Cuba Itinerary, the complicated island, placed only 45 minutes of flight from Florida in the United States. Cuba, the nation that decided to stay independent from Big Brother. The Caribbean island that chose to keep up fighting for being an independent nation. But most of all, proud of the nationalism and the communist ruler Fidel Castro.
Cuba has been the country that has been standing the storms. Today has a complicated situation with other Westerly countries. Import to Cuba is very low and almost not existing. In that way, when visiting Cuba, you can go back in time. Walk between old antique buildings and drive cars from 1952.
If you have decided to go exploring the wonders of Cuba. Check out this, Cuba itinerary that I did myself in 2020. Cuba has sultry salsa beats, refreshing mojito, and heavenly made Pina Colada. Cuba has warm and welcoming people, and pristine beaches and lush landscapes.
My Personal Experience about Traveling in the Caribbean island
How Long Should a Cuba Itinerary be?
If visiting Cuba, I would highly recommend going for a minimum of 10 days. Especially if you want to see more than Havana and Vinales.
To better understand Cuba, you should travel around and see the different parts of the country. Including the beach, the countryside and of course the city life. The ideal time in Cuba would be between 10-14 days. In that way, you can enjoy each place more and not rush around to see them.
What can be Missed in a Cuba Itinerary
After traveling around 10 Days in Cuba, there was not that i think should be missed. If having a tight schedule, I would say that Playa Larga is not worth your time due to being an average beach. If having time to relax, then have some carefree days in Playa Larga. I would instead change Playa Larga to a day at the beach in Vinales: Cayo Jutías or even go to Cayo Largo.
Being short on time, stay fewer days in Havana. It is a beautiful city. But by having a pleasant walk around the old town and the Malecon, you have seen the crucial sites. Personally, I never went to Varadero because I’m not too fond of resorts. Depending on how you want your vacation to be, plan according to preferences.
Must Visit Places in Cuba Itinerary
On my ten days traveling around in Cuba, my favorite places were Vinales, Trinidad, and Havana. Of course, that was the places I visited, including Playa Larga, that was not worth my time. I would love to visit other sites but did not make it. The tours were to complicate to book: Cayo Largo needs to be booked ONLY in Havana.
Why Considering Using a Travel Company in Cuba?
You can, for sure, travel by yourself to Cuba. And I did all my planning and arranging of tours, transport, and accommodation by myself. Truth to be told, Cuba is an exhausting country for transportation, housing, and booking tours. If having a short time in Cuba and you want to make the best and most of it. Highly consider going on a prepared trip or do a semi-tour.
In that way: You don’t need to hassle around with getting from A to B, and neither to find a place to stay.
Remember, there are tourist buses in Cuba for non-Cuban people. The Viazul bus needs to be pre-booked a day or two in advance. Maybe it will go on time. The same goes for tours. They are arranged by the government, and can only be booked at the tourist office in the town you want to do the tour. The booking needs to be done one day in advance before going on the tour. You can not book a tour in Trinidad if the activity is in Havana.
Minor activities can be arranged with your casa or the person doing the tour: like horse riding and salsa classes, but most tours need to be booked either through AirBnB, Government – Tourist Office, or travel agency.
Travel Company when Doing the Cuba Itinerary
Cuba Wife is Norweigan women that have married a Cuban, and by this have started a small travel company using local guides and creating great experiences in Cuba. Want to read more about her work? Cuba wife hompeage.
If Doing the Cuba Itinerary by Yourself
If you are planning to do the travel planning by yourself: Remember to prepare for the unexpected. And accept the fact that things will maybe not go your way. One of the days I was traveling, a new law was enforced. And suddenly no one could drive tourists anywhere, or only Yellow taxies!
If planning by yourself, I recommend doing pre-bookings of accommodation with Airbnb. And the same goes for the experience. By this, some planning is done and prearranged before entering Cuba. In that way, you need less cash when traveling around due to being pre-paid on Airbnb.
As a Solo Female Traveler in Cuba
Traveling alone in Cuba as a solo female traveler was never an issue. I felt completely safe in Cuba. Even so, cat-calling did happen. The cat-calling in the street is in the mildest form.
I was never respected poorly in Cuba for traveling alone as a female.
Budget for 10 Days Cuba Itinerary
Traveling to Cuba is not expansive if coming from a Western country like Norway. If you are planning to go on a budget, the prices in Cuba is higher than some other Latin Countries like Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico.
The prices are more than reasonable, and the Mojito and the Pina Coladas are still very cheap. Accommodation is around 20-30 CUC per night. I personally used approximately 80 CUC/US dollars per day in Cuba. My standard is midrange. Also, I had a private room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and transportation and entertainment included in my 80 US dollars per day in Cuba.
Flight Prices to Cuba
Oslo to Florida in the US (Round Trip): 287 US dollars
Florida to Havana (One-Way): 128 US dollars
Havana to Cancun, Mexico (One-Way): 97 US dollars
Cancun to Florida in the US (One-Way): 287 US dollars
In total 654 US dollars from Norway to the US, Cuba & Mexico.
10 Days Cuba Itinerary
I went for a 10 Days Cuba Itinerary, and personally, it was too short, but at the same time, it was the perfect amount of time due to the struggle of public transportation and sometimes food cravings.
Day 1. Havana Old Town
Arriving Havana by the morning. Taking a taxi into the old town of Havana for around 25 CUC. Entering your casa, and arrange your room before going out to explore the ancient city of Havana. Grab lunch at Chanchullero in and enjoy the rooftop terrace view of the Plaza.
After lunch and maybe a siesta? Hit the walking tour of the old town in Havana. I went on this highly knowable Airbnb experience. The Golden Mile was a great introduction to the history of Cuba, and the life of Havana.
Dinner at Habana 61 and drinks at Mojito Mojito.
Day 2. Cover Land of Havana
The second day in Havana can be the day you go and cover more land in the city. Go on the hop on hop of buses. And see the most famous sights of Havana. Cruising along the Malecon all the way to the coast, Hotel Nacional De Cuba, residential neighborhood of Vedado, and Plaza de Revolution.
7 Great Things to Do in Havana
Un Amigo en la Habana
Airbnb has given young people a new way to create their own work. And by this inviting people to indulge in Cuba and Havana. Robin (Un Amigo en La Habana) has built some very high-end experience in Cuba. If having a short time in Cuba: I highly recommend his rooftop tour in some of the poshest places in Havana. The bars have a fantastic view of Havana City.
The Local Experience in the Cuba Itinerary
If you want a more local experience, I highly recommend hanging out with Robin in his apartment in Vedado. Learn how to play domino, drink rum / Vitamin R and of course smoke cigars like there is no tomorrow.
Day 3. Travel to Viñales, the Countryside of Cuba
Waking up early and catching the shared colectivo to Viñales from Havana around 09.00 in the morning. It only goes in the morning and costs around 25 CUC. After three hours more or less, you will enter the green valley of Viñales.
After a small lunch in the casa, you should go horseback riding in the Valley of Viñales. And also visiting the tobacco plantation.
If you want an excellent dinner at night. I recommend checking out the 3J Tapas Bar, which is one of the best in town. Or if the line is long go to Cubar Restaurant and have the Lobster Spaghetti. When done with the dinner, it is time to hit the dancefloor. Locate the hips and make them move to the vibrating salsa rhythm at Centro Cultural Polo Montañez.
Day 4. Discover the Valley of Viñales
Once again you should take the traveled road. Go on the hop on hop of the bus around Viñales. In this way, you will see the most famous sites of Viñales.
7 Great Things to Do in Viñales
Day 5. A Day Trip to Cayo Jutías or Go to Playa Larga?
When I traveled, I miss calculated my time. In the way that the Colectivo only goes in the morning. And by this, you can not go in the evening when the activities are done for the day. I had to go to Playa Larga in the morning and by this skip, the day trip to Cayo Jutías. Staying one more day in Vinales is my recommendation. And by that, go to Cayo Jutías. One of the most pristine beaches in Cuba. Compared to Playa Larga, which is a beach, but nothing spectacular.
From Viñales to Playa Larga, the drive is around 5 hours. And the cost for a shared colectivo was 40 CUC. I felt like they changed the price during the trip to Playa Larga. I was first told 35, and then suddenly, it was 40 CUC.
Playa Larga
After 5 hours of driving from Viñales, I arrived at Playa Larga in the midday. I went walking on the beach and found myself one restaurant for grabbing my lunch. My day was lunch, a nap, and some sunbathing. I had dinner at the same restaurant in the evening. That’s is how my one day in Playa Larga disappeared.
Day. 6 Traveling to Trinidad
From Playa Larga to Trinidad was my hardest day of traveling in Cuba. A new law was enforced and made it very difficult to get moving around. The buses were full, no more people. And no one to drive. After several hours of negotiations and creating a solution, I was on the move. I arrived in Trinidad in the afternoon and started my travel at 09.00 in the morning. Usually, from Playa Larga to Trinidad is 3 hours.
Day 7. Trinidad & Playa Ancon
After intensive days traveling around and doing many things. It is perfect to start the first day in Trinidad with a beach day. Playa Ancon one of many beautiful beaches in Cuba. Spending the day between palms and crystal clear blue ocean is well spent time.
Day 8. Trinidad & Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a great part of Cuba. Everywhere you go, you can find a horse. And when finding a horse, you find the cowboy, that will be your boyfriend. If you are like me and like horses the best. Go horseback riding for some hours and enjoy the lush scenery of Cuba, and the reward is maybe a waterfall or a glass of fresh-pressed sugar plants.
Day 9. Trinidad & Salsa at Bar Rincon
Walk around in Trinidad and enjoy this cute cobblestone town that is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. And also go to the tower and walk the stair to get the panorama view of the town and watch the ocean in the horizontal.
Salsa at Bar Rincon
Being in Cuba, you have to fake salsa like there is no tomorrow. Or maybe you don’t fake it? Have some classes in Trinidad with very highly skilled dancers, many teachers are professional with three years of education. Then after a class or two cups of rums go to Rincon Bar and teste your salsa skills! And if you can’t just fake it, because dancing is fun no matter what you are dancing!
Day 10. Havana & Last Night in Cuba
Going on the Taxi Colectivo in the morning, and reach Havana in the midday, have a last walk around the old town, maybe go to the Malecon and plan your last drinks in Havana, before catching the flight out of Cuba.
10 Days Cuba Itinerary
Any final thoughts for the Itinerary? Any Add-ons? please feel free to share with a comment 🙂
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