Self Drive Car Hire.
You can enjoy the opportunity to drive through Cuba stopping when and where you like and enjoying the scenery, culture and warm welcome in many small traditional Cuban towns and villages. Cuba has quite an extensive road network and traffic is relatively light so you can cover distances easily.
Transfers
If you wish to have a break from driving during your holiday, then you can use our network of regular road transfers linking all the major interest areas in Cuba. Less flexible than car hire and we require some advanced planning on the itinerary, but transfers allow you to relax and enjoy the scenery without the need to map-read!
Private Touring
Havanatour can plan a bespoke tour on a private basis with your own personal driver and guide. An excellent way to explore the island with your very own local guide who can accompany you throughout your stay.
Explore Western Cuba
Havana-Vinales-Cienfuegos-Trinidad-Santa Clara-Havana
:: Day 1
Arrive into Havana International Airport. Welcome by Havanatour representative team and transfer to a Havana hotel of your choice for 2 nights.
:: Day 2
Why not enjoy a guided city tour visiting all the major sights of the city including Plaza de Armas and Cathedral Square, Museum of the Revolution, the Capitolio building and Revolution Square. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city or relax. In the evening, a visit to the world famous Tropicana open air cabaret would be a truly memorable Havana experience.
:: Day 3
Pick up hire car and drive west to the beautiful Vinales valley made famous by its unique limestone formations and spectacular views. Take a tour through the panoramic landscape and have lunch at a typical countryside restaurant before checking in for the night at Los Jazmines hotel boasting awesome views over the valley floor.
:: Day 4
After a leisurely breakfast you could continue through the beautiful rural scenery to Soroa nestling in the hills. From here you could walk up to the impressive Soroa waterfall and even take a swim in the cooling waters, or visit the local orchidarium housing over 800 species of tropical plants.
Continue on to the Moka hotel situated in the largest UNESCO protected area in the Caribbean. Explore the reserve including historic coffee plantations and wander along the San Juan river with dinner tonight taken in the house restaurant of a local farmer, an idyllic rural setting.
:: Day 5
Drive to Cienfuegos, known as the Pearl of the South and one of Cubas most elegant cities, first settled by the French in the early 19th century. Check in at the colonial style Union hotel before exploring the city or taking a boat ride across the impressive harbour.
:: Day 6
Depart for Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site and just an hours drive from Cienfuegos. Check in for 2 nights at Las Cuevas hotel, a short walk from all the sights of the historic centre which can easily be explored on foot. Trinidad is a living museum: spend the afternoon absorbing history by wandering through the cobbled streets at leisure.
:: Day 7
Drive out into Sugar Mill Valley, testimony to Trinidads golden age as the countrys most important sugar growing region and take in a magnificently restored estate including a 43 metre tower offering wonderful views. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the beautiful white sands of the Ancon peninsula on the Caribbean, some twenty minutes drive from the centre of Trinidad.
:: Day 8
Drive via the beautiful scenery of the Escambray mountains with stops en route to take in the spectacular views. After reaching Santa Clara, check in at Los Caneyes hotel. In the afternoon, visit Che Guevaras mausoleum and museum. If time permits, why not drive the short distance to the enchanting colonial town of Remedios?
:: Day 9
Just a few hours drive from Santa Clara you could be enjoying the fantastic beaches of Varadero, where there are a range of hotels to suit all budgets. Or indeed you could return to Havana and onward home, eastern Cuba or why not a few days in Jamaica?
Explore Eastern Cuba
Holguin-Santiago-Baracoa-Guardalavaca-Havana
:: Day 1
Arrive into Holguin International Airport either on a direct flight from Europe or a domestic flight from Havana. Welcome by Havanatour representative team and transfer to the Pernik hotel for 1 night.
:: Day 2
Pick up hire car and head south to Bayamo, where you can stop for lunch and enjoy a brief exploration of this historic Cuban city. Continue your drive through the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains to Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in Cuba with a distinct Caribbean atmosphere. Check in at the Casagranda hotel for 2 nights.
:: Day 3
Today you can enjoy a guided tour of the city including the famous Moncada Barracks and El Morro castle, offering wonderful views over the harbour and the mountains. The evening can be spent enjoying traditional music in a local Casa de la Trova.
:: Day 4
An early breakfast at the hotel overlooking the central square will prepare you for the scenic drive to Baracoa. Stop en route at Los Malones observation point to see the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. Continue along the scenic and mountainous road to Baracoa and check in at El Castillo hotel for 2 nights. In the evening enjoy a walk through this small, very picturesque town.
:: Day 5
Take a short orientation tour of Baracoa in the morning followed by an exploration of the lush surrounding countryside in the afternoon. For the more energetic, there is the chance to ascend El Yunque, an 1800 foot anvil shaped mountain commanding excellent views across the far eastern tip of Cuba. If that sounds like too much hard work, the day could perhaps end with some time relaxing on the unspoilt beach of Playa Duaba.
:: Day 6
Drive to the resort of Guardalavaca on the north eastern coast, drop off hire car and check in at one of our choice of hotels in this small resort and enjoy the stunning local beaches for a few days.
:: Day 10
Transfer to Holguin airport for domestic flight to Havana to connect with international flight home or further exploration of western Cuba.
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