Taylor Made Holidays > Christmas in Cuba

Christmas in Cuba

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
December 22, – January 2

Christmas and New Year’s are special holidays. Cuba Beyond the Beaches wants you to have the “best Christmas ever”.

Christmas in Cuba combines some of our most popular tours in and around Santiago, with a family Christmas and a fun New Year’s Eve party.  

Join us for all or part of the TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. Meet folks from around the world, enjoy Cuban hospitality, learn about our history and culture, and dance the nights away.   

Come a little early, stay a little longer, and enjoy some of our tours in other cities or some time relaxing at the beach or in the mountains.  

This tour is suitable for all the family, for couples, friends and singles. We have had people as young as 4 and as old as 87 enjoy our tours. We adjust to your pace. There is always room for a salsa class, to learn a little percussion – Cuban-style, or just to sit and enjoy the peace of the mountains or the beach.

  If you want to come, but find standing a chore, and long walks longer than before – we accommodate you with a helping hand, a wheelchair if necessary, and a good, portable seat. Special diets and vegetarian food are available on request.  

This tour is based on homestays – hotel accommodations available on request.

Day 1 – December 22

Arrival Day.
Whether you arrive in Santiago de Cuba by plane, or bus you will be met and taken to your homestay. Your homestay is in a government licensed private home (casa particular). Your room has an air-conditioner and/or fan, private bath and double or single beds. Most meals will be taken at your homestay. Early arrivals are welcome as Santa’s helpers to help deck the tree, make decorations, and generally enjoy a child’s Christmas. If you have specific skills – know how to make pipe cleaner decorations, graduated in snowflake design, can guarantee that the angel will stay on the top of the tree – let us know and we will have work for you.

Orientation – in 10 mins we orientate you to the city – and with our NEVER GET LOST MAP you are ready to explore this dynamic, musical city, enjoy a people watching retreat for a coffee or mojito, find the music centre of the city, or just enjoy family time in the central square.

Early arrivals – lunch and tour of a wonderful garden – Eco-Tour 2 Fern and Orchid Garden
Visit to an internationally acclaimed fern and orchid garden with the most complete collection of tropical ferns in the Americas. The collection numbers some 3000 ferns and over 300 exotic and indigenous orchids. This is the life work of the owner created over the passed 40 years. Lunch in the garden

Day 2 – December 23

History of Cuba Part 2 Colonial Cuba to Independence
From Indians and slaves, buccaneers and Spanish grandees, pirates and indentured servants, has come a vibrant people. Explore their history and their struggles. From the oldest house in the Americas (quite a few others burned down) to the solid fortress at the harbour, and the living remembrance of the Peace Tree, Cuban history is told in stone and wood, and the faces of its people.

Day 3 – December 24

Eco-Tour 1 – Gardens of clouds and forest
Join us in the enchanted world of ferns and clouds. We journey out of the city to a cloud forest with ancient fern trees and simple pines which existed in the time of the dinosaurs. Visit to a high altitude garden with beds of bird of paradise flowers and many exotic tropical plants. Visit a private garden hidden among the slopes and trees. Coffee toasted and brewed right where it grows never tastes so good. Walk in the magical world of bromeliads and orchids, brightly colour butterflies and brilliant birds. Lunch at the beach

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the cathedral.

Day 4 – December 25

Free Day
We can arrange a day along the coast at a great beach. Take along picnic (no sandwiches!)

Victorian style games and favours If you have a favourite family game we hope you’ll let us all join in!   Christmas dinner with traditional carols. English style crackers. Silly hats included.

Day 5 – December 26

Architecture Walk 1 – The Historic Centre
One of Santiago’s leading architect /historians takes you on a walk through history. Each city in Cuba has its own unique style and decoration. As one of the oldest of the cities, Santiago offers the most eclectic mix. Pirates, fire and earthquakes have enforced urban renewal – the Cathedral is the 3rd building on that site, and almost none of the very early buildings escape the attention of English and French pirates. Early colonial sits next to Art Deco, and buildings from the Republic and later periods. Learn to spot the fakes and the overbuilding and explore some of the glorious courtyards which can be glimpsed through half closed doors.

Day 6 – December 27

Eco-Tour 3 – Gardens of desert, cacti and musical instruments
Join us for a tour in the arid hills of the south coast between the Sierras and the azul Caribbean sea. This coastal strip is full of micro climates permitting elephant grass here, and cacti there. We make lots of stops along the way to peer into gardens, tramp through the undergrowth (no sandals please) and look and point. The Cactus Garden represents a major collection of exotic and indigenous species and we spend time learning to propagate these heat and drought tolerant plants. Visit to private collection. Lunch in an Artisan Village.

Day 7 – December 28

Art and Religion in Cuba
From the time of Columbus, Spanish Catholicism with it panoply of saints and many festivals was the principal religion of Cuba. Here and there were tiny pockets of Indians, still practicing their religions, but much of their culture had been swept away by the middle of the 16th century. The influx of African slaves building to major imports by the mid-19th century changed the face of Cuba and its religions. At first allowed to practice their own religions, their sheer numbers became a threat especially during their festivals. Their religions were suppressed and Christianity imposed. However, the Yoruba transferred the attributes of their African gods to Christian saints and so found a way to stay within the law and practice their religion. This tour explores the importance of these mixtures as they inform art, music and dance in Cuba.

Day 8 – December 29

History of Cuba Part 3 Independence to Revolution
A century of turbulence and civil war has led to over five decades of relative calm. The struggle to become an independent nation in the face of US opposition is a poignant and triumphant story. Come with us to explore the Revolutionary Civil War as played out around Santiago. Have history come alive and tangible.

Day 9 – December 30

Eco Tour 4 – Wetland Birding
This fresh water lake and its tidal channels are a haven for endemic and visiting water birds. A morning along the channels will net avid birders lots of species for their checklist. For those who just enjoy a wonderful journey there are fresh water dolphins, rare crocodiles, and neon-brilliant crabs. Late afternoon birding along the coastal strip completes the day. Lunch in an Artisan Village or at the beach.

Day 10 – December 31

Free Day
Traditional dinner with entertainment. Return to the city centre in time for the finale festivities in the central square.

Day 11 – January 1

Free Day or Beach Day
January 1st is a political holiday to celebrate the Triumph of the Revolution. Lots of files – marches, speeches in the Plaza de la Revolution, and other activities. Go out into the streets, march with the marchers or just watch from the sidelines, or sleep late and watch it all on TV.

Day 12 – January 2

Departure Day
Whether you are off to see more of Cuba with many of our delightful tours, or off back to the cold and snow, we take you to your transfer point in Santiago.

One or more extra days? – there are lots of tours to choose from.