Cuban Highlights Ride: Self-Launched Cycling Adventure

Fly into José Martí International Airport and take a shared taxi colectivo into central Havana (around £5–8 per person, far cheaper than a private taxi). Check into your pre-booked casa particular in Vedado or Centro Habana. Spend the afternoon wandering the Malecón seafront promenade and getting your bearings in this extraordinary city. Grab a street-side cafecito and explore the neighbourhood on foot. No formal activities today — just absorb the atmosphere.

🚌Shared colectivo taxi from airport to city centre (~£6 per person)

🛏Casa particular in Vedado or Centro Habana — book via Airbnb, Homestay.com or directly with owners (~£18–25/night)

• →Arrive at José Martí International Airport and take a shared colectivo taxi to central Havana (~£6)
• →Check in to your casa particular
• →Walk the Malecón seafront promenade
• →Explore Centro Habana streets independently

Hire a bike for the day from a local rental shop in Havana (Trek-style hybrids available from ~£10/day) and explore the city on two wheels. Head into Old Havana (Habana Vieja) — a UNESCO World Heritage site — stopping for a cafecito at a privately owned café. Explore Plaza Vieja, the Capitolio, and the colourful streets independently. In the afternoon, arrange a shared taxi or Viazul bus transfer south to Playa Larga on the Bay of Pigs (around 3 hours, ~£10–15 by shared taxi). Check into a beachfront casa and enjoy dinner at a local fish paladar on the waterfront.

🚌Bike hire in Havana (~£10); shared colectivo taxi Havana → Playa Larga (~£12)

🛏Casa particular in Playa Larga (~£18–22/night)

• →Hire a hybrid/touring bike from a local Havana rental shop (~£10/day)
• →Self-guided cycle tour of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) — Plaza Vieja, Capitolio, Cathedral Square
• →Stop for a cafecito at a privately-owned café in Old Havana
• →Transfer by shared taxi to Playa Larga, Bay of Pigs (~£12 per person)
• →Dinner at a beachfront fish paladar in Playa Larga

Set off on your bike along the coastal road from Playa Larga towards Playa Girón (about 35km), where you can read the roadside monuments and museum exhibits about the 1961 US-backed Bay of Pigs invasion — entry to the Museo Girón costs about £1. Continue riding south to Caleta Buena, a beautiful natural inlet where you can swim from the rocky shore and grab lunch at the small on-site restaurant (~£8). In the afternoon, arrange a shared taxi or local bus transfer to Cienfuegos (~£8–10). Check into your casa near the town centre and explore the magnificent Parque José Martí main square. The Malecón here is a great spot to socialise with locals in the evening.

🚌Self-guided cycling (hire continued or new hire ~£10); shared taxi to Cienfuegos (~£9)

🛏Casa particular near Cienfuegos city centre (~£18–22/night)

• →Cycle from Playa Larga to Playa Girón (~35km) along coastal road
• →Visit Museo Girón (Bay of Pigs Museum) — entry ~£1
• →Swim and lunch at Caleta Buena natural pools (~£8 for lunch)
• →Shared taxi or bus transfer to Cienfuegos (~£9)
• →Evening stroll along Cienfuegos Malecón and Parque José Martí

Start your morning with an e-tricycle (tuk tuk-style solar-powered vehicle) tour of Cienfuegos — these run as local public transport and you can hop on for a few Cuban pesos, or book a short private tour for ~£5–8. Explore the UNESCO-listed architecture at your own pace. In the late morning, take a shared taxi or organised day-trip vehicle towards Cumanayagua and then up into the Escambray mountains to El Nicho Waterfall (total ~30km from Cienfuegos). Book a day-trip jeep transfer locally at your casa (~£10–15 return). Walk to the waterfall, swim in the natural pools, and have lunch at the paladar next to El Nicho (~£6–8). Return to Cienfuegos by bus or shared taxi in the afternoon.

🚌E-tricycle locally (~£6); shared jeep day-trip to El Nicho (~£12 return)

🛏Casa particular in Cienfuegos (~£18–22/night)

• →E-tricycle tour of Cienfuegos UNESCO architecture (~£6 for a short private tour)
• →Day excursion to El Nicho Waterfall — book local jeep transfer at your casa (~£12 return)
• →Swimming in El Nicho natural pools
• →Lunch at paladar next to El Nicho (~£7)
• →Return to Cienfuegos by shared transport in the afternoon

Hire a bike and set off from Cienfuegos towards the countryside, heading to Rancho La Vega farm (~30–35km). Ask your casa host to help arrange a local guide or simply follow the main road south — the riding is mostly flat with some gentle hills. At Rancho La Vega, stop for lunch at the farm (~£6–8). In the early afternoon, take the Viazul bus or a shared colectivo taxi from a nearby stop to Trinidad (~1.5 hours, ~£5–8). Check into your casa and join the guided walking orientation the town naturally offers — Trinidad is compact and endlessly photogenic. Have dinner at one of Trinidad's excellent paladares on the main plaza.

🚌Bike hire (~£10); Viazul bus or shared taxi Cienfuegos → Trinidad (~£6)

🛏Casa particular in Trinidad centre (~£18–22/night)

• →Cycle from Cienfuegos towards Rancho La Vega farm (~35km)
• →Lunch at Rancho La Vega farm (~£7)
• →Viazul bus or shared taxi to Trinidad (~£6)
• →Self-guided walking orientation of UNESCO-listed Trinidad
• →Dinner at a paladar on Trinidad's main plaza (~£10)

Hire a bike and cycle from Trinidad down to Playa Ancón, one of Cuba's most stunning white-sand beaches (~10km each way, flat coastal road). Spend a couple of hours relaxing, swimming, and having lunch at one of the beach paladares (~£8). Cycle back to Trinidad in the early afternoon and take some time to explore the cobbled streets and independent artisan shops. In the evening, book a salsa class with a local Cuban dance teacher through your casa host (~£8–12 for a group class). Afterwards, make your way to Casa de la Trova — Trinidad's legendary live music venue — where entry is free or a very small cover charge. Dance with the locals and enjoy authentic Cuban son and salsa until late.

🚌Bike hire in Trinidad (~£8)

🛏Casa particular in Trinidad centre (~£18–22/night)

• →Cycle to Playa Ancón (~10km each way on flat coastal road)
• →Swim and relax on Playa Ancón white-sand beach
• →Lunch at beach paladar (~£8)
• →Explore Trinidad's cobbled streets and artisan market
• →Evening salsa class with local Cuban dance teacher (~£10)
• →Live music at Casa de la Trova (free entry or small cover charge)

Start with a morning ride out of Trinidad along the road towards the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills). Stop at Manaca Iznaga, where you can visit the historic tower and browse the textile and craft market — meet lace makers keeping traditional methods alive. Continue by arranged transport to Santa Clara, the city liberated by Che Guevara's forces in 1958. Visit the Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara and his mausoleum (free entry) — a deeply moving and historically significant stop. In the late afternoon, take a Viazul bus or shared colectivo taxi from Santa Clara to Havana (~3–4 hours, ~£10–12). Check back into your Havana casa and have dinner at a recommended paladar in the city.

🚌Bike hire for morning (~£6); shared taxi to Santa Clara (~£8); Viazul bus/shared taxi to Havana (~£10)

🛏Casa particular in Havana (~£20–25/night)

• →Morning cycle to Valle de los Ingenios and Manaca Iznaga market (~20km)
• →Browse textile and lace-making artisan market at Manaca Iznaga
• →Shared taxi transfer to Santa Clara (~£8)
• →Visit Monumento and Mausoleum of Che Guevara in Santa Clara (free)
• →Viazul bus or shared taxi Santa Clara → Havana (~£10)
• →Dinner at a paladar in Havana (~£10)

On your final morning, book a classic car tour of Havana directly with one of the many vintage car drivers who park outside the main hotels and tourist areas — negotiate a 1–2 hour tour for ~£20–30 per car (shared between 2–4 people, so ~£8–12 per person). Cruise through Vedado, Miramar and Old Havana in an open-top 1950s American convertible. Afterwards, take a self-guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Habana Vieja: Cathedral Square, Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco, and the Museo de la Revolución (entry ~£3). Visit a local bodega (ration store) for a glimpse into daily Cuban life. Head to the airport in the afternoon — take a shared taxi from the city centre (~£6–8). Adiós, Cuba!

🚌Classic car hire (shared, ~£10 per person); shared colectivo taxi to airport (~£7)

🛏None — departure day

• →Negotiate and book a private classic car tour directly with a local driver (~£10 per person for 1.5hrs)
• →Self-guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Old Havana (Habana Vieja)
• →Visit Cathedral Square, Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Francisco
• →Visit Museo de la Revolución (entry ~£3)
• →Visit a local bodega (ration store) for a glimpse of daily life
• →Shared colectivo taxi to José Martí Airport (~£7)