A taste of Cuba
From energetic Havana to peaceful Viñales
From vibrant city-life to peaceful, rural living, this five-day-trip will allow visitors to sample the best of Cuba’s fascinating culture and welcoming people. Start in Cuba’s iconic capital city Havana, where you can sample traditional cuisine, listen to live music and learn about the city’s thriving art scene. Next, travel three hours to the countryside town of Viñales, a quaint colonial-style settlement surrounded by farmland and picturesque limestone cliffs. Learn about the region’s tobacco production before heading back to Havana to explore the UNESCO-listed streets of Habana Vieja and take a traditional salsa lesson.
Key information
| Destinations | Havana, Viñales |
|---|---|
| Activity | Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Culinary |
| Physical Level | Easy |
 Season |
January - December |
Suggested itinerary
Stroll through the musical streets of Havana
Day 1–2 in Havana
Vintage American cars weave through crumbling colonial architecture, while snippets of salsa music play from smoky bars in Cuba’s iconic capital city. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, Havana’s layered history and rich culture have been largely protected from modern influences for decades, thanks to the country’s self-imposed communist rule since the revolution of 1959. As a result, Cuba’s beating heart is awash with untouched customs and traditions, and its defiant art scene can be felt from the sprawling Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and futuristic Fábrica de Arte Cubano, to the the outlandish street art which adorns the walls of Habana Vieja. Watch out for the capital’s teenagers gathering at government-sanctioned Wi-Fi hotspots around the city — even in Cuba time can’t stand still forever.
Don't miss
Visit Havana’s Revolution Square
Nowhere is more evocative of Cuba’s revolutionary spirit than this central square crowned by an imposing statue of Jose Marti and giant mural of Che Guevara.
Drink a daiquiri in Hemingway’s honour
Author Ernest Hemingway’s time in Cuba was famously spent mostly drinking in its bars. Sample an authentic mojito or daiquiri in Havana.
Explore the agricultural splendor of Viñales
Day 3 in Viñales
A small but culturally-rich village in western Cuba, Viñales has quickly become a must-see for visitors wanting a taste of traditional Cuban living. With charming, colonial-era houses surrounded by farmland and tobacco fields, the village acts as an entry point to the neighbouring Viñales Valley and Sierra de los Organos mountain range. It is well worth staying for a couple of days — the valley’s picturesque limestone hills, known as mogotes, are a major draw for rock climbers, and there are plenty of beautiful walks and cultural experiences to keep visitors occupied.
Don't miss
Live like a local in a Casa particulare
Forget the mega resorts, the Cuban homestay is the original AirBnB and locals have been opening their homes to visitors for decades. Casas are a great way to live like a local.
Return to Havana
Day 4–5 in Havana
Head back to Havana and spend a little more time exploring the dynamic capital before your onward departure.
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