Top custom private long weekend in Havana

Cuba has many historical, cultural, culinary and natural attractions, just to mention a few. Therefore, a custom private long weekend in Havana will surely come short. But it can certainly be a fantastic start to get to know this exciting and exotic island. By the way, you can celebrate a special date with private experiences,, such as the new year's eve in Havana or the International Jazz Festival.

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It is captivating to enjoy a 4 days tailor-made itinerary in the authentic Havana. It is worth walking through the cobbled streets and squares of its colonial jewel, Old Havana. Not by chance was it declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Let yourself be carried away by his music in every corner. A city that sometimes seems stopped in time, that overflows magic and seduction for any traveler. A unique place of contrasts, colors and styles with people full of humanity and kindness that move you with their hospitality and example of life.

Almendrones at Havana

Travel to Cuba guided by experts

If you are lucky to live close to Cuba, from our travel agency specialized in private custom made tours to Cuba we organize inspirational itineraries in a unique tailor-made weekend itinerary to Havana to the Cuban capital, where you will discover all the cuban authentic essence and will live the real deal.

Traveling guided with the help of experts will undoubtedly make the difference in your journey to Cuba.

In our escorted and personalized tours, you will not only be accompanied by the best local guides, but you will also get to know interesting local projects that will allow you to get in touch with Cuban culture and entrepreneurship.

Port of Havana

A trip where you will make the most of your time. Thus, you can visit the most charming places and corners of the city with the necessary calm. Both during the day and, if you feel like it, at night, because Havana has no secrets for our travel agency specialized in Cuba.

So, do not hesitate, abandon yourself to full enjoyment and discover the mystique of this great city. Leave in our hands the design of this private tour of 3 nights and 4 days in Havana, you will not regret it!

And of course, it is a hand-craft personalised journey, that is, if you only have the weekend, eliminate day 4 of this route, and if on the contrary you have more time, this itinerary can be extended in days and activities both as you like. In short, a variable tour around Cuba depending on your availability and preferences.

Day 1: Colonial Havana: magical and captivating

Old Havana

We suggest a 6-hour curated tour around Old HavanaWe suggest a 6-hour curated tour around Old Havana. We have prepared a selection of hand-picked recommendations, very interesting and varied activities to learn about the historical heritage of the city. Also, to get immersed in the Cuban culture, its people, and its products with more local flavour. Also, of course, innovative projects from an artistic point of view.

Walking through the cobbled streets of a city that is already more than 500 years old is a unique experience. In a guided walking custom private tour, a specialist will explain you every detail and secret of Havana's colonial history.

Old Colonial Havana: In the historic center of Havana, declared a World Heritage Site, in addition to architectural jewels, interesting characters coexist. You can find flower and fruit vendors, cartoonists, rare book and antique sellers, musicians ... All of them, people with whom you can talk. They will gladly tell you their stories and experiences living in Cuba and carrying out their professions.

Havana: World Heritage Site

Local art project: In addition to the beautiful colonial architecture, during the walk through Old Havana, you will be able to appreciate local businesses, galleries and art workshops, fashion and design shops, etc., in which you can buy unique items, made 100% in Cuba, and thus directly support Cuban entrepreneurs and workers.

As part of this special and thematic tour, we always like to include an informal meeting or meeting with one of the artists or creators of these interesting projects; so that you can better understand, first-hand, the operation of private businesses in Cuba today. We choose this meeting according to your tastes and preferences.

Beyond roots

Pairing with Cuban cigars and rum: Slavery also characterized the Cuban colonial period. It was a function of the work in the sugar cane fields and in the tobacco and coffee plantations. For this reason, we like to include curated experiences related to rum and tobacco, as essential products of the island's culture.

From a pairing with the best rum and Cuban cigars, to a masterclass offered by a sommelier, through the mandatory visit to the Havana Club Rum Museum, we put you in contact with the roots and traditions of the Cuban people.

Afro-Cuban religion

Discover the Afro-Cuban religion: knowing Cuba is knowing its roots and rituals. You can visit a house-temple of a Cuban babalao. There, they will explain in detail the ancestral belief in religions of African origin in Cuba, and how they are practiced today. At Callejón de Hammel, a street full of art and allegorical altars to these religions, which functions as a community cultural project, we will surprise you with a vibrant and colorful show where the children of the community dance rumba and play the drums.

Day 2: Modern Havana: eclecticism and charm

Havana's Malecón

The most modern area of ​​the city treasures great charm and eclecticism. The influences of various architectural styles from the United States and Europe coexist in its wide avenues in neighborhoods such as Centro Habana, Vedado and Miramar.

Driving around in a car from the 50s: Rolling around Havana in the 21st century in a classic car from the 50s will be a unique experience that will transport you to another era. A panoramic tour along the Malecón and 5th Avenue, with its imposing mansions from the beginning of the century; the Parque Metropolitano Almendares , where the river of the same name and the Forest are located from Havana, which the people of Havana call “the lungs of the city”.

Hotel Nacional

We will continue through the Plaza de la Revolución, with its history linked to the revolutionary triumph of 1959 and its important surrounding buildings. We will stop at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, that more than a hotel is considered a National Monument, due to its historical and architectural value, and was the favorite scene of the New York mafia and to which Nat King came to sing Cole or Frank Sinatra.

Meet a local mechanic specialized in vintage cars: You will be very impressed by how Cubans manage to keep these cars in such good condition. To do this, we will make an interesting stop with an owner of these luxury cars so that you know that, since 1960, the eclecticism of the city has also been extended to its cars.

Local mechanic

Fusterlandia urban art project: One of the most unusual spots of the city: you cannot miss Fusterlandia, a creative open-air project directed by the painter and ceramist José Fuster, who has redesigned today the facades of more than 80 buildings in your neighborhood. Walking through its streets you will discover an authentic explosion of creativity, a colorful universe of mosaics, tiles, sculptures and colors with a marked influence of Gaudí and Picasso, while you interact and support the locals, buying something in their small stalls of souvenirs.

Fusterlandia

Enjoy Cuban Rhythms: If you are lovers of Cuban musical rhythms, folk dances or contemporary dance, we have various options to enjoy! From attending the rehearsal of a renowned ballet company, to taking Cuban salsa lessons, or simply enjoying, dancing and talking with a Cuban music band.

Day 3: Viñales Valley Tour: a rural experience

Viñales Valley

Through the tobacco fields of Viñales: Just 3 hours from Havana lies Viñales, a small village of vegueros (peasants who grow tobacco) that belongs to the Pinar del Río province. If you are adventurous and dare to accompany us there, you will discover this paradise for photography lovers, where you can explore the valleys of mogotes on horseback, on foot or in oxcart.

During this custom private tour you will stop to visit tobacco plantations and dryers in direct contact with local farmers who will show you their way of life and the artisanal production of tobacco and you will learn the art of twisting the much coveted leaf. During the meal you will enjoy the best views of the valley.

Creole lunch at Finca Tungasuk

Experience from the garden to the table in an agroecological farm on the outskirts of Havana: If you prefer to stay closer to Havana, there are also very interesting rural areas where agroecological farms have proliferated, as a new form of agriculture sustainable in Cuba.

We will take you directly to a Cuban organic farm so that you can learn how this type of enterprise works on the island. As a bonus, you can taste a delicious typical Creole food , based on fresh products from the garden.

The best leisure agenda is designed by CubaUnique

Restaurant la Guarida

As much as we like you to learn and take advantage of your days in Havana, we also make sure that you spend unforgettable and fun nights, and that you taste the best local cuisine.

Traditional gastronomy and innovative Cuban cuisine: We will share with you our hand-picked selection of the most emblematic restaurants in Havana, from the restaurants with the best rooftops with panoramic views of the city to cheap restaurants where to taste high quality cuisine with the best atmosphere. We suggest and you choose!

Colón Cultural

Good music and shows:Cuban music cannot be absent and in CubaUnique we have many friends and collaborators who are leaders or musicians of young groups of Latin jazz, rock and traditional genres such as son or bolero, who they are always happy to share their music and experiences with our clients.

We organize dinners with spectacular jam sessions, and we take you to enjoy the show that best suits your tastes, from live music, to theaters, ballet, places to dance salsa or enjoy a unique tropical cabaret.

Security and requirements to travel to Cuba

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When asked: Is it safe to travel to Cuba? CubaUnique again answers firmly, Yes! Cuba is a safe destination, both for Americans and for the rest of the travelers who decide to discover its charming people and its interesting history.

North American visitors who have visited the island think that Cuba is an extremely safe destination, much more so than some cities in their own nation. In Spain we have the same opinion. Therefore, Cuba was awarded in 2018 with the Excelsior Award as the safest destination in International Tourist Fair @ Madrid (FITUR XXXVIII).

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Cuba keeps one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America, as Cubans are very peaceful and friendly. Besides, drug use is a crime strongly punished on the island, as also aggression or acts of violence against any tourist can be.

The Cuban government has also set a very effective control of COVID-19, so the impact of the coronavirus in Cuba has been soft compared to other countries in its environment.

If you are American and want to know all the information to travel to Cuba, from the requirements and entry documents, to the Covid-19 protocols, or Cuba travel restriction 2021. Do not miss this article with all the detailed information.

Article written by Gabriela Rodríguez, independent Cuban guide.

Video produced and edited by Javier Ernesto Hernández-López.