Captivating Cuba ^CKU

Cuba

This motorcycle tour through Cuba is loaded with culture, great scenery and fantastic roads!

Cuba is the largest and perhaps most interesting island in the Caribbean. Not only famous for its communist government, but also its fascinating old cities, beautiful beaches and the numerous U.S. road cruisers and Harleys from the ‘50s. Not to mention the legendary hospitality of the fun-loving Cubans. This motorcycle tour will introduce you to the secrets of Cuba! We start out from Havana and ride to Viñales, famous for its karst landscape full of caves and its tobacco plantations. Here you can learn everything about the famous Cuban cigars and perhaps even try one.

After a swim in the beautiful basins and waterfalls of the Viñales Natural Park we turn east and ride to Cienfuegos. On the way we visit the famous Bay of Pigs, where the invasion of Cuba failed back in 1961. Next, we spend two nights in Trinidad, considered by many to be the most beautiful of all Caribbean cities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth the rest day! The twisty roads in the beautiful hills of Topes de Collantes are among the best in all of Cuba. You will find lush rainforests, thunderous waterfalls and incredible views there. In Varadero you’ll find white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters; the Caribbean as if straight from a picture book. Enjoy some peace and quiet there before we ride back to Havana along the north coast.

Please be aware that this tour is NOT appropriate for US citizens:
If you are a US citizen please note, that US travelers are mandated to adhere to all regulations set forth by the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. These regulations mandate that all travel to Cuba must be in compliance with one of the approved categories for travel. This means that US citizens can only join tours where the accommodations are not state owned. These accommodations are called “Casa Particulares” which are basically simple bed & breakfasts.

On our Captivating Cuba Tour we use state owned hotels, so this tour is NOT appropriate for US citizens. Therefore, we designed our Authentic Cuba Tour (link) which is carefully organized according to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations so that US citizens can join.

At a glance
10 days vacation

Start/Finish:	La Habana (Havana)
Nearest airport:	La Habana (Havana)
Duration:	10 days vacation, 8 riding days
Route:	Total distance: 1617-1840 km, 1005-1143 miles Daily distances: 137-369 km, 85-229 miles
Accommodations:	Beautiful hotels with the special flair of the region.
Rest day:	Trinidad
Highlights:	Las Terrazas, Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs), Topes de Collantes (National Park), Valle de los Ingenios, Monumento-Memorial Che Guevara, Cayo Santa Maria (beaches), La Habana (Havana), Cueva de los Peces, Cienfuegos, Hanabanilla Dam
Minimum number of participants:	8 Please note paragraph 6.4. a) of our terms and conditions of travel to find out more about the cancellation of tour through Edelweiss Bike Travel when the minimum number of participants is not reached - Terms and Conditions

10 days vacation

8 day riding route

DAY 1:	Arrival in La Habana (Havana)
DAY 2:	La Habana (Havana) - Viñales
DAY 3:	Viñales - Las Terrazas
DAY 4:	Las Terrazas - Cienfuegos
DAY 5:	Cienfuegos - Trinidad
DAY 6:	Trinidad
DAY 7:	Trinidad - Remedios
DAY 8:	Remedios - Varadero
DAY 9:	Varadero - La Habana (Havana)
DAY 10:	Departure from La Habana (Havana)

The daily riding kilometres are approximate distances and may vary. The first and last days mentioned in the itinerary are the arrival and departure days; there is no riding on these days. Arrival time should be arranged before 3 pm on the arrival day (Day 1). Bear in mind the time difference between your country of origin and your travel destination. Please book your flights accordingly. Route and overnight places may change due to unforeseen events.

Details about the tour

Testimonials

Cuba libre - Wohin geht die Reise?

vielen Dank Reiner für die schöne Reportage!

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Reiner H. Nitschke | Tourenfahrer

Classic Cuba

This Cuba tour must be one of the best Edelweiss tours. Excellent riding, varied scenery, history, culture, vibrant colour and vintage cars just everywhere. We even swam in the ocean. The highlight for us was to visit Havana with all its wonderful old buildings and bright 1950's cars. That ride along the Malecon is unique. We also enjoyed riding through the old colonial towns full of colour and character, the roads lined with revolutionary slogans and images of Che Guevara. We spent a few days in old Havana before and after the trip taking in the atmosphere, visiting the museums and having salsa lessons. Cuba is a unique destination - thank you Manuel (our tour guide) for your excellent guiding!

Vivien & Paul Newrick, Great Britain

Klassik Kuba

Kuba zu erleben war eine Erfahrung die wir nie vergessen werden! Schon bei der Landung in La Havana hatten wir das Gefühl, eine Zeitreise in die 50er Jahre gemacht zu haben in ein Land, wie es kaum ein schöneres gibt. Man merkt auch, dass Kuba sich allmählich von den Fesseln des Komminismus löst, und unsere Motorradtour war auch gleichzeitig eine Reise durch die Geschichte des Landes. Wir hatten die netteste Gruppe, die man sich wünschen kann, mit Teilnehmern aus aller Herren Länder und unser Tour Guide Jens war nicht nur ein Reiseleiter, sondern ein Freund, mit dem es Spaß machte zu touren. Wir Jungs aus Südafrika freuen uns, ihn und den Rest der Gruppe bald wiederzusehen.

Tony Cimato, Rod Wooldridge & Dave Leyshon, Südafrika

Classic Cuba

This was our first motorcycle holiday with Edelweiss. Words can not describe how unbelievably impressive this journey was with our guides Domenico Schiano, Christopher Baker and Anivar Falcon Hayes!
Not only is Cuba a country which is incomparable concerning its special character, it is also a perfect motorcycle touring destination, because we felt thrown back in time for a hundred years. There is nearly no car traffic – horses, oxen and carriages dominate the streets.
For us it was a perfect combination of riding and an educational journey!

Every day, Christopher Baker, a well-known American journalist and travel book author, gave us an understanding of the people, the political system and the characteristics of this country. Through his decade-long experience and his numerous contacts, no matter if sports legends, artist or private contacts to the people who live there, we had the chance to experience this country in a way we have never done before!

Domenico Schiano shared his enthusiasm for motorcycle touring from the first moment and understood how to bring harmony to a group of bikers from many different countries with his kindness. His experience and the joy he shared every day created an absolutely harmonic and happy atmosphere among the bikers. Never before have we experienced so little problems and disharmony!

Anivar Hayes is the good soul from Cuba who always took care for everything by managing all the technical stuff at various places without any problems and without us even noticing. His contacts to the people of Cuba made many things easier and gave us a first-hand experience.

All 3 together made it possible to not only experience a motorcycle holiday in a foreign country, but also to have an adventurous and educational journey, which truly is something special in its combination.

Last but not least we would like to say a big thank you to Edelweiss’ product management. A perfect travel preparation, great organization and many, super friendly phone calls and e-mails before our tour contributed to making our trip a perfect one – exactly the way we experienced it.

Oliver & Kathrin Gerber, Germany