We are just back from our time in Cuba with CTAG. Our experience was excellent as we were safe and well taken care of by our driver Noel and our guide Alpi. What a vast, sordid and complex history this Country has had. Our guide was a wealth of information relative to the past and current challenges Cuba has faced in the last century. Our hearts go out to the extremely nice people of this island Nation as they look to navigate the current political structure of their homeland. Trip highlights: Super fun salsa dance lesson Beautiful hike to a waterfall Our in home cooking lesson Architectural viewing in the larger cities Fusterlandia and the FAC (Cuban Art Factory) Classic car tour Visit to a local farm for breakfast and bees! Tasting all the yummy Cuban cuisine Listening to amazing local music CTAG made the entire experience easy, and we would recommend a visit to support the lovely people of Cuba. John and Dayna Cooper Laguna Niguel, California read more

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing CTAG and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. From start to finish, the service was exceptional. The tours were well-planned and immersive, offering a perfect balance of exploration and relaxation. What truly set this service apart was the fantastic company and Neus positive vibes throughout the journey . She made sure we were well-fed and busy and our driver. I couldn't have asked for a better travel experience. I can't wait to return Highly recommended!" read more

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I have traveled a fair amount in developing countries, and can see the unique challenges / complexity of Cuba beyond anything we've seen in places like Colombia, Cambodia, etc. We are SO happy that we went with CTAG and had a dedicated driver and guide. I feel like we talked for 120 straight hours with Yosvany. He absolutely made the trip with his deep understanding of Cuba's history and willingness to share his own life experiences - that context was critical for understanding what we saw, and you don't always encounter that depth with a tour guide, no matter how good their language skills are. His grasp of logistics and handling changes to the itinerary were also impressive, we really felt spoiled just getting to hop in the backseat and having everything fall in place ahead of us. Travel is always a privilege and something that we don't take for granted, and I think Yosvany was as good as it gets anywhere in the industry. We will recommend CTAG to everyone, and congrats on the team that you have built there. It's very impressive. Would give a sixth star if we could! read more

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Great group to work with Manny and Cary really put together some great highlights with thre local people My guide Brayan and driver Sergei became my family for a week and life long friends Brayan signed up for " 100 million learners "with my Grad school Thunderbird We are a global managment school and are offering five free courses to everyone which can be used toward a degree The cultural content of this trip were so good From salsa lessons to jazz shows to art installations and the sights smells and sounds of cuba I stayed in a hotel the first two nights but the casa particulares are where you see and breathe the culture customs and mores Also i worked hard on my spanish and Brayan and Sergei were extremely patient and helpful In fact Brayan and I now play on line chess but watch out he is really good!! read more

This was an absolutely wonderful trip. I expected to "see" many many beautiful beaches and classic cars. What I found instead was that Cuba is NOT about the things you "see" but about the people you meet. Our guide Emilio really let us into his life. For the time we spent with him he was like a member of our family. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about his job. We loved spending every minute we could with him. Emilio planned "special events" to make things even better. He was so funny and by the time we left, we felt that we really knew him as a person...and we think of him as a FRIEND. Danilo was our driver and though he didn't speak English, he still communicated with us and made us laugh and just enjoy our trip. Though the traffic in Havana can be hectic and the roads in Cuba are not what we were used to, we always felt safe and knew that we were in good hands. CTAG had everything planned for us. They planned for us to visit important sites as well as visit rarely seen places. We had meals in peoples homes as well as beautiful restaurants. We never felt unsafe and the accommodations were better than we thought they would be. The PEOPLE of Cuba are amazing with incredible hearts. read more

CTAG took care of every single detail of our trip, yet at the same time, our trip was our "own" for just the two of us. CTAG arranged the flights from Miami to Havana, the visas, and the money exchange, advised us on filling out the forms, and arranged a guide, driver, lodging, and activities. Their "sample" itinerary was perfect for us: a salsa dancing lesson, a drive in a beautifully restored vintage 1955 Dodge, a cooking lesson in the countryside at an eco-savvy farm, a visit to a tobacco farm, a night at the Tropicana, a night at the Buena Vista Social Club, lunch with a university professor / former diplomat, walking tours everywhere, a visit to a Cuban art museum, lodging at darling private boutique residences, and meals at wonderful restaurants. Our guide, Brayan ("Brian"), and driver, Noel, were exceptional. Brayan was a wealth of information, always with a smile on his face. He listened hard to us and made subtle changes to our itinerary to accommodate our wishes. Noel was always there to pick us up, give us bottles of water, and drop us off, and since my wife is fluent in Spanish, Noel was also a fun part of our "family." Brayan speaks perfect English, loves to share information, has a deep knowledge of the history and culture of Cuba, and truly loves to discuss almost any subject you can imagine. We got to know Cuba - the history, the feeling of it, the rhythms of life there - on an exponentially deeper level than if we had tried it on our own. Thank you, Manny and Cary, for all of the trip planning, and thank you, Brayan and Noel, for executing our trip so flawlessly and making it SO fun! read more

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If you are looking to travel to Cuba, choose CTAG. Knowledgeable, experienced, professional and caring trip planners, guides, and on the ground Cuban staff. Our itinerary was well crafted by Cary. CTAG has done their homework. We enjoyed well vetted restaurants, venues and Cuban adventures. Our guide Neus was energetic, vibrant and an encyclopedia of knowledge. Our driver Frank was a safe chauffeur, and a true gentleman. He was always alert while navigating through Havana and the Cuban countryside. We spent a week in Cuba and felt fortunate to have been taken care of so well. read more

Loved my trip to Cuba with CTAG. We were with our guide, Alpi, and our driver, Frank, the entire time. Alpi was incredibly informative and candid with us about his life as a Cuban. No questions were off the table. We enjoyed a day in the country, but spent most of our time in Havana. I feel as though we saw all the highlights. Our host, Yani, had a clean and spacious apartment for us. I loved the salsa class, the cooking class, and seeing everything through Alpi's eyes. We were in great hands. I will also say that, having traveled in other parts of South and Central America, Cuba felt the safest. I would recommend in hindsight that if you visit Cuba and want to be able to use your phone, you should get a SIM card. The apartment Wi-Fi was unreliable or unavailable and public Wi-Fi is hard to come by. read more

We found every aspect of the trip from start to finish to be every bit as wonderful as we had hoped. We really enjoyed Fernando our guide, and our driver Noel. They were perfect in their roles. Noel was a very safe and thoughtful driver and navigated us around perfectly. Fernando was interesting and fun to talk to. He was very engaging and knowledgeable on many topics. I also really enjoyed Alpi and he seems to know everyone, and everyone knows him. You have a great team there. We completely enjoyed all the events set up for us. My wife loved the dancing class, the cooking class and meeting the artist (I don't remember his name now but he and Jacqueline really hit it off. They are communicating thru social media). Our dinner with the political science guy (sorry I am terrible remembering names) was great as well. He was engaging and interesting and we had a great time with him. They were all really perfect. We also really enjoyed the trip out to Vinales and happy we made the choice to go. The lady that ran the place where we stayed was wonderful, as was the everything about Vinales and the things we did there. Fernando and Noel did a good job getting us around and seeing as much as possible. I could go on but you get the idea. You guys set us up with a perfect trip to Cuba and we came away with awesome memories of every aspect.... well except the airport fiasco. Even that is a second time fun story. read more

The trip was great. Interesting. Our guide and driver were excellent. Food and people were wonderful. CTAG arranged everything 5 star read more

My husband and I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Cuba. We almost missed this terrific adventure due to the fright from media reports on the recurring blackouts in Cuba. But "Cuba Travel Adventures Group" (CTAG CUBA), who helped to plan our trip and took care of every detail from start to finish, encouraged us to go, and we are so grateful. First of all, our tour guide, NEUS, was absolutely terrific. She is sweet, informative, accommodating, and every other superlative adjective for a tour guide! (Cuba was always thought of as being "off limits" for me as an American, and aside from the old cars, cigars, Communism and perhaps Guantanamo Bay, I did not know anything about Cuba or its people. Thanks to CTAG, that is no longer true). The itinerary they put together for us was terrific! It was interesting, diverse and fun. When we asked for HISTORY, they delivered a schedule for us that included a great tour of Old Havana, walking from one Plaza to another with our guide NEUS recounting important events in Cuba. When we asked for CULTURE, CTAG delivered a Salsa Dance lesson and a Cuban Cuisine cooking class (which we enjoyed for lunch we made in the class!) and a visit to Afro-Cuban neighborhoods to learn of their contributions to Cuban society. Also, a tour of Havana City in one of those famous vintage American 1950's Chryslers, and 2 wonderful evening performances of Cuban music. We also visited the ceramic artworks of Jose Fuster, who is considered the Picasso of Cuba (or in our eyes, the "Gaudi of Cuba"). When we asked for NATURE, the CTAG group suggested 2 days in the lush green Vinales countryside, where we enjoyed a horseback riding adventure with a local farmer and a boat ride into a nearby stalactite / stalagmite cave, complete with visits to several farms that offer "farm-to-table" meals and also a guided tour of an amazing botanical garden... and if that weren't all, finally a hike (and a dip!) in a nearby stream and waterfall. We could not have asked for a better mix of sites, sounds and information! A huge thank you to CTAG CUBA for such a wonderful life experience! read more

We cannot recommend Cuba and CTAG highly enough. This was a trip planned pre-pandemic and finally experienced last month. The schedule, recommendations, accomodations and all were perfect. Our local guide, Beatrice, and driver Yassir have become dear friends. The schedule also allowed for modifications if needed/wanted, and we learned more than we could have imagined. We cannot wait to return! We requested an 'arts and music' tour,and it could not have been more perfect. We are so grateful for this trip of a lifetime, to CTAG and their superb guides. Thank you thank you. Susie and John read more

From start to finish, this was an amazing and carefree trip! I highly recommend CTAG for your travels to Cuba! Our guide, Nathaly, was incredible. She was so knowledgeable, we learned so much from her about Cuba and the City of Havana. Noel, our personal driver, was a sweetheart and was always there to pick us up. If you're considering a trip to Cuba, CTAG should be the group you travel with! read more

Top tier service. They made my trip to Cuba UNFORGETTABLE. I had the time of my life. This was the best vacation I have ever had. They were kind friendly and prompt. They over delivered. I will definitely be using them again. read more

Manny and Cary, thank you to you and all your staff for the beautiful experience of my trip to Cuba. The itinerary was geared to my interests in Cuban art, architecture, history, and music, but I find that my opportunities to speak with Cuban people are what feature largest in my pleasant memories. My thanks to Orellio, Lorena, Annabelle, the shy tobacco farmer, the long-suffering horse wrangler, Camillo, and especially my guide Nathaly and my driver Alejandro, who anticipated my every need. I cannot recommend CTAG highly enough - I will definitely return to Cuba! read more

Just got back from a Trip to Cuba that was all arranged by CTAG. Was wonderful experience. Every detail was handled. When we wanted to change things a little after we we there, no problem. Have traveled all over the world and CTAG handled this trip as well as any I have been on. Our guide Brayan was very knowledgeable, accommodating and always on time. Thank you CTAG read more

A group of coworkers and I agreed to plan a trip to Havana Cuba. We googled trip planners for Cuba and came upon CTAG. CTAG was the one for us. Although we started planning with a group, it ended up being only 2 of us going. The planning was easy to set up through Manny the owner and he took almost eveything into consideration. By know means this is a cheap trip. If that is what your looking for, then go elsewhere. However, the trip included most of the things you would otherwise have to pay for excluding alcohol, gifts, snacks, etc. Even things like Visas and basic cab rides were included. Upon a arrival our guide was there waiting outside in the parking lot. It actually was the guide and the manager (Josvani and Alpi). They were great throughout the entire stay. They gave us a quick history of the country as we drove to our place. We had a lovely 2 bedroom apartment owned and operated by a local couple downstairs. It was rooftop with a balcony so we can enjoy the air. It was very clean and well kept. Highly recommended! Oh and the owners were very nice and made fresh breakfast, juice, and coffee in the mornings of our choices. Our itinerary was packed with things to do. We were on the go almost all the time. For older or less mobile people maybe build in a day of rest or some light days for relaxation if that's what you need or want. But many and the CTAG team makes sure your day will not dull. Josvani (guide) made sure we didn't want for water as they kept it in our assigned taxi. Our driver Falsto was great as well. CTAG makes sure that you have enough Cuban pesos upon arrival as the currency is ever changing and the U.S. dollar is much more desired.....but beware. Still the government discourages it. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and we enjoyed them all. The margins of our itinerary were from the inner city of Havana's culture and people, to the mountains of Vinhales' tobacco farms, to the beautiful beaches on the outskirts of Havana! And all appeared to be rich in history and culture. If you want to really enjoy the people and culture of Cuba then book through CTAG. You won't regret it! read more

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AMAZING!!! Yes, my three girlfriends and I had a fabulous time during the 8 days that we were in Cuba! It was educational and culturally enriching, and met some of the most warm and lovely people. Despite our jam-packed itinerary (of our own doing), everything we did was a highlight, from walking in old Havana, listening to jazz, going to a show, participating in a Salsa class, meeting and speaking with a cardiologist and an ecologist (very educational), having a freshly cooked and delicious seafood lunch meal in a private home was also a lovely experience, smoking a Cuban cigar in Vinales then horseback riding and speaking to the locals was just grand, going to the beach and staying in " casas particulares" drinking Cuban coffee, espresso, every morning and much much more truly made this trip remarkable. However, Yosvany, our tour guide and Yosmel, our driver, both made our trip all the more enjoyable and adventurous! They are truly gems and are now our friends. They were on time, on target, available, easygoing, Very knowledgeable, and flexible, and we had nothing to worry about, or at least it felt that way ---THANK YOU! THANK YOU, Yosvany and Yosmel! Thank you for answering our questions, keeping it real, and for your patience. Last but not least, we "baptized" Yosmel's car, "Lupita," for safely taking us "all over Cuba"; she needed a name, and Yosmel permitted us to name her : ) until we meet again and soon! read more

Cuba Travel Group: I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that your team here in Cuba is knocking it out of the park! We are having the best time and learning so much. Beatriz is simply outstanding and totally delightful! She has made this trip the best imaginable. She has worked tirelessly to make sure that plans go smoothly, and when things have changed that are out of her control, she has adjusted and worked hard to make fun new plans. She has also given us great counsel to help us make good new choices. We have greatly enjoyed the living situations, the delicious meals, fabulous views from the restaurants, historical events, music and, today, our fascinating lunch with Professor Camilo. We could have talked with him for many more hours. Our driver, Yasser is also exceptional. He has a great sense of humor, is always ready to offer a helping hand and is a gifted driver in a very challenging driving environment. We just love both Beatriz and Yasser! You and your team have met and exceeded our expectations at every turn. We are excited for the rest of our trip and are confident that it will be an outstanding and fun adventure and that we will continue to learn more about the wonderful Cuban people. Thank you for all of your help in making this trip so magical and so smooth. Sue and Steve read more

Oh my God. The best everything and everyone. I may need 1 more trip before December. And for next year im inviting as many friends that can come. But i need Yosanny and serga. When i come alone as much as possible book me at maya house. Thank you for everything and fulfilling parts of my bucket list and a beautiful introduction to a beautiful place. read more

First off, let me say that the trip was the most memorable trip of my life and fullfilled a lifelong wish. everything about the trip was great from the accomodations to the guide, Yosvani and driver Danilo. A great pair. Staying with Reynaldo was the highlight except for meeting my family. His place was first class, the meals were the best i had on the island Going through some of his archive was priceless as was talking to him about Cuba in general and getting his historical tour of San Juan Hill. The guide took us averywhere we could possibly want to go and to the unexpected places that made the trip even better like Trinidad and Vinales. Getting the Jazz festival passes turned out to be worth the extra expense, especially for my older son, who used it more than me and my younger son and really enjoyed the access that the pass provided. What a trip! Thank you and your team. Please give your folks in Cuba a hearty abrazo for me. read more

They were very professional. Our itinerary, which they put together was amazing for me and my adult children. They were good, so I was good. They actually want a repeat of the adventure. Bella and Al (tour guide and driver) were excellent. Looking forward for a repeat. Thank you for an amazing time. read more

We really enjoyed Cuba, a beautiful, safe, enchanting place, especially in the hands of CTAG. Our guide Alpi was thoughtful, intelligent, witty and extremely accommodating as he toured us around the western part of Cuba. I cannot imagine Cuba without him, as he loves his country but is honest and informative about its shortcomings. Our accommodations, driver, Jules, and the people who assisted us were so impressive. The excursions, walking tour of Havana, bars, restaurants, salsa classes, farm visit, tobacco region visit....on and on. It would be difficult to duplicate on your own. Book with Manny and his wife Carrie and all will taken care of. It will not feel like a tour, but like visiting a friend in Cuba that wants to show you around. read more

Our trip of 3 couples to Cuba with CTAG exceeded my expectations! First of all, the choices for our intinerary were amazing and so numerous that we had to really prioritize. Second, once we got to Cuba (which was so much easier than I ever thought) our tour guide Alpi and all of his team was absolutely amazing! Not only was he fun, but was so passionate and knowledgable about everything from Cuban history, politics, religion art and architecture and more! We stayed at incredible "inns" that were like beautiful homes (one in a neighborhood with a pool and one right in old Havana) and this enabled the group to interact together when we had moments of down time! Finally, we just did some of the most amazing activities (cooking class, bike tour, zip line, beach trip etc) and I was amazed at the natural beauty of Cuba (the limestone mountains in Vinales etc) and the richness of the culture and warmth of the Cuban people we met. We danced in both the community and at the Buena Vista Social Club. I want to go back, as I feel like we just scratched the surface of all Cuba has to offer. read more

Cuba Travel Adventures Group - Vinales - Tours Near Me - Tiburon, California

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CTAG enabled our family to have a fantastic trip to Cuba! We worked with Manny throughout the fall to develop a wonderful itinerary for our trip to Cuba. Everything went smoothly with the flights and the visas, and we felt prepared when we landed in Havana. We were met at the airport by our fantastic team - our guide, Zurdo, and our driver, Julio. Zurdo is an absolutely amazing guide. He helped us every step of the way and made sure everything went smoothly. Our conversations with Zurdo helped us understand the history and economy of Cuba, life in Cuba currently and in the past, hopes for the future for residents of Cuba, and much much more. Plus after an hour long salsa lesson with him and his lovely wife, we were all dancing away! He was very flexible and when weather or anything else caused us to have to pivot from the itinerary, he was ready with Plan B and Plan C to make sure we would continue to learn and enjoy. We can't say enough about our team of Zurdo and Julio - they kept us all engaged and excited throughout our week in Cuba. We highly recommend going to Viñales if you have the chance. It is remarkably different from Havana and you can really get a feeling for rural life in Cuba. We had an early morning (5 am!) hike scheduled in Viñales which unfortunately got rained out (both Julio and Zurdo showed up at 5 am anyway to give us the disappointing news!), but I see in other reviews that this hike is a real highlight, so be sure to do it! Whichever guide you have will be awesome as far as I can tell (we met some of the other guides at the New Year's Eve party), but of course we felt like we had the BEST! The accommodations were really nice - rooms in a larger house although one place there were only four rooms so we had the whole place. We always had delicious breakfasts at our lodging to fuel up for the day. All in all we had multiple wonderful meals ranging from simple to fancy, and we were able to hear great music every night and most days as well! We also went for runs along the Malecon every day and felt perfectly safe walking everywhere at all hours of the day or night. In Havana, some big highlights were dinner and an evening at La Fábrica de Arte Cubano (an absolute must), a cooking lesson on the rooftop with Daisy, an incredible meal at 5 Sentidos, a visit to the Hotel Nacional, an auto tour in cars from the 50s, the Santería walk and talk, and an afternoon at the beach. We also loved walking through Habana Vieja and learning about the different plazas and buildings. A big shout-out to our new dear friend Zurdo for making sure we had a wonderful trip. We are so grateful for all his efforts for our family. CTAG is a great company and will be sure to plan a super fun adventure for you while helping you learn about the history, economy, political situation, and general life in Cuba. read more

CTAG was absolutely amazing - they pulled together an INCREDIBLE trip of a LIFETIME on very short notice. We were able to get to Cuba, go SCUBA diving in a pristine, beautiful location, and have additional adventures on land all in a little more than a week. I cannot recommend them highly enough! Many and Cary were in frequent contact from the US and then, once we were "in country" in Cuba, our guide Albi was an amazing ambassador for Cuba. Albi speaks FLAWLESS English with a vocabulary made sophisticated by reading the classics and peppered with vernacular from watching lots of American movies. Go to Cuba NOW and book with these folks! read more

Had a great time and experience with CTAG! Bea & Alpi took great care of my mom, sister, and I while on our itinerary in Cuba. Very professional and caring company, we'll be back next year! read more

Looking back on our weeklong trip to Cuba, I can't think of anything that could have gone better. From working out the initial arrangements for our group of 8, to making the most of our final night in Havana with a epic rooftop party featuring our personal chef and jazz combo, Manny and his CTAG team really delivered. Our tour guide Melina and driver José went over and above to provide us with a nonstop parade of activities from morning to late night, and we felt as if we'd seen some sides of Cuba that a tourist in a fancy hotel or resort might not have experienced. We stayed in posadas, family-run B&Bs that were warm, friendly, and comfortable. And music! Everywhere! When you go over the list of available activities as you and Manny plan your trip, my advice would be to always default to the music. read more

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It is never easy planning a trip to a place like Cuba, but CTAG made the process as smooth as possible. The actual trip itself was even better. There were some hiccups on the way, as can be expected on any trip, but overall my party had a wonderful experience in Cuba. Our guide, Alpi, was wonderful and very knowledgeable about Cuba and was passionate about introducing us to his culture and his people. Lastly, Manny and Cary, who are not Cuban, truly care about the Cuban people and are dedicated to introducing Americans to this culture. I came to Cuba for the cigars and rum and the preconceived notions I had from watching movies, but I left with a profound gratitude to CTAG for allowing our two families to briefly immerse ourselves in the Cuban culture and really get to know the people. I would encourage everyone to visit Cuba and to do it with CTAG. read more

these guys are awesome , our guide was top notch and made our trip to Cuba memorable . my wife have been traveling the world for 40 years have done theee world tours and are leaving in January 2023 for another world tour and say without hesitation Cuba travel adventures is awesome . read more

What Ana amazing time. Exceeded my expectations!! Betty my tour guide became my new best friend. Very knowledgeable, fun and free spirited. I loved the fact that meals were taken care of, didn't have to worry where or when to eat. All activities were well planned and organized. Not 1 minute left spent wondering what to do next. I definitely recommend this company read more

03/11/2019 If you are thinking about visiting Cuba- don't hesitate- just do it! My husband had voiced his desire to go to Cuba years ago. He finally contacted Manny Kopstein at Cuba Travel Adventures Group to discuss the details. We were able to customize our visit according to our likes, our expectations, and our priorities. He planned a once-in-a lifetime perfect vacation designed especially for the two of us. We didn't want to be part of a large bus tour so we decided on our preference of doing a personal tour. We had an excellent driver/guide, Ernesto, and a very personable knowledgeable guide, Ulises. We enjoyed the company of another guide for one of the excursions, Alpie who we had a blast with. They looked after us and took care of all our needs from the time we landed in Cuba until we (sadly) departed. They all surpassed our expectations! We were able to do as much or as little of the itinerary as we wanted. It was our call. They were all very informative but added humor to make it fun and enjoyable. We absolutely wouldn't have changed a single thing. We left Cuba with a lifetime of beautiful and spectacular memories. The Cuban people are very friendly, delightfully helpful, non-aggressive, and we felt safe the entire trip. We went the first week in February of this year (2019) . The weather was fantastic the whole trip. Day time temperatures were comfortably warm and the nights only required a light sweater. Go ahead and treat yourself to a dream vacation that you'll never forget, I know we won't! Call Manny or Caroline soon, you won't regret it. Create your own paradise vacation. Thanks Manny so much! Ron and Debbie S read more

CTAG provided an exceptional and unique experience of the complexity of Cuba. Our amazing guide, Yosvany, shared his personal beliefs and extensive knowledge about the country, its history, politics, and culture while being open to never-ending questions and ongoing conversations that left us truly transformed. Going to Cuba was a true adventure, interacting with dancers, cooks, a Cuban diplomat, an expert in Santeria, cigar rollers, and synagogue leaders, helped us get different viewpoints on this incredible island, all while having a ton of fun and adventurous spirit. As a couple that travels frequently on our own, we are so grateful we decided to go with CTAG - we could never have had such a meaningful experience without CTAG and Yosvany. read more

One of the best vacations ever, on the expensive end due to deluxe inns and best restaurants included; also with all the dedicated time from our guide and driver for the entire 8 days, it was so worth it!!! Zurdo and Noel were a delight, and so informative of the sights and culture and history of Cuba; really came away with a hunger to know more about Cuba, and have read several books on my return. We had a packed schedule from a menu of things to do over the entire country. Would love to go back, and tour more things on a slower pace and take in more dancing. Always felt safe and secure; Zurdo and Noel gave us two ladies their utmost care. Every local we met was so personable and kind. So impressed with CTAG. It would be hard to do this kind of visit on your own; understand Spanish, but not the street version!! Took many photos, that I enjoy showing to friends, and reliving the experience. Cuba forever has a piece of my heart..... read more

I read this thread, and many others, before booking a trip to Cuba with Manny and his team this past October (2017). Which is why I'm back here now, writing my first TripAdvisor review. Go to Cuba as soon as you can, and go with Manny's guides. I went for only three days and two nights, but it was one of the best experiences of my life, and Manny/Caroline/Daniel (our guide) delivered everything I was expecting (and significantly more). They customized the trip to fit our interests, sending us to amazing places (restaurants, a cigar factory, salsa dancing, historical sites, etc.) and introducing us to people (a university professor and diplomat who gave us incredible insight into the politics/business climate of Cuba, etc.) we would never have met on our own. Cuba feels significantly safer than most U.S. cities I've visited -- everyone in our group, women in included, were entirely comfortable exploring Havana at all hours of the day/night in small groups and individually. For skeptics out there (like myself when reading these reviews), be assured that I'm a real person who really went on this trip, and I'm writing this review only because I want Manny and his team to succeed. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions about Cuba or Manny and Cuba Travel Adventures. -Nick Lange https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlange/ https://www.facebook.com/nickclange read more

We had a truly memorable experience in Cuba, with Cuba Travel Adventures Group. We are a couple (75 and 66), and had long wanted to visit the island, and Cary and Manny and the entire group made our trip happen. The attention to detail was particularly helpful - air tickets, visas, accommodation, itineraries, restaurants, etc. were all handled very smoothly. We especially want to highlight our guide Yosvany and drivers Frank and Panchito. There were more things to do each day than we wanted to try, so we were content with a lighter schedule. Some highlights included a rooftop cooking class, lunch with a professor from the University of Havana, the Fine Arts Museum, and excursions to Viñalles and Cienfuegos. Our accommodations were always fine, and our meals were great. We would like to mention that if you have trouble with stairs, you need to let CTAG know. We thought it wouldn't be a problem, but our first night's accommodation on a second floor with maybe 30 or 35 steps proved too much, and we requested a change for the second and subsequent nights. CTAG was able to accommodate us even with this last-minute change. Also, there was a 7-hour evening blackout in Cienfuegos, which constrained the menu at the restaurant, and meant a night without air con. Make sure you are prepared with flashlights, battery packs, insect repellent, etc.! We found the people we talked to were always interesting, helpful, and friendly. If you are thinking about a trip to Cuba we would definitely recommend CTAG. read more

Our trip to Cuba was a most incredible experience, thanks to Manny, Cary, Alpi, and our guide, Milena, and driver, Fausto. We are frequent travelers, but this was unlike any other trip we've taken or experience we've had. I think every trip I've taken has left an impression, but none has kept me thinking quite this much. I've been asked many times now "how was Cuba?" and my response is always "how much time do you have?"... and then after my recap of the highlights, the conversation turns to larger political, economic, and social questions. One colleague even asked me if I could share more about the experience with his 15-yr-old and her friends after I gave him my 30 min/abbreviated recap! I think Cuba is a mystery for most people, at least in this part of the country (upper Midwest), and it was - and in many ways, still is - for me... still processing, still thinking about it. For my just-turned-16-yr-old son, who just took the AP US History exam... his first day was spent lamenting the social activities he was missing back home, and his last last day was spent hanging on Milena's every word. Every day was full of interesting and varied experiences. I like to think of myself as a pretty good trip planner, and I typically do a ton of research and planning myself and capture a lot more than the general commercial tour would, but this trip exceeded even my standards, with a full schedule that maximized our time. But, perhaps most importantly, travel comes down to who you travel with, and I cannot say enough about Milena. She is absolutely amazing. Not just her knowledge and insights, or even her patience and flexibility, but her sincerity, kindness, and emotional intelligence (she read us both like a book, and that made her an exceptional guide for a custom trip, particularly for two Midwesterners who've been raised to never ask for anything lest we come across as demanding or entitled or ungrateful!). But Milena 100% made the experience for us. In fact, we encountered some others from the US who clearly had no guide (let alone Milena), as well as some Belgians traveling on their own, and after speaking to them, all I could think was how much less they were getting from their experience, not having her with them. The value of our experience in Cuba is as much what we saw/heard/tasted/smelled/touched as what we learned - and learned to appreciate - because of Milena. And on top of that, she was so great at cluing us in on the little social subtleties that only a local might catch... being a foreigner is always a little awkward, but I really felt like I had an advocate who wanted to make the experience not just good, but authentic and real... so we weren't outsiders just looking in, but engaged learners and truly friends, there to not just support, but to understand, enjoy, and grow our respect for the Cuban people we met. Milena was that bridge for us. She really is a gem. We connected with her, and I hope to stay in contact with her and someday see her again. She's just truly so special. Long story short, I highly recommend Manny and his team. If you are even vaguely curious about Cuba, you need to ping him. He will spin up a personalized itinerary in a matter of days, and he will make it easy - I have a busy schedule but we literally arranged everything via email. And it'll be tailored to your interests. My son plays baseball, and we were treated to a personal onfield tour of a professional baseball stadium and met former players and coaches. Our guide even commented even she hadn't been there before, which is a testament to the flexibility and personalization of the itinerary. More examples? When we arrived, the weather was beautiful and perfect for the beach, so our plans were rearranged swimmingly to accommodate some beach time. The final day, we ended up with a later flight and Milena graciously accommodated to ensure a full day of experiences in Havana. I can't recommend this experience enough. I promise you'll be thinking of Cuba - and the incredible people you met there - long after you leave. read more

March 2022 the four of us wanted to go on a special scuba diving trip where we all hadn't been before and where we could book it in short notice. That's when we discovered CTAG who did everything for us down to the last detail ensuring everything we did was in compliance even while it shifted. From leaving California to Florida to Havana and all across Cuba and back, returning to our homes, we came back different people. That's how impactful our experience was and that's why we're highly recommending CTAG. They're all in to get you there and back but most importantly, they love the Cuban people and go to great extents to personalize your visit while remaining respectful to your guides and the people you meet. Do you want an extraordinary experience with extraordinary people during these extraordinary times? Please give Manny a call. read more

Recently I returned from a 5-day trip to Cuba organized and led by CTAG. This was an incredible journey that I have wanted to do for many years. After some careful investigation on the companies that could assist me with this, I chose CTAG. Cary guided me through all that was required and organized all aspects of the trip, including flights, accommodations, tours, visits, currency exchange and the visa. This is critical for an American to visit Cuba and comply with each country's rules and regulations. Upon arriving in Havana and departing the airport I met Zurdo Villalba, my tour guide for the entire visit. He's a tour guide by day, and a Salsa dance instructor by night. Zurdo is "Mr. Cuba"! Zurdo, a native of Havana, knows everything about Cuba, including the good and not so good. His honest and detailed introduction to Cuba and its lifestyle was "eye opening" and inspiring for me. We discussed Cuba's history, culture, personal attitudes. architecture, sites, art, cigars, rum and more, for hours over the 5 days. I met some locals, discussed politics and culture with a professor, took cooking lessons, drove in a 1950's chevy convertible, visited the hotels of the Mob, saw famous musical shows, visited Hemingway's favorite spots, brought OTC meds from the US to a local church, and absorbed much of the essence of Cuba and what it means to be a native Cuban. America has a very unique relationship with Cuba, both good and bad, that goes back hundreds of years. This relationship needs to be improved and a visit to Cuba with CTAG is the place to start. Stay at Charcon 160, run by Tanya and Dimara, you won't be disappointed! And don't forget to ask Zurdo for a salsa lesson. Robert P. read more

We were 2 women travelers in our 60's and had no idea what to expect from a trip to Havana & Vinales. Everything exceeded our expectations. Manny & Cary listened to what we were looking for in a Cuba vacation and put together a customized trip that covered all the bases. They did an excellent job of preparing us for what to expect at in Cuba and at U.S. customs. I have traveled extensively and I have to say that our guide, Beatrice (Betty), was one of the best I have ever had, her knowledge was vast and her English was impeccable. Our driver was fabulous too. The place that we stayed was charming and in a lovely section of Old Havana where we felt safe walking around even late at night. Highlights were the salsa lessons, the trip to a tobacco plantation in Vinales, and just walking around the city to explore. I love that you have the freedom to modify the itinerary if you find something special you want to do. Everyone we met was wonderful. I HIGHLY recommend this company. read more