Cycling Holiday: Cuban Highlights Ride

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 28 reviews.

elaine smith

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written April 2013
What an amazing country to cycle in. Pretty much traffic free. Fascinating history. Beautiful landscapes, especially through the national parks. Cheap rum. Lovely people. An hilarious, funny tour guide who made the trip extra special and an amazing bunch of guys we cycled with. A memorable holiday
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Not sure if inspirational is the right word. All of it was amazing. Havanah fascinating and a perfect end to the trip. Driving and cycling thru the national park, the scenery was awesome.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hose was extremely helpful, funny, entertaining, courteous and kind. He went beyond the call of duty to make the holiday special and smooth flowing for everybody. It was wonderful seeing the passion and pride that he had in his country. We all wanted to take him home at the end.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If they can try to extend their stay at the end in Havanah. Perhaps even for just one more night. Also they should try and discover more of the island themselves. The usual - plenty of high factor, padded bike seats. they should not worry as we felt extremely safe there.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Food is not one of the highlights. Perhaps some of the heavy lunches could be swopped for a more lighter fare or even not include lunches and people can decide for themselves what they want to eat. some of the food was not edible. the final lunch in havanah should be omitted so that people can go and chose a nice place to have a drink and a bite to eat.
francis josephs josephs

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written February 2013
A wonderful trip: varied, well organised, challenging and relaxing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
many highlights:
cycling though the countryside and in the rolling hills
meeting lots of very friendly, honest and lively Cubans
the bustle and beauty of Trinadad and Havana
strolling, eating and drinking in the evenings and at night
swimming and snorkelling in the Caribbean
a great group

What did you think of your group leader?
Tony was very helpful, knowledgeable and passionate. Always very responsive to requests and feedback.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I'm glad I took my saddle, and saddle bag, as it meant I did not need anything on my back.
If you have clip-on pedals and shoes then bring them- they helped on the hills, especially on the "moderate" last 8k climb!
Bring sweets and snacks for the rides, and then give them away to kids at the end.
I took unused soap and shampoo from hotels to give to people- much appreciated.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
The food and accommodation were much much better than hinted at in the trip notes.
The trip would have been perfect if it could have included some visits to Cubans in their home, and perhaps a meal with them.
Alan Hughes

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written February 2013
An excellent trip which exceeded our expectations. We had a great time in a country in which we always felt very safe. Cuba is wonderful, such a fascinating country, well worth visiting before Western influences and an increase in tourism change it irrevocably. As others have commented, you cycle with some really nice people on these trips.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The caves in Guajimico, the music in Trinidad and Havana, the constant backdrop of the Escambray mountains, the iridescent turquoise waters of the Caribbean or the sunset in Hanabanilla, but there wasn’t just one inspirational moment, there were lots of them throughout the trip. For us the best day’s cycling was the optional ride in the Valle de los Ingenios, the best place visited was Trinidad and the loveliest location for a hotel was Guajimico on the south coast or Hanabanilla beside a lake in the Escambray hills. If you have extra time in Havana, it is a truly inspirational city.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very good – professional, patient and well organised and offered us some very interesting insights into Cuban life.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would support much of the advice given by other contributors to these reviews.
1. Take plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent and toiletries, toilet rolls and plenty of cash (ATMs are few and far between). Also take a padded seat cover to put over your seat and padded shorts. We would also strongly recommend that you take immodium with you.
2. If you enjoy snorkelling, take a snorkel – a number of people in our group regretted not having one when we stopped at a couple of excellent spots for snorkelling.
3. In Guajimico we were offered a trek in the afternoon of our arrival. It is excellent, not a ‘trek’ but a leisurely one and a half hours stroll through the woods along the coast, a swimming opportunity in an idyllic little cove and a visit to some caves where we saw some bats.
4. In Trinidad there is a rest day which gives you the opportunity to have a rest, go on a catamaran trip or cycling in the Valle de los Ingenios. Most went on the catamaran trip (the usual boat trip with bar facilities, lunch and some free time on a beach) but my wife and I cycled in the Valle de los Ingenios – for us it was the best day’s cycling as the valley with the Manaca Iznaga tower is a Unesco World Heritage site and the views were wonderful.
5. At the Havana hotel, the Occidental Miramar, we would recommend the à la carte restaurant El Patio – it was our best meal in Cuba, a little more expensive than other meals but still under 50$ for two.
6. The group tour of Havana at the end of the trip is too short for such a fascinating city. My wife and I booked a two weeks holiday in Cuba – 3 nights in a hotel in old Havana, the 8 nights cycling holiday and 4 nights in an all inclusive hotel beach hotel in Varadero – and would thoroughly recommend it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The holiday is advertised as a leisurely cycling holiday and I think that this is an accurate reflection of the degree of difficulty of the terrain with only the last 8km to Hanabanilla moderately difficult. However, on two of the cycle days all the cycling (45km) is done before lunch and therefore completed in little over three hours, which is not a particularly leisurely pace. I would repeat the comments of an earlier contributor. When cycling don't be deterred by others who seem keen to travel quickly through the terrain – you’ll catch them up when they stop at the planned resting places every 15km or so. You are there 'to see Cuba by bicycle'.. you can't see much if you are cycling without pausing to have a closer look at the more interesting things you pass . Stop en route to take photos: you will be surrounded by wonders. Just enjoy!
jeremy knott

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written January 2013
A great country to see from a bike and a great group of people to make it fun!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
No one single moment but a combination of amazing architecture (albeit crumbling!), great countryside, fantastic old cars, cheap food/cocktails, friendly people and a great bunch of "strangers" to spend a week with. Everything went smoothly and to plan.
What did you think of your group leader?
Tony was extremely knowledgeable about his country's history, politics, economics and geography! So we learnt a lot from him about Cuba. He had a light touch so we could rely on him to be around without him being in our faces. He could advise without ever telling us what to do/not to do.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a comfy chair unless your bum is used to being in the saddle and do a bit a training before you go (I rarely cycle and was glad that I went to the gym a few weeks before!).
Take pound notes - they don't accept US dollars!
Take a map as it's useful to know here you are in the country.
Don't stay in the hotel - get out and see the town especially Trinidad! Its only a short taxi ride away and a lovely place to chill out.
Go your own pace and enjoy it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't delay as Cuba is changing fast! It really is a great way to see Cuba!
Marian Owen

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written December 2012
A thoroughly enjoyable holiday. Rated as moderate, the cycling was broken down into comfortable sections, with coffee and lunch breaks - closely followed by the bus, mechanic and leader to ensure everyone kept together. The group worked really well with a mixture of couples, singles and mother and son helped by plenty of cocktails! Cuba is a great country to go to and their beaches are fab ! Several opportunities to party and listen to live music if you want to. Would definatly return.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Last days cycling was really tough, lots of hills, so a great acheivement to make it without getting a lift!
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was extremely friendly and approachable. She really went out of her way to help, going to bed at 4am when we were being interviewed by the police over my stolen phone!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Tips would be to take toilet roll, sterling only cash,( which you can change at the hotel) immodium, your own water bottle & crash helmet a small day pack for camera whilst cycling and wet wipes. Take lots of suncream as its very expensive over there. There really aren't shops (other than the hotels), so take everything you need. Security of property take note, I did have my phone stolen from my locked bedroom, another guest had their trainers stolen from the poolside, and a camera aquired from a handbag whilst clubbing......
Is there anything else you would like to add?
y first experience with Exodus, after poor customer service when trying to book with a competitor. The sales team were extremely efficient and knowledgeable when booking. I have returned feeling very fit and looking forward to booking another cycling holiday !
Franco Benucci

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written December 2012
Cuba - a trip to remember forever! It proved to be so much more than I had originally imagined - great people to meet, amazing scenery, steeped in history and with all year fantastic weather; what more do you need from a holiday? Cycling around the island added something so more real that you would never have received the same experience had you opted for a standard tourist coach trip. There was so much to see, so much to learn from Cuba's revolutionary history and so much friendliness from the people themselves in welcoming us to their country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Visiting Che Guevara’s mausoleum, and hearing his story and those of his fellow revolutionaries. They committed their lives in aiding to free the Cubans from their past and into a future controlled by themselves.
What did you think of your group leader?
Yazel was amazing as a guide. He was always there to help, happy to offer his advice, and informed us well of the Cuban way of life (past and present). He was willing to go out of his way to help with anything we needed or places we wanted to visit that were not on the itinerary. And he had a great sense of humour - definitely added to the holiday experience. It is also worth mentioning our driver Jose who was awesome in being the support man preparing our bikes each day, handing out the bottled water whenever we needed it, and offering us his view on life with added humour (all in Spanish!). They were a great team.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Definitely go on this trip. Seeing Cuba through the eyes of a cyclist is worth every single moment. You get a totally different experience from it and it’s worth so much more. The cycling is not that difficult and anyone who has a reasonable level of fitness will find it well within their reach.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was one of the best trips I have ever been on - very well put together and with an awesome bunch of fellow travellers and guide. Wish I was still on holiday there!
Christopher Norfolk

CUBAN HIGHLIGHTS RIDE

Written December 2012
A nice relaxed way to see real Cuba as you cycle along the countryside roads passing smallholdings and towns.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Looking around the Bay of Pigs museum and considering the impact of such an event on the locals.
What did you think of your group leader?
Gladys and her team of a mechanic and driver were really helpful and shared information with the group and individuals as we went along.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try the 7 year old dark rum its really great.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be aware you are in a poor country. People are not hungry and they have an excellent medical service. They are however cronically short of consumer goods and clothing. Take the usual precautions that you would expect to take when visiting anywhere in western europe.