GLT Island Capital City Long Weekend Advenure

      GL
      199 reviews
      Duration: 4 days
      Group size: 1 - 17
      GLT Island Capital City Long Weekend Advenure
      Caribbean

      199 reviews

      Duration: 4 days
      Group size: 1 - 17

      About this trip

      ** 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struggles that islanders have been facing for years, with their fate in the hands of an oppressive government and the outdated US embargo.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! 

      Our First Priority Is Your Safety

      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. 

      Cancellation and Refunds

      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. 

      Recommended Flights

      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.

      What’s included

      • 3 nights accommodation
        Accommodation in a casa particular
      • Some Meals
        Meals as outlined in the itinerary
      • Airport Transfer
        Airport pickup/drop off
      • In-Country Transport
        Transport around the city and surrounding areas as included in the itinerary
      • Cultural Experiences
        Unique experiences with the islanders. Supporting local people is a big part of tourism here!
      • Entrance and Guide Fees
        For all activities included in the itinerary
      • Tour Leaders
        A Heart of Travel rep and local guides to make sure you are having the best time!

      What’s not included

      • International Airfare
        To/from the capital city of the island
      • Travel Medical Insurance
        Required, usually included in flight. We will provide assistance
      • Tourist Card/Visa
        You can purchase at airport on departure day or in advance online. We will provide assistance
      • Meals not stated
        Any meals not indicated on itinerary
      • Trip Insurance
        Recommended, not required. Better to be safe than sorry!
      • Tips
        To the local guides who work hard to give an amazing experience!
      • WeTravel Fees
        Any service or credit card fees charged by the booking platform

      Available Packages

      Trip Price
      $1,075

      Available options

      Itinerary

      Day 1
      Welcome to the Island!

      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

      Your Organizer


      GL
      Girls LOVE Travel
      199 reviews
      Joined in April 2018
      See profile

      Reviews

      This was my first GLT trip and it will not be my last! I didn’t know a single person beforehand but left with several new friends and travel buddies. We maximized our time in Guatemala and got to see and do so many incredible things like hike a volcano, make our own pierce of Jade jewelry, meet incredible Mayan women and learn about their trades (textiles, chocolate making, ceramics, midwifery and medicine). I was unfortunately delayed by a day in arriving due to severe weather, but the team handled it with grace and was helpful in providing documentation to my travel insurance. Haley even offered to get me some coffee beans as I would be missing that tour! I have many wonderful memories of Guatemala and the girls of GLT that I will cherish forever.
      By Caroline A for GLT Guatemala on May 06, 2024
      LK
      The La Karavana hosts were amazing, they treated us so well and everything on the itinerary was fun and interesting! I really had a blast and met some great women! The food they prepared for us was delicious, too!
      By Lisa Kay H for GLT Netherlands Tulip Adventure 2024 on Apr 15, 2024
      LH
      I had a wonderful time! Enjoyed the entire unique experience of camping in this beautiful country with a bunch of sweet people. The sights, food and activities were great
      By Lynn H for GLT Netherlands Tulip Adventure 2024 on Apr 12, 2024
      Two weeks later and I still cannot stop thinking about what an amazing trip this was and how much I want to go back! Yasser was the most incredible tour guide and honestly made the trip what it was. It was the perfect balance of hitting all the touristy landmarks and visiting hidden gems where you are able to feel immersed in the culture. The food- AMAZING. The people- so kind. I never once felt unsafe and felt truly cared for by our guide, our bus driver, and the hotel staff. Had I visited and planned the trip myself I would not have been able to appreciate the city as deeply, and it is 100% thanks to Yasser! Truly one of the best experiences of my life. If you're on the fence like I was about booking a trip, this is your sign to do it now! You won't regret it(:
      By Adria F for GLT Egypt- Cairo/Giza Taste of Egypt Tour on Dec 21, 2023
      Amazing trip! This was my first group trip like this and I’m so glad I did it. The group of women I met were amazing. I did activities I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise, and they were all so much fun. Guatemala is absolutely beautiful and the culture is so cool. I’d 100% do this again.
      By Ashton S for GLT Guatemala Cultural Adventure on Dec 17, 2023
      Show More Reviews

      References

      CM
      I really had no idea what I was in store for when I booked this trip. Egypt is on most of our “bucket lists,” so expectations were high. Before leaving, GLT makes everything seamless. Booking is easy, communication lines are open and responses are prompt. I also found the Facebook Group to be particularly helpful with the expertise of people who have either traveled to Egypt or have gone on GLT trips. The itinerary is thoughtfully curated to allow time for rest if you want (you won’t want, trust me!) or you can choose to go on other excursions. As soon as you land you’re met by an agent who guides you through customs and gets you in transportation to the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel it was close to 2a. Enter Yasser, our guide. He welcomed us with his warm smile even though it was early morning. We were impressed. I remember getting the feeling we were in good hands, but that was only the beginning. From day one you could tell Yasser was full of knowledge. He answered every question with love and passion. We were mesmerized by the stories he told us and we quickly became family. Everywhere we went Yasser knew someone. After a quick hello and a hug, Yasser’s friends would be on their way, but not before yelling things like, “you have the best guide” and “that’s my teacher. You’re very lucky!” As I write this, I can’t help but to smile. Yasser made this trip memorable. I felt extremely safe and loved the opportunity to meet new people and socialize. If you’re on the fence and thinking about going on this trip, don’t think! You’ll leave in awe of this magical country and you’ll leave with a new extended family member with the name of Yasser. You won’t be sorry.
      By Catherine M on 05 Oct, 2023