An immersive experience with Simply Cuba is the perfect thing for those who are passionate about creating memories on their travels. Whether it’s a photography adventure, a nature discovery or a taste of all things Cuba, we are here to help!
Our motto to all our tours, especially the diving tours is ‘Safety first’. Which is why we have chosen diving centers that are certified by the American Canadian Underwater Association (ACUC) as well as Underwater Activities World Federation (CMAS) to international standards. Providing certified diving gear, so you don’t have to bring your own.
Welcome to Cuba! A complimentary transfer from the airport to the guesthouse is included with your trip to ease you into the life in Cuba. You can check in at any time, your casa hosts will be waiting for you. If you arrive early, enjoy your free time till your welcome meeting at 6pm. Depending on your arrival into the country and how you feel there are some options for you to discover Havana. Maybe even get your supply of Wi-fi cards sorted for your stay… Special Information A complimentary arrival transfer is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised. Please see ‘Joining instructions’ for more information about exiting the arrivals hall and connecting with your arrival transfer driver who will take you to your guesthouse. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let us know. Read more
Today you'll have the opportunity to capture the lively street theatre of Havana Vieja (Old Havana), a World Heritage site since 1982. See the glorious grandeur of this dynamic area, one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical cities. Wonder through the narrow streets and spacious plazas, admiring the Spanish architecture as you discover the birthplace of Havana - Plaza de Armas, and other iconic sites like Plaza San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral. Through this part of the day, you will have the opportunity to photograph colorful street markets, courtyards, and terraces. In the afternoon you have a choice whether to visit the Morro Castle - The Morro was constructed to guard the entrance to Havana against pirates and other colonists eager to gain control of this strategic transit hub between Europe and the rest of the Americas. The castle’s unusual shape hugs the rocky cliffs of the bay, with thick, imposing walls, a moat, and a stoic lighthouse that can be seen from the city. It provides the perfect photo opportunity. Alternately enjoy the sunset with the roof down in a 1950's classic car! Visit revolution square and Lenon Park among other things, and finish the day with a well deserved cocktail at the Hotel National, the most iconic Hotel in Havana. Read more
Today we set out to Trinidad, about 6 hours south of Havana on the glittering Caribbean coastline. It is one of a kind, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement where the clocks stopped in 1850 and haven’t yet started. The cobblestone streets, horsing carts, well-kept colonial atmosphere with ornate buildings and garden terraces give this gorgeous city a romantic, old charm that is hard to beat. Once we settle in our casas in Trinidad you will receive a guided city tour to get your bearings before you have the evening off to discover the buzzing nightlife in Trinidad. Get ready for your first dive! Each day here, we will head out to the International Diving Centre at Peninsula Ancon, about a 15 minute drive from Trinidad, where you get to collect your diving gear and head out to sea on a boat for your diving spot. There are about 20 sites to choose from, so each plunge will have something new on offer for you. There is an impressive cliff with corals, sponges, crabs, octopus, and various fish species to see. You may even get to discover some wrecks along the way. For your surface time between the plunges you will return to the centre for snacks, toilets, rehydration and a little break. Once your dive is over, we head back to our casas where you can have a nice afternoon siesta before enjoying the afternoon and evening off to discover what Trinidad has to offer. There's plenty to do! We can help you arrange anything from salsa lessons, to rum tasting, to a visit to the various museums or even the Cave Disco to dance the night away at Trinidad’s night spots with the local residents who are more than willing participants in dancing to the local live music.. Feel free to ask your guide to help you create an itinerary for your free time. Read more
The waters around the Cuban archipelago are characterized by their gentleness – mild tides and no strong currents -, their warmth over 24°C all year round, their virgin conditions – no pollution and well – preserved bottoms -, the diversity of its underwater flora and fauna, and the total absence of aggressive animals. The diving zone has three remarkable underwater structures. The first one in a zone where the platform is narrow with web defined terraces where there are sandy bottoms with low coral patches and ridges reaching up to 5 meters ( 16 feet) height, getting into the drop-off up to 25-30 meters ( 82-98 feet) deep, where the wall starts. The second one is in a zone where the platform goes down by steps, and the tirad one is located near Cayo Blanco, characterized by a bottom of big ridges and wide channels that in some sites are closed in their top forming real tunnels. The sessile fauna is very typical, with big sponges of real varied colors and shapes, more than 40 species of corals, including walls with real real forests of the valuable black coral. Deep water, branch and feather-like gorgonians and sea fans give an special attraction to each dive session. After your morning dive, you can choose to lay by the beach, or discover the nearby national parks for a short stroll and a dip in a crystal clear water whole. The choice is yours. Our guide is here to assist. Read more
Another day in paradise! Spend the morning in the water discovering the beauties of the sea in this privileged location, where you find that regardless of the direction and strength of the wind there is always a calm place to dive. The area stands out for having a great archeological reserve due to the amount of sunken ships dating from the times of the corsairs and pirates who sailed in the southern Caribbean Sea and tried to attack the City. It has more than 20 points of immersion for the lovers of the diving. May even find a treasure or two in the waters. The afternoon may just be time for discovering the craft markets or learning to make a cocktail or two. Read more
Last day here and a couple of more dives before we move onto Cienfuegos. Admire the clear waters, the cobble stone streets, savour a few cocktails at this onderful historical location. If you ask our guide, he can give you a few great spots fo dinner where you can admire all angles of Trinidad at sunset time. Read more
This morning we will set out to Cienfuegos, a French colonist town. If Cuba had a Paris this place would be it. The elegance of the place combined with a feisty Caribbean spirit and lingering Spanish influence, earnt it not only the nickname ‘Pearl of the South’ but also a UNESCO Heritage Listing in 2005. On the way, we will stop at Hotel Guajimico for a dive. Guajimico is an ecological village and the halfway point between Trinidad and Cienfuegos and is an undisputed diving paradise. This area has been declared a national park in 1996. Its shallow waters are beautifully decorated with sponges and corals giving refuge to colorful reef fish. The area is perfect for wall diving. We'll have a couple of plunges here after which we make our way to Cienfuegos. Upon arrival we will settle into our casas before we embark on our Cienfuegos city walk. You will find plenty to look at around here, like the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Tomas Terry theater, where you can watch live plays. Your guide can take you on a city tour, to help your discovery of this magic place, with amazing architecture, craft markets and art galleries. Read more
We will spend the days diving at Faro Luna International Diving Centre. Each morning we head out by bus, which is about a 25 minute drive down the South coast of Central Cuba to the entrance of Cienfuegos Bay. This place offers some of the most exciting diving spots, which is why it is the home of a yearly International Foto Sub Contest. The pristine waters offer an exotic underwater scenery of exuberant corals and fish species in vibrant colors. This world-class facility offer world class gear and facilities as well as the most experienced dive masters in Cuba. Again your surface time between plunges will be back at the diving center. Diving will be in the morning, so you can rest and relax in the afternoon. Remember your guide can offer you and help you arrange optional activities to create an amazing holiday! Feel free to ask... Read more
Lot's to discover! 30 sites within a 20-minute boat ride. There are caves, profuse marine life and dazzling coral gardens (dubbed Notre Dame by divers for their sheer, vast beauty). From November to February harmless whale sharks frequent these waters. Other underwater sights include six sunken ships and remnants of a transmission cable once linking Cuba with Spain and laid by the Brits in 1895. And when not in the water, just ask our guide for things to do! Read more
From Cienfuegos we head to Santa Clara. It is Cuba’s 5th biggest city, that holds a special place in Cuba's revolutionary history. Famous for the Battle of Santa Clara, when it was taken over by a revolutionary battalion led by Che Guevara by the afternoon on New Years Eve 1958. It is seen as a decisive chapter in the revolution as President Batista escaped Cuba within 12 hours afterwards. As such this city is a mini pilgrimage destination for Che Guevara worshippers. You cannot miss the Plaza de la Revolucion. The is the open space that is overlooked by a huge bronze statue of Che Guevara that sits atop the museum and he Che Guevara mausoleum that we will visit. It is nothing short of a big, bold reminder to every local and visitor of Che’s importance here. Today’s final destination is Playa Giron, a small fishing village on the southern Cuban coast, is part of the Cienaga de Zapata National Park. It is located at the southern part of Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs). It was one of two beaches invaded by US-backed exiles on April 17, 1961. The invasion is famous because it culminated in a victory for the army and Cuban militias. This area is also Cuba's largest wilderness area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with varied ecosystem of wetlands, mangrove forests, coral reefs and underwater canyons, it’s home to a massive variety of colourful birds and tropical fish, which makes it a perfect diving spot! Read more
Few more fun days to come in the water! There are a couple of International Dive Centers here 15-30 minutes drive from our base offering highly experienced Dive Masters making your experience all that better. Here, you won't have to take a boat to head out to the diving spots as the center has a 200m platform leading you to an amazing coral reef - perfect paradise under water. It is also the perfect spot for a night dive, that we can arrange as an optional activity on day 11. On day 12, after the water fun we can visit the Museo de Playa Giron to learn more about the 1961 Invasion. This exceedingly well-kept museum with its gleaming display cases evokes a tangible sense of the history of the famous Cold War episode that unfolded within rifle firing distance of this spot in 1961. There is also a British Hawker Sea Fury aircraft used by the Cuban Air Force is parked outside the museum along with a couple of Russian tanks used in the battle. Read more
Playa Girón has an abundance of dives to check out from caverns to cenotes to coral reefs. The most famous dive is Punta Perdiz, a tantalizing reef where plenty of fish congregate. There are two main sites here, and both have equally incredible views. The cenote on the island gives divers the unique opportunity to see cavern wildlife and awesome formations. There is a blurry, ethereal line that blurs between the fresh and salt water. When you cross through, you feel you have entered a new world. May even see some nurse sharks hang out on the sea floor, and reef fish meander through the coral. Read more
We will head back to Havana today. It's a day of rest and recuperation. After the leisurely drive, once we settle into our casas you will have free time to discover the city. As an optional activity, you could visit San Carlos de la Cabana Castle for the nightly canon ceremony.
It's time to say goodbye to this amazing island. Your check-out time is 12 pm on day 14. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we loved showing it to you! This is where we depart, yet would strongly recommend that you stay a few more days to explore this unique city. If you would like to take this opportunity, please let us know and we can arrange extended accommodation for you for an additional fee Read more
Safety First!
An immersive experience with Simply Cuba is the perfect thing for those who are passionate about creating memories on their travels. Whether it’s a photography adventure, a nature discovery or a taste of all things Cuba, we are here to help!
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