Your Travel Experience with Tierra Maya Tours
Day 1
Arrival Holguin
Pick up your rental car at the rental car station in Holguin or Guardalavaca and start your tour on your own. Drive to the hotel in Holguin. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Included meals: none
Overnight stay at Hotel E Caballeriza*** or similar
Day 2
Holguin - Bayamo
Travel to Bayamo - the starting point of the struggle for liberation from Spanish colonial rule. This is also where the Cuban national anthem "La Bayamesa" was composed. In the evening, walk through the main square with its horse-drawn carriages and the birthplace of the national hero Manuel Cespedes.
Included meals: none
Overnight stay at Hotel E Telegrafo *** or similar
Day 3
Bayamo - Santo Domingo - Niquero
In the early morning, walk through the main square with its horse-drawn carriages and the birthplace of the national hero Manuel Céspedes. Then drive to Santo Domingo and excursion to the Sierra Maestra. Later in the afternoon, continue to Niquero. On the way, you can make a stop at the La Demajagua memorial.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel Niquero** or similar
Day 4
Niquero - Las Coloradas - Cabo Cruz - Marea del Portillo
Excursion through the coastal landscape still permeated by the spirit of the revolution to the Desembarco de Granma National Park. Then hike on jungle-like paths to the Comandancia de la Plata, Fidel Castro's hiding place and headquarters in the Sierra - now a museum. Possibility to hike on the Guafe and then visit the lighthouse Faro de Cabo Cruz. Continue to Marea del Portillo in the late afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast and All Inclusive
Overnight stay at Hotel Club Amigo Marea del Portillo*** or similar
Day 5
Marea del Portillo - Santiago
Today's route will be one of the highlights of the trip. During the drive on the reopened coastal road between Marea de Portillo and Santiago de Cuba, a spectacular view of the marvellous landscape awaits: on the right, just a few metres from the road, the turquoise blue sea, and on the left the steeply towering mountains of the green Sierra Maestra. On the way, the Juan Gonzalez waterfalls can be visited, where there is also the possibility of a refreshing swim. Arrival in Santiago de Cuba in the afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Imperial*** or similar
Day 6
Santiago
In the morning, visit the Santa Ifigenia cemetery with the graves of the Bacardí dynasty, the national hero José Martí and the former Cuban President Fidel Castro. Afterwards, visit the fortress El Morro - UNESCO World Heritage Site with a magnificent view over the bay. At noon, drive to Cayo Granma and lunch in the local restaurant. Then panoramic tour of Santiago de Cuba, passing Revolution Square and the Moncada Barracks, which Fidel and his men attacked in 1953. The tour continues with a walk through the historic centre with Parque Céspedes, Calle Heredia, Plaza Dolores, the Padre Pico staircase and a visit to the Rumm Museum and the Casa Diego Velázquez, the oldest house in the city. Evening visit to the legendary Casa de la Trova, cradle of the Cuban Son, where famous musicians such as Compay Segundo (Buena Vista Social Club) launched their careers.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Imperial*** or similar
Day 7
Santiago - Guantánamo - Baracoa
In the morning, we head towards Guantánamo - stronghold of the Afro-Cuban Santería and the Haitian Vodoo cult, also known for the nearby US naval base. Continue through a desert-like cactus landscape over tropical green mountains on the breathtaking pass road La Farola down to Baracoa, where Columbus first landed. In the afternoon, visit the Matachín City Museum and walk around the main square, where the Nuestra Señora de Asuncíon Church with the Columbus Cross is also located. Dinner in a typical paladar.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel El Castillo**(*) or similar
Day 8
Baracoa
Baracoa is situated in front of the picturesque backdrop of the table mountain El Yunque, embedded in a lush tropical natural landscape with coffee, cocoa and banana plantations - pure Caribbean. Excursion to the beautiful surroundings of Baracoa. Drive to the mouth of the Río Yumuri. Hike (approx. two hours) with explanations of the diverse flora and fauna and the possibility of bathing in the river. Then drive to Finca Duaba including a nature trail and a short introduction to the world of cacao. A rustic lunch will also be served here.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel El Castillo**(*) or similar
Day 9
Baracoa - Cayo Saetía
In the morning drive through the Alexander von Humbold National Park along beautiful panoramic coastal roads to Cayo Saetía where you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Villa Cayo Saetia**(*) or similar
Day 10
Cayo Saetía - Birán - Holguín - Gibara
In the morning, detour to Finca Manacas near Birán, the birthplace of Fidel Castro to gain some interesting insights into his life and the revolution. Continue to Holguín known for its Hill of Crosses in the middle of the city and then drive to the city of Holguín via the coastal region.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Encanto Ordoño*** or similar
Day 11
Drop off the rental car at the Holguín airport or continue to Guardalavaca for a beach extension.
Included meals: Breakfast