CYCLING CUBA

16 days from GBP1,649 to GBP2,149 including flights
Tripcode: MAH

Countries Visited: Cuba

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 22 reviews.

Alison Chadwick

CYCLING CUBA
Written December 2009
Travelling through Cuba on a bicycle is a great way to see the country – the terrain varied from dead flat to undulating to hilly in the Sierra Maestra mountains. This way we got to see how the folk in the villages live, the beautiful fertile countryside with all the crops especially sugar plantations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
What a fascinating destination to visit – we felt we’d woken up in a time warp. We were blown away by the old 1950’s American cars – I’d say 80% of the vehicles on the road are these old classics – some in pristine condition others with modified Russian engines. In the rural areas the majority of folk get around on horse/ox carts. Communism is alive and well – all the homes are State owned but everyone has a home, should you wish to move into a larger home you then have to swop with someone. Everyone gets a food ration each month and if you are male and over 70 you get free Rum and free cigars (Cuba is definitely a male chauvinistic country). Transport is a problem but all State owned vehicles which have a blue number plate are obliged by law to stop and pick up passengers if they have space and transport them in the direction they are going. A clever idea which works well. The average salary being GBP30 per month! Liber our tour guide is 34 years old and a Professor of languages however he has chosen the tourism route as the tips are good! After the Revolution tourism was slowly introduced in the early 1990’s so a good place to visit if you want to experience a relatively unchanged Cuba. Although very poor the health and education systems are first world and free and available to everyone. Throughout the island the beat and rhythms of salsa music fill the air – wherever you look someone is swaying to the beat of the music. We found the folk very friendly and very content considering they don’t have much and very few choices in life – there was no litter to be seen and no crime.
What did you think of your group leader?
Liber was absolutely fantastic -he does his job with lots of passion and obviously very proud of his heritage. He looked after us well and really went out of his way to ensure we had everything we needed, whether it be a meal order, changing a hotel room - great guy!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There is very little to buy in Cuba unless you drink Rum and smoke cigars – we did a tour of a cigar factory, the making of the cigars has not changed since 1845, still using the same implements they did all those years ago and keeping the same traditions. I did buy a 1954 Readers Digest and a 1955 Life magazine – both in excellent condition! And of course a Che t-shirt. The architecture is beautiful – lots of Art Deco and beautiful old colonial buildings, a lot of them under restoration in Havana. Oh and the Mojitos are great! Get there before Fidel goes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I highly recommend this trip and try and stay an extra few nights in Old Havana - so much to see and do, such a great vibe, lots of patio restaurants, cafes and good night life. I hope to return one day - perhaps this time do the Western region of Cuba. Exodus Rocks!
Gordon Truluck

CYCLING CUBA
Written December 2009
Socialism certainly works for Cuba. The system ensures that everyone can live, eat, be healthy and get a proper education. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Cuba and being able to get close to the people and nature in the rural areas.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing how happy the people are with the little they have - they certainly are not materialistic.
I really enjoyed the lack of litter - the streets and surrounds were very clean and uncluttered.
What did you think of your group leader?
Liber was an excellent group leader and was very knowledgeable on all aspects of Cuba pre and post revolution.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
My advice would be if you want to see Cuba as it is now get there as soon as possible.
Expect the roads and the accomodation to be undulating which at times were 5 Star and other times 1 Star but always comfortable and clean.
Keep a spare shirt and comfortable shoes in the bus to change into for site seeing after cycling for the day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my second Exodus trip last one being Vietnam in 2008 and both lived up to my expectations. I will most certainly be doing more trips with Exodus in future. Thanks for a great experience.
Sarah Marsden

CYCLING CUBA
Written November 2009
Independencia o muerte! I've never had culture shock when returning home before. Cuba gets under your skin, your heart beats to the rhythm of the music which seems to come from every street corner and you can't fail to be moved by the warmth of the people. The simple life cycling around Cuba begins to feel like how things should be. So the bustle, commercialism and fast pace of life back home is somewhat overwhelming.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This trip is a personal challenge as well as a chance to discover an amazing country in the best possible way - on two wheels. Getting around by bike offers a slow immersion into the Cuban culture as you make your way south-east to the heart of the Sierra Maestra mountains where the revolutionaries based themselves after their failed attempt to take the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba. The stunning scenery and challenging terrain made for a memorable day on the bike and a sense of achievement when arriving at the hillside lodge for the evening. A bathe in a waterfall-fed pool was the perfect way to end the day.
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan Carlos did an excellent job of organising a large group of individuals without making it seem as though we were being organised! He put in a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that everything ran according to schedule and handled unexpected matters very capably. He was very well versed in recent and not so recent history and gave plenty of opportunities for us to ask questions about society and the country, as well as impromptu salsa lessons! His suggestions for places to eat when we could take our pick led to some of the tastiest meals we experienced. Together with the drivers, Alexis and Nerio, we were very well supported en route and felt in very safe hands.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip very much followed the trip notes and the distances covered were accurate. Usually the cycling would take up all of th morning, finishing in the early afternoon. There would then be the opportunity to look around the town before arriving at the hotel at about 4pm or later. In November when the sun goes down at about 5.30, this meant there wasn't a lot of time left for doing other things before the group would reconvene for drinks and dinner. Being lucky enough to travel with a great bunch of people, this never seemed to be a problem as we all enjoyed swapping stories about the day's ride over an obligatory mojito or three. There was usually an opportunity after dinner to try out those new salsa steps. Convert plenty of cash at the airport as opportunities to change money around the country are limited. An ATM is a rare sight indeed. If you haven't done much cycling before good padded shorts and cycling gloves are essential. A large sports bottle and handlebar- or saddlebag are probably better than a Camelbak/rucksack as the weather is invariably hot and humid so stay cool with a free back. Most hotels are basic so manage your expectations downwards. That said all had air conditioning and hot water. If you have dietary requirements (including a preference not to eat meat!), bring along some alternatives to cheese and eggs for your packed lunches. For carnivores, the food is generally tasty though often follows a theme of braised meat, rice and beans, and a salad of shredded cabbage and canned green beans. If you get ice cream for dessert, consider it a treat! In some places you may only be offered a combo of guava or mango marmelade and cheese.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Old cars, old men, horses and carts, timba, salsa and reggaeton, santeria, Jose Marti, Fidel, Raul, Che, smart and tidy school children, resourceful intelligent people who are as interested in you as you are in them, clean streets, ration books, spartan shop windows, palm trees, crumbling colonial towns, sunshine. All of these things make Cuba a fascinating place to visit. And best to do it at your own pace under your own pedal power.
Steve Burrows

CYCLING CUBA
Written March 2009
Fantastic - undoubtedly the best way to see Cuba. You experience the sights, sounds and smells so much more on a bike than you do through a bus window.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficult to narrow it down... it's a close thing between the scenery (esp. in the mountains), the friendly locals and the fact I've come back from a holiday fitter than I was before I went!
But overall I'd say it's the friendly Cubans. There are loads of locals on bikes that you find yourself talking to as you're pedalling along. Not to mention the smiles, waves and greetings you get all the time from passers-by.
One of the highlights for me was cycling past a village school - all the children there had noticed a few cyclists going past and had lined-up along the roadside to wave and cheer those that followed.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent. Our leader was Liber - if you're lucky enough to find him greeting you at Havana Airport arrivals, you're in for a great trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You hear it all the time but it is true: go to Cuba now before it's 'too late'.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't be worried by the cycling - for the most part, the terrain is not difficult. There are a handful of climbs on 2 of the days that are steep enough to be challenging (for someone of average fitness) but short enough not to be painful.
That came as a relief to me as I'd managed to put off doing proper preparation for the trip for the whole 6 months prior to departure...!
adrian pickering

CYCLING CUBA
Written March 2009
My first ever cycling trip/group holiday/time in Cuba. A great way to get off the beaten track (quite lierally on occasions) and see a little of the real Cuba. The cycling was generally good, although the strong headwinds during the early part of the trip (which coincided with long, featureless straights) was hard-going and not hugely inspiring.........or maybe that was just me. If you're thinking about doing it, I'd say don't think for too long.....Cuba is going to change and seeing it now was a special thing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Hard to say - the countryside on the last few days was wonderful, distinct from the early part of the trip and very interesting.......the last few miles just flew by. Old Havana, Trinidad and Santiago are beautiful..........but if it's just one, then the hotel with the waterfall up in the mountains was it. And the pianist in the 'Taj Mahal'.
What did you think of your group leader?
Personable, knowledgable and laid back - I have no complaints, but one or 2 in the the party would have preferred more timely delivery on admin issues.....sorting hotels for those staying on in Havana etc.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Oh yes! The food isn't as bad as everbody makes out - the choices are invariably chicken, fish or pork with salad, and rice and beans. Pit stops and lunchtimes are generally fruit and sandwiches respectively. TOP TIP - take tabasco sauce or something spicy to give the food a bit more interesting. TOP TIP 2 - for some reason bath plugs are non-existent........a good addition to your wash bag. TOP TIP 3 - ATMs and cash changing facilities are sporadic from Day 2 onwards - change money whenever you have the opportunity. TOP TIP 4 - the cigars are much the same price at Duty Free as they are in the towns.....buy at the hotel where you stay for 2 nights (you also get a cigar-makling demo and the odd-freeby). Finally, one of our party had a nasty crash going downhill on a potholed road - 2 TOP TIPS - wear your helmet (I can't believe it wasn't mandatory despite the travel notes) and ask your guide what to do in the event of an accident - a passing taxi very helpfully took our (semi-conscious) rider to hospital, but in all the confusion, it was hard to know whether to wait for the safety bus or get our friend some medical help.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hotels varied between very good and "OK, well we're only here for a night". All were clean, most had hot water. The people are very friendly and I never felt remotely threatened. Could the trip be improved? Yep - the roads on days 3/4/5 are straight, the countryside featureless and if you have headwinds they quickly become a bit demoralising.......The Bay of Pigs is hyped and could be by-passed.....maybe a re-jig in the routing? That said, these are minor points to note - the rest of the trip was really very good indeed and the people on it were excellent company.........even the Australians!!!!
roger barden

CYCLING CUBA
Written February 2009
a very well organised and comprehensive trip
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
cycling on the last stage to the hotel
dancing in Trinidad on New Years Day
What did you think of your group leader?
generally excellent leadership
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take biros and clothes to donate to those rural cubans who are poor
take your own saddle that you have checked and found comfortable - pedal clips might be useful
Is there anything else you would like to add?
it would have been preferable if the logistics had allowed the leader to cycle with the group, rather than travelling in the coach/van most of the time. This is, I understand, because of any emergency he needs to be on hand.
Elspeth Barley

CYCLING CUBA
Written January 2009
A fantastic experience to be savoured - go quickly before this whole way of life changes
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
the scenery, the culture, the music all combining to form one unforgettable experience.
Never being bored - once!
What did you think of your group leader?
what he didn't know about history of Cuba wasn't worth knowing and so evidently proud of its achievements from the days of slavery.
Now, he was inspirational and ..............had a great sense of humour which we exploited to the full.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ignore anything you are sent about the people needing T shirts and pencils/crayons - really only the bottom SE of the country appreciates it. Elsewhere you're just rebuffed - but politely
Take lots of Immodium - think almost everyone went down with a tummy bug so dose yourself up and keep going.
Natural mosi repellent far more effective than Deet over here - I took 95% Deet and was badly bitten, but they didn't like the lemon eucalyptus stuff at all (and it smells so much nicer!)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Only small gripe is: too much coach and not enough cycling. Would have preferred to have done more cycling per day as the terrain was not really too tough. Thought the days away from the bike were a little bit of a waste, but that's pure personal preference.