Havana and Varadero, Cuba

What does the Caribbean's largest island have to offer? Most visitors head to one of the endless beaches of the Varadero peninsula for a relaxing break. Yes, the Caribbean climate and clear coral sea will not disappoint. However, on our incentive tour to Cuba, you can experience much more from this island than "just" the sea, sun and delicious rum. Cuba is also the land of palm trees, rhythmic music and sugar cane.

You can see Spanish, African or even indigenous Haitian and Chinese traits in the people. Christianity, rooted in the long colonial rule over the island, mixes with the Afro-Cuban voodoo religion of Santería. Cuba is a true blend of opposites. Socialism here is cloaked in a tropical garb. The almost complete absence of free enterprise and the import of many raw materials is particularly noticeable outside the tourist resorts. However, the country is completely safe – visitors can move freely throughout the island.

Cuba covers an area of 110,860km² and has a population of over 11 million. The island has a pleasant subtropical climate, which is influenced by the flow of a mild north-easterly wind. January and April are the sunniest months of the year. The average temperature in the hottest months (July and August) is 27.4°C, and in the coldest months (February) 22.2°C.

Although Cuba is an island state, the most typical food is surprisingly not fish (of course, it is also on the menu), but pork. In the case of vegetables, it is mostly tomatoes, peppers or garlic. Cuba has a special side dish in the form of boniatos – local sweet potatoes.

In Cuba you will encounter two official currencies. Convertible and Cuban peso. Tourists can only pay with convertible currency, which they exchange at a currency exchange office or bank upon arrival on the island. The official language is Spanish. The time difference to the Czech Republic is minus six hours. A valid passport with a tourist visa is required to travel to Cuba.

Why take an incentive tOUR to Cuba?

affordable and safe Caribbean
the charm of the shabby colonial Havana
sea, sun and delicious rum
exotic hinterland
catamaran cruise to see dolphins

HAVANA

Havana, or La Habana, is the capital of Cuba. It is located in the northwestern part of the island off the coast of the Caribbean Sea. Havana is home to approximately 2.2 million inhabitants, making it Cuba's largest city. The city is often referred to as the Paris of the Caribbean and Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We start our walk on the Malecón, a wide boulevard running along the coast. We will continue in Old Havana – Habana Vieja, which will amaze you with its old, very splendid colonial houses that show us how rich Havana was in its time. In Old Havana, many buildings have already been renovated. However, some are still waiting for the necessary steps.

We will also visit some famous restaurants such as La Bodeguita del Medio, where Ernest Hemingway used to sip his drinks. One can also visit a tobacco factory or a rum museum.

CAR VETERANS OF THE 50'S

Thousands of old American wreckers from the 1950s are still not entitled to a well-deserved retirement. Although they are often in a state of complete disrepair, they still have to serve and take people to work or to the train station. You can look for an open-air museum of working vintage cars in only one place in the world – Cuba. For tourists, these are glittering beauties that are hard to see anywhere else in the world.

Taking a ride in a preserved American car is not to be missed when visiting Cuba, so we're including it in the itinerary!

MUSEO DEL RON

A visit to the Havana Club Rum Museum is not just a return to the origins of Cuba's most famous drink. From the freshly cut sugar cane stalks to the reconstruction of the distillery and cellars used to age the rum, the museum offers a true experience of the rum-making process and of course, you'll get to enjoy authentic Cuban culture.

CUBAN DRINKS

The mojito and daiquiri, also popular in the Czech Republic, originated in Cuba and feature Cuban rum as an integral part of the drink. Both cocktails were made famous by the writer Ernest Hemingway, who chose Cuba as his second home. You must not leave Cuba without tasting them.

VARADERO ISLA PARAISO

Or "Paradise on Earth". You can reach this island by boat from the marina on Varadero. You'll have a breathtaking snorkeling experience right off the coral reef. You'll walk along the beaches that are so typical of Cuba.

JEEP SAFARI

A day full of adrenaline and exploration. We'll drive to the Canimar River in jeeps and take a motorboat ride. A local coffee plantation, La Dyonisia, is chosen as a lunch stop. An interesting stop is also the Saturno cave, in which you can swim.

A CATAMARAN TRIP TO SEE DOLPHINS

This four-hour offshore catamaran trip will be enjoyed not only by lovers of free movement on the sea. Swimming with dolphins will also be an unforgettable experience.

TRIP CIENFUEGOS A TRINIDAD

A bus trip to the best preserved and most beautiful colonial town on the island of Cuba. Trinidad has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial architecture. During the trip you will visit the Plaza Mayor and other traditional sites. The trip includes very long bus transfers (up to eight hours in total).

HOTEL NATIONAL HAVANA

Hotel Nacional de Cuba is a historic five-star hotel in the city of Havana. The building was opened in 1930, when Cuba was one of the most desirable destinations for the American people and the embargo against the island had not yet begun. Later, during the Depression, the hotel was used by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Many famous people have stayed at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, including Marlon Brando, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Buster Keaton, Frank Sinatra and Ernest Hemingway. Portraits of these stars can be seen in one of the cafés. Hotel National is located right in the center of Havana on the Malecón.

HOTEL MELIA VARADERO

Hotel Meliá Varadero is part of the Las Américas Resort Sol Meliá Cuba. It is in close proximity to the Varadero Golf Club and the Plaza Américas business and conference center. This five-story hotel portrays a starfish, gives a choice of several restaurants, has a very nicely landscaped garden and pays for quality accommodation within Varadero.

Transport is by air with one stopover in Paris or Amsterdam.