Cycling Cuba

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...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ?

• 

  Ann Jacklin

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written November 2012

  A very informative trip - excellent guide (Freddie) & support team.Transfers were much better than expected and meant we got to see more of the island 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Loved the Mojitos

  Staying at the jungle lodge - waterfall and pool

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Freddie was brilliant - loved cycling, his country and telling us about it - along with his great stories and jokes

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go with an open mind - Cuba is quite different and very laid back

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  wide variety of hotels - good experience

   
• 

  Arne Tommy Nilsen

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written November 2012

  The combination of a facinating new culture, cycling and new friends made this my best vacation every.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The cuban people. Always smiling and waving when you cycled past them. Was following a bus with school kids and they went absolutely banas when I pedaled as fast as I could to keep up.  

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gladys was the perfect group leader. She made everything like a walk in the park. I loved the way she said "you may now go on you own free willing". She had an infectious smile and always a good story to tell about the places we stoped.

   Even the in advance dreaded long transfer day in the end went by in a flash because of Gladys. Mixing cubra libre and mojito was one of the many highlights of the trip. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go with an open mind :)
  
  Bring clip on pedles, cycling shorts and shirt, small camera that fits in the shirt and lots of suncream and moscito replant since it is difficult to get hold of in Cuba.

  November was a nice month to travel. Warm but not to warm and horrible weather at home :) 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Would recomend going on trips like this solo. Much easier to get new friends :)

   

   I really liked that we could go in our own pace most of the time. And that there was fruit and fresh water on every stop. Sometimes there were even cookies :) 

   
• 

  Richard Hughes

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written November 2012

  A country full of surprises and idiosyncracies, the architecture is a delight, the roads relatively traffic free and the people warm and friendly. I don't think I have ever been made to feel so welcome. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I think the ride to the remote region of Sierra Maestra; the location of the hotel was as described and we were priveleged to walk in the forests and meet with locals who rarely receive visits from tourists, made you feel like a real explorer. Although living in what we would consider to be poor conditions they are pleased to meet you and share their modest provisions.  

  What did you think of your group leader?

  One of the best group leaders I have met on my travels, extremely knowledgeable about his country and willing to talk at great length on a wide variety of topics. He was eager to discuss topics ranging from politics and economics through to flora and fauna and everything in between, a really sociable amusing and interesting person.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't go to bed too early the night life is good and if you enjoy music you will discover amazing bands especially in Trinidad and Habana. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Go to Cuba before it changes.

   
• 

  Stephanie Small

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written September 2012

  This trip is a mix of cycling and culture where you will see quite a variety of places, sights and cycling.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Day 9 where you cycle for the whole day from Bayamo into the Sierra Maestra. This was the best cycling of the whole trip.The final stretch on a dirt track into the jungle was rewarded with a super location for a hotel by a plunge pool and waterfall.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Jose was very good - well informed and very proud of his country. We got plenty of "education time" from him!

  He oversaw the cycling well and ensured the group had plenty of rest breaks and were safe on some of the busier stretches of road.  He was a bit over cautious on day 5 when it rained a lot - being British cyclists some of us were used to getting wet and would have prefered to be back on the bike instead of in the bus.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This is not just a cycling holiday - it is also a cultural tour of Cuba. If you are going just for the cycling, some of the first week is rather tedious and boring roads, with long straight stretches. But the second week picks up with more variety in the routes. There are plenty of rest breaks and refreshments and snacks  - and rum drinks as welcome drinks at the hotels! Do not expect to loose any weight on this trip - even though you cover about 600k on the bike during the two weeks.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Go and see Cuba now, before it changes too much. This is a good trip to see lots of parts of the country.

   
• 

  Karin Barter

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written August 2012

  This was a lovely trip but some things do need to be changed. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Dificult to pin point - the first day in Havana, Trinidad and going on the Catamaran, Santiago. The scenery was lovely, the people friendly.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Raimon(do) was fantastic - an excellent source of knowledge, good organisational skills, friendly approachable. All the drivers were fabulous.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't go in the summer if you can help it - it is very hot indeed.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I understand that this trip has only recently been added in August (probably due to high demand for us teachers!)  However, I do think that there should be a difference between the Winter and Summer itineraries.  I don't understand why we didn't start cycling until 8.30 or in some cases midday (!) whilst in India and Indochina we generally started at 7.00 or earlier.  The heat was really difficult.  Also, there were a lot of transfers.  Admittedly, we got a taste of the whole island, but I feel that much more time could have been spent in Havana, Trinidad and Santiago and some other places left out - alternatively, extend it by a few days.  This all sounds negative, but it was still a great experience and one that I would recommend - in Winter.  The hotels were fine, some very interesting colonial type buildings, the food nowhere near as bad as I was lead to believe and the mojitos were a must have!

   
• 

  Claire Mills

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written July 2012

  Hot, humid, pina coladas, great scenery and people and some fab cycling 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Cycling all of Day 9, seeing history come to life, the friendliness of the Cubans....and of course discovering as the Cubans already know, that rum is the cure for everything!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  JC was a great leader - knew everything about everything and brought it all to life.  Pretty nifty on a bike as well!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Mosquito spray!  Cuba was much cheaper than I expected it to be.  Buy your cigars from the cigar shop in Trinidad - much better selection than in Havana and much, much better personal service.  And pina coladas are much nicer than mojitos (don't expect to lose any weight on this holiday!!!).  Cycling was great - Day 9 is the hardest day, but there's a great hotel at the end of it :-)

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The support team (Tunas and Alfredo) were absolutely fantastic.  I've been spoilt for life with all the fresh mango that we had (the food highlight).  Great holiday, but you will come back absolutely knackered with a massive smile on your face

   
• 

  Lucy Komaromy

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written May 2012

  This was a fantastic trip, everything I would look for in a holiday - cycling, sightseeing, Cuban history and all the camaraderie amongst the group. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Cycling through the Sierra Maestra, the most challenging day of the trip and it was also very hot. The sense of achievement was great amongst the team, and the hotel that night was picturesque hidden away deep in the forest.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was very professional, rarely expressing opinion and remaining calm and patient with often very weary travellers. He answered all our questions, and gave us a great insight into Cuban life.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are female definitely consider taking your own saddle, the saddles currently provided are for males and proved very uncomfortable. Other than that most things are provided, I didn't have to think about much at all!

  Other general advice - stating the obvious, this is a LOTof cycling so you should be prepared for that. General fitness is obviously necessary, but I would say personal endurance is more key, there are some very long (boring!) stretches.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Probably one of the best holidays I've had! I very rarely felt intrusive or typically 'touristy' since you were more accepted cycling to a village rather than offloading from a bus! The accommodation is OK, nothing special and the food likewise, although I believe these are all characteristic of Cuba generally!

  I will absolutely be booking another cycling holiday with Exodus, worth every penny!

   

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ?