day trips from havana

2023 Road Affair, LLC. Let the sea breeze pamper your senses in Playas del Este or indulge your ecological side in Las Terrazas and Soroa. Viales When the conversation turns to classic day tours from Havana, it's only a matter of time before Viales is brought up. The experience was absolutely amazing, largely thanks to our amazing tour guide. Colon is around a two-hour drive southeast of Havana, and its not the standard tourist attraction. Other than those two sights, there isnt much in the way of landmarks to visit here. Spend the day lying in the sun, swimming or snorkeling. exploring tobacco fields and sampling food crops at an organic farm lunch. 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. I was very pleased with the way the company set up both of my tours and the price for them. Still located in the Sierra del Rosario, its also still part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Got questions about taking day trips from Havana? I learnt about history, art, culture and much more. Youll arrive at Varadero by 1130 and have five hours free to enjoy this gorgeous beach resort before returning to your hotel in Havana. Site Design by Virtual and Confident | Stock Photos provided by our partnerDepositphotos, Havana to Viales Day Trip: Ultimate Guide, Havana to Varadero: 5 Easy Transportation Options. Its a glorious city, with both a colonial and industrial heritage. This vintage character has earned Cienfuegos the World Heritage Site status from UNESCO. Heres our guide to tipping in Cuba. Old American classic cars may be more expensive, but the scenic ride is definitely worth it. Trinidad is one of the best-preserved Spanish settlements in the Caribbean. Not far from Havana you can find Las Terrazas, an area of unique flora and fauna that acts as a bio-reserve and is a much-loved day trip from Havana. The colorful city of Cienfuegos is another one of the best things to see in Cuba outside of Havana. How long you want to spend at the beach is up to you four hours? This is one of the most interesting national parks in Cuba. Why not book this Hemingway-themed day trip with an English-speaking guide, and personal driver and see all these places without any stress? 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. From beaches to mountains to historic cities and more, these road trips around Cuba offer access to the best of this enchanting island. Its also a good idea to walk down to the citys waterfront, where youll get nice views of the bay from the Malecn de Cienfuegos. Remember that youll also need to add this travel time to your return journey. If all you want is a short trip from Havana, head for Playas del Este. They were discovered in 1861 and have been an important tourist attraction ever since. Choose your options for beach day trips from Havana here. Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. Heres the highest rated one that Ive found. Playa Guanabo is known for its markets. For a nice view of the city center, head up the bell tower at the Convento de San Francisco de Ass. Was This Article Helpful? We decided to do the old cars Havana. Not often. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. *** Ride in each direction is around 3 hours. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its the perfect place for hiking and exploring rural Cuban life. Locals sometimes call this bayside city the Pearl of the South, and youll see why when you reach its historic center. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. PRIVATE VINALES DAY TOUR Book a Day Trip from Havana Today! I have made forever friends and memories, learned so much about Cuban culture and society, and grown as a person overall. Where to stay in Havana, Cuba [Havana Neighbourhoods], The 14 Best Things to do in Varadero Cuba, Vinales Valley is a glorious trip to take from Havana, taking a classic car for a day trip to Vinales. I'll always be grateful to him for his kind attention. Its known as the Pearl of the South, but its name translates to 100 fires. The driver, Francisco, from Vinales to Trinidad was with us for three days and a lot of miles and like every driver we had he was friendly and a lot of fun to travel with. Cienfuegos is on Cuba's southern coast about 160 miles from Havana. So heres our guide to the SIX best places to visit on a Havana day trip. Increasingly one of the most popular Havana day trips is the lush forested areas west of the city at Soroa and Las Terrazas. You can explore the Viales Valley on either a hike or a horseback ride. Varadero Day Trip to Havana - The best cultural Varadero day trip. 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. You can book one directly at any hotel desk, at your casa particular or just by hanging around at the bus station. of waterfalls, orchids, and lost coffee plantations on our private Las Terrazas and Soroa day tour. We are well traveled and have high standards, and we were very happy with our tour guide - she was great and spoke excellent English. You can get there by bus, private taxi, or collectivo. The Bellamar Caves are found close to the city of Matanzas and are an incredible underground spectacle. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. , a wrecked Spanish fort from the 17th century that was the first to be taken by the British when Havana was attacked in 1762. Cayo Levisa, on the other hand, is only accessible via a ferry from the small mainland town of Palma Rubia. An alternative to Bellamar Caves or an addition even is the Cueva de Saturno (Saturn Cave) its a cenote which has stalactites, blind cavefish, and cave shrimp. Or, combine a visit with an overnight to Varadero if you can! Youll also find watersports at the fronts of the various beachfront hotels here. Hemingways Home The Finca Vigia! How to get to Las Terrazas and Soroa from Havana: Book a day tour to Las Terrazas and Soroa at a Cubatur desk in any hotel lobby or take a colectivo (shared taxi mainly used by tourists) at the Viazul station and hop off at Rancho Curujey, near Las Terrazas. We spent about two weeks in Cuba with Ren showing us around. The beaches of Havana are absolutely spectacular and remind us why the island was such a popular tourist destination before its revolution. Discover the creativity of Fusterlandia and Las Terrazas artists before heading to the natural beauty These stunning yet tiny islands are almost entirely undeveloped and untouched, perfect for a disconnected beach day. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". For details. Home Travel Guides The Caribbean Cuba 15 Best Day Trips from 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. Share It! 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin. He is a genuine, kind, and funny man, who did everything to make sure we had the best experience possible. 1. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend. There are 4 main ways you can get from Varadero to Havana; by taxi, Viazul bus, renting a car or a by tour. Mafia Tour . Get a Cuba Travel and Medical Insurance Quote from Visitors Coverage here Alternatively, Civitatis Insurance is a great option for the required insurance for Cuba.You will need a Cuba Tourist Card to enter Cuba some airlines include these, if yours doesnt, buy one from EasyTouristCard now valid for 90 days.Book your Viazul Bus tickets herePre-book and prepay shared & private shuttles hereBook the best FREE Walking Tours in CubaReserve attractions, day trips, and activities in Cuba hereDownload and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Cuba > discount coupon hereBook Accommodation in Cubas Casa Particular herePack these Items youre unlikely to find them in CubaA filter water bottleHand SanitiserSunscreenMosquito RepellentTravel / Power AdapterFirst Aid Kit. It will take you around 2 hours each way from Havana to Varadero by private transfer. This is a day trip you don't technically have to leave Havana to make. 4. Tourist buses usually stop at, for a daiquiri on the terrace, but more hearty meals and fantastic mojitos are offered atAjiaco Caf. Found in the western portion of the island, Vinales is one of Cubas most revered areas of natural beauty. How To Get From Vardero to Havana Planning a trip to Cuba and wondering how to get from Varadero to Havana? The Best Places to Visit as a Day Trip from Havana, 1. MORE INFORMATION INOUR DISCLAIMER. 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. 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. 3. 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. Youll know that youre in the right place by all the photos of Hemingway, including ones with him alongside Fidel Castro. Daniel James Are you looking for ideas on getting from Havana to Trinidad, Cuba? 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. Theres a coffee plantation here, a Moka hotel built right into the forest, and some great bird watching. When you book a hotel or tour that we link to, we may earn a commission. Cultural Tours Historical & Heritage Tours. Which places provide the best day trips in Havana for couples? (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. Could not have been happier with this group. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Known as the no-winter island, Cuba cycles through mild to warm to baking hot weather with the changing seasons. Cojmar really is just a fishing village, albeit a pretty one. Cubas Best is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. VERY IMPORTANT: The tour ends in Viales at 3:30pm. Discover . Honestly if you have even thought of going to Cuba, GO! It was wonderful and we really enjoyed it!! Consider planning a (relatively cheap!) Playas del Este (the east beaches) are the closest beaches to Havana and this trip to the beach makes for a great day trip from Havana. For a superb view, stop at the lookout points along the road to the south of the valley. Guided tours are available and entry costs around US$8. Beach Trip To Playa Del Este Or Varadero 2. If you want to go REALLY local then read on. 1. Getting there: You can visit Cienfuegos as part of a tour to Trinidad. Getting there: Buses from Havana to Viales dont work for a day trip, so your choices are to go with a guided tour for the day or rent a car for the 2.5-hour drive each way. Cojimar is a small fishing village east of Havana and its where Hemingway spent a lot of his time. Dont get us wrong, Playas del Este are fantastic beaches, stellar even, its just that with the postcard-perfect, award-winning beaches around Cuba at Varadero and on Cubas northern cays its hard for anything else to compare. lenawurm / Depositphotos 5. About a half-hour drive from central Havana, you'll find Playas del Este, a strip of several beaches on Havana's eastern edge. Im certainly looking forward to the day I get to go back to visit and see more of the country with Ren! Mafia & The American Influence in Cuba. Built in 1801, Cafetal Buenavista is theoldest coffee plantation in Cuba. Sometimes. Walk around the, For the best pictures of the seaside town, head to the. Very knowledgeable and generally helpful! Truly unforgettable and absolutely wonderful in every sense! Transport is relatively easy by taking a bus from Havana, though Vinales is just far enough from Havana that a day trip excursion to Viales is well worth it for hassle-free, comfortable travel. In terms of getting from Havana to Varadero, there are several daily buses from Havana to Varadero, with the journey taking approximately three hours. Many of its grand mansions were built with sugar money, but nowadays Trinidads main industries are tourism and tobacco processing. We never did get on the Hershey train but did spend time in Matanzas, which is good for a day trip from Havana if youre interested in something a little different. Best Day Trips From Havana Finca Vigia Getting to Finca Vigia Fusterlandia Regla Getting to Regla Playas del Este Getting to Playas del Este Las Terrazas/Soroa Getting to Las Terrazas/Soroa Matanzas Getting to Matanzas Varadero Beyond day trips from Havana Viales Cienega Zapata Cienfuegos Trinidad THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. The jaw-dropping view of the valley from the Mirador de Bacunayagua is just the start. I highly recommend booking a trip to Cuba with Ren as your tour guide. Tourists visit every day independently and as part of group tours. Entry costs US$5 and the Cueva de Saturno is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Matanzas. Private taxis usually prefer foreign cash (euros are best). Were Jos and Carley, the creators behind Home to Havana. If you arrive on a Friday afternoon, you might get lucky with some live street rumba (Afro-Cuban music and dance) in the historic confines of Plaza de la Viga. Hes said to have gained some inspiration for his 1954 Nobel Prize-winning novel, The Old Man and the Sea here. The World Famous Bay Of Pigs! Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Located on the northern shore are beaches and national parks all within easy reach of the city center, while many of Cubas most exciting and energetic towns can be traveled to in a day. Take a dip in one of the Caribbeans most pristine beaches or sip cocktails in the shade before heading out for a late lunch at any of Varaderos notable restaurants. It will take about 90 minutes to travel to Matanzas from Havana. Lying back on the sand and enjoying the sun is the focus of a visit to Varadero, along with swimming in the pleasantly warm waters. Despite a well-publicized announcement by the Trump administration in June 2019, it is still relatively easy for Americans to travel legally toCuba. Head to the beach town of Guanabo to hang with locals. Weve listed the best tour for each day trip (where available). This broad ribbon of cement curves around Havanas waterfront, and as the sun wanes, the sky turns pink and the road is. Book the best day trips from Havana, Cuba directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. 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. Trinidad is a city thats also found southeast of Havana, but its a long day trip from the capital. Its laid back, full of sun and full of rum perfect for those awesome lazy afternoons on the beach. The caves are some of the most impressive in the Caribbean, and certainly the longest network of caves in Cuba. The area includes the historic Bay of Pigs where the US attempted an unsuccessful invasion after the Cuban Revolution. Otherwise, its a 3.5-hour drive each way. Havana is also a great city in which to base yourself to visit other parts of Cuba. 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. From private homestays to all-inclusive hotels, Cuban accommodation needs some pre-trip thought. 1. Cienfuegos can be a quick stop on a longer day trip to Trinidad or a day trip of its own. has all the amenities required to enjoy a fun-filled day trip. With whitewashed buildings that make it stand out against the hillside, the village is full of workshops and studios for local artists. It will cost you pennies literally the equivalent of US$0.05. If you rent a car, the drive takes just under two hours. Our flight into Havana was delayed by almost two hours and it was a huge relief to see my name on a sign as we exited the airport. 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. The small city looks out over the Bay of Matanzas and is a cultural heaven, famous across Cuba for its poets musicians and writers. Youll find a small Malecon along the seafront and a statue of Hemingway under an arch near the waterfront opposite the Cojimar Tower. Want to travel around in Cuba? 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! Proper day trips from Havana to Sierra del Rosario can look like hiking to stunning viewpoints, world-class birdwatching in areas with hundreds of species of birds, many endemic, and visiting historic coffee plantations. 9 HRS. The beach is just so perfect, and theres so much to see and do around Varadero, that as soon as you arrive youll wish you had more time here. Thoroughly recommend Dayron, and ToursByLocals seems to work really well as a concept. Then youll get to see Saturno Cave ( and take a dip in the water if youd like. Finca Vigia is a recommended visit on our 2 days in Havana Itinerary. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The town is quaint in that ceramic-roof, cane-rocker-on-the-porch kind of way, and the hospitality of Cuban, Los Jazmines is the perfect lookout point for some world-prize-worthy panoramic photos over Viales Valley, but choose, restaurant if you also fancy having lunch while overlooking the mogotes. 3 HRS. , 1 hour west of Havana, is a former artist colony turned ecotourism experiment with open studios, canopy, hiking, birdwatching and swimming in river cascades. As you can see, there are many great places to explore if you stay in Havana. This great trip also combines a visit to the Zapata Swamp AND the famous Bay of Pigs where you can visit the museum of the Bay of Pigs invasion in Playa Giron- which I highly recommend. When the urge to get out of town hits, find respite at . Take a Day Trip from Varadero to Dive the Bay of Pigs. There are so many waterfalls here that the combination of sun and water droplets has caused Soroa to be called the Rainbow of Cuba. With so many great options less than an hour away from the Capitolio, Havana is the perfect base for a day trip filled with adventure. Go private don't do ship buses you will be missing out on all the really good stuff like awesome food at places they go to not just a tourist place. Its the highest-rated trip from Havana, with a fabulous crew, great food, and a stunning beach. Highly Recommended Tour! This article contains affiliate links! Every taxi was there on time and even five minutes or more early. 2. In Vinales, the hum of city life is replaced by the sounds of farm life. 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. The first is the Ambos Mundos Hotel to visit the room that Hemingway used to book his typewriter and books are still there! 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. Cienfuegos lies 200-kilometers to the southeast of Havana and its one of the islands most impressive cities to explore outside of the capital. Just two hours west of Havana, the small town of Viales is in the heart of the countryside and on the edge of one of the most impressive landscapes in all of Cuba. Here's how to stay, pay, (and allay any first-time fears). 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! This small town in Western Cuba sits on the edge of the Viales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Theres nothing quite light dancing under a mirror ball in the shadows of a simple town church. It sits just off the south coast near the middle of Cuba and is best known for its preserved colonial streets and architecture, which offer a glimpse into Cubas past and have earned Trinidad recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a dip in one of the Caribbeans most pristine beaches or sip cocktails in the shade before heading out for a late lunch at any of Varaderos notable restaurants. Cayo Levisa is known for its incredible snorkeling and diving and has a small dive shop on the island and a tiny hotel, making it slightly more popular than Cayo Jutias. on Salvador Cisneros St, Viales' main road. This is a LONG day your trip will take 11 hours, but this is an amazing place to come. Day Trips From Havana 1. Your last stop on a Vinales day trip should be a cooling swim and cocktail at the Hotel Jazmines pool at the Vinales Valley lookout before heading back to Havana. Dayron went the extra mile and was very lovely, and my son had a great time in Havana thanks to him. Good driving experience and knowledge about the country. Dont miss a cooling tip in the natural pools in the San Juan River. As you pass through, youre guaranteed some wonderful landscape scenery and the odd farming settlement along the way. You can choose from several beaches here, with little chance of them being overcrowded. Matanzas is found just over 100-kilometers away from Havanas city center. Details here. Our day trips from Havana offer the perfect opportunity to experience everything Havana has to offer with like-minded travellers. While there are plenty of things to see and do in Havana, adding good day trips from Havana into your itinerary is a fantastic way to see a whole new side of Cuba. 1. Walk around the malecn,a smaller version of Havanas iconic promenade, for a glimpse of the natural allure that enchanted Papa all those years ago. If it happens to be running when youre in Cuba TAKE THIS TRAIN. Excellent private tour. With impeccable service and seafood,Varadero 60 is highly recommended. How to get to Cojmar from Havana: Yellow cabs from Parque Central or any other part of Old Havana cost the equivalent of around US$10 to Cojmar. Its a place of rum and cigars, of fortresses and historic buildings, and of culture and diversity, where the Cuban spirit is most pronounced. We've got all the information you need to make the choice that works best for your family, and your travel style. Varadero is known for its long white sandy beaches and all-inclusive resorts. For a nature-inspired day trip from Havana, your best options are either to head to the eco-village of Las Terrazas or the Soroa UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. So lets start with our top picks for Havana Day Trips with an easy day trip that doesnt take long at all! Another favorite spot for day trippers and Hemingway fans is the Finca la Vigia Estate. The farmland and countryside just outside of Havana make for a fascinating day trip in which youll get to see an entirely different side of the city. Source: Konstantin Aksenov / shutterstock, Source: Maurizio De Mattei / shutterstock, gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / Wikimedia, 15 Best Things to Do in Strasbourg (France). The 5 Best Day Trips from Havana By Meena Thiruvengadam Updated on 08/20/19 JulieanneBirch / Getty Images Havana is teeming with hole-in-the-wall restaurants, live music, and local handicraft shops, but there's far more to Cuba than its capital city. Although the company left when Castro came to power and the government took over the trains, they are still in use today. This article was first published May 2018 and updated April 2023. It is, however, as Cubas capital and where the main airport in Cuba is, where most visitors start their trip to Cuba. Visit Vinales from Varadero on a day trip. La Bodeguita is, these days, better known for food than cocktails, but its worth getting to the bar and watching the bartender make mojitos trust me its a great show! The 10 best day trips from Havana. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies.

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