47 days in Cuba Itinerary

Santiago de Cuba has taken almost as much influence from Haiti and the Dominican Republic as it has from Havana, distilling a concoction of cultures to create a city with a distinct identity.

Explore Santiago de Cuba's surroundings by going to Salto del Guayabo (in Julio Antonio Mella), Bayamo (Parque Cespedes, Casa Natal De Carlos Manuel De Cespedes, &more) and Holguin (Cayo Saetia Island & Guayabo Falls). There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at Sierra Maestra, wander the wide-open spaces of Rancho El Dajao, step into the grandiose world of Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, and stroll around Cespedes Park.

To find more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Santiago de Cuba trip itinerary planner.

Newark, USA to Santiago de Cuba is an approximately 10.5-hour combination of car and flight. Prepare for warmer weather when traveling from Newark in December: high temperatures in Santiago de Cuba hover around 85°F and lows are around 71°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) early enough to travel to Havana.

Cuba's capital and major commercial center, Havana manages to be very old and very modern at the same time.

Havana is known for historic sites, nightlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Malecón of Havana, appreciate the extensive heritage of Old Havana, steep yourself in history at Old Square (Plaza Vieja), and take in the local highlights with Walking tours.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Havana tour planner.

You can fly from Santiago de Cuba to Havana in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Traveling from Santiago de Cuba in December, plan for little chillier nights in Havana, with lows around 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Vinales.

Offering a taste of authentic rural life, Vinales remains a small agricultural town, dominated by surrounding low mountain ranges.

When in Vinales, make a side trip to see Cayo Jutias in Minas de Matahambre, approximately Minas de Matahambre away. The adventure continues: admire the verdant scenery at Valle de Vinales, admire the natural beauty at Jardin Botanico de Vinales, Head underground at Palenque de los Cimarrones, and pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.

Before you visit Vinales, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Getting from Havana to Vinales by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 80°F in January, and nighttime lows around 64°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Varadero.

One of the largest resort towns in the Caribbean, Varadero boasts a 20 km (12 mi) long stretch of sand, lined with hotels and all-inclusive resorts.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Varadero: Matanzas (Cuevas de Bellamar, Cuartel de Bomberos de Matanzas, &more). And it doesn't end there: tour the pleasant surroundings at Varadero Beach, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Delfinario, tee off at Varadero Golf Club, and go all around town with City Tours.

To see reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Varadero tour planner.

You can drive from Vinales to Varadero in 4.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Varadero are 79°F, while nighttime lows are 62°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sun) early enough to travel to Cayo Largo.

The stress of modern life feels a million miles away when you holiday on Cayo Largo, a small and unspoiled resort island off the coast of Cuba.

Change things up with a short trip to Castillo en Las Nubes in Soroa (about 58 minutes away). There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Playa Paraiso, head off the coast to Cayo Rico, look for all kinds of wild species at El Torreon Nursery, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Punta Mal Tiempo.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Cayo Largo trip planner.

You can fly from Varadero to Cayo Largo in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Cayo Largo are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 67°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to catch the bus to Cienfuegos.

The city of Cienfuegos sits in a scenic natural bay, attracting visitors from across the country and further afield since its establishment in the early 19th century.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cienfuegos: Santa Clara (Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, Statue of Che Guevara Holding a Child, &more), Iglesia de San Juan Batista (in Remedios) and Cueva de los Peces (in Playa Larga). There's lots more to do: make a trip to Parque Jose Marti, admire the landmark architecture of Palacio de Valle, stop by Punta Gorda, and take in the dramatic scenery at El Nicho Waterfalls.

To find reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Cienfuegos itinerary planner.

You can take a bus from Cayo Largo to Cienfuegos in 3.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 83°F in January, and nighttime lows around 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Trinidad.

Built on sugar and seemingly preserved in molasses, the town of Trinidad attracts visitors with its well-aged 19th century architecture and rustic charm, showcasing the sounds, scents, and sights of days gone by.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Trinidad: Sancti Spiritus (Iglesia Parroquial Mayor del Espiritu Santo & Parque Serafin Sanchez) and Vegas Grande Waterfall (in Topes de Collantes). There's much more to do: make a trip to Plaza Mayor, contemplate the long history of Valle de los Ingenios, see the interesting displays at Museo de Historia Municipal, and take in panoramic vistas at Iznaga Tower.

To find out how to plan a trip to Trinidad, use our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Cienfuegos to Trinidad takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Traveling from Cienfuegos in January, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Trinidad, with lows around 81°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Cayo Guillermo.

A kay of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, Cayo Guillermo has become a popular international tourist destination, buoyed by the construction of luxury all inclusive resorts that dot the paradisal island.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Mon): get your game on at Rocarena Climbing Center and then identify plant and animal life at Birdwatching with Paulino Lopez Delgado. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue): tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Pilar, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Cayo Guillermo, and then step off the mainland to explore Cayo Media Luna.

To see other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Cayo Guillermo trip itinerary maker tool.

You can drive from Trinidad to Cayo Guillermo in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and car. Traveling from Trinidad in January, Cayo Guillermo is little chillier at night with lows of 68°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Tue) so you can travel back home.