Cycle from Santa Clara to Havana - Central Cuba Island Bike Tour
Tour Highlights:
- Cycle through Cuba’s breathtaking countryside and vibrant communities.
- Discover the UNESCO World Heritage towns of Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
- Snorkel in the Bay of Pigs and explore Zapata Swamp National Park.
- Opt for a gentle kayak paddle near Trinidad’s serene river landscapes.
- Engage with Cuban artists, farmers, educators, and park guides.
- Visit Hemingway’s house and uncover Havana’s rich colonial history.
Explore some of Cuba’s most stunning scenery on this eight-day cycling tour into the heart of the country. From the provincial capital of Santa Clara, you’ll venture south through the rugged Escambray Mountains to visit Topes Collantes National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Trinidad. Wander through its cobblestone streets before pedaling along the coast to Cienfuegos to admire its French-influenced architecture.
This cycling tour is designed to immerse you in Cuba’s rich culture and heritage while offering meaningful interactions with the local communities. Meet with artists, restaurant owners, market vendors, and park guides, and discover the stories behind the legend that is Cuba.
Note: The following itinerary is subject to change, depending on the weather, transportation, and the availability of guest speakers. We will do our best to try and substitute similar activities while maintaining our commitment to promoting independent activities that support Cuban society and provide meaningful cultural exchanges.
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Itinerary
Day 0
Make your way to Santa Clara. With one commercial flight operating from the United States per day with American Airlines, we highly recommend that you try to arrive a day before the tour starts.
Your tour officially starts at 11 am on Day 1.
Day 1
Arrive in Santa Clara
Once you arrive, transfer to the tour hotel on your own. Today you may relax, or simply enjoy walking around Santa Clara. In town you can visit the Parque Vidal or visit the mausoleum of Che Guevara and learn about the fascinating events of the Cuban Revolution.
In the early evening, you’ll meet your tour guide for an orientation meeting with dinner to follow.
Day 2
Santa Clara to Trinidad
After an early breakfast, we’ll jump onto our bikes and head southeast to Topes de Collantes National Park in the rugged Escambray Mountains. With lots of ups and downs, this can be a challenging ride for some but our support bus is always nearby if you need a break.
As we ride, we often encounter farmers tending their fields or other locals going about their daily work. When the moment feels right, we pause to chat and learn about their way of life. Along the route, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch amidst picturesque surroundings and hear our first introduction to Cuban history from our knowledgeable guides. Our ride concludes at Manaca Iznaga, a former sugar plantation with a few original structures still standing. From there, we board a bus and head to Trinidad, a beautifully preserved colonial town founded in 1514. As one of the five original Spanish settlements in Cuba, Trinidad is a hub of art, history, and culture, brimming with charm.
In the late afternoon, we settle into our accommodations at Casa Particulares for the next two nights. These are private guesthouses run by local families, offering an intimate glimpse into Cuban life and a chance to connect with locals. Staying in these homes also supports the Cuban people, aligning with the U.S. government’s objectives for travel to Cuba.
After settling in, we’ll take a brief walking tour to explore Trinidad’s cobblestone streets and vibrant atmosphere. In the evening, we gather for dinner at a paladar—a privately owned restaurant often set in a historic mansion or colonial building, where you can savor authentic Cuban cuisine.
- Elevation: +3170 / -3488 ft.
- Distance: 42 Miles
- Time: 5-6 hours with stops
- Map and GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46390224
Day 3
Trinidad to Playa Ancon
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Trinidad, whether you choose to wander its charming streets or simply unwind. By late morning, we set off on a scenic ride from town to the coast, arriving at Playa Ancón, one of Cuba’s most stunning beaches. Take a refreshing swim before savoring a seaside lunch.
In the afternoon, we take a short transfer to our kayaks for a peaceful 90-minute paddle along a serene river, offering excellent birdwatching and breathtaking views of Trinidad’s colorful rooftops nestled on the hillside. If kayaking isn’t your thing, feel free to use this time to continue exploring Trinidad at your own pace.
Back in the heart of the city, we visit a women’s art cooperative to learn how creativity and craftsmanship shape Cuban culture, followed by a stop at the workshop of one of Trinidad’s most renowned woodcarvers.
Dinner tonight is at a paladar, a privately owned restaurant that supports local entrepreneurs. Afterward, those who want to experience Trinidad’s vibrant nightlife can head to Casa de la Música, where live music fills the air on the town’s iconic steps.
- Elevation: +127 / -314 ft
- Distance: 8.5 Miles (optional)
- Time: 45 minutes
- Map and GPS profile
Day 4
Trinidad to Cienfuegos
After breakfast, we’ll head out of town to begin the day’s bike ride (24 miles, +851/-987 ft elevation) along the coast to Cienfuegos. This scenic and relatively flat ride offers magnificent views across the Caribbean Sea, with the opportunity to stop and swim along the way. We’ll refuel over lunch before being transferred into the center of Cienfuegos, which is often referred to as the “Pearl of the South”.
Settled in the mid-19th century, Cienfuegos is famed for its seaside malecon and beautiful architecture, which of which is protected as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a walking tour, we’ll visit some of the city’s most majestic buildings, including the Teatro Tomas Terry. Dinner will be at a local paladar near the “Prado”, one of the city’s most popular places to socialize.
- Elevation: + 851 / - 987 ft.
- Distance: 24.4 Miles (optional +15.5 miles +565/ -411 ft.)
- Time: 3.5 hours with stops
- Map & GPS Online Profile
Day 5
Cienfuegos to the Bay of Pigs
Today’s ride (35 miles, +414/-506 ft elevation change) begins in Yaguaramas on the outskirts of Cienfuegos and takes us through tranquil rural landscapes where people can be seen working in the fields alongside their oxen. By midday, we will reach Playa Giron on the Bay of Pigs, which is synonymous with the United States orchestrated invasion of 1961.
After lunch, we’ll have time to visit the Museum of the Bay of Pigs before an optional snorkel in Zapata National Park to discover what is one of the Caribbean’s healthiest reef systems. During this excursion, you’ll learn about the research being done to support the area’s marine life in collaboration with U.S.-based institutions.
This evening, we will be staying in a casa particular in the beachside town of Playa Larga. Before dinner, we will be treated to an informative chat with a ranger from the National Park Service to learn about the challenges of conservation in Cuba.
Day 6
Playa Larga to Havana
In the morning, we cycle from the quaint beach town of Playa Larga to the village of Palpite, where we’ll visit a unique art and music school. Young adults from across Cuba spend a year here honing their talents in disciplines such as drumming, pottery, and dance. During our visit, we’ll have the chance to interact with the students and experience their creativity firsthand.
Next, we stop by our friend Bernabé’s home, where a flowering tree in his yard frequently attracts the world’s smallest bird—the bee hummingbird. With some luck, we’ll catch sight of these tiny marvels. Afterward, we load our bikes into our vehicle and begin the drive toward Havana.
Just after lunch, we arrive at Hemingway’s house and museum, Finca La Vigía, located in a quiet suburb of Havana. This historic estate, built in 1886 by Catalan architect Miguel Pascual y Baguer, was Hemingway’s home for two decades and the place where he penned some of his most iconic works. Surrounded by lush gardens and palm trees, the property also houses his famous fishing boat, the Pilar.
From Finca La Vigía, we head to our hotel in Havana and settle in. After a bit of downtime to refresh, we venture out for dinner at a nearby paladar, where we’ll enjoy delicious local cuisine. For those still energized after dinner, Havana’s vibrant nightlife awaits, including the renowned Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), a cultural hotspot featuring live music, art, and more.
Day 7
Explore Havana
We dedicate a full day to discovering the vibrant city of Havana! Once the largest city in the Caribbean, Havana was renowned for its grandeur, rivaling European capitals like Paris and London with its stunning architecture, world-class museums, and captivating beauty. While the city’s charm has taken on a weathered patina, its allure remains undeniable.
The morning begins with an exploration of Havana Vieja (Old Havana), where we’ll wander through its iconic four plazas, each brimming with unique history and charm. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, much of Old Havana has been beautifully restored, offering a glimpse into its storied past. After lunch, we visit the Cuban art section of the Museum of Fine Arts, where a museum expert will guide us through the exhibits, enriching our understanding of Cuban artistry.
The late afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish—stroll along the seafront Malecón, pop into art galleries, or simply soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
As the evening approaches, we step back in time by climbing into Havana’s most iconic symbols: vintage American cars. These classics, kept alive since the 1959 Revolution, offer a nostalgic window into the city’s past. Our one-hour ride through Havana’s streets culminates at our dinner spot. During our farewell dinner, we’ll celebrate the incredible journey we’ve shared, exchanging stories and memories from the past week.
Day 8
Departure - Goodbye Havana!
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Havana as you make your way to the airport for your return flight home. Taxis cost roughly USD25-30 for up to three people and their luggage.
*Please Note: Before booking this trip, you should be aware that travel in Cuba requires a flexible attitude and things don’t always run on time. The accommodation may not be up to the standards you are used to, with hot water and air conditioning systems sometimes not working. Our local guides will always do their best to make this a comfortable and educational tour but we ask our guests to keep in mind these issues and embrace them as part of an authentic Cuban experience.
*Don’t forget to exchange your Cuban pesos back into US dollars before leaving the country.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Note: Travel in Cuba requires a flexible attitude. Our days are full, and as required by U.S. law, we have a full-time agenda of Support for the Cuban People activities. Cuba has it’s own beat and things don’t always run on time. The activities and visits listed are not guaranteed but we endeavor to do our best to provide the content intent of this Support for the Cuban People program. Visiting developing countries can be eye-opening and life-changing, and hopefully visiting Cuba is both. Accommodations may not be up to the standards you are used to. Sometimes the hot water or air conditioning doesn’t work. We ask all our guests to appreciate the authenticity of your cultural encounters as well as the people, food, culture, and adventures that are exceptional in their difference. Our local guide, along with your Cuba Unbound Tour Leader promise to do their best to make this a fascinating and educational experience.
Dates: Guaranteed departures for 4 or more people on any Saturday! Please inquire today to begin the booking process.
Rates for 2025 and 2026:
$4390 per person
Single Supplement: $700
If you are traveling solo and prefer private accommodations (pending availability) you may elect to pay the single supplement fee. If you are traveling solo and wish to be paired up with another solo traveler of the same gender in order to avoid the single supplement fee, please let your Adventure Consultant know at the time of booking. We will do our best to find another traveler to pair you with, however if there is not another solo traveler of the same gender willing to share on your trip, you will be charged the single supplement fee.
*Our trips can also be booked on-demand for small and large groups. Please inquire with us to start the booking process for your group today!*
Up to 16 spaces available on each tour (depending on the number of solo travelers and available accommodations)
***Note: Christmas departures have a supplemental cost ($150 per person) due to our increased prices for accommodations.
**Note: We can guarantee trips for 2 with a supplement of $300 per person on trips between May 1 and December 15.
Included:
- Experienced English-speaking guide(s)
- Specialized activity guides based on activity of trip (kayaking, biking, hiking, etc.)
- Specialized equipment needed for activities such as kayaks, bikes, helmets, paddles, personal flotation devices, etc.
- Private pre-tour orientation meeting
- Cuba Unbound hand-crafted itineraries
- Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All meals as noted in itinerary
- Certification of travel to Cuba under the U.S. Department of Treasury general license
- Small group size (Custom tours for 2, group tours are 16-18)
- All entrance fees to include events and activities
- All in-country ground transportation
- Clean drinking water available at all times
- Gratuities for presenters, luggage handling, restaurant staff
Not Included:
- Round-trip air to/from Cuba
- Transfers to or from airports in Cuba
- Cuba Tourist Visa Fee (ranges from $50-$100 depending on where you buy it)
- Guide gratuities
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, gifts, alcoholic beverages, additional entertainment outside the standard itinerary, and incidentals
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