#36. Cuba & Jamaica

Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica

Themes

Beach theme
Nightlife theme
Nature theme
Shoestring theme

Cuba & Jamaica is home to passion. From pirates and cigars to salsa rhythms and rum cocktails, all topped with white sand beaches and pristine nature.

Highlights

Havana - Cuba

Cigars, rum cocktails, street music and dance, create an amazing vibe in a place locked in time. Stay in a casa particular for the ultimate local experience.

Cuban beaches

The sea, the sand, the coconut. What’s more to ask? Yes, Cuban beaches embody the quintessential tropical Caribbean, with remote or busiest choices available.

Jamaica

Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae is renowned for its tropical beaches, happy people and laid back atmosphere, also boasting some notorious legendary pirate havens.

Difficulty

Ideal Season

Every element in our itineraries is flexible and tailored to your personal travelling style. You select the length of the trip, the period of travel, the sights you want to see, the activities you want to experience, the accommodation type or means of transport you prefer, whether it is guided or self-drive, and we will design a unique trip just for you.

Rum & Revolution

Although Hollywood loves the Antilles, it is the western Caribbean that played home to most of the pirate havens and activities. It is perhaps this free defiance spirit of old that continues to this day, giving birth to one of the most famous and romanticised revolutions of all times, all kinds of latin dances, world famous cocktails, and of course reggae music. This is a setting that inspired Ian Fleming and Ernest Hemingway, where Christopher Columbus first made landfall in the New World, and few other places on earth bring to mind more easily the words “tropical paradise”, with endless white sand beaches that will surely captivate your imagination.
Unesco’s World Heritage sites include the old city of Havana, several historical centres of colonial towns, the tobacco-rich Vinales valley, plus some magnificent natural parks. The traveller may choose the all inclusive pampered international chains or the charm of a local casa, but will always leave with a smile.

Ultimate souvenir:

Cuban cigars

Suggested Destinations

Base: HAVANA (2/3 days)

  1. City sightseeing, ride in old 50’s cars, visit cigar factory, cabaret show at the Tropicana
  1. *Free day at the city
  1. Day trip to Pinar del Rio and Vinales

Option 1: CUBA FULL CIRCUIT (+11 days)

  1. Drive Havana – Guama (168km, 2hr), visit Treasure Lake
    Drive Guama – Cienfuegos (107km, 1.5hr), visit town
  1. Drive Cienfuegos – Trinidad (82 km, 1.5hr), visit town, hiking Topes de Collantes
  1. Drive Trinidad – Sancti Spiritus (71km, 1hr), visit town
    Drive Sancti Spiritus – Camaguey (187km, 3hr), visit town
  1. Drive Camaguey – Santiago de Cuba (331km, 5hr)
  1. Visit town and castle
  1. Drive Santiago de Cuba – Baracoa (225km, 3.5hr), visit town
  1. Drive Baracoa – Guardalavaca (249km, 4.5hr)
  1. Drive Guardalavaca – Holguin (58km, 1hr)
    Drive Holguin – Cayo Coco (377km, 6hr)
  1. Free day at the beach
  1. Drive Cayo Coco – Santa Clara (229km, 3.5hr), visit Che Guevara mausoleum
    Drive Santa Clara – Varadero (211km, 3hr)
  1. Free day at the beach
  1. [Drive Varadero – Havana (133km, 2hr), departure flight]

Option 2: CUBA SMALL CIRCUIT (+4 days)

  1. Drive Havana – Guama (168km, 2hr), visit Treasure Lake
    Drive Guama – Cienfuegos (107km, 1.5hr), visit town
  1. Drive Cienfuegos – Trinidad (82 km, 1.5hr), visit town, hiking Topes de Collantes
  1. Drive Trinidad – Santa Clara (93km, 1.5hr), visit Che Guevara mausoleum
    Drive Santa Clara – Varadero (211km, 3hr)
  1. Free day at the beach
  1. [Drive Varadero – Havana (133km, 2hr), departure flight]

Stopover: CAYMAN ISLANDS (+2/3 days)

  1. [Arrival, free afternoon]
  1. Island tour, visit Stingray city
  1. *Free day at Seven Mile Beach
  1. [Departure  flight]

Extension: JAMAICA (+5/6 days)

  1. [Arrival], visit Port Royal, Kingston city sightseeing
  1. *Drive Kingston – Port Antonio (94km, 2hr), visit town
  1. Drive Port Antonio – Ocho Rios (97km, 2hr), visit Dunn’s falls
  1. Drive Ocho Rios – Falmouth (68km, 1hr), visit town
    Drive Falmouth – Montego Bay (33km, 0.5hr), visit town
  1. Drive Montego Bay – Negril (77km, 1.5hr), free day at the beach, sunset at Rick’s Cafe
  1. Drive Negril – Kingston (226km, 3.5hr), visit Black River
  1. [Departure flight, possible overnight in Havana]
Cuba flag
Cayman flag
Jamaica flag

Estimated Prices

Cuba self drive

Cuba small or full circuit, 7-14 nights, self drive tour

From 450€ (14 nights)

Price includes transportation (13 days sedan car rental, second driver, initial fuel, insurance) and accommodation (15 nights in casas particulares). Overnight in a hotel of your choice can also be arranged at additional cost. Shorter programmes (7 nights) are also possible.

Price excludes breakfast (estimate 3-4€/person), meals (estimate 10€/person), fuel (2800km, estimate 250-300€ total), special activities and entrance fees (50’s car ride 50$/person, Tropicana show 90$, museums).

Price assumes a 4 pax group on a single car self drive tour, on double or twin rooms in economic casas particulares (around 20-25$/night).

Cuba guided tour

Cuba small or full circuit, 7-14 nights, guided tour

Unknown

Not yet available.

Price includes accommodation (14 nights, 3* hotels, BB), transportation (14 days, minivan), local guide. Accommodation can be upgraded to 4* or 5* hotel, HB or all inclusive, at additional cost. Shorter programmes (7 nights) can also be arranged.

Price excludes meals (except breakfast), entrance fees and special activities (ride in 50’s car, Tropicana show).

Price assumes an 8 pax group on a single minivan, on double or twin rooms in 3* hotels (around 40$/night).

Cayman stopover

Cayman stopover, 2 nights, self drive or guided tour

From 150€

Price includes transportation (2 days, small car rental) and accommodation (2 nights, 3* hotel, BB), assuming 2 pax in double room. Accommodation can be upgraded at additional cost. Flight tickets are included in the Jamaica tour price.

Price excludes meals, fuel, entrance fees and special activities (Stingray city boat ride). A local guide or driver can also be arranged.

Jamaica extension

Jamaica extension, 4 nights, self drive or guided tour

From 750€ (self drive)

Price includes transportation (4 days, small car rental), accommodation (4 nights, AirBnB), return flight tickets from Cuba.

Price excludes breakfast, meals, fuel (600km, estimate 60€) and entrance fees.

Guided tours (3* hotels, BB, minivan, local guide) are also possible. Accommodation can be upgraded to 4* or 5* hotel, HB or all inclusive, at additional cost.

Notes

International Costs

From 725€

All prices are subject to availability and currency fluctuations (calculated with a €/$=1.10 exchange rate).

International flights from Europe to Cuba (estimate 600€), mandatory travel insurance (estimate 100€) are not included in the price, but can be arranged in advance.

For visa (estimate 25€) you have to contact your local Cuban embassy. Passports must be valid for 6 months after the departure date.

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