Ten days is enough to see Havana, one rural region and a colonial town or two, without moving every night. Cuba is also a place where conditions change, so this itinerary is followed by notes on what to check before you book.
Before you plan
- Entry rules: Check the current entry requirements for your passport, including any tourist card or visa, health or customs forms, and travel insurance expectations. Rules differ by country and change.
- Travelers from the United States: US travel to Cuba is restricted to specific authorized categories under US rules, and tourism is not one of them. Rules have changed several times, so check current US government guidance rather than relying on a blog.
- Current conditions: Reports in recent years have described fuel shortages, power cuts and limited supplies. Check recent traveler reports and your government’s advice before committing.
- Money and internet: Card acceptance can be limited, and cash is commonly needed. Mobile data and Wi-Fi may be slow or patchy, so download offline maps first. Our guide to apps for international travel covers maps and translation tools.
Route overview
| Days | Base |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Havana |
| 4 to 5 | Viñales |
| 6 | Cienfuegos |
| 7 to 8 | Trinidad |
| 9 to 10 | Havana, or a beach stop before departure |
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Havana. Settle in at a hotel or a casa particular (a licensed private room in a local home). Walk the Malecón at sunset.
Day 2: Old Havana. Explore Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, the Capitolio and the area around Obispo Street. Visit a museum or the fortress across the bay if time allows.
Day 3: Beyond the center. See the Vedado neighborhood, Revolution Square and Colón Cemetery. A vintage-car tour is popular, though prices vary, so agree on them in advance.
Day 4: To Viñales. Travel west, roughly two to three hours by road. Walk or ride through the valley of limestone hills, called mogotes, and tobacco farms.
Day 5: Viñales. Take a countryside tour, which may include a tobacco farm visit, a cave and horseback riding, then return for a farm-style dinner.
Day 6: To Cienfuegos. A long travel day, with a stop along the way if possible. Cienfuegos has a neoclassical center that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 7: To Trinidad. Drive about two hours along the coast. Explore the cobbled streets and plazas of the old town and listen to music in the evening.
Day 8: Trinidad. Visit the Valle de los Ingenios, or spend time at Playa Ancón, the nearest beach.
Day 9: Return toward Havana. Allow most of the day for the journey. Consider breaking it up with a stop near the Bay of Pigs or Cienfuegos.
Day 10: Havana and departure. Last-minute shopping, a final meal and the airport transfer.
If you prefer a beach finish, replace Day 9 and Day 10 with a flight or transfer to a beach destination, such as Varadero, before departure.
How many hours to drive around Cuba?
Distances look short on a map, but roads can be slow, with potholes, animals and limited signs. As rough guidance, Havana to Viñales takes about two to three hours, and Havana to Trinidad is often five to six hours. Crossing the whole island, for example to Santiago de Cuba in the east, is much longer, and many travelers fly that stretch. Avoid night driving where possible. Options include tourist buses, shared taxis and rental cars, with rental cars limited and costly in some seasons. Our other trips in this region, such as our Brazil itinerary, involve similar choices between flying and overland routes.
Top things to do in Havana
- Walk the Malecón at sunset.
- Explore Old Havana’s plazas.
- Visit the Capitolio.
- Take a vintage-car tour.
- See Revolution Square.
- Wander Colón Cemetery.
- Listen to live music at a local venue.
- Visit the Fábrica de Arte Cubano if it is open.
- Climb or tour the fortress across the bay.
- Eat at a paladar, a privately run restaurant.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary widely depending on accommodation type, how you pay and your exchange rate. Many visitors find Cuba less cheap than expected, because tourist services and imported goods can be priced in foreign currency or at unfavorable rates. A casa particular is typically cheaper than a hotel. Cuba’s currency system has been changing, so check recent traveler reports and bring more cash than you expect to need. A budget for a week, and for ten days, depends on these factors, so build your own estimate from current prices.
Why is Cuba on the “no travel list”?
Many governments publish advisories about Cuba, and some include it on restricted lists because of political, economic or safety concerns. In the United States, certain categories of travel and business with some Cuban entities are limited. The wording and levels differ by country, so check official advice from your own government.
When to go
The drier months, roughly November to April, are usually the most comfortable, and also the busiest. Summer is hot, humid and wetter, and hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk typically later in the season.
Tips
- Book your first night’s accommodation and airport transfer in advance.
- Carry cash in a widely accepted currency, split in different places.
- Bring basics such as medicine, toiletries and snacks, since they can be hard to find.
- Learn a few Spanish phrases, which helps a lot outside Havana.
- If you want to explore more islands, see our guide to the most fun Caribbean islands.