10-day best of Cuba motorcycle tour by BMW F700GS with Jim Krantz

ITINERARY (subject to change)

Day 1 (Saturday, April 23): Meet in Havana
The U.S. “support for the Cuban people” license allows individuals to travel freely to Cuba as they wish at any time. We’ll meet this evening at our B&B in Habana Vieja (Old Havana) for a welcome reception and briefing with Chris and our Cuban guide. Our welcome dinner will be nearby at Chacón 162, a popular bikers’ bar and restaurant.
Meals: D
Overnight: Posada de Chacón (B&B) or alternative, Habana Vieja

Day 2 (Sunday, April 24) : Havana – Escaleras de Jurico – Playa Larga (Bay of Pigs) (150 miles)
After breakfast, we change into our motorcycle gear and transfer to pick up our motorbikes. In order to get familiar with your bike, we’ll make a circuit of greater Havana, including such iconic sites as the Malecón, Plaza de la Revolución, and El Morro castle. After a brief visit to Museo Ernest Hemingway to admire ‘Papa’s former home of 21 years, we head into the Escaleras de Jurico, a hilly region that provides our first twisties. We’ll then descend to Cuba’s only freeway—the Autopista Nacional—which leads to the Península de Zapata, the Caribbean’s largest wetland. We turn south here and run south to Playa Larga. We’ll have time to relax on the beach where the CIA-trained Cuban-American exile army came ashore in April 1961 during the “Bay of Pigs” invasion. We’ll dine and overnight beachside in the Bahía de los Cochinos (Bay of Pigs).
Meals: BD
Overnight: Hostal Enrique (B&B), Playa Larga

Day 3 (Monday, April 25): Cienfuegos / El Nicho / Trinidad (200 miles)
This morning we make a brief stop at the excellent Bay of Pigs Museum. We’ll then be glad for the F700s as we follow a dirt track along the Caribbean shore to reach the lovely bay city of Cienfuegos. After a brief stop to explore the city, we’ll follow a superbly scenic route as we climb into the Sierra Escambray mountains for lunch at El Nicho waterfall. We’ll then follow convoluted and challenging forest trails to the mist-shrouded summit at Topes de Collantes to take a switchback down to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Trinidad—Cuba’s most authentic and perfectly preserved colonial city. This evening enjoy strolling the cobbled colonial streets, plus music and dance at one of Trinidad’s many clubs.
Meals: BD
Overnight: Casas particulares (B&Bs), Trinidad

Day 4 (Tuesday, April 26): Trinidad (80 miles optional ride) 
Today is an optional rest day to explore this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage City and Cuba’s most perfectly preserved colonial city. In the morning, Chris will lead a guided tour and introduce you to some of his closest (and most interesting) friends, such as world-class artists Lázaro Neibla and Carlos Mata. This afternoon, choose to continue exploring Trinidad; or join Chris and our Cuban guide for an optional afternoon ride along the Caribbean shore and into the Sierra Escambray mountains (or perhaps for some enduro riding). We’ll dine at another of Trinidad’s finest paladares.
Meals: BD
Overnight: Casas particulares, Trinidad

Day 5 (Wednesday, April 27): Valle de los Ingenios / Santa Clara / Remedios (100 miles)
This morning we ride through the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), another UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with colonial-era sugar haciendas. We’ll visit Hacienda Guaímiro, then wind over the Guamahaya Mountains to Santa Clara for lunch. Next, visit the Conjunto Escultórico Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara–the vast monument, mausoleum, and museum dominating Plaza de la Revolución–and other key sites associated with the final battle in December 1958 that eventually toppled the brutal Batista regime. We then continue the short distance to Remedios, a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site colonial city. Our suckling roast pig dinner alfresco will be hosted at one of our two casas particulares.
Meals: BD
Overnight: Casas particulares (B&Bs), Remedios

Day 6 (Thursday, April 28): Sagua la Grande / Varadero (184 miles)
We begin today with a visit to a provincial cigar factory in Camajuaní. Then we follow the Circuito Norte (North Coast Road) through the Vuelto Arriba tobacco country and beautiful coastal mountain landscapes of Villa Clara. We’ll lunch beside the sea in the fishing village and former rum-and-sugar port of Isabela de Sagua. Then continue via Cárdenas to Varadero, Cuba’s premier beach resort, where a sugar-white beach and scores of hotels spill along the full 12-mile length of the Hicacos Peninsula. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the Varadero 60 paladar before taking in the varied nightlife of Varadero.
Meals: BD
Overnight: Casas particulares, Varadero

Day 7 (Friday, April 29): Matanzas / Las Terrazas / Viñales (200 miles)
Our penultimate riding day is a beauty as we head west along the Atlantic shoreline for the bay city of Matanzas. We then skirt Havana and take the Carretera Central and Autopista Nacional for about one hour to reach Las Terrazas, an idyllic agricultural community and eco-resort in the Sierra de Órganos mountains. We'll lunch here before continuing west on the Autopista to Viñales, a charming village in the heart of tobacco country and Cuba's most scenic valley. Tonight we’ll dine in a local paladar (private restaurant) in the heart of this lovely colonial-era village.
Meals: BLD
Overnight: Casas particulares, Viñales

Day 8 (Saturday, April 30): San Luis y Martínez / Viñales (120 miles)
Today’s circuit takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in Cuba as we head past great mogotes (giant haystack limestone formations) and follow a scenic and snaking back road through the Sierra de los Órganos mountains. Arriving the world-famous Finca Pinar El San Luis—Cuba’s foremost private tobacco farm—we’ll take a tour with owner Hiroshi Robaina before lunching and then relaxing with cigars at this idyllic location. It’s a relatively short one-hour ride back to Viñales from here. We’ll have an optional short enduro ride along forest trails! Dinner will be in another local paladar.
Meals: BLD
Overnight: Casas particulares (B&B), Viñales

Day 9 (Sunday, May 01): Viñales / Havana (100 miles)
We’ll follow the Circuito Norte coast road back to Havana. After return of the motorbikes, the transfer bus takes us back to our B&B in Habana Vieja. After cleaning up, we’ll ride in convertible classic cars to our farewell dinner at La Guarida, Cuba’s most sensational restaurant.
Meals: BD
Overnight: Posada de Chacón or similar, Habana Vieja

Day 10 (Monday, May 02): End of trip
Today transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Or, if you wish, you can stay some more days in Cuba.

THE BIKES

We'll ride BMW F700 GSs exclusively. Each will be fitted with twin side panniers. However, we will also be accompanied by a support van and driver.

FAQS…

1. Do we reserve our own flights to Havana?
YES. IT’S AS EASY AS BOOKING TO ANYWHERE ELSE ONLINE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU BOOK ONLINE WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES AT AA.COM, AS SOON AS YOU TAG IN HAVANA AS A DESTINATION, YOU’LL BE PROMPTED TO AFFIRM THAT YOU’RE TRAVELING UNDER ONE OF THE 12 PERMISSIBLE LICENSES. YOU CHECK “YES” AND THAT’S IT. END OF STORY! NO OTHER PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED. THEN, WHEN YOU CHECK IN AT THE AIRPORT FOR YOUR FLIGHT TO HAVANA, YOU’LL BE ASKED WHICH OF THE 12 LICENSES YOU’RE USING: ANSWER = “SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE”. THE FOLLOWING AIRLINES HAVE DIRECT SERVICE TO CUBA FROM THE USA: AMERICAN AIRLINES, DELTA, JETBLUE, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, UNITED AIRLINES.

NOTE: DUE TO U.S. EMBARGO REGULATIONS, ONLINE BOOKING AGENCIES SUCH AS EXPEDIA AND ORBITZ ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DISPLAY CUBA FLIGHTS.

2. Do we apply for our own visas?
THE AIRLINES HAVE THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIPS TO CUBA TOUR SPECIALISTS WHO CAN PROVIDE THE VISA. AFTER RESERVING YOUR FLIGHTS, YOU SHOULD RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM THE AIRLINE WITH A LINK TO THEIR VISA PROVIDER (SOME AIRLINES MAY INCLUDE THE VISA IN YOUR RESERVATION). FOR EXAMPLE, AMERICAN AIRLINES USES CUBA TRAVEL SERVICES. AT ANY TIME YOU CAN REQUEST AND PAY FOR THE VISA ONLINE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE AN AIRLINE RESERVATION. THEY CAN USUALLY ALSO BE PURCHASED UPON CHECK IN ($100) AT MIAMI AIRPORT, BUT IT IS UNWISE TO RELY ON THEM BEING AVAILABLE.

NOTE: iN NOVEMBER 2020, CUBA MOVED TO A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR TRAVELERS TO PROVIDE GENERAL, MIGRATORY, HEALTH AND CUSTOMS INFORMATION (TO BE COMPLETED AFTER MAKING YOUR FLIGHT RESERVATIONS). NO MORE WRITTEN FORMS! ONCE YOU FILL OUT THE ONLINE FORM, YOU'LL RECEIVE BY E-MAIL A PDF DOCUMENT WITH THE QR CODE, WHICH YOU MUST SHOW (EITHER ON A DEVICE OR IN PRINTED FORM) TO IMMIGRATION/CUSTOMS OFFICIALS UPON ARRIVAL IN HAVANA.

3. De we need COVID-19  vaccinations?
ALL TRIP PARTICIPANTS MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19, WITHOUT EXCEPTION!  CURRENTLY, CUBA REQUIRES PROOF OF NEGATIVE TEST FOR COVID-19 WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ARRIVAL, AND A FURTHER TEST ADMINISTERED AT HAVANA AIRPORT UPON ARRIVAL. ALL ARRIVING PASSENGERS MUST HAVE A RESERVATION AT A B&B AND ARE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE UNTIL CLEARED BY MINSAP (THE CUBAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH). CURRENTLY THIS IS TAKING 2 OR 3 DAYS. CUBA REOPENED TO TOURISM ON NOVEMBER 15 (WHEN ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION WAS FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID), AND IS ON TARGERT TO HAVE 100 PERCENT OF ITS POPULATION VACCINATED BY YEAR'S END. ARRIVING TRAVELERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION AND/OR A NEGATIVE PCR TEST TAKEN WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 72 HOURS.

4. Is it advisable to get any other vaccinations?
HEPATITIS AND TETANUS AT A MINIMUM, BUT CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR. CUBA DOES NOT HAVE MALARIA, BUT OCCASIONAL OUTBREAKS OF DENGUE FEVER OCCUR.

5. Do we need an international drivers’ license? With a motorcycle endorsement?
YOU DO NOT NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE. YOUR U.S. DRIVERS LICENSE SHOULD SUFFICE, BUT IT MUST INCLUDE A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT.

6. Can U.S. travelers go to Havana for a few days BEFORE the ride starts, or stay a few days AFTER it concludes?
YES, U.S. LAW PROVIDES FOR ANYONE UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION TO VISIT CUBA ANY TIME THEY WISH, PRE-APPROVED AS LONG AS THEY SINCERELY BELIEVE THEY FULFILL ONE OF THE 12 LICENSE CATEGORIES AND ABIDE BY THE REGULATIONS WHILE IN CUBA. THEY MAY DO SO FOR AS MANY DAYS AS THEY WISH. EVERYONE IS PRE-APPROVED (AND NO PAPERWORK IS  REQUIRED) UNDER THE “SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE” LICENSE, WHICH REQUIRES THAT YOU STAY AT PRIVATE B&Bs AND DINE AT PRIVATE RESTAURANTS WHILE IN CUBA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THEREFORE, YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHTS TO ARRIVE/DEPART ON ANY DAY BEFORE OR AFTER THE TRIP.

NOTE: IN SEPTEMBER 2020, PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR ANY U.S. CITIZEN TO USE ANY CUBAN HOTEL, AS ALL CUBAN HOTELS ARE STATE-OWNED. U.S. CITIZENS MUST THEREFORE USE PRIVATE B&BS. 

7. What about medical insurance and emergencies?
YOUR AIRLINE TICKET INCLUDES MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED WHILE IN CUBA. PROOF OF INSURANCE IS PROVIDED BY A RED STAMP ON YOUR BOARDING PASS TO HAVANA. THIS SHOULD BE RETAINED AND CARRIED ON YOUR PERSON AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN CUBA. OF COURSE, IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO OBTAIN MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE, SUCH AS MEDJET ASSIST (DOUBLE-CHECK WITH THE INSURANCE PROVIDER THAT COVERAGE INCLUDES CUBA, AS NOT ALL PROVIDERS DO SO.).

8. Do we need to show proof of motorcycle insurance?
TBD

9. Can I used credit cards in Cuba?
NO! U.S. LAW PROHIBITS USE OF CREDIT CARDS IN CUBA. YOU’LL BE OPERATING ON A CASH ONLY BASIS, SO BRING SUFFICIENT CASH