"If you want an intimate experience of Cuba by immersing yourself in the culture of this extraordinary country, talk to Manny - the guy behind the curtain with Cuba Travel Adventures. I hold him personally responsible for the exceptional 2 weeks we had in Cuba last month. All we wanted was a good guide and a vehicle to get us from Havana to Vinales to Trinidadwithout complication. I was not certain this was possible, after too many people kept defining "personalized tour" as being herded on and off a bus with a small group of strangers, kept on a tight schedule and an even tighter leash. Enter Manny. I wrote to him, and he called back in under ten minutes, and his first words were, "How's this for service?" I liked him immediately. He made it clear he could create an itinerary woven around our interests, with the freedom to stray at any given moment from what we had planned for the day. No tight leash. No leash at all. Nice. Yes we could have a guide, and our guide would be well educated and available at all times, and the driver would be professional, and the car would actually run. (I specifically asked if the car would run, and maybe even for the definition of "car.") If you're having any concerns about the legitimacy of this company because there aren't a lot of reviews, let me put your mind at ease: I was a bear about researching them. I didn't like the idea of handing over deposit money and passport numbers to someone who might just be talking a good game; getting taken like that might put me in a bad mood for the next several years. Nothing to worry about. Manny handled my interrogation flawlessly. He delivered on everything I asked for and answered all my questions and kept a sense of humor and never lost his cool. At no time was the communication anything less than stellar - before and after we signed on the dotted line. Should I write about how deeply Cuba touched me? How much fun it was, how easy it was to fall in love with and how I was so often overwhelmed that I just needed to sit still and be thankful? Can I talk about the places we went in detail? Explain why we adored our guide and driver so much that even now, 3 weeks later, we still miss their company? Do you want to know that the paladars were superb and the locations breathtaking and the people far more beautiful inside and out than I ever imagined? Cars there tell stories. Buildings tell stories. The hosts at each casa particular, opening their homes and hearts to us simultaneously, redefined what it means to be gracious. The history, the architecture, the music, the soul. The talking trees at Finca Luna. Willie, who I keep telling myself actually exists - and his family actually exists - though I still think I dreamed it all. The baseball game in Vinales - unplanned, but perhaps not so unexpected (thanks Uncle Buddy, with memories of watching you play at Thillens Stadium). Yes, this was a personal tour. Very much so. No need for me to tell you what Cuba is like. You already feel the pull or you wouldn't be reading this. Have your own discovery, and be as moved as you want to be. Maybe all you need is a reliable way to get there and back, some solid recommendations, and a great guy with a fabulous company to bounce ideas around with and make it all happen. Work with Cuba Travel adventures. Talk to Manny. Note that while you are listening to him he is listening to you. This is someone who is as invested in your stay as you are. His love for Cuba, and the Cuban people, will be palpable. Just like yours will be, when you return." ~  Gail and Jeff

 

"You won't find a more patient and engaging guide than the team at Cuba Travel Adventures Group. We commend their can-do attitude, and willingness to always find a solution for any issue - big or small. They have an approach that draws out the very best out of everyone we interacted with."

So many enjoyable moments but here are our favorites:Salsa lessonhe Paladars - especially La Guarida, Otramanera, the organic farm up in VinalesTobacco farm - especially since we could buy some!Exploring Old Havana - so much charm and characterOur interactions with the locals. For example: Our dinners where we were able to mingle with the owners and nging songs with the lovely abuela at El Meson.

 

 

"We really couldn't thank you enough for the amazing memories of our Cuban adventure!"   -   The JH/VH group

 

 

"An experience in Cuba that I can truly say has changed my life. Thank you!"    -    K.T.

 

 

"Thank you for introducing us to an amazing and unforgettable place! The timing was perfect and it was an incredible experience all around."

        - A recent Cuba Travel Adventures Group member of a 15-person group tour

 

 

"Manny, You and your team made the dream of a 77 year old ballroom dancer come true!  I was able to experience the Salsa where it was born, in Cuba.  What a great adventure  you made possible for me. You provided such a great support network in Cuba that I always felt safe, and I enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime cultural and dancing experiences with great Cuban people every day.  My guides opened doors to a Cuba ordinary tourists seldom see, making for a fantastic Cuban fantasy."     -     Sincerely,  C.D.B  (June 2015)

 

 

"My family has traveled to many places around the world with me and nobody seems to show more attention for detail than you guys!  Thank you for an amazing trip."

     

 

"Manny, Thank you for a great trip to Cuba. 

Everything was good and your guide was great. He could not have done more for us. Young energetic knowledgeable, what more could we ask for. 

Thanks again and happy thanksgiving."     -     Jerry (Family of four - Thanksgiving trip 2015)"

 

 

"We have talked with so many people here in CO and in TX last week about our trip.  Everyone is amazed that we were able to plan it for such a short time and that everything went even more smoothly than we could have hoped.  We love Ernest!  It was definitely a dream come true! "    -   VP and SP 12/21/15

 

"I just returned from a trip to Cuba with my 4 young adult kids (in their early 20s). I organized the trip entirely through Cuba Adventure Travel. I was able to work directly with Manny and Suzanne to completely customize the trip around our family's preferences. They worked with me to establish an affordable budget and created a terrific price fix excursion. We traveled with a young, energetic guide who spoke perfect English and directed our driver on our travels to several cities. We experienced home stays with very nice, clean accommodations, and were directed to some wonderful restaurants and bars in the evenings. We came away feeling as though we had a great sense of the people, their culture and history from a Cuban perspective. And music is everywhere! Don't miss the chance to visit this place while it is just beginning to awaken. Thanks for all of your help.  It was great!"    -     Heidi  1/3/15

 

"We felt very fortunate to have found Manny and his group!  I am 73, my husband is 75. We have traveled to central and So. American countries in the past, so we had pretty realistic expectations and weren't surprised at putting toilet paper in a trash can and drinking bottled water. Neither of us speak Spanish, but our 26-yr-old Cuban guide has an English degree from the university and we got along just fine. We were fortunate to have him all to ourselves, as we were the only ones booked with them the week we went.  We found everyone to be very warm and friendly and felt very safe. We stayed in an apartment building in a Cuban neighborhood and walked around w/o our guide most evenings. Manny suggested we bring a flashlight, which we did. The food was wonderful. We loved seeing and riding in the old cars! We did quite a lot of walking, with our guide, as well, in Old Havana, etc. we also took a driving trip to Vinales with an overnight in a private home there. The trip and the accommodations were most enjoyable. Their itinerary is flexible. Some people like clubs, some favor museums, etc, but there is a lot to see and do. Our guide was most accommodating regarding what we did/didn't want to see or do.
Manny had all the paperwork - visa, charter flight tickets, Cuba health stamp in order and waiting for us in Miami, which made it very easy for us."
December 2015

 

 

" Singing the praises of a great travel experience."    Habana,  2015

 

 

"Manny and Suzanne, We want to thank you for a wonderful experience.! It was like going back in time. We got to experience a variety of places and meet different people. We can only use positive adjectives to describe the Cuban people. Warm,friendly,generous,are just a few. They are also very creative and ingenious in making use of materials and resources they have .I hope that with the thawing of relationships things will get better for them.

Our guide Yuri was excellent we would HIGHLY recommend him for future travelers.He was very flexible and accommodating .We learned a lot from him about the Cuban people their history and politics .We had a number of talks with him on all levels He has an interesting history and  we thoroughly enjoyed him and our driver.

The casas gave us an opportunity to get to know families .The hostesses were all gracious and welcoming and provided us with ample good food. We are pretty adaptable , but after experiencing the first two casas  it was quite unexpected how basic was La Moka casa .We do not know options at that location that may have been the best available . We look at it as an adventure and unexpected always happens.  I am glad we did not get isolated in a large hotel removed from reality of life there.

It was truly a great time, we are so happy we wen ! We would recommend traveling with you to people who want to experience real Cuba . Thank you again for a great trip!"            -    Penny and Tom Zarfoss 

 

 

"Had truly the trip of a lifetime in Cuba. Decided to go to Cuba with a friend last minute over Xmas and New Year's and randomly found Manny's company. After a few emails and phone calls, we were on our way. Had our charter flights and visas organized with Manny on Gulf Stream via Aruba Air and were warmly greeted at the airport. From then on it was smooth sailing, it was just the two of us and we had an amazing guide and driver with us throughout the two weeks. It was great because our itinerary was flexible and if we wanted to stay somewhere longer or cut out somewhere else we could. And then we'd see the large busloads of tourists and we were so happy to get a tour of Cuba that was off the beaten path.

It was money well spent having Manny organize for this and I'd highly recommend it if you are wanting to do your own adventure of Cuba with a highly knowledgable guide and your own driver. Our guide was Manuel and we called him the mayor of Cuba because he knew people everywhere we went.

 

I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did and go scuba diving if you can!"    -  Laurel W and Susan E   February 2016

 

 

"My family and I just returned from a humanitarian trip to Havana, Cuba and the surrounding countryside. It had long been on my bucket list and Manny and his team at Cuba Travel Adventures Group made it happen. The trip began with a five hour delay at the Tampa Airport due to the Pope being at the Havana Airport. That, however, was our only snag. The people, the underlying beauty of the island, the old American cars…it was like stepping back to the 1950s. Our penthouse apartment was great with views of the Malecon and beyond. The trip exceeded all of our expectations.  Thanks again Manny. The experience was priceless."     -   Randy Akers - two  couples from Georgia  March 2016

 

 

"Good morning, Manny!  Cuba was amazing, and you were right about our guide. Oscar, was a complete pleasure. He made our trip fantastic. What a gem you have in him! Thanks again for all the coordinating.    We have many friends who want to chat with us about Cuba after seeing all our Facebook pictures. I will be definitely referring them your way. Thanks!!!"  -   GWP 2/26/16

 

"Hi Manny, Suzanne, and the CTA team, Just wanted to let you know that we had a fabulous time in Cuba.  Our guide (Nelson) was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable.  He changed things on the itinerary around as necessary and added in a concert at the Fine Arts Museum and a trip to the caves in Vinales.  Our drivers (a father/son team) were great too, and when something broke in the car while we were in Vinales, the son got it fixed quickly.
We could not have been happier with our trip and really appreciate all that you did to make it happen!"    Thanks!    -    Jen & Mayank Seksaria   2/25/16