This morning we start by getting acquainted with our bikes before setting off on a panoramic tour of Havana. We’ll visit the well-to-do Miramar district, home to the city’s foreign diplomats and some of Havana’s most striking 20th century architecture. Keep an eye out for the sprawling and strange Russian embassy. We’ll
then cycle through Parque Metropolitano de la Habana and Nuevo Vedado (home to Havana’s middle classes), be- fore stopping at Plaza de la Revolucion, the hub of the Castro regime. From here we wheel through young and vibrant Vedado towards the famous Hotel Nacional, which has offered shelter to many a celebrity over the years, including Winston Churchill and members of the Mafia. Now we whizz through bustling Centro Ha- bana to the famous Capitolio building, a mirror-image of Washington’s Capitol Building. With the Capitolio behind
us we veer left down the regal Prado promenade, a favourite with street artists and skateboarders alike. At the end of Prado we’ll turn right and pass Havana’s old train station (now an indoor market) as well as the ruins of the old city walls before ending the cycling portion of our tour in Plaza de las Armas. From here we continue on foot to discover Old Havana’s four beautifully renovated colonial plazas and stop for lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, we cycle back to our hotel along Havana’s romantic Malecon, a sea-wall that follows the city’s entire coastline. Enjoy this evening at leisure.

After breakfast we set off heading west, swapping the hustle and bustle of Havana for the calmer climes of Pinar del Rio Province. We stick to the coast before turning inland at the small seaside town of Mariel and following winding backroads (watch out for the fairly frequent potholes!) towards the Sierra del Rosario Mountain range. These impressive mountains form part of the Guamuhaya range, which stretches across the Western part of Cuba and provides the spectacular tropical scenery for the next few days. After stopping at a scenic spot for a picnic, we continue to the Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve. From here it is just a short transfer to our accommodation for the night in the small town of Soroa.

Though today is our most challenging cycle, the mountain trail affords spectacular views across the island and on a clear day it’s even possible to see both Cuba’s northern and southern coastlines. We’ll picnic en route. Once we descend from the Skyline road we’ll join the main Havana-Pinar del Rio highway where traffic will be light but varied – expect to share the road with vintage American cars, oxen and horses! Our ride will end in San Diego de los Baños where well enjoy a well-deserved drink before taking a 1.5-hour transfer to Viñales, where more luscious scenery awaits. Tonight we’ll be staying in local casa particulares, where your hosts will prepare you a delicious home-cooked dinner. Despite being a quiet country retreat, Viñales has several venues with live music so if you wander out tonight you’re sure to find somewhere to tap your feet.

After breakfast in our casas we hop on our bikes and head westward, following farm roads that just skim the edge of the Parque de Viñales, eventually bringing us to Santa Maria on Pinar del Rio’s western coast. Though this rural route offers poor road conditions, the relative flatness will be sweet relief after yesterday’s undula- tions. Once we reach the coast we’ll be following a causeway over a collection of islets to picture-perfect Cayo Jutías: a 3km-long white sand beach with idyllic turquoise water. Lie back on the sand, bask in the in- viting shallows, or discover the cayo’s underwater life on a snorkelling or scuba diving trip (not included and subject to availability). We’ll lunch on the beach and then you’ll have the option of cycling back to Viñales via a different route or soaking in more of Cayo Jutías’ delights before transferring back to Viñales for the night. Tonight we’ll enjoy a sunset meal at Finca Wilfredo, an organic farm that uses its own produce to cook delicious Creole food.

After breakfast we saddle up and head northwards out of Viñales. The valley’s Jurassic landscape is one of Cuba’s finest and it’s not hard to see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a key player in two of Cuba’s major industries: tourism and tobacco. Viñales is home to Cuba’s and the world’s best tobacco. Our ride takes us to Cueva de los Portales where we’ll visit the cave system used by Che Guevara during the “Cuban Missile Crisis’ and have a picnic lunch before driving back to Havana.

Today you have a free day in Havana. Why not explore Old Havana on foot and do some people watching, it is full of colonial charm and the streets are buzzing with activity. Walk up the famous malecon coastal road and visits the garden at El Nacional in Vedado district. If you’re worn out from the last 2 weeks of cycling, why not relax by the hotel pool and then mooch out later this evening to enjoy some of Havana’s world-famous live music dance venues or cabaret shows. Check out the Cubania Travel What to do in Havana guide for recommendations.

The morning is free for last minute sight seeing or shopping. Check out of your accommodation at midday, so it’s Adios, or, as we prefer to say hasta luego, see you later! Afternoon transfer (30–40 minutes approx.) to Havana airport. Have a safe onward journey and we very much hope to see you in Cuba again soon.