Tours recommended by our experts, 12 days around Cuba, cities, beachs, and places of interest... ecommended points 1. Ciudad de La Habana. Starting point. 2. Playa Larga. efueling and overnight 3. Cienfuegos. (tour of places of interest) 4. Topes de Collantes. efueling and overnight. 5. Trinidad (tour of Colonial town) 6. Sancti Spíritus (tour of Places of Interest) 7. Ciego de Avila. efueling and overnight. 8. Camagüey (tour of places of Interes) 9. Santa Lucía. efueling and overnight. 10. Bayamo. efueling and overnight. 11. Santiago de Cuba. efueling and overnight. 12. Pilón (tour of places of Interest) 13. Las Coloradas. efueling and overnight. 14. Las Tunas. efueling and overnight. 15. Varadero. efueling and overnight. J O U N E Y D E T A I L S DAILY MILEAGE (in Km) 1st 2nd 3th 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 250 253 60 256 232 140 188 257 181 573 20 140 (Total mileage on board the MotorHome in the Cuban Carousel: 2 550 Km. )
Day 1: Cuba's largest swamp Your MotorHome will depart from Havana, the capital of the epublic of Cuba, bound to the Zapata Peninsula on a 143-km comfortable drive to the town of Jaguey Grande. From there, another 35 km drive through the swamp will bring you to Playa Larga, a beach in the heart of Bay of Pigs. At Hotel Horizontes Playa-Larga, a stop will be made for supplies.some 34 km from Playa Larga is another beach, Playa Giron. You will be driving between the ocean and a unique landscape of limestone that separates the Montemar Grand Natural Park from the Cienaga de Zapata Natural Park. Close to an area known as Punta Perdiz and in Los Cenotes, flooded caves set in alluvium outcroppings will invite you to dive into a world of underwater mysteries. You will be touring an area that is full of stories about the struggles waged by the Cuban people.back to Playa Larga and all along your drive, the sand, sun and beach will be a permanent invitation for a good swim. Day 2: From the swamp to the mountains You will leave Cuba's largest swamp and head for Cienfuegos, a city also known as the "South Pearl". Surrounded by a 119-km wide sea of sugar cane plantations, and set alongside a blue water bay, Cienfuegos looks like a pearl in its shell. Founded by French settlers in the early 19th century, Cienfuegos exhibits a typical and inspirational eclectic architecture marked by the style of its original inhabitants.at the mouth of the bay, 22 km off the city, is the Pasacaballo resort. From there, a short boat ride will take you to the stately Castillo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Jagua, a colonial fortress built in the 18th century and declared National Monument.It is a crown jewel of Spanish military architecture in the Americas.Your MotorHome will head on to the Escambray, an important mountain range in central Cuba. Its tallest point, the San Juan Peak, rises 1140 meters above the sea level. While in the plains, and just before climbing, you are invited to visit the Cienfuegos Botanical Garden, where splendid collections of exotic plants from all over the world are growing in a dreamlike environment.then, a 68-km drive along a steep and winding road that requires your driver's closest focus will lead to the Topes de Collantes Natural Park. After a 15 km drive through a diversity of landscapes, you will arrive in the Maria Dolores Estate esort, located right at the mouth of iver Guanico and close to the city of Trinidad. The story has it that Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez sailed on this river into the hinterlands to found Trinidad in the 16th century. The amenities offered by this country resort include boat rides to the mouth of the river and along the coastline to a beach: Playa Ancon, horse rides, a swimming pool, countryside parties, instructions on manual cow milking and oxen yoking, and friendly cock fights; all in a typically countryside atmosphere that is excellent for active leisure.
Day 3: Trinidad, one of the seven first villages A tour of Trinidad will be a point to remember from your traveling carousel. A four-km drive through a beautiful landscape will bring you to this village. Declared a World's Heritage Site, its downtown area features an entirely colonial architecture that is full of stately buildings which spectacular class ranks at the top in Cuba.Just 4-km off Trinidad is a National Monument: Valle de los Ingenios (Sugar Mill Valley). Visitors will learn about the Cuban sugar industry and the associated aristocracy that flourished on slave labor. On the way back to the Maria Dolores Estate esort, an 8 km detour will take you to the Bay of Casilda where pirates and corsairs used to land to storm the village. Another 8-km ride and you will be back in the estate to enjoy its amenities. Day 4: Ciego de Avila and its sweet pineapples You will drive from the mountains into the central plains. On your way, you will stop in the city of Sancti Spiritus, another village founded by Conquistador Diego Velasquez in the 16th century located on the banks of iver Yayabo, a place of long standing traditions and old legends. Famous for its large pineapple plantations, the city of Ciego de Avila is 126-km off Trinidad.Your MotorHome will then head north for 35 km to reach the town of Moron (also know as the ooster Town). Stretching from the Cunagua Hill to Laguna de la Leche (Milk Pond) which is Cuba's largest area of lakes and marsh combined. Over 40 sites for trout fishing and aquatic bird watching can be found here. Another recommended visit is the Dutch-founded village of Turiguano, accessible from a causeway that crosses the northern flank of Laguna de la Leche. Back in the city, your motor home will stop for supplies at Hotel Ciego de Avila. Day 5: Camaguey, the city of large earthenware jars. Santa Lucia Beach Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe, currently known as Camaguey, was the third village founded by Diego Velasquez in the 16th century. This city is distinct for its large jars used in colonial times to collect rainwater, as well as its narrow and winding roads, colonial architecture and legendary patriotic resolve.on your 108 km drive from Ciego de Avila, you may want to stop for a moment at Santa Lucia beach, before heading for the north of Camaguey province. An extensive strip of white sands washed by the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean is an invitation to a muchearned rest at the beach. The Hotel Vita Club Caracol will make your stay there more pleasant. Playa Santa Lucia has one of the best coral reefs for scuba diving. Its relatively shallow waters, diversity of marine species and large coverage are a not-to-be-missed fun opportunity.
Day 6: Bayamo, the city of the National Anthem Your MotorHome is now driving towards the widest central Cuba on its way to the city of Las Tunas, 87 km away. While on a short stop for rest, you will admire the beautiful mountains in the Cerro de Caisimu. In Las Tunas, your MotorHome may stop for supplies before continuing your journey.located in the major central Cauto-Nipe plains, right in the basin of Cuba's longest stream: iver Cauto, Bayamo was the second village founded by Diego Velasquez in 1513. The birthplace of patriots and a freedom-loving town, Bayamo was burned by its inhabitants before its surrender to the enemies on January 12th, 1869. The Cuban national anthem, the words of which were written by patriot Perucho Figueredo from his horse, was first sung on the square in front of the local San Salvador de Bayamo Parochial Church. The Father of Cuban Homeland: Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, and many other heroes of Cuban liberation struggles were born and lived in Bayamo, a National Monument and a city whose name is revered by poets from all times. This city will provide the facility requirements to stay overnight. Day 7: Santiago de Cuba, rebellious yesterday, hospitable today, and heroic forever After a 117-km drive, your MotrHome will arrive in Santiago de Cuba, a city founded by Conquistador Diego Velasquez in 1514. An undulated terrain will gradually give way to the Sierra Maestra mountain range.the Hero City of Cuba, Santiago is like a bayside balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Just like its culture, Santiago de Cuba's eclectic architecture is a combination of Spanish and African features in conjunction with the influence from French setters who arrived there in the 18th century. Many of its people are noticeably indigenous, black and white in a blend that ultimately gave rise to the Cuban race. The San Pedro de la oca fortress is located in El Morro, the most architecturally comprehensive military castle ever built by the Spanish Crow in the Caribbean, an impregnable fortress to defendthe city from attacks of corsairs and pirates. You may sing and play with old musicians at Casa de la Trova. Before you arrive in Santiago, though, you may want to visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin caridad del Cobre, Cuba's patron saint, as well as queen and mother of all Cubans, in the village of El Cobre near the oldest copper mines in the Americas. In Santiago, visitors should go to the San Juan Hill for two reasons; first, a major battle was waged there as part of the Cuban-Spanish-American conflict during the war for national independence in 1898; and second, the site is particularly beautiful. Late at night, your MotorHome will set up camp off Hotel Versalles for its services. Early in the morning, the invitation is Baconao Park, a biosphere reserve site, or a climb of La Gran Piedra mountain range, in a 26 km round trip. Its highest peak, rising 1100 meters above sea level, is crowned by a 70 000 ton rock. In 2000, UNESCO declared Heritage Sites some coffee plantations established by the
Day 8: Driving on the Caribbean's rugged route The ride from Santiago de Cuba to the village of Pilon is 175 km long. You will begin this adventure by flanking the Oriente Basin that is 5 000 meters deep in the ocean. On the other side is the Turquino range with its 1972-meter tall Turquino Peak. In between, a long coastal plain of not more than one km wide supports a road surrounded by extraordinarily pristine scenery. As you leave Santiago de Cuba and approach the coast, you can see, in a narrow underwater shell, the remains of battle ships from the Spanish Armada, which under the command of Admiral Cervera, fought in disadvantage against US warships in the Hispanic-Cuban-American war at the end of the 19th century.when you reach the Chivirico heights, right at the foot of Turquino Peak, you will have completed your climb along a narrow trail that is crossed by mountain creeks reminiscent of a swipe by some big animal claws. The existing crags, however, will run higher and higher over the navy-blue ocean.this same trail descends softly westwards to reach a resort, Marea de Portillo, located 50 km ahead, its beach with 40 diving spots, and its excursions to nearby keys and the neighboring mountain.your motorhome will drive closely to the village of Pilon on its way to another village, Niquero, 40 km away. The ride has been short through the lowest part of this area. In recent Cuban history, the Sierra Maestra mountain range witnessed heroism and sacrifice as the stage for the guerrilla liberation struggle. Your MotorHome will drive on to Villa Las Coloradas, located 18 km away, right at the entrance to the Desembarco del Granma National Park. Day 9: Gulf of Guacanayabo. Son dancing in Manzanillo You will drive southwest for 10 km to visit an archeological trail, El Guafe, and its ceremonial caves which entrances are protected by stone-carved figures of the water deities Atabey, Moinayel and Marohu, and the Lord of the Land of No eturn, Maquetaurie Guayaba. Some 12 km farther, on Cuba's easternmost region, there is a small fishing village, Cabo Cruz, under the Vargas light house that rises proudly as the savior of the seamen who venture into the shallow waters near the Gulf of Guacanayabo or the rough and deep waters in the south.at this point, your motor home will embark on its return in this Cuban Carousel. Barely noticed by you, its wheels will now roll past Niquero to reach Manzanillo, a seafaring town where the Cuban traditional Son is danced to the tune of the Organo Oriental, a music organ originally from there.the ride goes on to the city of Las Tunas, located 71 kilometers from Manzanillo, through a place called Cauto Embarcadero. You will cross a plain dotted with rice plantations and vacant lands along a straight road. At Hotel Las Tunas your MotorHome will stop for supplies.
Day 10: Non stop to Varadero, the Blue Beach You will drive through familiar areas; i.e., the major central plains that cover the provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara and Matanzas. When you reach the town of Jatibonico, you will turn to the A1 Expressway to the city of Santa Clara, and then take Cuba's central highway to the town of Jovellanos, where you will turn north to the CN highway that leads to Cardenas, the Flag Town, a place of patriotic traditions where Cuba's national flag was first hoisted. A nearby bay will herald the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean.You will keep driving along the CN road close to the coastline. By evening, you will arrive in Varadero, Cuba's exceptional beach, after a 573-km drive. iding through the Varadero peninsula, you cannot help but admire the beautiful scenery where the sun gradually sets over the beach in an apparently endless descent. Parque Josone resort will be your immediate destination. Day 11: From the Marina to the Mangocito Pond Varadero is beautiful from one end to the other. Onboard your MotorHome, you can tour this peninsula throughout, and you can dip into the waters at any spot. Its white and thing sands are washed by an incomparable sea. Its existing facilities can challenge the imagination of the most discriminating tastes and choices. Your plans for Varadero on this day deserve a special attention. Day 12: The Carousel on its last spin The last 140-km of the Cuban Carousel are traveled slowly. The time for your return from Varadero is your own choice. Your easy ride on the comfortable road along the coastline is an opportunity to admire the gorgeous scenery. You will identify appealing beaches and resorts for future plans of short tours on the MotorHome. The City of Havana will welcome the Carousel travelers on board the MotorHome with the smile of an accomplice to those who have collected a treasure in a short but adventurous tour of Cuba Bon Voyage!