

There are so many unique and fun things to do in Cuba. Literally, there is something for everyone- history, nature, culture, rum, cigars, and so much more.

If you consider yourself an open-minded traveler that enjoys destinations that may do things differently than what you’re accustomed to, then Cuba is a must-visit. The people are friendly and welcoming, and the vibe is so warm and vibrant.

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Backpacking in Cuba , Itineraries

The best cuba itinerary for 2 weeks in cuba [in 2024].

Planning a trip to Cuba?  Cuba is a magical place, and there are so many wonderful places to visit in Cuba that deciding what to see in Cuba can be tough.  Luckily, I have done the research for you!  I spent almost a month travelling around Cuba and have picked out the very best places to go in Cuba, so you don’t have to worry about planning your trip.  I have created the perfect Cuba Itinerary based on 2 weeks in Cuba, but if you have more or less time in this incredible country you can adjust your Cuba travel itinerary accordingly as I’ve also included ideas for an itinerary for 7 days, 10 days and 3 weeks in Cuba.

This website contains sponsored and affiliate links. If you click through the links on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. [Learn more]

How Long to Spend in Cuba?

It doesn’t really matter how much time you spend in Cuba, it will never be enough!  I’d say a week in Cuba would be the absolute minimum when really you’ll just be able to visit Havana and a couple of other places.  10 to 14 days in Cuba is better as you can explore further afield and get a real feel for this incredible country.

If you have more than 2 weeks in Cuba, you’re on to a winner!  3 weeks or a month in Cuba means you can easily get from one end of the island and back, visiting some of the best cities in Cuba like Santiago and Baracoa.  

I loved my month in Cuba, although sadly I didn’t manage to explore the whole of the country due to a hurricane hitting the south of the island.  But, I still had a great time and I hope to go back again to see more!

How to Travel Around Cuba

As a UK citizen, I didn’t have any problems visiting Cuba as a tourist, and the same goes for most nationalities. 

However, if you are from the United States then you will need to check the visa requirements carefully, which you can do on the official Department of State website here .  Generally speaking, the best option for US tourists wanting to travel to Cuba is to join an organised tour which comes under the Support for the Cuban People travel requirement.

Double check that the tour company you would like to travel with complies with the requirements, which include interaction with local people and taking part in cultural activities, among others.

Recommended Tours of Cuba

If you prefer to explore Cuba with a tour, here are some of my favourite options:

Highlights of Cuba

6 days exploring Cuba, including a visit to the buzzing capital Havana, the tobacco farms of Vinales and the Unesco Biosphere Reserve of Las Terrazas. 

Cuba Explorer

Spend 9 days visiting Havana and taking a tour in a classic car, exploring the tobacco farms of Vinales, and visiting the cities of Cienfuegos, Trinidad and the famous Che monument in Santa Clara.

Cuba Colonial

Really get under the skin of Cuba on this 15 day tour taking in the colourful capital of Havana before heading east to Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa, where you can soak up the Caribbean sun on beautiful beaches. You'll also visit the cities of Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Santa Clara, and much more besides!

Options for travelling around Cuba include shared colectivo taxis, train, air, and most usually by bus.  For the purposes of this Cuba itinerary, I will assume you are travelling overland, on the Viazul tourist buses.

Viazul buses are designed for tourists and Cubans to travel in between various places in Cuba and are relatively comfortable, and usually air-conditioned. 

It is best to book the tickets in advance, as buses can sell out.  You can book tickets at any of the Viazul bus stations around Cuba, I would recommend booking your next journey soon as you arrive at each destination or booking them all at the same time as soon as you arrive in Cuba.

You can also book Viazul bus tickets online which is the best way to guarantee you can get a seat on the bus you want.  Book tickets on the official Viazul website here .  

The bus timetable isn’t the most reliable as buses often run late, so leave plenty of time for your journey.

Where to Stay in Cuba

When you are travelling in Cuba, the best accommodation options are usually bedrooms rented in people’s homes, known as Casas Particulares .  Forget about resorts in Cuba, if you stay at all-inclusive hotels in Cuba you could be anywhere in the world.  Staying in a casa particular with local people in their homes is a wonderful way to meet Cubans, and to learn more about life and culture in Cuba.

There are some incredible Casas Particulares to choose from, for a whole range of travel budgets.  The most basic rooms could cost as little as €20 per night, or you could pay a lot more for luxurious rooms and whole apartments. 

How to Book Accommodation in Cuba

Expedia has casas particulares and hotels in Cuba available to book online  >>>BROWSE ACCOMMODATION IN CUBA ON EXPEDIA

Airbnb also has plenty of listings for places to stay in Cuba but Booking.com doesn’t operate in Cuba.

Hostels in Cuba are not as common as other countries but you can still find some options on Hostelworld .  There are some hostels in Havana and other major cities with dorm beds for less than €5 so they can be a fantastic option if you’re backpacking in Cuba or are a solo traveller and want some company. >>>BROWSE HOSTELS IN CUBA 

Don’t forget though that the Casas Particulares are also cheap as you can usually find a private room in a casa for less than €20.

Other Essential Cuba Travel Tips

It isn’t possible to get Cuban pesos (CUP) before you travel to Cuba as it is prohibited to take pesos out of the country.  ATMs are also very unreliable, especially with foreign cards so the best option is to bring Euros in cash with you to exchange when you arrive. 

Some hotels and businesses may accept Euros or GBP as payment directly, without having to change them into CUP first.

US Dollars are not usually exchanged or accepted as payment, the most common currency that visitors use are Euros and GBP, and sometimes Canadian dollars although that is less likely to be accepted, so make sure you have plenty of Euros with you.

NB: there used to be two different currencies for Cuba, the CUC (convertible peso) and the CUP (Cuban peso) but now that has been unified into just the CUP.

Travel Safely

• Leave valuables at home and don't keep all your money and credit cards in one place.  I love hidden pocket clothing like this travel scarf for stashing my cash and passport or a belt with a hidden pocket.   Read more about how to hide money while travelling .
• Bring a water bottle with a built-in filter so you can safely drink water from any fresh water source while saving money and reducing plastic use.  I take my Water-to-Go bottle with me everywhere!
• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.  I always buy travel insurance and was very glad I had insurance when I had my laptop and passport stolen in Ecuador!  Consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like trip cancellation, emergency medical, lost luggage and stolen items, as well as adventure sports and activities and more.  
• I chose World Nomads Travel Insurance for my recent backpacking trip to Australia and New Zealand.  They offer travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families and you can get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road

GET A NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE

As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from  World Nomads  using this link. I do not represent  World Nomads . This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

The Best Cuba Itinerary for 2 Weeks in Cuba

Two weeks in Cuba is a great length of time to explore the cities, beaches and beautiful nature of Cuba, without rushing around.  I have chosen some of the best places to visit in Cuba to enjoy in this 2 week itinerary and to get a real feel for the country, away from the resorts and closer to normal Cuban life.

Cuba Itinerary Days 1-3: Havana

Most international flights arrive into Havana, so exploring Havana is a great way to begin your travel to Cuba.  Three nights in Havana should be enough time to see some of the highlights of the city and to get into the Cuban way of life.

What to do in Havana

Havana is a city that needs to be explored on foot.  Stroll around the old town, and admire the crumbling buildings that are still beautiful despite their dilapidated state – and a UNESCO Heritage Site.  Listen to a group of street musicians play, find a shady spot to sit and watch the world go by.

Outside of Old Havana, The Plaza de la Revolución has a cool mural of Che Guevara, and take a walk around Centro Havana, with more Cuban life than you can shake a stick out.  It feels a world away from the old town, but I loved just seeing people go about their lives, nonplussed about the tourists wandering around. 

The Capitol Building is impressive from the outside, and you can also take a tour inside as well.  There are tobacco factories in Havana too, where you can take tours to see how Cuban cigars are made.  The Callejón de Hamel is also worth a visit, for funky street art, and impromptu live music sessions.

There are some excellent museums in the city too, you could check out the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes for art, the Museo de la Ciudad, or the Museo de la Revolución (both closed on Mondays).

Hotel Inglaterra has a great terrace to admire the views, and La Floridita is a mecca for tourists wanting to visit Hemingway’s favourite bar, who are willing to pay the price for a mojito here.  If you don’t fancy this, buy a bottle of rum (which will cost you less!) and head to the Malecon for sunset, you are sure to meet some locals to share a drink and some stories.

Top Tip – don’t bother with the open top bus tour, most of the stops are just hotels – you can get around more easily on foot or in a taxi.

Beware of the scammers in Havana though, they are waiting for the fresh-faced tourists who are new in town.  No children in Cuba need you to buy milk powder, that is provided by the state, and child malnutrition is practically unheard of.  Crime against tourists is rare, although it does happen, the friendly and wily Cubans have many ways to scam you out of a few dollars. 

It is great to chat with the locals, but just be aware that if you go to a bar with them they’ll expect you to pay for everything, and usually the prices are jacked up as well, so you end up paying much more than you would do if you had stumbled across the place yourself.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Explore the old town, a museum & the Malecon Day 2 – Hire a classic car, visit another museum & take lots of photos Day 3 – Centro Havana, Hotel Inglaterra for the views.

Cuba Itinerary Days 4-7: Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is an underrated city in Cuba, although people still ask if it is worth going to Cienfuegos.  In my opinion, most definitely yes!

What to do in Cienfuegos

Granted, there isn’t that much to do in the city itself; the main square is worth a look, and there is a beautiful sunset from Punta Gorda over the ocean.  The real bonus of Cienfuegos is what there is to do in the area surrounding the town. 

Laguna Guanaroca is a gorgeous, peaceful lake where you can take a boat trip to see flamingos and other wildlife on the lake.  I loved it here, and would definitely recommend visiting the lake.  After Laguna Guanaroca you could go to El Castillo which is an interesting fort built to protect the city from pirates in the bay. 

The following day, another trip I highly recommend is to El Nicho, a series of stunning waterfalls and natural pools to swim in – you can even take a bottle of rum to drink as you chill out in the water!

From Cienfuegos you can also take a day trip to Santa Clara to see the Che Guevara memorial.

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 4 – travel to Cienfuegos.  Explore the town. Day 5 – Laguna Guanaroca and El Castillo Day 6 – El Nicho Day 7 – Day trip to Santa Clara

READ MORE: Why Cienfuegos is Worth Visiting

Cuba Itinerary Days 8-11: Trinidad

Leave Havana on the morning of the fourth day to travel to Trinidad.  Trinidad is one of the best places to see in Cuba as it is simply beautiful.  Much smaller, and less hectic than Havana, Trinidad is very popular with tourists, so it can get busy, but it still manages to retain its small-town charm.

What to Do in Trinidad

First of all, walk around this gorgeous town and admire the colourful buildings.  The Lonely Planet Guide to Cuba has a great scenic walk around Trinidad and suggests where you can take the best photographs, and with the beautiful architecture and Cuban life continuing around you, you’ll have no trouble finding some fab Instagram spots. 

The Belltower in the Municipal History Museum close to the main square has the best views of Trinidad and is more than worth the $2 CUC entry fee.

The nightlife in Trinidad is buzzing, and crowds gather around the Casa de la Musica which has live performances at the weekend.  You can stay on the steps to listen, or pay a $1 CUC entrance fee to see the stage and dance up there, so practice your salsa! 

The most popular nightclub in town is in a cave.  Yes, a cave.  Las Ayalas, more commonly known as La Cueva is a walk uphill from the main square and is popular with tourists and locals alike.

There are plenty of day trips from Trinidad too, the most popular being a beach day at Playa Ancon.  However, I preferred the smaller, quieter Playa Maria Aguilar.  Another popular excursion from Trinidad is a horse-back riding trip to a waterfall, and a fun stop at a cigar and coffee hut along the way.

Day 8 – travel to Trinidad, explore the town.  Enjoy the nightlife. Day 9 – beach day (and hangover recovery!) Day 10 – Horse riding excursion, do the photo walk in Trinidad Day 11 – Bus to Viñales via Havana, or colectivo taxi to Viñales

READ MORE: A Guide to Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba Itinerary Days 12-14: Viñales

Viñales is my favourite place in Cuba.  A small town, surrounded by tobacco fields and strange rock formations known as mogotes.

What to do in Viñales

Viñales is a welcome respite from the hectic cities.  Here you can get close to nature, hiking, climbing and horseback riding to your heart’s content.  The sunset walking tour arranged by Villa Reyes is magical, our guide was friendly and informative, and we watched the sunset at a tobacco farm with a mojito in hand.  What more could you want?  Perhaps a horseback riding tour of the same, which is also possible here!

Hiking to Los Aquaticos, a small community of people who believe in the healing power of water is a good hike, with wonderful views of the valley, and would be interesting to learn about the culture of Los Aquaticos if you manage to find the community. 

You can also cycle around Viñales to see the Mural de la Prehistoria, a huge colourful painting on the side of a mogote.  Speaking of mogotes, if you are a rock climber, Viñales is the best place in Cuba to climb.

If you need some beach time before returning home, then you can take a day trip to one of the Cayos on the coast, Cayo Jutías or Cayo Levisa.

Day 12 – Explore Viñales, take the evening sunset tour Day 13 – Hike to Los Aquaticos or horse-riding excursion, visit el Mural de la Prehistoria. Day 14 – Beach day

READ MORE: What to do in Viñales

Variations to this Two-Week Cuba Itinerary

You may wonder why I didn’t include Varadero in this Cuba two-week itinerary.  If want to visit all-inclusive beach resorts in Cuba, then, of course, spend a couple of days in Varadero soaking up some sun.  I didn’t include it in my itinerary as Varadero is very touristy, and about as far away from the real Cuba that you can get. 

I prefer to suggest more cultural places to visit, and there are beaches to enjoy in Trinidad & Viñales, but if you are looking for a beach holiday in Cuba, then Varadero is for you.

Nature lovers might prefer to squeeze in a visit to Baracoa on the southern tip of Cuba, which is renowned for its beautiful countryside, and unique cuisine – including chocolate which is grown in the region.

If you prefer to travel slowly, just choose two or three of these suggestions for where to visit in Cuba and enjoy exploring each place for longer.

If you would rather fit more in, then reduce the time you spend in each place and pick other places to visit in Cuba from the three-week itinerary below.  You could visit Varadero, or take a flight down to Santiago de Cuba or Baracoa and travel back up to Havana via Trinidad and Cienfuegos. 

However, be wary about squeezing too much in with just 2 weeks in Cuba, as sometimes the best of Cuba is just relaxing with a mojito and a cigar, and watching the world go by.

Just a Short Trip to Cuba?

If you have even less time, and only managed to get 3 days in Cuba, then stay in Havana.  With only three days there isn’t enough time to travel around Cuba, instead, concentrate on Havana as there are more than enough things to do in Havana for anyone to be satisfied!  A day trip to Viñales could be possible although it is an expensive way to travel.

Cuba itinerary 7 days

If you only have one week in Cuba, then this 7 days in Cuba itinerary is for you.  With a week in Cuba, it is possible to see a combination of culture, beaches and beautiful lush valleys.  For me, Havana, Viñales and Trinidad are the absolute essentials for 7 days in Cuba.  Pick out your favourite activities from the 2 week Cuba itinerary and adjust the schedule to suit your needs.

Cuba Itinerary 10 days

With 10 days in Cuba, simply pick out the best of the 2-week itinerary and skip some things you don’t fancy, or spend a night less in each stop to make sure you can visit everything.  However, when you are thinking about where to go in Cuba, don’t rush things – you want to be able to enjoy everything you do here.

Cuba Itinerary 3 weeks

If you are lucky enough to have 3 weeks in Cuba or even longer, you can expand your Cuba trip itinerary to include more of the southern part of the island.  Tourist cards are issued for up to 30 days (and can be extended), so if you have the time then enjoy!

In an extension of the 2 week Cuba itinerary, after spending a couple of days in Havana take a flight to Santiago de Cuba to explore and get a taste of Caribbean flavours (and rum!) away from Havana’s influence.

Don’t miss Baracoa for its unique cuisine, chocolate and stunning coastline.  The Alejandro de Humboldt National Park is also one of the best places to visit in Cuba and one of the most biologically diverse tropical island sites on earth, according to UNESCO.

Work your way back north, calling at the distinctly un-touristy Holguín for a growing food scene and a Cuba that really is off the beaten track.  Camagüey is another wonderful place to visit, as its narrow streets create a labyrinth that was designed to foil pirates like the famous Henry Morgan. 

From here you can make your way up to Trinidad, stopping off at Sancti Spiritus if you want to break the journey and spend the rest of your two weeks in Cuba following the above 2-week itinerary – adding in a visit to Playa Larga if you want some beach time.

Phew!  I hope you enjoyed this epic post to help plan your perfect Cuba itinerary.  If you have any feedback please feel free to share it in the comments below – have I missed something?  Did I include something you would skip?  Let me know!

You may also like these Cuba posts:

Or click here to read all of my cuba blog posts..

Backpacking in Cuba on a Budget

Why You Need to Visit Cienfuegos Cuba

What to do in Viñales Cuba

Top Things to do in Trinidad Cuba

Cuba Transportation: A Guide to Getting Around Cuba

Ten Travel Tips for Cuba

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Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

18 thoughts on “ The Best Cuba Itinerary for 2 Weeks in Cuba [in 2024] ”

Brilliant post, Claire! Cuba has always fascinated me as a country. Although I have only seen it in movies and pictures, but I have always found it enchanting. How’s the public transportation system in Cuba? Also, is it easy to find vegan food there?

Thanks, Rudy

Hi Sarah, thanks for reading! I loved staying in the family homes, it really is the best way to experience Cuba and much better than staying in hotels. Sometimes travelling around by myself I felt like I was being ripped off, never in danger but it was more irritating because I knew they were charging me more than what it was worth – but I understand why that was happening. Safety really isn’t an issue in Cuba, there are strict penalties for anyone who does anything to a tourist, so robberies are very rare (although still take precautions you would anywhere. I found all of my Cuban hosts to be very friendly and kind, so I’m surprised about the ‘mixed reviews’ – I’m sure you’ll be fine 🙂

Hi Claire – my boyfriend and I are looking to follow your itinerary this summer! Can I ask – did you feel safe in Cuba travelling and staying in family homes? I’ve heard mixed reviews in regards to this.

Thanks Sarah

What a great post. Going to save it in case we manage to get to Cuba at some point.

Cuba has always been really high on my list! So glad I have this to help guide me when I finally get the chance. Thanks for the tips, especially about public transportation and how the buses may sell out. I didn’t realize chocolate was grown in Cuba. So many amazing aspects to explore!

I am such a beach girl, and living in Canada, all we are sold on is the beach vacation to a resort in Cuba. But you have shown me there is sooooo much more to the country! I had not heard of the Casa Particulars but those would be a great way to meet people. So much of my travel is about people, meeting them, spending as little as 5 minutes talking to them, I get so much more out of my travels that way! Thanks for the great Itinerary! I now know I need at least two weeks to explore (and have some beach time too!)

I never knew cuba has so much to offer. Everything there looks amazing especially Trinidad and Waterfalls at El Nicho have won my heart. Your this guide is going to be very handy for everyone.

I’ve been convincing my friends to go to Cuba. It’s a place I really want to go to. This is a good itinerary and I loved that you stayed in people’s homes too–felt authentic. I know they look for people to scam but then again you just have to keep your wits about you. Still a good place to visit.

We’ve been wanting to visit Cuba, so thanks for all the great tips! We would definitely want to spend some time in Havana, but it’s great to hear some other spots that are worth visiting too. Cienfuegos and the surrounding area looks really neat, especially that waterfall! I’d love to visit Viñales, too—would be fun to check out the rock climbing there!

I’m planning a visit to Mexico + Cuba (hopefully) this upcoming autumn! It’s an intriguing destination because Cuba is somehow still stuck in a different time period and I’m sure there are lots of things to discover in terms of culture, history and nature. A friend of mine went last October on a group tour with a local guide, which I’m thinking is probably the best way for me to see the country, too. Travelling around by yourself sounds a bit tricky, although you provide some great tips for that in your post! Thanks for this helpful newbie introduction guide to Cuba!

Trinidad looks really interesting. Your photos remind me of old Spanish villages I see in books. They are all so picturesque!

While reading through the itinerary, I was thinking to myself, I won’t have 2 weeks to visit Cuba, most likely I’ll have 7-10 days and then I read your itinerary for 10 days, that’s really cool that you’ve done an itinerary for short, medium and long term visit to Cuba. Out of all the cities that you’ve listed, I’d have to pick Trinidad as my favourite, just looking at the pictures and reading about the place. I need to get myself to Cuba soon!

I didn’t know that about restrictions on tourists with regards to the public transportation. But I’d say yes to that side car in a heart beat. Seriously I think that would be the ultimate Cuban adventure! 😀

I hope I will be able to manage a 10 day itinerary in Cuba. The old world charm that still exists there charms me a lot. I love the old cars a lot.

This is a great guide for anyone planning to visit Cuba. I like the idea of staying with people in their homes to experience authentic Cuba. Although Havana has a certain appeal, I would probably spend more time around Trinidad. You’ve convinced me that slow travel is the way to go in Cuba, because I would love to see the beautiful countryside of Baracoa as well.

While I have never been to this part of the Americas, I always love all of the bright colors. Your guide is super helpful for newbies (like me) to ensure they see it all and avoid scams.

This is a great itinerary to Cuba, especially for me, as I’ve not yet been. I love the look of Vinales and Trinidad. Though now I’ve heard some not so great things from friends who have travelled to Trinidad. I’m a flashpacker, but would love to book a few nights at a casa particulares; they look so homely, and very local too of course. Hope I get to visit one day!

The way you have photographed the local musicians playing in Havana Cuba, the same way I have pictures of Bedouins sipping tea in Petra Jordan. It seems that every place in the world has its own traditions and locals stick to it, especially for the sake of tourism. I wish to see Cuba one day and add a photo with musicians to my Bedouin collection.

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Audley have launched a new Central America, Mexico & Cuba brochure with many suggestions for getting right off the beaten track as well as exploring the key highlights of each country.

Key destinations include:

Nicaragua – superb value and a wealth of attractions make Nicaragua the real hidden gem of Central America. It has emerged from years of political instability as one of the friendliest and most welcoming countries, offering elegant colonial cities, unspoilt rainforests, wildlife, secluded beaches, active volcanoes and deep crater lakes.   Nicaragua has far less visitors than its more famous neighbours and so Audley feel that now really is the time to go, before it inevitably becomes more popular. A 14 day Classic Nicaragua itinerary costs from £2920 per person.

Costa Rica – Audley encourage clients to combine the well-known highlights with more off-beat experiences such as the Turrialba Valley for its good birdwatching, coffee plantation tours and excellent white water rafting.

The new brochure also includes a double page spread on the Osa Peninsula – a remote yet hugely rewarding area on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. It is home to magnificent primary rainforest, deserted beaches and incredible wildlife, described by National Geographic as 'the most biologically intense place on Earth.' Audley's 11 day Wildlife of Costa Rica itinerary includes three nights in the Osa Peninsula and costs from £2825 per person.

The launch of British Airways' direct flight from London to San José in Costa Rica has also made it more easily accessible.

Mexico - Audley have put more focus on Baja California with its fantastic whale watching opportunities as well as charming coastal towns, cactus forests and beautiful beaches. They have included a new Cradle of the Grey Whale itinerary, visiting three superb lagoons in Baja California as well as taking in volcanic landscapes, forests of giant cacti, vast canyons, pristine beaches and oasis towns in the middle of the desert. This 15 day trip costs from £4090 per person.

Isla Holbox is also new to the brochure. A world away from the Mayan Riviera's coastal resorts it is a sleepy island retreat just a 20 minute ferry ride from Chiquila port, two hours drive from Cancun.   It is extremely laid back with very little development and its sandy streets mean that golf carts and bicycles are the only means of transport.  

Guatemala – As well as visiting Antigua, Lake Atitlåan and Tikal, Audley recommend including some off-the-beaten-track areas such as the city of Quetzaltenango in the Western Highlands and lesser-visited Mayan ruins in the north. They can also arrange an exciting overnight jungle camping trip to see the statues, temples and the partially excavated ruins and Maya village of Uaxactun.

Belize – Audley encourage clients to visit the Toledo District in the south of Belize. It is far less visited than the Cayo and Orange Walk districts and yet has so much to offer including remote Maya sites, superb wildlife with 15 national parks and reserves, untouched rainforests and spectacular caves and waterfalls. It is also where Green & Black's source their organic cocoa beans!

Cuba – Audley advise clients to book as far in advance as possible (ideally 9-12 months ahead) to ensure they get the itinerary they want as visitor numbers to Cuba are increasing dramatically. Audley suggest including accommodation in private houses and homestays as part of any trip in order to give clients the chance to glimpse into the daily life of these people living through this period of remarkable change.

For further details and a copy of Audley's Central America, Mexico & Cuba brochure call Audley on 01993 838 638 www.audleytravel.com  

Follow Audley on Twitter www.twitter.com/audleytravel

Subscribe to Audley's RSS feed of travel articles www.audleytravel.com/magazine

Issued on behalf of Audley by:

Jemma Hewlett PR

Tel: 01491 614660

[email protected]                                     June 2016  

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Audley Travel Traveller Reviews

Reviews of audley travel.

FASCINATING VIETNAM

Audley Travel organised the most efficient and perfect tailor made itinerary for our family Christmas-NewYear holiday to discover a most inspiring Country and People.

Harriet at Audley Travel from our very first conversation listened and understood to perfection what our family was looking for and came up with a very professional exciting and just perfect tailor made itinerary which came up to expectations throughout our tour.

Hi Catherine, thank you so much for your review I'm so pleased you had a lovely Christmas and New Year with your family, in Vietnam.

I have shared your comments with Harriet and her manager, it's great to hear Harriet created the perfect trip for you and your family and we look forward to you travelling with us again soon.

Great destinations, poorly organised

We chose Audley Travel through their Brochure which promised bespoke holidays. We outlined our itinerary which was Nepal, Bhutan and India. Realising that this was quite a complex booking we were tolerent of errors which our specialist made during the booking process. The mistakes are well documented by email. However once the deposit was in place and the details confirmed we did not expect any further amendments. As we were away for five weeks ...

We chose Audley Travel through their Brochure which promised bespoke holidays. We outlined our itinerary which was Nepal, Bhutan and India. Realising that this was quite a complex booking we were tolerent of errors which our specialist made during the booking process. The mistakes are well documented by email. However once the deposit was in place and the details confirmed we did not expect any further amendments. As we were away for five weeks we decided to book business class for all flights to enhance our luggage allowance. By chance we noticed that the flight to Shimla only permitted 10 kilos. Our specialist seemed unaware of this. As we were carrying 25 kilos each various unacceptable alternatives were put to us. In the end we were driven to Shimla which was time consuming. One hotel had to be changed thus disrupting our programme and there was a general malaise once the deposit was paid. Two weeks before departire we were informed that one hotel had double booked and we would either have to change rooms after one night or move to another hotel. After one week the original arrangement was put back in place. The whole process was very stressful for what was a very expensive tour. On tour our business class ticketing was economy on one return flight so after arguing for one hour and speaking to the local rep who blamed Audley we paid for the upgrade using our dollar cash. We contacted our agent and the refund was transferred to our account prior to us returning home. Several hotels stated that we did not have full board where it had been arranged in Bhutan but we sorted this out locally. On our tour we met a number of people who were travelling with Cox and King who were very happy with their choice. In fact at The Claridges in Delhi we were down graded to an internal room whilst Cox and King clients were upgraded to a suite overlooking the lawn. We did protest and were eventually moved to a room overlooking the pool. The company also needs to update the country booklets which are out of date in many areas. Whilst we made the best of the tour and the car drivers were fine the same agents work for all the major tour companies. A couple of guides did give us the name of other tour operators who they felt were superior. One other flight was economy only as described by Audley. Of course at the airport we discovered business class was available and upgraded ourselves. The toy train also has a first class carriage which again we were told was economy only so we were squashed into a cramped carriage whilst the first class carriage was only half full. At the end of the day Audley produces nice brochures, costs average hotels in to the quote and the client then upgrades which pushes up the cost. We would not use Audley again under any circumstances. As an aside from people we met traveling with other operators only Audley used Jet Airways for the international flights as they cost far less to them than BA, Emirates or Virgin. Jet Airways were regularly in the papers due to being on the verge of bankruptcy. This added to the stress. Audley charges high prices but is low on quality.

Dear Mr Scandrett, thank you for your review, firstly I would like to apologise for the experience you have had, this is certainly not the standard we adhere ourselves to. I know you have spoken with one of our managers here at Audley as well as your personal travel agent who you booked the trip through and I can assure you your feedback has been taken very seriously by both parties. We do apologise if the reasoning behind certain decisions in your itinerary were not communicated efficiently to you; for example the first class carriage on the toy train has only just begun being trialled, and was therefore not guaranteed on all trains which is why this class of travel was not offered to you. I want to assure you that we have been, and continue to monitor Jet Airways; as part of the ATOL agreement you have with us, our clients are completely covered if the airline was to go bankrupt whilst you were away. If we thought there was an imminent risk we would of course use alternative airlines, but the cost saving for using Jet Airways is passed directly to our clients, with Jet Airways business class flights being on a par with British Airways. In your circumstance they did also offer more timely connections. It is rare for us to have to change an itinerary after it has been booked, and we would only do this in exceptional circumstances so we sincerely apologise for the stress this caused you, I am aware you were in touch with your travel agent and specialist whilst you were away and am sorry this had such a negative impact on your experience. I want to reiterate that measures have been put in place to ensure communication with all parties involved are more efficient, and therefore your experiences are not repeated. If you would like to discuss any of these points further please do contact us. I appreciate you would prefer not to travel with us again but I would like to offer reassurances that this is far from a typical experience and we would love the opportunity to show you how we usually operate a trip.

Honeymoon Adventure

We did a two week trip of Southern Madagascar visiting mainly National parks to see the Chameleons and Lemurs and other extraordinary wildlife then we relaxed for a week in Mauritius. We had a bespoke tour with private driver and guide in Madagascar and stayed a few nights at each location. There were some long days travelling and some arduous forest walks which were exciting and energetic on our searches for animals. Mauritius was our relaxing ...

We did a two week trip of Southern Madagascar visiting mainly National parks to see the Chameleons and Lemurs and other extraordinary wildlife then we relaxed for a week in Mauritius. We had a bespoke tour with private driver and guide in Madagascar and stayed a few nights at each location. There were some long days travelling and some arduous forest walks which were exciting and energetic on our searches for animals. Mauritius was our relaxing week but we still did a Southern tour, Northern tour, a helicopter flight and I did one scuba dive! A wonderfully friendly country and a fabulous hotel with gorgeous pools and beach.

From the planning through to the end of the trip Audley Travel was excellent. The Audley Travel staff were totally professional and helpful in every way before, during and at the end of the trip. The preparation notes are the best I've ever had. We turned up in Madagascar fully prepared for every eventuality! All the locals employed by Audley were professional, helpful and fully engaged in their work and made us comfortable and happy along the way. The standard of hotels and food available in every location was outstanding - better than I could have hoped for in a country as poor as Madagascar. The hotel in Mauritius was lovely and fulfilled all our requirements thanks to the Audley staff ensuring we made the best choice. A highly professional, slick operation and I'm already recommending Audley Travel to everyone I know who enjoys travel.

We are so pleased to hear you had such a wonderful time in Madagascar and Mauritius. It certainly sounds as though you enjoyed a very varied trip and saw the very best the countries have to offer. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and tell us about your adventure.

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback surrounding your experience with Audley, both from our UK office and our partners in Madagascar and Mauritius. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed each and every element of your trip and would like to thank you for recommending us to your friends and family. We have passed your kind comments on to your specialist's direct manager. We very much look forward to arranging your next adventure.

Far exceed expectations

With nio idea of where to go but a vague idea of the type of family holiday we wanted, Audley took the time to talk to me in detail about what each family member would like to experience and then came up with a tailor-made itinerary combining city (Kuching), wildlife (jungle) and luxury beach resort in Borneo..

Every little detail was thought through and taken care of by Audley; airline e-tickets, private transfers, private trips to amazing places and stunningly-located villa suites on the beautiful Gaya Island resort. It was the special family holiday we hoped for and which far exceeded our expectations. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Thank you for your review, we take a consultive approach with all of our clients, investing time in really getting to know you, I am really pleased the perfect itinerary for you and your family was created allowing all of you to enjoy your holiday!

We really appreciate you sharing your experience on what sounds like an idyllic holiday. It is great to hear that you would recommend us – word of mouth recommendations are an integral part of our business model. Thank you again for such an amazing review.

Audley gave us the trip of a lifetime

In July 2000 we traveled to Vietnam to adopt our daughter. At that time, we promised ourselves that we would return on her 18th birthday to show her the country of her birth. We saved for this trip for 18 years. When it came time to book the trip we worked with Audley travel. Their Vietnam specialist helped us craft a vacation that would give our daughter a sense of her country of birth and the culture and the people there. What they put together ...

In July 2000 we traveled to Vietnam to adopt our daughter. At that time, we promised ourselves that we would return on her 18th birthday to show her the country of her birth. We saved for this trip for 18 years. When it came time to book the trip we worked with Audley travel. Their Vietnam specialist helped us craft a vacation that would give our daughter a sense of her country of birth and the culture and the people there. What they put together for us far exceeded our expectations – it was a marvelous trip. Our trip was capped off by our finding our daughter’s birth family and reuniting with them. Audrey’s travel operators helped us meet with the family and spend two wonderful days with them. Well done Audley, we can’t praise you enough for what you did for us!

We had three tour operators during the course of our travels. Every single one of them were kind polite and knowledgeable and were totally focused on meeting our travel needs.

Dear Edward, thank you so much for your amazing comments, we are so pleased we were able to deliver the once in a life time trip you had anticipated, and that you were able to meet with your daughters birth family! I am delighted you were able to create such special memories.

I have shared your comments with our team, thank you again for your wonderful review.

exceeded our expectations

Spent a total of three weeks traveling in Australia and New Zealand.Used Audley travel based on positive reviews.Happy to report they met all of our expectations.Tours and hotels were all top notch. My wife and I told Allie at Audley travel the places we wanted to go and the type of activities we enjoyed doing and our budget.They put together an amazing itinerary and every detail was arranged.Nothing was left to chance.In the end,everything ...

Spent a total of three weeks traveling in Australia and New Zealand.Used Audley travel based on positive reviews.Happy to report they met all of our expectations.Tours and hotels were all top notch. My wife and I told Allie at Audley travel the places we wanted to go and the type of activities we enjoyed doing and our budget.They put together an amazing itinerary and every detail was arranged.Nothing was left to chance.In the end,everything went as planned.So thank you to Allie and your great team over at Audrey Travel

Audley travel will definitely be used in our future travels

Thank you for taking the time to write such a positive review. Your itinerary to Australia and New Zealand looks amazing and I am so pleased to read it exceeded your expectations. I have shared your comments with Allie and the team and she will be in touch to hear all about your trip in more detail!

We look forward to helping you arrange your next adventure!

Amazing time in Cuba with Audley Travel

We didn’t want 12 days all inclusive on a beach in Varaderro, so our agent recommended 3 nights Havana, 3 nights Trinidad, 2 nights Vinales and finally 2 nights Cato Levissa. it was an amazing trip, all destinations fascinating, welcoming, enjoyable. Holiday exceeded my expectations and I hope to return one day. Cuban people are amazing. .

Very professional from the outset. I have no hesitation in recommending them and hope to use them again in the future. Complete peace of mind.

Thank you for the review Jonathan, it is great to read your trip to Cuba exceeded your expectations, and I am pleased Chris was able to put together the perfect trip for you, it is an amazing destination and we appreciate your comments.

I have shared your feedback with Chris and his Manager, thank you again for your positive comments, we look forward to helping you with a future adventure!

Wonderful itinerary to India

From the magnificent Taj Mahal to resting on the beaches of Goa, a wonderful trip to India which only touched on a few parts of this amazing country. The hotels were excellent and exceeded our expectations.

Holiday arranged at short notice with Audley producing an itinerary that was just right for us. All the arrangements, guides, reps, transport etc went exactly as planned. Their expert knowledge of India was invaluable in ensuring we had a memorable holiday. Would recommend without hesitation.

Thank you so much for your review, your trip to India sounds fabulous and I am so pleased you had a such a wonderful time!

It is great to hear that you had such a memorable trip and that you would recommend us to others. I have shared your comments with Alison and her manager, and we look forward to helping you with a future adventure!

New Zealand dream trip

Booked a big birthday holiday for my wife consisting of a three week tour of both islands using intercity coaches, taxis/private car services and domestic flights. Special trips in the different resorts, wine tastings and gourmet food were features of our amazing trip.

We knew it was going to be a tight fit in all locations in three weeks, but the Audley itinerary was spot on. Excellent hotels bar one in Queenstown (The Rees Hotel) and great wine tastings.All flights and transfers bar one (private transfer from Blenheim to Kaikoura) worked really well and Air New Zealand Premium Economy were amazing. We now have some wonderful memories of this wonderful holiday and country. Unfortunately at the booking stage some errors were seen with flight and arrival times, we ended up with three holiday consultants during the booking process and pre-arranged transport to one destination had not been booked at all, though we were able to sort this out easily at the time. One pre-arranged trip had to be cancelled at the last moment due to weather conditions and this was understandable but disappointingly Audley Travel have not yet been forthcoming with a refund of the £600 cost. It would have been nice if someone from Audley had stayed in touch with us whilst on our trip.

Thank you for your review, your birthday trip to New Zealand sounds amazing and we’re so pleased you had a fantastic holiday.

Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased to have now spoken with you in detail and refunded you for the excursion that sadly did not take place. It is unusual for a client to work with three different consultants and we are very sorry that this occurred. We look forward to working with you again in the future.

amazing - step back in time

I booked a surprise Wedding Anniversary holiday for my wife. Wanted to go somewhere special and not be in a crowd. Came across Audley Travel website and before I knew it Hayley from Audley travels got in touch and we started looking into & discussing our itinerary. We ended up putting together a tailor made itinerary to Cambodia within our budget and timescales. All along Hayley stayed in touch via phone & email and as this was a surprise trip ...

I booked a surprise Wedding Anniversary holiday for my wife. Wanted to go somewhere special and not be in a crowd. Came across Audley Travel website and before I knew it Hayley from Audley travels got in touch and we started looking into & discussing our itinerary. We ended up putting together a tailor made itinerary to Cambodia within our budget and timescales. All along Hayley stayed in touch via phone & email and as this was a surprise trip for my wife, Hayley ensured it stayed that way right up to the end. Our trip went as planned and of course my wife had a lovey surprise and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip as planned.

Hayley who is a specialist for Indochina & Indonesia Senior Specialist with Audley Travels, did a lovely job in organising our itinerary and trip. She also assisted in re-arranging our itinerary slightly when I asked without any problems. Communication was excellent which was reassuring considering we were going on a long journey. We were also reassured that there will be someone we can get in touch in Cambodia and also be able to contact someone in UK if need be. Thank you Hayley & Audley Travels for making this special trip go without a hicth.

Dear Mr Pabari, thank you for your feedback, we're so glad that you had a fantastic time in Cambodia celebrating your anniversary.

Dear Mr Pabari, thank you for your feedback, I have passed your lovely comments on to Hayley and the Southeast Asia team.

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We were attempting to plan our honeymoon to Borneo ourselves, but after speaking to Charlotte at Audley travel we were so impressed with her knowledge and enthusiasm for her work that we knew we should put herself in her very safe hands. We thought it would be expensive as Audley have a reputation, however it was not and it made for such as easy relaxed trip that it was well worth it. She was a fantastic support for us and always available at the end of the phone. We cannot recommend her highly enough.

Date of experience : 10 July 2024

Andy at Audley very cleverly arranged…

Andy at Audley very cleverly arranged our Golden wedding celebration safari in conjunction with meeting up with our family. It couldn’t have been better. The itinerary he suggested, locations and hotels were superb. We were at first apprehensive to self drive however we felt safe and at ease with maps provided and knowing that Audley are the South Africa experts and provide 24 hour assistance if necessary. Thank you!

Date of experience : 02 August 2024

Fantastic family trip to Tanzania, thanks to Audley!

When I started to plan our trip to Tanzania, I knew I needed a reliable company to take care of it end to end, particularly while we were there (I had been stuck in Kenya when the guide's truck broke down!). Audley was absolutely fantastic. Our travel planner, Marcha Bauerlein-de Jong, understood our requirements, budget and had enormous patience when I kept changing my mind 😀. Her support before, during and after the trip was simply outstanding. I will certainly use Audley again and have recommended to all my friends going to Africa!

Date of experience : 06 August 2024

The best trip ever!

My trip was amazing more than I hoped for. My Borneo specialist Charlotte Callin was incredibly, the itinerary that she put together for me couldn’t have been more perfect. I was having a small wobble before I went as was travelling on my own so I emailed Charlotte and she replied so quickly with lots of advice and encouragement, this turned my nerves into excitement. I can not thank her enough! I now have the travel bug and will be back to Charlotte for my next trip.

Date of experience : 23 July 2024

Reply from Audley Travel

Dear Faye Coughlan Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re pleased to hear that your trip to Borneo met your expectations and that Charlotte was able to provide the support you needed throughout your journey. It’s always rewarding to know that our team can help ease any concerns and contribute to a positive travel experience. Solo travel can be intimidating, and it’s great to hear that Charlotte’s responsiveness and guidance turned your nerves into excitement. We appreciate your trust in us to help plan your adventure, and we’re committed to making every trip a memorable one. When you’re ready to plan your next getaway, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. Best regards, Audley Travel

Audley helped us plan our dream safari adventure!

Our Specialist Thora listened carefully to what we wanted from our dream South Africa adventure. She put together an itinerary that was perfect for our personal interests and within our budget! Audley did all the leg work, we just "showed up" for our personalized trip, and it all went off without a hitch! Thora made herself available for video chats to answer any questions. We felt cared for throughout the entire experience! All in all it was a dream come true!

Date of experience : 03 July 2024

Hi Linda, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Thora crafted the perfect itinerary for your South Africa adventure and that everything went smoothly. It’s wonderful to know you felt well-cared for throughout the process. We have shared your nice feedback with Thora and her manager. If you ever need assistance with future trips, we’d be delighted to help. Kind Regards, Audley Travel US

Great Service & Overall Experience

We used Audley to plan our honeymoon in Tanzania. It was the first time we used a Travel Agent as we mostly book our trips ourselves. We were so positively surprised by our experience with Audley! Lulu was incredible from the beginning to the very end! She helped us refine our itinerary until we were absolutely happy with it, she was always very responsive and easy/quick to communicate with us. We felt really spoiled and pampered and we will definitely use Audley's expertise again. We also already dream of our return to beautiful Tanzania and working with Lulu again!

Date of experience : 07 July 2024

Dear Alki95 Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience planning your honeymoon in Tanzania with us. It's fantastic to know that Lulu was able to help you refine your itinerary and ensure that your trip was perfectly tailored to your preferences. We’re delighted that you’re already dreaming of your next trip to Tanzania and we look forward to assisting you again in the future. Once again, thank you for choosing Audley. We can’t wait to help you create more unforgettable memories. Warm regards, Audley Travel

Trip to Singapore and Vietnam

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Christian Le Fort in the Vietnam team recently. Our trip was flawless. Christian thought about every detail. He suggested hotels that were ideal for our family (including 2 children) and even encouraged us to move out of our comfort zone slightly to experience a taste of authentic Vietnam.  This ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.  Christian was courteous, knowledgeable and one of a kind. I got the impression that he had personally visited a few of the hotels which we stayed at so he gave us his first hand, valuable advice.  Before we left we received a fabulous binder full of useful information, including recommendations for local restaurants - we tried the majority of these and they were great.  All of our transfers arrived on time, tour guides were fabulous and hotels were impeccable. Fabulous service from Christian.

Date of experience : 13 July 2024

We travelled to Tanzania with Audley

We travelled to Tanzania with Audley, first safari at Selous Kulinda camp in Nyerere National park then at Breezes on Zanzibar. Both venues could not have done more for us and gave us amazing personal care. The planning by Marcha was brilliant, she listened to our requests, what we wanted from the trip and delivered! Right up to during and after the trip she was in touch with us too. I fully recommend Audley. We wanted a special birthday trip and we had a once in a lifetime experience. Both the safari and relaxing and exploring on Zanzibar. Fantastic. Thank you

Date of experience : 13 August 2024

Dear Tom Gordon, We’d like to thank you for your kind review. It’s wonderful to read how well Marcha catered for your needs and how instrumental her support was throughout your Audley journey. We will pass on your feedback to Marcha and the team. We are so thrilled that your special birthday trip went so amazingly well and that you had a once in a lifetime experience. We look forward to planning more special trips for you in the future. With kind regards, Audley Travel

Thank you Audley Travel for creating such a memorable Japan vacation!

We started planning a two-week trip to Japan for our family of five and we quickly realized how daunting that process was going to be. Thank goodness we found Audley Travel! Our Senior Specialist Adam Falk made the planning a real pleasure and took all the stress and anxiety away. Adam created a great itinerary based on the initial conversation that we had, and it became even better after a few iterations. The suggestions Adam provided for special places to visit in Tokyo and Kyoto during our pre-trip video call turned out to be some of the real highlights of our trip. Everything that Audley planned for us went off perfectly and made the trip very memorable. There were special Japan experiences planned in our itinerary that we never would have thought of doing on our own. I can't imagine planning another big trip without them and we will definitely be using Audley again in the future. It was especially comforting having a couple of "phone a friend" options to get assistance from in-country Audley staff for any issues we may encounter while in Japan. We used this once during the trip to make a change in our rental car pick up time and they took care of everything before the end of the day. Thank you Adam and Audley Travel for creating such a memorable family vacation!

Date of experience : 26 July 2024

So impressed with what felt like genuine care for their customers

The customer service from initial enquiry through to booking and then whilst we were away was fantastic. Glynn in the UK and the team over in Bali made us feel like we were the only clients they had!!! And the pro active request for feedback on return from holiday to enable them to continue to make their service as good as possible. Very rare for me to write a review but so impressed with every detail that felt compelled to put pen to paper (digitally these days of course!)

Hello Emma, Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review! We are delighted that the service you have received from Glynn and the team, both in the UK and in Bali has been fantastic. We always aim to provide excellent service and we are pleased we made your trip so special. We hope you enjoy all your lasting memories now you are home, and we look forward to planning another trip for you! Best wishes, Audley Travel

I highly recommend this company!

What an amazing company! We have just returned from a holiday in Australia. The customer service was second to none! They planned the trip down to the finest detail and were on hand for any support if needed. I would highly recommend this company and I look forward to booking with them for the next holiday! Well done Audley!

Date of experience : 10 August 2024

Hi Mark, Thank you so much for leaving a 5 star review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your holiday in Australia and that our detailed planning and support made your trip special. We greatly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to booking your next holiday. Best Wishes, Audley Travel

An Amazing family holiday Safari

An Amazing family holiday Safari, supporting and organised brilliantly by Audley Travel. Our agent was with us throughout our entire booking process and listened closely to our requirements and exceeded what we wanted.

Date of experience : 17 July 2024

Hi Keith, Thank you for your wonderful 5 star review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed safari with your family and that our agent, Marcha, provided excellent support during the booking process. It's wonderful to know that we exceeded your expectations and met all your requirements. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we will be sure to share your kind words with Marcha and her manager. We look forward to helping you plan your next holiday! Best wishes, Audley Travel

Audley travel is an amazing experience

Audley travel is an amazing experience. We were planning a big family vacation to Ireland and Audley was my first stop! Having never traveled outside of the US, we knew we needed the most knowledgeable agents to plan all the details. Mark with Audley has been amazing! He listens to our needs and goals for travel as well as our concerns with being first timers outside of the states. Mark as well as the other travel team members have personal experience with traveling to Ireland which put me at great ease. Mark and the team are definitely a great travel asset!

Hi Kendra, We are so happy to hear about your wonderful trip to Ireland, and your positive experience with us! We truly pride ourselves on our country specialist's destination-specific expertise. It's great to hear that you were able to see the benefit of using our tailor-made services. We will be sure to share your kind feedback with Mark and his manager. Thank you for putting your trust in Audley to be your guide on your first trip outside of the US! Best, Audley Travel US

Honeymoon trip!

We had the most amazing trip to South African (Safari) and Mauritius for our Honeymoon. The Audley Team were absolutely brilliant from start to finish and we are extremely grateful for all their help. The logistics were seamless from start to finish and we wish we could do it all again. A big thank you!

Date of experience : 20 July 2024

Dear Harry Quartermaine We are thrilled to hear that you and your partner had an amazing honeymoon! We hope that you have made some great memories that will last a lifetime and we are so happy that we could make that possible for you. We wish you all the best in your future together and we look forward to planning more adventures for you. Kind regards, Audley Travel

Family Trip to Canada

We were delighted with our holiday experience through Audley Travel. Ed O’Callaghan took on our challenge to arrange a truly memorable trip to Canada and he definitely delivered. We thoroughly enjoyed a really well planned trip, visiting so many amazing places & with all our activities pre booked & arranged in advance, every day offered something new to discover. We would definitely recommend using Audley Travel - the service is tailored & you get a really personal trip planned just for you Thank you so much for all your hard work & expertise.

Hello Sally Fokes, Thank you for your kind review. We are so pleased that Ed O’Callaghan arranged such a memorable family trip for you filled with daily discoveries. It is our aim to make sure every client gets a personal tailored service and it is fantastic that Ed’s expertise was so beneficial in the planning of your adventure. Your lovely feedback will be passed on to Ed and the team. Please accept our gratitude for recommending us. We look forward to planning more memorable trips for you in the future. Kind regards, Audley Travel

Easy way to book a bespoke holiday

Relatively complex trip to Borneo was well planned and went without a hitch making it the relaxing experience we wanted. Charlotte listened to what we were interested in and suggested an itinerary which she was happy to amend taking our feedback into account. A couple of pre-departure hitches with changing flight schedules we seamlessly managed.

Date of experience : 07 August 2024

Dear Nick Saunders, Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that your trip to Borneo met all your expectations. It’s wonderful to know that Charlotte was able to create a personalised itinerary tailored to your interests, and that her responsiveness made a positive impact on your experience. I will be sure to share your kind words with Charlotte and her manager. We understand that travel plans can sometimes change, and we’re glad we were able to manage those adjustments smoothly to keep your experience stress-free. Thank you once again for your feedback, and we look forward to assisting you with your future travels! Warm regards, Audley Travel

Two weeks in Japan

I recently used Audley Travel to book a two week holiday to Japan for myself and my 16 year old daughter. They had been recommended to me and I was not disappointed. Our usual holidays were more beach/all inclusive holidays….so Japan was very different to what we usual do. I dealt with Jo Wood and she was amazing. I did not really have an idea of what we wanted to do, but following a detailed call with Jo, where she got to know our likes/dislikes she built up a personal itinerary, which was perfect. From tea ceremonies to samurai sword lessons, manga drawing lessons to Sumo wrestling tournaments it had it all. Jo was great to deal with and she kept me up to date with everything throughout all the planning and booking process. A big thumbs up also to the Audley representative who met us at the airport when we landed in Tokyo and had all our travel tickets, travel cards and experience vouchers all ready for us, all clearly labelled up on a day to day basis. Thank you for such a memorable holiday. I would highly recommend Audley to anyone, and would not hesitate to use again.

Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that your trip to Japan with your daughter was such a memorable experience. It's fantastic that Jo was able to create a personalised itinerary that captured your interests perfectly, from tea ceremonies to sumo wrestling tournaments. We're delighted that her attention to detail and continuous updates throughout the planning and booking process made your holiday enjoyable and stress free. We're also pleased to hear that our representative in Tokyo provided excellent support upon your arrival, ensuring all your travel documents and vouchers were well organised and ready for you. We will be sure to pass along your compliments to Jo and her manager. We can't wait to assist you with your next holiday and create more unforgettable experiences. Best Wishes, Audley Travel

Canadian Maritime States.

Our second trip with Audley Travel; this time to the Maritime States in Canada; was once again very well arranged with fully documented details of hotels, potential visits and appropriate driving routes. We experienced great scenic walks, museum visits, restaurants, historical buildings…………….. We would like to thank Candice for all her help in making our holiday such a memorable special trip.

Date of experience : 27 May 2024

Hello Alan of Leicester, We’d like to thank you for your kind review. We are so glad that you enjoyed your second trip with us and that you found the trip to be well arranged. It’s great to know that the documentation was accurate and helpful throughout your Maritime adventure. We look forward to creating more special trips for you in the future. Best wishes, Audley Travel

Japan trip - Do not recommend Audley travel

I recently booked a trip to Japan with Audley Travel, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. While the initial booking process was smooth and included clear communication via phone calls, the overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the high cost. The initial booking process was straightforward, and I had a couple of phone calls to clearly describe my essential needs for the trip. Communication before the trip was generally fine, but there were notable issues. Audley was unable to confirm all accommodation details, particularly my request for booking connecting rooms for a 4-person family. Instead, we were often crammed into a small room, which was far from ideal. Additionally, I had specifically requested kid-friendly hotels that offered western menu options. This was not the case at our last stop, where the hotel provided exclusively traditional Japanese food, which was not suitable for my family. One significant problem was the overwhelming amount of information provided, both printed and online. Unfortunately, this information was often inconsistent and riddled with mistakes. The tour guides we worked with received different itineraries, causing confusion and frustration. Even worse, the itinerary included activities that were not actually booked, despite being paid for. The same issue occurred with accommodation specifics. Had I known they were not going to be able to book per my request (which they had claimed to be working on), I would have challenged the overall cost and probably used a different provider. During the trip, Audley's support was severely lacking. We repeatedly tried to contact them for solutions to various issues but received no response. Audley works with a local partner in Japan, but they were limited in their ability to resolve our problems and often directed us back to Audley. This resulted in a frustrating loop of no solutions and a waste of time. It also appears that Audley is very short-staffed. We received an out-of-office notice from the person who booked our trip, and no backup or alternative assistance was offered. This lack of support is unacceptable, given the price we paid for their services. Audley Travel also failed to point out important festivals happening on the dates of our travel. This was a significant oversight and something one would definitely expect a competent travel agency to handle. To their credit, Audley Travel did a decent job with very basic needs such as train ticket bookings and airport pickups. However, for everything else, their service was far below expectations. In acknowledgment of their shortcomings, Audley Travel issued a refund, but it was not commensurate with the impact these issues had on our trip. Overall, I do not recommend Audley Travel and will not be booking with them again.

Date of experience : 09 July 2024

Incredible maritime adventure

A biologist with a family of five, we were looking for a snorkelling holiday suitable for some picky teenagers who had never travelled far. Mat at Audley Travel suggested an 'out of this world' cruise aboard the 'Katherina' in the Komodo National Park in Indonesia and it was.... Incredible, beautiful and educational. The ship's crew were lovely, the ship magnificent, the food delicious and Annas, our guide, and Luknam had an encylopaedic knowledge of all things marine. A final few days in Ubud with our guide Balik allowed us to learn a lot about Balinese culture and buy presents. All agreed it was the holiday of a lifetime. Mat and the team ensured that we had a smooth journey and it was good to know that they were on hand if needed. Best bit... ...snorkelling with whale sharks...oh my! I want to go back...

Date of experience : 08 July 2024

Hi Happy customer, Thank you so much for choosing Audley Travel for your family's recent trip to Indonesia! We're thrilled to hear that Mat exceeded your expectations and crafted an itinerary that suited your family perfectly. We’ll make sure to pass your feedback to Mat and his manager. Snorkelling with whale sharks sounds like an amazing highlight! We can't wait to help you plan your next adventure. Best Wishes Audley Travel

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