** Scroll down this page to view the complete, day by day, itinerary**
Please note that why travel to the island IS legal for US citizens, using the name of the country on the trip description page can cause problems for our third-party payment processor. Therefore, we will be referring to the country as "the island" on this itinerary and the city we are in for the long weekend as "the capital city"
We are excited to partner with GLTer-owned Heart of Travel to bring you to this beautiful island in 2023!
We are offering three dates to join us on this trip:
June 17-20, 2023 (co-ed option!)
September 30-October 3, 2023 (womxn only)
November 25-28 (co-ed option!)
The island is easily one of the most unique and interesting destinations to visit in all of Latin America, if not the world. While you may come here looking for answers, you're more than likely to return home with even more questions. The island's vibrant culture is reflected in its art, music, dance, food, drink, and overall energy. However, it's important to recognize the struggles that islanders have been facing for years, with their fate in the hands of an oppressive government and the outdated US embargo.
Our island tours immediately immerse you as you settle into your "casa particular" owned and run by a local family. From there you will jump into learning about the island's historic and cultural past and present while traveling throughout both urban and rural parts of the island. Our in-country host families, local guides, and drivers look forward to sharing the real island with you!
As much as we want for this trip to go exactly as planned, we can not plan for complications that arise especially due to inclement weather or closures due to extenuating circumstances like Covid-19.
While we hope all attendees choose to get vaccinated against Covid 19 - we are not requiring proof of vaccination for this trip. We do require a NEGATIVE ANTIGEN COVID TEST prior to arrival. The at home tests are acceptable. Please email tests to glttrips.covid@gmail.com
We will do our very best to make onsite scheduling adjustments as needed, but please note that all listed and intended activities are weather and trail permitting. No refunds will be given if an activity has to be cancelled or adjusted.
Additionally, the tour is listed as a package, and no price adjustments will be given if someone wants to "opt-out" of an included activity.
Your spot is confirmed upon the payment of a deposit of $250 on your package. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Full payment for this trip is due 60 days prior to arrival.
In the event that you need to cancel your trip, these fees will be applied:
• Between Now- 60 days out, GLT retains only nonrefundable deposit
• Between 60-46 days before your arrival date, GLT retains 50% of the entire tour price
• Between 45-31 days before your arrival date, GLT retains 75% of the entire tour price
• Starting 30 days before, GLT retains 100% of the entire tour price
Add ons can be added to your package until 31 days out. After 30 days, add-ons are non-refundable.
Arrival:
We recommend arriving to the airport (HAV) before 3pm on day 1 so you have time to arrive, head to the hotel and check in before the welcome dinner that evening!
Departure:
We recommend departing from the airport (HAV) after 12pm on day 8, so you have time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you leave.
Accommodation in a casa particular
Meals as outlined in the itinerary
Airport pickup/drop off
Transport around the city and surrounding areas as included in the itinerary
Unique experiences with the islanders. Supporting local people is a big part of tourism here!
For all activities included in the itinerary
A Heart of Travel rep and local guides to make sure you are having the best time!
To/from the capital city of the island
Required, usually included in flight. We will provide assistance
You can purchase at airport on departure day or in advance online. We will provide assistance
Any meals not indicated on itinerary
Recommended, not required. Better to be safe than sorry!
To the local guides who work hard to give an amazing experience!
Any service or credit card fees charged by the booking platform
Welcome to 'La Habana'! You'll arrive and be transferred to your "casa particulares" to settle into your new home for the next few days!
In the evening, we will head to a dinner to welcome everyone to the island and kick off the tour. There is also an option to test your dancing skills in a salsa class!
There will be an option to head out for post-dinner drinks if the group is interested as well.
Included Meals: Dinner
After a late morning start and a tasty breakfast in your casa particular, we will start our morning with a classic car tour. Explore the city in cars of all colors, perfectly preserved. You'll feel like you jumped into a time machine back to the 50's! The hardest choice is... which car color are you choosing?
Once we've taken all our classic car photos, we will have a walking tour of the old part of the capital city by foot and bici-taxis. Explore La Habana and all of its magic as we immerse ourselves in local history, lessons from the past, and what the local people predict and desire for the future. We'll take you on a walking tour of the historic center, stopping at all major plazas and points of interest. Additionally, we will get a bit "off the beaten path" to discuss the modern-day reality on the island and the unique hurdles its citizens have to overcome daily in order to complete basic tasks, such as grocery shopping or repairing a common household appliance.
This tour provides you with a good lay of the land for independent exploration, as well as a general overview of the island’s history and current political and economic climate. We will also point out some of our favorite hidden gems such as shops, bars, cafés, art galleries, restaurants, and small businesses worth checking out and supporting.
We will stop for a delicious lunch in the city before heading over to our dear friend's house to learn how to play dominós! It wouldn’t truly be a trip to Cuba unless you find yourself sitting with friends, playing a round of dominó. Learn about the cultural significance of the game along with the rules and regulations of the game while making new friends. A round of dominós often turns into a neighborhood block party, and it's here you'll get a real feel for Cuban culture. This activity was a group favorite when we did our last GLT tour, so we are excited to bring it back!
We will enjoy a dinner at El Cocinero on site at the iconic La Fabrica de Arte, a one-of-a-kind factory turned into an art gala and nightlife scene. After dinner, you can enjoy a mojito or two and dance the night away!
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will have an option to do an activity in the capital city. We will provide your options before the tour so you can make your choice! Trust us, it will be hard to choose!
After your free time, we will meet back together to learn all about street art in the city. During this guided tour you will meet various Cuban street artists who will share the stories behind their work, the hidden symbolism and socio-political messaging, and the artists hopes and fears for the future. Our street art tour will also include various stops to meet and greet with young Cuban entrepreneurs who are moving the needle forward in the island's private sector. This unfiltered an uncensored look into Cuban art, culture and economy will deepen your appreciation and admiration for Cuba's emerging generation of artists, creators and change-makers.
After exploring street art, we will do a rum tasting and cocktail class. You'll get to learn how to make a few Cuban specialties, and taste your creations! We will also have a private concert with local musicians.
Once the drinks have been tasted, we will finish our weekend with a lovely dinner at ChaChaCha, a fabulous Caribbean Fusion restaurant, talk about ending on a high note!
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
On our final day, we will have breakfast at our casa particular before heading to the airport to catch our return flights. We hope to see you on another trip soon!
Included meals: Breakfast
