Downtown Havana, Cuba

Cuba Holidays

A country that conjures up vibrant images of Castro, classic cars and cigars, not to forget rum, is certain to be an intriguing holiday destination. Our Steppes experts will help you avoid the crowds and tired tourist trails.

Cuba is an exceptionally diverse island and offers a wealth of nostalgia, vibrant culture, abundant wildlife, sweeping white beaches and an intoxicating music scene that permeates the very soul.

2019 marks 60 years since Fidel swept into Havana to claim the island. The revolution has left an indelible impression on every walk of life in Cuba and it’s utterly fascinating to try and unpackage and understand this unique country that has existed in relative isolation for over half a century. Don’t listen to the curmudgeons who insist that Cuba should have been visited ten years ago. Revolution is being replaced by an evolutionary wave of private enterprise, self-expression and creativity. This is exactly what makes Cuba such an exciting place to visit right now.

Classic Cars, Havana, Cuba
Havana, Cuba

Why we like Cuba

Cuba remains in a socialist time warp. It is still a country locked in the last vestiges of socialism but now offers a greater level of accommodation, tours, and restaurants than ever before. It still remains a unique travel destination and we can help you avoid the crowds and the tired tourist trails. As Cuba’s restrictions on it’s citizens and private enterprise relax, we are seeing an explosion of creativity that is expressing itself in some remarkable modern art. Witness this revolution through private audiences with a new wave of artists.

Havana, Cuba
Havana, Cuba

Galleries & Beaches

Visit their studios and galleries and the outstanding Fabrica de Arte Cubano in Havana. Steppes Travel can introduce you to knowledgeable and welcoming guides who are keen to share their experience of life in Cuba in increasingly imaginative ways as well as find the empty beaches, take you behind the scenes at exhibitions and unearth little-known clubs where you can dance the night away.

Vinales Valley, Cuba
Vinales Valley, Cuba

Cuba: What to Expect

Cuba remains a complex destination with socialist revolutionary ideas, a struggling economy and a very different concept of service. And demand now entirely outstrips supply. Despite it not always being an easy place to visit, it is still well worth exploring. The Cuban people are warm, cultured and welcoming. The country is a true melting pot where colonial Spanish buildings stand side by side with the monolithic edifices of the communist revolution. The Caribbean beaches are in contrast to the mountainous rain-forested interior. The state-run restaurants are indifferent but we will advise you where to find the private family run paladares often found in the ballroom or drawing room of a grand old family house.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba
Cuba

Visit Moncada Barracks

Explore the site of Castro’s ill-fated first attempt to overthrow Batista in 1953.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mojito, Cuba
Cuba

Soak up traditional Cuban music

Soak up some great traditional music and excellent mojitos at the Casa de la Trova.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba
Cuba

Visit the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery

Pay your respects to poet and revolutionary hero Jose Marti, at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Castle San Pedro de la Roca del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Cuba

El Morro Castl

Marvel at El Morro Castle, built to defend the city from pirates but ransacked by Henry Morgan.

Casa de Diego Velazquez, the oldest house in Cuba
Cuba

Explore Casa Velazquez

Visit Cuba’s oldest existing building, constructed in 1515.

Suggested Holiday Idea

The Soroa Botanical Garden in Vinales
Cuba

Visit Soroa Gardens

Visit these gardens that contain one of the largest collection of orchids in the world.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Snorkellers, Cuba, Cayo Coco, Cuba
Cuba

Visit Maria la Gorda

Dive, snorkel and relax at Maria la Gorda or Cayo Levisa.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Tabacco plantation in Vinales
Cuba

Horse Riding Adventure

Horse ride past waterfalls, old coffee plantations and across rolling hills in Las Terrazas.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Vinales Valley, Cuba
Cuba

Observe the Sunrise over Vinales

Take a moment to enjoy sunrise and sunset over the stunning limestone valley complex of Vinales.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Fruit stand in a street market in Cuba
Cuba

Sample local cuisine

Eat in paladares (family-run restaurants) for an authentic taste of Cuba.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Finca Kenia £££££

  • Cuba
  • B&B, Motel and Guesthouse

Built in the second half of the nineteenth century, on the edge of Santa Rosa Valley, Finca Kenia (also known as La Casona) is one of the oldest houses in Trinidad. It offers a home from home in a delightfully, rustic and unexplored area of Trinidad.

View Property

Villa Maguana £££££

  • Cuba
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Located next to 2kms of the white-sand beach of Maguana – possibly the most beautiful in Cuba – sit four cottages, each housing 4 rooms, perfect for boho beach living. This is a great area for nature lovers as you can explore the nearby biosphere and UNESCO World Heritage site of Cuchillas del Toa or swim in the nearby rivers.  

View Property

Plaza Vieja 1912 £££££

  • Cuba
  • Boutique

This two-bedroom casa particular is on the top floor of an historic building that overlooks Plaza Vieja, in the heart of Old Havana. Lovely and clean and in a very atmospheric setting, it is a great base from which to wander the old town.

View Property

Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski £££££

  • Cuba
  • City

Constructed between 1894 and 1917 as the first European style shopping arcade in the country, this handsome building is now a high-end hotel, located in the centre of Havana that faces the Capitolio building and the Gran Theatre.

View Property

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

Since 1999, John has returned multiple times to explore this fascinating Caribbean island that charms and challenges in equal measure. Attracting visitors with a heady mix of music, cigars and revolution, there is a dynamic new generation of artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers waiting to be discovered beneath the surface.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Cuba

How does the Cuban dual currency system work?

Is it safe for Americans to travel to Cuba?

Is rum cheap in Cuba?

Is salsa popular in Cuba?

What is accommodation like in Cuba?

Who is Camilo Cienfuegos?

Can I take cigars out of Cuba?

Are American cars still in Havana, and is it possible to drive in one?

Are there good wines available in Cuba?

Are we going to find prices in Cuba similar to the UK/USA, or to third world countries?

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)
Hidden

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

F L E X I B I L I T Y P R O M I S E B O O K W I T H C O N F I D E N C E