Most Inspirational Moment
Finishing the hilly section
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgable + good leader
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring water bottles
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Cycling Cuba 2014
Well organised, fun and safe trip
Fantastic but hot.
My husband and I went on this trip in August. It was even hotter than we expected (and had been led to believe), despite this we had a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend the trip. We covered much of Cuba and had a chance to spend time in some lovely little towns and cycle through great scenery. Havana was amazing. It was good to cycle as part of a group and everyone was very sociable and mixed well. The accommodation was mostly good with air con in every instance. (essential). Salsa dancing in the square in Trinidad and at the Buena Vista Social club was fun.
Most Inspirational Moment
The end of the last day - a very hot long cycle with a cold Cubra Libre waiting for us.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Yazell was fanstastic: organised, knowledgeable, a good communicator and fun. (some pretty nifty Salsa moves as well)
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't go in August if you can avoid it. (still glad I went though) Take your own saddle, definately need water bottle and a very small bag to fit onto frame is great. We added 4 days on at the end and visited Cayo Levisa and had a final night in Havana. I was very pleased to have some extra time and it was great to have some days doing very little after a fairly busy schedule. Cayo Levisa was very beautiful.
Awesome adventure
This is a wonderful trip giving a real feel for Cuba. The cycling itinerary is very well planned so you are physiologically ready for each day. The hotels were really good, especially the colonial style ones and the food, whilst not very varied was good quality.
Most Inspirational Moment
Really hard to decide as so many moments were great, but day 9, the hard cycling day was probably my personal highlight for a sense of achievement.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Laz, ably supported by driver Osso really made the trip. His English was impeccable, he was intelligent and articulate and incredibly knowledgeable about Cuba and Cuban history. He was passionate about his country in fact. He was able to see when to joke and when to be serious and he judged out group perfectly. In addition to this he was a brilliant cycling leader telling you about the stages and allowing everyone to go at their own pace.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you take you own pedals be aware you do end up walking quite a bit around and about in your cycling shoes so recessed cleats are more comfortable! Or make sure you keep your flip flops handy.
Cycling Cuba
A grand tour of the beautiful and fascinating island of Cuba. Colourful characters, stunning scenery and a unique culture.
Most Inspirational Moment
Learning about the fascinating history of this country and the personal commitment and sacrifice made by so many. Cycling through towns and villages, waving to friendly passers by and chatting with the local people.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Laz was passionate about his country and totally committed to ensuring we all had the best holiday possible. He organised us marvellously and communicated clearly about each aspect of the trip as we went along so that we all knew what to expect and were able to make the most of our experience. Thank you Laz!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you are cycle-fit before you go. That way you will be able to enjoy all the stunning scenery and appreciate every aspect of each village you pass through, waving at passers by with a smile on your face! Learn some Spanish before you go so that you can chat to the locals.
Cycling Cuba
Definitely going back to Cuba.
Most Inspirational Moment
The experience of immersive tourism. This trip was completely unlike going to a tourists-only beach resort. On several occasions (Caleta Buena, Bayamo, Gibara), we ate, drank, and could chat and dance with vacationing and partying Cubans. Our group leader also created many opportunities for us to meet ordinary Cubans, by having us stop at their houses for coffee, dine at family-run restaurants, etc ...
Thoughts on Group Leader
I found out via Google that our leader Freddy Camara has been nominated for "best Exodus guide worldwide", and I can see why. His love of Cuba is apparent, as is his desire to communicate it to the members of the group. He made looking after 18 people's needs all at once look easy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you absolutely must do this trip in the July-August timeframe, be aware that the heat and humidity make this more of a 4 out of 9, rather than the rating of 3 posted on the Exodus website. Even Freddy said of doing this trip in summer "this is crazy". Unless you are already an avid cyclist, put in the hours in the saddle before the trip. Someone in our group suggested 100km per week for several weeks prior to departure. This sounds about right. Buy a camel pack, rehydration salts, even a gel seat.
Exceeded expectations :)
Wonderful trip from start to finish. Busy, but well paced and varied with some surprises. Brilliantly guided, and a fabulous mixed group of people. Support staff and facilities all fantastic.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the sierra maestra day - I wasnt sure I could do the hills, but with the group and guide behind each other it was a real chance to push yourself. Followed by suitable celebrations afterwards.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent, very professional but also completely amenable and friendly. Made every body feel included throughout the whole trip. And an excellent dancer :)
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take some snack food or energy gels for the cycling days. You are well catered for, but it does make a difference in the heat to have a boost!
Hot and sticky in Cuba
Fascinating visit to super country
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting off the bike at the end! Seriously no one particular moment stands out, it is a great place to visit, lots of new experiences and unusual to still see a society being run on socialist principles.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was very hard working, funny and also passionate about his country. He was on duty about 16 hours a day and generally all the eating places, re-fuel stops and hotel arrangements ran very well. Where they did not, this was usually outside of his control. This was his first bike for a long time and he was a little unfit maybe -but so was I....
Advice for Potential Travellers
Leave you pre-conceptions at home as Cuba will suprise and amaze you. It is generally very safe and the people are very friendly. The food can be quite dire with limited choice and tedious. This is changing and will only improve. There is tons of excellent fresh fruit, and most places do a great mojito. Take some drink supplements to add to the water, insect repellant, plenty of sun cream and £ sterling to change. Prices are very cheap by european standards. The hotels are generally the best in each town and most are in restored colonial era style buildings. Don't eat in the Havana hotel, there are better options locally.
Reply from Exodus
We are glad that Nigel found the trip to be fascinating and that he found Cuba to be a super country. We were concerned to learn, however, that Nigel felt uncomfortable with the way in which the animals were treated at the crocodile farm. The idea behind Guama crocodile farm at the Bay of Pigs is that they are preserving a species which is in danger of extinction (crocodylus rhombifer, or Cuban Crocodile) and this is why we pay a brief visit to the farm with our groups when passing through the region. The natural habitat of the species is now reduced to the Zapata Swamp and on Isla de la Juventud. In response to your feedback, we shall stop visiting immediately and investigate the claims with our local partners. Adam Roberts – Product Manager for Cuba
CYCLING CUBA
This was a fabulous trip. Cuba is like time stood still for 50 years but we still had comfortable accommodation, good routes, good food, great guide. Eats and drinks are very reasonable everywhere.
Most Inspirational Moment
How simple the lives of people outside of the big cities are. When we visited the farmer for coffee and saw how he and his family lived, in a very basic farm house. Old American cars all over the island are wonderful to see.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellant group leader, very knowledgable and good sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Its very warm and humid, even in January.
CYCLING CUBA
A busy and interesting trip across the island, with a wide variety of accommodation and facilities.
Most Inspirational Moment
All of it!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alex was extremely well informed, and was endlessly patient with a group that had varied attention spans and energy levels. He escorted us practically everywhere and made sure that we had the "Cuban" experience. Alex cycled with us and took the trouble to spend time individually with each member of the group, usually whilst cycling.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, this is a holiday for people who are physically fit and can take the heat and humidity in Cuba. Don't expect much relaxation or independent time. Some people had opted to stay in Havana for a day or so either before or after the trip and I wish that I had done the same. Bring wet wipes for your hands because we ate sandwiches as a picnic on some days and there were not always hand washing facilities available. Cuban sanitation facilities available on the road are limited to say the least. Snack bars or other portable energy foods / gels brought from home are essential too as these are not available in Cuba. You can buy drinks, but snack food is extremely scarce.
CYCLING CUBA
32 degrees ,Hotter than we expected. 95% of the trip was on road and hybrid tyres are needed not knobbly mud tyres. Very varied and interesting locations. Fascinating country. Enjoyed it all. Guide Alex 10 from 10. Would recommend to all.
Most Inspirational Moment
Trinidad and staying in a Casa. Meeting the Cuban people, and of course the rum.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alex was a perfect guide and his knowledge base of Cuba was extensive. His English is very good and his political lectures were interesting and gave the group a sound understanding of his country. Probably the best guide I have experienced.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring road tyres.