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.

Alison Finney

CYCLING CUBA

Written March 2011
An amazing country, full of interesting and extremely friendly people. A challenging and exhausting two weeks but all self-inflicted fun. You will not want the holiday to end and you will definately want to do it all again.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Not being funny, but watching someone from your trip unknowingly pull 9 people in three taxi-bikes has got to inspire you! ;-)
What did you think of your group leader?
Extremely well organised, very informative, took great care in making sure everyone was ok and enjoying themselves...most of all he was a lot of fun!
Let's not forget the coach driver and support bus driver...they were also extremely amusing and very caring...jokes and banter were shared despite the obvious language barrier!
It was the people who made the holiday just that much more special.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go on this trip, without a doubt!
I didn't even cycle before going to Cuba so I was a bit concerned I wouldn't be able to keep up, but the group tended to split off into capabilty levels (depending on how many mojitos were drank the night before) and no one was really competitive and no one got left behind. You do need a good level of fitness before going and the cycling is sometimes quite challenging (against the wind), but it was all worth it and you can always reward yourself with a well deserved mojito or two..
Terry Mullan
CYCLING CUBA

Written March 2011
I expected cycling but I got much more than that. I got music, culture, dancing, history, laughter, architecture, cocktails, scenery, crocodiles, art, crocodile stew, beautiful warm weather and beautiful warm people. And at the airport I got tears in my eyes as I said goodbye to a country that had made me feel so incredibly welcome and given me fourteen of the happiest days of my life.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many special moments and enough inspiration to keep me going for a lifetime that I couldn’t possibly single out one of them. So here goes with just a few of the things that dreams are made of:
Swimming beneath the waterfall at the hotel in the Sierra Maestra after our hardest day’s cycling.
Hearing the excited squeals of delight and seeing the smiling faces of the children on the road side as we cycled past, tapping their outstretched hands and shouting ‘Hola’ to them.
The electric atmosphere at the Casa de la Trova in Santiago de Cuba as one of the many live bands blasted out those classic la música Cubana tunes and my two left feet, lubricated by gallons of mojitos, attempted to salsa.
The warmth and friendship that the Cuban people showed us, with the brave faces they were putting on despite the hardship that they lived in. A lesson to us all, I would say.
The taxi ride along el Malecon Habanero (Havana’s seafront) in a 1953 Cadillac on a warm night with the windows wound down, the city lights twinkling in our eyes and those exotic smells of a tropical city after dark permeating through our nostrils, as music from the Buena Vista Social Club played on the radio.
Just a few of the special times but there were dozens more.
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan Carlos Junco was an absolute star of a man. The trip was incredibly good but exhausting yet this man did everything that the group did plus all the organisational stuff too. He managed to do this without ever showing any sign of fatigue or impatience with us despite the fact that we must have behaved more like naughty children on a school trip than the elite athletes that we professed to be. He knew the history and culture of his country inside out, he had an answer for all our questions, he ensured that we enjoyed every moment of our trip and he brought much more humour to it than I would ever have expected. If this man does not succeed the Castro Dynasty as the next president of Cuba then I will eat my Che Guevara revolutionary beret. I would add that our two drivers, Jose Luis Garcia Gutierrez and Lazaro Rojas Garcia, also enhanced our enjoyment of the trip. Despite their limited English vocabulary they never ceased to entertain us with their singing, dancing, huge friendly smiles and their laughter.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
On the coach journey from the airport to the hotel on the first night, our group leader told us to remember that Cuba is a very small and very poor Third World country that is trying to do its best for its visitors. If we could accept that then we would enjoy our holiday. I took his advice and it meant that when things weren’t quite right (which wasn’t all that often) they weren’t quite right in beautiful Cuban style to be treasured and if everything had been perfect I’d have been disappointed. So my advice is to do the same, to embrace and take the time to appreciate the people of Cuba and every aspect of their culture, especially their music. If you do this you won’t want to go home again.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to add another two weeks to the trip. We didn’t spend enough time in some of the places that we visited but there was nothing that we did that I would have wanted to spend less time doing. And I’d like to add my thanks to everyone I met in Cuba, to all my wonderful and inspirational travelling companions from Britain and New Zealand and to Exodus. Without you my holiday wouldn’t have been quite so perfect.
Aileen Helps
CYCLING CUBA

Written March 2011
An amazing country, friendly people, excellent cycling and lots of strong mojitos. Everybody should do this trip!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were quite a few:

Arriving at our hotel in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra after a gruelling morning cycling
Getting back on my bike after a minor collision (after being patched up by Juan Carlos)
Drinking more rum than I ever have before and salsaing the night away in Trinidad/Santiago de Cuba/Camaguey....
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan Carlos was organised and worked really hard to make sure that we were all having a good time. He clearly enjoyed his job and joined in with the childish banter that the rest of the group were having.
Lazaro and Jose Luis (our 2 support drivers) were also a vital part of the team, and very willing dancing partners, who didn't let the language barrier get in the way of the fun we were having.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is an amazing trip which is within the capabilities of an only occasional cyclist who is reasonable fit otherwise.
Remember your dancing shoes for the evenings!
Gordon Tabachniuk

CYCLING CUBA

Written February 2011
Was very impressed with the degree of organizational skill that was displayed throughout the entire holiday. Nothing was left to chance , for the most part, our needs were met very adequately.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Truly enjoyed cycling throughout the countryside, no better way to experience the country than being on the ground, observing the locals in their day to day activities. As for your question as to the inspirational part, it was all inspirational from the first day to last day, so many beautiful sights words or pictures do not justify the total experience, but memories do.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was fantastic, always there for us, very patient, informative, and even on off days was willing to take us to a special restaurant or someone"s home to enjoy a meal. Our group leader and other support staff were very professional at all times making sure our needs were met to near perfection.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Before leaving on my holiday when reviewing the Exodus lounge site the question of money seemed to be a big issue and rightly so. When you arrive at the Airport in Havana there is money exchange facility on the premise , also in all the major centres. with all the concerns about the money issue I had before leaving it was no issue at all.
If your someone who likes a wash cloth when you shower as I do bring your own , hotels do not provide , they look at you funny if you ask for one.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Have an open mind, go with the flow and leave your inhibitions behind.
Lauren Parker

CYCLING CUBA

Written February 2011
What a fantastic trip! Cuba is a small country with a huge heart. It has so much to offer in terms of history, music, dance, beautiful countryside and interesting cities. Cycling off the beaten track enables you to immerse yourself in the "real" Cuba.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Meeting the locals. They have few material possessions, which we take for granted in the UK, and yet they are incredibly generous. We were invited into homes, and offered food and drink, which families could ill afford to give away. It reminded me of what is truly important in life - family, friends and a sense of community.
What did you think of your group leader?
Superb. Knowledgeable, friendly, thoughtful and attentive. Two members of the group celebrated birthdays while we were away and Laz arranged cakes, American cars and entry to salsa clubs! The drivers, Tuna and Alberto, were also very friendly and did a brilliant job.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go to Cuba!
Anne Johnson

CYCLING CUBA

Written January 2011
the trip exceeded my expectations! The food was good, the support was excellent, the hotels were better than I was expecting. The tour ran smoothly and timings were good. I liked the variety of the tour too, it was more than just a cycling tour! I will travel again with Exodus. Thank you for a great time. Anne Johnson
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Wouldn't say there was a"moment" it was all enjoyable.
What did you think of your group leader?
Carlos was good, well organised and flexible to the needs of the group. I think he did a good job.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
no not really, all our needs were catered for
CLAUDIA MARENCO

CYCLING CUBA

Written January 2011
Cycling Cuba was the best way to explore this incredible country. The cycling is perfect for any level and organized exceptionally well !! Cuba is the beauty and the beast : I did find Cuba beautiful and ugly , so much to learn , to see , a different world from a different time !
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Riding along the coasts and cycling through Sierra Madre and country side . Visiting farm houses and being their guests in their simple houses and live style . Trinidad is a magical place and I loved the music at Casa Trova in Santiago . Cuba is colorful rich in culture, music, art , simple things that we take for granted in our countries are very precious over there !! ( an example :toilet paper, ice cream ..)
What did you think of your group leader?
The best way to be really helpful sometimes is to be there without imposing yourself to the group ! Sometimes it's best to lessen more then talk. That's the best advise I can give him... but it was fun to meet a real Cuban, BIG ego w BIG personality and a BIG love for life, sport and WOMEN !!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes, bring your anti pollution mask !! Cuba has very little traffic ,it's great for cycling but ironically the few ancient trucks and cars create a huge cloud of black smoke that get straight in to your longs , even in the middle of the country side !! Strongly recommended !
Is there anything else you would like to add?
More morning cycling till reaching the beach , these were the best days ! more farmer home visits for snacks fruits and coffee . Pls keep the stops while cycling in the country side and in peaceful places more then in village's park w loud cuban disco music coming out of gigantic speakers ! ... also the advantage is that bathrooms are better beyond the bushes most of the time then the official bathrooms ( except for private houses that are pretty decent !) ! In my opinion : less military sites and military museum , we do not need to see extra propaganda ! Instead add a sugarcane factory visit , or tobacco farm stop .. or a rum factory site, it's very interesting to see something related to actual Cuban's lifestyle and living. Thank you was great in any case !

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Cycling Cuba

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