Christmas in Cuba: December 19-26, 2020 $2995 per person
Enjoy a Feliz Navidad when you take a trip back in time to Cuba over Christmas in 2020! This fully-licensed, legal tour of the island is scheduled to depart as planned, naturally with precautions for COVID-19.
Arriving a week before our Cuba Scuba diving expedition is the perfect opportunity explore Havana, Cienfuegos, and colonial Trinidad! Enjoy your first weekend in Havana at the 1930s Hotel Nacional de Cuba, where mob bosses gathered in 1946 to split the spoils of pre-Revolution casinos.
By day, walk the enchanting streets of Old Havana, visit Hemingway’s country home, and explore the Cuban art scene on this legal visit in support of the Cuban people. By night, stroll along the Malecon to meet local Cubans, or check-out the Afro-Cuban jazz clubs and the world-famous Tropicana Club.
After three exciting nights in Havana, we’ll head southeast to historic Cienfuegos for two nights, a lively city filled with French-inspired architecture. Then travel even further back in time, to colonial Trinidad and the Valley of the Sugar Mills. Finally, our tour ends in Jucaro, Ciego de Avila province, where guests will be transferred to the Avalon IV liveaboard to dive the Gardens of the Queen marine park.
Arrive Havana! The earlier you get here, the more time you have today to enjoy your first taste of this amazing city, which was founded 500 years ago in 1519. Check-in at Hotel Nacional de Cuba is at 4 pm, but you can leave your bags here and go explore independently if you arrive earlier. Mid-day transfer from Jose Marti airport (HAV) is included. Earlier or later arrivals can easily take a taxi.
Overview bus tour of the city
Dinner at a local paladar (private restaurant).
Evening stroll along the Malecón in front of Hotel Nacional and meet local Cubans.
Optional Buena Vista Social Club at Melia Cohiba or show at the famous Tropicana.
Walk through Old Havana with local guide to learn about recent restoration projects as well as the history of the city. Havana celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2019!
Stop at La Bodeguita del Medio, one of Hemingways hangouts, for a drink
Lunch at local private restaurant (included)
Learn about the Santeria religion and interact with both local people and the dancers after an Afro-Cuban performance at Callejon de Hamel
Enjoy sunset Havana view with a mojito at Hotel Nacional. Free time before dinner
Dinner at Ivan y Justo paladar
Nightlife options: local Jazz Club, Tropicana, or on your own
Meet with your local guide and bus driver. Depart to rural community Las Terrazas
Visit Las Terrazas Eco‐Social Community and stop by to visit the Buena Vista Coffee Plantation and enjoy homemade coffee with María, a hospitable woman
Visit the House/Workshop of local artist Lester Campa
Lunch at La Casa del Campesino Restaurant (or similar)
Visit the San Juan River area, and take a swim if you like
Return to Hotel Nacional for some down time
Dinner on your own. (Guide to make recommendations)
Breakfast at hotel followed by a morning at leisure
Depart for Jucaro. On the way stop in Manaca Iznaga, overlooking the Valle de los Ingenios – the Valley of the Sugar Mills
Lunch at local restaurant
Continue to Jucaro for transfer to Avalon IV liveaboard
Itinerary subject to modification. Non-divers are welcome to join us and will be transferred to the airport for departure on December 26. Please contact us for flight times.
Delta, United, American, JetBlue, and even Southwest Airlines all fly to Havana directly from the US. Book your flight to Havana (HAV) to arrive anytime on Saturday, December 19. Mid-morning arrival preferred. Schedule your departure after our Cuba Scuba liveaboard from Havana after 3:30 pm on Saturday, January 2. Alternatively, you can depart on Copa Airlines from Santa Clara (SNU) on Saturday, January 2 after noon. This cuts the ground transfer time in half, though it may extend your total travel time to return home via Panama. Flying from the U.S., you’ll need to indicate to the airline that you are traveling on a “Support for the Cuban People” visit. You’ll receive a letter from us authorizing your travel under Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury regulations, and you’ll need to print it and carry it with you while traveling. See more information on Flying to Cuba here.
Four nights at Hotel Nacional in Havana, one night at Hotel Jagua in Cienfuegos, and two nights Iberostar Trinidad, all double occupancy (single occupancy available with a supplement)
Seven day schedule of authorized activities in support of the Cuban people, and OFAC authorization for legal travel from USA
Seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and five dinners, including a special Christmas Eve dinner
English-speaking Cuban guide throughout the tour, plus bilingual American tour host
$2995 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement of $500, or we are happy to match you with a roommate of the same gender. A $500 deposit is due upon booking. Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
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