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...

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  Sarah Buckler

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written April 2010

  A fantastic holiday - a great country, wonderful people and the best group I could imagine.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Cycling the whole stretch through the Sierra Maestre (well, I got off and walked on a couple of really steep bits, but that was OK) and then swimming in the pool under a waterfall to cool off afterwards.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Jose was very helpful and enthusiastic, always happy to answer any questions and respond to suggestions. Alexis and Jose-Luis were fantastic support too - 'Team Cuba' really made the trip the best it could be.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Long sleeved, light weight tops were vital for rides on the hottest days. Insect repellant is a must, especially for the crocodile farm. Whilst the cycling isn't hugely tough it isn't easy either - I was really glad I got some training in beforehand.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Havana is a fascinating, beautiful, complicated city. If I'd known how much I'd fall in love with it I would have arranged to have stayed there a few days longer, we didn't have long enough to get anything other than a tantalising glimpse.

   
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  michel wuyckens

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written April 2010

  Fantastic country, Fantastic people - Good Cycling  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The  off-road ride to Sierra Maestra and the lodge we stayed in  where outstanding

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Juan Carlos, Alexis and José Luis  are very devoted & professional;  doing their utmost to please , even the most absurd desires, of the group members (anyone a sandwich with cheese, sardines, tuna & tutti quanto ??)   

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go with an open mind & go quickly; learn from the cuban way of life 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Try to pick up, before you go, a few spanish words even a simple Halo, Adios, Buenas Tardes etc. - Cubans are really happy to meet visitors that are intrested in more than Varadero  . A small gift (e.g a pen) will not only give you a big smile but will also make a childs day  

   
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  Caroline Rynn

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written April 2010

  What an amazing, inspirational and maybe even a little life changing holiday. Cuba is an fabulous country and cycling through it was an excellent way to see it.  Thankyou Exodus for offering a very well thought out and planned holiday and all staff, especially Freddie the tour leader were very good. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Experiencing the warmth and friendliness of the locals who were so generous yet have so little (in material terms).

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Brilliant.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Participants should have a reasonably good level of fitness, some of the stretches are more than gently undulating and with occasional head winds and heat/humidity, it can make for challenging cycling.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Amazing....AMEN!

   
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  vic green

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written March 2010

  A great experience made all the better by the really friendly people on the trip but especially guide Juan Carlos, & drivers Alexis & Jose Marie 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Completing all the days cycling and feeling so fit

  All the historic places I had heard about as a youngster coming to life

  The flora & fauna

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent in every way

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just enjoy the atmosphere

   
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  David Gostelow

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written March 2010

  Great holiday with lots to do both during the day and at night 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  One of the girls on the trip Salsa dancing with a professional at a show in Havana. Doing some extra cycling in the mountains on the rest day

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader was very popular with the girls ! but from a male practical put of view had little sense of timing everything happening much later than we were told. Having siad that he was pleasant with everybody and very knowledgable

  The driver was excellent spoke good English and did a lot to keep the show on the road

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Great short video on BBC Iplayer on cuba

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Holiday was well structured, covering alot of the island and both Towns and interesting country

   
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  David Gallagher

  CYCLING CUBA

  

  Written February 2010

  First 'package' holiday I'd ever been on and it was absolutely superb!  I'd even go again. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Nothing truly inspirational, but I was thrilled with reaching the mountain 'top' and to arrive at the hotel, made all the lovelier having ground our ways over a gazillion 'undulations' that were the Cuba Himalayas!  Nearly took a wrong turn and ended up really at the top!

   

  Another high point (in every sense) was speeding down the other side at silly speeds for what seemed like most of the day.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  JC was most excellent and entertaining, as were the rest of the team.  Things could be slightly disorganised, but it was par for the course in Cuba.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Nothing that other reviewers haven't already mentioned; Bring a travel plug for the sinks/baths because you'll need it to rinse your smellies out (but laundry service is available in the hotel Trinidad and the El Salton).

   

  Just for info: While GPS aren't strictly allowed into the country, I did bring a smartphone and used the GPS on it.

   
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  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!

   

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