La Habana (Havana) Cuban Capital City.

Being the Cuban capital city, La Habana is one of those charming places that a person never forgets. Visiting the Old Havana, Miramar or El Vedado is important for those interested in understanding the Cuban history and the colonial architecture that have turned this city into a World Heritage site. Do not miss the opportunity of visiting the museums and the Havana cigars factories.

La Habana (Havana)  is the capital city of the country, with a total extension of 740 square kilometres, its population being more than 2 million inhabitants; La Habana is the smallest city of the country with the largest population.

After several attempts to establish the city in an area located in the south coast of nowadays Havana, the definite settlement took place around the harbor, where now a days we find Old Havana, by the year 1519.

La Habana became a very important port for Spain due to its geographical position in the Gulf of Mexico. All ships sailing back to Spain, after collecting the gold and silver that the colonies were due to tribute to the metropolis, had to stop in the bay of Havana in order to get all kinds of provisions, water, salted meat, etc. This brought about a quick flourishing of the city and a great development to its economy and culture. There are masterpieces of architecture dating as far as the 16th century that can be admired still in our days, all around the colonial area you will find beautiful and amazing buildings, some of them not well kept at all, but still beautiful.

We invite you to go and see its treasures, since 1982 Old Havana was declared as part of the World’s Heritage by UNESCO.

The cars from the 1950's, the atmosphere that you find in the streets, the bars that Hemingway went to, the music, the dancing everywhere, will take you back in time and let you enjoy a unique experience.

Santiago de Cuba

Regarded as the hero city of Cuba, Santiago de Cuba was named after the saint patron of the king of Spain, Santiago de Compostela, it was firstly founded on June 28th, 1515, by the island conqueror, Diego Velazquez, whose house is found around the Parque Cespedes, in down town Santiago. The city was founded in the foothills of the country’s largest mountain range, the Sierra Maestra.

Santiago de Cuba and Baconao Park

Since very early Santiago de Cuba  became a very important site for Spain, reason why it was the first capital of the country and the city where the governor would have his house, later on Havana became the capital city of the country, however Santiago de Cuba  never lost its Caribbean charm.

Its independent nature allows Santiago to develop its own idiosyncrasy, formed through the years, with a very rich mixture of Africans, Spanish, French, and several other nationalities that due to several different reasons ended up in Santiago de Cuba, mixing their religions, their cultures, rhythms, believes, traditions, etc. Santiago’s capital municipality is Santiago de Cuba, which with a population of about half a million inhabitants, it is considered the most populated municipality of the country.

As a province, Santiago de Cuba has an extension of 6 343, 2 Sq Km. and a population of over a million inhabitants, the whole province is formed by 9 municipalities, being Palma Soriano and Contramaestre some of the most important, thanks to their economic interest. Due to the mountainous landscape of Santiago, it was chosen by the French settlers escaping from the Haitian revolution, in the 18th century, to establish their residences and coffee plantations, that is why even now a days the best coffee in Cuba is grown in the mountains of Sierra Maestra.

During the tour to La Gran Piedra, some of the ruins of the old coffee plantations are visited. Santiago is the only city in Cuba that holds the title of Hero City, a title granted by the Government, because of the amount of patriotic fighters, that were born in this area, patriots that fought for the Cuban independence against Spain and later on during the revolutionary fights against Machado, Batista and so many other dictators. Great warriors like Antonio Maceo, Guillermon Moncada, Frank Pais, and many others were born in this area. In the Cemetery of Santa Efigenia the visitor can find the Jose Marti’s graveyard, the Cuban national hero, a great letters man.

Jose Marti was the initiator and leader of the second war of independence against Spain that started in 1895 and ended up with the American intervention in 1898. Although he started to prepare the war since 1878. Going around Santiago de Cuba city will allow you to feel the warmth and hospitality for which, the “Santiagueros” are famous, visit the Parque Cespedes, the Moncada Garrison, La Granjita Siboney, the Basilica del Cobre, the old rum factory that originally belonged to Emilio Bacardi Moreau, the cigar factory and many other sites that will actually increase your interest for getting to know a bit more about the most Caribbean of the Cuban cities.

Cuba offshore islands and islets.

The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago, that is to say, a group of islands that forms part of the National territory along with its adjacent waters. Cuba is the principal island and around it there are four main groups of islands.

• Los Colorados along the north –east coast of the Pinar del Rio Province

• Sabana Camaguey also known as Jardines del Rey north of Matanzas, Villa Clara, Sancti Spirtus , Ciego de Avila and Camaguey.

• Jardines de la Reina South of Ciego de Avila and Camaguey.

• Los Canarreos South of Matanzas, Habana and Pinar del Rio. Among the small islands the most outstanding for the importance in tourism and ecology are : Cayo Levisa, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Saetia and Cayo Las Brujas.

• Cayo Largo; this beautiful island located to the south of the Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea, is only 175 KMS from Havana and 170 from Varadero. Cayo Largo is in the Canarreos Archipelago , it is 1 km in its wider part , has an area of 37.5 sq Km and is 27Km long , which is also the complete length of its beaches. Apart from having a marvelous history, where the settlement of the first Cuban Indian Siboneyes tribes, descendant from the Arauca Indians, Cayo Largo was visited by Christopher Colombus in 1494 and by famous pirates like John Hawkins, Jean Lafitte Latrobe, Pepe El Mallorquin and Henry Morgan between 1565 and 1820. Also a shipwreck happened in Cayo Largo shores in 1600 with a precious treasure belonging to the famous corsair Bartolome the Portuguese. The average temperature is 26ºC, with 8 hours of tropical sunshine, with these conditions you’ll have to admit that Cayo Largo is easily the paradise of holidaymakers. Different kinds of fauna representatives can be found in Cayo Largo, such as the Iguanas, Colibries, Tortoises, Sea Gulls, Coruas, Shellfishes and Pelicans. Cayo Largo is the ideal land to recover what has been forgotten because of daily routine, to fall in love, or simply to recover lost inspiration; to live passionately like it is always done in Caribbean lands. Cayo Largo is an All Inclusive island, meaning that you can eat, drink and make use of all services and facilities in the different properties.

• Cayo Coco; with a surface of 350 Square Km this island converted into a paradise is an excusive resort. This island was an old refuge for the pirates, at present it is one of the main resorts in the Cuban tourist industry. A unique work of engineering connects Cayo Coco to mainland. It is called Pedraplen and it is 17 Km long across the sea. Enjoying the benefits of its marvelous beaches Cayo Coco has become a destination for those holidaymakers seeking for relaxing vacations and good beaches. Among the birds found here we find a colony of flamingoes estimated in 12 to 15 thounsand pairs which makes it the most important in the western hemisphere. Also the Pajaro Coco bird is found here , it is a white bird that gives the name to the island.

• Cayo Guillermo This island is well known for the transparency of the water in its beaches and the sand quality. Found to the north east of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo enjoy beautiful underwater landscapes and coral reefs very close to the shore. This island is connected to the neighbor Cayo Coco by a pedraplen that goes across shallow waters.

• Cayo Levisa; it is at about 2 Km fro the north coast of Pinar del Rio this small island enjoys wonderful beaches and blue transparent waters. This is an almost virgin island. Near the island there is a great coral barrier containing different types of corals amongst the black coral can be found .

• Cayo Saetia; a peninsula linked to the main land by a narrow causeway and a drawbridge over a canal that joints two bays. This 42 sq km island is a virginal, unspoiled part of Holguín. A patchwork with different ecosystems is found here. Ranging from Mangrove swamps to Rain forests in which wild imported animals roam freely. (ostriches, zebras, deer, antelopes, feral pigs, wild bulls, leguanas, and innumerable species of birds). Cayo Saetia is said to have 25 Km of small beaches, separated by high limestone cliffs and rocky outcrops.

Incentive Groups and Congresses.

At Destino Caribe you will find hard working people with invaluable experience to prepare itineraries for your incentive groups or Congresses worldwide. Thanks to the support of all our partners and offices worldwide, we can provide arrangements for the most demanding incentive groups and congresses attendants. We organize meetings, conferences, personalized visits, exclusive venues and services, meals and special banquets for any incentive group worldwide. Incentive travel has become very popular and we handle several Incentives and Special Events, Conventions and Congresses worldwide every year in the major important cities and venues of the world like Madrid, London, Barcelona, New York and Miami with exceptional services for you 24/7. Contact our staff and we are sure you will find exactly what you are looking for just check the list of services that we can provide.

Services for Congresses:
As a Professional Congress Organizer we have a solid experience over international events.
Our staff will relieve you from organizing arduous chores so that you can dedicate yourself to the scientific contents. Our best guarantee is a reliable management and a professional team offering all of those services that a perfect organization requires.

In addition as part of our services expertise we can take care of:
•    Initial project and detailed Budget.
•    Selection of convention rooms, auditóriums.
•    Congress promotion.
•    Periodical meetings with committee.
•    Mailings & e-mailings.
•    Webpage creation & maintenance.
•    Printing of material for congress diffusion (announcements, programs, forms etc.)
•    Protocol service
•    Labeling.
•    VIP services for speakers.
•    Area for commercial stands.
•    Audiovisual material.
•    Hostesses, guides and interprets.
•    Social program of the Congress.
•    Social program for accompanying persons.
•    Congress final balance.

Services for Conventions and Incentives
It is imperative for all the companies interested in updating and rewarding their teams by enhancing motivation and unity.
During the conventions our staff combine work with an active and amusing social program to motivate and entertain the participants. Each company and each event are unique; therefore we offer personalized service and a tailor-made program. We know well the importance of all the details for the full success of your convention.

We take care of proposing and booking the services which fit the best to your event:
•    Hotels and unique accommodation (4 & 5 stars with special charm)
•    Experienced hostesses and the most professional guides
•    National transfers (airplanes, trains, buses, ships, limousines)
•    Booking of entrances of museums, concerts, events etc.
•    Luxury buses and cars with English speaking drivers for excursions and visits.
•    The best private locations for your gala events
•    A wide range of different complementary activities: e.g. rally’s, regattas, sport competitions, dance           classes, cooking classes, photo safaris, multi-challenges and innovative team building activities
•    Lunches, dinners & cocktails in special locations (e.g. VIP restaurants, wine yards, farmhouses, castles)
•    Shows and entertainment during or after the lunches & dinners
•    The support and present of our multilingual team during the whole event
•    Inspection trips with the decision maker/s of the company

From a helicopter flight over the New York skyline to an elephant ride in Nepal – we can spice up your international business meetings. Just contact our staff in our website.

Itinerary samples for groups to visit Cuba.

The program sample below or similar, adapted to your needs can be offered by our staff for grops to Cuba.

Day 1 Arrival at Jose Marti International Airport on, meet our representative and Tour guide. Private transfer to selected or available hotel in Havana. Accommodation on Bed and Breakfast Basis.

                       

Day 2 Breakfast. City Tour in Havana that includes the following:  Colonial Havana and the City Museum, the Museum of the Rum, the exteriors of the National Capitol Building, and a walking tour through the Plaza de la Catedral Square, The Arms Square and the Artisans Market. Lunch in Sociedad Asturiana.  After lunch continue with the visit to Modern Havana including Revolution Square and the Miramar area. Return to the hotel.

Day 3 Breakfast excursion to Viñales and Pinar del Rio. In Pinar del Rio, a brief visit to the city that includes a visit to a cigars factory so the clients have the chance of learning the manual process of cigars production. Continue the journey to Viñales. This place has the oldest geological formations in Cuba and has a Valley which landscape is unique in the world. In Viñales the clients will visit a lookout point to Viñales Valley, El Mural de la Prehistoria (Prehistory Mural which is a huge painting on the rock in one of the sides of a hill describing the evolution of mankind.) After those visits, visit to La Cueva del Indio (Indian cave) here the clients will walk inside a cave and at the end of the lighted path in the cave there is a subterranean river. The clients will be taken by boat to the other side of the mountain coming out of the cave. This is a very impressive view of a cave with its formation. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch return to Havana. Free night.

Day 4 Breakfast. Check out from Hotel. Departure to Cienfuegos. On the way, stopover in Guama, here in the heart of Montemar National Natural Park there is located La Boca. In La Boca the clients will have the opportunity to visit a crocodile breeding farm where thousands of these prehistoric animals are breaded. After the visit to the farm the clients will take a boat to cross over the Laguna del Tesoro (treasure lagoon). On the other side they will find a replica of what an Indian village was at the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Here there are no Indians but sculptures representing the different daily activities of the Indians and the type of houses they lived in. Lunch in the area. After lunch continue the journey to Cienfuegos, brief visit of the City and Its Prado Promenade, Jose Marti Central Park and Terry Theatre. Continue to Trinidad Accommodation in selected or available hotel in Cienfuegos on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 5 Breakfast, Check out and departure to Trinidad. City Tour in this Villa that was founded in 1514 and was declared by UNESCO in 1988 as part of the world heritage. The Tour includes visits to the Plaza Mayor, the Romantic Museum and La Canchanchara Bar where you will enjoy a Cuba Typical cocktail named Canchanchara. Lunch and free time in Trinidad. Departure to Varadero vía Villa Clara. Brief visit of the city including the derailed train museum and the Che Guevara square as well as Juan Pablo II square (this was unveiled by the Vatican Secretary of State) accommodation in selected or available hotel in Varadero hotel Varadero  all inclusive.

From Day 5 to last day. Free in Varadero All Inclusive.

Jan 2.  Check out 12.00 Hrs. Hrs Transfer to Jose Marti Airport for the international flight departure

End of the services.

Prices will include the following:

Selected or available hotel in Havana standard room B&B 3 nights

Selected or available hotel in Cienfuegos Standard room Bed and Breakfast 2 nights

Selected or available hotel in Varadero Standard room All Inclusive 3 nights

All the services, transfers, meals and visits as per the description in the itinerary.

Desired language speaking tour guide during the Itinerary as selected

Cuba Destino Caribe assistance on arrival and departure.

All the transportation is done in Air conditioned coaches with professional drivers.

Prices do not include the following.

All the services, transfers, meals and visits not described in the itinerary.

International Air fares

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Entry visas for Cuba

Departure tax to be paid at the airport on departure for international flights CUC 25.00

Medical insurance

Tips for driver, bellboys, chambermaids, waiters and tour guide.