Name: GLT Island Capital City Long Weekend Advenure
Location: Caribbean

Girls LOVE Travel

208 reviews

Duration: 4 days

Group size: 1 - 17

GLT Island Capital City Long Weekend Advenure

Caribbean

$1,075

Duration: 4 days

Group size: 1 - 17

** Scroll down this page to view the complete, day by day, itinerary**

Please note that why travel to the island IS legal for US citizens, using the name of the country on the trip description page can cause problems for our third-party payment processor. Therefore, we will be referring to the country as "the island" on this itinerary and the city we are in for the long weekend as "the capital city"

We are excited to partner with GLTer-owned Heart of Travel to bring you to this beautiful island in 2023!

We are offering three dates to join us on this trip:

June 17-20, 2023 (co-ed option!)

September 30-October 3, 2023 (womxn only)

November 25-28 (co-ed option!)

The island is easily one of the most unique and interesting destinations to visit in all of Latin America, if not the world. While you may come here looking for answers, you're more than likely to return home with even more questions. The island's vibrant culture is reflected in its art, music, dance, food, drink, and overall energy. However, it's important to recognize the struggles that islanders have been facing for years, with their fate in the hands of an oppressive government and the outdated US embargo.

Our island tours immediately immerse you as you settle into your "casa particular" owned and run by a local family. From there you will jump into learning about the island's historic and cultural past and present while traveling throughout both urban and rural parts of the island. Our in-country host families, local guides, and drivers look forward to sharing the real island with you!

As much as we want for this trip to go exactly as planned, we can not plan for complications that arise especially due to inclement weather or closures due to extenuating circumstances like Covid-19.

While we hope all attendees choose to get vaccinated against Covid 19 - we are not requiring proof of vaccination for this trip. We do require a NEGATIVE ANTIGEN COVID TEST prior to arrival. The at home tests are acceptable. Please email tests to glttrips.covid@gmail.com

We will do our very best to make onsite scheduling adjustments as needed, but please note that all listed and intended activities are weather and trail permitting. No refunds will be given if an activity has to be cancelled or adjusted.

Additionally, the tour is listed as a package, and no price adjustments will be given if someone wants to "opt-out" of an included activity.

Your spot is confirmed upon the payment of a deposit of $250 on your package. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Full payment for this trip is due 60 days prior to arrival.

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, these fees will be applied:

• Between Now- 60 days out, GLT retains only nonrefundable deposit

• Between 60-46 days before your arrival date, GLT retains 50% of the entire tour price

• Between 45-31 days before your arrival date, GLT retains 75% of the entire tour price

• Starting 30 days before, GLT retains 100% of the entire tour price

Add ons can be added to your package until 31 days out. After 30 days, add-ons are non-refundable.

Arrival:

We recommend arriving to the airport (HAV) before 3pm on day 1 so you have time to arrive, head to the hotel and check in before the welcome dinner that evening!

Departure:

We recommend departing from the airport (HAV) after 12pm on day 8, so you have time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you leave.

3 nights accommodation
Accommodation in a casa particular
Some Meals
Meals as outlined in the itinerary
Airport Transfer
Airport pickup/drop off
In-Country Transport
Transport around the city and surrounding areas as included in the itinerary
Cultural Experiences
Unique experiences with the islanders. Supporting local people is a big part of tourism here!
Entrance and Guide Fees
For all activities included in the itinerary
Tour Leaders
A Heart of Travel rep and local guides to make sure you are having the best time!

International Airfare
To/from the capital city of the island
Travel Medical Insurance
Required, usually included in flight. We will provide assistance
Tourist Card/Visa
You can purchase at airport on departure day or in advance online. We will provide assistance
Meals not stated
Any meals not indicated on itinerary
Trip Insurance
Recommended, not required. Better to be safe than sorry!
Tips
To the local guides who work hard to give an amazing experience!
WeTravel Fees
Any service or credit card fees charged by the booking platform

Single Room Option

$200

Pre-Trip Extra Night (SHARED)

$60

For a shared room before the trip. (NOTE- if we do not have any other GLTers to match you with for an extra night, you will need to pay $90)

Pre-Trip Extra Night (SINGLE)

$90

For a room before the trip as a single person, no shared room.

Post-Trip Extra Night (SHARED)

$60

For a shared room after the trip. (NOTE- if we do not have any other GLTers to match you with for an extra night, you will need to pay $90)

Post-Trip Extra Night (SINGLE)

$90

For a room after the trip as a single person, no shared room.

Vinales Day Trip

$150

Please do not book this trip without reaching out to GLT first.

Day 1
Day 1
Welcome to the Island!
Welcome to 'La Habana'! You'll arrive and be transferred to your "casa particulares" to settle into your new home for the next few days!

In the evening, we will head to a dinner to welcome everyone to the island and kick off the tour. There is also an option to test your dancing skills in a salsa class!

There will be an option to head out for post-dinner drinks if the group is interested as well.

Included Meals: Dinner
Read more
Day 2
Day 2
Classic Cars, Dominoes, and Local Culture
After a late morning start and a tasty breakfast in your casa particular, we will start our morning with a classic car tour. Explore the city in cars of all colors, perfectly preserved. You'll feel like you jumped into a time machine back to the 50's! The hardest choice is... which car color are you choosing?

Once we've taken all our classic car photos, we will have a walking tour of the old part of the capital city by foot and bici-taxis. Explore La Habana and all of its magic as we immerse ourselves in local history, lessons from the past, and what the local people predict and desire for the future. We'll take you on a walking tour of the historic center, stopping at all major plazas and points of interest. Additionally, we will get a bit "off the beaten path" to discuss the modern-day reality on the island and the unique hurdles its citizens have to overcome daily in order to complete basic tasks, such as grocery shopping or repairing a common household appliance.

This tour provides you with a good lay of the land for independent exploration, as well as a general overview of the island’s history and current political and economic climate. We will also point out some of our favorite hidden gems such as shops, bars, cafés, art galleries, restaurants, and small businesses worth checking out and supporting.

We will stop for a delicious lunch in the city before heading over to our dear friend's house to learn how to play dominós! It wouldn’t truly be a trip to Cuba unless you find yourself sitting with friends, playing a round of dominó. Learn about the cultural significance of the game along with the rules and regulations of the game while making new friends. A round of dominós often turns into a neighborhood block party, and it's here you'll get a real feel for Cuban culture. This activity was a group favorite when we did our last GLT tour, so we are excited to bring it back!

We will enjoy a dinner at El Cocinero on site at the iconic La Fabrica de Arte, a one-of-a-kind factory turned into an art gala and nightlife scene. After dinner, you can enjoy a mojito or two and dance the night away!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3
Day 3
Design Your Day in the Capital City
After breakfast, you will have an option to do an activity in the capital city. We will provide your options before the tour so you can make your choice! Trust us, it will be hard to choose!

After your free time, we will meet back together to learn all about street art in the city. During this guided tour you will meet various Cuban street artists who will share the stories behind their work, the hidden symbolism and socio-political messaging, and the artists hopes and fears for the future. Our street art tour will also include various stops to meet and greet with young Cuban entrepreneurs who are moving the needle forward in the island's private sector. This unfiltered an uncensored look into Cuban art, culture and economy will deepen your appreciation and admiration for Cuba's emerging generation of artists, creators and change-makers.

After exploring street art, we will do a rum tasting and cocktail class. You'll get to learn how to make a few Cuban specialties, and taste your creations! We will also have a private concert with local musicians.

Once the drinks have been tasted, we will finish our weekend with a lovely dinner at ChaChaCha, a fabulous Caribbean Fusion restaurant, talk about ending on a high note!

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4
Day 4
Back to Reality
On our final day, we will have breakfast at our casa particular before heading to the airport to catch our return flights. We hope to see you on another trip soon!

Included meals: Breakfast
Read more

Day 1

Welcome to the Island!

Welcome to 'La Habana'! You'll arrive and be transferred to your "casa particulares" to settle into your new home for the next few days!

In the evening, we will head to a dinner to welcome everyone to the island and kick off the tour. There is also an option to test your dancing skills in a salsa class!

There will be an option to head out for post-dinner drinks if the group is interested as well.

Included Meals: Dinner

The trip was amazing! Everyone was so nice. And Haley and Sandy did SUCH a great job planning it, and then keeping it going smoothly. There was the perfect amount of activity time and down time. Panama was beautiful - both the city and the islands. Our host on the boat was incredible and the first mate was an incredible cook. I already signed up for another GLT trip.

By Becky S for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 09, 2025

My trip to Panama with GLT was so much fun! Getting to stay in old town Panama and explore that area was so cool, lots of adorable little streets and churches and squares to explore. Living on a catamaran sailing among the San Blas islands was paradise. I wish I could have stayed forever. Beautiful islands, amazingly welcoming indigenous communities, gorgeous reefs and waters. I could go on and on about how special it was but really you just have to go see it yourself! And no better way than with GLT trips! I’ve always loved meeting new friends and the trips are always well organized and thought out. This was my 3rd GLT trip and I know I’ll be going on more.

By Sydney B for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 09, 2025

Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence was truly an unforgettable adventure—equal parts breathtaking scenery and unexpected plot twists! To start with the positives, Panama itself is a marvel. The diversity in its landscapes and the warm, kind-hearted locals made the journey all the more special. The San Blas Islands, in particular, were an oasis of natural beauty that took my breath away. And the food? Absolute perfection. Each meal was a highlight in its own right—flavors that danced on the palate and reminded me why traveling is such a joy. I came away enriched, having learned so much and experienced the splendor of this incredible country. I’ll absolutely be back to explore more of what Panama has to offer. That said, the trip wasn’t without its hurdles, and I think future travelers should know what to expect. As a solo traveler, I found the price steep, especially when factoring in the shared boat accommodations, which lacked the private bathroom perk enjoyed by shared accommodations. There was a fair amount of misinformation and mismanagement that, at times, overshadowed the joy of the experience. One major misstep was the "leisure bike ride," which turned into a grueling 4-hour, 12+ mile journey with steep inclines, no bathroom breaks, and inadequate preparation for water, gear, or attire. Leisure? Not quite. Painful? Absolutely. This ordeal left a lasting impression for the remainder of the trip —and not in a good way. The ride to San Blas was another misadventure, with a roadside accident leaving us stranded for seven hours. Communication was sparse, and basic necessities like food and water were left to the travelers to figure out. A quick trip to fetch supplies could have alleviated a lot of stress in this situation. Additionally, the logistics of the two boats were puzzling. They were anchored far apart for much of the trip, causing segregation and discomfort. Being asked to spend an hour on the other boat (away from my belongings), leading into 4 actual hour without proper notice led to some avoidable mishaps, including a sunburn when I didn’t have my rash guard on hand. Despite these challenges, I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to have been part of such a unique journey. Panama's natural beauty and warm hospitality shone through, reminding me why I love to travel in the first place. With some improvements in planning and communication, this trip could easily transform into an exceptional experience.

By Carrie L for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 09, 2025

Love, light, and happiness. This trip found me when I needed it most, and am I so glad that I went with it. The itinerary was executed with confidence and grace, knowing that we would have the most amazing time. Kudos to Haley and Sandy for organizing a trip of a lifetime!

By Shayna P for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 08, 2025

My second GLT trip was a success! Haley and Sandy were absolutely amazing from the very beginning. I was incredibly impressed with how above and beyond they went when a hurricane put a kink in our plans. The amount of leg work these girls did behind the scenes to adjust plans and ensure everyone got there safely is commendable. When our group got together everything else just fell into place. All the tours, excursions, and experiences were incredible! I was also overjoyed when I learned a few of my previous travel companions had booked the same trip, so not only was this a mini reunion for a few of us, but I had the pleasure of making some true connections with new people as well. A wonderful experience all around ☺️

By Adriana W for GLT Belize - Nov 2024 on Dec 08, 2024

Show More Reviews

I really had no idea what I was in store for when I booked this trip. Egypt is on most of our “bucket lists,” so expectations were high. Before leaving, GLT makes everything seamless. Booking is easy, communication lines are open and responses are prompt. I also found the Facebook Group to be particularly helpful with the expertise of people who have either traveled to Egypt or have gone on GLT trips. The itinerary is thoughtfully curated to allow time for rest if you want (you won’t want, trust me!) or you can choose to go on other excursions. As soon as you land you’re met by an agent who guides you through customs and gets you in transportation to the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel it was close to 2a. Enter Yasser, our guide. He welcomed us with his warm smile even though it was early morning. We were impressed. I remember getting the feeling we were in good hands, but that was only the beginning. From day one you could tell Yasser was full of knowledge. He answered every question with love and passion. We were mesmerized by the stories he told us and we quickly became family. Everywhere we went Yasser knew someone. After a quick hello and a hug, Yasser’s friends would be on their way, but not before yelling things like, “you have the best guide” and “that’s my teacher. You’re very lucky!” As I write this, I can’t help but to smile. Yasser made this trip memorable. I felt extremely safe and loved the opportunity to meet new people and socialize. If you’re on the fence and thinking about going on this trip, don’t think! You’ll leave in awe of this magical country and you’ll leave with a new extended family member with the name of Yasser. You won’t be sorry.

By Catherine M on 05 Oct, 2023

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GLT Island Capital City Long Weekend Advenure

GLT Island Capital City Long Weekend Advenure

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