A totally independent and fully ATOL bonded boutique specialist tour operator to Cuba and beyond
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At Captivating Cuba, we deal exclusively in tailor made Cuba holidays. All our staff, both in London and Havana, have extensive experience of the island and can offer in depth advice as to which hotels, areas and activities are best suited to your Cuban holiday. Whether you want to go horse back riding through the lush Vinales Valley, Scuba Dive in the warm, exotic waters of Maria La Gorda, or sim
ply relax on the glorious golden sands of Varadero, our Cuban holiday experts can ensure the perfect itinerary for your trip. Let us help you plan your dream tailor made Cuba holiday, and we guarantee to show you the best of the Caribbean's most beautiful island.
30/01/2024
🎉Huge congratulations to Neil and Lilly who got married💍in December and hopped across from Mexico to 🇨🇺Cuba to tick amazing Havana off their 📋bucket list! They wanted to take a tour in an old American 🚗car✅, visit to the famous Floridita✅, have a cigar rum and ☕coffee experience with a sommelier✅, and visit Havana’s coolest 🍽restaurants✅. If you have your own bucket list, we would love to help!
🇨🇺Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...
💻[email protected]
☎️01438 419111
👩🦰Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
✈️Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...🇨🇺
💻[email protected]
☎️01438 419111
👩🦰Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
19/05/2023
🚗🇨🇺 Yesterday our rep Adrian, was out and about in Havana meeting our customers, and came across this old Jaguar, very rare for Cuba! Perhaps we should add it to our fleet of classic cars? We arrange a wide range of tours and transfer in old American cars, perfect for a special occasion.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...
Email | [email protected]
Call | 01438 419111
Visit | Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...
💻Email | [email protected]
☎️Call | 01438 419111
💁♀️Visit | Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
08/05/2023
You’ve heard of Cuban rum, but now there’s Cuban gin! 🥃🍹
Los Primos London Dry Gin is the very first Cuban gin distilled locally, and it has people talking! Now available in a selected but growing number of outlets in Cuba, we can’t wait to try the new gin cocktails being created in the coolest bars in Havana! Talk to our team about planning your own personalised mixology class in one of our recommended authentic Old Havana bars.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...
💻Email | [email protected]
☎️Call | 01438 419111
💁♀️Visit | Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
05/05/2023
Happy Friday from Varadero! Wish you were here? 🥂
On the picturesque Hicacos Peninsula, 140km east of Havana, sits Cuba’s most popular beach resort of Varadero. More than 13 miles of beautiful coastline lie, waiting to be enjoyed.
Although it is the main resort in Cuba, Varadero is relatively peaceful, especially further up the peninsula, where the more desirable hotels are located. With its amazing beaches, appealing cultural activities and easy to reach location, it is easy to see the draw of Varadero.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...
💁♀️Visit | Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
💻Email | [email protected]
☎️Call | 01438 419111
15/10/2022
💃🕺 Cuba’s International Dance Festival 10 - 16 April 2023 💃🕺
For those interested in dance, Cuba’s International Dance Festival from April 10th to 16th is an amazing opportunity!
A unique international festival where dancers, students, teachers, and choreographers from around the world come to share a love for Latin dances in Havana, Cuba – the birthplace of salsa rhythm. Meet 60 of the best salsa teachers from across Cuba and around the world - including the principal dance instructors from each of the major salsa schools in Havana.
Over 7 days, the festival offers more than 120 hours of classes, with 3 separate studios operating at any given time so that students can select their preferred style and level.
Take classes in Cuban Salsa, Rueda de Casino, Reggaeton, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata, Hip Hop, Kizomba, Rumba or Folklorico, and then at night for those who want to, there will be a party to the hottest salsa clubs in Cuba.
For more information on the festival or to receive a tailored quotation please contact on of our travel design team.
The whole team at Captivating Cuba are so sorry to hear the news that our colleagues at Cuba Direct / Live Holidays / Live Cuba are no longer trading as an ATOL holder. We have worked alongside them in Cuba for some years, and our thoughts are with the staff, suppliers and customers affected.
We are receiving lots of calls and emails about whether we can assist by taking over bookings and helping with arrangements that were previously booked with Cuba Direct / Live Holidays / Live Cuba. We are doing our upmost to respond and assist everyone as soon as possible, prioritising where we can those already in Cuba or travelling imminently. We are also liaising with the CAA on the matter and have offered our support to them to assist clients in Cuba and those due to travel.
If any travel agents and/or customers have been placed into any difficult situations or need any advice with any upcoming bookings to Cuba, please explain your situation and we will do our very best to help you regardless of whether you book with us or not.
The easiest and fastest way for us to deal with your enquiry is if you can please send us an email with your current booking and the services that you need replicating or any advice you need or questions you have.
If you have customers currently in resort with Cuba Direct / Live Holidays / Live Cuba, please contact us and we will arrange for our local team in Cuba to help and support your clients as much as possible.
🚨In support of International Public Service Day on 23 June, Captivating Cuba are offering 10% discount to all emergency service staff on new bookings made before 31 July 2022. Either book direct with us or through your local fabulous independent travel agency!🚨
🛎Contact us to start planning your Cuba adventure!
If you want to cruise through Havana, in a pink convertible whilst listening to George Michael and sipping a mojito, then you need a specialist to pre-arrange it for you!
We are very used to special occasion and bucket list requests and have a whole range of ideas to help you plan your unique authentic journey.
In the ‘spirit’ of World Cocktail Day, we couldn’t help but share a photo of our favourite cocktail, a classic mojito! Not matter how hard we have tried; we have never had a cocktail elsewhere that rivals a true Cuban mojito. 🍋🍹🇨🇺
If you haven’t yet tried a REAL Cuban mojito, then call us today. Why not also ask us to book an authentic cocktail lesson too!
Contact us (or your local independent travel agent) to start planning your Cuban adventure!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the current events in Havana at the Saratoga Hotel. We are relieved that all of our customers, colleagues and friends are safe and accounted for. If anyone reading this requires personal assistance or are worried about friends or relatives in Havana, please contact us and our UK and Havana teams will do everything possible to assist 🇨🇺
The Claxon Hotel, a smart new boutique hotel, opens in the heart of Havana’s Vedado area this month. This stylish dwelling features 9 guest rooms, lobby, a la carte Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion restaurant, patio bar and rooftop bar perfect for sipping mojitos.
Cuba Abolishes Pre-Travel Covid Testing
Effective yesterday, 6 April, Cuba no longer requires travellers arriving from the UK to produce a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test on arrival.
Matthew O’Sullivan, Managing Director at Captivating Cuba: “This is a huge boost for Cuban tourism, and fantastic news for customers that travel to Cuba has become easy and hassle free.”
To enquire about a unique authentic journey to Cuba and beyond contact a member of our small specialist team:
A totally independent and fully ATOL bonded boutique specialist tour operator to Cuba and beyond
11/03/2022
We are now rated 4.7 by our customers on Trustpilot! trustpilot.com/review/captivatingcuba.com
06/12/2021
Last week we welcomed customers back to one of our favourite places in Cuba, Trinidad! Linda, Sharon, Brian and Paul visited this amazing small city and stayed in an authentic casa particular. Trinidad is a real must-visit whilst on an adventure in Cuba.
Cuba opens up for tourists officially tomorrow, 15 November, and our whole team are over the moon to be welcoming our customers back to amazing Cuba!
In case you don't already know, there is NO covid testing for fully vaccinated passengers. Simply arrive and transfer to your chosen accommodation with no testing or fuss.
Contact us for our latest offers [email protected] or call 01438 419111
16/12/2020
Virgin Atlantic Havana Sale Now On!
Economy classic from £396
Premium Economy from £656
Upper Class from £1248
Amazing prices to Havana in 2021 with Virgin Atlantic flights and a completely tailored ATOL-protected holiday especially for you!
Contact us for a no obligation quotation.
Email | [email protected]
Call | 01438 419111
Visit | Contact your local amazing independent travel agent
15/12/2020
In case you need to contact us over the holidays, here are our opening times:
Thursday 24 December - 9am - 2pm
Friday 25 December – Closed
Saturday 26 December - Closed
Sunday 27 December – Closed
Monday 28 December – Closed
Tuesday 29 December – 9am – 6pm
Wednesday 30 December – 9am – 6pm
Thursday 31 December – Close at 2pm
Friday 1 January - Closed
Emails to [email protected] are monitored out of hours for urgent requests for those customers travelling imminently who need urgent assistance.
24/11/2020
AMAZING Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Black Friday Sale!!!!
Amazing prices to Havana in 2021 with Virgin Atlantic flights and a completely tailored ATOL-protected holiday especially for you!
Upper Class passengers enjoy a dedicated cabin with on-board bar, generous leather seat which turns in to a fully flatbed (79.5-inch bed length, 22 inch width, with 180 degrees recline), dedicated check in and priority boarding, use of clubhouse and lounge, food and drink throughout your journey, 2 x 32kg checked bags, and much more! Terms and conditions apply.
Contact us for a no obligation quotation.
Email | [email protected]
Call | 01438 419111
Visit | Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
02/11/2020
Following the latest government announcement, regarding a second UK lockdown 5 Nov – 2 Dec 2020, we will be contacting customers whose travel is affected.
We are currently working through bookings in date order and prioritising those travelling first so please bear with us and know that we will be in touch with our usual personal approach.
Cayo Coco is located approximately 20 miles off the north coast of Cuba and linked to the mainland by a long road causeway that offers stunning views across the archipelago, a great introduction to the island. Stunning coastlines, crystal waters and unspoilt beaches await. Escape a hectic lifestyle and enjoy the tranquil beaches of Cayo Coco.
Named after a local Coco bird which resides on the island, Cayo Coco is home to over 200 species of birds, including a large colony of pink flamingos the largest in the Americas. Just offshore lies part of the second largest barrier reef in the world where you can enjoy the magical underwater world with snorkelling or diving trips.
Famous for its sparkling white-sand shores, Cayo Coco’s natural beauty is said to have inspired the works of famous American author Ernest Hemingway and is featured in classics such as Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea. Spend your days lounging by the pristine white-sand shores with a mojito or daiquiri in hand and discover the deep blue on a snorkelling or scuba diving adventure to the surrounding coral reefs
With all-inclusive resorts lining the coast for suitable for both families and couples, Cayo Coco is the perfect hideaway for those looking to enjoy a relaxing getaway.
Cayo Guillermo
A small island in Cuba’s gorgeous Jardines Del Rey archipelago, Cayo Guillermo is famous for its spectacular clear shallow waters, towering sand dunes and calm, peaceful atmosphere. The stunning Pilar Beach (Playa Pilar) regularly described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world can be found on the island, whose name closely links the island to the adventures of the legendary Ernest Hemingway as he sailed around the islands that form the archipelago.
Cayo Guillermo is one of the smallest inhabited keys of Jardines del Rey, however it packs in the world-famous Playa Pilar as well as a number of beautiful beaches such as Playa el Paso and Playa Del Medio. Just offshore lies the barrier reef offering a stunning underwater world with a very rich array of colourful marine life. Spend your days snorkelling and scuba diving on the reef or enjoy relaxing in the sun on one of many catamaran and boat excursions around the archipelago.
With native mangrove natural vegetation, nature trails, long white sandy beaches fringed by palms and coconut trees and a choice of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, Cayo Guillermo is one of the most idyllic and beautiful holiday locations in Cuba.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure...
Email | [email protected]
Call | 01438 419111
Visit | Contact your local friendly independent travel agent
# cayoguillermo
04/09/2020
Thank you Michael for your lovely review!
Don't forget that we have flexible booking terms for 2020 and 2021 Departures...
🇨🇺 £95 deposit
🇨🇺 No amendment fees to change departure date
🇨🇺 Balance due 6 weeks before travel
Terms and conditions apply. Deposit is per person. Please ask for full terms.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure!
Latest travel advice for Cuba, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK.
27/07/2020
Cuba once again providing their medical expertise overseas 🇨🇺😊
Friday will be an historic day for the people and Territory of the Virgin Islands as a Cuban team of medical professionals including internist doctors, emergency response doctors, intensive care specialist and nurses, and those trained in infectious diseases arrive in the Territory to augment the capacity of the team of health care professionals currently at the BVI Health Services Authority.
A team of medical professionals from the Republic of Cuba will arrive in the Virgin Islands on Friday; this is an update from Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie.
09/07/2020
Trinidad, Cuba
Located close to the Caribbean Sea on the south coast of Cuba, approximately 6 hour’s drive from Havana, lies the fascinating small city of Trinidad. Similar in size to a typical UK market town and sitting proudly between the coastline and the impressive Escambray Mountains, lies Cuba’s most beautiful and cultured city.
Trinidad was founded in 1514 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez, and became a major centre for trading sugar and slaves for almost 200 years. The wealth generated by the landowners during this region's dark past, is reflected in the treasures found in Trinidad’s museums, as well as the ornate colonial architecture found in the centre.
Declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Trinidad is regularly described as a living museum. Cobbled streets are lined with pastel-coloured houses, while the beautiful plazas are overlooked by striking 18th and 19th Century buildings. The centre is home to a number of lovely squares, churches, museums and mansions and can easily be explored on foot. There is also a growing market scene with a range of local artworks and handicrafts on sale, and Trinidad is particularly known for its lace and pottery.
In the evening, Trinidad offers a vibrant and growing selection of lively venues to sample Cuban food, music and dancing. The Canchanchara bar is famous for both live music and its namesake cocktail which is a blend of sugar cane juice, rum, honey and lime. The Casa de la Trova and Casa de la Musica are also both really lively with locals and visitors alike, and feature live music, dancing and typical Cuban fare. There are also a growing number of excellent and varied private restaurants offering everything from fine gourmet dining, to tapas and light bites with a funky vibe.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure [email protected] or call 01438 419111
01/07/2020
We highly recommend dining in Cuba’s private restaurants (paladars) which are extremely popular and greatly sought after. Advance reservations are essential, the best paladars get booked up well in advance! Booking restaurants is just one of the small extras we do for our customers.
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure [email protected] or call 01438 419111
25/06/2020
It's thirsty Thursday! Time for a refreshing mojito in the sunshine. Who's with us?
Contact us to start planning your Cuban adventure [email protected] or call 01438 419111
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Captivating Cuba Ltd, Suite F35, Business And Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage Hertfordshire SG12DX
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Last week we welcomed customers back to one of our favourite places in Cuba, Trinidad! Linda, Sharon, Brian and Paul visited this amazing small city and stayed in an authentic casa particular. Trinidad is a real must-visit whilst on an adventure in Cuba.
For more information or to book your own unique adventure contact us!
[email protected]
01438 419111
https://captivatingcuba.com/discover-cuba/trinidad/
Captivating Cuba is a totally independent and fully ATOL bonded boutique specialist tour operator, with more than 25 years’ experience providing high-quality tailormade travel to Cuba and beyond. Our offices are based in Hertfordshire, UK and we also have staff based in France and Spain, as well as a sizeable office in Havana and staff throughout Cuba.
Our friendly, experienced and approachable travel designers are passionate about providing authentic journeys throughout Cuba packed with personality, and we really do care that your holiday with us is special.
We have all been to Cuba, experienced our recommendations, and travelled around, and are here to make sure that your journey through the island is meticulously planned and skilfully delivered. Our team have tons of think-outside-the-box creative ideas to make every holiday completely individual, plus we really listen to our customers and focus on the little details that are important to you.
We are extremely proud of our long-serving, highly-experienced and friendly team throughout Cuba. They support our customers around the clock, and are our heroes! Our philosophy remains to ensure all our staff have a fun and caring work environment, and we love that our staff bring their personalities to work.
We are very active supporting local business and community projects, and maintain great relationships with our suppliers and contacts in the government, business and private sectors, who we have mostly known for many years.
We are experienced and large enough to have our own Havana office and staff throughout Cuba, but we are small enough to know our customers and travel agents individually by name, and spend time on each booking fine tuning the details and adding our special touches. We are very lucky to receive our business mainly through word of mouth recommendations, and repeat business from the fantastic independent travel agents who work with us.
Aside from knowing Cuba inside-out, our travel designers have also travelled extensively around nearby Caribbean islands, Central America, the USA and further afield allowing us to combine your Cuba holiday with another destination if you so wish.
