Cuba Tours - Cuba Candela

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Cuba Candela

5.0

Based on 172 reviews

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We had the most excellent experience with this agency and our outstanding guide, Ilsa Hernandez. Every detail was perfect and we learned / experienced so much in our time there. Cuba is a beautiful country with wonderful people. I've traveled to many developing countries and the people of Cuba are the warmest, most generous and resilient I've encountered. Great job to all involved and we will refer you to others who are interested in visiting.

Trent S.

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My sister and I just returned from a Cuba Candela tour. We custom planned what we wanted to do and see. We got much more than that. Our tour guide Miguel was with us every step of the way. He was knowledgeable, fun and funny. One activity from the original request had been excluded and Miguel made sure it was added back. The experiences are so authentic. The Cuban people are welcoming and warm. We went to Havana, Vinales, Cienfuegos and Trinidad all places beautiful in their own way. Ask for Miguel you won’t be disappointed!

Karen R.

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Cuba Candela and our guide Ernesto made my 40th birthday trip so wonderful!!! We were in good hands the entire time with our amazing guide Ernesto- who paced our trip and kept us on schedule without any of us even realizing- and our great drivers. The tours were great (the rum/cigar tasting, art studio tour and old Havana were so fun). Viñales was so special too!

Marisa K

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I recently returned from our trip to Cuba and it was expertly planned and put together by Cuba Candela! It was unlike any other trip I have taken and every experience, tour, restaurant and accommodation was wonderful. Our guide, Miguel, made the trip perfect in every way. He was fun, knowledgeable, and offered a perspective which left me feeling as though I went home with a deeper understanding of the island, its history, and most of all the lovely people who live there. We had a group of 8 and he met every request or need that anyone had expertly (which is no easy task with a group that big). I would highly recommend requesting him to guide your trip! Our drivers Leo and Yunier were also very good and delivered us safely to all of our destinations each day. Many thanks to all involved for a trip I will never forget!

Heather O.

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Our trip to Cuba was one of the best trips I've taken! Cuba Candela (with Brian) arranged everything beautifully for us and all the planning, travel, lodging, restaurants and touring was flawless. I must say, however, that it was our guide, Miguel, who really made this experience magical. His personality, kindness, knowledge, and communication style made everything fun and educational. I would 100% request him for our guide next time. We had a group of eight, and despite the challenges of a large group, all of the coordination was seamless and incredibly enjoyable. Our driver, Leo, got us safely and easily to all the areas we visited. The food, drinks, sights, and people are spectacular and I already miss being there. Can't wait to go back.

Jill S.

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We just returned from our trip to Cuba and I can’t say enough wonderful things about the trip. The itinerary arranged by Club Candela was unique, varied, and well thought out with downtime that was much appreciated. The people we interacted with shared their personal stories and we enjoyed every minute of the time we spent with Andy, Miguel, Gabriel and their families. We enjoyed learning about some of Cuba’s amazing artists with Martha. The restaurants were wonderful with delicious menus and friendly staff. Our hotel was lovely and filled with helpful staff. The highlight of our trip was spending time with our guide, Zahadis, she was kind, personable and engaging. She was an amazing interpreter for us on our tours and she shared so much knowledge about her country’s rich history! Our driver Carlos was always exactly where we were expecting him, taking us everywhere we needed to go!

Nicky M.

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We couldn’t have asked for a better experience planning our trip to Cuba. Cuba Candela set up an itinerary based on all of our requests, took care of the visas, and most importantly, set us up with great guides and drivers while in Cuba. Miguel and Carlitos were more than just guides. It felt like we were hanging out with friends while exploring Habana, traveling to the countryside, and chilling on the beach. We learned so much about Cuba while with them, and they even set up a special table for us at the restaurant for my wife’s birthday. They were also able to pivot quickly and find a second option one night when one of our places had to close. Every experience had something memorable anboutbit. Our driver Leo was great as well, taking us door to door safely every day, and doing the hard work behind the wheel on our longer, day-trip drives. Just great people, easy to talk to, and the ideal representatives of Cuba.

Michael E.

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We had a GREAT experience with this agency! Our tour expert, Carlos, was amazing. Our driver, Adrian, was phenomenal as well. We sincerely have zero complaints. Each experience was authentic, informative and super enjoyable. I would absolutely work with them again. Again, Carlos and Adrian were amazing. Please request them as they are knowledgeable and want to ensure you have the most amazing time. Thank you!

Shelley

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Candela!!! What an amazing experience for our first time in Cuba with Cuba Candela. My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary there with the “honeymoon package”, which was the perfect sampler platter for us to get a feel of Cuba. We stayed in the most amazing accommodations in Havana and Trinidad, took salsa lessons, photoshoot in an old classic car, visited tobacco and coffee farms, went to beautiful beaches, hiked to waterfalls, went shopping, had a rum and cigar experience, took a cooking class…. And to top it off, we had the best guide ever, CARLOS and our driver Reimel (AKA Jaime)! Carlos gave us the behind the scenes experience, teaching us about the Cuban people, their culture, their challenges and ways of life. We felt so well taken care of. We highly recommend Cuba Candela and Carlos to anyone wanting to experience Cuba. ❤️🇨🇺

Jessica C.

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We recently had the pleasure of booking a trip with Cuba Candela, and it exceeded all our expectations! Our host, Carlos, was simply amazing – friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help with a smile. He made our experience unforgettable, going above and beyond to ensure we had a great time.Cuba Candela provided a fantastic itinerary that allowed us to explore the beauty and culture of Cuba while also making time for relaxation and fun. Carlos’s attention to detail and genuine passion for his work made our trip truly special.We highly recommend Cuba Candela, and especially Carlos, to anyone looking for a memorable Cuban adventure. We can’t wait to tell our friends and family about our incredible experience!

Elizabeth V.

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My wife and I loved our trip to Cuba and one of the best parts was our guide, Enzzo. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared so much about Cuba through a personal lens. I injured my foot the night before our trip and spent most of the trip on crutches. Enzzo was great at slight modifications to our trip to ensure I was able to get the most out of our trip. All the while he told us personal stories about life in Cuba, explained history, and connected us with locals and fun activities. I can’t recommend Enzzo enough. You would be lucky to have him as a host and guide!

George L.

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I have done a significant about of travel and this was by far one of the most interesting and well organized trip EVER. From the moment we arrived to our beautiful accommodation in Havana to meeting the most sensational guide you could ever hope to be assigned, Carlos, we were in incredible hands every step of the way. We had wonderful drivers who got us to and from all the unique experiences without a hitch. Seeing life behind-the-scenes in Cuba is a rare and incredible opportunity. This company arranged a wide variety of experiences that left us feeling that we got to do things most others do not who are visiting Cuba. Our three different accommodations were a just lovely and restaurants they selected were thoughtful and delicious. I was traveling with a dearest friend as well as my 17-year-old daughter who also felt it was an incredible experience. But truly, Carlos our guide who traveled with us for 8 days made this trip everything it was supposed to be and more. I highly recommend working with this group.

Anna K.

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Our week in Cuba with our guide Enzzo Hernandez was unforgettable! Our itinerary from beginning to end was thoughtfully curated but still allowed for last minute changes or a little extra lingering. Every experience and activity was infused with Enzzo's touch, insights, and perspectives as his story and his family's story is woven in every part of the land, cities, and country. His vast yet very personal knowledge of local and national architecture, art, history, and people made every experience unique and infused with Cuba's passion. I have never learned more, seen more, and felt more during travel than I did this past week. Thank you Enzzo and Cuba Candela for a beautiful, moving, inspiring, nostalgic, passionate, energetic, and hopeful experience.

Chi P.

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Our trip planned through Cuba Candela was fabulous. We went as a group of 8 women on a private luxury tour for Support for the Cuban People. Everything felt incredibly authentic. We were all changed at the end of the trip. Our tour guide Enzzo Hernandez was fabulous. We felt safe, informed, and immersed because of him. He truly helped us understand the struggles and the beauty of life in Cuba. I would ask for him as a guide if possible

Melissa L.

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We just returned from a 6 day trip to Cuba and our driver, Nivaldo, and guide, Carlos, helped make this trip for us. They were both well informed, patient, kind, compassionate and very efficient. They helped my 92 year old Mom have a wonderful trip by physically assisting her as needed. I highly recommend both of them as they really made our tour. We loved Cuba!

Holly A.

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Our guide, Laura was an amazing teacher and passionate about her country and amazing people…in spite of the difficulties that face Cuban people on a daily basis…the Social Impact Tour was inspiring and an experience we will never forget…we took a private Luxury Tour and were able to immerse ourselves into this unique culture. Laura explained life on a daily basis, but also showed how the people we met have overcome their challenges and, with resilience and creativity are transforming their situations and also help others in their communities. Thank you Cuba Candela for this wonderful journey!

Suzanne S.

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Our tour guide Carly Paredes made our trip very personal and informative. He made sure that we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves at all times. He was at our hotel to greet us when we arrived and then took us on a walking tour of old Havana. He was with us on each of our adventures and acted as both guide and interpreter whenever needed. He is an excellent representative of Cuba and a very nice person to spend time with in Cuba.

Judy D.

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My husband and I visited Cuba for the first time through Cuba Candela and had a very interesting trip, including getting to see other cities and the gorgeous countryside outside of Havana. It was nice not to have to plan anything and have last minute things taken care of as they popped up during the trip. Some of our favorite experiences were with the local guides that Cuba Candela is connected with, and we got the sense that our experiences were more authentic and tailored than the other tour groups we crossed paths with. Our guide Enzzo was great, as were some of our other local guides (like Martha in Havana and Andy in Viñales) and our driver Albert. We also really enjoyed getting a close-up view of the art scene in Havana and were so grateful that local artists welcomed us into their studios and homes. We learned a lot about Cuban life, culture, food, art, and history in a way that you can only do on the ground with these kinds of authentic experiences.

Rachel S.

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Cuba Candela’s well structured itinerary allowed us to experience the Cuban culture and people without the worry of managing any logistical details throughout our visit and allowed us to truly immerse. Our guide Martha was amazing and we greatly appreciated her insights and extensive conversation from history to the day to day lives of the Cuban people.All of the people that we encountered were passionate, engaging and inspiring.Truly an amazing experience and look forward to another booking!

Matt E.

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We just returned from 6 days in Cuba, and had a wonderful time. Our tour guide, Luis, was wonderful and we learned so much from him about Cuban culture. Our driver, Robert, was wonderful, as well. We enjoyed many lively conversation with both of them as we traveled. We love Cuban art and architecture and enjoyed many opportunities to meet artists across Havana. The highlight of our trip was traveling to Vinales. The scenery was beautiful and the people were warm and welcoming. Thank you to Molly for working with us to arrange this memorable trip.

betsy S.

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THE way to see Cuba ! I had booked this trip in 2019, Covid happened and I finally was able to go to Cuba in June 2023. The trip and itinerary had evolved a few times due to life and it was the most amazing trip. My teenage daughter and I were able to see life in Cuba up close and personal. Our guide Martha was outstanding ! She introduced us to Cuban culture, food, lifestyles, etc. She made our trip go from an A to an A++!! If you are fortunate enough to visit Cuba, this is the way to go !

Leigh H.

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I just came back from a Cuba Candela Social Impact tour. I can't say enough what a great trip this is. If you are someone that loves to learn about the culture, art and life of wherever you travel to, this is a trip for you! From the moment you step foot on Cuban ground until you end, you are immersed in all things Cuban. I felt safe during the entire trip. I learned so much about how Cubans live, and their struggles for basic needs.The restaurant choices were excellent. The guides were knowledgeable, great translators, open to all questions, interesting and (lol) patient getting 5 chatty, socially conscientious ladies through each scheduled stop on the itinerary. Really great trip that I highly recommend!!!!

Ann B.

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Cuba Candela provided wonderful interactions with the Cuban people and we truly felt like we had a total immersion. From the profoundly moving dance performance to learning about their way of living and visiting new young artists we were constantly learning and amazed with their resiliency.Our guide Rainses was ready to answer and discuss all of our many questions. The water falls near Trinidad and him spotting the Cuban Trogan for us were special highlights!I highly recommend Cuba Candela!

Lynette H.

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Cuba Candela planned a custom tour for me, and it was fabulous; one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. Once I told them what I was interested in doing, they took care of everything. It was seamless! All of their local partners in Cuba were wonderful: knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and exuding a passion for what they do. Highly recommend!

Lauren F.

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If you are an American who is thinking about going to Cuba and you are looking for *authentic interaction with Cuban people and culture*, you would be well advised to book your tour through Cuba Candela.We just returned from a ~4 day trip to Cuba and it was exceptional. From 5-star accommodations at Elvira Mi Amor in Old Havana to well-planned excursions and activities, Cuba Candela delivered for us!Highlights included: visits to artists' homes/studios; carefully curated meals and restaurant experiences, a trip to Vinales to learn about tobacco and cigars; a cooking class, and walking tours of Havana with expert guides who explained the culture and history of Cuba in a personalized and intimate way. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating -- they even arranged a last-minute trip to an antique store that I wanted to visit.I was extremely impressed by the flawless logistical execution in destination. When we arrived in Havana, the woman who was waiting for us when we deplaned whisked us through immigration/customs and delivered us to our driver, who took us to the hotel. For the next four days, if we had a transfer scheduled, the driver was there at the appointed time - on the dot. All of this was facilitated by excellent communication from the team at Cuba Candela. You always feel like you have a point of contact.A word of caution: If you are a Type A person (like me), who likes to have every detail of a trip scheduled, planned and communicated in advance, I would say two things. 1) This is Cuba, so you have to be a little adaptable. 2) Trust the process. Cuba Candela are pros who know what they are doing. And finally...this is a full-service travel booker, so if you are a budget traveler, they may not be the best option for you. But we found the service and expertise to be well worth the price.I highly recommend the services of Cuba Candela and would enthusiastically use them again!

Renee S.

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Our visit to Cuba was EPIC! It was a most memorable, impactful, eye-opening, amazing adventure for our family, including our two teen-age sons! We have deep gratitude to the Cuba Candela team for making it awesome. We especially loved and appreciated all of the guides, accommodation staff and those behind the scenes who worked magic to make our time in Cuba so special. It was clear that the team knew about us and was there to make sure we were comfortable. We felt very well cared for!The accommodations were lovely, we were very well-fed, the activities were thought-provoking, educational, and interesting, best of all, we met amazing people! We were able to use our minds, our bodies and our hearts to explore, learn and connect.Club Candela was great to work with from my e-mail inquary through our send-off from Havana.

Lisa L.

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Incredible! What an amazing fully immersed experience our family had in Cuba! Every experience was one to remember, from the cooking classes, drumming lessons, snorkeling trips to just experiencing the history and culture of Havana everything was planned perfectly by Cuba Candela. Have to mention our guide Luis, he was truly part of our family for the week, he understood our needs and wants before we did, can't say enough about him and the quality of guiding he offered. Fantastic experience, we thank Molly at Cuba Candela and their folks on the ground in Cuba for making it happen for family we will not soon forget it. Muy Rico!

Michael D.

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I traveled recently to Cuba with Cuba Candela and had an amazing experience. The team at Cuba Candela is passionate about what they do and the service they provide is seamless. I loved all the activities they planned which were educational, authentic, experiential, and hands on. They are experts on creating custom itineraries as well as small group set departure itineraries. Just let them know when you can go and trust that they will take care of the rest!

Grace S.

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There is nobody I would trust more with planning a trip to Cuba than Cuba Candela. Every single thing was seamless from start to finish, the experiences were all authentic and incredible, their contacts on the ground are invaluable, and they know how to manage every little detail flawlessly. I will definitely be returning to Cuba as it is truly a special destination and the perfect place for travelers who are looking for unique places, amazing people, fascinating culture, and endless opportunities for connecting with locals and really experiencing something authentic. Most of my American friends back home were surprised to learn that we CAN travel to Cuba. Not only can we travel there, but we SHOULD!

John S.

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WOW! What an amazing experience we had in Cuba! From the moment we arrived to the day we had to leave, Cuba Candela created the best immersive experience for my first visit to this beautiful island. Loved experiencing the live music, salsa dancing, visit to a tobacco farm, art galleries, food, drinks and most importantly the people! I can't wait for my next trip with Cuba Candela.

Andrea B.

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Cuba Candela made our trip absolutely incredible! I was blown away by the level of service and attention to detail the team had. I will definitely be going to Cuba again and will be using Cuba Candela another time! Thank you thank you for a wonderful trip!!!

Melissa N.

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Cuba Candela for this trip was great. The tours we had we so informative and our tour guide, Alex was wonderful. He answered all of our questions and accommodated our special requests. The restaurants he chose for us we local, fun and varied. The day we went out to the local farm was worth the long drive as the couple that hosted us were so sweet and the food so-o-o good. At our hotel, Paseo 206, the staff were so courteous and friendly and always smiling and asking what they could do to make our visit wonderful. I couldn't have done this without the help and guidance provided though my professional travel advisor and would - have - recommended Cuba Candela to my friends.

Loyal C.

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I never thought I'd go to Cuba in my lifetime, but Cuba Candela provided a fantastic programming schedule where I was immersed in cultural excursions!

Gary

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If you want to truly experience Cuba, these guys are the absolute BEST!! Highly recommend.

Tyler L.

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Cuba Candela - Thank you so much for our incredible trip to Cuba. Our host Rita was terrific, focusing on our interests and offering fun and exciting adventures, especially art, music and culinary destinations, and connecting us to the people of Cuba. Our guide Richard and driver Irais were attentive, friendly and extremely knowledgeable, ensuring that every day was great. We also appreciate the terrific advice and itinerary from Molly. Thanks too to our travel agent Deborah from Protravel International. A truly spectacular and unforgettable trip!

Sonia E.

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Cuba Candela was incredible at planning an immersive and educational trip for our group of friends. The boutique hotel they selected was stunning and every meal and activity they arranged was incredible.

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Other than the wonderful people of Cuba, our tour leaders were the best part of our trip. They really went above and beyond for us in every way. Candela tailored our trip to meet our specific interests and delivered in Spades. The accommodations they chose for us also met our needs perfectly - an antique Cuban house with lush gardens, excellent food, and outstanding service by the entire staff. They also provided an agenda that really let us absorb the culture, and meet so many amazing Cubans that shared their lives with us. Thank you Club Candela for making our experience so remarkable!

William - Christopher D.

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The trip came close to being a bucket-list trip, and it really wasn’t a top priority before we went. When you look at the itineraries of Cuba trip, the focus is on Havana. This wasn’t what we wanted. Instead, we wanted an introductory grand tour. We wanted to get beyond just One place. Our trip’s itinerary was built by a series of conversations. In other words, they didn’t just give us something off-the-shelf. In essence, we went from Havana to the western edge, and then from Havana to the the east, ending in Santiago de Cuba.Our guide and a driver met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. This was an intense relief as the airport was crazy and we had custom issues. The guide was with us the entire trip. Our first driver was with us for eight days, and a second driver was with us for the remainder. The driver’s were wonderful. The vehicles were good. (I remember my parent’s cars from the fifties—modern are much nicer.)At all times, we felt welcome no matter what we did: drinks and song at someone’s home in Havana (a highlight), walking through the artist’s area and into homes in Havana, to a samba lesson, taking a standing tour in an ox-cart, to drinking just roasted and ground coffee on a farm, to visiting the Che museum/monument…well, you can see the scope of our activities.In the middle of the trip, my partner did not feel well. Our guide took her to a doctor and then to a lab for testing. They wrote down her diagnosis. It was three weeks of doctor’s visits at a prestige Boston hospital to make the same diagnosis.Finally, while we had an itinerary, we were able to make changes as needed or desired.A great trip.P.S. Our guide Kathy made the trip wonderful.

Barry K.

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Cuba Candela provided outstanding advice about in-country sites and what to look out for while touring Havana. They provide onsite protection during tourist trips and excellent knowledge about Cuba’s history/culture.

Billy M.

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Wonderful experience!

Rachel M.

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My husband and I chose Cuba Candela for our trip to Cuba and we could not have been more pleased with the experience. Every one from Cuba Candela was so professional, attentive and nice. It made for a flawless vacation. I would recommend them to anyone who is traveling to Cuba.

Anna S.

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Havana is an true treasure and our guide at Cuba Candela did a fantastic job at showing us the city. They did a great job at customizing the tour to see specific sites of interest to our group.

gary S.

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Cuba Candela made my experience traveling to Cuba for the first time smooth and seamless. I felt much more comfortable having a professional company to advise me on travel and answer any questions I had. I really loved visiting different parts of Cuba with Mhai Yoga while getting such an educational experience meeting so many different, lovely Cubans! Thank you so much!

Amanda F.

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My husband and I took the Cuba Candela, People-to-People tour and loved it. The experience was really wonderful! We felt we got there before everything changed as it really is changing and becoming more Americanized. Our tour guides, Odett and Alex were very knowledgeable and very friendly. One of the best things the tour includes is personal taxies for each couple. This is something you simply can NOT do without in Cuba as transportation options are very limited and we did not want to be on bus like all the other tours. We also spent a day in vintage convertibles driving through the most beautiful parts of Havana. The tour covers a lot of territory; we saw Old Havana, Fusterlandia, Revolution Square, Tour of Hemingway's House, El Foridita and much more over the five days. You will not believe me when I say the food in Cuba is Amazing but it is. The tour arranged for us to have dinner at many of the best restaurants as well as local eateries. The best was La Guarida is was a wow! This is the perfect tour for those who want to enjoy getting to know the people and their culture.

Jeannie C.

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