Cuba Santiago

FOREVER SANTIAGO

FLORIDA – HOLGUIN – SANTIAGO DE CUBA HOLGUIN- FLORIDA

Read below and if interested (women or men!) put your info HERE for this trip and get in touch with our agent.

DURATION: 5 DAYS – 4 NIGHTS DATES: Select your own! Party of 2 minimum.

PRICES PER PERSON & ACCOMMODATIONS

  • PRIVATE HOUSE/APARTMENT: 1,080.00 IN SGL ROOM & 970.00 IN DBL ROOM
  • CASA GRANDA HOTEL JR SUITE ROOM: 1,510.00 IN SGL ROOM & 1,370.00 IN DBL ROOM
  • 4-5 Star hotel: 2,190.00 IN SGL ROOM & 1,600.00 IN DBL ROOM

Ask the agent about customizing this trip to see more cities in Cuba, selecting your own dates and minimums. Excursions during High Season (Winter months approx. may be a bit more.) Ask the agent!

PROGRAM CERTIFIED UNDER LICENSE 31 C.F.R. 515.565 (B) PEOPLE 2 PEOPLE EXCHANGE – A LEGAL TRIP TO CUBA WITH QUALIFYING AGENDA.

Why Santiago? Surrounded but beautiful, tropical mountains, Santiago was the First Capital of Cuba. It’s a plunge into Cuban history. This is where Fidel Castro launched his revolution and the fight against Batista, plus where Bacardi based their first-ever rum factory. All Cuban Bacardi rum factories were confiscated during the revolution. Santiago is the birthplace of some Cuban music genres (recommended to watch the film “Buena Vista Social Club”). It is the first of seven settlements in Cuba founded by Europeans in the 16th Century. The founding fathers made the most of its stunning setting, a coastal terrace with structures built with precious woods from the tall forest on the nearby mountain range to raise the first buildings of what would, for several years, be Cuba’s first capital. Close by the Caribbean Sea, with a backdrop of mountains and terrain; it is one of the most beautiful and joyous of Cuba’s cities, filled with a mixture of architectural styles which run from the baroque to the neoclassical.

Note: When staying in Cuban house or apartment, the money goes to the Cubans, not the government. Facilities like this are usually more reliable as far as plumbing, hot water and such than the hotels operated by the Government. Plus, you may interact with a Cuban family and learn more about Cuban life that is stalled in the 1950’s under a communist regime. In Havana, we are staying in an apartment house on a side street in Santiago de Cuba Downtown so you can walk a short distance to explore

“Paladar” for meals is a Cuban-operated restaurant; not government operated such as in hotels

Why these trips are different:

  • You get picked up at the airport in an American Vintage Car like 1957 Chevy and take all your tours with the driver and an English-speaking guide
  • You are going in small groups versus a large group in a big tour bus
  • You will see the real Cuba and meet its lovely people
  • This is better than a cruise with limited time in Cuba and impersonal tours in big groups
  • Approved People to People Exchange program to comply with the embargo limitations
  • Personalized service

ITINERARY

1st Day FLORIDA – HOLGUIN – SANTIAGO DE CUBA

  1. Landing in Cuba and leaving the airport by 1:00 PM (approximately)
  2. Go to the Bank to exchange money
  3. Lunch in a Cuban Paladar (Not included pay on your own)
  4. Departure to Santiago de Cuba City (about 2 hours drive, see the beautiful countryside on the way!).
  • Stop to visit the birthplace of Fidel Castro. Fidel Castro born in this place on August 13th, 1926. his place was a family farm with several businesses managed by the Castro’s father and later by Raul Castro until before the attack on the “Cuartel Moncada”. Also of Raúl Castro, the rest of the Castro’s brothers were born in this place too.
  • Visit the Revolution Square “Antonio ” Antonio Maceo was the most import cuban general in the Cuban Independence War. His mother said to all Sons “Go to the war for a Cuba Freedom of Spain” Visit Santiago de Cuba Downtown
  • Visit the Central Park “Carlos Manuel de Céspede”
  • Visit the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba. Santiago was built around their park and cathedral. Check in the accommodation.
  • Transfer to dinner in a Cuban Paladar
  • Return to the accommodation.

2nd Day SANTIAGO DE CUBA

  • Breakfast and leaving the accommodation by 9:00 AM
  • Visit the Sanctuary of “Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre.” Protector of Cuba and all Cubans, where Cubans go when they need to pray.
  • Visit the Museum House of Diego Velázquez – The oldest house in Cuba. Dating from 1516 to 1530, preserved to see.
  • Visit the Museum of Rum inside Emilio Bacardi’s See rums from the 1800’s.
  • Lunch in a Cuban Paladar (Not included pay on your own)
  • Visit the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery. Visit the tombs of Fidel Castro, Jose Marti, Emilio Bacardi, Tomas Estrada Palma and other important people in the History of Cuba. Beautiful handmade huge sculptures to commemorate those who passed away. Many encompass entire families
  • Return to the accommodation.
  • Dinner in a private Cuban house with a Cuban family. Dining table with just our group and the family. Chicken, pork, and picadillo will be set along with traditional Cuban food. Enjoy what they eat daily. Santiago has different local dishes than in Havana.
  • Return to the accommodation.

3rd Day SANTIAGO DE CUBA

  • Breakfast and leaving the accommodation by 9:00 AM
  • Visit the Memorial San Juan Hill
  • Visit the “Cuartel Moncada.” Moncada Barracks, art deco building/1938, historical site of armed attacks by Castro in 1953.
  • Lunch in a Cuban Paladar (Not included pay on your own)
  1. Visit the Museum Emilio Bacardí. Bacardi lost their rum operations in 1960.
  2. Visit the “Casa de la Trova de Santiago de Cuba.” Cradle of Cuban Music. Sometimes there are live performers. This is the history of Cuban music and performers and part of Cuban culture where they could not voice their opinions but could communicate through music.
  3. Visit the Castle El Morro. Learn about the Spanish-Cuban-American War (1895-98)
  4. Stop in a nice beach on the way back from the fort
  5. Return to the accommodation
  6. Transfer to dinner in a Cuban Paladar (Not included pay on your own)
  7. Return to the accommodations

4thDay SANTIAGO – BACONAO

  1. Breakfast and leaving the accommodation by 9:00 AM
  2. Departure to Baconao Park. It is a Cuban national park. In 1987, it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. The name Baconao is related to the name of a little native who lived in the south of Cuba during the pre-Columbian period. Legend mentions a magical tree, called bacona, that allowed the child to play music from the lagoon’s snails.
  3. Visit the Museum Granjita Siboney. House rented in 1953 by Fidel Castro, to use it as headquarters of the preparations for the assault on the “Cuartel Moncada”
  4. Visit “El Valle de la ” It constitutes a section of the BaconaoNational Park in which a true prehistoric park was constructed, full of sculptures of animals extinct to natural size. They are separated by geological times. Hundreds of it have been built. From the Brachiosaurus 14 metres from the ground to the representation of the Seymouria.
  5. Lunch in a Cuban Paladar (Not included pay on your own)
  6. Visit “Museo del ” History awaits the famous santiagueras parties
  7. Visit the House of Traditions. In this place are related aspects of material culture such as tobacco and rum, with spirituality, expressed in spontaneity, mestizaje, neighborhood unity, musical roots and hospitality characteristic of the Santiago people permeated by French, African and Spanish culture.
  8. Return to the accommodation
  9. Transfer to dinner in a Cuban Paladar (Not included pay on your own)
  10. Return to the accommodations

5th Day SANTIAGO DE CUBA – HOLGUIN – FLORIDA

  1. Breakfast and leave the accommodation by 9:00 AM
  2. Walking tour to say “See you soon Cuba.” If time allows.
  3. Departure to the International airport return to Florida

END OF THE SERVICES

Notes:

  • Exact times and tours offered may vary depending on arrival times.
  • Please know that things could change with this itinerary, should that happen, if there extra cost you will be advised by the travel agent.
  • If you want to upgrade to fishing or snorkeling for a full or partial day, please contact the agent for the price and availability. For fishing you may be quoted the price of the entire fishing boat that may take four and base your decision on that. Individual rates may not be available for fishing but it may be possible for snorkeling. It will need to be reserved and paid far in advance, at least a month.
  • If you want to go out on your own versus Cuban Family dinner you can do so at your own expense, notify the tour guide early on, so the family knows how much food to prepare.
  • Please note this page is informational only. Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing does not charge a registration fee for Cuba trips, all funds go to the travel agent. Contact the Travel Agent for Terms and Conditions.
  • Contact Travel Agent for Terms and Conditions

How it works: You reserve with the agent and pay by check. The agent will provide forms for you to complete to obtain your affidavit and visa. The visa is sent to you.

 WHAT IS INCLUDED

  • Program certified under license people 2
  • 4 nights in Santiago de Cuba, with breakfast included
  • 1 dinner with a Cuban Family
  • All ground transfers in comfortable air-conditioned classic car
  • Tours described as program
  • All entrance fees to sites and activities described
  • Professional bilingual tour guide, full time
  • Assistance by our staff 24 hours
  • Tourist Card

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

  • International ticket or others not described in the program
  • Additional meals in Paladar (Cuban restaurant) such as lunches, plus dinners in addition to the two Cuba Home dinners listed above.
  • Personal expenses like taxis to non-scheduled activities or laundry.
  • Rates vary depending on season

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