Colorful Cuba
November 1–9, 2025
We invite you to colorful Cuba, which is true not only in the literal sense, seen in the pastel buildings of Havana, but also in the metaphorical sense. Cuba’s culture and traditions are vibrant and vivid. See the Overview to the right for more information on what we’ll see, do, and learn.
Get to know a bit of Cuba to the soundtrack of a sizzling salsa beat, against a vibrant backdrop of colonial architecture, sweeping beaches, and verdant countryside.
Cuba’s colorful history still dominates most aspects of daily life, painting the country with an atmosphere like no other. Experience Havana in all its faded glory, uncover the easy beauty of rural Vinales, wander the cobblestoned streets of Trinidad and soak up the coastal vibe of Cienfuegos.
Let Cuba’s charm wash over you on an unforgettable journey.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS TOUR
- Wander the cobblestone streets of colonial Trinidad, learn some salsa steps in slow-paced Vinales, and take in the colors of Soroa, the valley known as the ‘Rainbow of Cuba’.
- See Havana’s main sights during a tour in a classic American car – a nod to the city’s colorful vintage past.
- Enjoy a home cooked dinner in the home of a local family in Trinidad, paired with the local drink, Canchanchara, made from ‘fire water’, local honey and lime juice.
- Admire the colors of Soroa while visiting a vibrant orchid garden with a local expert and take a private tour to learn about the region’s diverse array of flora and fauna.
- Learn the story of the Cuban Revolution, as well as a visit to the memorials dedicated to revolutionary hero Ernesto Che Guevara in Santa Clara.
- You’re directly supporting our tour operator, Intrepid Travel’s local partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
We’re working on the details … please check back!
This tour starts and ends in Havana. You can view – and print or download if you wish – the most up-to-date itinerary here.
We are bound to a strict itinerary due to U.S. regulations by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on travel to Cuba. We are allowed to offer the itinerary confirmed by our tour operator, plus specific optional add-ons approved by OFAC.
Our tour operator has deliberately left certain chunks of the itinerary free so that you may either join an optional add-on, or spend the hours as you wish. We agree with this approach! It not only keeps the overall price of the tour lower and more affordable to a wider group of people, but, again, allows you to choose what to do with your free time.
On that note: you’ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about How to Be an Independent Group Traveler.
Cuba is different, and that’s a big part of its allure. Things don’t always go according to plan, and many things don’t work the same way as back home. Patience and good humour will go a long way in this beautiful destination.
Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling,of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).
Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.
You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.
Hotels in Cuba are government-run, which means renovations are few and far between. As for the guesthouses (casas) we use, they are much nicer than your average Cuban dwelling but keep in mind that each and every room is unique. That said, regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country.
Internet in Cuba can also be scarce, unreliable, and expensive. You should plan to treat this trip as mostly a break from emails and social media.
The tour price is $3,960 per person, based on double occupancy. A supplement of $535 applies for single occupancy. Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully.
Inclusions: a full-time guide, airport transfers, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the tour, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas.
Exclusions: Airfare to and from Cuba is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare, a required visa at $50 per person, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, alcoholic beverages, including at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on tour itinerary.
This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.
Deposit due: $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel: $450 until January 31, 2025. If the deposit is made after January 31, 2025 there is no refund.
Interim payment due: $2,000 on February 1, 2025
Refund if you cancel: $1,000 if you cancel before July 31, 2025
Balance due: August 1, 2025
Refund if you cancel: None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold
Cancellations must be in writing.
Read the Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver (in draft stage).
Review the latest information on recommended immunizations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Check your passport: ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. Department of State for instructions. A visa will be required and we will provide instructions on obtaining it at the appropriate time.
Take time to Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.
Hold the dates of November 1–9, 2025, but do not book non-refundable airfare until we can confirm the program is a go. Meanwhile, take a look at our tips on Booking Your Flights.
We’re working on registration … please check back.
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