Cuba Candela

Fantastic experience: Ernesto and our driver Leony provided a wonderful Cuba experience with no details missed. Our happiness, safety and comfort were never compromised. From our ride on the Ox Cart pulled by Bellafina and Rompe Monte to our scuba diving adventure out of the back of a ‘55 Chevy, the vacation was a success. Thank you from our family!

Fantastic experience: My sister and I just returned from a Cuba Candela tour. We custom planned what we wanted to do and see. We got much more than that. Our tour guide Miguel was with us every step of the way. He was knowledgeable, fun and funny. One activity from the original request had been excluded and Miguel made sure it was added back. The experiences are so authentic. The Cuban people are welcoming and warm. We went to Havana, Vinales, Cienfuegos and Trinidad all places beautiful in their own way. Ask for Miguel you won’t be disappointed!

Fantastic experience: I've done a lot of travel and never really used a tour company. Cuba Candela was recommended to me by a co-worker and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. It was well worth it to explore Cuba. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned and included the perfect mix of fun and culture. I took my 82 year old grandmother with me and she had the most amazing time. We did a cooking class, salsa class, art tour, a day in the countryside and more! The restaurants CC booked for us were INCREDIBLE. The food and ambiance at each restaurant were suburb. The trip was truly made by our guide/host, Miguel. Miguel was extremely knowledgeable. He answered every question we threw at him and was a true professional. Our history tour around Old Havana was fantastic - he pointed out historical buildings and landmarks with ease. There wasn't any question that he didn't have the answer to. He was also extremely accommodating - there were a few last minute things we wanted to add to the itinerary and he handled them with ease! He was also very funny and truly made it a wonderful trip. You could even see it through is interactions with the locals during our experiences, they had great relationships and rapport. I mentioned in passing a coffee shop I wanted to try, he made sure we made time to go to it! We felt very safe with him guiding us around Havana! From our conversations, he also knew what spots we'd like/ gravitate towards. My grandma wanted to bring him home with her! LOL. She is still gushing about him when telling family/ friends about our trip. Our drivers Elio and Sedeno were also fantastic. My grandmother said it was "the trip of a lifetime." Thank you to CC and our local hosts/ guides for a truly memorable trip!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela and our guide Ernesto made my 40th birthday trip so wonderful!!! We were in good hands the entire time with our amazing guide Ernesto- who paced our trip and kept us on schedule without any of us even realizing- and our great drivers. The tours were great (the rum/cigar tasting, art studio tour and old Havana were so fun). Viñales was so special too!

Fantastic experience: I recently returned from our trip to Cuba and it was expertly planned and put together by Cuba Candela! It was unlike any other trip I have taken and every experience, tour, restaurant and accommodation was wonderful. Our guide, Miguel, made the trip perfect in every way. He was fun, knowledgeable, and offered a perspective which left me feeling as though I went home with a deeper understanding of the island, its history, and most of all the lovely people who live there. We had a group of 8 and he met every request or need that anyone had expertly (which is no easy task with a group that big). I would highly recommend requesting him to guide your trip! Our drivers Leo and Yunier were also very good and delivered us safely to all of our destinations each day. Many thanks to all involved for a trip I will never forget!

Fantastic experience: Our trip to Cuba was one of the best trips I've taken! Cuba Candela (with Brian) arranged everything beautifully for us and all the planning, travel, lodging, restaurants and touring was flawless. I must say, however, that it was our guide, Miguel, who really made this experience magical. His personality, kindness, knowledge, and communication style made everything fun and educational. I would 100% request him for our guide next time. We had a group of eight, and despite the challenges of a large group, all of the coordination was seamless and incredibly enjoyable. Our driver, Leo, got us safely and easily to all the areas we visited. The food, drinks, sights, and people are spectacular and I already miss being there. Can't wait to go back.

Fantastic experience: We just returned from our trip to Cuba and I can’t say enough wonderful things about the trip. The itinerary arranged by Club Candela was unique, varied, and well thought out with downtime that was much appreciated. The people we interacted with shared their personal stories and we enjoyed every minute of the time we spent with Andy, Miguel, Gabriel and their families. We enjoyed learning about some of Cuba’s amazing artists with Martha. The restaurants were wonderful with delicious menus and friendly staff. Our hotel was lovely and filled with helpful staff. The highlight of our trip was spending time with our guide, Zahadis, she was kind, personable and engaging. She was an amazing interpreter for us on our tours and she shared so much knowledge about her country’s rich history! Our driver Carlos was always exactly where we were expecting him, taking us everywhere we needed to go!

Fantastic experience: Our recent private tour to Cuba was an unforgettable experience that surpassed all our expectations. From start to finish, the trip was impeccably organized, and the personalized touches made it truly exceptional. Our guide, Miguel Ramirez was phenomenal. His knowledge of Cuba’s history, culture, and local nuances brought every site and story to life. Whether we were strolling through the vibrant streets of Old Havana, visiting the stunning Viñales Valley, or savoring a meal at a paladar (a privately-owned restaurant), his  insights enriched every moment. The accommodations were thoughtfully chosen. Each place we stayed reflected the charm and character of its surroundings, offering both comfort and a sense of place. We stayed in Paseo 206 for 4 nights in the top suite with a connecting balcony and hot tub. We were welcomed and treated like family. We also stayed one night at Voya which was also amazing although in different ways. It was very modern and beautiful with stunning rooms and a balcony where as the Paseo was closer to Old  Havana and the rooms were more quaint. Transportation was smooth and reliable throughout the trip. Our driver, Andre was professional and friendly, and the private vehicle, which was a Mercedes taxi,  provided both comfort and flexibility, allowing us to explore off-the-beaten-path locations at our own pace. He was always on time for pickup and would meet us after each drop off to take us back to our hotel. One of the highlights was a visit to a local farm in Viñales, where we learned about local farming and had a wonderful lunch prepared by the farmer, Andy and his wife. We then took a ox cart ride through the countryside and visited a Tabaco farm. . Another standout was Cienfuegos. We stopped here on our way to Trinidad. It was a very clean small town right on the ocean and we had one of our most memorable meals there. The city of Trinidad was our least favorite of the places we visited. They were experiencing lots of blackouts during our 2 day stay. The tour company’s attention to detail and commitment to creating a personalized experience truly set this trip apart. They even surprised us with small touches, like arranging a birthday celebration. Overall, this private tour offered a unique and intimate glimpse into the heart of Cuba. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to experience the island’s rich culture, history, and hospitality in a meaningful way.

Fantastic experience: When my mother and I decided we wanted to go visit Cuba and explore its rich culture, complicated history, and beautiful sites we did not know where to start. As American's it seemed complicated and daunting. I reached out to Alex Rice at Embark Beyond, someone I have worked with before and trust, and she connected us with Cuba Candela. Cuba Candela created magical daily experiences for us, from art, cooking and salsa dancing to tobacco farms and rum tasting. We were able to pick and choose our adventures and how much free time we wanted. There was no pressure, and they did a great job creating additional excitement and elevated stress. They supported the Visa process and made sure we were prepared getting in and out of the country. The trip itself was more than either my mom or I could have expected. We stayed at the lovely Gardens Havana, where there was everything you would need to feel comfortable and cared for. The team that worked there were passionate about the house and went above and beyond to accommodate their guest's goals for their trip. The 5 days we were in Cuba, we had the same kind, professional driver, in a luxury and well-maintained car: Adrian. When one night our street was closed and he couldn't drive us to the front door, without being asked, he walked us the couple of street bocks and made sure we felt safe and looked after. He was easy to get a hold of, always on time and drove safely. Every day we also had the distinct pleasure of working with the same guide: Enzzo. Enzzo spoke amazing English, was incredibly bright, passionate, kind, thoughtful and generous. We spent a lot of time with Enzzo, and he showed us, really educated us, on so many different things regarding Cuba, Cuban people and Cuban life. He made us comfortable to fully engage in our curiosity, and he professionally, but honestly, answered every question we peppered him with. Enzzo has a deep love for his country, history, art and people. He is young, energetic and after 5 short days, I think my mom and I both can now consider him a friend. It did not feel like we had a tour guide, it felt like we were visiting a friend in a city, and they were showing us all of the cool spots, hidden gems and the places where we could connect to history books and culture. This experience with Cuba Candela was one I would recommend to anyone who was interested in visiting Cuba, and everyone should be interested in visiting Cuba! There were many times during the trip where my mom and I looked at each other and said I don't know what we would have done, or where we would have gone today, without this itinerary. Cuba is not the easiest place to just stumble across an experience and to have the experts pointing you in the right direction is a must. Again, none of this would have happened if it were not for Alexandra Rice at Embarkbeyond.com who connected us with Cuba Candela. Alex is amazing at connecting people with the trips of their dreams and she supported me throughout this process, even answering my stress phone calls at all hours when Hurricane Helene hit, and travel plans changed. To all involved, thank you. We could not recommend more highly.

Fantastic experience: We couldn’t have asked for a better experience planning our trip to Cuba. Cuba Candela set up an itinerary based on all of our requests, took care of the visas, and most importantly, set us up with great guides and drivers while in Cuba. Miguel and Carlitos were more than just guides. It felt like we were hanging out with friends while exploring Habana, traveling to the countryside, and chilling on the beach. We learned so much about Cuba while with them, and they even set up a special table for us at the restaurant for my wife’s birthday. They were also able to pivot quickly and find a second option one night when one of our places had to close. Every experience had something memorable anboutbit. Our driver Leo was great as well, taking us door to door safely every day, and doing the hard work behind the wheel on our longer, day-trip drives. Just great people, easy to talk to, and the ideal representatives of Cuba.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous from beginning to end!

Fantastic experience: We had a GREAT experience with this agency! Our tour expert, Carlos, was amazing. Our driver, Adrian, was phenomenal as well. We sincerely have zero complaints. Each experience was authentic, informative and super enjoyable. I would absolutely work with them again. Again, Carlos and Adrian were amazing. Please request them as they are knowledgeable and want to ensure you have the most amazing time. Thank you!

Fantastic experience: Awesome, awesome experience with Laura and Cuba Candela. From start to finish, my experience was exceptional and I plan to use them again for next trip to Cuba.

Fantastic experience: We completed an excellent visit to Cuba with Cuba Candela! All details- lodging, restaurants, cultural events- were smoothly and capably organized, allowing us to enjoy every minute of our time in Cuba. Our host, Enzzo, and drivers Elio and Roberto, all made sure we were safe, comfortable and well informed re all aspects of our visit. We are most appreciative and very happy we made the trip!!!

Fantastic experience: Candela!!! What an amazing experience for our first time in Cuba with Cuba Candela. My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary there with the “honeymoon package”, which was the perfect sampler platter for us to get a feel of Cuba. We stayed in the most amazing accommodations in Havana and Trinidad, took salsa lessons, photoshoot in an old classic car, visited tobacco and coffee farms, went to beautiful beaches, hiked to waterfalls, went shopping, had a rum and cigar experience, took a cooking class…. And to top it off, we had the best guide ever, CARLOS and our driver Reimel (AKA Jaime)! Carlos gave us the behind the scenes experience, teaching us about the Cuban people, their culture, their challenges and ways of life. We felt so well taken care of. We highly recommend Cuba Candela and Carlos to anyone wanting to experience Cuba. ❤️

Fantastic experience: We recently had the pleasure of booking a trip with Cuba Candela, and it exceeded all our expectations! Our host, Carlos, was simply amazing – friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help with a smile. He made our experience unforgettable, going above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Cuba Candela provided a fantastic itinerary that allowed us to explore the beauty and culture of Cuba while also making time for relaxation and fun. Carlos’s attention to detail and genuine passion for his work made our trip truly special. We highly recommend Cuba Candela, and especially Carlos, to anyone looking for a memorable Cuban adventure. We can’t wait to tell our friends and family about our incredible experience!

Fantastic experience: As first time visitors, we didn’t know what to expect. From the moment we were welcomed by our host, Enzzo Hernandez, our visit turned golden! Enzzo’s knowledge and love of his country transported us to Cuba’s very heart. Beyond monuments and historical dates, we felt Enzzo took us to his people, letting us feel part of their families and their work and especially for us, their art. We felt as deliciously soaked in the spirit of Cuba as in its sunshine, beaches, incredible rums and extraordinary cigars. We are so grateful to Enzzo and CubaCandela for giving us this magical gift!

Fantastic experience: Team Cuba Candela, First of all, we cannot thank you enough for curating our trip. It exceeded expectations and made us fall so deeply in love with Cuba. We cannot wait to go back. Our guide, Enzo, was the most welcoming and knowledgeable host. We constantly felt taken care of and he quickly became part of the family. He is such a treasure to your team, and big part of why our trip was so wonderful. We miss him already. Anytime we wanted to tweak the plan or add something to the schedule- he would make a few calls and make it happen. So professional and overall, an amazing person. Our driver also was so kind and really helped my 83-year-old mother get by. We were grateful to have such guidance in a new city. Providing us with a phone to directly contact our host/driver was a really nice touch. We felt incredibly safe. La Distancia was top notch! So gorgeous aesthetically, comfortable rooms with things Americans are used to, and amazing service. They all learned our names by the first night. It was the kind of hotel that provided the perfect backdrop for pictures. It's seriously such a beautiful mix of modern touches while still honoring Cuban history. We are missing our cafe con leches on the patio every morning. We really loved that each day we were fully immersed into Cuban culture. Every conversation and experience were so personal and made such a lasting impact on us. Cuba had been on the bucket list for years and being able to go into the homes of everyone, hear their story/ perspective and feel their warmth was unforgettable. THANK you for putting such a well-rounded experience together. From dancing, to visiting Viñales and Andy’s family, to meeting with a real artist, to the rum tasing/cigar pairing… all of it was deeply moving. We are so grateful to have had that experience together. This was a mother/daughter trip of lifetime! We will be back! We are already in talks of another trip in 2025.

Fantastic experience: My wife and I loved our trip to Cuba and one of the best parts was our guide, Enzzo. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared so much about Cuba through a personal lens. I injured my foot the night before our trip and spent most of the trip on crutches. Enzzo was great at slight modifications to our trip to ensure I was able to get the most out of our trip. All the while he told us personal stories about life in Cuba, explained history, and connected us with locals and fun activities. I can’t recommend Enzzo enough. You would be lucky to have him as a host and guide!

Fantastic experience: Enzzo was an excellent guide. We made great use of the time we had together. Such a deeply educated individual who had shared a lifelong experience of living in Havana!

Fantastic experience: We had amazing trip planned by Cuba Candela. Every detail was taken care of from our amazing driver Ricardo, a wonderful cooking class by Lorena, an amazing art tour, a fun rum/cigar tasting, and our exceptional tour guide Enzo. He took care of every detail and was so informative. He tailored our trip to us and helped us to fall in love with Cuba. Thank you to Enzo and the amazing Cuba Candela staff! You all truly outdid yourselves!

Fantastic experience: I have done a significant about of travel and this was by far one of the most interesting and well organized trip EVER. From the moment we arrived to our beautiful accommodation in Havana to meeting the most sensational guide you could ever hope to be assigned, Carlos, we were in incredible hands every step of the way. We had wonderful drivers who got us to and from all the unique experiences without a hitch. Seeing life behind-the-scenes in Cuba is a rare and incredible opportunity. This company arranged a wide variety of experiences that left us feeling that we got to do things most others do not who are visiting Cuba. Our three different accommodations were a just lovely and restaurants they selected were thoughtful and delicious. I was traveling with a dearest friend as well as my 17-year-old daughter who also felt it was an incredible experience. But truly, Carlos our guide who traveled with us for 8 days made this trip everything it was supposed to be and more. I highly recommend working with this group.

Fantastic experience: Our week in Cuba with our guide Enzzo Hernandez was unforgettable! Our itinerary from beginning to end was thoughtfully curated but still allowed for last minute changes or a little extra lingering. Every experience and activity was infused with Enzzo's touch, insights, and perspectives as his story and his family's story is woven in every part of the land, cities, and country. His vast yet very personal knowledge of local and national architecture, art, history, and people made every experience unique and infused with Cuba's passion. I have never learned more, seen more, and felt more during travel than I did this past week. Thank you Enzzo and Cuba Candela for a beautiful, moving, inspiring, nostalgic, passionate, energetic, and hopeful experience.

Fantastic experience: Our trip planned through Cuba Candela was fabulous. We went as a group of 8 women on a private luxury tour for Support for the Cuban People. Everything felt incredibly authentic. We were all changed at the end of the trip. Our tour guide Enzzo Hernandez was fabulous. We felt safe, informed, and immersed because of him. He truly helped us understand the struggles and the beauty of life in Cuba. I would ask for him as a guide if possible

Fantastic experience: Had an amazing time exploring Havana and Viñales with Cuba Candela. Hotels, guides, experiences - everything was perfect.

Positive experience: We just returned from a 6 day trip to Cuba and our driver, Nivaldo, and guide, Carlos, helped make this trip for us. They were both well informed, patient, kind, compassionate and very efficient. They helped my 92 year old Mom have a wonderful trip by physically assisting her as needed. I highly recommend both of them as they really made our tour. We loved Cuba!

Fantastic experience: Our guide, Laura was an amazing teacher and passionate about her country and amazing people…in spite of the difficulties that face Cuban people on a daily basis…the Social Impact Tour was inspiring and an experience we will never forget…we took a private Luxury Tour and were able to immerse ourselves into this unique culture. Laura explained life on a daily basis, but also showed how the people we met have overcome their challenges and, with resilience and creativity are transforming their situations and also help others in their communities. Thank you Cuba Candela for this wonderful journey!

Fantastic experience: Our tour guide Carly Paredes made our trip very personal and informative. He made sure that we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves at all times. He was at our hotel to greet us when we arrived and then took us on a walking tour of old Havana. He was with us on each of our adventures and acted as both guide and interpreter whenever needed. He is an excellent representative of Cuba and a very nice person to spend time with in Cuba.

Fantastic experience: Amazing Cuban experience!! Cuba Candela planned fun and unique ways to immerse in Cuban culture and learn from and engage with the Cuban people. Luis, our tour guide, was amazing-knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible when changes were required. Plus, Cuba Candlea went above and beyond to plan a special practice with a local ultimate frisbee team and advised and coordinated ways for us to support the team. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip!

Fantastic experience: My husband and I visited Cuba for the first time through Cuba Candela and had a very interesting trip, including getting to see other cities and the gorgeous countryside outside of Havana. It was nice not to have to plan anything and have last minute things taken care of as they popped up during the trip. Some of our favorite experiences were with the local guides that Cuba Candela is connected with, and we got the sense that our experiences were more authentic and tailored than the other tour groups we crossed paths with. Our guide Enzzo was great, as were some of our other local guides (like Martha in Havana and Andy in Viñales) and our driver Albert. We also really enjoyed getting a close-up view of the art scene in Havana and were so grateful that local artists welcomed us into their studios and homes. We learned a lot about Cuban life, culture, food, art, and history in a way that you can only do on the ground with these kinds of authentic experiences.

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela took care of everything needed to enjoy the beautiful country of Cuba! The tour guide was the sweetest and did everything to make the trip the most special it could be. Everything went off without a hitch. We could recommend Cuba Candela

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela’s well structured itinerary allowed us to experience the Cuban culture and people without the worry of managing any logistical details throughout our visit and allowed us to truly immerse. Our guide Martha was amazing and we greatly appreciated her insights and extensive conversation from history to the day to day lives of the Cuban people. All of the people that we encountered were passionate, engaging and inspiring. Truly an amazing experience and look forward to another booking!

Fantastic experience: We just returned from 6 days in Cuba, and had a wonderful time. Our tour guide, Luis, was wonderful and we learned so much from him about Cuban culture. Our driver, Robert, was wonderful, as well. We enjoyed many lively conversation with both of them as we traveled. We love Cuban art and architecture and enjoyed many opportunities to meet artists across Havana. The highlight of our trip was traveling to Vinales. The scenery was beautiful and the people were warm and welcoming. Thank you to Molly for working with us to arrange this memorable trip.

Fantastic experience: Book the trip today! This was the trip of a lifetime. Cuba Candela took care of everything! House staff was extremely efficient and attentive. Our guide, Rainses was so open about sharing his experience as a local which was the purpose of out trip. The tour was such a great overview of life in Cuba that I would love to go back and focus on the monuments and delve further into the culture. I customized the tour so that my husband and I were the only ones in our tour group, meaning instead of being on a bus with 13 other people, we were in our own taxi with Rainses and our driver. Best way to do it in my opinion. We were their focus and we learned so much from both of them.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience all around. If you want to see the 'real' Cuba and how the locals live, this is definitely the tour operator to hook up with. Great and educational experiences from the moment they meet you at the hotel. Our guide, Rainses , was fantastic and quickly made us feel like part of the family. They handled every detail to perfection and we could not ask for a better and more interesting experience. The interaction with various locals ( chefs, tobacco farmers, artists, etc ) far exceeded our expectations. We got to know Cuba and its lovely inhabitants , not just the 'touristy' aspects. Extremely highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: THE way to see Cuba ! I had booked this trip in 2019, Covid happened and I finally was able to go to Cuba in June 2023. The trip and itinerary had evolved a few times due to life and it was the most amazing trip. My teenage daughter and I were able to see life in Cuba up close and personal. Our guide Martha was outstanding ! She introduced us to Cuban culture, food, lifestyles, etc. She made our trip go from an A to an A++!! If you are fortunate enough to visit Cuba, this is the way to go !

Fantastic experience: Great travel company! Put together great schedule. Molly was very professional and accommodating when we needed to change the schedule three times, and everything went seamlessly! Thank you Cuba Candela!

Fantastic experience: I just came back from a Cuba Candela Social Impact tour. I can't say enough what a great trip this is. If you are someone that loves to learn about the culture, art and life of wherever you travel to, this is a trip for you! From the moment you step foot on Cuban ground until you end, you are immersed in all things Cuban. I felt safe during the entire trip. I learned so much about how Cubans live, and their struggles for basic needs.The restaurant choices were excellent. The guides were knowledgeable, great translators, open to all questions, interesting and (lol) patient getting 5 chatty, socially conscientious ladies through each scheduled stop on the itinerary. Really great trip that I highly recommend!!!!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela provided wonderful interactions with the Cuban people and we truly felt like we had a total immersion. From the profoundly moving dance performance to learning about their way of living and visiting new young artists we were constantly learning and amazed with their resiliency. Our guide Rainses was ready to answer and discuss all of our many questions. The water falls near Trinidad and him spotting the Cuban Trogan for us were special highlights! I highly recommend Cuba Candela!

Fantastic experience: Just got back from a tour with Cuba Candela, and it was amazing. Our guide Rainses was exceptional. He was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and worked tirelessly to ensure we got the most out of our time. The activities planned were insightful, well coordinated, and provided an amazing glimpse into the life of the Cuban people. Cannot recommend Cuba Candela enough.

Fantastic experience: If you're going to Cuba you must go with Cuba Candela, everything was great, the hotel was beautiful, the itinerary was perfect, awesome trips, activities, restaurants, cooking class, etc. Molly was awesome, friendly and attentive. She took care of every single detail and even joined us on an excursion :-)

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela planned a custom tour for me, and it was fabulous; one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. Once I told them what I was interested in doing, they took care of everything. It was seamless! All of their local partners in Cuba were wonderful: knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and exuding a passion for what they do. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Our family went to Cuba over MLK weekend and our trip was amazing! Cuba Candela handled all the arrangements and we were not disappointed!!

Fantastic experience: If you are an American who is thinking about going to Cuba and you are looking for *authentic interaction with Cuban people and culture*, you would be well advised to book your tour through Cuba Candela. We just returned from a ~4 day trip to Cuba and it was exceptional. From 5-star accommodations at Elvira Mi Amor in Old Havana to well-planned excursions and activities, Cuba Candela delivered for us! Highlights included: visits to artists' homes/studios; carefully curated meals and restaurant experiences, a trip to Vinales to learn about tobacco and cigars; a cooking class, and walking tours of Havana with expert guides who explained the culture and history of Cuba in a personalized and intimate way. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating -- they even arranged a last-minute trip to an antique store that I wanted to visit. I was extremely impressed by the flawless logistical execution in destination. When we arrived in Havana, the woman who was waiting for us when we deplaned whisked us through immigration/customs and delivered us to our driver, who took us to the hotel. For the next four days, if we had a transfer scheduled, the driver was there at the appointed time - on the dot. All of this was facilitated by excellent communication from the team at Cuba Candela. You always feel like you have a point of contact. A word of caution: If you are a Type A person (like me), who likes to have every detail of a trip scheduled, planned and communicated in advance, I would say two things. 1) This is Cuba, so you have to be a little adaptable. 2) Trust the process. Cuba Candela are pros who know what they are doing. And finally...this is a full-service travel booker, so if you are a budget traveler, they may not be the best option for you. But we found the service and expertise to be well worth the price. I highly recommend the services of Cuba Candela and would enthusiastically use them again!

Negative experience: In spite of Cuba Candela's very poor and unreliable customer service, we enjoyed our visit to Cuba and its many wonderful people. We definitely plan to return to Cuba but would never do so with Cuba Candela. We signed up for a custom, highest-end deluxe package which included all meals, breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We were advised NOT to use Cuban pesos. Requested 3 connecting rooms. Told no problem. Less than a week before our Departure, we were told they could not do this. We released the 3rd room and were told we would receive a refund for the room by the end of the week of December 20, 2022. We still have not received the refund. Also, the communication among Cuba Candela and those it works with is poor and unreliable. We were told that our guide would be bilingual and fluent in both English and Spanish. We liked our guide very much, but he was not fluent in English. We used Spanglish to communicate. To reiterate, he worked very hard and this is not his fault-but it is another example of Cuba Candela overpromising and underdelivering. One of the biggest disappointments and surprises came on our arrival to Cuba. We had been told previously with written documentation that we had the deluxe, highest end package and all of our meals were covered, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were specifically reassured that there would be little if any need to use Cuban pesos-only if we wanted to exchange a small amount of US dollars to cuban pesos for the experience-and to do it with the Cuba Candela team. Otherwise, we were told, there was no need to use Cuban pesos. Then, when we arrived, our Cuban concierge in Havana presented us with a huge stack of Cuban pesos. To carry all of the Cuban pesos Mario gave us have a required a huge box or briefcase. I protested this, showed documentation where this was absolutely not what we were told, I preferred not to have this enormous stack of Cuban pesos, and expected the agreement and what we had been told previously to hold, namely that all meals be covered and we not have to use Cuban pesos to pay for meals. In spite of my appeals, they insisted on this unexpected change in plan. Molly Layman, their Director of Business Operations, who had just recently provided us with exactly the opposite information. Then, she wrote that "...the best possible way to take care of this is by giving you cash. Not every restaurant accepts pre payments, and the ones that do offer a limited preset menu. Our clients in the past have complained about the preset menus..." She also wrote that they provided us with the Cuban pesos to give their clients "full freedom over what they order. This will give you the best possible dining experience as you can order whatever you like." Depending on one's point of view that may or may not be reasonable. However, this information was never communicated prior to our visit and when we booked our package with Cuba Candela, just the opposite. It would have been one thing if Ms. Layman let us know beforehand that they were changing the way they did things and this is why, they hoped we were ok with the change. But this is not the agreement we signed and not at all what we agreed upon. It was completely unacceptable to be blindsided by this just as we arrived in Cuba after a lengthy overnight flight. Curiously, they did not give us US dollars as cash to spend at the restaurants. They gave us Cuban pesos. While US dollars were accepted everywhere, Cuban pesos were not. For example, we were unable to use Cuban pesos in the Havana airport. We believe we were deceived and taken advantage of by Cuba Candela. Curiously, in spite of their proclaimed attentiveness to follow-up and address these concerns, the Cuba Candela team we worked with has gone radio silent when I have questioned them about these issues. Frankly, it was not easy to get timely follow-up from the Cuba Candela team. The Cuba Candela team also did not tell us which meals were included and which we were to use the pesos they gave us-or how many Cuban pesos to bring to a particular restaurant.

Fantastic experience: Booking a trip with Cuba Candela is the PERFECT way to visit Cuba. They took care of every single detail, and it all went off without a hitch. Our guide, Alejandro, was excellent, and our drivers were great too. I can't even describe to you the magic and beauty of this island, the kindness and graciousness of the Cuban People, or the outstanding food, or the culture or the...just all of it. It's something you HAVE to experience for yourself. It is PERFECTLY LEGAL to visit Cuba, and I've never felt safer anywhere on the planet, even in a dark street in Old Havana. We stayed in the heart of the old city, surrounded by people just doing life, at Gardens Havana (an AirBnB, casa particular), had a guide and driver to take us everywhere and we saw, ate, drank, lived our way through the city and out to Vinales to see the best tobacco fields in the world. It was genuinely magical. In short... GO TO CUBA with Cuba Candela.

Fantastic experience: Our visit to Cuba was EPIC! It was a most memorable, impactful, eye-opening, amazing adventure for our family, including our two teen-age sons! We have deep gratitude to the Cuba Candela team for making it awesome. We especially loved and appreciated all of the guides, accommodation staff and those behind the scenes who worked magic to make our time in Cuba so special. It was clear that the team knew about us and was there to make sure we were comfortable. We felt very well cared for! The accommodations were lovely, we were very well-fed, the activities were thought-provoking, educational, and interesting, best of all, we met amazing people! We were able to use our minds, our bodies and our hearts to explore, learn and connect. Club Candela was great to work with from my e-mail inquary through our send -off from Havana.

Fantastic experience: Incredible! What an amazing fully immersed experience our family had in Cuba! Every experience was one to remember, from the cooking classes, drumming lessons, snorkeling trips to just experiencing the history and culture of Havana everything was planned perfectly by Cuba Candela. Have to mention our guide Luis, he was truly part of our family for the week, he understood our needs and wants before we did, can't say enough about him and the quality of guiding he offered. Fantastic experience, we thank Molly at Cuba Candela and their folks on the ground in Cuba for making it happen for family we will not soon forget it. Muy Rico!

Fantastic experience: I traveled recently to Cuba with Cuba Candela and had an amazing experience. The team at Cuba Candela is passionate about what they do and the service they provide is seamless. I loved all the activities they planned which were educational, authentic, experiential, and hands on. They are experts on creating custom itineraries as well as small group set departure itineraries. Just let them know when you can go and trust that they will take care of the rest!

Fantastic experience: There is nobody I would trust more with planning a trip to Cuba than Cuba Candela. Every single thing was seamless from start to finish, the experiences were all authentic and incredible, their contacts on the ground are invaluable, and they know how to manage every little detail flawlessly. I will definitely be returning to Cuba as it is truly a special destination and the perfect place for travelers who are looking for unique places, amazing people, fascinating culture, and endless opportunities for connecting with locals and really experiencing something authentic. Most of my American friends back home were surprised to learn that we CAN travel to Cuba. Not only can we travel there, but we SHOULD!

Fantastic experience: WOW! What an amazing experience we had in Cuba! From the moment we arrived to the day we had to leave, Cuba Candela created the best immersive experience for my first visit to this beautiful island. Loved experiencing the live music, salsa dancing, visit to a tobacco farm, art galleries, food, drinks and most importantly the people! I can't wait for my next trip with Cuba Candela.

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela made our trip absolutely incredible! I was blown away by the level of service and attention to detail the team had. I will definitely be going to Cuba again and will be using Cuba Candela another time! Thank you thank you for a wonderful trip!!!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela for this trip was great. The tours we had we so informative and our tour guide, Alex was wonderful. He answered all of our questions and accommodated our special requests. The restaurants he chose for us we local, fun and varied. The day we went out to the local farm was worth the long drive as the couple that hosted us were so sweet and the food so-o-o good. At our hotel, Paseo 206, the staff were so courteous and friendly and always smiling and asking what they could do to make our visit wonderful. I couldn't have done this without the help and guidance provided though my professional travel advisor and would - have - recommended Cuba Candela to my friends.

Fantastic experience: I never thought I'd go to Cuba in my lifetime, but Cuba Candela provided a fantastic programming schedule where I was immersed in cultural excursions!

Fantastic experience: Amazing service and unforgettable experience. My special shout out to Rachel for making my trip happen organizing a complex of my demands in just one week. Thanks to Molly’s couching, I was prepared for the trip in every way. The Cuban staff deserves a standing ovation. Lien and Mario turned my 5 days into a fantastic journey. I’ll be forever grateful to Reidel for discovering a salsa dancer in me. His enthusiasm and professionalism can make a stone tap cha-cha-cha. Bravo Cuba Candela!

Fantastic experience: If you want to truly experience Cuba, these guys are the absolute BEST!! Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela - Thank you so much for our incredible trip to Cuba. Our host Rita was terrific, focusing on our interests and offering fun and exciting adventures, especially art, music and culinary destinations, and connecting us to the people of Cuba. Our guide Richard and driver Irais were attentive, friendly and extremely knowledgeable, ensuring that every day was great. We also appreciate the terrific advice and itinerary from Molly. Thanks too to our travel agent Deborah from Protravel International. A truly spectacular and unforgettable trip!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela was incredible at planning an immersive and educational trip for our group of friends. The boutique hotel they selected was stunning and every meal and activity they arranged was incredible.

Fantastic experience: Other than the wonderful people of Cuba, our tour leaders were the best part of our trip. They really went above and beyond for us in every way. Candela tailored our trip to meet our specific interests and delivered in Spades. The accommodations they chose for us also met our needs perfectly - an antique Cuban house with lush gardens, excellent food, and outstanding service by the entire staff. They also provided an agenda that really let us absorb the culture, and meet so many amazing Cubans that shared their lives with us. Thank you Club Candela for making our experience so remarkable!

Fantastic experience: The trip came close to being a bucket-list trip, and it really wasn’t a top priority before we went. When you look at the itineraries of Cuba trip, the focus is on Havana. This wasn’t what we wanted. Instead, we wanted an introductory grand tour. We wanted to get beyond just One place. Our trip’s itinerary was built by a series of conversations. In other words, they didn’t just give us something off-the-shelf. In essence, we went from Havana to the western edge, and then from Havana to the the east, ending in Santiago de Cuba. Our guide and a driver met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. This was an intense relief as the airport was crazy and we had custom issues. The guide was with us the entire trip. Our first driver was with us for eight days, and a second driver was with us for the remainder. The driver’s were wonderful. The vehicles were good. (I remember my parent’s cars from the fifties—modern are much nicer.) At all times, we felt welcome no matter what we did: drinks and song at someone’s home in Havana (a highlight), walking through the artist’s area and into homes in Havana, to a samba lesson, taking a standing tour in an ox-cart, to drinking just roasted and ground coffee on a farm, to visiting the Che museum/monument…well, you can see the scope of our activities. In the middle of the trip, my partner did not feel well. Our guide took her to a doctor and then to a lab for testing. They wrote down her diagnosis. It was three weeks of doctor’s visits at a prestige Boston hospital to make the same diagnosis. Finally, while we had an itinerary, we were able to make changes as needed or desired. A great trip. P.S. Our guide Kathy made the trip wonderful.

Fantastic experience: The tour provided an astonishingly broad introduction to Cuban culture in a very short time. Too short: I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela offered me the absolute best trip of my entire life! Martha and Sara, as well as many other people involved in making the trip happen were absolutely amazing. They were kind, helpful, fun, and professional. Not only did I feel like I was on a vacation, but I felt as though I was being completely immersed in a culture very new to me. Martha and Sara became more than just my tour guides, they became my friends and my family.

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela provided outstanding advice about in-country sites and what to look out for while touring Havana. They provide onsite protection during tourist trips and excellent knowledge about Cuba’s history/culture.

Fantastic experience: Truly Incredible! Our host were extremely organized and took care of us throughout the entire trip. I feel that we saw all aspects of Cuba - the city, ocean, mountains, farms, cars, people, food etc.... being & staying with local people made the experience unique from other trips I've taken and gave our group a greater sense of what it's like to be a Cuban!

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience!

Fantastic experience: My husband and I chose Cuba Candela for our trip to Cuba and we could not have been more pleased with the experience. Every one from Cuba Candela was so professional, attentive and nice. It made for a flawless vacation. I would recommend them to anyone who is traveling to Cuba.

Fantastic experience: Havana is an true treasure and our guide at Cuba Candela did a fantastic job at showing us the city. They did a great job at customizing the tour to see specific sites of interest to our group.

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela made my experience traveling to Cuba for the first time smooth and seamless. I felt much more comfortable having a professional company to advise me on travel and answer any questions I had. I really loved visiting different parts of Cuba with Mhai Yoga while getting such an educational experience meeting so many different, lovely Cubans! Thank you so much!

Fantastic experience: Great way to experience Cuba. Thank you for a wonderful trip.

Fantastic experience: Yes, you can go to Cuba! “Support for the Cuban People"! Cuba is actually much more modern a country than we expected. Some things Cuba Candela arranged for us private rooftop cocktails with a band, El Tropicana Night Club show, visited local artists in their studio, a drive to the country to visit a local family, visit an urban farm, cooking and Mojito making class, visit to Ernest Hemingway’s House, salsa lessons and, of course, drives in old convertibles! The art and music scene are AMAZING and the people are so warm and hospitable. Worth the visit for that. Thanks to Molly and Chad in the office and our guide Rainses and driver Albert for an amazing experience!

Fantastic experience: We want to thank you again for your planning assistance prior to our trip to Cuba with our daughter, Charlotte. We really enjoyed seeing Cuba and many of the great activities scheduled for us, learning so much about the Cuban culture and the Cuban way of life today. First and foremost, though, we want to extend our warmest regards and appreciation to our wonderful host/guide while there, Cynthia, who tirelessly kept us on schedule and engaged in our activities. Cynthia's extensive knowledge of the history of Cuba, Latin America, North America, and world history in general was remarkable. She was mesmerizing at times talking to us in flawless English about so many different topics. Cynthia exhibited such kindness and patience to us as guests in her country and as clients of Cuba Candela. We expressed to Cynthia our favorite portions of the trip were the following: - rooftop welcome at the home of Idalma and her family with local musicians, - educational visit/walking tour throughout Old Havana with Cynthia - Art Museum visit led by Patricia (who was very interesting and knowledgable of the history of Cuban artwork displayed there, and in flawless English) - fabulously entertaining Tropicana cabaret (better than any we've ever seen in Las Vegas) - visit to the lovely countryside of Vinales and delicious lunch at local restaurant in lovely remote setting - morning visit to Cojimar with Yoel of Cafe El Ajiaco and the local gardeners who provided us an informative educational discussion about the plants they grow; then the cooking class at El Ajiaco with Yoel and his hospitable staff of cooks, bartender and servers (quite a fun and entertaining event that morning) - educational and insightful visit to Hemingway's villa with very knowledgable guide - convertible car ride in Havana with David who educated us about the old cars in Havana and showed us a lovely neighborhood and forested river area (and spoke flawless English, as well) - Cienfuegos, a lovely coastal town, where we enjoyed a visit to one of the beautifully restored mansions and ate another delicious lunch at a seaside restaurant - Trinidad, enjoyed the Plaza where the musicians played salsa and other local Cuban or Caribbean music almost all day long; also very good restaurants and beautiful beach there. Your Cuba Candela group should be very proud of Cynthia representing your company as a host/guide in Cuba - she's the best! We can highly recommend Cynthia's host services for your US clients traveling in support of the Cuban people. Please extend our utmost gratitude to Cynthia - and to her Cuba Candela manager in Cuba. Also, please send Cynthia our warmest greetings. John & Tanya Filla Bellville, TX

Fantastic experience: Yes, you can go to Cuba. What an amazing trip and a great tour company! Chad and Molly from Cuba Candela took care of the trip setup and gave us all the info we needed to know. There are some quirks to traveling to Cuba (US laws) and it was suggested to us to get a good reputable tour company. We went with my husband, sister and our 16 year old niece. Cuba Candela met us at the airport and took care of all the details from beginning to end, including our great boutique hotel (Paseo 216), guide Rainsés and driver Albert, dining at the best restaurants (not tourist spots) and got us behind the scene visits with many local guides, farmers and chefs. The Cuban people were all so welcoming and interesting plus the music and art scene is amazing. And it’s totally safe! Not much crime in Cuba. We went with some trepidation, but Cuba Candela exceeded expectations!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela were exceptional from the start of the booking process throughout the trip. We loved our 6 day trip to Havana and Trinidad and our guide, Cynthia and driver, Albert. Cuba Candela made our holiday come alive organizing such experiences such as a private, expert guide, Patricia, at the Bellas Artes, the day trip to Vinales and our excursion via the oxcart and of course the food, just extraordinary quality seafood and fresh produce at all the fantastic paladares, organized in advance. One of our favourite experiences, cooking and mojito-making class followed by lunch, preceded by the guided tour of the organic garden. We LOVED Trinidad and our 2 night stay there in the private home with such engaging hosts and would have happily stayed longer. What a vibrant city with so much laughter and music and great food everywhere. Our Havana hotel was both stylish and charming, as were the hosts and the addition of the young string quartet nightly added to the atmosphere. Thank you Cuba Candela for the best trip. Cannot wait to return.

Fantastic experience: My grandson and I had a fantastic trip to Cuba. Our guide, Rainses, was so good with Cody. Cody is a history buff and wanted to see all he could about their Revolution. Our accommodations were over the top. We were able to immerse ourselves into the culture. I have been to Cuba many times; but saw and learned new things. I was able to meet up with several of my friends who live there. Hope we can go back in the near future and see more of this historic country.

Fantastic experience: We had the most amazing time on this trip! Cuba Candela did an amazing job customizing all aspects of our trip! We went for 6 nights with our 8 month old baby and we had the best time! Our host and driver were also awesome and both loved kids which made the experience even more enjoyable. They went above and beyond in order to make our baby happy and for us to enjoy our trip including MacGyvering a backseat car phone stand so that we didn’t have to hold the phone during long road trips and our baby would be entertained as well as holding our baby during our salsa lesson so that we could have some alone time! The whole team made things very flexible and easy with the baby! Cuba Candela picked some wonderful places for dinner and any requests we had they were happy to accommodate switches when we wanted to just grab some pizza for dinner and relax! Our host even took 50 pictures of our family and sent them to us after the trip as a momento!! Overall, worth every penny we spent and would definitely book with them again for a longer trip!

Fantastic experience: We feel so fortunate to have visited Cuba with Cuba Candela over Xmas 2019. Who knows when we will travel again. Cuba is a revelation. It has everything from historic buildings, stunning countryside, great food, world class- art music, culture and lots of things to see and do from hip Havana to the peace of hike or a ride in Vinales. Our guide Cynthia who we spent 6 days with was solicitous, intelligent and a lot of fun. Every single arrangement and experience was outstanding. Do think of Cuba and Cuba Candela when you can take your next vacation. For people living in North America - no time change and direct flights from NY on Jet Blue. Cuba remains an undiscovered treasure.

Fantastic experience: We were in Cuba for five days.We were met at the airport and taken directly to a private residence. Our adult children had the same service, as they arrived a bit earlier to the airport. We all met in our lovely apartment with a gorgeous rooftop view. These accommodations were outstanding. We had breakfast on the patio every morning and it was delicious. Our guide, Veronica was excellent. We truly believe we got to see the best of Havana. Veronica took us places above and beyond just the regular tourist sites. Our trip to the Viñales valley was exceptional Visiting a coffee farm and a tobacco farm was so very interesting. Riding in the ox cart to the tobacco farm was so fun Visiting a coffee farm and a tobacco farm was so very interesting. Riding in the ox cart to the tobacco farm was so fun This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The restaurants, and Paladares that they took us to were exceptional. The food was delicious. All of our meals were fantastic. The trip to the Tropicana was amazing. There was nothing that Cuba Candela did not think of to make our trip memorable. They were willing to customize it for just exactly what we wanted. I heartily recommend Cuba Candela. Again, a trip of a lifetime!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela set up an amazing tour. We were meet at the airport by our drivers who showed us where to exchange our money and they drove us to our hotel The drivers were available to help with a few unexpected needs as well as they were thoughtful and educated us about their people. The sights we saw were culturally interesting and fun. The trip was well organized and timed. Our tour guide, Cynthia's knowledge of her country was amazing and so the time in the car became just as interesting as the stops me made.

Fantastic experience: We had the most amazing time in Cuba and were incredibly pleased with Cuba Candela. They were incredibly professional and thorough from start to finish. Everything on our itinerary was a unique and special experience. Our personal host, Vero, was the best - we had so much fun with her and feel very lucky to have had her as our guide. I cannot recommend a trip to Cuba using Cuba Candela enough!

Fantastic experience: We spent Thanksgiving in Cuba with Cuba Candela and can't recommend them enough!! Our guide, Martha was fabulous and our driver Jesus was awesome. It was a fun, informative, and fascinating trip! So much diversity in our activities and in the Cuban culture and the people we met/got to spend time with. We are grateful in so many ways! Thanks!

Fantastic experience: We had an amazing trip, thanks to Cuba Candela. They took care of every little detail, our host Cynthia and driver Jose were excellent as well. Usually we never book travel through travel agency but they exceeded all our expectations and more! Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: Great Cuba trip, terrific planning and superior Driver and Host. Very educational, unbelievable people, great history, and tremendously humbling!

Fantastic experience: Is there something new to say about Cuba? It was the first country I ever wanted to visit, but I was 2 years old, then there was a revolution, then life. At last I was able to realize my dream on our 30th wedding anniversary. We traveled with open minds in order to learn about Cuba and were never disappointed. Our Cuba Candela Guide, Martha, was a miracle. She was so knowledgeable about Cuban history and its relationships with the rest of the world. In fact, I would venture that she knew more about the US than many young Americans. We learned so much about Cuban life today and throughout the country's history. We met the most charming people on earth and ate amazing meals . . . . many, many meals. Havana is a graceful, if aging, lady while the countryside is stunning and peaceful. All of the people we met were as gracious and sophisticated as any we've met on earth. I can go on and on about the art and music, both sanctioned and "un." The only change I would like next time is more time in a Havana Afro-Cubano music venue. I will need to train to stay up later for next time. Bravo to all who made our trip so magnificent.

Fantastic experience: Incredible trip. Can’t imagine going to Cuba any other way, will be sending others as well as finding time to get back myself. Really meaningful experience to get to connect and learn without any pretense or awkwardness.

Fantastic experience: A great home base to day trip from, right on the water with the best support staff.

Fantastic experience: This was an amazing trip! Cuba Candela planned a variety of activities that immersed us in the Cuban culture from cooking classes, art galleries, tobacco farms, ox card rides, etc. Our family of 5....children from 18-22....couldn't pick our favorite thing we did because we loved them all! The Cuban food was fabulous and our lodging at Paseo 206 was quaint and relaxing. Cuba Candela had every detail of the trip well planned. Our guide helped us navigate through the country and answered our questions. We highly recommend using Cuba Candela and visiting Cuba!

Fantastic experience: As soon as I flew through Customs, my Cuban adventure started. It was exciting and practically nonstop FUN. My host was super hip and knowledgeable about all of the cool, off-the-beaten path areas. I asked Cuban Candela (CC) that I not look like a tourist--and my host ensured that I blended right in. It felt as if Cuba embraced me with the warmest of hugs. I dragged a suitcase full of school supplies and chocolate. EVERYONE that I met 100% appreciated my offerings, because my host made sure that I met educators and craftsmen who could utilize the supplies. That meant the WORLD to me. And kids of all ages appreciated the chocolates! The weather was warm & humid--my kind of weather--the foliage was vibrant and the food was extremely healthy and good. Even though I had a driver, my host made sure we walked and saw virtually every nook & cranny of Habana. I learned about the different town squares & parks where folks gathered. I gawked at the 1950s cars interspersed with the horse-driven buggies, bicycles AND ELECTRIC motorcycles that seemed to be everywhere. I TOTALLY enjoyed Emilio's excellent teaching skills as he was teaching me Salsa during a morning and afternoon session. I couldn't bear to go to a club later that evening--it started at 11pm. That's just way too late for me!! The 8pm dinners and night life were about the only aspects of Cuban life I didn't immediately embrace. We went to Trinidad and politely honked at the oxen and cows that leisurely crossed the road to get to more grazing areas. I observed coffee bing naturally ground by Rosa & her husband up in the mountains. And I got a chance to taste some mountain-grown coffee--I became a true believer!! I even bought some of that heavenly coffee!! And I rarely drink coffee!!! (It was THAT good). On the day I hiked to see some waterfalls in Trinidad, I'm sure I sweated 10 pounds taking the host's 'shortcut' out of the mountainside to return back to the car. That 'shortcut' was more narrow and the stairs were much steeper. I embraced every colorful Cuban word on the way back up, too!!! My host regaled me with all kinds of humorous tales of her adventures my last evening in Trinidad. We had hung out at the beach for about an hour before the heavens opened up. But afterwards, I went to yet another intriguing dinner spot and was serenaded by the most handsome band leader. Afterwards, I met back up with my host and we walked to this salsa club in a cave (it was closed). We then walked to an open salsa club where the music was POPPIN'. I had an absolute blast. While I only spent 5 days in Cuba, it feels like I was there for longer, because CC made sure that I was ALWAYS doing something with my time. When I was tired, I'd apologize for choosing not to go back out to enjoy drinks at sunset or go dance at 11pm. My host always reminded me that I should never apologize, because this was MY vacation that I should fully enjoy. And, yes, I fully enjoyed myself. CC works with some really great people. And THAT'S what made all the difference. I highly recommend CC.

Fantastic experience: If you're planning travel to Cuba, I DEFINITELY recommend Cuba Candela!! From start to finish, working with them was an amazing experience. I had traveled previously to Cuba before on a cruise, but what they set up for my group was a day we will never forget. We had the MOST WONDERFUL local guide and really felt like we experienced the real Cuba. I still can't believe what we accomplished in one day in Havana. They are the BEST!!!!!!

Fantastic experience: My father, sister and I couldn't imagine seeing Cuba any other way. Cuba Candela was first class from the start, providing excellent service planning our trip under a tight time constraint of two weeks. Our guide and driver were awesome, catering to our every need and laughing with us throughout. Our accommodations were wonderful, with great breakfasts made fresh for us every morning. Our host was so sweet and was obsessed with making sure we were happy. Unfortunately, we did lack hot water for the first night, but it was promptly fixed the following day. The highlights were the Art Museum (most informational insight into the island's history), the salsa lesson (we were all dreading it but ended up loving it), the rooftop mojitos with live music (my personal favorite) and the early morning trip to an empty Playas Del Este. Vinales and the convertible tour were unforgettable experiences as well. The lowlights were the food (definitely some fantastic meals, but overall not great as we expected from research of Cuba in general), the theater tour (not much to it) and the immersion tour (appealed more to my sister and I than it did to my father). Also, Fabrica Del Artes is certainly a hip scene, but the food and service at the restaurant did not make it worth going to. Despite the steep price, we couldn't recommend this more. It would be hard to envision getting an even remotely similar experience having planned everything ourselves. Everyone involved was amazing. We'll remember this trip and Cuba Candela forever. Thank you!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela helped us organize a custom art and artist-centered tour. They were fabulous. Our lodgings (an 8 BR villa) were superb. Every paladar (pvt. restaurant) was wonderful, and each visit and excursion was unique and fascinating. Our guide Cynthia was brilliant and patient and professional and fun. 5 stars for Cuba Candela throughout!!!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela is truly a work of art! With absolute perfection they put together a very private and exclusive art tour of Havana for our VIP clients. Their team in Miami, Krystelle and Chad worked for months to perfect an itinerary that would not only give a feel of the culture of Cuba, but also offer our clients the exclusivity that they were seeking on this event. The villa they reserved for us was gorgeous. The staff was impeccable, friendly and helpful. The private drivers 12 hours a day made our group feel especially spoiled. But it was the private guide we had, Cynthia, that made the trip truly effortless for us and flawless. She kept the group on track with our very tight itinerary. She smiled and knew so much about every place we went. She knew how to hand the guiding off to the tour expert that Cuba Candela arranged for us in some of our exclusive places. And then she knew how to wrangle everyone back up again to head off to the next. She was classy, kind and very smart. I do big cruise business with Cuba. This was my first land based trip for my guests. I researched quite a bit before I found Cuba Candela. Needless to say I made the right decision. Viva Cuba! Viva Cuba Candela!

Fantastic experience: Beyond expectations! Our time in Cuba with Cuba Candela was thought-provoking, eye-opening, preconceived-notion challenging, awe inspiring, and FUN! Everything that I want out of travel. We made human connections and hopefully life long friends. Our host Marta was outstanding -funny, warm, a true professional. Albert was our delightful driver. Every guide we encountered was amazing – Patricia, Miguel, Andy… muchas gracias Cuba Candela and keep up the great work of forming lasting connections with the amazing people of Cuba!

Fantastic experience: Our trip to support the Cuban people was outstanding. The people, places, and experiences were wonderful and unique. The schedule was full. We were very pleased with our itinerary, experiences, meals, accomodations, guide, and driver from Cuba Candela. We highly recommend Cuba Candela for such an amazing opportunity to support the Cuban people.

Fantastic experience: A unique experience and every part immersive as you can get. Learning about this incredible city and its people was a true adventure. This is not your average tour by any means. Prepare to be stimulated mind, body, and spirit by this outstanding journey through the very heart of Havana, Cuba! Thank you, Cuba Candela for sharing the seen & hidden beauty of this captivating city!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela went above and beyond to ensure we had the perfect trip! The luxury components along with the cultural immersion was the perfect combination to feel the real Cuba, with a professional and knowledgeable team on hand to teach us, but also have fun. I travel often, and to many unique destinations, and time with Cuba Candela exceeds many 'tours' I have experienced in the past. .The booking process was seamless, down to the last moment with our fabulous host, and saying goodbye, plus we even received a personalized follow up. They knew our every request, need, and surprised us along the way. I would 1000% recommend Cuba Candela for any Cuba request. Cruise, land, information. Thank you to the team for showing us an amazing time and introducing us to the kindest, sweetest locals. We will be back!

Fantastic experience: Cuba Candela did a great job ... Krystelle Rocourt did a great job for us ... Our local Havana guide Ramses was phenomenal, as was our driver, Albert. Superior service and both men were highly articulate in English. The hotel was OK ... super clean, and very well appointed and the service of the staff was just great. Bed was terrific and the HVAC worked well ... Nice updated bathroom. But we had problems getting hot water ... we couldn't figure out the shower valve. No TV, no news. Phone service for US visitors was super expensive Hotel things that need improvement are, that there was no door knob on our suite door ... so we had to open the door by pulling on the key and the internal locks were silly ... because the door opened inwards and there was nothing for the inside door bolt to slide into to lock. And the safe in the room had no instructions on how to operate it. Old Havana and El Morro were great and we really enjoyed it so very much. But we were so saddened by what we saw in the rural countryside. Fields lying fallow for long periods of time and yet there are food shortages. One farmer told us that the government took 90% of his annual crop and that he was not really motivated to work so hard Cuban Communism has not kept its promise to the Cuban people and the Embargo has lasted too long and needs to go away RIGHT NOW. The Cuban people are so warm, friendly and willing. But dealing with Cuban CUC currency is a nuisance and the airport security people were visibly and openly hostile to visitors, both coming into and leaving Havana.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time in Cuba! Our host, Martha, was amazing! We thoroughly enjoyed the food, drinks and special experiences like the convertible car ride, salsa and cooking lessons and the private terrace performances! The villa we were staying at was incredible.. very central location, extremely cozy yet modern and very hospitable staff! Thank you Cuba Candela! Would highly recommend to anyone going to Cuba :)

Fantastic experience: Uma experiência única, pessoas super simpáticas, staff muito profissional e pontual.

Fantastic experience: We had an awesome experience. Our guide and taxi drivers were excellent. We had a real Cuban experience. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: We just returned from a fabulous trip to Cuba. Cuba Candela did a superb job in planning our visit, to include a stay in a private villa in a great location, reservations at fantastic restaurants, and meaningful forays into the lives of the Cuban people. Our case host Marianella was very thoughtful, thorough, and prepared a full breakfast every morning. Our guide Veronica was constantly focused on taking good care of us and ensuring that we got the experiences we were looking for. Our drivers Marcos and Jorge were kind, professional, and always on time. In short, a very special trip. I highly recommend Cuba Candela!