Completely Cuba

All your accommodation is included during your stay in Cuba.

Havana

In Havana (weeks 1, 2 and 4), you’ll stay in a traditional family run guesthouse in the heart of the Old city which offers a slice of the real, authentic Cuba. The guesthouse covers three floors of a tall, typically Cuban building and the family will welcome you and soon make you feel at home. The family speak English although once you’ve learnt some Spanish you’ll soon be practising your new skills! It’s the ideal way to get immersed in the Cuban way of life, get to know your host family and live among the locals.

The guesthouse sleeps a maximum of 22 people and you’ll be staying together with your Gap 360 group, as well as living alongside other travellers. All rooms have air-con and windows. You’ll be staying in a single-sex shared bedroom (dorm-style, sleeping 6 people per room) with shared bathrooms. Rooms have fans and hot water is available, although may be limited. The rooms are clean but more basic than you might be used to at home. Bedding is provided. If you’re travelling as a couple please contact a travel advisor about other rooming options.

You’ll have use of a communal living room with a balcony with a view of the lively Havana streets, plus private study areas and dining rooms. There’s also a large terrace where you can seek out the sun and do your Spanish homework (however, be aware that you can’t strip down to your bikini here as it’s overlooked by the neighbours and this may cause offence).

Viñales

For week 3 in the Viñales Valley (4-week option only), you’ll be staying in a centrally located family guesthouse, with similar facilities to your Havana accommodation. Viñales is a picturesque agricultural town surrounded by UNESCO heritage limestone mountains, tobacco plantations and tobacco drying houses. It’s a perfect contrast to your time spent in the lively urban setting of Havana.

Please note: At busy times of year we may also use other local family-run guesthouses, which offer the same facilities. If you wish to book any extra nights’ accommodation in Havana before or after your programme, these can be added in for a cost of £18 per night. Please ask for more details.

Meals

Breakfasts and lunches are included 7 days a week as part of this programme. Evening meals are not included on this trip, but there are plenty of tasty local options to choose from.

You will eat your inclusive meals together with the host family and the other guests. Breakfasts are served between 7.30-8.30a.m in the dining room and consist of fresh fruit (typically guava, papaya and pineapple), a cheese toastie and eggs (cooked to your preference). Coffee and a range of teas are provided. Water is provided but we recommend you buy bottled water locally (around 70p per bottle).

Lunch is served between 12.30-1.30p.m., after your Spanish lessons are over. Lunch consists daily of rice, beans and salad served with meat (often pork). Please note that your inclusive meals will be the same or similar meals every day as there is not a wide variety of choice available in Cuba, so you may find the cuisine a bit repetitive! However, as evening meals are not included, you can seek out some different options in local restaurants.

Vegetarians can be catered for although be aware that meat is mainly substituted with eggs in Cuban meals. There is no halal or kosher food available in Cuba and pork is the main meat on offer. Please contact us if you have any concerns or questions about your specific dietary requirements.

There are plenty of local cafes and restaurants close by which offer affordable and delicious food for your dinner options. An average meal out will cost around £5-£6, although if you want to splash out on a really special meal, allow around £10. You should allow around 70p to buy a drink of water, or around £1.50-£2 per alcoholic drink, and there are plenty of local bars to choose from!