cuba
Cuba New Year's Tour:
Classic Cars, Salsa & Culture
Week One:
December 28, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Cuba, with its mix of Spanish and African roots, is the perfect destination for you if you’re looking to experience rich culture, eye-popping colorful architecture, and excitement on every street corner. Picture yourself riding in classic cars, salsa dancing, smoking fresh cigars dipped in honey, drinking minty mojitos and exploring baroque architecture and cobbled streets in Old Havana! Together with my partners in crime, Cassie & Ronnie, we’ll be taking you on the adventure of a lifetime while giving back along the way.
For years, Cuba was off-limits to travelers from the United States. In 2019, Cuba opened up its doors to tourism under certain travel laws, and we’re going! As a group, will be traveling under the “Support for the Cuban People” license, allowing our tour to be 100% legal and compliant with US and Cuban laws. We will stay in casas particulares, eat at local paladares, and visit and support community projects that benefit local artists, musicians, educators, farmers and entrepreneurs. We’ll even have local “choferes,” who will be not only driving us in our classic cars throughout the trip, but also joining in on our experiences.
Our trip is designed to immerse you in the culture and provide you with a deep understanding about Cuban life and history. A portion of the trip proceeds will be used to purchase supplies for the Cuban people in a remote village that you will be able to personally give to them.
Few Americans have been able to go to Cuba, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The way you’ll interact with the Cuban people and immerse yourself in their culture will stay with you—and them—forever.
Itinerary
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Arrive in Havana
Check into casa
Mojitos on the terrace
Welcome dinnerUpon arrival in Havana, old classic cars will collect us from the airport and take us for a drive through the city. You can breathe in your first impressions of beautiful Havana. Check into your casa in Havana Vieja, where we will have time to settle, freshen up, and enjoy a mojito on the terrace. A welcome dinner will be at a popular Cuban-fusion restaurant nearby.
Dinner included.
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Breakfast on the terrace
History of Cuba class
Walking tour of Old Havana
Free time
Cocotaxi ride to dinner
Drinks at fábrica de arte cubano (optional)
After a full breakfast on the terrace with views over the city, we’ll have a brief Cuban history class with our local guide, who will walk you through the history as well as the realities of present day life in Cuba.Next we’ll have a walking tour, exploring the main squares and attractions of Habana Vieja (Old Havana).
After lunch at a local paladar, you’ll enjoy a free afternoon until we reconvene later in the evening for dinner. We’ll ride in style in our Coco taxis to a famous Havana restaurant.
We’ll wrap up the night at Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), an art gallery and club established inside of a former cooking oil factory that’s known as one of Havana's premier nightclubs and art galas.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.
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Depart for Viñales
Lunch with locals
Arrive in casas
Sunset dinnerAfter breakfast, it's time to pack up and check out of hectic Havana and head west to more tranquil regions.
We'll drive a couple of hours west via classic car to a remote village, entirely untouched by tourism, to give you a raw and gritty insight into Cuba behind the tourist curtain. Expect humble wooden houses, horse & carts as the main form of transport, and a lot of necessity.
We'll head to a local home, where we'll be warmly welcomed by the reality of how most Cubans live. Fresh Cuban coffee will be brewing on the fire outside, having just been picked from their coffee tree.
We’ll stick around for a lunch with locals in true Cuban authentic style - as a family. Don't underestimate the efforts the family went to find the food for our gathering - but it's their pleasure, and you'll see the proudness in their eyes to be able to host you! This is a very unique day and one that tourists don’t usually get to experience - we hope you’ll cherish it forever.
When we're done here (and there's no rush), we'll continue on the journey to Viñales, taking in the breathtaking views along the way. Upon arriving and meeting our hosts, we’ll check in to the accommodations (neighboring rooms in private homes - casa particulares).
Time for a shower and a freshen up before we head to dinner in a stunning location called Finca Agroecológica El Paraiso to catch the sunset, enjoy an anti-stress cocktail (or two), and eat some delicious farm-to-table traditional Cuban food.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
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Breakfast at your casa
Free time in the morning
NYE party and celebration with localsThe morning is yours for you to do as you wish in Viñales, whether that be walking the quaint neighborhoods or doing a little shopping in the local street market.
In late afternoon, we’ll head out to enjoy a traditional and authentic New Year’s Eve celebration in a private home hidden against the dramatic limestone cliffs of Viñales.
Arriving in horse and cart, we’ll begin festivities by learning how the real locals live. After a tour of their home and a real insight into the real Cuba away from mass tourism, we’ll do our Give Back to the locals, donating much needed supplies and clothing.
After we get the Cuban cocktails flowing, we’ll watch as the final sun of 2024 sets over the mountains.
As friends and family join us throughout the evening, we’ll be serenaded by live music and indulge in rounds of dominoes with the Cuban cowboys and farmers.
Just before midnight, we’ll see 2024 off in the most traditional Cuban way: burning a giant rag doll as a symbol of getting rid of all the negative energy of the past year.
When we’re partied out, we’ll head back to our casas in horse and cart, ready for the next day’s adventures (and they’re gonna be fun!).
Breakfast ,dinner, and drinks included.
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Breakfast at your casa
Horseback ride to farm
Tobacco and cigar tour
Free time on the farm or in the townWake up to a traditional breakfast, Viñales style, with lashings of strong coffee and fresh fruit juices. Fuel up, because it's a busy day ahead!
A Cuban Cowboy will knock at the door to collect you, and you’ll walk just 5 minutes down from your accommodation to the entrance to the national park, where your horses will be waiting.
We’ll ride the horses through a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stunning views on the way to the family farm. Here we'll have a unique and in-depth tour with the local tobacco farmers, who will talk to the group about the process of growing tobacco and eventually making cigars. Taste the hand-made cigars dipped in honey with a swig of guayabita del Pinar (locally made rum), and a shot of home-grown coffee.
When the tour is finished, we'll settle down to a plentiful farm-to-table lunch in the farm—rice, beans, and all the trimmings.
Then we’ll have free time on the farm so you can explore the area however you wish. You can take a walk to a nearby cave, go for a jaunt on the horses, drink mojitos with the cowboys, learn to dance salsa, or play dominoes—the choice is yours!
Then enjoy a free evening with an optional group dinner in town. Salsa or sleep? You decide!
Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own (a reservation at a local restaurant will be made for those who choose to join). -
Sunrise hike (optional)
Breakfast at your casa
Return to Havana
Free time/lunch
DinnerIt's an early morning but it's worth it. We're up with the birds for a sunrise hike to Los Acuaticos - an ancient settlement where the locals believe in the healing power of the water. We'll be visiting mainly for the outstanding views over the three valleys of Viñales as the sun comes over the 'mogotes' (unique limestone mountains).
(We’ll provide a breakfast-to-go during the hike.)
Then the morning is yours to explore or relax and take in the views on the porch of your casa before we pack up.
We’ll hug our host families goodbye, and get ready to head back to Havana, where you’ll have free time to explore and have lunch at one of the many local restaurants and cafés.
In the evening, we'll walk to a nearby restaurant for a group dinner.
Breakfast and dinner provided.
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Breakfast at your casa
Classic car tour
Beach day
Cuban cocktail and cooking classAfter a full breakfast on the terrace with views over the city, you'll head out in a classic car for a tour of the city before we head to one of Havana’s most popular beaches.
Here we can relax, eat fresh fish and lobster, and sip rum and piña coladas as we reminisce about our favorite moments of the week.
After freshening up back at the casa, we’ll reconvene and ride bicitaxis to a Cuban cocktail and cooking class at one of the most beautiful rooftops in Havana. Look your best! We’ll be dining in style and going out with a bang to ensure your last night in Cuba is one not to forget.Breakfast and dinner included
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Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to Cuba. You can stay in the accommodation until 11:30 and leave luggage for longer if necessary. Our classic cars will take you to the airport for when you need to be there.
Hasta la próxima!
Breakfast included
What’s Included:
✓ Airport transfers in classic cars
✓ All excursions and activities as per itinerary
✓ Transport in classic cars with your own “choferes” (drivers), who will join us throughout the trip
✓ 16 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners)
✓ All accommodations
✓ Spanish/English guides, Laura, and Cassie, & Ronnie on all tours
✓ Donations for the Cuban people (you can bring more if you want)
✓ Group orientation call over Zoom one month prior to trip
✓ WhatsApp chat support for the group three months prior to trip
✓ Photos of your trip provided upon your return in a shared album
✓ Your driver’s wages, accommodations, and food in Viñales—Most Cubans will never leave Cuba in their lifetime. This is an amazing opportunity for them to experience their own country in ways they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, and just another way you’ll be giving back to Cuba.
Not Included:
X Flights + visas (I will guide you through the visa process)
X Travel insurance (mandatory—see below in FAQs for more info)
X Drinks and meals not specified in itinerary
X Tips for guides, drivers and local hosts
X Personal purchases & souvenirs
X Local taxis outside of the transport in the itinerary
Accommodations:
It’s vital that we support locally-owned businesses in Cuba. We will be staying at Casa Particulares, which are people’s homes that they open up for guests. And you’ll have the experience of staying with a local family, eating home-cooked meals, and getting a feel for what daily life is really like in Cuba.
In Havana, we’ll be in boutique accommodations in Havana Vieja, with WIFI and 24/7 security. In Viñales, we’ll be in neighboring traditional ‘home stays’ (casa particulares). You will have rooms with private bathrooms and external entrances.
Both are of the highest standard, offering the best of Cuban hospitality and warmth.
The beauty of Cuba lies with its people.
Why Travel to Cuba With Me:
It’s no secret that I am absolutely in love with Cuba, but I want you to experience this magical place for yourself without the worry of planning out all the details and logistics.
I’ll prepare you for travel.
That means preparing you every step of the way and providing information on everything from purchasing flights, Covid requirements, visas, currency, weather and safety, to the more exciting things like what to wear and fun things to do in your free time. Cuba is not an easy place to travel to, and going with professionals will ensure your experience is as seamless as possible.
You get to just show up.
That’s the whole point of doing this, right? You buy your flight and pack your own bags (don’t worry, I’ll give you a list!), but I handle almost everything else! My goal is to make travel as easy and seamless as possible so you can just enjoy your trip!
You get built-in travel buddies.
No more waiting on other people for travel plans that never come to fruition. The dates are set, the itinerary is made, and my Cuban friends and I are ready to show you the best of the best in Cuba! Everyone leaves my trips with new friends—it’s honestly one of the best parts!
You’ll come home with great photos of yourself.
Say goodbye to the days of crappy vacation pictures! I LOVE making people feel confident through photos, and you're guaranteed to go home with Insta-worthy photos of yourself that you’ll actually love because I am documenting your trip every step of the way. Check out some sample photos of past trip participants
You’ll travel in a small group.
I prefer traveling with a small group (think 10-15 people max) who have time to really bond and get to know each other instead of getting lost in the crowd. I promise you’ll leave this trip with new friends you’ll have for life, including me!
You’ll make a positive impact through travel.
I believe in transformative and sustainable travel and that travel truly changes you for the better. By immersing yourself in a culture, you’re likely going to leave a better person than when you arrived. You’ll meet locals, have authentic experiences, and give back to those in need so your tourism has a positive impact on this beautiful country. This trip is 100% in support of the Cuban people, and you’ll be giving back and interacting with Cubans throughout your trip.
FAQs
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Visiting Cuba as an American tourist is prohibited. However, there are several different licenses that Americans can get approved to travel under. Our group will be traveling under the ‘Support for the Cuban People’ license.
To comply with this, we have set up the itinerary to follow all necessary regulations and filled out documentation declaring our intent to travel.
This trip is different from tourism. We will stay in casas particulares, eat at local paladares, and will visit and support community projects that benefit local artists, musicians, educators, farmers and entrepreneurs. It will be culturally immersive every step of the way and unlike any other travel experience. Think of it like adult study abroad (it’s education + travel and a whole lot of fun!).
Plus, a percentage of the trip proceeds will be used to purchase supplies that you’ll be able to donate to Cubans first-hand.
Everything about this trip will be focused on how we can use our privilege to support Cuba and its people.
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This trip is non-refundable, and I am unable to accept refund requests for any reason because trip funds are prepaid to my partners in the countries we are visiting and supporting. I have unfortunately had many travelers need to cancel their trips due to unforeseen circumstances, and the ones who booked travel insurance with trip protection coverage were grateful they did.
Travel insurance is a requirement for participation in a trip offered by Laura Ericson Group Trips. While there are different types of coverage, I require guests to obtain, at minimum, post-departure coverage from your departure date from home to the day you return home, and with at least $150,000 in emergency medical expense benefits and $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation benefits.
For maximum protection, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a comprehensive plan with trip cancellation coverage.
If purchasing trip protection through my partner, Wanderwell, you will have the following options:
—Post-departure-only (travel medical) style plan, which has high primary Travel Medical coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation benefits, and some coverage for Trip interruption and Baggage & Personal Effects as well. Recreational & Adventure Sports coverage is included. *This plan has NO Trip Cancellation benefits.
—Trip Cancellation + post-departure style plan designed to cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, as well as benefits for trip interruption, trip delay, $150,000+ in Primary travel medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage & personal effects, and more. Recreational & Adventure Sports coverage is included.
—Optional Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade
—Optional Extreme Sports benefit upgrade (not available to residents of NH) *appropriate for trips that involve hot air ballooning, caving, paragliding, ATVing, mountaineering, any activity above 4500 meters, and more.
Timing: Whether you purchase through Wanderwell or another service provider, know that the sooner you purchase a trip protection plan, the more it can cover, as there are time-sensitive benefits that can be applied (ie coverage for pre-existing conditions, optional Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade). To have access to the maximum coverage available, it is generally recommended to purchase a trip protection plan within two weeks of making your initial trip payment of any kind for this trip (i.e. flights, packages, tours...whichever is made first).
I partner with Wanderwell; however, you can purchase from your preferred provider. Wanderwell is a Certified B Corp promoting sustainable, responsible travel and tourism. At least one percent of your insurance purchase costs will be given to Friends of the Koala - a 1% for the Planet environmental partner - as my organization of choice.
Have more questions about travel insurance and why I recommend it for all of my trips? Check out Wanderwell’s Support section.
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Travelers will need to purchase a tourist visa under “Support for the Cuban People” as the general license category. The approximate cost is $85, and I will walk you through the steps to get your visa as the trip gets closer (it’s a quick and easy process). Processing is typically 48 hours, and expedited shipping is available.
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Yes. Regulations state that the US government technically has 5 years to intervene and request that you demonstrate that the activities you did in Cuba met the licence requirements. All you need to do for this is keep photos, receipts, the itinerary plan that I will provide, and any other records. It’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll be contacted for this, but best to be prepared just in case.
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Click the booking link to register, and then select whether you want single or double occupancy.
IMPORTANT: Although travel to Cuba is legal for US citizens, using Cuba’s name on the booking page can cause problems with third-party payment processors. Therefore, no mention can be made in our banking transactions of the word “Cuba.” Because of this, you’ll see that my booking site refers to Cuba as “The Island.”
Any payments sent directly to me through Venmo, Cash App, or Paypal cannot mention the word Cuba, or your money may be seized.
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Wait until you get the green light from me to purchase your flights—I typically recommend 3-6 months prior to the trip, or as soon as I’ve finalized our group.
I will be in contact with you regularly with reminders and assistance on purchasing fights, visas, insurance, packing, and more.
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Cash, dollars, cash! Your bank card/credit card will NOT work. Bring enough cash in USD for your trip, and bring extra for emergencies (or for more mojitos and cigars).
I’ll give you a better idea of how much cash to bring (and lots of reminders) as the trip gets closer, but generally I recommend you bring $1,000 USD—you shouldn’t need that much, but you won’t be able to access money if you need more.
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You certainly could try to navigate Cuba on your own—people certainly do, but with varied degrees of success. I have heard horror stories of people getting scammed, sick, and overall having an unpleasant experience in Cuba—mainly because they tried to do it on their own.
Ensuring you have the proper approval, an itinerary that meets the requirements of one of the approved reasons for travel, and the supporting documentation can be complicated.
Cuba is not like other countries. The lack of wifi, regular phone service, and inability to use credit and debit cards makes it more challenging to travel to than many places, and things can and do go wrong. The Cuban currency system is super difficult to deal with as a traveler, the monetary policy in Cuba changes almost every year, and its easy to be taken advantage of if you don’t know what you’re doing. Having travel experts and locals to help you navigate all of Cuba’s complexities is a true asset.
In addition, the greatest reward in visiting Cuba is the ability to integrate yourself with the Cuban people and immerse yourself in its culture. By traveling with us, you’ll have an inside look at Cuban life and connections that you can’t find when you travel on your own.
Do you have additional questions about traveling with us?
Fun Facts
Cuban cigars are among the finest in the world. Due to the US embargo, it is challenging to bring cigars back to the US, but you’ll be able to bring up to 50 home with you from our tobacco farm tour.
We will be traveling to Cuba during its dry season. Havana averages 72°F, with an average maximum of 81°F in January.
It's estimated there are 60,000 classic cars in Cuba. Common vintage car brands include Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, and Buick.
Cuba has two currencies: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC), which is mainly used by Cubans.
testimonial
I traveled to Cuba with Laura and had an amazing experience! Every detail was well planned out. She cares not only about her travelers, but the communities we are visiting as well. If you want to really experience the culture and atmosphere of a country, Laura will take you off the beaten path and provide memories for a lifetime. I will be traveling with her again!
- Rich W.
Ready to reserve your spot?
INVESTMENT: $3,499
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ADD-ON: +$350
PAYMENT PLAN OPTION: I offer a free payment plan, so you can spread the payment across 6 months with a $500 deposit due at time of booking.
All payments are non-refundable.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need a different payment arrangement.
Vibe Check
I have been running group trips for over 2 years now, and I’ve taken over 100 travelers to 7 countries all over the world. In that time, I have learned that while group trips are an amazing, life-changing adventure for most, they aren’t for everyone.
Here’s some general guidelines to help you determine if group trips are a good fit for you:
Like any travel experience, group trips require flexibility, self-awareness, and an open mind. Things don’t always go as planned during travel (sometimes that’s part of the adventure!), and if you can keep a positive attitude, perspective, and stay open-minded, it will make for a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Group trips are highly scheduled and organized (that’s the appeal, right?!). While you aren’t required to participate in activities that don’t interest you, it also still requires you to be on time and respectful of others.
Traveling in a group means sometimes we need to do what’s best for the group vs. the individual, and that things need to be organized in a way that the group can travel efficiently to make the trip go smoothly. It also sometimes means sharing meals, accommodations, and transportation with your trip mates—this brings a feeling of community and allows you to bond with your fellow adventurer buddies. It’s like adult summer camp!
Group trips involve lots of personalities—again, that’s part of the appeal! While I do my best to ensure everyone on the trip is a good fit, you might not become best friends with every person in your group, and that’s okay! I guarantee you’ll make some lifelong friends, and I ensure you can learn something valuable from everyone you meet.
These trips are usually international, which gives you the privilege of learning about other cultures. Often that means things might be different from what you are used to at home—again, that’s the whole point, right? Being open-minded, flexible, and willing to experience life in a different way will make for a transformative travel experience.
Still have questions?
Want to check out flight prices?
You will be flying in and out of Havana Jose Marti International Airport (HAV).
Laura Ericson Group Trips is not responsible for any costs related to flights. You can use this tool to gauge flight prices, but please wait until you get an email from us approximately 3-4 months prior to your trip to book your flights to ensure you have all of the information needed for booking. We recommend always booking with the airline directly and not from an online travel agency (OTA) like Kayak, etc.
“Travel is about the
gorgeous feeling of
teetering in the
unknown.”
— Anthony Bourdain