Drive through the east of Cuba

Eastern Cuba is associated with pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, the former capital Santiago de Cuba and the remote coastal town of Baracoa with its natural highlights. Holguín is the starting point for our suggested round trip. Ideally, you will fly here directly with Condor from Frankfurt.

The tour ends either back in Holguín or at a beach hotel on the north coast, e.g. near Guardalavaca.

Day 1: Arrival in Holguin
You either land in Holguin or are already in the east of the country. If you have some time in the provincial capital, you can follow in the footsteps of Calixto Garcia. The central square of Holguin was named after this famous general of the wars of independence and his birthplace, Casa Natal de Calixto Garcia, now houses a small museum.

Day 2: From Holguín to Bayamo 
Pick up your rental car in the morning and set off towards the Sierra Maestra, or rather the edge of Cuba's largest mountain range. Bayamo is the city of horse-drawn carriages and is known throughout the country for its revolutionary history. In the tranquil center, it is worth taking a tour of the main square and the adjacent sights, such as the birthplace of the national hero Carlos Manuel de Cespedes.
Journey in a hire car approx. 1.5 hours

Day 3: Rebel camp and Santiago de Cuba 
From Bayamo, you can take an excursion to the former headquarters of the rebels around Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in the Sierra Maestra before continuing on to Santiago de Cuba. About 30 minutes before Santiago is the pilgrimage church Basilica El Cobre, which is home to Cuba's patron saint and is simply fantastically situated.
In the evening, you can explore Santiago's nightlife. Salsa, rumba and son are danced here like nowhere else in Cuba.
Journey by rental car approx. 2.5 hours

Day 4: Get to know Santiago de Cuba
You should plan a whole day for Cuba's second largest city. Most of the city can be discovered without your rental car. Worth seeing are the Moncada barracks, the Bacardi Museum, the Santa Ifigenia cemetery and of course the central square. The El Morro fortress is located at the entrance to the port. You can easily reach it with your rental car. 

Day 5: Continue east to Baracoa 
Today your rental car will do a great job. You drive to the remote province of Guantanamo. You can stop in the provincial capital of the same name or drive directly over the Farola Pass to the oldest city in Cuba, Baracoa. You will remember the route along the coast and through the mountains for a long time. 
Drive in a rental car approx. 4 hours

Day 6: Baracoa and tropical flair
The small town of Baracoa offers a mixture of classicist buildings with a French touch and constantly repaired areas, as the coastal town is occasionally at the mercy of tropical storms.
The green surrounding countryside is particularly beautiful. Between the Maisí lighthouse and the Humboldt National Park, you can hike and discover unspoiled nature. 

Day 7: Travel to Holguin or Guardalavaca 
Today you will need a little patience and your rental car will have to withstand a lot. The road conditions towards Holguín are sometimes very poor and progress is slow. Forget the route planner and just set off on time. You can make a stop at the Alexander von Humboldt National Park; the visitor center will tell you which excursions are possible.
This rental car tour ends at a beach resort or directly in the city. There are car rental stations at various points for returning the vehicle.
Journey in rental car approx. 6 hours

If you like this round trip with a rental car, you can book the trip with the desired accommodation. We are also happy to adapt the routes and travel duration to your individual wishes. Our customer support will provide you with all information.