Havana Marathon
Havana Marathon
- Duration 5 days
- Activity level Leisurely
- Carbon emissions 10.2kg CO2e per day
- Included
Come and run the marathon in Cuba’s picturesque and vibrant capital, Havana!
Private groups available from £699/pp.
From £699.00/pp
Run Marabana
Run the Havana marathon
Havana
Explore Cuba’s vibrant and beautiful capital with a local guide
Cycle to the beach
Pedal to Playa del Este for a day at the beach
What's included?
ACCOMMODATION
4 nights in casas particulares.
Gear
Bike hire, helmet hire
Meals
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
100% vehicle support for cycle ride
Transport for included activities
Staff
English-Speaking Cuban tour guide, bus driver
What's not included: Flights, travel insurance, vaccinations, visas, gratuities, marathon registration
- Day 1
General
- Day 2
Activity
- Day 3
Accommodation
- Day 4
Food and Drink
- Day 5
Guides
Essential Information
What is included?
- Transfer from airport upon arrival and departure.
- Accommodation: 4 nights in casas particulares.
- Meals: all breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner.
- Cuban English-speaking guide throughout.
- Air-conditioned private bus throughout all activities.
- 1 cycling day.
- Bike Hire: Trek 8.3 DS 2015 mountain bike with hybrid tyres.
- 3 litres mineral water per person on cycling day.
- Helmet (compulsory).
- Cubania Travel office support.
What is not included?
- Flights to and from Cuba.
- Registration for Marabana Cuba 2020 (www.maratondelahabana.com).
- Travel / medical insurance (compulsory to provide proof of cover for entry into Cuba).
- Water bottle.
- Rehydration products & snacks for marathon.
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, phone calls etc).
- Vaccinations.
- Visas (Tourist Cards).
- Tip for guide. We recommend that each participant contributes a minimum of CUC 20.
Is this tour right for me?
- Group Style: Small
English speaking group with 2 – 18 people of mixed nationalities. Minimum age 18 years. - You want the experience of running the marathon in a new city and exploring Cuban history and culture whilst you are in Havana.
- Walking tour of old Havana and Classic Car tour in a 1950s American vintage car.
- Cycle ride through the rural Havana province.
Essential packing list
- Your sportswear for running the marathon in a tropical climate, and all other items that you will require for the race as these will not be available locally.
- Clothes suitable for cycling.
- Lightweight cotton/linen clothes suitable for tropical climate.
- Long-sleeved shirts and light trousers for the evenings and a jacket/fleece. Avoid bringing expensive or flashy jewellery.
- High factor sun cream (50+), sunglasses and sun hat (wide-brimmed hats are best).
- Swimwear & towel.
- Camera.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Small personal first-aid kit and some tropical strength insect repellent and antihistamines in case of insect bites.
- A sense of humour and patience are useful in Cuba!
We will we stay in private accommodation (Casas particulares) in Havana. These range from family homes with a few rooms to larger guesthouses that operate more like small privately-run hotels. All have air conditioning and en suite bathrooms. The casas in the Old Town are in beautifully renovated old colonial buildings with ornate metalwork, small roof terraces, balconies or little internal courtyards. Those located in the quieter, greener Vedado area are usually in houses that were built during the early 20th century as a result of the wealth created by the booming sugar trade. Many have high airy ceilings, porches with rocking chairs or roof terraces, and are furnished with an eclectic mixture of beautiful antiques, art deco and contemporary furniture.
The years of isolation, under-investment in the country’s infrastructure and effect of the US trade Embargo mean that the standard of Cuban accommodation is not always comparable to that which you would expect in other countries: there might be the occasional power cut, and you may find that your water pressure isn’t all it could be. Fortunately, it’s warm enough most days that the lack of hot water is not a major problem!
Most people love the opportunity to stay in casas as the welcome is warm, the rooms clean, and you will be spoilt at breakfast in the mornings.
Cuba doesn’t have a great reputation for varied international cuisine but in recent years lots of privately run restaurants (paladars) have opened (particularly in Havana) offering a wider choice and better quality food than the government run establishments.
For those with special dietary requirements, be prepared for a very limited menu while you are in Cuba. There are very few vegetarians and vegans
in Cuba so there are sometimes misperceptions as to what you can eat. Vegetarians often bring snacks and spreads to liven up their meals.
Cuba is the land of the Mojito, Daiquiri and Cuba Libre. You’ll find that plenty of rum-based drinks all over the country with prices ranging from 2-6 CUC for most cocktails. But beware, they don’t use measuring glasses, so they might be stronger than the ones you have tried at home!
All our guides at Cubania are Cuban nationals who are registered with and trained by Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism. They come from all kinds of different personal and professional backgrounds. They’ve been teachers, I.T. professionals, bakers, vets, army officers and even underwear salesmen! What they have in common is that they are all highly educated graduates who are passionate about guiding and proud of their beautiful country. They all speak excellent English and receive annual training in first aid.
Day 1 Day 1Arrival in Havana
Welcome to Cuba! A Cubania representative will meet you upon arrival at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the…
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Day 2 Day 2Exploring Havana
This morning we will start the day doing a yoga class with a local instructor before going to collect the registration documents and race bibs…
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 Day 3Free Day To Prepare For Marathon
Today is free for you to prepare in your own way for the race tomorrow.
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Breakfast
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Day 4 Day 4Marabana Cuba
Early start today to run the “Marabana Cuba”! Registration for participation in the marathon or other distance events has to have been made independently in…
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 Day 5Scenic bike ride to beach - Departure Day
This morning we’ll stop off at our bike warehouse to be fitted with bikes and helmets, and drive eastwards to ‘Escaleras de Jaruco’ where our…
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48 km
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- Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Havana
- Day 2
Day 2: Exploring Havana
- Day 3
Day 3: Free Day To Prepare For Marathon
- Day 4
Day 4: Marabana Cuba
- Day 5
Day 5: Scenic bike ride to beach - Departure Day
Day 1: Arrival in Havana
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Casa Particular, Havana
Welcome to Cuba! A Cubania representative will meet you upon arrival at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of Havana. The largest island in the Caribbean, Hemingway’s much-loved abode and one of the last planned economies in the world. You’re soon to discover that Cuba is all that and much, much more, but first sit back, relax and enjoy your first night in enchanting Havana.
Day 2: Exploring Havana
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we will start the day doing a yoga class with a local instructor before going to collect the registration documents and race bibs from the Marathon organisers. After the formalities have been completed, your guide will take you on a short walking tour of the Old Town concentrating on the four original squares around which the city was founded. Old Havana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and millions of dollars have gone into this area in order to bring it back to its original splendour. It has the finest surviving Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas preserved by a combination of little war damage, post Revolution restoration work and the current restoration project. We will have lunch together in a restaurant in the Old Town, after which you’ll have an afternoon at your leisure. We will meet up again for an early evening tour of greater Havana. Setting off in classic 1950s American cars, we’ll drive along the picturesque Malecón coast road to the well-to-do 1950s Miramar district, home to some of Havana’s most striking 20th century architecture. Keep an eye out for the imposing Russian embassy and the elegant neoclassical homes, many of which are now embassies.
We will drive through the beautiful residential district of Vedado where wealthy sugar barons built elegant mansions in the early 20th century and stop in Revolution Square where Fidel made his famous speeches. The cars will then drop us back in town.
Day 3: Free Day To Prepare For Marathon
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Breakfast
Today is free for you to prepare in your own way for the race tomorrow.
Day 4: Marabana Cuba
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Casa Particular, Havana
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Breakfast, Dinner
Early start today to run the “Marabana Cuba”! Registration for participation in the marathon or other distance events has to have been made independently in advance of travel to Cuba. After finishing the race, the rest of the day is for you to relax. If you would like a massage (optional), this can be arranged at your casa particular. This evening we will get together for a celebratory dinner in one of Havana’s paladares (private restaurant).
Day 5: Scenic bike ride to beach - Departure Day
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48 km
This morning we’ll stop off at our bike warehouse to be fitted with bikes and helmets, and drive eastwards to ‘Escaleras de Jaruco’ where our scenic bike ride will begin. The ride will be approx. 48km starting out with some undulating rough roads in the mountainous terrain of Jaruco before descending and enjoying a mainly flat ride on decent roads all the way to the northern coastline. ‘Playas del Este’ are a series of beaches to the east of the city frequented by Cuban day-trippers in the summer months, but quiet for the rest of the year. We’ll stop for lunch after the ride and transfer back to the casa in Havana where the tour either ends or trip extensions begin.
What to bring
1. Water bottle
with filter if you want to be able to refill from tap
2. Sun protection
high strength sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat
3. Comfortable clothes for cycling and running
4. Swimwear
& towel
We can fit your pedals or seat to our bikes should you wish to bring them. You should bring light cotton and linen clothing suitable for tropical climates. For the evenings bring lightweight clothes, some mosquito repellent and a jacket or fleece. Cubans dress casually but are always impeccably turned out. Avoid bringing expensive or flashy jewellery.
Is this tour for me?
Travel style: Active
You want the experience of running the marathon in a new city and exploring Cuban history and culture whilst you are in Havana.
Difficulty Level: MODERATE (depends on the km distance that you choose)
You enjoy discovering new cultures, exploring towns and natural environments. Busy activity-filled days, not physically strenuous. Suitable for all.
Group style: Small
4 - 18 people, mixed nationalities and fitness levels. Minimum age 18 years
Go private:
Create your own travel bubble by booking a private trip with friends or family. Private departures confirmed with two participants
Notes:
Registration for the Havana marathon must be made independently via their official website, and there is an additional entry fee applicable.
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FreeDestination guide
Need some help? 10am—6pm Mondays to Fridays (GMT+1)
Telephone: 0208 355 7608
Email: sales@cubaniatravel.com
Havana Marathon
GO PRIVATESelect date for your own private group departure. Confirmed with a minimum of 2 paying participants. Choose to pay in full now or secure your trip by paying a deposit for each participant.
Need some help? 10am—6pm Mondays to Fridays (GMT+1)
Telephone: 0208 355 7608
Email: sales@cubaniatravel.com
Havana Marathon
SMALL GROUPSelect date to join small group departure. Confirmed with a minimum of 2 paying participants. Choose to pay in full now or secure your trip by paying a deposit for each participant.
Need some help? 10am—6pm Mondays to Fridays (GMT+1)
Telephone: 0208 355 7608
Email: sales@cubaniatravel.com