Biking Cuba
Experience Overview
Two wheels are better than four (or more) when it comes to exploring the Caribbean nation of Cuba. This eight-day active tour leads you along some of the nation's most scenic sights and routes. Cycle through the Garden Province of Pinar del Río, passing famous mogotes (limestone pincushion hills) of the region, see the historic Cueva de los Portales used by Che Guevara, and venture along the Ancón peninsula coastline. Your time relaxing or swimming on the beaches of Playa Ancón will be well-earned by this point.
Highlights
- Bike through limestone pincushion hills in Viñales
- Visit a tobacco farm
- Spot birds while cycling along the idyllic Zapata Peninsula
- Enjoy a picnic lunch on the Playa Ancón
- Visit a women-operated traditional textiles centre
- See the Mausoleum of Che Guevara
Trip Details
Product Code: 1757
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Bicycle, private vehicle, walking, cycling support vehicle (optional).
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: CCBC
Starts: Havana, Cuba
Finishes: Havana, Cuba
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Proyecto Manacú Visit, Manaca Iznaga Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Havana Homestay, Havana Your Hands-On Moment: Salsa Lesson, Trinidad
- Arrival transfer
- Guided cycling with support vehicle
- Traditional cigar factory visit in Pinar del Río
- Cueva de los Portales visit
- Las Terrazas visit
- Giron Museum visit
- Che Guevara's Mausoleum Visit
- Havana city tour
- Informal Spanish lesson
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Casas particulares (homestays) (7 nts).
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches
Transport
- Bicycle, private vehicle, walking, cycling support vehicle (optional).
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,386 ($173 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Havana
Arrive at any time. An arrival transfer is included to the tour's starting point, a "casa particular" (Cuban home used as a bed and breakfast), for an authentic Cuban experience.
Arrive in Havana at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the casa and enjoy the city. Your CEO will organize a short meeting in the evening.
Day 2: Havana/Viñales
Depart Havana after breakfast and transfer west to Viñales in Pinar del Río, the “Garden Province” of Cuba. Head out on the first ride – a circular route around Viñales, cycling past the famous mogotes (limestone pincushion hills) of the region.
Leave Havana this morning and drive to the small village of Viñales. This region is one of the most stunning in Cuba, know for its mogotes (large limestone pincushion hills) that make for spectacular views. In the afternoon, get fitted on a bike and hop in the saddle for the first ride in the area. Although we're not covering much distance today, it's a great opportunity to get accustomed to the conditions and prepared for the days ahead. Lunch today will be a picnic lunch.
After the ride, visit a tobacco farm. Enjoy some free time in Viñales and opt to go caving, hiking, or relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley.
Today's riding distance: approximately 26km, with elevation gains of 276m
Day 3: Viñales/Playa Larga
Cycle to the historic Cueva de los Portales, a cave that was used by Che Guevara as the headquarters of the Cuban Army during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Later, transfer to Playa Larga.
Lunch will be a picnic lunch and today's riding distance is: approx 46km, with elevation gains of 540m
Day 4: Playa Larga/Trinidad
Cycle to Playa Giron to visit the museum here and learn about the area's important history. Hop back on our bikes to cycle to Caleta Buena for lunch. Cool off in the refreshing turquoise waters before transferring to the World Heritage Site of Trinidad.
Today's ride will journey through the idyllic setting of the Zapata Peninsula. Lying within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, the area is home to a multitude of bird species. Make a stop at Playa Giron, one of the sites of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Visit the museum here to learn about the conflict and see artifacts such as weapons and tanks.
Cycle on to Caleta Buena, a protected cove with clear waters and an abundance of fascinating marine life. After enjoying a picnic lunch overlooking the cove, you can opt to swim in these beautiful waters.
Today's riding distance: approx 45km, with elevation gains of 112m
Day 5: Trinidad
Navigate through the bustling streets of central Trinidad and depart for the small fishing village of La Boca. Continue on the route that enjoys the alluring scenery of the Ancon peninsula coastline and indulge in a picnic lunch on the golden sands of Playa Ancón. Spend time relaxing or swimming in this idyllic location.
Cycle back via the small port of Casilda and take advantage of free time in Trinidad. Tonight, join the group for a fun and informal salsa class with Cuban dance partners. Soak up the lively atmosphere of Trinidad and opt for a night out to enjoy all the sights and sounds the town has to offer.
Today's riding distance: approx 25km, with elevation gains of 128m
Day 6: Trinidad/Santa Clara
Depart Trinidad, cycling to the town of Manaca Iznaga, a Unesco World Heritage Site known as the Valley of the Sugar Mills. Wander the town's plaza and browse the artisanal market for souvenirs. Visit the G Adventures-supported project, Proyecto Manacú before continuing on to Rio Seibabo for lunch. Later, transfer to Santa Clara.
Set off early by bike, making a stop at the small town of Manaca Iznaga which is known as the ‘Valle de los Ingenios' or Valley of the Sugar Mills. This town once played an integral role in the production of sugar cane in the country and remnants of the old sugar mills and machinery can still be found here. Today, the town enjoys a status as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Continue on to the G Adventures-supported project, Proyecto Manacú. This is a female-led community initiative designed to keep the local textile making traditions alive.
Cycle the scenic route north to Rio Seibabo, stopping to try some local honey along the way. Enjoy a packed lunch by the river and opt for a post-lunch dip. The final leg of today's journey will be made by bus to Santa Clara. Settle into the casas particulares for the night.
Today's riding distance: approx 37km, with elevation gains of 545m
Day 7: Santa Clara/Havana
Visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara this morning before traveling back to the capital. Enjoy a cycling tour of Havana, reveling in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city.
One of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It contains a wealth of colonial architecture, and the old city and streets around the malecon (ocean-side walkway) are best discovered on foot. After arriving back to the city, go on a cycling and walking tour of Havana's highlights. Experience the bustle, history, and rhythms of this fascinating Caribbean capital city.
Day 8: Havana
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Lana M - Traveled, December 2023
I like G',s sustainable approach to travel, and I think more could be done. I also like that G works with local guides and businesses. I appreciate that it offers different styles of travel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Jordan C - Traveled, December 2023
Well organised. Diverse group
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Robert B - Traveled, November 2023
I had the best possible time. It was absolutely amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Charles B - Traveled, October 2023
The tour was well thought out and the guide was exceptional
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Dorothea K - Traveled, October 2023
Super itinerary, fun, feel complete save, happy to meet people from all over the world
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Andrea P - Traveled, October 2023
Our guide Jackson was great. He communicated very well, let us know what to expect and how things were going to work. He explained a lot about Cuba, which was amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Carina H - Traveled, October 2023
I had good experience in the past as well. The combination of traveling and biking was awesome.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
JŸrgen S - Traveled, October 2023
The tour was a good mixture of activity, sightseeing and relaxing
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Mahlayah M - Traveled, October 2023
I felt this trip was a truly authentic way to experience Cuba - staying in local casas (not major hotels), having a local guide (Jackson) who',d lived their for his entire life and could share personal insights with us about life there, local stops along the way (beekeeper and embroidery).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Neil R - Traveled, October 2023
Very well organised, great on the ground personnel
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Cindy G - Traveled, October 2023
This is great for anyone who is single
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Jacqueline M - Traveled, April 2023
Good trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/06/2023
Hamza M - Traveled, April 2023
Very well organized, additional items beyond the scope of trip covered as well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/06/2023
Leah F - Traveled, April 2023
G Adventures came highly recommended and I very much enjoyed my trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/06/2023
Jennifer H - Traveled, March 2023
The tours are well run, organized, small groups and generally include all the transportation on a bus/vehicle (better than public transport) or plane (even though planes are public transport). The guide usually organizes dinner for everyone each evening at a decent restaurant. Only on one G Adventures trip has the guide bailed on the last night and not organized dinner (different trip) - on this trip to Cuba, the guide organized dinner and chose a great venue.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2023
Markus D - Traveled, March 2023
Awesome trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2023
William C - Traveled, March 2023
Have consistently had great experiences with G Adventures and would highly recommend them for this style of travel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2023
Maria Garyfallia X - Traveled, December 2023
I was really satisfied by the trip - destination, organisation and team members was all really nice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Suzana O - Traveled, December 2023
I've had an incredible experience thanks to our local guides who showed us Cuba and who made sure we had an incredible time while there. They paid attention to every detail, and we had nothing to worry about. I'd always recommend G Adventures for their way of organization - making sure we',re staying with locals and being guided by locals.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Maria C - Traveled, December 2023
Well organised trips with good local logistics at a reasonable price.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
