Itinerary Overview

Day 1–2: Havana → Day 3: Viñales → Day 4: Santa Clara → Day 5–6: Trinidad → Day 7: Return to Havana for departure. Inter-city transport is mainly via private car or the Viazul long-distance bus, with private cars offering more flexibility and saving time.

Days 1–2: Havana’s Old Town and Malecón

• Day 1: Arrive at José Martí International Airport; check into accommodation in Old Havana or Vedado. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Havana’s four main plazas. In the evening, stroll along the Malecón seawall and watch the sunset.
• Day 2: Visit the Museum of the Revolution and the Capitol building in the morning. In the afternoon, take a classic car tour to explore Hemingway’s favorite spots: La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita, where you can try a mojito or daiquiri.

Day 3: Viñales Valley

Depart early in the morning for Viñales in western Cuba (about 2.5 hours). Explore the tobacco-growing region with its iconic limestone mogotes hills and tobacco fields. Visit cigar workshops to learn about traditional hand-rolling techniques. In the afternoon, go horseback riding or hiking to see prehistoric cave paintings and indigenous caves. Return to Havana in the evening or stay overnight in a local guesthouse.

Day 4: Santa Clara and Che Guevara

Head to central Santa Clara in the morning to visit the Che Guevara Memorial Plaza and Mausoleum, learning about the history of the 1958 Battle of Santa Clara. In the afternoon, continue south or head to Trinidad. Arrive in the evening and check into a guesthouse in the Old Town.

Days 5–6: Trinidad

• Day 5: Stroll through Trinidad’s Old Town, visiting Plaza Mayor, the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the Colonial Museum. Climb the bell tower for views of the pastel-colored rooftops. In the evening, visit the Casa de la Música (Music House) for live music.
• Day 6: In the morning, explore nearby sugar cane valleys and old sugar mill ruins, or spend half a day at Ancón Beach. Return to the Old Town in the afternoon for leisurely shopping for handicrafts.

Day 7: Return to Havana and Departure

Take a vehicle back to Havana in the morning (about 4–5 hours). If time allows, stop in Cienfuegos to admire its French-style colonial architecture and bay views. In the evening, head to the airport for departure and pick up cigars or rum before your flight.

Tips

• Private inter-city cars should be arranged in advance with your guesthouse or travel agency, with pricing based on vehicle type and distance.
• Long-distance buses require advance ticket purchase and passport checks. Services are limited, and seats often sell out during peak seasons.
• There are limits on the quantity of cigars you can take out of the country. Be sure to get an official receipt when purchasing.