- 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.
Group Tour—All departures guaranteed, 14 persons maximum.
Private Tour—Flexible dates, fixed itinerary.
Custom Tour—Flexible dates, tailor-made itinerary.
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.
“Our experience with Cuba Candela was outstanding in every way. We got to meet Cubans from many walks of life, from the young people working to improve their community, to the innovators, the farmers, and the ordinary folk… If you want to gain a deeper understanding of Cuba, and Cubans, this is the group for you.”
Island Arrival: Your driver will meet you at the airport, and you’ll be taken to your accommodation to freshen up.
Sunset Cocktail Making Class: Welcome to Havana! Kick-off your cultural immersion with a Cuban food scene entrepreneur and learn to make some of Cuba’s classic cocktails.
Dinner: Sit down at one of Havana’s trendiest restaurants, located inside the VIP section of the famous Fábrica de Arte Cubano.
Private Tour and Night Out at La Fábrica: Enjoy a private tour of Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a must-see Cuban art installation and center of Havana nightlife! Enjoy a classic mojito as you explore three floors of art galleries, live music, DJs and more.
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 your local guide.
Lunch: Enjoy a midday break at an authentic Cuban paladar.
Entrepreneurs of Old Havana: Meet one of the rising entrepreneurs in Old Havana, learn about their story and inspirations, and collaborate on creative ideas for their business.
Sunset Vintage Convertible Ride: Hop into a vintage classic American convertible car and cruise throughout Havana’s neighborhoods at sunset.
Private Dinner with Local Chef: Visit the home of a Cuban Chef and learn about the challenges of preparing gourmet food in Cuba with limited resources. Hear about the Chef’s creative inspiration and story as you enjoy a dinner with the Chef in their home.
Entrepreneurs of Vedado: Meet one of Havana’s rising entrepreneurs in the Vedado neighborhood, learn about their story and inspirations, and collaborate on creative ideas for their business.
Lunch: Break for a mojito, delicious meal, and strong cafecito.
National Museum of Fine Arts: View historic Cuban art not found anywhere else in the world, in the visually stunning Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Salsa Lesson: Learn salsa with one of our resident dance instructors, the most talented in all of Cuba!
Rum Tasting Experience: Relax and enjoy a rum tasting with a professional sommelier. Sample different types of Cuban rum and learn the proper way to taste it!
Dinner: Enjoy a restaurant run by one of Cuba’s most renowned chefs.
Salsa Dancing with Locals: We’ll take you to our favorite local spot in Havana.
Explore Havana’s Emerging Design District: Learn about Havana’s newest artistic and entrepreneurial enclave, San Isidro. This neighborhood is emerging as a new area for creatives, artists and entrepreneurs.
Learn about Paladars over Drinks and Lunch: Go beyond the ordinary paladar experience to meet the Cuban chefs preparing your food. Dive into the complexities of operating a restaurant in Cuba.
Exclusive Entrepreneurial Experience: Meet with some of Cuba’s most inspiring leaders in the entrepreneurship scene bringing innovative ideas to life on the island.
Cultural Immersion Tour: Explore a vibrant neighborhood in Havana and witness an inspiring view of Cuban culture that tourists rarely see. Visit private homes and businesses, communing with locals all along the way
Farewell Dinner: Dine at one of Havana’s most beautiful restaurants, an architectural treasure with quintessential Cuban ambiance.
Optional Morning Activity: Visit Cuba’s first coworking space, a women-led space that contributes to thriving local culture of entrepreneurship on the island.
Departure
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.
- U.S. travel license
- 4-star accommodation*
- All meals; lunch and dinner provided at $20 each per meal
- All activities listed on the itinerary**
- Engaging bilingual local guide
- All transportation, airport and excursion transfers
- Compliance with all U.S. travel regulations
—Not Included—
- Flight and any airline fees
- Cuba Tourist Visa
- 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.
