Old Havana, Cuba

Highlights of Western Cuba

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

9 Days

Prices Start from

£2,685pp(ex. flights)

Striking a careful balance between exploration and relaxation, our journeys to the west of Cuba aim to move beyond the tourist trail and offer an in-depth and highly customisable insight into the surprisingly large island.

Encompassing everything from classic car rides to visits to ox and cart-ploughed tobacco plantations, we can curate a fully-tailored trip bursting with extraordinary experiences without the need to travel too far.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

street sidelined by colorful old buildings in Havana, Cuba 1

Walk Old Havana

Tour the art galleries, colonial buildings and musical hot spots of Havana.

Classic Cars, Havana, Cuba 2

Classic Car Drive

Take to the roads in an open-top vintage vehicle and cruise the Malecon.

Limestone Valley of Vinales, Cuba 3

Dine in Vinales

Eat lunch made from organic produce with local farmers in Vinales Valley.

Coffee Beans on Bush, Chiriqui, Panama 4

Coffee Plantations

Drive to Las Terrazas to see the coffee plantations and old French fincas.

Why we like it

Despite the bountiful supply of cocktails and colonial architecture lying in wait, a jaunt to Cuba does not have to be a one-stop tour of Havana. Without omitting the heady mix of jazz bars and art galleries that the capital city is known for, this journey unveils the lesser-known highlights of the west of the island. Experience rich colonial history and lush countryside while having time to unwind with nights spent in local family homes for an authentic and welcoming Cuban experience. This classic yet immersive route utilises chauffeur-driven road journeys to ensure that the charm of island life is brought to the fore and is sprinkled with opportunities to kick back on the white sands of Cayo Levisa and hike on mountain trails that overlook coffee plantations, this highly customisable trip truly illuminates the highlights of the west.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Cuba on your wishlist? Talk to our experts about tailoring this trip for you.

  • Days 1-3

    Havana

  • Day 4

    Havana - Las Terrazas

  • Day 5

    Las Terrazas - Vinales

  • Day 6

    Vinales

  • Day 7

    Vinales - Havana

  • Day 8

    Havana

Days 1-3

Havana

Havana, Cuba

Day 4

Havana - Las Terrazas

Las Terrazas, Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba

Day 5

Las Terrazas - Vinales

Day 6

Vinales

Limestone Valley of Vinales, Cuba

Day 7

Vinales - Havana

Day 8

Havana

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Downtown Havana, Cuba
Downtown Havana, Cuba
Bicycle on the Street in Havana, Cuba
Bicycle on the Street in Havana, Cuba

Vintage Cars & Ballet Rehearsals in Havana

Weave through the extraordinary time warp of Havana in a genuine 1959 Buick, witnessing the fading grandeur of its Vieja’s colonial architecture and the maze of narrow alleys filled with classic cars that (against all odds) continue to grumble over the cobblestone streets. Walk in the footsteps of Havana’s colonial past while visiting the four plazas of Old Havana – Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Cathedral – in the company of your expert guide who can offer insightful historical context along the way. Some of the world’s best ballet dancers come from the Cuban National Ballet School, the largest in the world, and we can arrange a behind-the-scenes tour and an exclusive viewing of rehearsals.

Havana, Cuba
Havana, Cuba
Old Havana, Cuba
Old Havana, Cuba

Exclusive Access to the Art Scene

Discover its extraordinary cultural scene, learning about its esteemed art collections and the prominent artists that hold a prominent place in Cuban history, perhaps touring the Roberto Salas Gallery and meeting Roberto himself. As Fidel’s Castro personal photographer, he will explain their relationship and touch on his time behind Vietcong lines as a photographic war correspondent. Have the opportunity to meet with four emerging Cuban artists in their studios, getting behind the façade and interacting with this thriving community. We can adapt the visits depending on your particular interests, but options include photography, sculpture and painting.

Vinales Valley, Cuba
Vinales Valley, Cuba
Tobacco Plantation, Vinales Valley, Cuba
Tobacco Plantation, Vinales Valley, Cuba

Local Lunch in Vinales

Travel west of Havana to the beautiful valley of Vinales, where picturesque limestone cliffs form the unique geology of this prime tobacco-growing region. Stop in Pinar del Rio City to visit one of Cuba’s finest cigar factories and watch as artisans hand roll the national treasures. Against a landscape of distinctive conical limestone monoliths, have lunch in Finca Wildfredo, an agro-ecological farm. The private home of a Cuban family, expect to be served organic produce with wonderfully inventive Cuban flavours (and massive portions) on an open veranda. Explore the unique geology and nature of the valley with a trip on an underground river in the company of a native of the valley who will take you into the heart of the lush countryside, explaining the history of tobacco-growing as you walk.

Las Terrazas, Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba
Las Terrazas, Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba

Hike in Las Terrazas

Drive through the rolling hills of Las Terrazas, home to old French fincas and remains of coffee plantations. Have an early start to walk up the winding Las Delicias, the mountain trail that affords wonderful views of the San Juan Valley from its peak before descending some 1500 metres to the Buenavista Coffee Plantation below. After learning about the history and development that took place in the region in the first half of the 19th century, tuck into a picnic lunch as a plethora of birds sing.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski £££££

  • Cuba
  • City

Constructed between 1894 and 1917 as the first European style shopping arcade in the country, this handsome building is now a high-end hotel, located in the centre of Havana that faces the Capitolio building and the Gran Theatre.

View Property

Plaza Vieja 1912 £££££

  • Cuba
  • Boutique

This two-bedroom casa particular is on the top floor of an historic building that overlooks Plaza Vieja, in the heart of Old Havana. Lovely and clean and in a very atmospheric setting, it is a great base from which to wander the old town.

View Property

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A note on price

This Itinerary
Price
From £2,685 Per person

When to travel

Cuba in January

The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. This also means that it is peak season, especially over the holiday periods. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance, as the country’s popularity increases.

Cuba in February

The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. This also means that it is peak season, especially over the holiday periods. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance, as the country’s popularity increases.

Cuba in March

The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. This also means that it is peak season, especially over the holiday periods. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance, as the country’s popularity increases.

Cuba in April

The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. This also means that it is peak season, especially over the holiday periods. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance, as the country’s popularity increases.

Cuba in May

From May to July temperatures rise rapidly, and the chance of showers increase. It is the start of the rainy season, but most of the rain generally does not occur until the end of July or August.

Cuba in June

From May to July temperatures rise rapidly, and the chance of showers increase. It is the start of the rainy season, but most of the rain generally does not occur until the end of July or August.

Cuba in July

From May to July temperatures rise rapidly, and the chance of showers increase. It is the start of the rainy season, but most of the rain generally does not occur until the end of July or August.

Cuba in August

Hurricane season runs from August to October. However, there are still periods of sunshine in between, and you will find that accommodation is easier to come by with the lower visitor numbers.

Cuba in September

Hurricane season runs from August to October. However, there are still periods of sunshine in between, and you will find that accommodation is easier to come by with the lower visitor numbers.

Cuba in October

Hurricane season runs from August to October. However, there are still periods of sunshine in between, and you will find that accommodation is easier to come by with the lower visitor numbers.

Cuba in November

The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. This also means that it is peak season, especially over the holiday periods. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance, as the country’s popularity increases.

Cuba in December

The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. This also means that it is peak season, especially over the holiday periods. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance, as the country’s popularity increases.

Why Choose Steppes?

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