“Spanish Caribbean”
Cuba & Mexico

Day 1. Havana Arrival

At a Glance

*Day is at leisure

*Welcome to Cuba! Upon arrival to Havana International Airport the group will be greeted by our Representative and the driver for transfer to your hotel in Havana. Check-in and the rest of the day will be at leisure to rest from the trip and to get familiar with the surrounding areas.

Overnight: Hotel in Havana
Meals: None

Day 2. Modern Havana City classic car & Old Havana walking private tour

At a Glance

*Havana City full day private tour

*Discover Havana's secrets and beauty with our Havana City tour. The group will see and visit some of the of the most interesting and famous cultural and historical sites in Havana, registered by the UNESCO as part of the World Heritage.
The first part of the tour is the “Modern Havana” panoramic classic car tour.
On the way to our first photo stop, the Havana University, the tour guide will make a short presentation of Cuba, so you have a clear idea about one of the most iconic Countries in the World, not only for its peculiar economic and political model but also because of its Friendly People; a feature that keeps its visitors coming back to such an amazing Country. During the panoramic tour, we will see and stop for photos in Havana University, the Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolucion), Colon Cemetery, the second largest in the World; and in “el Malecon”. Drop off at The Capitol (El Capitolio).

 
The second part of the tour is the “Old Havana” City walking tour. starting with a visit to the famous just finished renovated “Capitolio” (Capitol Visit). Our tour will see among others Central Park (Parque Central), Bacardi building (edificio Bacardi) with a quick stop for a refreshing “Mojito” (not included) at la Bodegita del medio. Then, continue to la Plaza de la Catedral, the beautiful Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Real Fuerza Castle). The castle today houses one of Havana’s finest Museums; the Museo de Navegación (Navigation Museum).
Our journey will make a stop for a delicious lunch in Paladar los Mercaderes (drinks not included). In the last part of the tour, we will head to Plaza de Armas, where we will visit Havana´s City Museum (Museo de los Capitanes Generales), then a quick visit to Plaza Vieja and Plaza de San Francisco where the guided tour ends.
Here, you will have free time to continue exploring Habana at your own pace.
Group transfer to the hotel.

We highly suggest a 30 minutes guided visit to the famous “Rum Museum” located in the area; or a visit to the San Jose Artisans´ Market (Handicraft market).

Highlights
*Panoramic “Modern Habana” classic car tour
*Visit the famous Revolution square and the majestic monument to Cuba´s national Hero Jose Marti
*The Capitol visit
*Old Havana City walking tour
*See why Havana is declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO
*Enjoy Cuba´s cobblestone streets, Colonial buildings, Baroque Churches and old American cars
*Palacio de Los Capitanes Generales (City Museum) visit.
Note: some museums may charge a small fee for using cameras

Overnight: Hotel in Havana
Meals: Breakfast
   Lunch during tour (drinks not included)

Day 3. Viñales Valley & Pinar del Rio tour

At a Glance

*Viñales Valley & Pinar del Rio City tour

*Enjoy an adventure to the heart of the western province of Cuba; Vinales Valley and Pinar del Río, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Bring your expeditionary spirit and let yourself go on this journey to one of Cuba's most fertile areas where some of the world’s best tobacco is grown, harvested, dried and processed. We will visit a Tobacco Farm where we will have the opportunity to see and learn the worldwide famous handmade tobacco process and why not, take the opportunity to buy a souvenir. Viñales tour will provide you unforgettable vistas at “el Mirador de los Jazmines”. Here you will admire the beautiful tropical landscape. We will visit the prehistorical mural, a 120-meter tall replica of prehistoric paintings on a “mogote” and take a short boat ride to see “la Cueva del Indio” (the Indian cave).
Then, continue with a visit to El Palenque de los Cimarrones, kind of “living Cuban Museum” that, between legend and history, makes the passing of Afro-descendants through western Cuba. Our journey will continue with a short tour in Pinar del Rio City where we will visit “La Guayabita del Pinar” rum factory to see and learn the production of this famous traditional Cuban liquor. After the tour, the group will have a short free time before going back to Havana.

Highlights
*Panoramic tour to Viñales Valley
*Mirador de los Jazmines
*El Mural de la Prehistoria visit (Prehistorical mural)
*La Cueva del Indio short boat tour
*El Palenque de los Cimarrones visit
*Tobacco plantation & factory visit
*Pinar del Rio walking tour
*Enjoy the local cuisine lunch with beautiful views of the Valley (drinks not included)
*La Guayabita del Pinar, Rum factory visit

Overnight: Hotel in Havana
Meals: Breakfast in hotel in Havana. Lunch during tour (drinks not included)

Day 4. Varadero Private transfer – Free day at leisure (All-inclusive)

At a Glance

*Havana – Varadero private group transfer

*Enjoy the picturesque journey from Havana to the beautiful Varadero beach.

Overnight: Hotel in Varadero
Meals: Breakfast in hotel in Havana
   All-inclusive hotel in varadero
 

Day 5. Varadero Beach day (Free day at leisure)

At a Glance

*Day on the beach (Varadero All-inclusive)

*Today, relax on the white sandy beaches in Varadero. Forget about schedules, and enjoy the day, the sun and the beach with all services, amenities, theme parties and non- motorized water activities the All-inclusive hotel offers.

Overnight: Hotel in Varadero
Meals: Breakfast in hotel in Havana
Meals: All-inclusive

Day 6 Havana – Cancun flight

At a Glance

*Varadero – Havana private group transfer for departure from Cuba
Connection flight to Cancun, Mexico

*Today, enjoy the morning on the beach.
After early lunch, meet your driver for group transfer to Havana International Airport for departure to take the flight to Cancun, Mexico
*Welcome to Mexico! Upon arrival to Cancun International Airport, the group will be greeted by our driver and transferred to your hotel in Cancun. Check-in to your hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure to rest from the trip and get familiar with the surrounding areas.

Highlights
*Private group transfer to the Havana International airport from Varadero
*Private group transfer to Cancun hotel from Cancun International airport

Overnight: Hotel in Cancun
Meals: All-inclusive Cuba

Day 7. Cancun Beach day (Free day at leisure)

At a Glance

*Day on the beach in Cancun

*Today, relax on the white sandy beaches in Cancun. Forget about schedules, and enjoy the day, the sun and the beach with your loved ones.

Overnight: Hotel in Cancun
Meals: Breakfast in All-inclusive in Varadero

Day 8. Chichen Itza / Ik Kil Cenote Tour

At a Glance

*Chichen Itza / Ik Kil Cenote Private group tour – Merida, Yucatan

*Bring your expeditionary spirit and let yourself go on this journey to the most iconic archaeological site of the Mayan World. Meet one of the new wonders of the Modern World at Chichen Itza. It is consider the most important Mayan site for its imposing vestiges, famous for the mathematical precision with which they were built. During the tour, lead by an experience certified local guide, we will visit among others the Temple of Kukulkan (Mayan feathered serpent deity) “el Castillo” (The Castle); the main ball court which is by far the most impressive and largest well preserved ball court in ancient Mesoamerica.

The Tour includes a visit to the nearby Ik Kil cenote where you can “splash” into its cool waters and then delight an exquisite Yucatecan buffet lunch in a local Hacienda to continue with transfer to “la Blanca Merida”, Yucatan (the White Merida, Yucatan)

Highlights
*Private group transfers
*Chichen Itza Private Tour
*Visit to Ik Kil cenote with time to swim
*Enjoy lunch of Yucatecan cuisine in a beautiful Colonial mansion

Overnight: Hotel in Merida, Yucatan
Meals: Breakfast
   Purified bottled water and soft drinks during the tour
   Buffet lunch (drinks not included) in Chichen Itza
   Purified bottled water and soft drinks during the transfer

Day 9. Merida panoramic tour / Uxmal tour

At a Glance

*Merida, Yucatan panoramic tour with photo stops
Uxmal archaeological site private tour

*Enjoy the best of Merida, founded by the Spanish Francisco de Montejo. Visit the main sites like the Cathedral, located in the socket which is also Casa de Montejo, Learn all about Paseo de Montejo, which has its colonial buildings like the Palace and Canton, a beautiful monument to the country. Admire la “Plaza de la Independencia” (Independence Square) and visit the local market to enjoy souvenir shopping and traditional lunch (not included).

Then, in the second part of the day tour uncover the ancient mysteries of Uxmal, legendary archeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. Our professional guide will explain the rich legacy left by Mayan civilization as you visit the Temple of the Magician, the Governor's Palace and the temple dedicated to Chaac, God of rain.
At the end of the tour, we will accommodate in a traditional hotel in Uxmal where you can admire local flora and fauna, besides listening to the “sounds” of the jungle like the local monkeys and birds

Highlights
*Private group transfers
*Merida, Yucatan panoramic tour with photo stops
*Uxmal Private Tour
*Enjoy the Yucatecan cuisine lunch at the local market (not included)
*Time for shopping handicraft souvenirs at the local market

Overnight: Hotel in Uxmal
Meals: Breakfast
   Purified bottled water and soft drinks during the transfer

Day 10. Valladolid “Magic Town” tour

At a Glance

*Ex Convento de San Bernardino, Mayapan Aquave Tequila
Destillery & Chocolate Museum tour in Valladolid, Yucatan

*Enjoy the best of Valladolid, Yucatan; consider “Pueblo Magico” (Magic Town) based on its natural beauty, cultural and historical relevance to the country.
Our tour will start in the Mayapan Aquave Tequila Destillery, where we will learn about the tequila making process; form blue agave, to burning, to distilling and finally sotrage. And of course, at the end of the tour Tequila tasting wearing sombreros and ponchos for a great Mexican traditional picture!
Then, our tour will stop at San Bernardino Ex-convent which was the first Franciscan Monastery bulit in Mexico, and one of the first in the Americas. Built in 1592 and re-built after a fire in 1804 is one of the most visited sites in this beautiful town. Finally, we will stop at the Chocolate Museum where we will learn about the chocolate processs; from the cocoa grown, harvested, dried and processed into delicious chocolate. We will learn as well the story of this consider “chili” before the Spanidrians arrive to America, to the way the Europeans mix it with milk and sugar to know what is consider one of the best sold products in the modern world.
During the tour, we will make a stop at a local restaurant to try the traditional Yucatacan lunch (not included), to finish with drop off at our Valladolid hotel.

Highlights
*Private group transfers
*Tequila distillery tour
*Ex Convento de San Bernardino de Siena visit
*Chocolate Museum tour
*Enjoy Yucatecan cuisine lunch (not included)

Overnight: Hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan
Meals: Breakfast in hotel in Uxmal
   Purified bottled water and soft drinks during the transfer

Day 11. Tulum tour / Playa del Carmen

At a Glance

*Tulum Private Tour – Playa del Carmen

*Explore the history and splendor of the ancient Maya civilization with a private guided tour to the walled city of Tulum. Learn about the former city and its landmark monuments, such as the pyramid temple of El Castillo. Relax and enjoy the ocean view breathtaking scenarios; then “splash” into the beautiful turquoise waters and enjoy the endless beach.

Highlights
*Private group transfers
*Tulum Private Tour
*Time to swim in Tulum beach

Overnight: Hotel in Playa del Carmen
Meals: Breakfast in hotel
   Purified bottled water and soft drinks during the transfer

Day 12 & 13. Playa del Carmen beach days

At a Glance

*Beach days (Free days at leisure)

*These days, relax on the endless white sandy beaches on the Riviera Maya. Forget about schedules, and enjoy the day, the sun and the beach in Playa del Carmen. Visit the Down town and experience “slow” life in this multicultural city.

Highlights
*Free days at leisure

Overnight: Hotel in Playa del Carmen
Meals: Breakfast in hotel

Recommended optional tours:
*Xcaret tour including Mexico Espectacular evening show
*Cozumel island tour
*Coba archaeological site tour
*Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve tour
*Xel-ha ecological park
*Rio Secreto
*Explore tour…and so many more! Ask your YOUCATAN TRAVELS Rep.

Day 14. Departure from Cancun

At a Glance

*Beach day – Departure from Cancun Intl. Airport

*Free morning at leisure.
Private group transfer to Cancun International airport for departure.

Highlights

*Private transfer to the Cancun International airport.
*Flight departure

Meals: Breakfast

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