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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  Sara Lock

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written December 2011

  A really varied trip around probably the most beautiful island I've ever visited. Plenty of opportunity to salsa and sample cocktails. Definitely a holiday to remember. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Dancing with a musician from one of the salsa bands who must have been well into his 70s, maybe even 80s, and had twice my energy and considerably better dance skills!

  I also loved the trek to the biosphere reserve, tasting fruits and nuts from the trees and being rowed to the place where the river meets the sea.

  Oh and the catamaran trip, even if the Tree Rats were a little scary! 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Jorge was full of "Cuban jokes" and great at motivating the group when we were all tired or suffering from the previous night's rum adventures. No shortage of Cuban charm either!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Learn to salsa before you go and leave your British inhibitions at home. Probably not a bad call to build up your rum tolerance either - it'd be rude not to indulge in a rum cocktail or two while there and the measures come as quite a shock to the system!

  Do as many of the optional trips as you can afford - all the ones I went on were amazing and really make the trip. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I LOVE cuba and Exodus for getting me there! If only the trip had been a little bit longer.

   
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  Kevin Coles

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written December 2011

  Cigars, cars and Cuban bars... discovering the history, culture and people of a country laced with a fun atmosphere of music and dance.  Historical characters .. Castro, Che, Hemingway share your time which was wonderfully filled by the charismatic Yazel (our Cuban guide). 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Take your pick.... climbing the Sierra Maestra to reach the hideout of Fidel Castro or standing below the awesome monument of Che Guevara or drinking cocktails with the ghost of Ernest Hemingway at the Floridita and La Bodega.

  But, these would not have been the same without the time spent in the colonial city of Trinidad and time-warped tropical Baracoa.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  A leader in all senses... looking after the group, finding the best places to go and eat, and dealing with any unforeseen problems (with our group and the bus!) - well done Yazel.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Cuba NOW - before the invasion of other tourists and boring cars.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Read trip notes carefully and CHAT with exodus before you go, for specifics... eg long trousers and socks are a must for one of the walks (unless you like 'ticks'!)

   
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  Luke Simkins

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written December 2011

  I had been planning to visit Cuba for many years as i teach about the Cuban Revolution at school. This trip offered every aspect of the Revolution from visiting the infamous Bay of Pigs to climbing the Sierra Maestra mountains to Castro's famous hideout! I enjoyed the tour a great deal as history, culture and nightlife were interwtined excellently. I made friends for life and also look forward to visiting Cuba soon and catching up with Yazel our excellent tour leader! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Wow, there were so many

  • The Sierra Maestra was something i had looked forward to from day 1. Being able to walk all the way from our accomodation in the mountains to Castro's hideout was an awesome experience in so many different ways. In regards to the western world where you are dropped right at the spot this was totally different as you had to hike to his base which meant that when you got there you not only were in awe of the guerilla fighters but also feel a huge sense of accomplishment in making it there!
  • The Bay of Pigs was a great place to realx and swim. It was also a great visual for the planned US invasion. A visit to the Playa Giron Museum also explained so many things from the failed invasion, especially in regards to the Cuban peoples support of Fidel Castro
  • Santiago was also full of history in regards to the Urban Guerilla Frank Pais and Revolutionary Poet Jose Marti. Also Santiago has some of the best Salsa clubs in all of Cuba
  • Havana - most vibrant and exciting sity in Cuba. A must see in an old Chevy convertable!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  I have been on may tours around the world and Yazel was the best tour guide i have ever had. His knowledge of Cuban history was exceptional. He also was willing to answer any question at any time and made a huge effort to ensure that everybody on the tour had an exceptional time. Over the course of the tour he became a friend whom i look forward to visiting on my next trip to cuba!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are thinking about coming to Cuba stop right now and BOOK IT! This is a holiday you will not forget and will look back on with fond memories. Anything bad you have heard is US propaganda. I have travelled the world and this is my number 1 travel destination. Also as far as seeing the whole island this particular trip covers absolutely everything.

   
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  Robyn B

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written November 2011

  Brilliant holiday - Cuba is a beautiful place and this trip covers lots of it!  You see a bit of everything and really get time to immerse yourself in the local way of life. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Learing about the history of the Revolution - I didn't know much about the details before and it was really interesting to learn about all the hero's and brave people who fought and gave their lives for their country and their freedom.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Really friendly chap - very helpful and passionate about his country and it's history, culture and future.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take lots of memory cards!

   
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  Anthony Pedley

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written October 2011

  The trip was a fascinating insight into a little known country. It was the perfect mixture of exploring and site-seeing; lazy days on the beaches and enjoying the musical culture of a very vibrant island.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  It is impossible to pick out just one inspirational moment of the trip. Each place we visited had its magical moments from the beauty of the lagoon at the Bay of Pigs to the hustle and bustle of the numerous squares in Havana; from the historical monuments of Santiago de Cuba to the quaint streets of Trinidad and from the delights of snorkling from a catamaran to the beautiful white sands of Playa Maguana.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was brillaint. He had a great sense of humour and the ability to relate to each member of the group. He made sure that everyone was included in the activities, yet was able to support the individual needs of each person. He was very caring and went out of his way to make sure everyone was happy and content with the facilities. He made sure that we always had a place to eat in the evening and would accompany us to make sure we were safe. He made sure we knew the 'complete' history of Cuba!! 

  Ten out of ten!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for plenty of surprises!

   
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  Lindsay Wills

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written September 2011

  A great way to see the whole of Cuba! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Taking a walk through a natural park in the mountains, was a natural (ie very cold!) pool with a waterfall to swim in

  Seeing the different cities, lots of gorgeous buildings

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Yosel was brilliant, very friendly and clearly loves his job. Full of lots of information (and bad jokes!), he looked after us so well we felt lost on our own!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take snack food, not readily available

  Food is quite expensive so budget accordingly

  Be prepared for Cubans asking for money/pens/soap, we were approached all the time

   

   
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  john gordon

  CUBA: LA ISLA GRANDE

  

  Written August 2011

  We had wanted to visit Cuba for some time, and we were not disappointed. The natural beauty of the island, the warm open friendliness of the Cuban people, the musical rhythms everywhere we went, the classic American cars and the rum cocktails all made this a wonderful holiday. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I had not fully appreciated the place that Che Guevara held in the Cuban people's hearts until we visited the mausoleum at Santa Clara. It was a moving experience. But the walks in the Sierra Maestre and Baracoa were also very beautiful. And there were unexpected surprises too, such as riding on a steam train, eating in some lovely family-run restaurants (Paladares), and putting into practice our newly-learned salsa moves at the Casa de la Trova in Trinidad. All great experiences.

   We added a week onto our Exodus tour so that we could indulge in some Scuba diving on the colourful coral reefs around Maria la Gorda in the West of the island. Thanks Exodus for allowing us this flexibility.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Freddy was a marvel. He was unfailingly good-humoured, with an inexhaustable fund of knowledge about the island, and a never-ending supply of stories to keep us amused. He found us the best restaurants and bars, and was always there whenever we needed him. If all Exodus group leaders are like Freddy then we will definitely be back.

   Also a big thank-you to Jose, our good-natured whistling coach driver. Some great driving on sometimes difficult roads.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just go! Do everything that is on offer - drink mojitos, learn to dance salsa, prepare to talk to complete strangers. And try to learn a bit of Spanish before you go.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  There is plenty more of Cuba we would still like to see, but it's a big world out there, and we still have plenty of countries on our wish-list. Once we've done them we would love to return to Cuba. We'd like to see Vinales, and spend more time up in the mountains. So much to do, so little time!

   

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