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...

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  Sarah Sedgwick

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written July 2012

  A great way to experience Cuba.  You get a real feeling for the history, culture and people.  A full and varied itinerary, so there is something for everyone - beautiful buildings, wonderful scenery, historical places, secluded beaches, waterfalls, fantastic musicians and of course dancing and rum!   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I'd struggle to pick just one .... walking around Old Havana, soaking up the atmosphere; Che Guevara's mausolem at Santa Clara; beach trek back to Baracoa; evening cannons at El Morro Castle; Sierra Maestra and climbing to Castro's base for the Revolution; sightseeing in bicycle taxis; swimming in waterfalls; spending the evenings listening to local bands and dancing salsa.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Freddy was a fabulous guide, he really brought the history and culture of Cuba to life.  Incredibly knowledgeable and interesting with a great sense of humour.  Nothing was too much trouble - from checking us into hotels, arranging restaurants and suggesting local dishes to stopping off mid journey to buy fruit/sweets and encouraging us all to dance - even if we did have two left feet! 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go and enjoy, its a wonderful place.  Oh and perhaps have a few salsa lessons beforehand because you'll definitely want to get up and dance. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Probably the best accolade I can give, is that when we reached the end of our trip, I would've immediately done it all over again.  It was a wonderful experience; I met some great people; had some memorable moments.  This is the first time I've done this type of trip - but it won't be the last!!

   
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  Caroline Maffia

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written June 2012

  Before I went on this trip I read through some of the reviews to get an idea of what to expect. I think it says a lot about how much this trip meant to people by the amount of positive things that were written and the fact that so many took the time to wax lyrical about the place. Cuba's a place that confuses and mesmerises in equal measures, can't wait until I go back. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I lost my heart to Cuba, though it's a real country of contradictions. I found myself falling out with some of it's ideals but loved the people, music and beauty of the place. There isn't one moment to choose from, there were lots of stand out things that we did.

  Dancing - anywhere, anytime and with anyone

  Swimming in the seas and rivers

   All the different types of transport from the 1950's cars to a horse and cart

  Che Guevara's hideout and the vertical drive to the start of our walk to it

  Baracoa - from the sea wall to the club on the hilltop

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Laz was fun, knowledgable, clearly passionate about his country and spoke fantastic english.  He was with us from breakfast until the trova houses closed practically every day and was always willing to help with menu translations and restaurant suggestions. He listened to what we wanted and delivered where possible to accomodate our desire to swim in the sea at every possible opportunity.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't wait to learn salsa, just get up and dance with anyone and everyone. On our first proper night we went to a Trova house and ended up dancing with all the locals even if we could only shuffle from left to right. It set the tone for the trip.

  Small change is really useful for toilet trip tips and other tips.

  Don't rely on one credit/debit card in case the hole in the wall eats it! 

  If you're a snacker then bring them with you as there aren't that many stops where you can stock up on crisps, chocolate etc.

  June was hot and humid so if you don't want to be sweaty I'd recommend going in the cooler months.  That said, travelling out of season meant places were much quieter.  We were practically the only tourists in Baracoa.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I wanted to take the opportunity to thank our driver, Orlando.  I always felt safe with him at the wheel, he was always cool as a cucumber in every type of driving condition from the expected potholes to the less expected crabs and rice in the road.

  Just book it, I'm sure you won't regret it.

   
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  Eilish Dillon

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written June 2012

  What an amazing holiday - one of the best organised trips with true balance.  I had wanted a trip to Cuba that would not entail an internal flight so choose this one.  I had reservations initially as thought it would be deep in history with little other activities.  I was assured this was not the case and it indeed lived up to the promise and more.  It was a wonderful mix of history, culture, swimming walking and of course music & dance.  It was such a fun holiday all superbly organised with 9 strangers coming together to enjoy the variation of activities and culture and the people of Cuba.  We had such laughs and such a great time. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  It is hard to pick one - The music from morning 'till late on the streets and in every bar/restaurant never ceased to amaze me.  The grace and ease of Cuban people salsa dancing, it was such a joy to watch.

  The colours of Cuba from The 1950's cars and the old buildings to traditional costumes on the street.  The many expressions of the people as they sat around on Revolutionary Squares.

  Of course, its history from Castro's hideout to present day life.  

  The many cities and towns we visited each different with their own unique culture e.g. Baracoa untouristy, Cienfuegos with its colonial buildings restored and Trinidad with its cobbled streets to name just a few.   

  And the countryside with its Royal Palms, sugar plantations, the warm turquoise waters of the Carabeen and the cool swim under the waterfall. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We were so lucky to be guided by our tour leader, Laz, whose wonderful warm personality guided us cheerfully through the 16 days of varied activities.  He was the best tour leader I have encountered (from my many trips).  He possessed a command and knowledge of his country which he imparted with ease and passion.   His love of Cuba shone through with every story and piece of information.  He is such a people person always smiling and willing to help, going out of his way to ensure we all got the best out of our holiday and being with us from breakfast to the last dance of the evening.  He entertained us with his stories and adventures on our long journey.  As I struggled behind in the heat of the climb up Sierra Maestro he was patient and courteous - a great leader. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Dont rely totally on cash machines.  Particularly if the bank is closed it is not advisable at all to use them as they can eat up the card (as happened),   Even in the bank, the lines, can go down with no access for an entire day.

  Bring small medicine, e.g. paracetamol and plasters, not available in the chemest.  Having said that,  a good experience visiting one. 

   

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I would especially like to thank our driver, Orlando, who always drove with care and caution through the bumpy and pot-hole roads towards Sierra Maestro where I never felt ill at ease  as we journeyed to 'expect the unexpected in Cuba' where the 100's of crabs crossed the road, the rice farmers harvested their crops on the side of the road and the sweets from the lorry ahead spilt and popped under our bus causing a crackling sound.

   

  If its your dream to go to Cuba, just go - you will truly have a great experience - I highly recommend Cuba - La Isla Grande. 

   
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  Suzanne Cattell

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written June 2012

  I enjoyed this tour very much. It was a small group of about 16 people from various parts of the world & varying ages. Laz, the guide was excellent. The coach tours were very long in the beginning as we covered a lot of ground. However this was explained to us by Exodus & the tour guide. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many wonderful times. One of the times I most enjoyed was at Baracoa where I made friends with the people who worked at the local chocolate shop. They even came to say goodbye to us. Another was at Trinidad where a Cuban artist helped me find a restaurant. She even helped order the meal. There was never a talk of money exchange. She seemed to like practising her English and her views on Cuba were most enlightening.

  The museum at Havana was another highlight. The tour enabled us time to reach out to the local people. Soap seemed to be a priority. Laz explained it was expensive & difficult to buy.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Laz was excellent in every way. There is nothing that I can fault with his most professional manner, his personality and his way in dealing with people. On our arrival in Havana one of the passenger's luggage was lost. It was found the next day but there was a discussion with Laz & everyone decided to wait until the luggage was with us before leaving for the next City. That left us with a grateful passenger & a group of people who helped make the decision & were happy to do so. Laz helped so many people in so many ways. I am a vegetarian which is not usual in Cuba. Laz always helped with the menu in this regard, often asking for another selection from the restaurant at a smaller cost to me.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The travel days in the beginning in this particular tour were very long. This enabled us to see a lot of the country & meet a lot of Cubans. If you do not like coach tours it would be better to choose a trip with fewer days & less mileage. If you are a vegetarian it is difficult to buy food. The help of the guide is indispensible in order to find something on the menu which does not contain meat. Laz often asked for another meal to be cooked without meat.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever been on & I have been on many. The things I most appreciated were the small groups various ages, diversity of countries from where the passengers came from & the guide who was excellent. I can highly recommend Exodus to anyone & I have booked a trip to Israel with them later this year.

   
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  Lucy Fish

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written May 2012

  Fantastic trip - I'd give it an extra star if I could. My tour was mid-April to May 1st. Wonderful country and people, great travelling companions lead by a brilliant tour leader and driver. Simply one of the best tours I have ever done. We did and saw so much its almost impossible to pick my most favourite Cuba memory.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seriously, we did and saw so much but here are some of my personal highlights:

  • Staying in recreated Indian village hotel complex near Santa Clara (loved to have stay longer) 
  • Night time journey through Santiago de Cuba in historical 1950's American cars
  • Bici taxi tour through Camaguey
  • Lovely dinners and entertainment hosted in local houses
  • First proper glimpse of tropical beachs on the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts of Cuba - beautiful
  • Hike up to Castro's hideout in the Sierra Maestra and hike through El Cubano Nature Park
  • Charming colonial Trinidad - seriously cool
  • Bustling faded colonial charm of Havana - wandering the streets and seeing the sights!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Laz, our local guide, is probably one of the best guides I have had the pleasure travelling with. Nothing is too much trouble. He broke up long driving days by regular stops sampling local food/coffee etc, occasional jokes, local stories and information about places we were travelling through or too. He organized so many great experiences for us on our journey around Cuba - its really a BIG THANK YOU to him, as I really felt I saw and experienced the 'real Cuba'. Special mention for our great driver Orlando, who looked after all of us so well on our travels across Cuba - his driving always made us feel safe as some of the roads were in very poor condition. Laz's enthusiasm for Cuba was infectious! quite soon into the tour it did not feel like we were a bunch of strangers being led around Cuba - thanks in part to great travelling companions too. I want to go back!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you change money at the Cuba airport - try to get 20 CUC notes or smaller. Anything bigger it was difficult for local shops, restaurants to change. Hold on to 25c coins for toilet stops. Take packets of tissues and anti bacterial gel/hand wipes with you - as some toilet stops did not have toilet tissue or running water. Take some snack bars or biscuits with you as they will keep you going on longer driving days and in between meals. I would advise walking shoes/shoes with good grip for the hike to Castro's hideout  as it was bit rocky and steep in places and rocks underfoot could be slippery. Cuba is not as cheap as you may think and ATM's were only in larger towns - I just underestimated tip / toilet money that I would need. Make sure you have large memory card for your camera - believe me you will use it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  There are a couple of long driving days mainly at the start of the tour as you do most of the travelling east, but coach was air conditioned with lots of space (we had about 16 in our group) and with plenty opportunities to stop. Although once you are off the main highway roads are pretty rough in places. By travelling around as we did I really felt we got to see and experience the real Cuba. I would say Trinidad was one of the best places for picking up gifts in the market (especially linen, wood carvings etc). Make sure you pick up some Santiago de Cuba local rum (its great!). In Trinidad go to the Palacio Cantero as the tower offers great views over the town. In Havana take the time to wander up to the Capitolio building and central square. I had a sneak peak inside the Capitolio building which was lovely. The Park Central hotel on the square has a roof top terrace that does brill cocktails and dinner overlooking Havana - fantastic views for photos. I enjoyed the Tropicana Nightclub night but in hindsight it was a bit expensive and we then found out that the Cuban National Ballet were in Havana showing Carmen at the National Theatre for 25CUC - which could have been great alternative! I had a wonderful time on this trip, truly loved Cuba and have some fantastic memories. All I can say is go now before things potentially change - you won't be dissapointed!

   
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  Lucy Higgins

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written May 2012

  Its hard to sum Cuba up in a few sentences. So I guess that's why you should go there for a decent amount of time in order to make up your own mind. I'm still not sure what I think about the country and how it works, to me it seems like a country of contradictions, with some positives and other negatives, but I'm so glad I saw it with my own eyes. Who knows how the place will change in the coming years but you don't want to miss the chance to see it in its (relatively) unadultered state. I chose this trip because it seemed to be the most comprehensive on the market, travelling to most areas of Cuba. In fact one of the places most often missed from other tour itineries due to the practical difficulties of getting there (Baracoa, in the Eastern part of Cuba) was easily the highlight of my visit as I felt it was one of the least touristy towns. It felt less spoilt and you could interact (dance!) more naturally with native Cubans. Unfortunately this does come at the cost of spending quite a bit of time travelling but the coach was very comfortable (in fact we often looked forward to getting under the coach's aircon!) and we stopped for juice and "comfort breaks" every couple of hours at carefully selected places with decent toilets! So don't let that put you off! A highly recommended trip.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  1. Learning to Salsa with an authentic, patient Cuban teacher 
  2. Swimming in the Atlantic and Caribbean seas, particularly on the penultimate day close to the Bay of Pigs
  3. Sipping a Mojito on the Hotel Nacional terrace overlooking the Havana Malecon
  4. Getting to the heart of Cuba whilst eating wonderful meals, prepared with care, in the homes of welcoming Cuban families (and using their family bathroom when you need the toilet)

  What did you think of your group leader?

  I've never travelled with Exodus before but have used a number of other tour companies. Laz was friendly, efficient with the details of the trip, had excellent command of english and was very good at explaining things. But then, I've never had a bad group leader yet! He also gave good salsa lessons and was diligent to ensure that even the wallflowers got a dance or two. Our driver, Orlando, was fabulous - he drove 2856km in 14 days, avoiding potholes, chickens, crabs and rice (you'll soon see!) all the way.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  My three top tips:

  1.  Get hold of some small change as soon as possible. You generally need to give toilet attendants 25cents in order to get toilet paper and don't expect any soap! But hey, what doesnt kill us only makes us stronger
  2. If you are travelling with someone else or if you want to sit with the others on your return journey, take the effort to find internet access to do online check in. We arrived at the airport in plenty of time but there was absolutely no chance of sitting together!
  3. Consider waiting until duty free to buy your rum, coffee and cigars. Despite being taken to a factory outlet store, the prices were definitely cheaper at the airport (about 2/3rds of the price). Of course you do run the risk of them having run out and of going home empty handed but I think that's unlikely.

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Many people report that the food in Cuba is not good. I am much more positive than that. The thing is that you don't go away to eat food you could have eaten at home, or I don't anyway. Unsurprisingly, the unimaginative ham and cheese sandwich isn't done very well in Cuba! Traditionally Cuban food is much more appetising and is served in vast portions; expect to eat a lot of meat and shellfish and not to see many vegetables. If you're not expecting gourmet, you will be fine!

  If Exodus were considering changing the tour at all, I would suggest moving the majority of time in Havana to the beginning of the trip as by the end you are very tired. Also I would recommend using a different Havana hotel at the end, perhaps not even really needing to be in the historic centre as the nightlife there finishes at 11pm and moves to modern Havana. 

   
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  Stephen Seagrave

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written May 2012

  A very varied trip with great variety and many highlights, aided by a very knowledgeable and charismatic guide with a good command of English. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Difficult to pick , as I have many interests that encompass what was experienced in Cuba.  As a classic car owner and collector of world music, the unique display of daily driven american classics and the many opportunities to experience the music, were particular highlights.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The leader was one of the best I have experienced and I've been on a number of escorted tours throughout the world.

  His knowledge and humour, together with his obvious experience leading tours, offered a sense of reassurance if a problem occurred.

  His many interests, including birdwatching and photography, concurred with my own and we became good friends on the trip.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The food is good and wholesome, if a little repetititive away from the hotels, due to the unique status regarding Cuba.  Please bear this in mind and I would suggest touring elsewhere if you require gourmet dining. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  As with the food, there may be shortcomings, from time to time, with occasional powercuts and water restrictions, outside of the tourguide's control, but visiting Cuba is a richly rewarding and memorable experience and if you have an open mind, you will not regret it!

   

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