Cycle Cuba: West
Experience Overview
Want to know how it feels to ride alongside tractors and vintage cars, past tobacco farms and lush, limestone landscapes? Feel the Caribbean wind whip through your (helmet-covered) hair on this seven-day, two-wheeled journey in Cuba. You’ll discover the rich history and crumbling ruins of Old Havana as you peddle through the capital’s colourful streets. Cycle to the pristine shores of Cayo Jutias to cool-off from the heat and end a rewarding day in the saddle in Vinales with a farm-to-plate feast (with free rum!). From the flora and fauna-filled valleys of Soroa to the welcoming arms of renowned farmer Mama Luisa, take a ‘brake’ from the beaten path and access unique parts of the island that you can only reach on a bicycle.
Highlights
- Experience Cuba’s dynamic scenery on two-wheels, from the decaying charm of Old Havana to the dramatic limestone landscapes of Vinales.
- Immerse yourself in everyday life as you bike on Cuban roads with local traffic, alongside tractors, vintage American cars, old Ladas and horse-drawn carriages.
- Enjoy a delicious farm-to-plate experience in a hilltop restaurant – the produce is 100% organic and locally grown – oh, and the rum is free!
- Top-off your Cuban experience at a tobacco plantation regarded as the world’s finest cigar manufacturer and witness a local farmer expertly roll an iconic Cuban ‘habana’.
- Stretch your legs along the pristine beaches of Cayo Jutias, where you can soak up some free time to flop and drop on the white sands or go for a refreshing dip in the Caribbean.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2433
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Bicycle (optional e-bike on request),Support Vehicle (Bus)
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: QBXC
Starts: Havana, Cuba
Finishes: Havana, Cuba
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (3), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Standard Guesthouse (6 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,735 ($248 /day)
Itinerary
Bienvenido! Welcome to Cuba. To make your arrival a little bit easier, you’ll have a complimentary transfer from the airport to your accommodation (guesthouse) in Havana. Then, your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to join the locals for a stroll past the fading facades along the oceanside Malecon or hire an open top vintage American car and cruise the streets and boulevards of Havana. After the meeting, why not get to know your riding companions over an optional group dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities:
- Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide) (10 USD)
- Havana Bike Hire - Ruta Bikes (20 USD)
- Havana - Morro Castle (entrance fee, no guide, no transport)10 am-9 pm (200 CUP)
- Havana - American Vintage Car Tour (No guide and transport included) (30 USD)
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Take a short drive to Vedado this morning to meet your support crew and be fitted to your bike. Take your new wheels for a spin on a leisurely ride from Outer Havana back to Old Havana, passing John Lennon Park, the Grand Theatre and the Capitol building along the way. Enjoy lunch in a nearby cafe before stretching your legs on a guided walking tour of Old Havana, taking in the four most historic plazas. Finish your walk with a 360-degree panoramic view of Old Havana through the eyes of The Camera Obscurer – the only one of its kind in Latin American and the Caribbean, before heading to Soroa in the support vehicle. Known as the 'rainbow of Cuba', Soroa is a landscape of unique flora and fauna. Have dinner over sunset, then maybe head to a local guesthouse for cocktails and maybe a game of dominos. Be warned, the locals (and your support team) are fiercely competitive and have spent countless hours honing their domino skills!
Included Activities:
- Cycling Outer Havana
- Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll take a guided tour of the Soroa Orchid Garden. Set among seven acres, this oasis of flora features 250 plant varieties native to Cuba as well as numerous species of birds. After, you’ll hop on your bike and cycle west (on well-paved roads), sharing the streets with local traffic – tractors, vintage American cars, old Ladas and horse-drawn carriages. When you arrive at a hillside lake, you’ll take a break before heading for the San Juan River for lunch and a refreshing swim. After, drive to the small but renowned lakeside eco-village of Comunidad Las Terrazas – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to a lively art community. Grab a coffee near the main square then visit the former home of the celebrated Cuban musician Polo Montanez. Return to Soroa and spend the evening relaxing, playing pool or taking the opportunity to improve on your domino skills.
Included Activities:
- Las Terrazas - Eco-village Visit
- Soroa - Orchid Garden (entrance fee and guide included)
- Las Terrazas - Casa de Polo entry
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Drive to the hilly Cueva de los Portales, where the legendary Che Guevara stayed and trained the Western Army of the Cuban Revolution. From here, cycle on to the UNESCO-listed town of Vinales. Set among low-lying mountains, this beautifully remote area is reminiscent of the limestone karst scenery of Vietnam and is the perfect place to ride with very little traffic on the roads. Push your pedals a short distance uphill and be rewarded with spectacular views before continuing on to meet the delightful Mama Luisa – a seasoned farmer who will treat you to a delicious local meal. After, ride to a tobacco farm where you’ll meet another farmer who’ll show you how tobacco is dried and then rolled into cigars – here you have the chance to purchase this Cuban speciality directly from the maker. Jump back into the support vehicle and return to Vinales in time for a farm-to-plate experience at a hillside restaurant. The food here is 100% organic and grown locally, and although drinks aren’t included, you only pay for the mixers as the rum is free!
Included Activities:
- Vinales - Tobacco farm visit
Optional Activities:
- Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (per hour) (10 USD)
- Vinales - Live music venues (entrance fee) - Free
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, drive to the Diego Rivera-inspired Mural de la Prehistoria. Painted on a cliff at the foot of the Sierra de Vinales, the huge eye-catching mural took 18 people four years to finish. From here, leave the towering limestone karsts behind as you cycle to Cayo Jutias, traversing smaller roads through dry and flat farmland, with barely a vehicle to be seen, until you reach white beaches and pale blue water. After your ride, stretch out on the shoreline and sit down for a packed lunch with fresh juice. Then, enjoy some free time to relax – swim in the warm waters or walk to the neighbouring beach where the locals often park their old cars on the sand. After some time to soak up the atmosphere, take the support vehicle back to Vinales. The rest of the evening is free – why not try one of the many live music venues or salsa the night away ata dance class.
Included Activities:
- Vinales - Beach excursion to Cayo Jutias
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, drive to the nearby lookout point for a view of the Vinales Valley before descending to the flat plains where you’ll begin your final ride – cycling through rural landscapes, you’ll pass many small towns and communities on some of the smoothest tarmac in Cuba. Finish on top of a small hill, where you’ll celebrate with one last meal before re-boarding your transport for the drive back to Havana. When you arrive, bid farewell to your bikes and your support team before checking into your guesthouse. Make the most of a free afternoon to reacquaint yourself with Cuba's charming capital and maybe visit the Jose Marti Memorial Tower or organise a final group meal in one of the many paladars in Old Havana.
Optional Activities:
- Havana - Jose Marti Memorial tower entrance fee (200 CUP)
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you have not already organised a transfer to the airport, your guesthouse can usually arrange one for you – please discuss this with them the day before you need to depart.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Fiona - Traveled, December 2022
Cuba West Cycle is an excellent trip to see real life in Cuba. A good variety of rides along with interesting places to visit. We were very well looked after by our trip team. Highly recommend this trip!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/22/2022
George - Traveled, November 2022
A brilliant, unique and relaxing way to see Cuba
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/11/2022
Rob - Traveled, November 2022
Friendly, helpful, fun, knowledgeable, organized staff ensured our trip was a success. We were always in the loop as to what was next on the agenda. Great workout, with plenty of scenery in combination with super food, a winning combination. Highly recommend !!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/08/2022
Clair - Traveled, November 2022
Cuba west with Maurice and the team was brilliant a great mix of cycling and sightseeing, I really got to feel the passion and spirit of Cuba. It’s pretty hilly and bumpy but the views and visits to the countryside are worth it. The owners of the casa’s are so welcoming and it’s a real privilege to be welcomed to their homes
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2022
Amanda - Traveled, August 2022
Come to Cuba and cycle with Intrepid. Best way to see Cuba. Fantastic countryside/culture and crew.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2022
Benjamin - Traveled, April 2022
Highly highly recommended. Experiences that would not have been possible on a self organised tour. Intrepid and the local guide were extremely professional - my first but not my last intrepid trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/02/2022
Jonathan - Traveled, March 2024
Intrepid is the tour company you want. Super professional and safe. Great itinerary and super communication. Fantastic value. Talented guides. Our trip leader Rainer Companioni is among the best in the business. Cannot recommend Intrepid highly enough. 5 stars.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/04/2024
Jim - Traveled, March 2024
A fantastic experience. Thoughtfully designed and incredibly well-managed, you feel safe and well cared for throughout. I took my 15-year-old son, and he also had a great time and learned a ton.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/02/2024
Jessica - Traveled, February 2024
Rainer Companioni was an amazing guide for our Cuba West trip! His priority for safety was first and his ability to lead and educate a group from all over the world was excellent. I'd take another trip with him leading again! the trip itself was awesome- the locations and experiences were perfect and well-planned!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/20/2024
Shun Wai - Traveled, December 2024
Highly recommend this trip! Cycling is such a fun unique way to feel the spirit of Cuba. Our leader Rainer, and the support crew are amazing, knowledgeable, and attentive, and give us a whole new perspective on the beauty of Cuba. There are a few challenging hills but overall it's a pleasant enjoyable ride.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/08/2024
Justin - Traveled, December 2024
What a fantastic trip, seeing this beautiful country is simply different on two wheels. The sections of cycling are well picked, a good balance between fun and challenge. Rainer was such a great leader!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/17/2024
Kari - Traveled, November 2023
I’ve just complete a week long cycling tour of West Cuba. And the whole experience was amazing. Wow what a way to see and experience it. This trip has created experiences and memories for a life time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Wendy - Traveled, February 2023
Excellent trip with varied activities which gave a good overview of the west of Cuba. Supportive guide and crew who listened to the individual needs and abilities of the group and acted on them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/07/2023
Sally - Traveled, January 2023
A great way to see and experience a mix of city/country lives and sights of everyday Cuba, while learning about its rich history. Tour guides and support teams fantastic - fun, helpful, attentive. Bikes good, a couple of challenging hills here and there but generally gently undulating rides, not too long, roads quiet of traffic but can be in poor condition. Another fab and enjoyable Intrepid bike tour crossed off my list.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/24/2023
Aleksandra - Traveled, March 2022
It was an incredible cycling trip. We both absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it enough to other travellers! The itinerary was amazing and we wish we could have stayed longer! We will definitely book again with Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2022
Dean - Traveled, March 2022
This trip was fantastic, an absolutely amazing experience. Cycling was great and a few challenging hills but all manageable. The group leader Rainer, bike crew Ariel and driver Allan were all great with us. Very well organised and highly recommended!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2022
Shaun - Traveled, February 2022
Cuba is a wonderful vibrant safe country with very little traffic on the roads making it a great place for cyclists. This trip is just the thing if you can cycle 15 miles or more and has a great mix of exercise and culture. I had a fantastic time and would go again tomorrow if I could.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2022
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