Cycling Cuba By Exodus Travels

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...

Average Review Rating: from 78 reviews.

Karen A Brand

It was far too hot and turned into a real slog

Written November 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The fact that most of the group just kept going even though it was an incredibly hot October. The group were determined to get the cycling done, and most to do it all as that was what they were there for.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Our guide was excellent as were the rest of the staff! The support given was excellant. They secretly thought we were all mad though.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are expecting a gentle 50 miles cycle over a day looking at the fabulous scenery as you travel this is not for you. The cycling on average is over 4 hours including stops. Much of it in the heat of the day. The routes are not always that exciting visually although some are good, actually for views you are better on the bus to see over the hedges etc. The hedges do provide shade though. This is a holiday for those that simply enjoy cycling for cycling sake and getting from a to b. Our trip was a real challenge due to the exceptional heat! We all felt a Grade B was too low a grading for this trip.
However Cuba is fasinating!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The distances shown in the brochure are not terribly accurate, it is always a bit further. Some days are quite hilly. If you can do the distances in the UK in 4 hours then please add a heat factor to the trip. It is surprising how the heat drains you and it is difficult to drink enough to re-hydrate you. Heat Stroke, as a few discovered, is not very pleasant.
Exodus Response
Hi Karen,
Thanks for taking the time to post your review on the website. We really value all feedback we get on our trips, whether good or bad, as it helps us to continually improve them and provide our customers with the best holiday possible.
I've passed on your comments to the local operator of the trip for their response, and they have confirmed that on your trip there was unseasonably hot and humid weather which made the cycling more difficult than usual. All our trips depart between October and April which are generally the coolest months in Cuba, but unfortunately it is impossible to judge the climate and a late-running hurricane season can lead to high humidity during October and even November.
Regarding the distances travelled each day, our local guides have confirmed that they are accurate, but that due to the hilly days (which are referred to in the trip notes) it can sometimes feel that you are cycling further. I've asked them if they believe the grading is consistent with other similarly graded cycling trips and they think that the trip should not be graded any higher than a "B". Of course if we receive further comments that the cycling is too strenuous for a B graded trip, then we will monitor this and amend the grading if necessary.
The trip is designed so that most of the travel around the island is by bike in order to reduce our reliance on motor vehicles, and this does lead to some riding along less scenic routes. However, I think that this is compensated for by the fact that you pass through rural communities at a much more leisurely pace, and also get to experience some beautiful scenery, particularly in the Sierra Maestra and on the ride to Camaguey.
The good news for 2008 is that we have introduced a more leisurely cycling itinerary (grade A/B) around Western Cuba (Western Cuba by Bike / Trip code MAC), so if you're put off by the thought of too many ascents and descents in what can be quite a humid country, then it's possible to take the shorter cycle trip and combine it with one of our other non-cycling tours of the island.
Again, many thanks for your feedback on the trip, and I hope you enjoy your future trips with Exodus.
Tim Fearn (Trip Manager)

- Exodus Staff
Urban Kjellén

Back to the time my father was born

Written November 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Definitely the Sierra Maestra mountains with beautiful mountains and great bicycling. Unfortunately, some heavy rain prevented us from enjoying it in full. Other parts were very flat and in times a bit bouring. I also enjoyed seeing some of the old, colonial cities like Trinidad. The company was great.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Two very dedicated and complementary. I had great trust in them.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
No, everything was catered for. Maybe to be prepared for an uneven hotel standard. My room in Holguin was a disaster.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Cycling could have been more fun by selecting routes with more variety f ex in Sierra Maestra. Santiago did not come out well in our tour, which is unfair to the city.
Tom Jenkinson

It was all exellent.

Written November 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The staff were first class. Genuine honest and very helpful. I gave them most of my cycling gear as there are no cycle shops in Cuba. It would be nice if those guys were supplied with the right gear for the graet service there giving. T shirts and shorts are no good for the time they spend in the saddle. This was the best holiday I have had. I am allready planning my next holiday with exodus. Thankyou for a great cycling holiday Regards Tom Jenkinson.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Pedro, Freddy and Juan carlos were brillient.
Else Braathen

Among one of my best holidays ever.

Written November 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The country and people were amazing. The Cuban people are very friendly and very good at having fun. Lots of Salsa.
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What did you think of your group leader?
The guides were very knowleable, friendly and great fun. They told us a lot about the country and culture.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring good water proofs if you are travelling in October.
Take salsa lessons. Have fun.
Two people did not get their luggage until after a few days. Pack some cycling clothes in the hand luggage.
Sarah Drury

The most amazing waterfall!

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The fabulous waterfall at the most unexpected moment in the heart of the Sierra Maestra mountains - stunning!!
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What did you think of your group leader?
An absolute character! Great fun and very knowledgeable. He made the trip what it was and made us all feel very welcome and safe in Cuba.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make great effort to know and use Spanish for please and thank you etc. The locals really appreciate it! If going to Cuba, train beforehand - the cycle routes are long and stamina is required - especially if the wind is beating against you (which it seemed to do for my 2 weeks!).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Trip was absolutely fantastic and it has given me an appetite for wanting to see more of the world on a bike!
Andrew Monaghan

Many revolutions and Che

Written January 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The visit to Trinidad was memorable for the amazing salsa dancing and the audience participation. I also found Santa Clara very interesting, not least the memorial to Che Guevara.
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What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was excellent, very friendly and enthusiastic. He did have some help though !
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I think this tour is probably more than a grade B, I certainly found it tough going. If you like a challenge, go for it, but remember to bring your padded shorts and lots of stamina.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The local cuisine was generally very good, much better than I expected, although it does help if you like rice. Cuba is not reknown for its vineyards, luckily it does have a great cocktail in the mojito. Do bring a high factor sun screen and sandals to cycle in.
Andrew Monaghan

Many revolutions and Che

Written January 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The fantastic salsa dancing in Trinidad was definitely worth catching, and the cocktails were almost as good. I enjoyed swimming in the Carribean Ocean, the water was incredibly warm.
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What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader, Jose, was excellent, very friendly and knowledgable. He did have some help though !
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring a high factor sunscreen and sandals for cycling in. You will need lots of stamina, I found this tour physically demanding and perhaps more than a grade B. I lost half a stone over the two weeks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The local cuisine was much better than I expected, but it does help if you like rice. Some of the roads were extremely rough for cycling on, but the bikes were well maintained and of a decent quality.