6 of the best day trips from Havana, Cuba - Lonely Planet Getting there: The only real ways to visit Trinidad from Havana for the day are to take a guided tour or to rent a car for the four-hour journey each way. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. PRIVATE VINALES DAY TOUR Artists will also love the opportunity to meet with the local artists here at their studios. Went to Cayo Jutias from Vinales. Some of these day trips you can make on public transport, if youre a little adventurous, others will definitely need a car or a driver. The good news is that it is also easy to get out of town, and you can explore other parts of Cuba relatively easily. Despite the obvious bias, they may, in fact, be absolutely correct. Its a medieval-inspired building on top of a hill with the best views of the Sierra del Rosario. A regular private cab costs the equivalent of around US$25 one way. If you make your bookings through these links, it may provide a small commission for me at no extra cost to you. Swimming in the freshwater here is very popular and you can also arrange to dive in the cenote. Finca Vigia is a recommended visit on our 2 days in Havana Itinerary. Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. I booked this tour due to the fabulous reviews I read, and I am so glad I did. Explore 150 of the worlds most enchanting islands in this inspirational coffee table book that features beautiful photography, illustrations and maps. Its made it onto this list, however, because of the fact that this is a place that is completely untouched by tourism. Its a laid-back example of the slow-paced life many Cubans live outside of the big city. Learn how your comment data is processed. Schedule: The tour lasts 8 hours. The Vinales Valley is a glorious trip to take from Havana, but its also worth heading here for a few days you can read our guide to the Vinales Valley here. $152 USD. Choose your options for beach day trips from Havana here. 4. We arranged a private tour prior to arriving in Cuba- the organisation in advance was good- quick responses, email a few days before, confirmation of the pickup and named tour person etc. The caves are some of the most impressive in the Caribbean, and certainly the longest network of caves in Cuba. Here are the best times to visit. This small town in Western Cuba sits on the edge of the Viales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 6:30 am - 8:00 pm The western region of Cuba is known for its very high-quality tobacco fields and its impressive landscapes. The journey is a slow one, but its possible to take the Hershey Train all the way from Havana to Matanzas, or vice versa. Explore the eco-village of Las Terrazas and the Soroa UNESCO Biosphere 7. Since leaving the corporate world in 2014 Sarah has gone with the flow - and that works really well in Cuba. Visit Cojimar and Finca La Vigia on a Day Trip from Havana, FAQs Frequently Asked Questions about Havana Day Trips. The best way to take a Varadero day trip from Havana is to take an organized trip. A final stop in Cojimar for Hemingway fans is La Terraza restaurant. A taxi from Havana to the Playas del Este beaches will cost around US$15 each way, depending on your negotiation skills. Share on Twitter. You can also take the Viazul Bus to Varadero from Havana, but its not really an option for a day trip as the bus stations arent convenient and neither are the bus times! Our guide Yasmin was incredibly knowledgable and gave us a fantastic day in Havana. We had a smooth & easy going ride w/AC Daniel was me and my sisters tour guide for our day trip to Vinales. Guanabo has an assortment of paladares (Cuban private diners) ranging from Italian-inspired pizzerias to kid-friendly chicken restaurants. If you do decide to stay overnight, be sure to hit the outdoor dance club in the towns main plaza. Which places provide the best day trips in Havana for couples? Cienfuegos is located about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Havana. exploring tobacco fields and sampling food crops at an organic farm lunch. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a tribute to the 19th Century buildings which still remain here. You can visit this clean beach to relax in the shade of palm trees with a cocktail or two. Few places pique the curiosity of travelers quite like Cuba. Went from Vinales to Trinidad and Cienfuegos and spent two days there with some side trips. Was This Article Helpful? The historic center of Havana may be a maze of stone buildings and narrow alleyways, all built far back in the colonial days, but away from these old streets and just 30-minutes along the coast is a different world. The 10 best day trips from Havana. Visit the most important wetland in the Caribbean on this day trip that scores 10/10 from other visitors. Getting there: You can take the hop-on hop-off Havana Bus Tour to get from Havana to Playas del Este in around half an hour, with buses running every 30 minutes as well. Trinidad & Cienfuegos 2 Day Tour Day 1: Havana - Trinidad. There are so many waterfalls here that the combination of sun and water droplets has caused Soroa to be called the Rainbow of Cuba. Hiring a car and driver is your other option, with the drive taking roughly an hour. Check out this two day trip from Havana to Trinidad and Cienfuegos here. Varadero Just over two hours from Havana, Varadero is one of the nicest beaches in Cuba (and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean ), making it among the most desirable day trips from Havana. Varadero Day Trip from Havana - Book Online at Civitatis.com These beaches have the nicest sand and clearest water. Varadero has long been the haunt of package holiday-makers from Europe, well before the island even began opening up to tourism. Probably the least known of the beach options on this list is Playa Jibacoa, a resort east of Havana past Playas del Este. I sought him out to help my son quite urgently because he was a bit lost when arrived on his own. Locals sometimes call this bayside city the Pearl of the South, and youll see why when you reach its historic center. Havana is teeming with hole-in-the-wall restaurants, live music, and local handicraft shops, but theres far more to Cuba than its capital city. As you can see, no matter how incredible Havana is, theres a lot to do in Cuba beyond the city limits. Amazing and resposive service with a smile. I highly recommend booking a trip to Cuba with Ren as your tour guide. Las Terrazas is in the Sierra Del Rosario and is an eco-village that was founded in 1968 as an experiment. This place has amagnificent viewover the rest of the area and of course,good coffee. Youll find an even better view if you hike to the top of Cerro de la Viga, a hill overlooking the town. Los Jazmines is the perfect lookout point for some world-prize-worthy panoramic photos over Viales Valley, but chooseBalcn del Valle restaurant if you also fancy having lunch while overlooking the mogotes. Beach Trip To Playa Del Este Or Varadero 2. Indeed, the main appeal of Playa Jibacoa is just how few people youll see there. Hemingway lived in Finca Vigia until he returned to the USA in 1960 and it was here that he wrote much of The Old Man and the Sea, Islands in the Stream, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. See what else is included and book your day trip from Havana to Varadero here. How To Get From Vardero to Havana Planning a trip to Cuba and wondering how to get from Varadero to Havana? Tourists visit every day independently and as part of group tours. This is the most popular day trip from Havana. Less than 2km (1 mile) away isCafetal Buenavista, a well-preserved remnant of Cubas oldest coffee plantation. The Sauto Theatre is also rather picturesque. Viales becomes a rock climbing mecca from December through April. You may also want to visit the Orquideario garden nearby in Soroa, especially if youre visiting during the orchids blooming period from September to November. Dont miss a cooling tip in the natural pools in the San Juan River. I truly cannot say enough good things about Ren. THE 10 BEST Havana Tours & Excursions for 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor For the best pictures of the seaside town, head to theTorren de Cojmar, a wrecked Spanish fort from the 17th century that was the first to be taken by the British when Havana was attacked in 1762. My husband and I did our Havana day tour from Varadero on June 2, 2023. How to get to Varadero from Havana: Book an air-conditioned Viazul bus at Terminal de mnibus (MLC$9; 34 hours). The monument sits opposite Cojmar Tower, an old fortification that dominates the pier. The Yumuri River runs through the valley itself and is fringed by tall mountains on either side, producing a place of startling contrasts. The museum has eclectic opening hours and shuts on rainy days entrance to the museum is US$5. Las Terrazas, 1 hour west of Havana, is a former artist colony turned ecotourism experiment with open studios, canopy, hiking, birdwatching and swimming in river cascades. An all-day ticket costs US$10 and the service runs from 0900 to 1900. There are plenty of exciting day trip opportunities available from Havana here are the very best. Explore the beautiful landscapes of Viales Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes Viales Valley, peppered with rare pin-cushion hills, is spectacular enough to warrant longer than a day trip if you have the time. Your email address will not be published. 10 Best Things To Do In Viales, Cuba | Home To Havana We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. You dont have to travel far for spectacular day trips from Havana. The Puente de Bacunayagua is the highest in Cuba, resting 100 meters near the River Yumuri. Choose your options for beach day trips from Havana here. Next, visit a museum or two, such as the Pharmaceutical Museum with its preserved historic pharmacy, or the Museum of the Slave Route inside the San Severino Castle. I learnt about history, art, culture and much more. A taxi will get you there in around one hour and 45 minutes, but is more expensive. Would highly recommend this tour company! Cojimar is an authentic slower-paced village with a lovely, small seaside town charm. Taxci Drivers even accommodated us on the last day - for reasons, we bounced between three different Casas for our last night in Havana. Which places provide the best day trips in Havana for groups? Havana Tours; Cuba Tours ; Day Tours ; Custom Tours ; Information ; Testimonials . Hemingways Home The Finca Vigia! Check out our frequently asked questions about Havana day trips below, or ask us yours in the comments. The area is easily accessible from Havana by bus make sure to catch a bus from Havana to Viales that makes a stop at Las Terrazas, as not all do. The 12 best things to do in Havana. Ignored for decades in favor of Varadero, Matanzas, a once-prosperous cultural hub 100km (62 miles) east of Havana, is making a comeback. Technically, yes you can take a day trip from Havana to Trinidad, but we think once you get here youll realize that theres so much more to do in Trinidad than you can fit into a day, that youll regret it. Getting there: Several buses a day go from Havana to Varadero, the journey taking roughly three hours. Havana to Viales Day Trip: Plan a Trip or Book a Tour - Two Scots Abroad Book the best day trips from Havana, Cuba directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. The villages claim to fame is being an inspiration for Ernest Hemingways The Old Man and the Sea, which explains the statue of the writer near the waterfront. Bus companies, such as Viazul, make the trip from the two Cuban cities multiple times per day. Our tour giude throughout, Xuri, was charming and very knowledgable. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In Vinales, the hum of city life is replaced by the sounds of farm life. Soroas Salto del Arco Iris (Rainbow Falls) is a stunner and a major attraction for visitors; this towering 72-foot (22-meter) waterfall surrounded by palms and forests is just what youd expect from a rainforest waterfall. Alternatively, take a guided excursion from Havana to Soroa and Las Terrazas for. When the urge to get out of town hits, find respite at . The area includes the historic Bay of Pigs where the US attempted an unsuccessful invasion after the Cuban Revolution. Located between Havana and Viales, the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve and mountain range is one of the most beloved ecotourism spots and natural gems in Cuba. It does not store any personal data. Apr 6, 2023 7 Min read. Today, hes somewhat of a national hero for the way he portrayed Cuban life before the revolution; many of his favorite haunts are visited by locals and tourists alike. Visit Cinaga de Zapata National Park on a Havana Day Trip 5. Off-the-radar Lago El Palmar hosts aranchn(rustic, opened-sided restaurant) offering drinks and snacks, plus an option for renting boats. No worries! This green tranquil paradise is a great escape from Havana and most of the things to see in Vinales on a day trip involved getting out into the countryside. Havana is a great city, with a lot to see and do, and it will take you days to explore it. Getting there: You can arrange four-wheel drive tours, but most leave from Varadero, not Havana. You can compare car rental deals and find the lowest prices at Rentalcars.com, an aggregation site that searches and displays prices and availability from hundreds of car rental companies, helping you find the best possible car for your budget. This is a day trip you don't technically have to leave Havana to make. This is quite the easiest way to take a day trip to the beaches of Playa del Este in Havana. Havana is also a great city in which to base yourself to visit other parts of Cuba. The tower dates from 1649 and is what remains of Cojimar Fort, and is listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Defense of Havana sites. There are books everywhere. Dayron was wonderful from the start. Spend the day lying in the sun, swimming or snorkeling. I would go back and ask for her again in a heart beat. The beaches of Havana are absolutely spectacular and remind us why the island was such a popular tourist destination before its revolution. This electric train opened in 1917, and yes, its the Hershey name of chocolate fame. A true gem in its own right, Santa Maria is a beachside town with arguably the best beach within the Havana region. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you rent a car, the drive takes just under two hours. With impeccable service and seafood, is highly recommended. Which places provide the best day trips in Havana for kids and families? Day Trips From Havana To Vinales Day Trips To Havana From Varadero 7. Havana Scams - Havana Forum - Tripadvisor Youll find a small Malecon along the seafront and a statue of Hemingway under an arch near the waterfront opposite the Cojimar Tower. 2. If seeing Soroa as a day trip from Havana doesnt sound like long enough for you then the Hotel Castillo de las Nubes (Castle Hotel of the Clouds) has both luxurious accommodation and spectacular views, or if youd like to experience life in a Cuban Casa particular then Casa Los Sauces Jorge y Ana Lidia,Casa Viv Soroa,andHospedaje Don Agapitoare great places to stay in Soroa. The old colonial streets are some of the best preserved in the country, with many vibrantly painted houses and buildings giving the city its unique charms. The staging of the Biennial Cubas biggest art festival in the city the following year raised its profile further. Standing in Parque Jos Mart, the main square of Cienfuegos, youll be surrounded by vibrantly painted buildings that mostly date from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Entry costs US$5 and the Cueva de Saturno is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Matanzas. Following the Yumur River, this valley is lined on either side by high mountains that create a dramatic landscape. As you pass through, youre guaranteed some wonderful landscape scenery and the odd farming settlement along the way. Mafia & The American Influence in Cuba. Laura made our outings to Vinales My two girlfriends and I used SNR Cuban rides to get from Havana to Santiago. For a great lunch with a fabulous view head to Chef Bahia on the main coast road to Varadero. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Its an elegant, colorful and charming place, where laid-back life continues along the coast as it always has, with little care in the world. This is the cheapest way to travel from Havana to the Playas del Este. These stunning yet tiny islands are almost entirely undeveloped and untouched, perfect for a disconnected beach day. The UNESCO World Heritage Vinales Valley is around 2.5 hour drive from Havana. This is the place to go if you need a lazy day away from Havana. Consider planning a (relatively cheap!) I will be sure to refer Cubaoutings to anyone who is interested in going to Cuba We visited Havana just around 2 weeks ago. It will cost you pennies literally the equivalent of US$0.05. Day Trips From Havana. Using Havana as your base location means that youll get to stay in the fabulous casa particular or hotel that youve found and return home for cocktails at the end of your day trip from Havana. He gives a perspective on life in Cuba and Cuban culture you will find in no guidebook. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. Expect to spend around $100 each way to hire a car and driver for this day trip. We know because weve done the same thing with family in the United States visiting family in Cuba; its a total highlight of a trip to Cuba, and one that you wont forget. She has written extensively about travel to Cuba, South Korea, North America, and Europe, including Italys Amalfi Coast., Your Guide to Cuba: How to Plan Your Trip. You can arrange to have exclusive use of a private driver and a classic American car. Read 4,08,985 traveller reviews and view photos of different trips from Havana to various destinations. Cuba's best seaside vacation spot, a 20km-long peninsula with powdery sand, bathtub-temperature sea and all-inclusive resorts, Varadero has all of the facilities required to get pleasure from a fun-filled day journey. A major destination for hiking, adventure sports, and farm-to-table cuisine, Vinales is one of the very best day trips from Havana read our Havana to Vinales Day Trip Guide to see why! Take a jeep tour through the valley, float down the river, and explore ranches with pineapples and tropical fruits; its an off-the-beaten-path experience that feels ages away from nearby Havana and Varadero. Bank on the equivalent of US$80 and up. (read more about Cuban cigars in my guide here) Take time for lunch at a local paladar and perhaps also take a horse-riding tour through one of the plantations here. In terms of culture, Matanzas makes one of the best side trips from Havana. Many of its grand mansions were built with sugar money, but nowadays Trinidads main industries are tourism and tobacco processing. Getting there: Youll need to hire a driver for the day to reach Playa Jibacoa from Havana, with the trip taking just under two hours. Honestly if you have even thought of going to Cuba, GO! This means youll likely need to hire a driver to make the trip there, which takes an hour. If you want to spend more than a day on a visit to Varadero, then heres our guide on what to do in Varadero. Once a dry dock, Varadero became a vacation destination in 1887 when families first began building vacation homes there. Depending on the route you take, you are looking anywhere from 6 hours to 10 hours long. check prices and availability of private transfers to Varadero here. Truly unforgettable and absolutely wonderful in every sense! Cultural Tours Historical & Heritage Tours. Thank you, Ruta Bikes! Weve listed the best tour for each day trip (where available). For museum lovers, the Pharmaceutical Museum (Museo Farmaceutico) in front of Parque Libertad, is a stunning display of a 19th-century pharmacy and a guided tour is well worth it. Sometimes dubbed the Havana Riviera, this series of beaches is far more down-to-earth than the glitzy shores of Varadero, and its also closer to Havana. The Vinales Valley itself is now a UNESCO World Heritage area, where lush, green plains are punctuated by the distinct forms of huge, towering limestone cliffs that rise from the vegetation like giants. Just east of Havanas old quarter is the charming fishing village of Cojmar, famous for hosting Ernest Hemingways maritime adventures back in the 1940s and 1950s. TOP DAY TRIP FROM HAVANA: Our pick is the Vinales Valley Day Trip. And while Cojimar and Vigia are relatively easy to get to on public transport, it will be difficult to see them all in one day. Learn about local tobacco production and how Cubas world-famous cigars are made, or just enjoy the incredible views; either way, Viales has a lot to impress. You should also visit the Soroa Orchid Garden Orquideario de Soroa where, in this small, but spectacular botanical garden youll see an amazing collection of 20,000 specimens of orchids. Were here to share our top travel tips and destination guides to help you feel at home in travel, no matter where youre headed. Havana Day Tours | Cuban Adventures This little town is a slow-paced community, where it's possible to meet locals in a 100% Cuban environment. This ecovillage in the Sierra del Rosario mountains is at the heart of Cubas first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. What was once an artist colony is now a center for ecotourism that embraces the beautiful scenery around it. This day trips from Havana to Vinales are perfect for those who dont have much time, dont want or cant stay in Viales, the pickup in Havana is between 7 and 8 am, but can be flexible depending of your requirements, as long as wont compromise the development of the day tour and with a duration from 10 to 12 hours depending of the tour, always trying to get back to Havana before it . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Viales Valley, peppered with rare pin-cushion hills, is spectacular enough to warrant longer than a day trip if you have the time. The main stop is in Parque Central opposite the Hotel Inglaterra. Thank you Havana true colors and Raul for an extraordinary experience and a trip to remember. Cesar was incredible! The house, on a hill in the quiet neighborhood of San Francisco de Paula, in San Miguel del Padron with Havana province, is now the Ernest Hemingway Museum. However, if youre planning to try and see more in your nature-themed day trip from Havana, then youll want to push onto Soroa where youll truly commune with nature. Discover the creativity of Fusterlandia and Las Terrazas artists before heading to the natural beauty I want emails from Road Affair with travel updates and marketing. Cuba has for years been very much closed off to the world, especially for travelers from the United States. But for the best views of Soroa head to the Castillo de la Nubes the Castle of the Clouds. Situated just 2.5 hours west of Havana, Vinales is undeniably Cuba's most popular country town, known for its dramatic karst landscapes and tobacco plantations. The following day I had organised a two hour driving tour followed by lunch and a waking tour. Alternatively, you can rent a car or hire a driver for the day and make the journey in around 75 minutes. This fabulous Havana Day Trip includes a short hike, a swim in the Cenotes de Cristal on the Zapata peninsula, and a typical Cuban lunch. A photo tour with Damian should be required for your first visit to Cuba! Cuba Travel and Medical Insurance Quote from Visitors Coverage here, You will need a Cuba Tourist Card to enter Cuba, Accommodation in Cubas Casa Particular here, How to Book the Viazul Bus in Cuba in 2023 Viazul Bus Cuba, National Parks in Cuba [Cubas Natural Reserves], The Ultimate Cuban Cigar Guide [Cigars in Cuba], How to Go from Havana Airport to Havana [+ Havana to Airport]. See more day trips in Havana on Tripadvisor, See more day trips for kids in Havana on Tripadvisor, See more day trips for couples in Havana on Tripadvisor, See more day trips for groups in Havana on Tripadvisor, See more budget-friendly day trips in Havana on Tripadvisor, See more romantic day trips in Havana on Tripadvisor, See more hidden gem day trips in Havana on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Jose Marti Intl Airport (HAV), Motels near Jose Marti Intl Airport (HAV), Things to do near Old Square (Plaza Vieja), Things to do near Parque de la Fraternidad, Things to do near Convento e Iglesia de Nuestra Seora de Belen, Things to do near Jose Marti Intl Airport (HAV), Things to do near Mystique Habana by Royalton, Things to do near Hotel Grand Aston la Habana, Things to do near Iberostar Parque Central, Things to do near Casa Cuarteles B&B Boutique, Things to do near Boutique Hotel Vapor 156, WWII & Operation Anthropoid Tour with Bomb Shelter, High Speed Zodiac Whale Watching Safari from Dana Point, Jaguar Preserve Night Hike & Camping Experience (from Belize City), TRI-CITY TOUR (Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City), 3-Hour Atlanta Beltline Food, Street Art and History Tour, The Cockrell Butterfly Center Admission in Houston, Mr. Tu Snorkel Day Trip to Koh Nangyuan & Koh Tao by Speed Boat from Koh Samui. How to get to Playas del Este from Havana: Hop on the T3 Habana Bus Tour, which runs from Centro Habana to Playas del Este (via Parque Histrico Militar Morro-Cabaa). Again found on the outskirts of Havana, its a lovely yet somewhat easy to reach escape from urban life. Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin. From the copper-hued farms of rural Viales to the rainbow-colored plazas of Trinidad, the places beyond Cubas capital offer up a mix of contrasts. The area is adored for its mostly untouched green plains full of towering limestone hills, and there are also coffee and tobacco plantations in the area. THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Havana Day Trips from Havana Enter dates Filters Day Trips Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources City Tours Private Tours Cultural Tours Multi-day Tours Show all Traveler rating & up & up