Ride & Dance in Havana
Western Havana Cuba: (IT-CURA03)
URL: https://www.hiddentrails.com/tour/cuba_havana_ride_dance.aspx
Introduction
Western Havana
Cuba
Stay in Havana and enjoy a great combination of riding and learning to dance the Cuban's "Son" (national dance)!
This unique experience gives you the opportunity to ride wonderful horses in the mornings, and to feel the magic of Havana's captivating world with the Cuban rhythms during the rest of the day, and night.
Accomodation
Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.
Description
You are usually accommodated at Apartment El Vedado (or similar), a 3-star hotel, located close to the sea. The rooms are simple and comfortable and they all come equipped with air conditioning, a safe, a phone, satellite TV and ensuite bathroom. Guests are welcome to go for a swim the small outdoor pool in the evening.
Wi-Fi internet is available for an extra fee in common areas.
Room Occupancy
When clients do not request a single room, but there isn't another rider to share a room with them, they will need to pay a single supplement fee.
Meals
All breakfasts and lunches are included in this package. The farewell dinner on day 4 is also included.
Beer, soft drinks and mineral waters are included with lunches.
Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions given prior notice.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
Riding
Guide
You are accompanied by a bilingual profesional guide with over 20 years experience in Cuba. There is also a local equestrian guide to accompany you on all trail rides.
Horses
You ride different horses each day including a mix of Cuban Criollo horses and Pintos.
You are not expected to help with tacking up.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you have full holiday Insurance that covers horseback riding and emergency medical insurance. We are happy to provide this. Simple check the appropriate box in the booking form.
Itinerary
Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
Day 1: Arrival
Pick-up from José Marti airport and transfer to Havana.
Meals included: //
Overnight at Hotel Vedado in Havana
Day 2: Beach Ride & Dance
After breakfast, transfer to a Finca beside the beaches of Playas del Este (30m). After riding for about 3 hours through the Finca, transfer to the beach for a swim and lunch.
After lunch, transfer to Havana. In the afternoon we go to the Tourist Resort 1830 for our first 3 hours of Cuban "Son" dance lessons with professional teachers.
Free evening for sightseeing Old Havana.
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Apartment El Vedado in Havana
Day 3: Reserve Ride & Dance
This morning, transfer to the Finca Charco Azul (1h) in Cayajabos, at the south of the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve. Today, we ride through this Finca of about 400 hectares. We will enjoy lunch after cooling off in the swimming-pool.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Tourist Resort 1830 Havana to get our next Son Cuban dance lesson.
Free evening for sightseeing in
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Apartment El Vedado in Havana
Day 4: Park Ride & Dance
We start the day with a transfer to Lenin Park, besides Havana. There, we ride with different but also good horses, before heading back to Havana.
Lunch is at a famous restaurant, specialized in the Cuban roast pig. After a well deserved rest, transfer to the Tourist Resort 1830 to get our last Son Cuban lesson.
Farewell dinner with a great musical show with some of the former members of Buena Vista Social Club at the Old Havana, or another great musical show.
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Apartment El Vedado in Havana
Day 5: Havana Visit & Departure
After breakfast, guided walking tour through the historical center of Old Havana. We will also visit the Tobacco Factory and the Rhum Museum. Then, transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Non-Riding Activities
Non-riders are welcome on this tour (inquire for rates). Some of the non-riding activities available on this tour (for an extra fee - please inquire) include Havana tour in old American cars from the 50s, Spanish lessons and Cuban cooking class.
Rates and Dates for Ride & Dance in Havana
Rates include:
Accomodation, Most meals, 3 riding days, 3 dance lessons, Entry to the Tobacco Factory and the Rhum Museum & Transfer from/to José Martí airport
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Transfer and Other Charges:
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2023
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Transfers from/to José Martí airport included
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$0
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2023
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Group discount (5+ pax), pp
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$-280
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2023
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Single supplement
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$100
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| A |
2023
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01/01
- 12/31
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5d / 4n
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5 day trip
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2
/12
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Reserve
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Dates Note:
Rates do not include:
Most dinners (except on day 4), Drinks, Gratuities, Show tickets & Personal travel and accident insurance (mandatory)
Other Info
Meeting: Havana
Airport: Havana - José Martí airport (HAV)
Transfer: José Martí airport (HAV)
Climate:
Havana area
|
Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Average High Temperature (°F)
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80
|
81
|
83
|
85
|
87
|
88
|
89
|
90
|
89
|
86
|
83
|
81
|
|
Average Low Temperature (°F)
|
65
|
65
|
67
|
69
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72
|
74
|
75
|
75
|
75
|
73
|
70
|
67
|
|
Average High Temperature (°C)
|
27
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
31
|
31
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
30
|
29
|
27
|
|
Average Low Temperature (°C)
|
18
|
18
|
19
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
24
|
24
|
23
|
21
|
19
|
|
Average Precipitation (days of rain)
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
5
|
8
|
12
|
9
|
12
|
12
|
14
|
10
|
8
|
Source: NOAA
Seasons
The weather in Cuba is tropical, with maritime influence that keeps temperatures moderate all year round. The weather in Cuba is divided in two seasons: wet and dry.
Dry season (December through mid-April)
This is when most tourists visit the country. During the day, temperatures are quite warm but nights can get cool, especially from December to February.
Wet season (mid-April to November)
Durng the rainy season, températures are slightly warmer but there are less tourists. Fall is a great time to visit as there are usually less people and weather conditions are still very nice with précipitations becoming less frequent.
Hurricanes
The official hurricane season in Cuba runs from June through November, with more rain occurring during these months due to tropical storm activity. However, according to the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association), Cuba experiences the lowest frequency of hurricanes and tropical storms than other parts of the Caribbean.
It’s also worth noting that Cuba has highly developed disaster preparedness and civil defense networks for evacuations.
What To Bring:
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This list is only a guideline for you
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Travel documents and Voucher
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Flight tickets
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Passport
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Visa (check with your consulate)
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RIDING GEAR
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Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)
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Riding boots + Minichaps
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Riding helmet (not provided- we strongly recommend you bring your own)
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Riding gloves
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Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
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Rain coat/Wax jacket
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PERSONAL CLOTHING
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Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
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Jeans
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Shorts
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Underwear and socks
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Pyjama
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Bag for dirty clothes
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Light summer jacket
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Warm jacket
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Comfortable shoes/sneakers (some walking downhill leading our horse is required on 2nd day)
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Swimsuit)
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Bandana
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
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Personal Toiletries
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Insect protection
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Personal medications
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Sore cream (for the emergency)
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Sewing kit
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Handkerchiefs
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Adapter for electric appliances
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Camera and enough extra films
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Belt pack
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Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)
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Sun glasses with strap
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Sun tan lotion and lip balm
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Cuba’s pharmacies are generally void of pharmaceuticals, both prescription and over the counter. There are dollar only “Tourist Pharmacies”, but your best bet is to bring with you whatever you may even remotely think you may need. Even a small wound can quickly “fester” in a hot, tropical climate.
Here is a list of suggested items to bring:
• Aspirin – bring regular and acetaminophen-based (Tylenol) pain relievers with you. They’re invaluable in case you get a fever there also.
• Topical Anti-bacterial Cleanser – Betadyne is the hospital’s preferred choice.
• Topical Anti-bacterial Cream – Bacitracin or the equivalent is best.
• A prescription based oral antibiotic – Just to be sure
• Anti-Itch medicine – Aluminium sulphite or Calamine Lotion. Those bugs, when they’re out, are big, bad and they bite!
• Anti-histamine – Benadryl works well
• Sunglasses – The sun is strong in Cuba. Make sure your glasses are 100% UV protective and better yet, make sure they’re polarized. Bring a back-up just in case, too.
• Suntan Lotion – Bring a high protection lotion with you.
• Batteries & Camera Film – This includes SD cards if you have a digital camera. They’re hard to find, expensive when you do and many times they are out of date.
• Water Purification Tablets – Bottled water is plentiful and I hear the tap water is nowhere as contaminated as it is in Mexico and other Central and South American countries. However, they’re a good precaution just in case you get caught in a remote area with a dubious water source.
• BandAids
• Rid-X – For those nasty critters: Intestinal Worms.
• Pepto Bismol / Imodium Tablets
• Anbesol
What to bring for the Cuban people:
Giving money only encourages begging. The exception to the ‘no money’ rule would be for friends or if it’s legitimate business such as tipping a cab driver or a restaurant or bar server.
Bring small gifts with you before you fly to Cuba as they basically have nothing by way of material possessions; anything that you can leave behind they will appreciate.
Toys for kids
Samples of perfume or after shave fragrances
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste
Leave clothes, shoes etc. that you don’t like anymore, in Cuba after your vacation
Children’s books (Spanish)
Magazines
Pens
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