Mexico and Cuba

Arrive at Mexico City Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Centro Historico| Settle in and meet up with your group in the evening.

Hotel Majestic (or similar) – Situated in the historical centre of Mexico City, this colonial era 4-star hotel offers stunning views of the Zocalo, the city’s main square.

Take a guided tour to explore the Zocalo, the largest square in the Americas | Stop by the Anthropology Museum |Later, visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, dedicated to Mexico’s most celebrated artist.  (B)

Majestic Hotel (or similar)

Travel to see the Basilica of Guadalupe, the spiritual home of Mexico’s patroness, the Virgin of Guadalupe | Explore Teotihuacan, the ancient Aztec ruins, and walk along the Avenue of the Dead, to admire its grand Pyramids of the Sun and Moon | Return to Mexico City for one last evening.  (B)

Majestic Hotel (or similar)

En route to Taxco visit Xochinilco, the ‘Venice of Mexico’ | Board colourful gondola-like ‘trajineras’ and navigate the UNESCO listed canals and floating gardens | Wander the picturesque town of Taxco, Mexico’s “Silver City”, situated in the mountains of the North Sierra and explore its silver shops.  (B)

Hotel Agua Escondido (or similar)

Call in to the 18^th century Templo de Santa Prisca, known as an exquisite example of Mexican Baroque architecture | Stop in the small town of Tonantzintla | Drive on to Puebla, passing the Popocateptl Volcano | Be guided through Puebla -the ‘City of Angels’, famous for gastronomy and its Talavera pottery.  (B)

Hotel San Pedro (or similar)

Drive this morning through the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains to Oaxaca, known for its significant indigenous population, including Zapotec and Mixtec communities | Journey in the afternoon to UNESCO listed Monte Alban, and traverse the ancient Zapotec ruins.  (B)

Casantica Hotel (or similar) – Located in downtown Oaxaca, this atmospheric hotel is set in a restored 16th-century building just a stone’s throw from the Zocalo, the main plaza of Oaxaca.

Explore Oaxaca, a living open-air museum with its well-preserved colonial architecture, colourful buildings and cobblestone streets | Visit workshops specialising in ‘barro negro’ pottery and woodcarvings | Lose yourself in the wonderful Oaxaca markets. (B)

Casantica Hotel (or similar)

Take a short flight to reach Tuxtla Gutierrez | Soak up one of Mexico’s most amazing landscapes: the Sumidero Canyon | Enjoy a two-hour cruise through canyon on the Grijalva River | Check in for your two-night stay in San Cristobal.  (B)

Hotel Diego De Mazariegos (or similar) – Just 150 metres from San Cristobal Church, this converted 18th century house features attractive courtyards and lovely rooms decorated with warm colours and classic furniture.

Visit the Indian village of San Juan Chamula | Return to explore San Cristobal | Browse the renowned and beautiful textiles and handicrafts for sale | Try your hand at a chocolate making at the ‘bean to mouth’ workshop.  (B)

Hotel Diego de Mazariegos (or similar)

Enjoy an easy travel day stopping en route to view and maybe swim at the beautiful Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls | Arrive in Palenque- surrounded by jungle, the town is a hub of local culture and there’s time to discover the local cuisine and crafts of the region.  (B)

Nututun Hotel Palenque (or similar)  –  Hotel Nututun is situated in the rainforest, just a 10-minute drive from the Palenque National Park. The Misol-Ha Waterfalls are just 15 km away. The hotel enjoys a charming setting, surrounded by jungle and natural landscapes. The property blends beautifully with its surroundings whilst the guest rooms echo the serenity of the natural setting.

An early breakfast to ensure an early start to the day | Wander slowly through the incredible jungle-swathed Mayan ruins of Palenque | Drive on to Campeche- and welcome to the Yucatan | Take a tour of the city’s fortified walls.  (B)

Plaza Colonial (or similar)

Journey first to Uxmal to see the Pyramid of the Magician | Stop to enjoy lunch with a local family in the village of Abala | Take a boat in Celestun to view the greater pink flamingos | Spend the night in Merida.  (BL)

Hotel Casa del Balam (or similar)

Spend time at UNESCO World Heritage listed Chichen Itza | Marvel at the sites most famous landmark, El Castillo- the Kukulkan Pyramid | Traverse the Temple of Warriors | Later visit Cenote Ik Kil and enjoy a swim | Check into your hotel in Playa Del Carmen.  (B)

Hotel Hacienda del Caribe (or similar)

This morning wander the Mayan ruins on the cliff top of Tulum | Spend the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the many sights and delights of Playa del Carmen.  (B)

Hotel Hacienda del Caribe (or similar)

After breakfast transfer to the Cancun International Airport and fly to Havana | Transfer and check-in for a three-night stay in the Cuban capital | The afternoon is at leisure.  (B)

Hotel Telegrafo (or similar)  –  This iconic, historical colonial hotel is brilliantly located at the start of Prado Street, with easy access to historic Old Havana. It also offers a terrace style café, perfect for watching Old Havana street life.

Take a guided walking tour and continue to explore Havana’s ‘Old City’   This evening enjoy a ride through the city in a classic 1960’s convertible and watch the sunset over the Malecon and its spectacular coastline.  (B)

Hotel Telegrafo (or similar)

Investigate Cuba’s famous exports with a visit to the Havana Rum Museum and later, the Partagas Cigar Factory | Tonight visit the ‘La Bodeguita del Medio’, Ernest Hemmingway’s renowned watering hole, and enjoy a Cuban Daiquiri. (B)

Hotel Telegrafo (or similar)

After an early breakfast fly to Cuba’s first colonial capital, Baracoa | Take time to explore the old town and the Matchin and La Punta fortifications | View the Parra Cross, left by Christopher Columbus in 1492 | Enjoy a canoe ride on the nearby Yumuri River.  (B)

El Castillo Hotel (or similar)  – Built in the 1700’s as a Spanish fortress, it is located on a hill and was built to defend the city from the attacks of buccaneers and pirates. Two hundred years later it hosted the Village Guards until the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Today it is considered the best hotel in Baracoa, with its comfortable rooms and swimming pool.

Time at leisure to explore the stunning natural beauty of Baracoa | Wander the old streets amongst the beautiful, preserved colonial buildings | Relax at the picturesque and tranquil Maguana white-sands beach | Sample its specialised cuisine – seafood, and its chocolate-based recipes.  (B)

El Castillo Hotel (or similar)

A long drive today to Cuba’s second largest city, Santiago de Cuba | Enroute, stop at Guantanamo | Check in to Santiago de Cuba for your three-night stay | Be guided over the Parque Cepedes and the stunning World Heritage Site, San Pedro Castle which overlooks the bay.  (B)

Casa Grande Hotel (or similar) – Beautiful colonial hotel in the historical centre of Santiago de Cuba, right next to Cespedes Parque. Offers comfortable rooms, personalised service, a fitness centre, live music, massage service and body treatments. Roof Garden Restaurant, La Terraza Snack Bar and International Restaurant.

Embark on a guided tour of the city which includes all the major highlights | Discover the Cathedral, and the near-by City Hall, where Fidel Castro declared the success of the Revolution | Immerse yourself in the music, art and cultural delights of the famous street, Calle Heredia.  (B)

Casa Grande Hotel (or similar)

Ride a local ferry boat to the tiny island of Cayo Granma | Wander the island and witness its beautiful coloured wooden houses on stilts | Enjoy lunch, then hike to San Rafael church | Return to Santiago de Cuba for a final evening in the ‘city of music and dance’.  (B)

Casa Grande Hotel (or similar)

Leave Santiago de Cuba and enjoy the rich geographical diversity of Cuba -starting in the coastal, mountainous region and transitioning to the flatter, more pastoral region of its centre | Stop to explore the historical town of Bayamo | Arrive in Camaguey and explore its pretty and winding streets by bicycle taxi.  (B)

Casa Particular – (or similar)  – Private family-run accommodations, offering travellers and authentic and intimate glimpse into Cuban life and culture.

Drive to Trinidad, one of Cuba’s most loved and photographed destinations | Take a walking tour and explore the colourful Plaza Mayor, the heart of Trinidad | Visit the Church of the Holy Trinity | Marvel at the colonial buildings which exemplify the city’s rich history and charm.  (B)

Casa Particular (or similar)  –  A Cuban style bed & breakfast. They are run by local families which allows a more authentic Cuban experience. It’s a wonderful glimpse into Cuban life and culture.

Time at leisure today to enjoy the town | Enjoy a swim at beautiful Playa Ancon | Walk to the ruined sugar mills in the Valle de los Ingenos | Take a hike in the near-by Sierra del Escambray mountains | Sip coffee. Relax and enjoy the local’s warm hospitality and rhythmic music.  (B)

Casa Particular (or similar)

An early start to drive to Santa Clara, site of the last battle in the Cuban Revolution | Stop to reflect upon the Revolution at the Che Guevara Memorial | Call in to see local artists at work in the trendy Casa de la Ciudad | Arrive in Cienfuegos, ‘The Pearl of the South’ and enjoy a walking tour of the town.  (B)

Hotel La Reunion (or similar)  –  Located in the historic heart of the city this hotel is known for its elegant architecture and welcoming atmosphere. Beautiful inner courtyards and comfortable rooms inspire memories of the distant past.

Drive west and stop at the infamous Bay of Pigs, site of the failed 1961 American sponsored invasion of Cuba | Dive in, swim, snorkel or just paddle in the bay | Visit the local museum | Arrive and check-in to enjoy a special roof-top dinner over-looking Havana.  (BD)

Hotel Telegrafo (or similar)  –  This iconic, historical colonial hotel is brilliantly located at the start of Prado Street, with easy access to historic Old Havana. It also offers a terrace style cafe, perfect for watching Old Havana street life.

Breakfast concludes your tour | Taxis to the airport are available, or Byroads can organise a transfer on request.  (B)