Cuba: La Isla Grande

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 112 reviews.

David Hill

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written February 2011
The place, the people, the guides, the driver, the coach, all great and music everywhere. No crime, no litter, no advertising was so refreshing. The people are so resourceful, as they have to be to survive. Long periods of travelling albeit in lumps of about 90 minutes but still leaving one a little too tired to enjoy everything on offer to its potential.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Havana, Havana, Havana. In realistic terms you get a day and a few hours to check out this wonderful city. Arts and crafts everywhere but especially a warehouseful down by the docks. Museums, music and cafes everywhere. Safe as houses - and, with a few exceptions, all walkable. Trouble is you want to stop and absorb the atmosphere, enjoy a drink. check out the band, or view the art.
Each of the treks has its own virtues and well worth the effort.
What did you think of your group leader?
Tony our tour leader was everything you need. Knowledgeable, passionate and patient. If he didn't know an answer, he told you so; but invariably after a call an answer came.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As with the other reviews of this trip, be prepared for long bumpy periods on the coach. It is air conditioned and comfortable. The driver does as many sideways miles avoiding potholes and other lumps in/on the road / track as he does forward miles. Average speeds are therfore low by comparison to roads at home.
Don't forget to pack the mossy repellant and fly killer. Mosquitoes are pretty voracious in and around Baracoa in particular. A quick blast from a small aerosol fly spray will stop them getting you whilst you sleep.
The only shops, in the normal sense, are at the hotels and therefore shopping oportunities are limited so buying stuff we take for granted may be difficult.
Be prepared to realise Cuba only has its own identity since 1959.
UK mobile signal coverage was good at hotels but a little iffy elsewhere.
Arm yourself with low denomination currency, pens soaps etc - especially if you are a photographer.
It is not a cheap place for the tourist but the 'Trip Notes' advice on cash to take is pretty much spot on. Also be aware that the airport Codeca does not have pound or euro coinage so you could be left with a few convertible pesos if you leave it to the departure lounge to sawap your money back.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Another Exodus trip that will be appreciated for a long time.
David Adam

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written February 2011
After our unfortunate experiences with our Exodus holiday to Namibia last year it is pleasing to report that this was one of the best tour holidays we have enjoyed from Exodus or its competitors. We found the mix of geography, history and sociology in a fast changing country absolutely fascinating. The local arrangements were first rate although obviously you do not go to Cuba for international class food, wine and facilities. The itenary was excellent and we saw and experienced a lot.Having been encouraged by our guide to leave s/h clothes in Namibia last year we took out with us a collated bag of clothes etc, which was added to by our party, to donate to rural needy. We would like to see Exodus include this type of suggestion in the trip notes for tours in third world countries where the wealth disparity between the tourists and some of the inhabitants is so great.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The two walks in the countryside were superb.
What did you think of your group leader?
Top man.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Please take s/h clothes etc to donate to the rural needy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Having a visible Exodus rep in Cuba supervising your various tours and checking on standards was a good move on your part.
Leo Fletcher

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written February 2011
It was a well organised holiday which covered most of the main attractions.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The visit to Baracoa, worth the bad roads after. And a really good group ambience; we all got on well together and made friends.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was excellent: knowledgeable, interested in his country, calm and empathic. Able to deal with situations and demands without fuss.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is a busy itinerary, little time for relaxation. Try and spend extra time in Havana, preferably at the end. Be prepared for a long (1-2hrs) wait at Havana airport, both ways, due to crazy bureaucracy. Electricity is 110 or 220v, mainly European/N American sockets.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to have had more contact with the people – there wasn’t really time for that. Warn people to watch their possessions. Cuba feels like a safe place, and it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security where you get caught by an exception. One person had a lot of money stolen.
Richard Thom

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written January 2011
I can honestly say that this holiday ranks among the top five of a lifetime, or rather 1= among five. We had the best guide, the best bus driver and the best companions one could wish for, and La Isla Grande rose to the occasion. There can be no better way to undertake an exodus by traveling from one place to another and seeing such beautiful countryside, wonderful heritage towns and cities, sweeping panoramas, sandy coastlines, and friendly people. Thank you to Cuba and to Exodus.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The music drifting out of the windows: artists painting, against the light coming in through the open windows, and the street sellers - in Baracoa.
What did you think of your group leader?
Brilliant
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Five star plus
irene neilson

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written December 2010
Great way to see a large part of Cuba and gain an understanding of a very special country on the brink of change.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Climbing up the track in the Sierra Maestra to Castro's revolutionary base from which Radio Rebeide broadcast. Not only are the views tremendous but the historical significance of the site is immense .... yet you are allowed to wander freely around the site. The 'hospital' was particularly fascinating with an old wooden operating table, ancient oxygen cylinder and drug vials. Everything is very much as it was so you really feel how it must have been living there. There are several fascinating old framed photographs of the 26th July Movement. If you get the chance follow up the visit to the Sierra Maestra with a trip to the Museum of the Revolution in Havana ......lots more photos and artefacts there which reinforces much of what you will have learned during the trip around Cuba.......that's if you like history of course!
What did you think of your group leader?
Both our group leader and driver of the coach were excellent. Humberto spoke to us very freely about all aspects of the Cuban revolution and the issues that are being faced in Cuba today as it continues to struggle to overcome the effect of the now 48 yr old embargo imposed by the US. I think this was what I enjoyed most about the trip - the experience of learning about a country and culture that is unique and which is often unfairly covered in the news....not once, for example, during the many discussions of the international response to the earthquake in Haiti on UK television have I heard mention of the fact that a medical brigade of 1,200 Cubans is operating very successfully all over Haiti, having been there working with local people since 1998. As a guide, Humberto facilitated all spects of our trip: from rum and Salsa dancing to arranging a guide to help us climb El Yunque near Barracoa on our free day.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Here's some tips:-
(a) It can be cold in Cuba in winter (December) especially at night. Pack some warm clothing especially for sleeping in as some accomodation does not have any heating if you get a cold snap (as we did).
(b) If you are vegetarian then the diet really can be very restricted (though the rice and beans is great).
(c) Cuba has a ration book system to try and distribute basic goods fairly to all. On Jan 4th, 2011 soap, toothpaste and detergent were taken off the ration book so everyone has to pay for these now so popular gifts!
(d) If you climb El Yunque you need to cross a stony river so water shoes or flip flops (if they'd stay on) are useful. Also useful on some beaches.
(e) If you have your own snorkelling gear take it with you. Its supplied on the optional island trip to see the iquana and tree rats (well worth doing) but there are other opportunities to use snorkels where nohire is available.
(f) Hand gel and loo paper ....there are drainage problems in places and some of the old sewage systems are really struggling to cope.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We used our free day in Baracoa to climb El Yunque, 7kms west and 1886ft, with a guide arranged through our tour leader. You walk among coconut trees and cocoa plantations, banana, guava and mango trees and learn much about the local ecology etc. while climbing. About a third of the way from the top a local farmer has a stall with fresh coconut, bananas, oranges for 1 CUC to eat as you wish. It is quite steep in places and can be very slippy though there are some rails at key points. You need decent walking boots. There are no exposed points. A taxi brings the guide to the hotel then takes you to the start of the climb. Nice views from the top.
In Trinidad we went on the optional trip to a Cayo . Idyllic spot with really tame iquanas and tree rats that milled around eating luch leftovers. Fascinating. Snorkelling done off the boat. Guy on this trip mentioned that local horse riding trips to see the valley around Trinidad were available and good.
In Havana there are shows on in the evening at the Hotel Nacional: French Caberet , Jazz, Folk. The hotel has a fascinating history and is really worth visiting. Has a garden bar near the promenade with a lovely view round the bay to Old Havana.
Huw Rees

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written November 2010
Very enjoyable trip that takes in practically the whole of Cuba so you start to get a feel for the whole island, culture and politics.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Climbing through a tropical forest to the top of El Yunque mountain to look down on Barracoa
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent leader, very helpful and informative
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is a long trip with lots of time in the coach due to the long distances and poor roads - be prepared for that. Also you need to take cash - make sure you change some at the airport as hotel/bank exchange opening times are unreliable and there can be queues.
Alan Staniforth

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

Written August 2010
Fantastic bunch of people and great country. Arivals at airport felt like entering a concentration camp (even more so when they turned the lights on ).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Steps in Trinidad (next to church) at night, free music two bars and salsa dancing under the stars all night. Fantastic walk back to hotel felt very safe. Club tropicana is also well worth it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Would have been more suited to a saga holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Plenty of high quality insect repelant. Try to eat away from the hotel as the food at most of the hotels was very bland and same, same.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Ensure you take name of first hotel with you, as you may get stuck at the airport. Getting a taxi outside the airport is easy.

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Our Clients’ Reviews

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE