- Overview
- Book Now: Dates + Pricing
- Itinerary
- Representative Accommodations
- Flight + Visa
- What's Included
- Experiences Gallery
- Before You Go
- FAQ
For questions or booking inquiries, call (305) 930-5194 or contact us.
New Year's Eve is one of Cuba's largest annual celebrations. Locals and visitors alike enjoy delicious feasts with traditional Cuban pork roasts, rum and salsa dancing, and live music drifting from the rooftops. Take the ultimate holiday adventure and discover Cuba's beautiful and joyous festive celebrations. Let us handle everything so you can kick back and enjoy the true spirit of the holidays- spending time with loved ones.
Standard Tour: $3,175
Luxury Tour: $4,532
Prices are $USD, per person and based on double occupancy.
We strongly encourage all travelers to book with a travel advisor to elevate their travel experience. Include your advisor’s name and email upon check-out to receive VIP treatment, a $100 personalized welcome gift, access to exclusive amenities and experiences AND free room upgrades at select properties upon availability.
My family had a great trip to Cuba over Christmas break. We felt like we received a great perspective on the country while having some local interactions that were wonderful – salsa dancing with our charismatic instructor, private rum tasting with 3-piece band playing while we debated the quality of the spirits, walking the art district with an artist who introduced us to galleries and their artists, smoking hand-rolled cigars while visiting a tobacco farm, and touring around in vintage cars were a few of the highlights. [We] spent the evenings drinking our rum and then awoke in the morning to a breakfast prepared and served on a private veranda. Thanks Cuba Candela for a great experience!
Island Arrival: Your driver will meet you at the airport, and you’ll be taken to your accommodation to freshen up.
Welcome Dinner: Welcome to Cuba! Dine at an authentic Cuban spot serving great local dishes in a refined dining room, often featuring live music.
Exploring Old Havana: Find your bearings and step back in time, as you immerse yourself in the iconic, colorful and historic Habana Vieja (Old Havana) with a kid-friendly tour led by your local guide.
Lunch: Enjoy a midday break at an authentic Cuban paladar.
Vintage Convertible Ride: Hop into a vintage classic American convertible car and cruise throughout Havana’s neighborhoods.
Salsa Lesson: Even our shyest dancer can enjoy this fun-filled experience and opportunity to learn from the best. Meet our resident dance instructors, the most talented in all of Cuba!
Dinner: Dine at one of Old Havana’s trendiest spots, dine under the stars at this beautiful rooftop restaurant known for craft cocktails and the local artists and musicians that frequently stop by.
Depart for Viñales: After a full breakfast, head out with your private driver and guide to Viñales, a beautifully quaint Cuban town nestled among soaring limestone cliffs and tobacco farms.
Lunch in the Valley: Enjoy traditional Cuban food in a quaint local restaurant overlooking a beautiful view in the Viñales countryside.
Tobacco Country: Explore the tobacco country of Viñales with a local farmer as your guide. Learn the history of the region and enjoy the stunning views over a cup of freshly ground coffee before riding on an oxcart to visit a family-owned tobacco farm. Watch as a seasoned cigar maker handrolls a perfect puro while explaining the secret to the world-renowned Cuban cigar.
Dinner in Havana: Dine at one of Havana’s most beautiful restaurants, an architectural treasure with quintessential Cuban ambiance.
Cuban Cooking Class: Learn how to prepare a classic Cuban meal with the chef of a restaurant. He will teach you how to create some of their best dishes in a beautiful setting. Enjoy Cuban cocktails and coffee throughout the experience.
Private Art Tour: Our local art expert will accompany you to two local studios. Go beyond the facade and interact with Cuba’s thriving artistic community.
Holiday Festivities: Enjoy various options for holiday celebrations such as massages, cocktail making classes and homemade dinners in your accommodation, New Years Eve parties, concerts, dinner with a local family and more!
Optional Morning Activity
Private Transfer to Airport
Departure Flight from Havana Airport
Flight: Flights are not included in Cuba Candela trips. You may book your flight to Havana from the U.S. or country of origin. Learn more.
Visa: The Cuba Tourist Visa is required for all travelers visiting Cuba and is not included in our standard tours. You may purchase a visa at the airport on the same day of departure or you may request a visa at checkout for an additional fee. Learn more.
Standard Inclusions:
- U.S. travel license
- 4-star accommodation*
- Some meals; breakfast and lunch provided at $20/meal
- All activities listed on the itinerary**
- Engaging bilingual local guide
- 24/7 concierge service
- All transportation, airport and excursion transfers
- Compliance with all U.S. travel regulations
Luxury Inclusions:
- Cuba Travel Visa
- U.S. travel license
- 5-star accommodation*
- All meals; lunch and dinner provided at $40 each per meal
- All activities listed on the itinerary**
- Engaging bilingual local guide
- 24/7 concierge service
- All transportation, airport and excursion transfers
- Local cellphone with data hotspot
- Compliance with all U.S. travel regulations
—Not Included—
- Flight and any airline fees
- Discretionary tips for guide, driver and other activities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Trip insurance (highly recommended)
*Note: Accommodation standards are based on what is widely available in Cuba. 4-star accommodation is charming, clean and safe.
**Note: Itinerary is representative of your experience. Activities are subject to change based on availability and adjustments required due to the realities of island life in Cuba.
Cuba has mild temperatures year-round with a dry season from November – April. Prepare for your trip by staying updated on the weather in Cuba. Learn more.
From what to pack and how to connect to the internet to information on money and souvenirs, we have compiled everything you need to know for a smooth and carefree trip. Learn more.
We recommend that all guests purchase travel insurance in the event of an emergency. You may purchase coverage from a travel insurance provider like Allianz for a smooth and carefree trip. Learn more.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for information on vaccines and COVID-19 in Cuba. Learn more.
Yes! Travel to Cuba is still legal under the “Support for the Cuban People” travel authorization. We take care of required documents including the visa.
Read our blog “Yes, You Can Travel To Cuba. Here’s How” to learn more.
Clients booking Standard Tours may purchase the visa from us as an add-on to their trip package, or may choose to purchase it at the airport on the day of arrival for commercial flights.
Commercial flights are the most common method of transportation for most travelers from the United States to Havana. Almost all major airlines offer nonstop flights to Cuba, including American, Jet Blue, Delta, United and Southwest Airlines. You may book your flight to Cuba directly with your preferred airline, just as you would to any other destination in the world.
When booking your flight, you’ll be asked to select a purpose for travel. The preferred license for our travelers is the “Support for the Cuban People” license.
Read our blog “How To Get To Cuba” for more information on flying to Cuba and direct flight locations.
Cuba Candela offers 3 types of tours to Cuba: Group Tours, Private Tours and Custom Tours.
Group Tours are open sign up, have set departure dates and offer a chance to meet other travelers during your time on the island. Learn more here.
Private Tours are for your group only with dates of your choice. You select one of our handmade private itineraries and tell us when you want to travel. Learn more here.
Custom Tours are highly curated, totally unique trips to Cuba. Our team of experienced designers works with you to handcraft a one-of-a-kind itinerary. Our private custom tours have been a Cuba Candela specialty since our founding. Learn more here.
The main differences between these packages are in the accommodations, meal inclusions, experiences and visa inclusion. Standard Tours include 4-star accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner at $20 per meal and standard experiences. Standard Tours do not include the Cuba Tourist Visa. Luxury Tours offer 5-star accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner at $40 per meal, exclusive experiences and the Cuba Tourist Visa is included.
Learn more about our pricing and packages here.
We provide all transportation from the moment you land until the moment you leave (airport pick-ups, drop-offs and all excursion transfers included) in an air-conditioned private car, van or similar vehicle with a professional driver.
When you arrive in Havana, your driver will be waiting for you and will show you to the currency conversion desk in the airport. Currency in Cuba is called the Cuban Peso (CUP.)
Note that Cuba is cash-only, so you will not be able to use a debit or credit card or an ATM. It is important to bring a sufficient amount of cash with you to cover the duration of your trip.
Read more about money in Cuba here.
Yes, but we recommend that travelers expect to be disconnected from WIFI during their trip and embrace the digital detox! WIFI in Cuba has improved dramatically and is available at all 5-star accommodations and some 4-star accommodations. If your 4-star accommodation does not have WIFI, you will be provided with time to connect at hotel lobbies or designated WIFI parks.
Yes. Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world to visit and has a stellar track record of safeguarding tourists. It has always welcomed and embraced American travelers with open arms.
Visit our Safety First page to learn more.
A deposit of $99 per person is due at the time of booking to reserve your trip, with a 35% deposit due 1 month later, or 60 days prior to departure (whichever date comes first). All deposits are fully refundable for any reason up to 30 days prior to departure. If you cancel your trip anytime up until 30 days prior to departure, you will receive a full refund.
Visit our FAQ for a more comprehensive list of frequently asked questions.
