26 days in Cuba Itinerary

Cuba's capital and major commercial center, Havana manages to be very old and very modern at the same time.

Havana is known for historic sites, nightlife, museums, beaches, and classes. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get to know the fascinating history of Malecón of Havana, take an in-depth tour of Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion), steep yourself in history at Revolution Plaza, and make a trip to Plaza de Armas.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, read Havana itinerary maker app .

Tel Aviv, Israel to Havana is an approximately 19-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. You'll gain 7 hours traveling from Tel Aviv to Havana due to the time zone difference. In January, Havana is somewhat warmer than Tel Aviv - with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Vinales.

Offering a taste of authentic rural life, Vinales remains a small agricultural town, dominated by surrounding low mountain ranges.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Sun): Head underground at Cuevas de Santo Tomas, then make a trip to Mural de la Prehistoria, then try out the rides at Palenque de los Cimarrones, and finally admire the verdant scenery at Valle de Vinales. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and then head off the coast to Cayo Levisa.

For where to stay, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Vinales travel route planner.

Drive from Havana to Vinales in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In January in Vinales, expect temperatures between 31°C during the day and 20°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Mon) to allow time for the bus ride to Pinar del Rio.

Pinar del Río is a Cuban city, capital of Pinar del Río Province. Kick off your visit on the 20th (Mon): make a trip to La Catedral de Pinar del Rio (Catedral de San Rosendo) and then don't miss a visit to Alejandro Robaina Tobacco Plantation.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Pinar del Rio tour planner.

Pinar del Rio is very close to Vinales. In January, daily temperatures in Pinar del Rio can reach 31°C, while at night they dip to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) to allow time to drive to Playa Giron.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Tue): identify plant and animal life at Criadero De Cocodrilos, then walk around Cueva de los Peces, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Larga.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Playa Larga day trip planning app .

Getting from Pinar del Rio to Playa Larga by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In January in Playa Larga, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 22°C at night. You'll set off for Playa Giron on the 22nd (Wed).

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Wed): stroll through Caleta Buena and then examine the collection at Museo Giron.

To see ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Playa Giron online trip itinerary builder .

Playa Giron is just a stone's throw from Playa Larga. In January, daily temperatures in Playa Giron can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Cienfuegos.

The city of Cienfuegos sits in a scenic natural bay, attracting visitors from across the country and further afield since its establishment in the early 19th century.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): take in the dramatic scenery at El Nicho Waterfalls, take in the pleasant sights at Malecon de Cienfuegos, then make a trip to Parque Jose Marti, and finally admire the striking features of Palacio de Valle.

For more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Cienfuegos road trip planning tool .

You can drive from Playa Giron to Cienfuegos in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Cienfuegos are 33°C, while nighttime lows are 21°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Trinidad.

Built on sugar and seemingly preserved in molasses, the town of Trinidad attracts visitors with its well-aged 19th century architecture and rustic charm, showcasing the sounds, scents, and sights of days gone by.

On the 24th (Fri), identify plant and animal life at Valle de los Ingenios, kick back and relax at Ancon Beach, see the interesting displays at Colonial Architecture Museum, then examine the collection at Romance Museum, and finally make a trip to Plaza Mayor. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: make a trip to Trinidad de Cuba.

Before you visit Trinidad, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by car from Cienfuegos to Trinidad takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a shuttle. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Cienfuegos in January since evenings lows in Trinidad dip to 32°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Santiago de Cuba.

Santiago de Cuba has taken almost as much influence from Haiti and the Dominican Republic as it has from Havana, distilling a concoction of cultures to create a city with a distinct identity.

Venture out of the city with trips to Cayo Saetia Island (in Holguin) and El Cobre Basilica (in El Cobre). The adventure continues: stroll the grounds of Cementerio Santa Ifigenia, walk around Cespedes Park, view the masterpieces at Galeria Rene Valdes, and explore the historical opulence of Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca.

To find reviews, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read our Santiago de Cuba online trip itinerary builder .

You can drive from Trinidad to Santiago de Cuba in 9 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. Traveling from Trinidad in January, plan for slightly colder nights in Santiago de Cuba, with lows around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Baracoa.

Baracoa is a municipality and city in Guantánamo Province near the eastern tip of Cuba. Go for a jaunt from Baracoa to Guantanamo to see Canon del Rio Yumuri about 34 minutes away. There's much more to do: get outside with El Yunque, take in the awesome beauty at Parque Independencia, see the interesting displays at Museo Municipal del Fuerte Matachin, and kick back and relax at Playa Blanca.

To see more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Baracoa sightseeing site .

You can do a combination of train and taxi from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Sat) to allow time for the car ride to Camaguey.

Camaguey encompasses the central section of Cuba and remains largely agricultural, its economy dependent on small-scale cattle raising and fruit production.

On the 2nd (Sun), don't miss a visit to Plaza San Juan de Dios, shop like a local with Martha Jimenez's Studio Workshop, then take in the history at Plaza del Carmen, then steep yourself in history at Iglesia Nuestra Señora De La Merced, and finally pause for some photo ops at Camaguey Centro.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Camaguey day trip site .

You can drive from Baracoa to Camaguey in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of taxi and train. In February, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sun) to allow time to drive to Santa Clara.

The scene of one of the most dramatic battles of the Cuban Revolution, Santa Clara today possesses a youthful feel and a reputation for progressive thought.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): look for all kinds of wild species at Loma del Capiro, appreciate the history behind Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, then stroll around Parque Leoncio Vidal, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral de Santa Clara de Asis. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Teatro La Caridad, get engrossed in the history at Museo de Artes Decorativas, pause for some photo ops at Statue of Che Guevara Holding a Child, then appreciate the history behind Che Guevara Mausoleum, and finally stroll the grounds of Israeli Cemetery of the Hebrew Community of Santa Clara.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Santa Clara online trip itinerary maker .

Getting from Camaguey to Santa Clara by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. In February in Santa Clara, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 19°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Tue) so you can go by car to Remedios.

Remedios, also known as San Juan de los Remedios, is a city and municipality located 3mi from the northern coast of Cuba, in the center of the island. For where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Remedios road trip planning tool .

You can drive from Santa Clara to Remedios in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In February, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 19°C. You'll set off for Varadero on the 5th (Wed).

One of the largest resort towns in the Caribbean, Varadero boasts a 20 km (12 mi) long stretch of sand, lined with hotels and all-inclusive resorts.

Get out of town with these interesting Varadero side-trips: Matanzas (Cuevas de Bellamar & Pharmaceutical Museum). There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Varadero Beach, walk around Josone Park, stroll through Coral Beach - Playa Coral, and explore the fascinating underground world of Cueva de Saturno.

To see maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Varadero online trip itinerary builder .

Drive from Remedios to Varadero in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. In February in Varadero, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 19°C at night. On the 8th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.