EL CAMINO SMALL GROUP TRIP
Electrifying Cuba Itinerary
This island nation may be on the brink of a new era, but there’s an energy and atmosphere right now in Cuba that just can’t be beat.
Support for the Cuban People Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive: To José Martí International Airport. Your driver will meet you at the airport and whisk you away to your casa particular (private home) which you’ll share with your fellow travelers for the next 5 days.
Evening: Join your travel mates at the welcome event at sunset. Cuba is known across the globe for producing some of the world’s best musicians, so we’ve prepared a special treat: a private performance by a few talented up-and-comers in an intimate garden. Your first night in Cuba wouldn’t be complete without sampling what is arguably one of Cuba’s most reputable contributions to the world: the mojito. Enjoy your drink and a welcome feast as you get to know your fellow travelers.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2
Morning: We’ll get acquainted with this amazing city in a classic convertible. Cruise Havana in style—top down, of course. Feast your eyes on Havana’s extraordinary color palette and architectural wonders as you marvel at the whimsical cityscape that surrounds you. Feel the wind through your hair and the salt on your skin as you drive along the parameter of the Malecón, Havana’s picturesque seawall. We’ll make many stops throughout the day to experience cultural and historical landmarks, and even pop in to visit our favorite up-and-coming artist at his studio.
Afternoon: We’ll eat lunch from a relaxed tropical terrace in Old Havana that serves a modern take on Cuban cuisine. Discuss your favorite moments from the morning’s activities with your travel mates, while enjoying the mixture of house and afrobeats playing in the background. After lunch we’ll depart on an alternative walking experience with our local guide to visit a part of the city that tourists don’t usually frequent. This is your chance to gain deeper insight into the everyday lives of Cubans. What is it like to live under a socialist regime? What does it mean to have a ration card? How did the country and different generations react when Fidel died? Have your own questions? Let's hear 'em. Your guide is there to give you an honest and accurate depiction of how things really went down.
After lunch we’ll depart on an alternative walking experience with our local guide to enjoy the city at a slower pace. There is just so much to learn and discover about this dynamic and historical country especially when it comes to the burgeoning creative scene. We’ll join forces with a local graffiti artist and pick his brain about the Cuban art scene. We’ll end the afternoon with cocktails on a secret and private rooftop with a jaw-dropping view of Havana’s legendary golden hour.
Evening: We’ll head to dinner at one of Havana’s most notable experiences: The Art Factory. Explore Havana's modern and multi-dimensional Art Factory for a night you will never forget. This multi-purpose space, restored from a former cooking oil factory, is riddled with different modern and cultural experiences in each room. Meander down the winding hallways to discover everything from boundary-pushing art, performance art, bars, and live music. PRO TIP: Don’t leave without trying one of their famously large mojitos! Then, sit down for a bite at the gallery's exclusive restaurant that offers a wide range of multicultural dishes.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 3
Morning: It’s time to get out of the city and begin your adventure into el campo (the countryside) of Cuba. Enjoy a scenic ride through rural Cuba as you make your way into the lush hillsides of tobacco country.
Afternoon: Arrive at a small, local restaurant for one of our favorite meals in all of Cuba. We'll dine on roasted pig and a few other Cuban favorites underneath the palapa. After lunch, take a crash course in everything you’ll ever need to know about Cuba's most lucrative crop: tobacco. Head out to the fields with a local farmer to learn how to tend to the crops, then crawl inside a little tobacco hut where the leaves are left out to dry as the farmer demonstrates how to roll, smoke, and enjoy the dried tobacco like a pro. Close out the day with a ride through the farmland on an ox-drawn carriage, complete with conversation and coffee to wrap up the afternoon.
Evening: Back in the city, dinner’s on your own time, providing a great opportunity to support privately-owned businesses by visiting one of our highly recommended restaurants as noted in your Havana Travel Guide. If you’re up for it, we strongly suggest enhancing your Cuba experience by getting to know some of the city’s up and coming DJs. Our local host will keep you in the loop with the latest shows and events to check out while you’re here.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 4
Morning: Cuba is internationally renowned for its unique style of salsa dancing and there’s nothing like a morning Salsa lesson to get your blood pumpin’ as you get acquainted with the local flavor. We’ll learn the steps to an eight-count rhythm from a former ballerina with an eclectic personality that will make you feel right at home. You’ll be fearlessly stepping out on the dance floor to Salsa with the Cubanos in no time.
Afternoon: Venture to the stunning Playas del Este, located just a short distance from Old Havana. As you explore the area, engage in meaningful cultural discussions with your local host, gaining insights into the vibrant heritage and traditions of the region. Learn about the local customs, stories, and way of life, deepening your understanding of the Cuban culture.
Evening: For your final night, we’ll be taking you to an exciting spot in an emerging arts district of Old Havana. The first floor of the venue is an arts gallery, but we’ll head upstairs to the rooftop terrace which offers unrestricted views of Havana and the stars. Raise a glass to the vibrant city that you’ve come to love so deeply as you enjoy the internationally-inspired menu. The restaurant turns into a party venue as it gets late, so we can dance until dawn with our new moves in tow.
Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5
Depart: From Havana International Airport. Return home inspired by the nation’s dogged perseverance and infectious spirit that resounds proudly across the island.
Meals Included: Breakfast