A school trip to Cuba will help to educate your students about the diversity of the world around them – particularly when it comes to culture and politics!
The largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba has a big personality to match. This vibrant Latin American country is a wonderful choice of destination for Spanish, history and geography, and so works well for cross-curricular school trips too.
The capital, Havana, with its aging colonial architecture allows for a memorable first taste of Cuban history and culture. Make sure you also explore some of the country’s other fascinating cities. These include Trinidad, which will transport you back to the Spanish colonial era, and Cienfuego, Cuba’s answer to the elegance and romance of Paris.
Suggested Itinerary (9 days, 7 nights)
Visit Che Guevara's Mausoleum
This mausoleum houses the body of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and some of his fellow combatants who were killed during the Bolivia campaign in 1967.
The mausoleum stands in the otherwise quiet town of Santa Clara. This location was chosen because it was the site of the Battle of Santa Clara – the final battle of the Cuban Revolution that forced dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile.
A visit here will help your students to understand the importance of the revolutionary leader who, although a contentious figure, has become an icon of rebellion. You’ll be able to discuss the complex history of Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution.
Did you know?
Despite being a Cuban icon, Che Guevara was, in fact, Argentinian with Irish and Basque roots.
Visit Viñales and the Viñales Valley
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba and a must-see on your school trip!
This is an agricultural area, where traditional methods are still used to farm crops such as tobacco, fruit, vegetables and coffee. And this is the best place to get a taste for traditional, rural Cuba, away from the politics.
Here the classic cars of Havana are replaced with horses and carts. The buzz of the city is replaced by the quiet of the countryside, occasionally interrupted by the calls of the local wildlife. And the crumbling magnificence of the capital’s architecture is replaced by a spectacular landscape that wouldn’t look entirely our of place in South East Asia.
Did you know?
The Viñales Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the traditional agriculture, architecture, crafts and music here, as well as the spectacular karst landscape.
Visit Partagas Cigar Factory
One of the most ‘Cuban’ things to do on a school trip to Havana is visit a cigar factory and this is one of the most famous in the city!
Founded by Spaniard Jaime Partagás in 1845, the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás, to give it its full name, is one of the oldest cigar factories in Havana. A visit here will help your students to understand the importance of tobacco in terms of Cuba’s history, economy and culture.
And the building itself is worth a visit as a fantastic example of colonial architecture. A landmark in Havana, production of cigars has now moved to a newer factory building, leaving the original factory free to tell the story of cigar production here.
Did you know?
There is a tradition here of reading to the factory workers. The day typically begins with a reading of the day’s newspaper, before moving on to works of historic literature. And that’s why many of the factory’s cigars are named after literary figures.
Day 1
Morning
Depart UK
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
Arrive in Havana
Day 2
Morning
City tour of Havana, including the Revolution Museum, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral
Afternoon
Lunch
Sightseeing tour of modern Havana in classic '50s American cars, including a visit to Revolution Square and Fusterland
Evening
Evening meal
Day 3
Morning
Depart Havana for a day tour ofViñales Valley with a visit to Soroa Orchid Garden and a cigar rolling factory en route
Afternoon
Lunch
Visit Mural of Prehistory and Los Indios Caves
Return to Havana
Evening
Evening meal
Day 4
Morning
Depart for Playa Giron
Visit Indian village of Guama and/or a crocodile farm en-route
Afternoon
Lunch followed by a visit to museum dedicated to the Bay of Pigs Invasion
Evening
Evening meal in hotel in Playa Giron
Day 5
Morning
Depart for Cirenfuegos City
City tour
Afternoon
Lunch
Visit to the Botanic Gardens
Continue on to Trinidad
Evening
Evening meal at accommodation in Ancon Peninsula
Day 6
Morning
Transfer to Trinidad
Walking tour on arrival including visit to Plaza Mayor and arts and crafts markets of Casa Cantero
Afternoon
Return to hotel for lunch
Afternoon at leisure to have a swim in the Caribbean Sea
Evening
Evening meal at hotel
Day 7
Morning
Depart Trinidad
Drive to Havana via Santa Clara
Visit Tren Blindado and Che Guevara's Monument
Afternoon
Lunch
Continue to Havana
Evening
Evening meal at hotel
Day 8
Morning
Check out of accommodation
Visit to the National Aquarium
Afternoon
Farewell lunch
Depart Havana
Evening
Return flight to the UK
Day 9
Morning
N/A
Afternoon
Arrive back in UK
Evening
N/A
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7 nights' half-board accommodation
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Airport transfers in resort
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All flights including tax
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Detailed information pack
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Entrance to visits and attractions as per itinerary
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Free staff place ratio 1:10
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Itinerary planning service
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Tour guide and coach throughout tour
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VAT
Educational activities and visits
Cueva del Indio
Part of the largest cave system in Latin America, the Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian) is located near… Read More
Mausoleo Che Guevara
Santa Clara was the site of the last battle in the Cuban Revolution in late 1958. There were two guerrilla… Read More
Museo Giron
This fantastic museum will give your students a better understanding of the events that unfolded here in Cuba, including the… Read More
Partagas Cigar factory
A visit to a cigar factory is one of the most ‘Cuban’ things to do in Havana. If there is… Read More
Cultural activities and visits
Cienfuegos
The ‘Pearl of the South’, located on the southern coast of Cuba, this area has beautiful bays,former Indian settlements and… Read More
Criadero de Cocodrilos
This crocodile farm is a breeding facility forlarge aquatic reptiles, where you can see them at every stage of their… Read More
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium opened in Havana in 1960, filled with many varieties of marine creatures, it continues to attract many… Read More
Vinales and the Vinales Valley
A beautiful, peaceful and romantic village, Vinales is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Cuba, the Vinales… Read More
Accommodation
This 3* hotel is located right on the Playa Maria Aguilar, a lovely, small beach in Casilda, just 1km from the larger Playa Ancon. The décor is simple but comfortable, there is an outdoor swimming pool and the hotel boasts spectacular views across the bay to the dramatic Sierre del Escambray.
At the Hotel Plaza you will find rooms perfect to unwind in, after a day of exploring magical Havana. The hotel offers two restaurants and an excellent rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy unique views of the city. All 188 rooms are furnished in colonial style and offer air-conditioning with a private bathroom, shower, hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone, radio, safety box and a minibar option.
The Playa Giron Hotel is located on the Zapata peninsula, which is famous for its diverse flora and fauna. Staying here will give your group the opportunity to see a different side to Cuba!The hotel offers 42 one-bedroom apartments and 67 two-bedroom apartments with shared bathroom facilities. In addition, there are 18 two-bedroom (en-suite) apartments and 70 standard rooms. All accommodation benefits from air-conditioning and satellite TV. There's a large outdoor swimming pool and the beach is just a few steps away.
Supporting you every step of the way
1 Creating Your Perfect Trip
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2 Launching your trip to parents and students
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3 After you've booked
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4 While you're away
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5 After your trip
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Need help?
Zoe Campbell — Learning & Development Manager
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
Halsbury has thankfully catered this trip to us according to our requirements with an affordable cost and Covid guarantees.— Bolton Muslim Girls' School
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